“IN CONGRESS, July 4, 1776; The unanimous Declaration of the thirteen United States of America; When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature’s God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.”

The journey to the top has been lined with sacrifice, debate, defeats and victories. We have grown into one of the most powerful nations on this Earth. We hold the standard for Life, Liberty and the pursuit of happiness. Freedom is our core belief, and we are willing to die to secure it. I am an American and I stand proudly when the flag is waved. But I also kneel humbly before the Lord and thank Him for blessing this nation, for standing by our side and guiding us with His character as our foundation.

Galatians 5:1; NIV; It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.

One of the yokes of slavery is refusing to be obedient to God’s commandments. One, in particular, that has gotten pushed to the curb in society today is the Forth one. Remember the Sabath and keep it holy.

Exodus 20:8-11; NIV; “Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is a sabbath to the Lord your God. On it you shall not do any work, neither you, nor your son or daughter, nor your male or female servant, nor your animals, nor any foreigner residing in your towns. For in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, but he rested on the seventh day. Therefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy.

It seems Sunday is just another day of the week and we go about our business like usual. That always hasn’t been the case in this country. For many years Sunday was a day of rest, stores were closed, our places of employment were closed. Family had dinner together, picnics were taken. We have given all that up for the pursuit of something that isn’t as valuable as rest. I know many people who want to slow down and take things at a slower pace but the pressure of the world around them won’t allow them too. 

Once, this country understood that. Once there were laws in place to keep us from running 24-7, 365. For our own good, things were closed so we would have to take a break. But we thought we knew better, abolished those laws and now we are living on the edge, frazzled and ready to implode. God did not design us that way.

Racing for fun or for a living is stressful. The nature of the deal is that our life is on the edge. When you are at the track everything seems to run at 100 miles an hour. It is racing after all. It is supposed to move fast. 

The racing world does not corner the market on stress and frustration. The world we live in has been described as a rat race. Did you ever find yourself wondering why you do what you do? Many times in life the thought crosses our mind concerning our motivation. Why do we do this? Why am I here? When we get to that point it is good to step back and take a look at things. Take a step out of your routine and look for a place to rest and collect your thoughts. Jesus is that place. 

Jesus came to save us. From what you ask, from us. We fill our lives with so much stuff that the stuff starts to win out. We develop a lifestyle that feeds off itself. We start finding ourselves needing to do this, this and this in order to maintain our lifestyle. It becomes overwhelming and we just keep on going trying to stay one-step ahead, for what? So we can live? I am not sure many people would classify what they do as living. They may say surviving, but not living. We all have a vision of what living is and we are not there yet.  

Matthew 11:28-29, nlt, Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle, and you will find rest for your souls. 

Is your soul restless? Is your life upside down? Jesus provides for each one of us the security of a destination. If we accept Him we will be with him for eternity. Destination settled, now about the journey. 

When we take a step back from the challenges of our life and we realize that we do not have to win the race, our Savior has already won that race. We can adjust our focus and look around us and participate in the journey. Along that road we need to reach out and help one another. We need to guide and help people find the source of life. We need to, as Jesus said, be humble and gentle as we demonstrate how to live. David writes in Psalm twenty-three, 

Psalm 23 1-3,nlt, The LORD is my shepherd; I have everything I need. He lets me rest in green meadows; he leads me beside peaceful streams. He renews my strength. 

In Jesus we have everything we need. Rest in Him, walk with Him and let Him renew your strength. I encourage you to take this Holiday and declare your independence from the rat race that burdens you. Make an intentional effort to stop doing and rest. Enjoy the company of friends and family, shut off the electronics, tune out the noise and recharge your batteries. Jesus offers us that restoration. Let’s combine those two verses.

Jesus said; Come to me all who are weary and burdened, I have what you need. I will give you rest. I will lead you to green meadows, beside peaceful streams, restore your strength and renew your soul.

Run the race in such a way as to win, throw off everything that hinders and focus on Jesus. Until next time, remember God loves you and Jesus is Lord over Auto Racing! God Bless. Remember, that your prayerful support and donations help us continue this ministry. Thank You.

As we look back, we remember the personalities that were bigger than life. We remember the people that touched our lives. We remember meeting our heroes and people we looked up to. Last week we remembered our dads, for many he was a hero and mentor. Who are some of those who have been a part of your life? Who have you looked up to? Who has helped you accomplish the milestones of your life? 

For us racers there are many names that come to mind. For each fan they are different, names like Evans, Jarzombek, Bohler, Stevens, Fiore, Flemke, Hirchman, Stefanik and the list goes on. Some have left us and some remain, but they each have left an impression. We have the memories of their achievements, the milestones of their careers to guide us along the journey.

In the coming weeks our nation celebrates a milestone, 250 years of independence. In 1776 we wrote a letter to the King of England and explained we no longer need to be under his authority. It cost us many lives and much bloodshed, but we won our independence and became a free nation under God. 

In our lives we experience a wide variety of things. We go through highs and lows. We have joy and pain. We celebrate birthdays, graduations, promotions and partings. The milestones that mark our presence. I recently visited the cemetery and found an old friend, Patrick T Evans, US Navy veteran, Vietnam. Some may remember Rev. Pat. Without his effort I would not have had the opportunity to lead Racing with Jesus Ministries. So many of our milestones are dependent on those who came before us.

As the writer of Ecclesiastes reminds us there is a time for everything under the heaven; 

Ecclesiastes 3:1-8, There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven: a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot, a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build, a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance, a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them, a time to embrace and a time to refrain, a time to search and a time to give up, a time to keep and a time to throw away, a time to tear and a time to me, a time to be silent and a time to speak, a time to love and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace. 

It’s no different in racing; just the time frame may be a little shorter. We build, tear down, rebuild sometimes within hours not days or weeks. Remember those times? The story starts; “Remember that race where we ….” or “How about the time we ….” or “Wasn’t it great when we ….” And the story goes about how we made it through the trials and challenges of racing. 

Racers are a unique breed; they can see victory even in situations that, to an outside observer, look like a failure. I think that’s what makes a racer a racer; they have the ability to see past even the worst adversity and find a silver lining. Competing is the goal; just let me go out there and race. As one so aptly named go cart track put it, settle it on the track.  I think the only disappointment a racer experiences is when they come to the track and don’t get to race. Practice is nice, Qualifying is okay but get out of the way I came to race! 

Racers see the positives in life more than the negatives. Even through the challenging times, racers know there will always be another day to race. It is what we do. We show up at each track with the expectation of winning. We are realistic about our chances, but the goal remains Victory Lane. Who knows what the day will bring? Racers are prepared for just about anything and what they don’t have with them someone else will let them borrow. That is the racing community I know. 

In life we face the same challenges, the same ups and downs, and the same disappointments. As we look back at our accomplishments they sit as milestones along the path of our life. We can list the common ones, birth, graduation, job, marriage, children, home, retirement, etc. 

For racers we might add first car, first race, first checkered flag, and first sponsor. Do you notice the difference? Racers mark their milestones by the first time they do something while most everyone else marks their milestones by when they complete something. I guess it just means that racers expect to do it again. They have an expectation that tomorrow will be better than yesterday. Last is a four-letter word in a racers vocabulary and it is not used to remember things.  

The events of our life that mean the most to us are life-changing events. They change the course of our lives. Christ came and changed the course of history, he split time. He came with one desire in His heart, to provide the opportunity for Salvation to everyone; to change our lives for the best.  He said it in John’s Gospel this way; 

John 10:10; The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. 

To accomplish this it meant Christ would have to give His life as a sacrifice for us. His entire purpose was to sacrifice himself for us. He marked that milestone with three simple words, “It is finished” in the 19th chapter of John’s Gospel. There are many important events in the life of Christ that are recorded in Scriptures, but the most important one is this, he accomplished on the cross what we could not do for ourselves. He paid the price for our sin. We are forgiven because of this sacrifice. We have a restored relationship with God because of this sacrifice. We can live an abundant life because of this sacrifice. 

As you reflect on the milestones of your life, is there one there that marks the day you accepted Christ as your Lord and Savior? Is there one that marks the day you followed Christ in Baptism? There should be. That milestone is where your life changed. You began anew; you were born again! If that milestone isn’t there, allow me to help you mark it. We invite you to pray with all your heart this simple prayer:  

“Dear God, help me. I have tried and have fallen short of the life you want for me. I am a sinner. Nothing I can do can save me from my sin, please forgive me. I ask Jesus into my life. This day, this moment, I receive Jesus as my personal Savior. I submit to Him as my Lord and King. I turn from my sins and turn toward You. I receive your forgiveness and will strive to live for your glory. Thank you for saving me. Amen.” 

If you prayed that prayer there is a new milestone in your life. One that marks the day you were saved from the penalty of sin and welcomed into the Kingdom of Heaven. Congratulations, share your decision with us, Amen!

Run the race in such a way as to win, throw off everything that hinders and focus on Jesus. Until next time, remember God loves you and Jesus is Lord over Auto Racing! God Bless. Remember, that your prayerful support and donations help us continue this ministry. Thank You.

My dad taught me to drive at an early age. I think the first time he let me move the truck I could barely reach the pedals. Granted, I didn’t start it, but I did press in the clutch and let it roll a few yards. That was back in the day when times were simpler and things moved slower. When you could pile the neighborhood in the back of the truck and go get ice cream!

I remember one family trip, it was dark and we were traveling up Route 7 in Vermont headed to see family. He invited me to come up here and sit with him. I remember climbing into his lap with my hands on the wheel. It was a blue Ford Galaxy we had named Ole Betsy. I would steer from one side of the road to the other, he would correct it just as I was getting to the edge. I still can remember the feeling of being safely wrapped in his arms.

My father taught me to give an honest day’s work. He taught me to keep my word and be fair. He instilled in me honesty and integrity. Those lessons I can only appreciate now, later in life, when I see how much good character means. 

I have my father to thank for that. The time I had with my Dad was short, I was fifteen when he passed away, but during the time we had together he taught me a tremendous amount about life and how to live it. I think every parent only wants that opportunity, the opportunity to teach their children the lessons that they learned; the opportunity to teach their children what and how this life should be lived.

I saw a photo on Facebook the other day posted by Geoff Bodine. It was a picture of Brett, Todd and Geoff, three brothers, but it wasn’t always so easy. I remember the interview as Geoff told the story in the March 2003 issue of Guideposts. He talked about the family feud that went public after that fateful day in Indy when he and Brett exchanged love taps in turn three and four. Geoff recounted how he shot his mouth off and exposed a family matter for the whole world to see.

He then shared how he remembered what his dad had taught him and wondered what his father would make of the whole thing. He behaved in a way that went against everything his father had taught him. “I couldn’t imagine how deeply our fighting must have hurt Dad.”

Geoff continued, “I grew up on my grandfather’s farm in Chemung, NY. Grandpa worked the dairy part. Dad and I worked the chicken farm. Side-by-side with dad, I learned what it meant to be a caring, decent Christian man. He was always giving, whether it was a meal, a job or money. People in church and the community counted on him. I can’t remember him ever once saying anything bad about anyone. Especially family.”

Geoff shared how something continued to nag at him, despite all his success, he had forsaken the lessons he learned from his father. His dad loved his wife, loved his children and most of all loved living a life that pleased God. Geoff remembers praying, “Please Lord, teach me how to make you more a part of my life. Like dad.”

In the end God would come to Geoff’s aid, as he tumbled in a horrific crash at Daytona, God came to him and spared his life. “It wasn’t luck or safety restraints that saved me, it was a miracle. I am here to tell them I’m alive only by the grace and power of God. I’m sure Dad would be proud.”

That regret we feel when we let our parents down is a difficult one to deal with. The forgiveness our parents show us is a tremendous gift. As we reflect on what we have learned from our fathers, think about what our Father in Heaven has to teach us. Think about the valuable lessons we can learn at the knee of our Heavenly Father. 

My Child ~

You may not know me, but I know everything about you ~ Psalm 139:1

I know when you sit down and when you rise up ~ Psalm 139:2

I am familiar with all your ways ~ Psalm 139:3 

Even the very hairs on your head are numbered ~ Matthew 10:29-31

For you were made in my image ~ Genesis 1:27 

In me you live and move and have your being ~ Acts 17:28

For you are my offspring ~ Acts 17:28

I knew you even before you were conceived ~ Jeremiah 1:4-5 

I chose you when I planned creation ~ Ephesians 1:11-12

You were not a mistake, for all your days are written in my book ~ Psalm 139:15-16

I determined the exact time of your birth and where you would live ~ Acts 17:26

You are fearfully and wonderfully made ~ Psalm 139:14 

I knit you together in your mother’s womb ~ Psalm 139:13 

And brought you forth on the day you were born ~ Psalm 71:6 

I have been misrepresented by those who don’t know me ~ John 8:41-44

I am not distant and angry, but am the complete expression of love ~ 1 John 4:16 

And it is my desire to lavish my love on you ~ 1 John 3:1

Simply because you are my child and I am your father ~ 1 John 3:1 

I offer you more than your earthly father ever could ~ Matthew 7:11 

For I am the perfect father ~ Matthew 5:48 

Every good gift that you receive comes from my hand ~ James 1:17 

For I am your provider and I meet all your needs ~ Matthew 6:31-33 

My plan for your future has always been filled with hope ~ Jeremiah 29:11

Because I love you with an everlasting love ~ Jeremiah 31:3 

My thoughts toward you are countless as the sand on the seashore ~ Psalm 139:17-18

And I rejoice over you with singing ~ Zephaniah 3:17 

I will never stop doing good to you ~ Jeremiah 32:40 

For you are my treasured possession ~ Exodus 19:5 

I desire to establish you with all my heart and all my soul ~ Jeremiah 32:41 

And I want to show you great and marvelous things ~ Jeremiah 33:3

If you seek me with all your heart, you will find me ~ Deuteronomy 4:29 

Delight in me and I will give you the desires of your heart ~ Psalm 37:4 

For it is I who gave you those desires ~ Philippians 2:13

I am able to do more for you than you could possibly imagine ~ Ephesians 3:20 

For I am your greatest encourager ~ 2 Thessalonians 2:16-17

I am also the Father who comforts you in all your troubles ~ 2 Corinthians 1:3-4

When you are brokenhearted, I am close to you ~ Psalm 34:18 

As a shepherd carries a lamb, I have carried you close to my heart ~ Isaiah 40:11

One day I will wipe away every tear from your eyes ~ Revelation 21:3-4 

And I’ll take away all the pain you have suffered on this earth ~ Revelation 21:3-4

I am your Father, and I love you even as I love my son, Jesus ~ John 17:23

For in Jesus, my love for you is revealed ~ John 17:26

He is the exact representation of my being ~ Hebrews 1:3

He came to demonstrate that I am for you, not against you ~ Romans 8:31 

And to tell you that I am not counting your sins ~ 2 Corinthians 5:18-19

Jesus died so that you and I could be reconciled ~ 2 Corinthians 5:18-19

His death was the ultimate expression of my love for you ~ 1 John 4:10 

I gave up everything I loved that I might gain your love ~ Romans 8:31-32 

If you receive the gift of my son Jesus, you receive me ~ 1 John 2:23

And nothing will ever separate you from my love again ~ Romans 8:38-39 

Come home and I’ll throw the biggest party heaven has ever seen ~ Luke 15:7 

I have always been Father, and will always be Father ~ Ephesians 3:14-15

My question is ~ Will you be my child? ~ John 1:12-13

I am waiting for you ~ Luke 15:11-32

                                                               Love, Your Dad, Almighty God

Father’s Love Letter used by permission Father Heart Communications Copyright 1999 www.FathersLoveLetter.com

I hope you enjoyed learning a little more about your Father in Heaven. He loves you and cares for you. I encourage you to take some time and seek Him out. 

Run the race in such a way as to win, throw off everything that hinders and focus on Jesus. Until next time, remember God loves you and Jesus is Lord over Auto Racing! God Bless. Remember, that your prayerful support and donations helps us continue this ministry. Thank You.

Commencement speeches have a few things in common. They congratulate you for a job well done. They encourage you to spread your wings and fly. They remind you to remember all those who supported, taught and helped you get to the day of graduation. 

We need to know three things in life; where we’ve been, where we are and where we are going. We never should lose sight of what it took to get us where we are. We also should not limit ourselves to only what we can see and understand. There are so many things in life that God has for us and if we limit ourselves, we will miss out on those blessings. 

Racing has a ladder of sorts also. You start at the local track in the entry-level division. You learn the ropes, gain some experience. When you have a handle on that you move up in class. If the championships come you may have the opportunity to move up to a regional touring division and then to a national division. Unfortunately in racing, talent isn’t the only thing required to make that progression. We need the resources also. 

I can think of several drivers who have the talent to run any car anywhere and do well, problem is they don’t have the financial backing. There is however the rare case that someone succeeds without the financial resources that open doors. This should not escape the attention of those drivers. It is truly a difficult task and everything has to fall in place. 

When it happens the attitude should be one of humble appreciation. We can be guilty of thinking we deserve it. We respond with a deserving arrogance. With that attitude the opportunity can be short lived. We need to remember that no matter what we attain in racing or life it cost someone something and for that we need to be appreciative and thankful. 

I was thinking about the Eleven remaining men that Jesus taught and I wondered about their graduation. Now that was a hard course of study and I imagine they were pretty apprehensive when the time came to receive their diplomas. There are a couple of passages of Scripture that record it; sort of the commencement speech from Jesus to the disciples. Scripture records in two places the final words Jesus spoke to his disciples; 

MATTHEW 28:16-20, Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” 

ACTS 1:1-9, In my former book, Theophilus, I wrote about all that Jesus began to do and to teach until the day he was taken up to heaven, after giving instructions through the Holy Spirit to the apostles he had chosen. After his suffering, he showed himself to these men and gave many convincing proofs that he was alive. He appeared to them over a period of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God. On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.” 

So when they met together, they asked him, “Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?” 

He said to them: “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” 

After he said this, he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight. 

Jesus left the Apostles with the command that as they go through the world and live their lives, they were to help others understand who He was, what He taught and how to follow Him. To do this they would receive the Holy Spirit to guide them. They needed to do this in Jerusalem, their home; Judea, their community; Samaria, places and people they didn’t like or care to be associated with and the ends of the earth. Jesus had all the authority in Heaven and earth to ask this. He also promised to be with them everywhere they went. Short, concise, to the point, Jesus didn’t mince any words when he conveyed to them what he expected. This was the beginning of what we call the Christian Church. 

A couple of questions come to mind, what if they refused? What if they said the task was too big? What if they didn’t feel like it? What if they just decided it wasn’t worth the effort? All thoughts that go through our mind, but the reality is, they were chosen for a time such as this. We have the same decisions to make in our life. 

Jesus taught the Apostles for three years, he performed many miracles, saved many lives, preached many sermons, filled the lives of countless people with hope and healing. Jesus wasn’t asking them to do something He hadn’t already done himself.  

It is important where the commencement speech comes from. When it comes from someone who has been there, who has experience, who knows the challenges of the road ahead it makes a difference. It means the words are trustworthy. It means you can follow them with confidence; the speaker knows what they are talking about. They know the reward for their effort is worth whatever it costs to travel down the road. Jesus had been there, He gave everything he had, His life, for our benefit. He asked only that we do the same. 

Paul writes in the Letter to the Ephesians that God has prepared a “to do” list for each of us and that when we accept His gift of Salvation through Jesus Christ, He will be there with things for us to do. 

EPHESIANS 2:8-10, For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith–and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God–not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. 

We need to accept the gift and set out on our journey through life, making disciples, doing the work of our Lord, showing people the blessings that God has for us. We achieve this by humbly submitting to Him and letting Him have control over our lives. 

The charge comes from the one who sits at the right hand of God. Will we respond and accept the challenge? Today is the day, now is the time, accept the gift God offers, ask Him to forgive you and let Him guide your footsteps along the path of life you have yet to live. Life will never be more fulfilling.

Run the race in such a way as to win, throw off everything that hinders and focus on Jesus. Until next time, remember God loves you and Jesus is Lord over Auto Racing! God Bless. Remember, that your prayerful support and donations help us continue this ministry. Thank You.

As I was talking with a driver once the thought of faith came to mind. When a driver straps into a racecar he has trusted his life to the crew that put the car together. Think about all the hands that have touched that car. Think of all the components that were built in other places. Think about how many different things have to come together to make things work. How much faith does it take to trust someone with your life? 

Do you remember the shuttle disaster? It came down to one little item, an O Ring. That’s all it took to change the fate of those Astronauts. I remember reading about the first manned space launch in the USA. The first Astronaut was Alan Shepard, who flew aboard the Freedom 7 spacecraft on May 5, 1961. He was asked what was going through his mind as he sat in the capsule on the launchpad. He said, “Everything below me went our to the lowest bidder.” Now that’s faith.

How about you, do you have belief or faith? I have an offer; There was a tight rope walker that amazed people by walking across a great ravine on a single rope. When he got to the other side he asked, “Who believes I can walk back with this wheelbarrow?” Someone spoke up and said they thought he could. The tight rope walker sought to change his belief to faith, the tight ropewalker said if you have faith I can do it, get in the wheelbarrow. 

Are you willing to get in the wheelbarrow? It is very similar to getting in a racecar someone prepared for you, or a rocket being launched into space. It takes trust and faith in the team when you sit in the driver’s seat. Driving it to the edge demonstrates your faith.  

I remember a spring race a few years back. The #3 team asked Todd Szegedy to drive for them. Szegedy got into a strange car with very little practice. He qualified well and drove the car home to a third-place finish. What allowed him to drive with such confidence? He could drive the car in this way because of his faith in the team. His faith and trust in the crew allowed him to push beyond his unfamiliarity with the car and put doubt out of his mind. 

Do we believe in God or do we just believe there is a God.  Many times I hear people say, “I believe there is a God.” That’s an interesting thought. Satan not only believes there is a God, he knows God exists. Knowing that God exist moves us to a decision point. 

Is believing there is a God enough? NO! I think we miss the point if we think that is all there is. God made a provision through the death and resurrection of Jesus for us to have a personal relationship with him. God desires that we know him, not just know of him. God desires to bless us and help us to live an abundant life. Is it enough to believe He exists? 

Speaking of faith, let’s consider Abraham and the challenge he was given to put his faith in God. First God asked him to pack up and move. Where? I’ll tell you later, just put your faith in me. Scriptures says; 

Hebrews 11:8-9; It was by faith that Abraham obeyed when God called him to leave home and go to another land that God would give him as his inheritance. He went without knowing where he was going. And even when he reached the land God promised him, he lived there by faith—for he was like a foreigner, living in tents. 

God provided Abraham a son and then asked him to sacrifice his son to Him. 

Hebrews 11:17-19a; It was by faith that Abraham offered Isaac as a sacrifice when God was testing him. Abraham, who had received God’s promises, was ready to sacrifice his only son, Isaac, even though God had told him, “Isaac is the son through whom your descendants will be counted.” Abraham reasoned that if Isaac died, God was able to bring him back to life again. 

Even when God’s directions don’t give us all the details or when God’s direction do not make sense to us, faith follows. Faith overcomes our doubts and fears. By faith we move in the direction God leads and let Him fill in the details. Faith requires action. 

Hebrews tells us about faith… 

Hebrews 11:1-3; Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. This is what the ancients were commended for. By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God’s command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible.  

We don’t always see what is done to our racecars. We also can’t see and touch some of the things Scripture tells us. Just because we cannot see them doesn’t mean they are not there.  God created the universe from what we cannot see. Believing He exists is one thing, trusting Him with your life is another altogether. 

Do you remember the wheelbarrow? Are we willing to get in and cross the ravine? Getting in the wheelbarrow is like putting your life in God’s hands! Trust God and have faith that He is who he says He is. If you look around you will see enough evidence in the lives of those who trust God to know he is there.  

1 Corinthians 9:24; NLT; Don’t you realize that in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize? So run to win!

Hebrews 12:1b-2a; Therefore… let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. 

Run the race in such a way as to win, throw off everything that hinders and focus on Jesus. Until next time, remember God loves you and Jesus is Lord over Auto Racing! God Bless. Remember, that your prayerful support and donations helps us continue this ministry. Thank You.

Have you ever seen twelve hours go as fast as it does on race day? The hours turn into minutes, the minutes into seconds and before you know it the checkered flag has fallen and it’s time to pack up and head home. This is especially true when you are chasing the setup or you are trying to repair some damage. The next thing you hear is the call for your heat or feature. Where does the time go?

We can get so caught up in chasing our dream that we forget to look around and enjoy the life we have been given. We set our sights on attaining a goal and it becomes all consuming. And then it ends.

The sudden death of Kyle Busch grabs our attention; life is all of a sudden fragile. We feel the finality and it causes us to stop. We take a breath and evaluate our own lives. We start looking at the things we have put off and wonder if we need to rethink those priorities.

Cody Johnson writes in his hit song;

If you got a chance, take it

Take it while you got a chance

If you got a dream, chase it

‘Cause a dream won’t chase you back

If you’re gonna love somebody

Hold them as long and as strong

And as close as you can

‘Til you can’t

Life goes on, we live thinking tomorrow is certain. We are all guilty of leaving some things undone with the hope of getting to them someday. Sometimes the things we put off are the most important things. Sometimes we fail to see the suddenness and finality of the certainty that the end of our days will come. We can be guilty of thinking we will always have time to do the things we planned, til you can’t.

I look at the photos of my children and remember the times that went by all too quickly. I wonder sometimes if I spent enough time with them. I wonder if I have taught them the right way, the way of God. 

We get caught up in things that seem important, things that need to get done, but in hindsight they were not the most important thing we could have done. We are guilty of placing importance on things that are not truly important. We lose our priorities.

We are fond of planning for tomorrow, looking ahead to the things we are going to do, the places we’ll go. Truth be told it is in those moments when we lose sight of what is truly important, today, here, now.

We can get so caught up in life that we forget to live. We forget to look around and see the lives of others. We can be so focused on tomorrow that we forget that today is all we can count on and really it is just this moment in time.

We expend so much effort trying to secure the future we overlook the opportunities we have to change the lives of those around us each day. I am reminded of the Serenity Prayer;

“God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change; courage to change the things I can; and wisdom to know the difference.”

Knowing the things we cannot change takes wisdom. It also takes experience. We need to be at peace with the fact that everything will not play out the way we planned. Even with that understanding we have an agenda and when it doesn’t go the way we planned, we are disappointed. When things turn tragic, we grieve. 

God promises us that He will provide for our needs. He has it all under control. We need only to trust Him. Proverbs explains it this way:

Proverbs 3:5-6; Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight. 

There is too much life to live to be enslaved to the rat race. Try to avoid getting so busy with things that we forget about what God wants us to do. Try to avoid getting so busy surviving that we forget to take time to look around and see what others are going through. God promises to provide what we need to survive. God wants us to focus on what others are going through instead of focusing on ourselves. 

At the All-American Halftime Show organized by Turning Point USA, Kid Rock added another verse to Cody Johnson’s song, with his permission.

There’s a book that’s sitting in your house somewhere

That could use some dusting off

There’s a man who died for all our sins

Hanging from the cross

You can give your life to Jesus

And he’ll give you a second chance

‘Til you can’t

If you have put your trust in yourself and your own understanding, then you will be disappointed. Even if you accomplish everything you think you want you will still miss something. It is God and God alone that can give you abundant life. Fulfillment in life comes only through Jesus Christ. No matter what we have, what we accomplish, what our social standing is, it will be incomplete without a saving knowledge of God through Jesus. 

John 10:10-11; The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. 

Remember Psalm 23? 

Psalm 23:1-3; The LORD is my shepherd, I have all I need. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he restores my soul. He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.

It is Jesus who brings abundant life, who leads us to green pasture, who restores our soul. The promise from God is one of abundant life; a full life that has no regrets, no dissatisfaction, a life that is complete, a life that honors Him. 

Do we ever consider what God has for us? I encourage you this week to STOP. Take a step back and review your thoughts and actions. Ask yourself, who am I living for? Don’t get consumed by the pressure to get things done. Focus on what will affect eternity. Focus on the things of God.

Live in such a way as to be sensitive to the leading of God. Step off the gerbil’s wheel and stop running so fast that life is a blur, slow down and let things happen. Watch for where God is working and join Him there. Don’t worry about your schedule. Let God set the schedule and decide what fits. Respond in a way that shows the love of Jesus. Til you can’t

Run the race in such a way as to win, throw off everything that hinders and focus on Jesus. Until next time, remember God loves you and Jesus is Lord over Auto Racing! God Bless. Remember, that your prayerful support and donations helps us continue this ministry. Thank You.

No, Freedom Isn’t Free 

Author Unknown 

I watched the flag pass by one day.

It fluttered in the breeze. 

A young Marine saluted it, 

And then he stood at ease. 

I looked at him in uniform 

So young, so tall, so proud 

With hair cut square and eyes alert 

He’d stand out in a crowd. 

I thought how many men like him. 

Had fallen through the years. 

How many died on foreign soil? 

How many mothers’ tears? 

How many pilots’ planes shot down? 

How many died at sea? 

How many died in foxholes? 

No, freedom isn’t free 

I heard the sound of taps one night, 

When everything was still 

I listened to the bugler play 

And felt a sudden chill. 

I wondered just how many times 

That taps meant “Amen,” 

When a flag had draped a coffin 

Of a brother or a friend 

I thought of all the children, 

Of the mothers and the wives, 

Of the fathers, sons and husbands 

With interrupted lives. 

I thought about a graveyard 

At the bottom of the sea 

Of unmarked graves in Arlington. 

No, freedom isn’t free.

Freedom Isn’t Free is a poem written to recall the memory of those who paid the ultimate sacrifice in the giving of their lives. Their willingness to give secures to this day our freedom. Freedom to do what we enjoy, racing. Freedom to pursue life and liberty.

On May 17, 2026 on the National Mall in Washington DC and at Churches around the country came together to rededicate our country as One Nation to God. It kicked off the celebration of our nation’s 250 birthday. There was Scripture, Prayer, Testimony and rededication to give thanks to God for His presence in our Nation’s history and to return to One Nation under God. We also asked for His guidance for the next 250 years. This Scripture reminds us;

2 Chronicles 7:14; NLT; Then if my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and restore their land.

I was thinking the other day what would this country look like if we weren’t free? Would there even be racing, as we know it? On any given weekend I can choose where I go to watch a race. We can choose where to race. If you don’t like going to a certain track you can choose another. We have the freedom of choice. That is not something to take lightly. 

Stop and think of all the choices we can make in our life and then think of some of the other nations in the world who don’t have the same option. The difference is freedom. The founders of our country decided to build on the foundation of God and freedom of choice. We have fought for 250 years to maintain that, not only for us but also for other nations and peoples of the world. 

God also gives us the freedom to choose. He makes available for us a life of abundance and freedom. We can choose if we are going to accept that life. Jesus said… 

John 10:10, The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. 

Paul adds in Galatians… 

Galatians 5:1, It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.  

Jesus came and gave His life as a sacrifice so that we could know the abundant and free life that God has offered us. Not unlike those who have fought for our country’s freedom so that we can enjoy an abundant and free life. For us to experience freedom it cost someone something. 

For us to have freedom many men and women paid the price with their very own lives. They made the ultimate sacrifice for the good of others. They gave their lives. Likewise Jesus gave His life so that we might have life.  

John 3:16-17, For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.  

Let me ask a question, do you enjoy your freedom as an American? If you do take the time to acknowledge those who have made it possible. 

Let me ask another, do you want to experience an abundant and free life that only comes from knowing Jesus Christ as your Savior? He gave His life to give you that opportunity, accept it and free yourself from the penalty of sin.  

Freedom isn’t free. It cost someone, something. Be thankful there are those who are willing to pay the price for our freedom. Thank them! Amen.

Run the race in such a way as to win, throw off everything that hinders and focus on Jesus. Until next time, remember God loves you and Jesus is Lord over Auto Racing! God Bless. Remember, that your prayerful support and donations helps us continue this ministry. Thank You.

Every day in every corner of the world men and women have set their lives aside to protect the freedoms that we enjoy. They have put their families on hold. They have missed birthdays, weddings, births and deaths. Why, to serve us. They defend our right to freedom; they defend our right to go to the track of our choice and enjoy racing; they defend our right to say whatever we want; they defend our right to protest; they defend our right to vote and have a say in how this country is run.  

America is still the greatest nation on the earth because of these men and women. People from around the world still want to come here because of the freedoms we enjoy. We need to appreciate what we has been provided for us and recognize those who sacrifice in service to maintain it. Don’t be guilty of complacency; let them know you are thankful for their sacrifice.  

I ask that on Saturday you say thank you, if you see a uniformed serviceman or woman don’t be shy about walking up to them and extending a hand in friendship. Thank them for the sacrifice they are making on our behalf. 

Galatians 5:13-14, (NLT), For you have been called to live in freedom, my brothers and sisters. But don’t use your freedom to satisfy your sinful nature. Instead, use your freedom to serve one another in love. For the whole law can be summed up in this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” 

Speaking of uniforms, have we looked in a mirror lately? Have we looked at the clothes we wear, the cars we drive and the billboards we display for the world to see. What message do we send to those who are watching what we do?  

It is no secret who we represent when we go to the track. Our sponsors are emblazoned all over our fire suit, t-shirts, and our racecars. In fact, it is advantageous to our sponsors for everyone to know who supports our racing teams. We wear their name on our sleeve, for the world to see. 

Have you ever thought about what we wear communicates to others? Our sponsors say a lot about who we are. Sometimes I wonder if we are willing to compromise what we believe in order to secure a sponsor. Our sponsors represent the people we choose to serve.  

I am thankful to those of you who support this ministry and give us the freedom to do what God leads us to do. They’re our sponsors and they allow us to share the message of Good News.  

We communicate so many things by what we wear and how we act. People see who we are by how we respond to situations around us. Are we viewed as fair and rational or do people see us as hot heads? It makes a difference when people are searching for help; some of us are attractive and others are to be avoided.  

We can get so caught up in our life that we forget that others are searching and need help. I received something the other day and it made me think about how many times I have been so caught up in my own life that I forgot to notice those around me. 

A young and successful executive was traveling down a neighborhood street, going a bit too fast in his new Jaguar. He was watching for kids darting out from between parked cars and slowed down when he thought he saw something. As his car passed, no children appeared. Instead, a brick smashed into the Jag’s side door! He slammed on the brakes and backed up the Jag to the spot where the brick had been thrown. Now angry he jumped out of the car, grabbed the nearest kid and pushed him up against a parked car shouting, “What was that all about and who are you? Just what the heck are you doing? That’s a new car and that brick you threw is going to cost me a lot of money to fix. Why did you do it?” 

The young boy was apologetic. “Please, mister…please, I’m sorry but I didn’t know what else to do,” He pleaded. “I threw the brick because no one else would stop…” With tears dripping down his face and off his chin, the youth pointed to a spot just around a parked car. “It’s my brother,” he said. “He rolled off the curb and fell out of his wheelchair and I can’t lift him up.” 

Now sobbing, the boy asked the stunned executive, “Would you please help me get him back into his wheelchair? He’s hurt and he’s too heavy for me.” Moved beyond words, the driver tried to swallow the rapidly swelling lump in his throat. He hurriedly lifted the handicapped boy back into the wheelchair, then took out a linen handkerchief and dabbed at the fresh scrapes and cuts. A quick look told him everything was going to be okay. 

“Thank you and may God bless you,” the grateful child told the stranger. 

Too shook up for words, the man simply watched the boy push his wheelchair-bound brother down the sidewalk toward their home. It was a long, slow walk back to the Jaguar. The damage was very noticeable, but the driver never bothered to repair the dented side door. He kept the dent there to remind him of this message:  

“Don’t go through life so fast that someone has to throw a brick at you to get your attention!” God whispers in our souls and speaks to our hearts. Sometimes when we think we don’t have time to listen and He has to throw a brick at us. 

Have you seen all the bricks flying around lately? Many times we are unaware of our surroundings. We get caught up in our own world and we overlook what might be happening in someone else’s life.  

1 Peter 4:10-11, (NLT), God has given each of you a gift from his great variety of spiritual gifts. Use them well to serve one another. Do you have the gift of speaking? Then speak as though God himself were speaking through you. Do you have the gift of helping others? Do it with all the strength and energy that God supplies. Then everything you do will bring glory to God through Jesus Christ. All glory and power to him forever and ever! Amen. 

What uniform are we wearing today? Are we dressed to serve? I would hope that we are dressed to serve God no matter what the task might be. I would hope that our actions match God’s word and honor His name. Think about what others see in us. Think about what they should see. Don’t make the mistake of getting so caught up in our own world that God needs to throw a brick at us to get our attention.  

Run the race in such a way as to win, throw off everything that hinders and focus on Jesus. Until next time, remember God loves you and Jesus is Lord over Auto Racing! God Bless. Remember, that your prayerful support and donations helps us continue this ministry. Thank You.

I am reminded of one Mother’s decision; Randy Alcorn shares the story of a missionary couple’s decision in an article he wrote for LifeNews.com; 

“In 1985, the Tebow family, with four children, was living in the Philippines as missionaries. Pam Tebow contracted amoebic dysentery, likely from contaminated drinking water. She fell into a coma and received strong drugs to combat the infection.

It turned out she was pregnant with her fifth child. Those drugs caused the placenta to detach from the uterine wall, depriving the fetus—which I prefer to call the child—of oxygen.

When it was realized that she was pregnant, doctors stopped the drugs but said that the high doses of medicine had already damaged the fetus (you don’t call him or her a baby when you want him aborted, but in fact that “product of conception” was Timmy Tebow, the same person who is now just older and bigger).

The doctors believed there was danger to Pam and that the baby would not survive, or if he did, would have very serious problems.

His parents went to the best doctor in their area of the Philippines. The doctor told his mother in a slow monotone that “An abortion is the only way to save your life.”

As Tim says in his book, “According to [the doctor], the ‘mass of fetal tissue’ or ‘tumor’—me—had to go.”

Pam refused to have an abortion and asked for God’s help. She was in bed rest at a Manila hospital for the final two months of the pregnancy.

Bob and Pam prayed for a healthy baby, but they left that up to God.

After Timmy was born, the doctor who delivered him said only a small part of the placenta was attached, but it was “just enough to keep your baby nourished all these months.”

My thoughts this week turned to servanthood. Serving others requires that we put our own desires aside for their benefit. It also requires that we use our knowledge and understanding of their needs to meet them. Serving others is not a passive undertaking, it requires thoughtful, sacrificial decisions and actions.

One of the greatest assets a true servant possesses is humility? Humility overcomes pride and ego and allows us to serve. Think of some of the servants you know, our value of them is formed by their level of humility. 

We all know drivers full of talent, have all the right connections, can drive anything, but for some reason we never seem to warm up to them. We almost love to hate them. They display an attitude that doesn’t allow others room. They are the only one that matters.

That lack of humility can interfere with their ability to taste true satisfaction and fulfilment. They come off with an attitude that they are better than everyone else; that we should honor them because of their talent.

I remember being encouraged by Trevor Bayne and the way he handled winning arguably the biggest race in a driver’s career, the Daytona 500. He honored God and acknowledged that it was only through God’s grace that he had the opportunity to be in victory lane.

We all have to realize that no matter who we are or what we can do, we will not taste true success without first acknowledging we are only able to do these things by the grace of God. Humbling ourselves before God allows Him to guide our lives in the wat they should go.

We may seem successful, but all the awards and victories are only window dressing, when the bright lights fade who will be by our side? Only those we humbly served. If we don’t humbly submit to God and His direction for our life we will not taste true satisfaction and fulfillment.

Do you remember the scene at the cross; Jesus looked down and saw his mother there, beside herself in grief. Standing next to her was the disciple that Jesus loved, John. As he hung, dying on the cross, he honored the humble service of his mother and asked John to care for her. John took her into his home and made sure she was provided for.

Why, because of Mary’s willingness to humbly serve God, because as teenage girl scared to death, she allowed herself to be used by God? Remember the story of Christ’s birth, how the angel came and spoke to Mary. How the angel told this young woman that she would give birth to the Son of God, Jesus. She was frightened and scared but that did not overcome her desire to humbly serve God.

Luke 1:38; “I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May it be to me as you have said.” Then the angel left her.

We spend a large portion of our lives storing up treasures that will only fade away. Consider changing that. Consider turning your life over to God, through Jesus and welcome the Holy Spirit into your heart. Consider humbly bowing before God and recite the words of that young teenage girl, “I am the Lord’s servant, may it be with me as you have said.” Remember

Luke 1:37; “… nothing is impossible with God.”

Run the race in such a way as to win, throw off everything that hinders and focus on Jesus. Until next time, remember God loves you and Jesus is Lord over Auto Racing! God Bless. Remember, that your prayerful support and donations helps us continue this ministry. Thank You.

To say there is some gamesmanship at the racetrack is an understatement. No one goes out for practice and runs full tilt; they always keep something in reserve for when it matters. I remember a recent practice session where a driver turned a quick lap. After talking with one of the team members I learned that there was more where that came from. 

“Wait until we tweak it and put stickers on, we’ll post a number they all can shoot at.”

They did; fast lap of the day in the last practice session with no time for the others to do much but scratch their heads and wonder, what’s in there? 

Although there are places in life that holding your cards close to your vest is an expected part of the deal, for us to reflect the character of God we need to be a little more transparent. People should be able to watch our actions and hear our words and know that we follow a moral standard that is set by God. Being a closet Christian doesn’t honor God’s charge to us to “go and make disciples”

Life and racing can be a pressure cooker, the heat is turned up and our true character is revealed. Like a carrot, egg or coffee bean, some of us wilt under pressure, some of us harden, but there are some that rise to the occasion and change the environment around them. When placed in boiling water a carrot gets soft, an egg hardens but a coffee bean changes the water and emits a pleasing aroma.

As Christians our presence should emulate the coffee bean, we should change the environment, not let the environment change us. Our character should reflect the love, grace and mercy God offers those who need guidance and direction. We should be in the hope business. Our perspective, attitude, and actions should change the situation for the better.

Do people wonder if we are truly committed to what is best for them? Do they have questions about what we have in our heart? Sometimes we hide things we don’t want others to see. We hide our true selves. We act differently depending on the situation and location. On certain days of the week, we are fine upstanding members of the church community; on other days you would never know we graced the doors of a church. We leave others wondering what’s in there. We create doubt.

James 3:9-11; With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God’s likeness.  Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers, this should not be. Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring? My brothers, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water.

It is important that we, as followers of Christ, are genuine, what you see is what you get. Some call it transparent; our motives should be clear to all. As James writes, we should not praise God in one moment and curse man in the next. Our character should be the same as God’s.

Lack of consistency is a problem we all face; when we change our behavior depending on the situation, we cause people to wonder who we really are. I remember an old saying, if being a Christian was a crime, would our life show enough evidence to be convicted? I hope so. 

Now there are some indications as to our character that we can find in each of our lives. One is priority, what things do we put a priority on. The greatest pressure packed situation I can think of, the crucifixion. There Christ was, nailed to a cross, dying between two thieves. Beaten insulted, stripped of His dignity, he hung there innocent. Where were His thoughts? What was he thinking.  

Luke 23:34; NLT; Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” And they divided up his clothes by casting lots.

Luke 23:39-43; NLT; One of the criminals hanging beside him scoffed, “So you’re the Messiah, are you? Prove it by saving yourself—and us, too, while you’re at it!”

But the other criminal protested, “Don’t you fear God even when you have been sentenced to die? We deserve to die for our crimes, but this man hasn’t done anything wrong.” Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your Kingdom.”

And Jesus replied, “I assure you, today you will be with me in paradise.”

The words of Christ reflect His character, His love, grace and mercy. Even in the most pressure packed, stressful situation we can imagine, He changed the environment; “Father forgive them…” “Today you will be with me in Paradise.”

And it affected those around Him;

Luke 23:47; NLT; When the Roman officer overseeing the execution saw what had happened, he worshiped God and said, “Surely this man was innocent.”

Think about the people you know; how many of them are genuine? We can put the people we know into two groups, those we can trust and those we can’t. Let’s face it, there are some people we know that when they tell us something we wonder if it is true or not. 

There are people we can count on; when they give us their word and make a commitment, we can plan on them doing everything in their power to fulfill it. These are the people that we can depend on. These are the people we spend our time with. 

As Christians we should lead people to God. We should live a life that honors God. We should follow God’s lead wherever it brings us, putting our trust and faith in Him. People should not wonder what our true character is.

When others see us as two faced, one time we do this another time we do that, we create doubt. When they doubt us, they doubt God; they decide they don’t need Him. We do a great disservice to our Lord when we confuse people with our words and actions.

We need to think about the example we set. The character our actions reveal. Is it consistent with what we claim to be? Are the things we say and do honoring to God? Not just in certain places at certain times, but everywhere, all the time.

Let us make a commitment to one another to work on being a more genuine reflection of the character of Christ, every moment of everyday, let others see Jesus in us.

Run the race in such a way as to win, throw off everything that hinders and focus on Jesus. Until next time, remember God loves you and Jesus is Lord over Auto Racing! God Bless. Remember, that your prayerful support and donations helps us continue this ministry. Thank You.