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.

The Bible consistently presents life as a matter of paths. Not just moments, but patterns. Not just mistakes, but habits. When we choose to ignore God’s guidance, especially for an extended time, the consequences become unavoidable. Still, Scripture also teaches that there is always an opportunity to turn around. That turning is what the Bible calls repentance.

Proverbs 14:12 delivers one of Scripture’s most sobering warnings.

“There is a way that seems right to a person, but its end is the way to death.” Proverbs 14:12CSB

This verse exposes a dangerous reality. Sincerity does not equal correctness. A path can feel justified, logical, or even necessary, yet still lead to destruction. Often, the wrong road does not look wrong at first. It looks efficient and familiar. It looks like what everyone else is doing.

In racing terms, it is the line that feels fast but slowly overheats the tires. The aggressive move that gains one position but costs five spots just a few laps later. The decision that works for the moment but damages trust, reputation, or self control over time.

Ignoring God’s commands doesn’t always bring instant disaster. More often, it brings gradual erosion of discipline, character, and clarity. The danger is not that we take the wrong road once, but that we stay on it after we realize where it leads.

Psalm 1:1-6 draws a sharp contrast between two lives moving in opposite directions. One delights in God’s instruction. The other slowly drifts from walking, to standing, to sitting in opposition to God’s way. That progression matters. Disobedience rarely starts loud. It starts casual.

The psalm describes the righteous as a tree planted by water, stable, nourished, and productive. In contrast, those who reject God’s way are compared to chaff, light, rootless, and ultimately swept away. The warning is not emotional. It is structural. A life built apart from God simply cannot endure.

Yet the presence of two paths implies a choice. The psalm is not written to condemn but to warn. God reveals the outcome ahead of time so that we can change direction before the loss becomes permanent.

Mark 3:2 gives a quiet but sobering picture of what happens when repentance is resisted.

The religious leaders watched Jesus closely, not to learn from Him, but to accuse Him. Even as restoration stood in front of them, their hearts were fixed on defending their position rather than turning toward truth. Their problem was not ignorance, but rather refusal.

This moment reveals an important aspect of repentance. Repentance is not only about obvious wrongdoing. It is about responding correctly when God confronts us. A hardened heart stays on the wrong road even when the warning signs are clear.

In racing terms, this is the driver who knows the setup is wrong, feels the car fading, sees the lap times fall, yet refuses to pit or adjust. The damage does not come from lack of information. It comes from unwillingness to change direction.

Throughout Scripture, repentance is not merely feeling regret. It is a decision to turn around. When Jesus preached repentance, the call was not to feel bad, but to change direction. To leave the road that leads away from life and return to the one God designed.

In racing, missing a turn does not end the race unless the driver refuses to correct it. Pride keeps the wheel pointed the wrong way. Humility admits the mistake and turns back. Spiritually, repentance works the same way. It is acknowledging that the road we are on is wrong and choosing, deliberately, to return to God’s way.

God’s commands are not given to trap us, but to redirect us. Repentance is mercy in motion. It is God allowing us to change lanes before the damage becomes irreversible.

Racing culture understands consequences well. Ignoring rules does not just risk penalties. It risks injury, disqualification, and loss of credibility. The same is true spiritually. When drivers consistently ignore God’s standards, choosing anger over restraint, pride over humility, or retaliation over wisdom, the cost eventually shows up.

It shows up in broken relationships, lost opportunities or in reputations that never quite recover.

What begins as a single poor reaction can become a pattern. And patterns become identity unless they are interrupted. Repentance is that interruption.

One of the greatest misconceptions about God’s commands is that they limit freedom. Scripture teaches the opposite. God’s plan is not designed to slow us down, but to keep us from destroying ourselves.

The narrow path is not narrow because God wants fewer people to walk it. It is narrow because truth requires alignment. Just like a racing groove that demands precision, God’s way demands discipline. Deviate too far, and traction is lost. Repentance is the act of bringing the car back into the groove.

Psalm 1 ends with a quiet but powerful statement. “For the Lord watches over the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked leads to ruin.”

Psalms 1:6 CSB

To be known by God is not merely to be seen. It is to be sustained. The other path, however popular, ultimately leads away from life.

The greatest danger is not outright rebellion. It is delayed repentance. The belief that consequences can be outrun. But Scripture, like racing, teaches otherwise. Every path leads somewhere. Every decision compounds.

God walks with us, yes. But He also calls us to turn around when the road we are on leads away from life. Repentance is not weakness, it is wisdom.

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.

In Luke 24, two discouraged disciples walk a quiet road away from Jerusalem toward Emmaus. They believe the race is over. Hope feels wrecked. What they don’t realize is that God is walking right beside them, listening to their frustration, even though they don’t recognize Him at first.

 “And while they were discussing and arguing, Jesus himself came near and began to walk along with them. But they were prevented from recognizing him.” Luke 24:15-16 CSB.

As they walked Jesus spoke with them, encouraged them and explained the scriptures. It wasn’t until Jesus went to break bread that they recognized him.

“Then their eyes were opened, and they recognized him, but he disappeared from their sight. They said to each other, “Weren’t our hearts burning within us while he was talking with us on the road and explaining the Scriptures to us?””Luke 24:31-32 CSB

The road to Emmaus wasn’t glamorous. It wasn’t crowded. It was a road filled with disappointment, questions, and reflection. Racing has roads like that too. There are nights when the setup is off, tempers are hot, or an on‑track incident ruins weeks of work.

Those moments tempt us to take the easy way out. Retaliation. Blame. Disrespect. The low road is wide and familiar in racing culture, especially after contact on track. It’s easy to fire back on track or in the pits. Harder to pause, breathe, and choose restraint.

One of the most powerful truths in Luke 24 is that God’s presence does not depend on our awareness. The disciples didn’t recognize Jesus, but He was still there. He was listening, teaching, and guiding them through their disappointment. Their hearts were burning. As we grow in our walk with Jesus, the Holy Spirit teaches us to recognize His presence and respond with obedience, even when our emotions are running hot.

The road to Emmaus reminds us that Jesus walks with us even when times are tough. Our choices during tough times matter and Jesus has a higher standard. In Matthew 7 he calls us to “Enter through the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the road broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who go through it. How narrow is the gate and difficult the road that leads to life, and few find it.” Matthew 7:13-14 CSB

The wide road in racing is easy. It’s retaliation after contact, trash‑talk after a bad night, or racing angry instead of racing smart. The narrow path requires discipline, humility, and respect especially when emotions run high.

Racing doesn’t just test skill, it tests character. How we carry ourselves in the garage, in the pits, and after the race matters. Over time, those choices define who we are.

Just as the disciples discovered they were never alone on that untraveled road, racers who choose the higher road often realize they were being shaped all along.

The path we take matters, on the track, in the pits, and in life.

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.