One day I was talking to an engine builder about engine building, not because I wanted to build one, but I wanted some understanding about the process. Before I came to RWJM I worked in manufacturing, I made things work, so I have always been intrigued about engine building. He and I talked about a spec engine or “recipe” engine. If I understand it correctly there is a list of parts you can use and from those parts you build an engine.

To some it sounds easy but he explained that picking the right size parts to go together can make all the difference in the world. Some of the parts, although the same, don’t match up right and wouldn’t work well together. You have to keep the right ones and discard the wrong ones. When you put the right ones together you produce more horsepower and isn’t that what it is all about.

Now that I think about it that must be why some chocolate chip cookies taste better than others. The ingredients are pretty basic, but some cooks just know how to put the ingredients together in such a way as to make them irresistible. I must confess though, there aren’t too many chocolate chip cookies I don’t like, but I digress.

Our lives are a lot like tending a garden, building a motor or even making chocolate chip cookies, some things are desirable and some things don’t belong. Only the right combination of things produces the desired effect. We can only live a life that honors God when we remove the things that drain our resources and fertilize the things that grow us into the people we need to be. Jesus talked about it in John’s Gospel.

John 15:1-8; “I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.

“I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. If anyone does not remain in me, he is like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you. This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.

Gardening is a constant process of pruning, cutting out things that are not useful, so that the things that are useful can grow and flourish. It seems counterproductive but if you let something grow without some pruning it gets unruly and out of control. It really parallels our lives, if we live without someone pruning us and shaping the decisions we make, our lives would become chaotic and unproductive. We would destroy ourselves. No one can live a long and productive life without some maintenance.

While we need to trim some branches, we also have to keep connected to the main vine. Once something is cut from the main vine it loses its source of living power, withers and dies. We need to stay connected to the source of life, true life, Jesus Christ. He provides the life we need and apart from Him we can do nothing, nothing worth doing that is. All we become if we are not connected to God through Jesus is deadwood.

To lead productive lives that honor God a few things have to take place; first we need to be connected to the Father through Jesus. Jesus is the vine that brings to us the essential elements for life. We need to accept Christ and allow him to provide for us the very source of life. He will lead us to the Father.

Second, we must allow God to prune, mold and shape us into the person He created us to be. Let’s face it, that is not a comfortable process, cutting things off, changing things, thinking differently, but it is a process that is necessary if we are going to live an abundant life. Some of the things we think and do are not beneficial to us, they just don’t belong. God will remove those and help us to grow in the right direction.

“A lady studied the art of bonkei: she learned how to place curiously shaped rocks and bonsai plants on a tray spread with sand to create a miniature landscape. But … the final secret eluded her: no matter what she did, her sand never held together in the perfect waves and ripples of the master’s precisely arranged grains. Finally, after many years …she was told the answer. She bowed at the feet of the master, and he spoke. ‘Use glue,’ he said”

Jesus is the glue that holds our life together, he keeps us connected to God. Without that connection we will wither and die. God is the master gardener that shapes our lives into the life He created us to live. God uses the Holy Spirit to communicate to us the things that have to be removed, adjusted and encouraged for our lives to honor Him. Remember that passage?

1Corinthians 10:23 “Everything is permissible”–but not everything is beneficial. “Everything is permissible”–but not everything is constructive.

We sometimes think we can handle it when, in fact, we shouldn’t even try. We need to turn our life over to God and let him prune and shape us into what He created us to be. We need to stay connected to Jesus, without that connection we will wither and die. We need to call on the name of Jesus and seek God while He can still be found.

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.

Racing has its way of sorting things out, the pressure cooker of summer determines who has what it takes to withstand the heat and position themselves for the stretch run. The teams that can make it through the heat without wilting are prepared to finish the race. I always look to this time of year for an indication of who is prepared to persevere. 

We need to prepare the same way in life, we will face pressure and heat. How well we prepare indicates if we will persevere. The writer of Chronicles gives us some guidance toward that. Here is an Old Testament passage that will help. 

2 Chronicles 7:13-16; “When I shut up the heavens so that there is no rain, or command locusts to devour the land or send a plague among my people, if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.  Now my eyes will be open and my ears attentive to the prayers offered in this place. I have chosen and consecrated this temple so that my Name may be there forever. My eyes and my heart will always be there. 

Let me provide a little background to this passage. Solomon, David’s son, had completed the temple of our Lord. God responded to that completion with these verses. God explained that when we face difficulties we need to come into the house of God, kneel before his throne, confess our sins and pray with all our heart. 

God promised to always be there, to see and listen when His people come before him and show him the respect He deserves as God, he will hear and heal. 

Where do we turn when the going gets tough? Where do we go for answers when the questions are beyond our understanding? What do we do when we realize we have no control over the situations of our lives? There is only one place to turn, we must come before God and seek His direction. 

The great thing to remember is that if we come before God with humility and seeking forgiveness, He will hear and heal. That is His promise and He has the power and authority to keep it. 

So how do we respond when the heat is turned up? Here is an illustration that can help see the different ways we can respond. Which one most reflects our tendency? 

A young woman went to her mother and told her about her life and how things were so hard for her. She did not know how she was going to make it and wanted to give up. She was tired of fighting and struggling. It seemed as one problem was solved a new one arose. 

Her mother took her to the kitchen. She filled three pots with water. In the first, she placed carrots, in the second she placed eggs and the last she placed ground coffee beans. She let them sit and boil without saying a word. 

In about twenty minutes she turned off the burners. She fished the carrots out and placed them in a bowl. She pulled the eggs out and placed them in a bowl. Then she ladled the coffee out and placed it in a bowl. 

Turning to her daughter, she asked, “Tell me what do you see?” 

“Carrots, eggs, and coffee,” she replied. 

She brought her closer and asked her to feel the carrots. She did and noted that they were soft. She then asked her to take an egg and break it. After pulling off the shell, she observed the hard-boiled egg. Finally, she asked her to sip the coffee. The daughter smiled, as she tasted its rich aroma. 

The daughter then asked. “What does it mean?” 

Her mother explained that each of these objects had faced the same adversity—boiling water—but each reacted differently. 

The carrot went in strong, hard and unrelenting. However after being subjected to the boiling water, it softened and became weak. 

The egg had been fragile. Its thin outer shell had protected its liquid interior. But, after sitting through the boiling water, it’s inside became hardened. 

The ground coffee beans were unique, however. After they were in the boiling water they had changed the water. 

“Which are you?” she asked her daughter. “When adversity knocks on your door, how do you respond? Are you a carrot, an egg, or a coffee bean?” 

Think of this: Which am I? Am I the carrot that seems strong, but with pain and adversity, do I wilt and become soft and lose my strength? 

Am I the egg that starts with a soft heart, but changes with the heat? Did I have a fluid spirit, but after death, a breakup, a financial hardship or some other trial, have I become hardened and stiff? Does my outside look the same, but on the inside am I bitter and tough with a stiff spirit and a hardened heart? 

Or am I like the coffee bean? The bean actually changes the hot water, the very circumstance that brings the pain. When the water gets hot, it releases the fragrance and flavor. 

If you are like the bean, when things are at their worst, you get better and change the situation around you. When the hour is the darkest and trials are their greatest do you elevate to another level? 

How do we handle Adversity? Are we a Carrot, an egg, or a coffee bean?  

2 Chronicles 7:13-16; “When I shut up the heavens so that there is no rain, or command locusts to devour the land or send a plague among my people, if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.  Now my eyes will be open and my ears attentive to the prayers offered in this place. I have chosen and consecrated this temple so that my Name may be there forever. My eyes and my heart will always be there.

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.

Jesus Replied; Mark 12:30; NLT; “And you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength.”

Some in racing say they trust God but are only looking for results, a good luck charm. They want God to deliver them a victory. God provides what is beneficial to us, not what we think we want. I know drivers that follow Christ. They understand that some race days deliver victory and other race days deliver DNF’s. That doesn’t shake their trust. The same God is in charge of both results.

When we love the Lord with all our heart, soul, mind and strength that means we trust the result to him. Let’s unpack that a little; Heart: your desires, emotions, and innermost being; Soul: your life, will, and spirit; Mind: your intellect, thoughts, and reasoning; and Strength: your energy, time, and resources. Loving, devoting, engaging and acting in ways that indicate we trust God with everything.

Then the results belong to God, not us. We learn to look at things through a different lens. We look at things through the will of our Lord. We look with eyes focused on eternal things, not the temporary things of this earth.

We all face the challenge of dealing with the results of efforts. Not everything goes the way we think it should go. One reason is we don’t know what the future holds. Oh, we try to predict it and prepare for it, but until the race is run the results cannot be determined. Disappointment is part of the deal, but there is always another race to run. How we learn and handle these times reveals who we ultimately trust with our lives.

Psalm 20:7-9; Some trust in chariots and some in horses,

but we trust in the name of the Lord our God.

They are brought to their knees and fall,

but we rise up and stand firm.

Lord, give victory to the king!

Answer us when we call!

The words of David remind us that putting our trust in things, possessions and created things will bring us to our knees in failure. Those that trust in the Lord God will rise up and stand firm. Who or what have we put our trust and faith in? 

Remember that putting your trust in God should not depend on what’s going on around us. What is happening around us should not determine where we place our trust. We should place our trust in God, without doubt, without wavering. Then when the dust settles, we will be able to stand.

A man was out jogging one day. As he passed a cliff, he got too close and fell. Grabbing hold of a branch he was stranded. No way up and certainly no way down. He began to scream, “Help, help, is there anyone up there who can hear me?” He yelled for hours and was about to give up when he heard a voice. “Can you hear me?” 

“Yes, Yes, I can hear you.”

“I’m down here.” 

“I can see you, are you alright?” 

“Yes, but …who are you and where are you?”

“I am the Lord, and I am everywhere.” 

“The Lord? You mean God?” 

“That’s me.” 

“God, help me, I promise that if you get me down from here, I’ll stop sinning. I’ll be a really good person and serve you for the rest of my life.” 

“Easy on the promises. First let’s get you down, then we can discuss those.” 

“I’ll do anything, Lord, just tell me what to do, okay?” 

“Okay, just let go of the branch.” 

“What?” 

“I said, let go of the branch, just trust me, let go.” Then there is a pause. 

“Help, help, is there anybody else up there?”

Putting our trust in God is harder when we think we know what the outcome should be. The jogger knew about gravity and the fact that if he let go, he would fall. He didn’t trust God enough to catch him. We think we know, when in fact we don’t. Let go, give the Lord control and follow His direction. 

Proverbs 3:5-6: NLT; Trust in the Lord with all your heart;

do not depend on your own understanding.

Seek his will in all you do,

and he will show you which path to take.

Here are three ways that will help us trust God more. 

1 – We need to be confident in God’s care. 

2 – We need to be committed to God’s purpose. 

3- We need to be controlled by God’s will. If we do these things, we are putting our complete trust in God, and things will be more beneficial for us than if we decided to do things ourselves. God has plans for each one of us and when we place our trust in Him, He begins to reveal that to us. 

It doesn’t mean things are always going to go our way. It doesn’t mean we are going to get everything we want. It does mean that we trust God’s understanding over our own about what is best for our lives. Try it and see what happens. 

Psalm 20:7; NIV; Some trust in chariots and some in horses,

but we trust in the name of the Lord our 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 help us continue this ministry. Thank You.

As we move along in life we struggle with dealing with things that don’t happen the way we expect. We have difficulty focusing our attention on the uncertainty of life. Being involved with racing there is the ever-present uncertainty of how things will finish. The race must be run before the checkered flag falls. 

When the checkered flag will fall for us we do not know. We cannot predict the future. If we knew when the end would come it would paralyze us and prevent us from living each day. The difficulty is when the end comes suddenly, unexpected, not at all the way we figured things would go. 

The racing community deals with that as a real part of their lives. We have been there when the checkered flag fell for someone at a time we didn’t expect. We know the suddenness and finality when life ends unexpectedly. But we move on and remember. 

We have learned from those times and made provisions to eliminate as many risks as possible. We do our best to remove the uncertainties. But there are times when we don’t think it will happen to us, we get complacent or self-assured. I remind you of the uncertainty of life. 

James 3:13-15; NLT; Look here, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we are going to a certain town and will stay there a year. We will do business there and make a profit.” How do you know what your life will be like tomorrow? Your life is like the morning fog—it’s here a little while, then it’s gone. What you ought to say is, “If the Lord wants us to, we will live and do this or that.”

What happens when we don’t learn, when we don’t address the underlying issue. Hearts are broken, attention is raised, and our fears confirmed. What happens when the world decides life isn’t something to value? The uncertainty of life takes on a new character. Uncertainty becomes man-made, driven by the depravity of man. Society is breaking down before our very eyes. Are we helpless to change this? Are we bystanders only here to observe? 

Can we make a difference? The answer is yes. We don’t have to sit by and watch our world self-destruct. We are all a part of the solution. We need to stand up and speak out for what is right, just and honoring to God. God’s Word tells us we need to provide guidance and direction. 

Mathew 5:13-15; “(We) are the salt of the earth. But what good is salt if it has lost its flavor? Can you make it salty again? It will be thrown out and trampled underfoot as worthless. 

“(We) are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. 

Life has been given to us by God, and he has instructed us to hold it in the highest regard. The events that surround us demonstrate that we do not value life the way God would have us to. Life has become something we disrespect; it has been determined that some lives are expendable. Some of us have even determined that we have the understanding to determine whose life should be ended. That is wrong and an insult to the creator of life. We need to value what God values. 

When I see the world void of the basic empathy for our fellow man it causes me to reflect. After the Celebration of Freedom, could it be that not all are free to pursue life, liberty and happiness. Could it be they face man-made uncertainty on a daily basis?

I listened as a church member shared the real fear she faces when her family leaves the home. Her husband drove truck and would leave their South Carolina home at 3am only to be stopped by the local law enforcement. His fear was that he might lose his patience with the daily interrogation and say something that would be construed as threatening. Every day her husband went to work she feared for his life. This should not be. 

The racing community, in my experience, sees things differently. We tend to be an inclusive group, extending the hand of friendship, giving even newcomers the benefit of the doubt. I remember the time my friend GoGo, from Haiti, accompanied me to an event at New Hampshire Motor Speedway to honor Dick Berggren. He knew no one in the racing community. He sat next to Darrel Waltrip, not knowing him or his accomplishments in racing. It didn’t take long before they were talking, laughing and enjoying each other’s company. They had a great time despite neither one of them having similar life experiences.

Life has enough uncertainty without us adding to it. We have so many things we can come together on, why do we need to be divisive? Why do people have to live in fear? There is no one without blame. So where do we turn? Who will make a difference? 

Those that believe in God, those who have accepted Jesus as their Lord and Savior are called to make a difference. The responsibility falls to us in the communities where we live and breathe. We must demonstrate and embody the things that honor God. We need to value life as most important. We need to look upon each one as a creation of God and demonstrate His character; love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these actions.  

His Word tells us that we are salt and light, we need to improve the situation around us and shed light on the darkness. We need to stand up for what is right and just in the eyes of God. That will not always make us popular, but it will always keep us standing with God and standing when the battle is over.  

Evil will prevail if left unchecked. Man will self-destruct without guidance. We as a people will perish if we forsake God and choose our own direction. This isn’t about self-preservation, this is about preserving what we all have come to enjoy, Freedom. Make a commitment to stand with God through the power of Christ and open our arms, move our feet, and embrace the lives around us. Show the love that Jesus has for each of us. He loved us so much He laid down his life for us. Amen.

John 3:16-17; NLT; “For this is how God loved the world: He gave[g] his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. God sent his Son into the world not to judge (condemn) the world, but to save the world through him.

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.

“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.