Forgiveness
Have you ever done something wrong? Seems like a simple question with a simple answer, but why is it we forget that when it comes time to forgive someone else from a mistake they made? Forgiveness is something we want to receive but many times are not as willing to give. Greetings in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Let me set the record straight, we all make mistakes. We all make choices that seem right at the time but in retrospect they were not the correct ones. That being said why have we become a society that has developed a less forgiving attitude? Zero tolerance is not the right way to deal with mistakes.
As the season winds down I can remember several occasions over the past few months that mistakes on and off the track have been made. At the moment when they occurred it seemed the whole season hinged on them. After a little time passed their significance has waned and we have moved on. Those are the ones that are easy to deal with. Other mistakes take on a life of their own.
Forgive and forget; a familiar refrain, but one of the most difficult things for us to do. We want to get back at the person who wronged us. We have a need to get even. We have our rights and no one is going to take advantage of us. We say that we forgive but we will never forget. These are many of the comments you hear when you encourage others to forgive. We tend to be unforgiving people when it comes to others, but we want to be forgiven when it comes to us.
Let’s take a look at what God says about this issue. God’s rules never change and His standard is always the same. God does not accept our mistakes. God is right and just and mistakes are not something that God can accept. God says all mistakes are the same; big or small doesn’t matter, all mistakes fall into the category of sin, missing the mark. We all have made them and all will have to pay the penalty.
There is no difference, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. Romans 8:23
And the penalty is the same;
For the wages of sin is death, Romans 6:23a
But look at the rest of that verse and we start to see what God intends for us.
but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 6:23b
God said I will make a way for your mistakes to be forgiven; I will send My Son, Jesus Christ to pay the penalty for you.
“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. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son. John 3:16-18
Rev. Dan has spoken at chapel about being a peacemaker. Jesus was the ultimate peacemaker. He gave his life so that we could have peace with God. Jesus came, suffered, died and rose again so that the penalty for our sin would be paid in full. We can receive that payment by accepting it. It is a gift from God.
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. Ephesians 2:8-9
God provided this opportunity for forgiveness and we can receive it by accepting Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior. When we do, we make peace with God, we restore our relationship with Him, our sin is forgiven and remembered no more.
As the season comes to an end, take a look back and see if there are some people you need to forgive. We are expected to forgive as God forgave us. That means not because we deserve it but because He loves us. Forgive not because they deserve it, but because God forgave you.
We cannot experience the full blessing of God if we refuse to forgive others. Our unwillingness to forgive implies that our standard is greater than God’s. That is not correct; God’s standard is the only one that counts. If God is willing to forgive you there is no reason we could have for not forgiving others. Make that commitment this week. Commit that you will go to the people you have refused to forgive and forgive them. Don’t worry if they refuse to accept it, many have refused to accept the forgiveness that God offers. We are not called to make people accept our forgiveness, but to offer the gift. Offer that gift to someone today. God Bless, Rev. Don
THOUGHTS FROM THE ROAD
What a weekend for racing! The weather this weekend at
The Champion has been crowned; Donny Lia is the Whelen Modified Champion. Bob Garbarino is finally a championship car owner. I think the scene between Bob and Art Barry said it all. Art and Bob have been at this for a long time and each one has had their share of success and challenges. Bob was seriously thinking of hanging it up after last season. Art walked across pit road, you could see the emotion in his eyes. He reached the barrier and embraced Bob. Two men who have raced together for years, one taking the time to say, “well done.”
I am sure it will take a while to sink in but I am sure the entire Mystic Missile team will savor this win, especially those team members who have been with Bob for quite some time. Congratulations guys on a job well done.
Other champions were crowned at
Joe Brady continues to recover and his wife Linda received a good report from the doctor this week. Joe credited Linda’s healing to the prayers of the racing community. He asked me to let you know how much they appreciated all the prayers that were lifted up for them.
We have a week off and then return to action at Thompson Speedway for the World Series. We look forward to seeing you there, have a great week.
Be a witness for our Lord with the ministry decals and apparel. See them at the Online Apparel Store at www.RWJM.org. Call us with your prayer and counseling needs and list all your prayer needs, no matter what part of our racing family you are in, with the Racing Family Prayer Request Page www.rwjm.org/page/prayers.php also send your prayer request by mail. Until next time, remember that God loves you, we love you and
Jesus is Lord over Auto Racing. GOD BLESS.
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Numbers 6:24-26 “The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.”
May God always Bless you, everyday in everyway. Rev. Don
CHECKERED CHEERS
***WEDDING ANNIVERSARIES***
October 4
MIKE & LORI FIELDS- The Editor of LONG ISLANDMOTORSPORTS.COM and wife share their 31th Anniversary. The couple is also Racing 4 Kids Children’s Charities.
BOB & JENNIFER WEBBER, JR.- The Promoter of Star Speedway in
TRAVERS & NOREEN CAMBRA- This former Wall Stadium photographer and wife share their 36th anniversary.
October 6
RACING WITH JESUS MINISTRIES- The longest continuous running ministry in oval track racing celebrates its 27th anniversary.
TIM & KATHY ATTAYA- The Co-Producers of the annual Maine Civic Center Motorsports show have their 16th anniversary.
October 7
BOB & CAROLYN BLAISDELL- These fans from
October 9
SCOTT & MELANIE DEWARE- This South
***HAPPY BIRTHDAYS***
October 3
ALAN JOHNSON- “AJ Slideways,” NY based DIRT Modified driver.
TOM CAPIE- Trevose, PA URC Sprint driver.
TOM TAGG- Webster, MA Semi-retired CT Modified driver.
ALESSANDRO ZAMPEDRI- Monte Carlo, Monaco, Brescia, Italy born, IRL driver.
October 4
BUDDY LOECHER- Bob Park former Riverhead Modified Crew Chief, now doing same for Bob in NC.
DREW DAMIANI- The senior driver on the LAD 1/4 Midget Racing team in PA.
SARAH BURTON- The daughter of
EMILY CAVALLERO- This Wall Township speedway fan from
LINDA EVANS- A Whelen Modified Tour & Waterford Speedbowl fan.
October 5
DAVE REZENDES- Charlotte, NC ,
JOHN BLEWETT, SR.- NJ retired asphalt Modified great and dad of retired great John Blewett II and grandad of WMT driver Jimmy Blewett and the late John III.
BUBBA GALE- Irvington, AL NASCAR All-Pro Series driver.
VILLEROY HARD – “Vill” of
October 6
CHIP SLOCUM- Ewing, NJ dirt Modified driver.
MIKE McLAUGHLIN- Waterloo, NY born former BGN, BES & WMT driver.
DICK McCABE- Retired Kennebunkport, ME NASCAR BES great.
RICH LAVALETTE- “Haskell” is a former Mario Fiore/Gulf Racing NASCAR WMT crewman, now on a south team
OCTOBER 7
LYNDA RIVERS- Wife of WMT pastor and RWJM President Rev. Don. Thank you for all your understanding and love.
October 8
BILL ELLIOTT- Dawsonville, GA Dodge part-time NNC driver and former champion.
WAYNE ANDERSON- Yaphank, LI, NY former NASCAR WMT champion.
HAL RESH- Pennsy asphalt Modified driver.
SHAWN MARQUIS- One of Enfield, CT NASCAR BES/WMT driver Jerry and wife Karen’s children.
MARK SABATINE- Longtime spotter/radioman for Steve Payne and Payne Motorsports.
MARILYN BARKER- Mom of Bob “Mad Dog” and Billy “the Kid”
October 9
RICKY ELLIOTT- D.I.R.T. Modified driver.
RON ESAU- Lakeside, CA NASCAR West driver.
VINCENZO SOSPIRI- Monte Carlo, Monaco IRL driver.
C.D. COVILLE- Retired famous
DAN HARMON- Grottoes, VA Micro Sprint driver.
*** NEW BEGINNINGS ***
NICK FONORO SR.- Nick was the official flagman for the ATQMRA for much of the 70s and 80s as well as being the only flagger the CART division had until his retirement from the flagstand. Both of his sons Nokie and Drew won numerous races with the ATQMRA as well as in midgets and other divisions. Nick Sr. was a renowned midget driver himself being credited with 4 feature race wins with the ARDC and the 1950 ARDC drivers championship. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the entire Fonoro family.
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Sources: Rev. Don Rivers/RWJM