Let’s Dig In
We have taken some broad strokes as we looked at this Winter Bible Study passage, now it is time to dig in. Just like taking a new car to the track, you do some laps, get a feel for it and then the time comes to make it go fast. It is time to take this passage apart, verse by verse and commit to letting it make a difference in our lives. Greetings in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Before you can go fast in a racecar you have to get comfortable first. You have to get a feel for it and learn what the limits are. The same with Scripture, there is the big picture, a feel for the entire message. Then you take a closer look, like making the fine adjustments to make everything work together for a complete understanding.
David writes about the things God offers us. We have come to understand that God loves us, He cares for us, He is willing to accept us where we are and He wants us to experience life to its fullest. Now what does that really mean?
Psalm 23:1, The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want.
What does it mean “not to want?” It means that God will accept responsibility for providing for all your needs. We feel somehow that if we depend on someone else to provide for us then we are weak. We are somehow incomplete if we cannot provide for ourselves. Let’s look at it a little different, can any of us predict the future?
I am waiting for the Super Bowl to begin, I know what team I want to win, but there is no way for me to state with any certainty which one will. That’s why we play the game. It is like running a race. If we knew who was going to win we wouldn’t have to spend the money or take the chance and run the race.
David says if you let God lead your life, He will meet all your needs. God does know what the future holds. He knows what is ahead for each of us. We can however be prepared for the future by trusting in God and letting Him prepare us. I spoke about it at Motorsports; we will all have storms in our lives, whether we survive or not depends on the foundation we build our lives on. David says, “let God lead and He will meet your needs.” Not only will our needs be met we don’t have to figure out how to meet them, just let God lead.
Psalm 23:2-3a, He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he restores my soul.
What picture comes to mind when you think of green pastures and quiet waters? We don’t picture chaos or turmoil, do we? No, we think of a calm refreshing, a peace. When we give God the responsibility for meeting our needs we can be at peace, we can focus on the things around us, not on getting the stuff we think we need. Think about what it means to lie down in the green grass, by a quiet stream, looking up at the blue sky and taking a deep breath. AHHHHH! Somewhat refreshing isn’t it? I’m going to date myself here, but do you remember that song from a few years back, ok maybe a few decades back, “What a Day for a Daydream” by The Lovin’ Spoonful? I think of that song when I read these verses. For those who are not familiar with it here are some of the words;
“What a day for a daydream, What a day for a day dreamin’ boy.
And I’m lost in a daydream, Dreamin’ ’bout my bundle of joy.
And even if time ain’t really on my side, It’s one of those days for taking a walk outside.
I’m blowing the day to take a walk in the sun, And fall on my face in somebody’s new mowed lawn.”
There is something about the smell of a new mowed lawn that brings to mind the carefree days of my youth. I didn’t have a care in the world. My friend Steve and I would take off on our bikes, go fishing, do anything we wanted and when we finally came home there would be supper and a place to rest.
Think of God in that sense. Spend the day focusing on the world around you and let God meet your needs. The byproduct will be a restored soul. Your life will be rejuvenated; you will have a new focus and a peace in your heart.
Digest that this week, let God lead you beside quiet waters and through green pastures. Let Him restore your souls. God Bless.
THOUGHTS FROM THE ROAD
STEVE PARK PUT HIS HAT IN THE RING- Bull Ring that is. Steve has reached an agreement to drive the #35 Waste Management Chevy for NDS Motorsports in the Camping World East Series. He plans on competing in all thirteen races. Steve is excited about the opportunity to race for wins and a championship.
Jerry Marquis proved the ride is capable of running up front. Last year taking over the controls from Eric Holmes in
OLSEN RETURNS AS ROAD WARRIOR- Mike Olsen has changed hats; he now wears the hat of driver development coach and represents car owner Fadden Racing as he leads 19 yr. old driver Max Dumarey on his American Tour. He has expanded the horizon to include both the Camping World East and West Series along with the ARCA RE/MAX series. In addition to the full NASCAR Camping World Series East schedule, Dumarey will compete at Phoenix International Raceway in April and the road course event at Infineon Raceway in June with the Camping World West Series. He will also visit Kansas Speedway, Pocono Raceway, Nashville Superspeedway, and Talladega Superspeedway with the ARCA RE/MAX Series. Max has tested well at the Superspeedways and is looking forward to getting a chance to stretch his legs. I think it is a great way for the
BORN TO RACE- I remember the banquet at Thompson last season; Shane Hopkins, crew chief of the Don Bannister #6, whispered to me he had a new driver for 2007 and he thought he had a shot at winning it all. I confess I questioned whether they had enough cars to make it through the season. I saw a young driver who loved to go to the front, but sometimes lacked the experience to know when to wait for the race to come to him. Shane assured me he could work with Keith Rocco and if he listened they would stand on the podium as champions.
Congratulations Keith, Shane, Don and the entire #6 Bannister Motorsports Team, you predicted it and followed through with the championship, not an easy task. Keith has been racing Modifieds for three years, starting at Stafford Motor Speedway. Late in his first year of driving he came to Thompson and fell in love. He longed to run weekly at the 5/8’s mile high-banked track in
This week I am trying to get over the Patriots lose in the Superbowl. I thought they would be able to finish the perfect season, but they came up short. I guess it is the familiar refrain that is heard at the end of the season, “wait until next year.” 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
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