Happy New Year
A familiar refrain we hear this time of the year, but can we assure the year to come will be happy? What does it take to be happy? How can we assure that no matter what the circumstances the New Year brings we will be happy? Happiness is more a condition of the heart than a result of the events that happen around us. Greetings in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Have you ever listened to a post incident interview that took place with the drivers who were involved? Each driver has a take on what took place. Each one saw things from a different perspective. If you listen closely you can determine the one event that triggered the incident. It starts something like this; “I thought I could” or “I had the position but”. We think we can predict the results of our choices but many times the results are not what we would expect.
Our perception of the situation is many times different from someone else’s. Most times we don’t see or don’t understand all the effects of our actions. Did you ever wonder why we need officials at races? They are the ones whose perception counts. They are the ones who decide what really happened. Who has the final say on the other decisions we make in our life? Whose opinion do we listen to?
What does this have to do with being happy? Well, think of it this way, when we understand that the results of our decisions affect more than just us our perspective changes. When we realize that things don’t revolve around us we begin to understand that the decisions we make should take others into consideration. When we consider the condition of others we start to see things through God’s eyes. True happiness is a direct result of how we affect the lives of others. We think however that our happiness is a direct result of the things we do and have.
We live much of our lives focused on what affects us. When according to God’s plan we should live our lives with more consideration for the welfare of others. Paul writes in Philippians about how we should respond to the blessings we receive from God.
Philippians 2:1-5: If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus:
Paul reminds us that our attitude should be the same as Christ’s. Think of Jesus, He came and sacrificed His life, not for what He received, but for what we received. I believe it pleased Him to give His life up for anyone who would believe in Him. His heart was at peace and He was filled with joy. Paul outlines it for us;
Philippians 2:6-8: (Jesus), being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death– even death on a cross!
This seems contrary to our definition of happiness. How can you be suffering so and yet be “happy”?
Happiness for a Christian is defined differently than it is for others. Happiness is less a state of circumstances and more a condition of the heart. When our heart is in tune with God’s will we are filled with a peace that passes understanding and a joy that isn’t easily understood. The love of God in our lives demonstrated to others in the choices we make produces true happiness in our lives.
Paul helps us redefine our focus in life. We find the peace of God when we concentrate on the things that please God. Paul explained that being in God’s will was more important than having all the trappings the world has to offer.
Philippians4:8-13: Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable–if anything is excellent or praiseworthy–think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me–put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.
I rejoice greatly in the Lord that at last you have renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you have been concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it. I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength.
We are programmed in life to think happiness comes from what we have. That is not true. Did you ever know someone who had everything they ever wanted? That is not possible because there is always something else we want. It seems we are never satisfied. We never have everything we want. In his letter to Timothy, Paul councils him to pursue the things of God.
1Timothy 6:6-12: But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.
But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness. Fight the good fight of the faith.
We think that we can satisfy ourselves by attaining things. We think happiness comes from having those things. The fact is that no matter what we have there is always something missing. Something only God can provide. No matter what we attain in life we are not satisfied until we ask Jesus into our heart. He is the only one who can fill the void that we try to fill with everything else. We can only receive that peace that passes understanding from God through Jesus.
So when I say Happy New Year I mean I hope you find the true meaning of life. I hope you realize where true satisfaction and fulfillment come from. I hope you find the saving grace of Jesus. God promises peace to those who trust in Him. Are you at peace? God fills our hearts with joy when we pursue His will. Happiness is a result of living the life that God has planned for us. Make a New Year’s resolution that will change your life, resolve this year to submit to God’s will for your life. Let God have control and make every effort to let Him guide your thoughts and actions. God Bless, Rev. Don
THOUGHTS FROM THE ROAD
4TH ANNUAL GEOFF BODINE BOBSLED CHALLENGE- The schedule of the holidays worked out perfectly this year and I was able to make the trip to Lake Placid. Lynda and I headed up on New Year’s Day for what would prove to be the fulfillment of a lifelong dream. Sometimes in life you do get to fulfill your dreams. Before we get into that I want to talk about what a tremendous event this is.
Geoff Bodine’s vision of bringing together the auto racing community in support of the USA Bobsled effort and have some fun doing it has proved to be a tremendous hit. Some of you may not know this but this event has become the source of funding for the USA Bobsled effort. Other countries have budgets and support of their governments but here they depend on the support of sponsors and supporters.
What a wonderful opportunity to increase awareness of a truly World Class program. With the advent of the Bo-Dyn Bobsled the Americans have regained their standing in the sport on top of the podium. I remember watching the event on ABC’s Wide World of Sports when I was a kid. I longed for the USA to win. Now we are the team to beat. With the World Championships next month in Lake Placid look for the USA to be a favorite. Root on the USA.
For me, I always wanted the chance to ride down the track covered with a sheet of ice. I got that opportunity on Saturday morning. 47.55 was the time in a Four-man sled from Start House 3, AWESOME! What was over in less than a minute fulfilled a lifelong dream. God has truly blessed me. But God didn’t stop there on Saturday night Lynda and I sat at the same table with USA World Cup Champion Sled Pilot, Steve Holcomb. It was a great time getting to know him and learning some things about Bobsledding. Sometimes in life God blesses us beyond our wildest dreams. I could not have predicted or even imagined what the weekend would have in store, but God had it all planned.
I am as patriotic as they come, I get choked up when they sing the national anthem, I fly my flag and I take pride in what this country stands for, One Nation under God. What I saw this weekend filled me with that pride. Geoff and his team have put the USA back on the map, he has included the racing community and he has helped create the bonds that will last into the future. My hats off to everyone involved in this project and event.
Todd Bodine proved to be King of the Hill in both qualifying and heads up racing winning both. He was on his way to claiming his third win of the weekend when he went 81. That is Bobsled code for turning over. That meant Morgan Lucas would win the NASCAR vs. NHRA challenge. The two went head to head in the same sleds used by our USA Bobsled teams. They also had USA coaches as their brakemen for the final heads up run. Lucas proved the sled made a tremendous difference as he took two seconds off the best time of the day.
It was a great weekend to show support for our Olympic Athletes and their efforts to put the USA on the top of the heap. Again if you have the chance, get out there and show your support for the USA Bobsled team. You can watch the action from this weekends event on Speed Channel, January 18 at noon. I need to thank Whelen Engineering and Phil Kurze for extending the invitation and showing us a tremendous time. We are looking forward to returning next year.
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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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