Thankful for 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 there 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 there own.
Some are not truly mistakes but maybe a little creative rules interpretation. Penalties are levied and corrections are made. We move on or at least we are supposed to. Some of us have longer memories than others.
Some issues never seem to be dealt with and they linger and fester. These types effect relationships and are the most destructive. No matter what the situation was, when mistakes are made they need to be corrected. We need to take responsibility for them and seek forgiveness. We then need to forget about it and move on.
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. 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, 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 when we 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
Keeping the peace is a difficult task. Have you ever thought about what it takes to be 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
AN UNPLANNED WEEKEND OFF- Well, by now we should have expected it, weather postponed the World Series of Racing at Thompson Speedway. Credit goes to Thompson for making the call early enough to save teams that drive extended distances. It is always a risk as the weather forecasters have not proven to be very reliable. I am sure when Friday and Saturday turned out to be acceptable but cold racing days there were some who were questioning the decision. Sunday was another story, there was no way we could have raced on Sunday unless maybe we were racing snowmobiles. You only needed to tune into the football being played down the road in Foxboro to know the weather conditions.
We will try again this week, the schedule will be the same, let us hope the weather will cooperate. We are looking forward to seeing the race to the championship contested by Lia and Preece. As these two legendary modified teams come to the track with this final shot at the title we should be in for a treat. I am looking for a great race, see you there.
CHANGES- With the changes to the schedule at Thompson we will not be able to make the trip to Wall Stadium on Saturday night. We were looking forward to taking the trip down to the Jersey shore for the Twin Tour Type Mod features. It is always good to see Jim, Sue, Bob and all the folks that support what we do. It looks like our next opportunity to visit will be for some Thanksgiving Day Weekend racing.
SEASON WINDING DOWN TO NORTH-SOUTH SHOOTOUT- One of the can’t miss events of the year comes after the champions have been crowned, The John Blewett III Memorial North-South Shootout is one event that we look forward to all year. A fast track, the best drivers all come together for some fantastic racing. Make your plans to be there, we will.
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.
Mail reaches us at Racing with Jesus Ministries, PO Box 586, Tolland, CT 06084. Check our weekly printed pages in “Area Auto Racing News”, the East Coast’s largest weekly racing paper” See our on-line Apparel Store for subscription information. Check our home page www.rwjm.org for past articles. We invite you to input your thoughts as you sign our Guest Book. Please remember, we can only do what we do because of your prayerful financial support.
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 22
REV. PAT & BETTY EVANS- This would have been the 26th aniversary for Pat and Betty. Please keep Betty in your prayers as this will be a difficult day.
October 24
JIM & PAT BEEBE- The Star Speedway NASCAR flagman and wife have their anniversary.
October 25
DON & MELINDA FOWLER- This Waterford Speedbowl Modified driver and wife have their 37th anniversary.
October 26
KEITH & DEBORAH CYR- The AARN photographer from Danbury, CT and wife share their 12th anniversary.
MR. & MRS. DALE HOLDRIDGE- This senior Waterford Speedbowl driver and wife have their 46th anniversary.
October 27
RAY & PAULA ACKERLY- This Katonah, NY dirt Modified driver and wife celebrate their 18th anniversary.
***HAPPY BIRTHDAYS***
October 21
MORGAN SHEPHERD- Conover, NC NNS driver and outspoken Christian.
BOB LeSIEUR- No. Easton, MA NSC photographer.
ROBERT ROSSI, JR.- Riverhead, LI, NY based Mike Ewanitsko NASCAR WMT fan.
October 22
TONY VECCHIO- Syracuse, NY Former NASCAR CWES team owner and chassis specialist.
JOHNNY UNSER- Long Beach, Ca born, Sun Valley, ID IRL driver.
MIKE SWANN- Rev. Pat’s cousin from Sumneytwon, PA.
JAYE COTTER- Wife and assistant to No. Attleboro, MA racing paper/magazine sales rep., Paul.
RUTH TAGG- Mom of Webster, MA CT Mod retired driver Tom.
Ocotober 23
TREVA MERRILL- The wife of Newton, MA based Monadnock Speedway (Keene, NH) GM, Carl.
CATHERINE & CHRISTIAN HANKS- The twins of CT ProStock driver Roy and wife Donna.
NATALIE BELMONT- A daughter of Pennsy based ARCA/NNS driver Andy and wife Jennifer.
October 24
TRACY LESLIE- Clemens, MI NNS/ASA driver.
EDDIE DUMBROWSKI- Riverhead Raceway based Rusty Turbush LM crewman.
STEPHANIE PETFIELD- A daughter of Thornwood, NY RWJM CWES Pastor Dan and wife Debbie.
S.J. GOLEMBESKI- crewmwmber for the WMT #99 of Jamie Tomaino.
October 25
WARD BURTON- South Boston, VA former NSC driver.
BILLY “BEAR” CALLICHO- Meriden, CT top innovator, owner on the Modified TOur.
PAUL TEETER- Ithaca, NY antique car enthusiast.
AMANDA GRAVEL- A daughter of NH ProStock driver Gege and wife Lisa.
JOSHUA BRANDON LAWRENCE- The son of Dino and Chris, proprietors of Carolina Signworks in Rockingham, NC RWJM Counselors turns 11. October 26
SAMMY SWINDELL- WoO Sprint driver.
DEBORAH PETFIELD- RWJM Counselor/ Singer from Thornwood, NY; CWES Pastor Dan’s wife.
BRANDON SETZER- The son of Newton, NC NASCAR CTS driver Dennis and wife Darla is 14.
October 27
DICK TRICKLE- Fan favorite retired Wisconsin based NSC team driver.
NEWT HARTMAN- Flagtown, NJ East Windsor Mod driver.
RAY HEDGER- Williamson, NY Bruce Driver WMT Crew Chief.
MARC OSWALD- Vineland, NJ based “Trackside” Magazine Field Sales Rep.
AMANDA PETFIELD- Thornwood, NY RWJM CWES Pastor & vice president Dan and wife Debbie’s youngest is 16.
ALAN CLAFFIE- East Series Racing web master and Steve Park look alike.
SHARE YOUR SPECIAL OCCASIONS WITH YOUR RACING FAMILY. SEND THEM TO RACING WITH JESUS MINISTRIES AT PO BOX 586, Tolland, CT, 06084.
Sources: Rev. Don Rivers/RWJM