A Hole in the Roof
We return to our Winter Bible Study where we are looking at how coming face to face with God will change you. Have you taken the time to meet God over the past few weeks? Let’s continue along that theme. Greetings in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
We have many opportunities to help others. I know at the race track when someone has a problem there are many who are ready to lend a hand. I think that is one of the greatest things about the racing family, their willingness to help when there is a need.
The Scripture I want to start looking at this week tells us about some friends who wanted to help their friend out. Read along and we’ll talk about it.
MARK 2:1-12, A few days later, when Jesus again entered Capernaum, the people heard that he had come home. So many gathered that there was no room left, not even outside the door, and he preached the word to them. Some men came, bringing to him a paralytic, carried by four of them. Since they could not get him to Jesus because of the crowd, they made an opening in the roof above Jesus and, after digging through it, lowered the mat the paralyzed man was lying on. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, “Son, your sins are forgiven.”
Now some teachers of the law were sitting there, thinking to themselves, “Why does this fellow talk like that? He’s blaspheming! Who can forgive sins but God alone?”
Immediately Jesus knew in his spirit that this was what they were thinking in their hearts, and he said to them, “Why are you thinking these things? Which is easier: to say to the paralytic, `Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, `Get up, take your mat and walk’? But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins . . . .” He said to the paralytic, “I tell you, get up, take your mat and go home.” He got up, took his mat and walked out in full view of them all. This amazed everyone and they praised God, saying, “We have never seen anything like this!”
Have you ever reached out to help someone and it ended up costing you something? Most times agreeing to help someone means there is a cost. We know we are willing to help in any way when we don’t count the cost.
Think about these friends who wanted to get their friend to Jesus so much that they cut a hole in the roof. They knew he needed to get to him, the crowd was too big and so they took matters into their own hands and lowered him through the roof.
How do you feel about those you care about? Do you think they need to meet Jesus? Are you willing to take the risk and the expense to bring them to Jesus? If we think that meeting Jesus face to face will change our life then we will go to any length to bring someone to Him.
If we don’t think it matters whether they know Jesus or not then we will come up with all kinds of excuses why it is not worth the effort. Our commitment and faith in Jesus determines how far we will go to help someone change their life. These friends dug a hole in the roof. What are we willing to do?
There are some other points I want to make about this passage next week. For now think about this, are we willing to care about someone so much that we don’t count the cost? Have a great week.
THOUGHTS FROM THE ROAD
TOYOTA ALL-STAR SHOWDOWN- As they say, timing is everything and our trip west was no exception. We left Wednesday night this year instead of Thursday morning and when an unforecast storm and cold spell settled in on the east coast we were driving around in sunny Southern California with the top down in our rental car. The best place to be, weather wise, in the country was where we were, LA. Did I mention the rental car?
Rental car companies should know better than to park Mustang convertibles next to a Kia sedan when they send you out to pick up your car. When we saw the situation Dan went back in and told the attendant that they were one space off in their car assignment. We would like the Mustang, please. After a little paperwork and a very good deal we put the top down and headed to Gary’s. When it is single digits back home it doesn’t matter how cold it is you put the top down. I am glad that Mustang had a great heating system.
When you go to these special events you always wonder what kind of race you are going to see. This particular show has been known for some pretty interesting antics. This year however would be a gem. What a tremendous race.
When does a 19 year old become the veteran who schools the 16 year old? Joey Logano and Sergio Pena waged a back and forth battle through several restarts. The sellout crowd was on their feet for the final restart and the teacher got the best of the student this time, but as Joey said in Victory Lane, he is a quick learner; I had to change it up on every start to keep him guessing.
I talked with Joey a little about why he came out for the event. Joey said he was bored and wanted to race somewhere. He talked with JGR and they were limiting their entry to two cars. He called Mike Olsen and Home Depot and they put something together. Joey was very pleased with the ride Fadden Racing provided. He commented after one practice session that although he never drove a car like it before he was pretty comfortable in it and thought they had a chance. They had more than a chance.
Don’t let the point escape you that the top two finishers had Busch North Series roots. Fadden Racing and Andy Santerre are legendary in the Northeast and they proved once again that they know how to build, setup, race and win.
There are many good stories that came out of the event, the exposure, the great but short ride by Derek Ramstrom, the attendance, the new sponsor, K & N, the race itself, all indicators that this event was a keeper. I hope you had a chance to watch it live on Speed Channel.
WILLOW SPRINGS- What happens when a racer dies and goes to heaven? He ends up at a place like Willow Springs Motorsports Complex in Rosamond, CA. We headed out there Sunday morning after a late night at Irwindale; home after midnight on the road at 6:00am. Living the dream. Actually this was an opportunity to have some fun while we ministered. Gary Dionne, our west coast guy is the chaplain at the 1/4 mile oval on the property; there are also two road courses, a skid pad and a 1/3 mile dirt track. All but the dirt track were in use on this day. Like I said, living the dream.
Gary not only brought us along to do a chapel service, he brought his Street Stock. Dan and I took turns running laps in practice and enjoying every minute of it. We decided that Dan needed to campaign the car for the dash, heat and feature. Dan ran his first ever race in competition and won. The secret was out, in the heat race the locals talked a little and Dan didn’t want to lean on anyone, it was just a heat race, so his winning streak was over. In the feature he returned to form won his first feature. We are now traveling back from the west coast with a little extra baggage, two trophies. I tried to get him to ship them home but he wanted to bring them with us, there will be no living with him now.
Chapel was well attended and the folks made us feel welcome. We had a wonderful time serving the folks who came out to race on Sunday. We are already looking forward to coming back. Next time we will bring two cars and see which one of us can come home with the hardware.
Our west coast trip was successful on many fronts. One was meeting Allen Pearson, new to the racing ministry with a heart to serve God. We are looking forward to the abilities Allen brings to RWJM.
I will be heading down to New Smyrna and Daytona next week and I am looking forward to some new experiences. It will be my first trip to either place. It should be another memorable trip. See you down the road.
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***
February 3
HERMIE & ANGIE SADLER- The Emporia, VA NSC/NNS driver and wife have their 14th.
February 8
TOM & CAROL HOWARD- This Waterford Speedbowl/Kobyluck team couple have their 18th anniversary.
February 9
TERENCE & CHRISTINE FITZGERALD- From Rocky Point, Long Island, this Riverhead Raceway enduro driver and wife share their 9th.
***HAPPY BIRTHDAYS***
February 3
TEXX, “MIKE” FRENCH-NKNSE former crewmember for ASM.
BOBBY GADA- Niantic, CT Waterford Speedbowl Modified driver of the multi-time Harry Wyant championship team.
MIKE TICCO- Lancaster (NY) Speedway writer.
DAVID BACHMAN- Son of Pennsy based former ARDC scorer, Jennifer Bachman.This No. 1 fan of John Marcovic and Eric Beers is 14.
February 4
TOM BOLLES- Vernon, CT NASCAR WAAS driver, of the Bolles Motors family; sponsor of the RWJM Dodge Intrepid Pace Car.
FREDDIE QUERY- Kannapolis, NC All Pro, NASCAR Truck driver.
JOHN BARBER- Buss, NY NASCAR KNPSE driver.
BILLY KANN- NASCAR KNPSW driver.
ERIC PALMER- New England Pro Four Mod driver.
SUSAN STRUPP- Wife of former Long Islander, now in Charlotte, Jimmy.
TAYLOR BRIAN CUMMINS- The daughter of New Jersey fans Brian and Lori is 16.
February 5
DARRELL WALTRIP- Former NSC driver, turned TV race commentator, from Franklin, TN.
JUSTIN LABONTE- NNS/ARCA driving son of Kellogg’s NSC driver Terry and wife Kim.
RICKY PEARSON- NNS Crew Chief, one of retired driver David’s sons.
PAULA AUBE- Wife of Charlotte, VT NASCAR KNPSE driver/crew cheif Jamie.
MATT DILLNER- Long Island brother to Speed’s Bobby check him out on www.speed51.com.
February 6
PAUL GENTILOZZI- Lansing, MI IMSA GTO driver.
BOBBY BROWN- Farmingdale,NJ based Dwarf Car driver/owner.
GLEN FLACK- President of AutoWorks Performance, Inc. in Sewell, NJ and Atco Raceway SuperPro drag racer.
STEVE FULLER- One of the seven brothers in the famous Auburn, MA racing family including NNS’s Jeff and Rick and NASCAR WMT team owner Bobby.
PETER SNOW- Southbridge, MA NASCAR WMT Team crewman.
GRACIE RYAN- Holyoke, MA racing photographer and WMT Scorer.
February 7
CLAY CAMPBELL- President of Martinsville, VA Speedway.
WILL HOBGOOD- Winnsboro, SC former Dash Series driver.
BOBBY GAHAN- Barrington, NH NASCAR KNPSE/LM driver.
DICK KLUTH- Lancaster Speedway Modified driver.
DONNA SCHAFFER- Wife of Woxall, PA Sportsman Modified driver Rick, Grandview Speedway’s all-time winningest Modified driver.
MICHAEL HOPKINS- Son of CT based flagman Chris.
LORI D’AMORE- New Jersey fan.
February 8
MIKE OLSEN- No Haverhill, NH 2006 NASCAR KNPSE Champion Little Tree Air Fresheners driver and now car owner.
RON LAMELL- Essex Junction, VT NASCAR KNPSE driver.
KYLE MICHEL- Wife of Wall Township Speedway excellent Modified driver Dave. She is also NSCS driver Martin Truex’ sister.
SUE MENTEN- Wife of Stony Brook, LI’s Vinny.
CAROLYN BLAISDELL- Champaign, IL fan.
JUSTIN WAWRZONEK- Son of Amsterdam, NY dirt fans Ron and Gloria Hanna.
CHUCK McNEIL- RWJM Anderson Indiana Track Chaplain and RWJM officer.
February 9
BILLY PENFOLD- Yarmouth, ME NASCAR CWES/LM driver.
STEVE SELLERS- Sacramento, CA KNPSW driver.
DUNK RUDOLPH- NH based Modified driver.
LAURA SAVERY- Wife of Plymouth, MA Seekonk Speedway Street Stock driver Dana.
EARLINE WAGNER- Schwenksville, PA Leonard’s wife, both Grandview Speedway and NSCS fans.
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