Get Up and Walk
Last week we began looking into a passage about some friends who helped bring their friend to Jesus. What happens when you get there? What happens when they meet Jesus face to face? Greetings in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
We talked about our commitment to Christ and how that would determine the length we would go to help a friend. 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?
The racing world is made up of all kinds of people. There are those who have been there and know the way. There are those who are excited about figuring out the way. There are those who are trying to derail you from finding the way. Many of those same people wanted to be where Jesus was.
Look at the passage again;
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!”
When we examine this passage a little bit we find there were many people in the house for many different reasons. Jesus was returning home and I am sure there were friends and family who wanted to see him. There were people who heard about the miracles he performed and hoped to see one for them. There were those who needed healing and came with the hope that they would be healed. There were those who were skeptical and sought to trap Jesus and prove he wasn’t who he said he was.
There were so many people the house was full and there wasn’t room for these friends to get to Jesus. Let me note something, most of the people there were there for good reasons but they were focused on themselves and they blocked someone else from getting to Jesus. I am glad that the folks that brought their friend were not deterred and dug a hole in the roof.
The life changing encounter with Jesus had an interesting effect on the crowd. Jesus forgave the sins of the paralytic, but that wasn’t enough for some in the crowd. Jesus knew what was on their hearts and met their challenges head on, “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.”
Take notice that the wall to wall, standing room only crowd was no more. The man picked up his mat and walked out in full view of the people left. Where did the crowd go? I think some realized they were in the presence of the Living God and left because of their transgressions. I think others left because Jesus could see right through them into their heart. They new that had crossed a line by challenging God; they would have trouble dealing with that.
I thought about all the people that jump on the bandwagon and want to be around until it gets uncomfortable, they start to drift away. What you have left are your true friends, those you can count on. Amazing isn’t it. When you come face to face with the living God you don’t leave the same way you came.
We can learn a few things, first and foremost, Jesus can and will forgive our sin. He will give us a new, fresh start. Jesus can heal our physical problems. We should not be deterred because there are obstacles in our way. Desire in your heart to meet Jesus face to face and you won’t leave the same way you came.
THOUGHTS FROM THE ROAD
RECOVERY- After two weeks on the road I needed some down time. It would have been a pretty quiet week except we had to close our Coffee Shop due to economic conditions. We spent the week dismantling years of hard work and good service to our customers who became our friends. There is a note of sadness when the world gets so caught up in trying to survive that they miss an opportunity to enjoy the simpler things. We have fond memories and will count the experience as one we are better off for having. We now know the Mom and Pops out there need our support. Please make every effort to support those independent businesses that depend so much on our support.
ROAD TRIP- part of the healing process will take place on the road to New Smyrna and Daytona. The best part is Lynda will be making the trip with me. One of the things we enjoy is taking trips in the car, so we will head south with the pace car. I am looking forward to the trip as this is the first time I will be at New Smyrna and Daytona. It will be good to finally see the mods at their winter home. And I can’t wait to see Daytona, I have waited a lifetime for this one.
I am looking forward to catching up with folks and seeing what their plans are for 2010. Stop back next week and I will share some of those plans with you.
TRAINING OPPORTUNITY- We are in the planning stages of having a weekend retreat for existing and potential chaplains that are affiliated with RWJM. The preliminary date is March 19-21. The location will be Emmanuel Baptist Church in West Springfield, MA. If you serve under the RWJM banner or are considering joining us this event is for you. Please drop me a note and let me know you are interested. We will get back to those who respond with arrangements and the estimated cost. We are looking forward to a wonderful time of fellowship and sharing. Hope to see you there.
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 11
WENDELL & DELORIS MINTER- The Martinsville, VA WODY Gospel Music host and wife from Ridgeway, VA celebrate their 33rd anniversary. Congratulations and Praise the Lord!
*** February 14 VALENTINE’S DAY ***
ROY & DORIS DEALL- Riverhead Raceway’s Neal Fiola Crew Chief and wife celebrate.
WAYNE & MARY BLAKE- Of Norwich, CT, the Ass’t Infield Coordinator at Waterford Speedbowl and wife celebrate their 12th anniversary.
KIRK & PAM WISE-Kirk and his wife share their 28th wedding anniversary.
February 15
RICH CAOUETTE & NANCY LaBONNE-CAOUETTE- These East Hartford, CT fans share their 19th.
***HAPPY BIRTHDAYS***
February 10
DAVID OLIVER- Riverhead Raceway’s Steve Tooker LM/NASCAR KNPSE Crew Chief.
February 11
WADE HENDRICKSON- Lawrenceville, NJ Modified driver/owner.
KEN KUHLMAN- Veteran AARN columnist/ Bridgeport, NJ Speedway scorer.
KRISTI CAMERON- Alfred, ME Jeff Gordon fan.
“DAKOTA” RAY KOHLER- Son of Micro Sprint driver Jason from Fleetwwod, PA.
February 12
JIMMY CHESTER- Newfield, NJ Bridgeport driver.
RICK HOCTOR- D.I.R.T. Modified driver.
HARMON “BEAVER” DRAGON- Milton, VT Thunder Road based LM driver.
STEVE BIRD- NNS Crew Chief from Massachusetts.
LORI BEERS- Sister/Team member of Eric Beers Northampton, PA Modified team.
February 13
FRANK VIGLIAROLO, JR.- Medford,NY driver.
February 14 *** VALENTINE’S DAY ***
JERRY MARQUIS- Karen’s Valentine husband, Enfield, CT KNPSE and WMT driver, 2000 WMT Champion.
BILL VENTURINI- Wife Kathy’s Valentine, Chicago, IL ARCA driver.
SCOTT SHARP- Norwalk, CT born, now Jupiter, FL IRL driver.
JESSICA WATTS- Daughter of Riverhead/NASCAR WMT Mod driver Danny and wife Vivian is 17.
JOHN PAUL TEMCHAK- This son of NHIS Victory Lane Staff Member John and wife Kathy from Canterbury, NH is 20.
February 15
BAILEY DOUST, Jamesville, NY – Son of sportsman driver Gregory Doust
JIM SPENCER- Berwick, PA NSCS driver and PA hero.
PAUL KOTTER- No. Attleboro, MA racing publications sales rep, now retired to Florida.
JEANNINE NEGRI- Danbury, CT Jeff Fuller fan.
GLEN KONK- Jackson, NJ fan.
February 16
BOB BALAAM- Bridgeport Sportsman driver; Stan Ploski’s nephew.
JERRY “MAGEE” MILLER- Allentown, PA Mod/NASCAr Mod/Truck driver.
ANDY SCHALTZ- Whip City Mini Sprint and Riverside Mini Stock driver.
ROBERT BLACK- Hickory, NC retired former NNS Director.
STEPHANIE BALL- Daughter of NH Mod driver Rusty and wife Ann.
ARIANNA KOHLER- The daughter of Grandview/ Big Diamond NASCAR dirt Modified driver Warren is 13.
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