Are You Thirsty
As we continue to look at selected passages from Scripture that detail face to face encounters with Christ we find ourselves at Jacob’s well. One of the most important things we need to sustain life is water. Christ offers us something better, living water. Greetings in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
It can be hot at the track in the summer and one of the most welcome sights is a cooler filled with ice cold water. We have seen the effects of dehydration when we don’t drink enough water. I have watched crew members go into shock and need medical attention because they didn’t properly hydrate themselves. Our passage relays the story of a hot summer day and the need for water to quench our thirst.
John 4:7-15; When a Samaritan woman came to draw water, Jesus said to her, “Will you give me a drink?” (His disciples had gone into the town to buy food.)
The Samaritan woman said to him, “You are a Jew and I am a Samaritan woman. How can you ask me for a drink?” (For Jews do not associate with Samaritans. )
Jesus answered her, “If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked him and he would have given you living water.”
“Sir,” the woman said, “you have nothing to draw with and the well is deep. Where can you get this living water? Are you greater than our father Jacob, who gave us the well and drank from it himself, as did also his sons and his flocks and herds?”
Jesus answered, “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.”
The woman said to him, “Sir, give me this water so that I won’t get thirsty and have to keep coming here to draw water.”
There are many things we can discuss about this conversation. First, Jews and Samaritans didn’t get along; in fact they didn’t even talk to each other. I am sure there are some teams in the pits that have the same kind of relationship. We start to see the why Jesus had to go through Samaria; he had to start breaking down the barriers that man had built.
Another thing to look at is the fact that we don’t always see things for what they are. The time of day was noon, the hottest part of the day. Why would you come to draw water at that hour? Why wouldn’t you come in the morning when it is cool and everyone else comes? Because you don’t want to have to answer the questions about your lifestyle that those people were asking. We will learn as we continue to examine this passage that this woman wasn’t leading the best life she could.
Another thing to notice is that she didn’t expect to meet Jesus at the well. She really hoped to be alone at the well so when someone was there she was surprised. When Jesus spoke to her she got defensive. She wasn’t sure who this man was. She also knew she had never seen him before.
Did you notice the question she asked when he offered her a drink? How can you give me a drink, you don’t have anything to draw water with and the well is deep. Jesus draws from a different well than we do. He doesn’t offer us water from a well, he offers us living water.
Living water restores your soul, cleanses your sin and allows you to enter into a relationship with God as one of his children. Living water gives us eternal life in heaven with God.
Let me ask you, are you thirsty? Do you want the forgiveness that comes through Jesus? Do you want the inheritance that comes with being a child of God? Accept the offer that Jesus gives, accept the living water.
THOUGHTS FROM THE ROAD
HOMEBOUND- Well they say there is no place like home and this week that has been a welcome place to shake off the road. It hasn’t been without challenges though. On our way back from Daytona we learned of the death of Lynda’s grandfather. He was 91 and faced some challenging days ahead, we count it a blessing that he went home to the Lord before he had to endure some of those difficulties.
Also, we learned of the death of my friend’s dad, some of you may know Franc Motors in Willington, CT. Rick Ostien is the proprietor and his dad’s name was Harry. Rick has helped sponsor local race teams and some of his mechanics compete at Stafford and Thompson. I am thankful that I was able to help Rick and his family through this difficult time.
THE RACER’S EXPO- With the vacancy created when Speedway Expo ceased to exist, Bobby Seymour has put together a little show up in Marlborough, MA. this weekend for some of the trades connected with racing in New England.
Bobby invites you to come along if you’re a race driver, mechanic, team owner or sponsor. Exhibitors from across America will be there to display their products and answer your questions.
The show will be at the Best Western Royal Plaza Hotel in Marlborough, MA, just 1 mile west off 495 at the Route 20 exit (Exit #24b). Admission is free.
I will be there on Friday to see some of you before I head down to Lansdale, PA for a show at Calvary Baptist Church. We will have the pace car with us and also the #71 K & N Pro Series car of Grimm Racing. If you are in the area please stop by and say hello.
We have a few weeks off here before we get back to the track but as you know that doesn’t mean we are standing still. One of the events on the agenda will be the first of many annual retreats for our RWJM chaplains on March 19-21. If you want to come and join us in West Springfield let me know.
Remember we are available to come and speak to your church or group. If you would like us to come drop us a line and let us know. Be a witness for our Lord with the ministry decals and apparel. See them at the Show Your Faith Apparel Store at www.rwjm.com. Send us your prayer and counseling needs no matter what part of our racing family you are in, or give us a call. 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” Check our home page www.rwjm.com for past articles. Drop us a note and share your input and thoughts. 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 27
DENNIS & ELLEN MURRAY- This Mike Weeden LM fans from NH have their 44th.
March 2
BILL & SUZANNE STIVASON- These fans from Kittinang, PA share their 19th anniversary.
March 3
TIM & BRENDA STEELE- The Coopersville, MI ARCA 3-time champion now car owner and wife share their 17th anniversary.
***HAPPY BIRTHDAYS***
February 24
MICHAEL RITCH- High Point, NC NNS/LMSC driver.
RICK DYKE- Danbury, CT retired ProStock driver.
LOUIS LaFLEUR- Thompson Speedway track crew member.
KYLE McGOWaN- Flagger at Wall and familiar sight at Mod races enjoys his big day.
February 25
NORM HOLDEN- Seekonk Speedway ProStock driver.
T.J. CLARK- Chandler,AZ NASCAR West driver.
BUTCH GILLILAND- Anaheim, CA NASCAR West driver.
PATTI BETTS- Show horse riding Wife of former Long Island now Salisbury, NC engine builder John.
NESTER Q. KRAMER- Riverhead, NY Billy Pauch fan.
February 26
GLENN FITZCHARLES- Pottstown, PA URC Sprint driver.
KEN LAVOIE- Massachusetts driver.
ZUNILDA ROCCO- Wife of the world famous Plainville, CT Modified driver “Rocket Ronnie.”
ELIZABETH DIAS- Wife of Seekonk Speedway ProStock driver Tony.
February 27
GARY GOLLUB- Mohnton, PA Mod/Sprint driver.
DENNIS SETZER- Newton, NC NNS/CWTS driver.
TODD BODINE- Chemung, NY CWTS Champion driver.
GEORGE INGOLE- Lakeland, FL All Pro driver.
TY DILLON- A son of Welcome, NC NNS driver/ Crew Chief Mike and wife Tina is 18, Richard Childress’ grandson.
February 28
MARIO ANDRETTI- This Nazareth, PA World Class retired driver really does think he’s Mario Andretti.
JAY HEDGECOCK- High Point, NC NSC fabricator and LMSC builder; Modified driver.
JOE GAERTE- WoO sprint driver.
BUTCH LEITZINGER- State College, PA NASCAR KNPSE and World Class driver.
RICH GARDNER- Late Model Stock Car driver from Waterford, PA; “Erie Speedway” 5-time Dirt Late Model champion.
LIZ STRICKLER- Susquehanna Sportsman driver Randy’s wife.
JUDY MANIX- The sister of Plainville, CT drivers Ted and Mike Christopher.
February 29
BRIAN HOAR- His day is really February 29 for this Goss Dodge ACT driver.
March 1
ALEXIS SZEGEDY- Wife of former WMT champion Todd, AKA George.
BOBBY SEYMOUR- Well known midget driver and partner of Seymour Enterprises Performance Products Inc.
QUINN CHRISTOPHER- Wife of well known multi-talented driver TC.
DAVE MARCIS- Skyland, NC Retired NSC driver/RCR research driver.
BILLY PAUCH- Frenchtown, NJ driver of the Williams Grove based Zemco Sprint.
RANDY HEDGER- Sprint Cup official from Williamson, NY.
TIM STEELE- Coopersville, MI ARCA driver.
JERRY CAMINITO- Jackson, NJ NHRA Funny Car driver.
GLENN FRYE, JR- Grandson of Warren “Jeep” Frye and 1/4 Midget driver of Blackbird, Deleware.
DONNA KOCHER- Bethlehem, PA AMRA Microstock member.
KATHY TEMCHAK- Wife of Canterbury, NH NHIS victory Lane Staff Member John.
March 2
TAMMY SUE WOODS- The wife of New Jersey born Steve “Woody” Woods on the R&D staff at Evernham NNC racing.
LAURIE UDES- Wife of Morris Plains, NJ asphalt Modified driver John.
March 3
FRED RAHMER- Pennsy based international sprint car driver.
DANNY JOHNSON- Phelps,NY D.I.R.T. Modified champion.
CHARLIE SAVAGE- From Portland, CT now driving a Modified at Charlotte County Speedway in Punta Gorda, FL.
MELANIE DEWARE- From Easton, MA, the bubbly wife of Mosler Automotive/Jilbrit Wheels GT Team driver Scott.
MARY LOUISE HODGE- Racing photographer from Manchester, CT; photographer Howie’s wife.
MARGARET DAVIS- Manassas, VA writer.
GREG RHEN- Sinking Spring, PA dirt catcher and fan of Kenny Brighbill.
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