Heart Condition
We all have wondered now and again if someone’s heart was in their effort. Sometimes the passion just isn’t there. The condition of our heart is more important than we think. Do we have a heart condition? Greetings in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
We continue to hang out at Jacob’s well with the lady we met there. Have you ever noticed how Jesus can get right to the heart of things? He knows what we really are feeling, not just what we let everyone else see. He knows what is in our heart.
There are times when we can tell someone’s heart isn’t in it. Most racers live with their emotions out on their sleeve. They are not very good at hiding what they really feel from others. That is part of what makes racing exciting, you know when they talk to the driver you are going to get the uncut version with all the passion and emotion they have. That is what makes it real.
On a side note I think that is what has hurt racing on the national scene, all the characters are gone. They are all polished up, say the politically correct things and everything looks like a well rehearsed PR event. That is not what we watch for; we watch to see the raw emotion from passionate competitors who want to win. Who wants to see someone whose heart seems to be somewhere else? It was refreshing to see Jamie McMurray’s victory lane celebration earlier this year at Daytona; you could tell how much the victory meant to him. His heart was there for all to see.
How about us, are we passionate about doing God? Is our heart in it? As we continue to explore this passage we learn that our heart is required to truly worship God.
John 4:16-30; He told her, “Go, call your husband and come back.”
“I have no husband,” she replied.
Jesus said to her, “You are right when you say you have no husband. The fact is, you have had five husbands, and the man you now have is not your husband. What you have just said is quite true.”
“Sir,” the woman said, “I can see that you are a prophet. Our fathers worshiped on this mountain, but you Jews claim that the place where we must worship is in Jerusalem.”
Jesus declared, “Believe me, woman, a time is coming when you will worship the Father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem. You Samaritans worship what you do not know; we worship what we do know, for salvation is from the Jews. Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in spirit and in truth.”
The woman said, “I know that Messiah” (called Christ) “is coming. When he comes, he will explain everything to us.”
Then Jesus declared, “I who speak to you am he.”
Just then his disciples returned and were surprised to find him talking with a woman. But no one asked, “What do you want?” or “Why are you talking with her?”
Then, leaving her water jar, the woman went back to the town and said to the people, “Come, see a man who told me everything I ever did. Could this be the Christ?” They came out of the town and made their way toward him.
Remember last week that Jesus offered this woman living water and she asked Jesus to give it to her. Jesus knew what this woman’s life was like and it was necessary for her to deal with her sin. He told her to go get her husband. She confessed she didn’t have one. Jesus explained to her how well He knew her life and how she lived it. Isn’t it funny that we think we can hide things for God? What happened next is a classic example of how we think we can avoid facing the truth by changing the subject.
The woman started comparing the Samaritans place of worship with the Jewish place and wanted Christ to tell her who was right. Jesus explained that the location didn’t matter, what matters is what is in your heart. The only worship that is acceptable is worship that is in spirit and truth. Let’s unpack that a little.
Jesus said it doesn’t matter what church you go to or what service you attend, what matters is what is in your heart. Are we worshiping in spirit and in truth? That means; does the Holy Spirit reside in your heart? Do you know Him? If not you can sing all the hymns, say all the prayers and attend the fanciest Church you want; it is meaningless without the Spirit in your heart.
Also, Jesus said our worship doesn’t count if we are just going through the motions, we have to mean it; we have to be truthful. We can lie to ourselves about many things. Sometimes we don’t want to face the reality of what things really look like. When we tell ourselves lies long enough we start to think of them as truth. We cannot truly worship with that in our heart. We must worship in spirit and truth, then it is acceptable.
Let’s recap this encounter, the woman wanted to be saved, receive the living water. Before that could happen she needed to deal with the sin in her life. Jesus helped her to stop rationalizing her lifestyle and see it for what it was. When she faced it truthfully and acknowledged it she was forgiven. Her life was changed. How do we know that?
She came to the well in the middle of the day, when she wouldn’t have to face the sneers and jeers of the town’s people concerning the way she lived. This day she came face to face with the living God. He helped her understand the changes that needed to take place. When she accepted that where did she go? To the very people she was trying to avoid, the people in town, a different direction than the one she came from.
Do we see any similarities in our lives? Do we try to hide things from God and hope he doesn’t know who we really are? We need to face the truth, receive the spirit and the forgiveness that he brings; then we can worship God freely, forgiven.
Or we can continue to go through the motions and tell ourselves we are doing the right thing. I ask you to search your heart this week. Ask yourself, what is my heart condition? Am I full of the Spirit? Am I being truthful with myself and God?
Remember if you need to talk we are here, drop us a line. We would welcome the opportunity to help guide you along the road that leads to God. Have a blessed week.
THOUGHTS FROM THE ROAD
It was a busy weekend this week. I made visits to The Racer’s Expo in Massachusetts, Motorsports 2010 down in Pennsylvania and then back to Massachusetts for Sunday services. Despite all the travel it was good to get out there and meet some of the folks that make this all possible. One of the neatest things happened Saturday night. We pulled into a McDonalds in New Brittan, Pennsylvania and as I got out of the car a man, I believe his name was Mark, yelled across the parking lot to me, “Hey are you the guy that writes the column?” I responded and he shared that he reads it every week in his copy of Area Auto Racing News and encouraged us to keep up the good work. I never know where or when God is going to give me the encouragement and strength I need to continue on, but he does. That encounter gave Lynda and me what we needed to finish the drive home that night. Thank you.
THE RACER’S EXPO- I mentioned that I headed up to Marlborough, MA for the first of what I think may be an annual event, The Racer’s Expo. The show came about because of the demise of Speedway Expo. Bobby Seymour got a few of the companies he represents together to have a “little” open house. When the word got out more and more folks wanted t be a part of it. It grew a little larger than Bobby had originally envisioned and I think we will see it grow again next year.
I helped out Design 500 and Lady Eagle on Friday night. It was good to see the racers and teams support the event. I am told that it was a successful weekend.
I also received a shipment while there; the new Racer’s Bible has arrived. We will have them up soon on our website so that you can order one; in the meantime if you would like one we are asking for a $10.00 donation to the ministry, just drop me a line and we will get it out to you.
MOTORSPORTS 2010- Off to Calvary Baptist Church in Lansdale, PA and Motorsports 2010. This is an outreach the church does to the community; they bring in a keynote speaker connected with racing along with several racecars and drivers. This was our first visit and we were encouraged by those who stopped by to say hi. We are already looking forward to next years show. Our thanks goes out to Nick Yzzy and the entire crew at Calvary Baptist for making us feel at home.
NEW DRIVER- We would like to welcome a new driver to the fold, Jason Rosarius, from Florida, a fifteen year old who competes in the truck division down at New Smyrna and Orlando. Please keep him and his team in your prayers as they prepare for the new race season. He will be flying the RWJM flag this year. Jason shared this with me about his commitment to Jesus;
“(One) September we had a huge hurricane come through Florida and instead of riding it out, my family and I went up to Tennessee. We took a small vacation. While we were there we went to the Nashville Cowboy Church. They asked if anyone would like to give their life to Christ and that moment I thought it would be time for me to give my life to Christ. I knew what I had to do, I just never did it before, and like my birth mom said that in the future I will choose whether or not I give my life to Christ, I did.”
Jason, we are praying for you and your racing career.
TUNING UP, TO RUN THE RACE IN SUCH A WAY AS TO WIN, A retreat led by Racing with Jesus Ministries for those who have a heart to reach the racing community.
Tune Up you skills to run the race for Christ. Join us for a time of getting to know each other, learning together, worshiping our Lord and praying with each other. March 19-21, 6:00pm Friday thru 12:00n Sunday at Emmanuel Baptist Church, 38 Front Street, West Springfield, MA. Conference fee; $50.00, covers conference supplies and meals; lodging available $80.00 covers two nights, ppdo. Reserve your spot now
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***
March 3
TIM & BRENDA STEELE- The Coopersville, MI ARCA 3-time champion now car owner and wife share their 17th anniversary.
March 4
VIC & SANDY KANGAS- The WC/BGN Crew Chief and wife have their 47th.
March 6
WARREN & ROSE FRYE- “Jeep” is a well-known team owner of the Bunky Higbee No. 26. He and wife Rose share their 59th anniversay down in Delaware.
ROY & DONNA HANKS- This Somers, CT LM driver and wife share their 33rd anniversary.
March 8
JAMES & KATIE STANDLEY- This dedicated Christian couple are the proprietors of Design 500 and Lady Eagle Safetywear in Seattle, WA, racing’s leading uniform and team wear maker. Visit them at www.design500.com as they celebrate their 18th.
BARRY & KIM BABB- This Maine LM driver and wife have their 22nd.
***HAPPY BIRTHDAYS***
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.
March 4
RICK MAST- Virginia NNC retired driver.
GARY MYERS- NC Modified driver.
BILL GREENE- Ellington, CT crewman of the Bobby Georgiades CT Modified team.
NANCY LaBONNE- East Hartford, CT wife of Stafford LM crewman Rich Caouette.
March 5
GARY DIONNE- Former Dave Dion NASCAR CWES crewman, now Acton, CA movie stunt car driver and RWJM West Coast Coordinator.
PAUL CLAPROOD- 2000 Championship NASCAR WMT Co-Crew Chief now in NC with a NSC team in final assembly.
RON HEDGER- NY based NSS writer.
PHIL BARIL, JR.- Son of NH LM driver, Phil, Sr.
LUKE WILLIAM BOEHLER- This future team owner is the son of BRE Racing WMT Team owner Mike and Sarah and turns 6.
March 6
PAT WARD- NY D.I.R.T. Fonda Speedway Modified driver.
JACK ELY,JR.- NJ asphalt Mod driver.
RONNIE THOMAS- Christiansburg, VA LMSC driver.
BETTY FEARN- Spending the winter in Florida with husband Dick, the mom of ProStock driver Tom from Feeding Hills, MA.
JASLYN WILLIAMS- Wife of Carson City, NV Midget driver J.R.
LINDA TAGG- Wife of Webster, MA retired Thompson Speedway Mod driver Tom.
JACOB CHRISTOPHER MANIX- Judy’s son and nephew of Plainville, CT twin drivers Ted and Mike Christopher is 13.
March 7
JEFF WITHEY- From Clifton Park, NY, Jeff writes about Fonda, NY Speedway for “Area Auto Racing News.”
RYAN DALE HUNSINGER- Son of dirt late model and IMCA modified driver Ricky Hunsinger and wife Nakeisha. He is also the little brother of AJ Hunsinger mini stock driver, based in Northeastern PA, will be turning 7.
March 8
KIRK SHELMERDINE- Welcome,NC ARCA/NASCAR driver; NSC/NNS Crew Chief.
DONALD J. WORTH- NJ loyal fan of retired Wall Township Speedway Modified great, Gil Hearn and NSC’s Jeff Gordon.
March 9
CRAIG KEEL- WoO Sprint driver.
WARREN FRYE- “Jeep” is the Delaware based owner of the Bunky Higbee No. 26, rememberd for multiple feature wins.
*** NEW BEGINNINGS ***
ARTHUR MAHEU- Just after this year’s Daytona 500 Arthur went home to be with the Lord following a short illness. He followed Racing with Jesus Ministries’ actions over the years and fielded cars at Thompson through the 60’s and 70’s. He was a member of Jay Foley’s ASA/WSMT modified team for the last 10 years, last serving as his spotter. He was a lifelong racing fan who kept up with the northern scene through AARN. Cards of condolence can be sent to his son, A.J. Maheu, 108 Clark Loop, Stuart, VA 24171.
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