Living Water
Have you ever been thirsty? Really thirsty? Sometimes we use the expression “dying of thirst” without realizing that you really can die from thirst. When you want to drink and never be thirsty again, drink the living water that comes from Christ. Greetings in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
The challenges from the heat of summer take their toll on our bodies. If we don’t hydrate ourselves it can be fatal. I have seen many collapse under the heat and need medical attention. In fact at this year’s Sizzler two people required treatment for dehydration. We need water to live. We also need living water, water that gives eternal life.
As we continue our look at the words of Christ from the cross this week we finally see the human side of Christ. He took care of others and their needs, He took the weight of the world on his shoulders and now he had time for his own needs.
We see the humanness of Christ as he hung on the cross, for three hours that Friday afternoon the sky was dark, the sin of the world was placed squarely on the shoulders of our Lord and Savior. He endured the challenge and as the end neared He cried out, exclaiming His thirst.
John 19:28-30a- Later, knowing that all was now completed, and so that the Scripture would be fulfilled, Jesus said, “I am thirsty.” A jar of wine vinegar was there, so they soaked a sponge in it, put the sponge on a stalk of the hyssop plant, and lifted it to Jesus’ lips.
Jesus completed His task and it took everything He had. He was drained, His body near death, it was as if every ounce of fluid had been squeezed from Him. He had given everything He had for you and me. Now He had a thirst that only God could fill.
Psalm 42:1-2
As the deer pants for streams of water,
so my soul pants for you, O God.
My soul thirsts for God, for the living God.
When can I go and meet with God?
We updated our Racer’s Bible again and its theme is Living Water, for those who thirst. >From the introduction it is written; “We are all created with a deep thirst for God in our hearts, an empty longing that only God can satisfy. We try to quench that thirst with so many things- significance, success, comfort, peace, wisdom. But all these things, however good, cannot meet our deepest needs. We often go to these wells and fountains, hoping for refreshment, but we come away with a thirst even greater than before.”
I am reminded of the woman at the well and what Jesus said to her; John 4:13-14 – 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.”
We can be filled with the water of life, a fountain, overflowing in us that sustains us, fulfills us, satisfies our every need. We need only to respond the same way the woman did. John 4:15 – 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.”
“The invitation has never been withdrawn. Jesus, God’s Word in Human flesh, calls us to come to him. We meet him and find living water in the pages of God’s Word. There he will meet our deepest needs. Whether you thirst for the presence of God himself or for peace, love , hope and truth – the Bible will answer your need.”
We invite you to thirst for the presence of God in your life. We invite you to drink for the well of living water and never be thirsty again. We invite you to know the presence of God through Jesus Christ in your life. Turn to him, the provider of living water.
As I mentioned we do have new Racer’s Bibles available for a ten dollar donation to Racing with Jesus Ministries. In this New Testament you will find helps for daily challenges and also guidance as you walk with God. If you would like a copy please let us know. We will also have it available on the “show your faith” page of our website, www.rwjm.com, soon. Thank you for your support.
THOUGHTS FROM THE ROAD
LET’S GO BOWLING! I know the sign up date has passed but the more the merrier. If you find yourself down in the Taunton area Saturday afternoon, stop by and let them know you support their efforts as SHANE BOWL II gets underway on Saturday, May 22 at AMF Taunton Lanes, 555 Winthrop Street, Taunton, MA 02780.
Bowling was Shane’s off season sport of choice besides watching racing and football. This charity event is all in the name of Fun for Safety. The Shane Hammond Believe Foundation has been established to provide safety education & equipment to drivers old & new.
Folks, this is a worthwhile cause that reaches out to help drivers be safe, let them know how much that means, thanks.
WEDDING BELLS- Let me date myself, “Goin’ to the chapel and gonna get married, goin’ to the chapel of love.” Now I was only four when The Dixie Cups made that that their biggest hit ever. Just thought we should take a little stroll down memory lane as we prepare for some wedding vows this week. Alex Ramirez, crew member for Keith Rocco and Sarah Mansfield will tie the knot this Saturday in Foxboro. I am looking forward to doing the honors.
Foxboro isn’t that far from Taunton, do you think I can bowl in formal attire? No, I think I’ll stick to one event on Saturday.
ENCOURAGEMENT NEEDED- From time to time we have some folks that need the support and prayers of the racing family. I wanted to get some of these out to you so that you could lift them up.
Bo Gunning- Bo had an episode with his heart this last Friday at Stafford, I am told he will be fine.
Ken Spring- As you know Ken’s mom has been quite ill and needs more of his attention. Pray that Ken has the wisdom to make the correct decisions for the best way to care for his mom.
This one comes out of our Northwest office, thanks to James and Katie;
Devin Werner- has recently began to address some personal challenges in his life and taken steps to move his life in a different direction, pray that he would have the strength and courage to see the process through.
This one comes to us from Wall Stadium Chaplain Bob Menschner, thanks for your dedicated service Bob;
Billy Wiechert- Billy, driver of the # 11 modified and former Truck Champion at Wall Stadium, will be out of action for a few weeks after receiving medical treatment for a recent heart condition. Cards of encouragement can be sent to him c/o Chatham Main Contractors, 143 Main Street, Chatham NJ 07928.
IMHO (in My Humble Opinion), some thought from Rev. Bill;
-When I got home from Blairsville Speedway on Sunday, Dawn looked at me and asked “Where have you been?” When I told here only at Blairsville she just looked and asked “What took so long?” It was a long, cold day at the kart track. First race of the season, rookies at first race, and not enough help, added to the time taken to complete the event. On the upside, lots of new competitive karts were there and all the kids means a future for our sport. I know the Millers will continue to do what it takes to make it better in the weeks to come.
-Bedford cancelled early so recent grad Krissy and I headed out to Motordrome. A shower just as we were about to take the exit off of 70 almost put a kibosh on our evening. But the cars took to the track to dry it off and the full program was run. I like the asphalt Modifieds. There was enough variety in the body styles to make it interesting. I enjoy the speed of the late models but without paint and decals, they all look the same. Mark Cottone and Neil Brown were the class of the field with Brown taking the win. I wonder just how much a late race caution affected the outcome. Interesting response to the opportunity to thank his sponsors by Brown: “I don’t have any sponsors!” It is something when one of the best drivers in a class has no sponsors for his team. The economy is still not responding well around the Western PA area. I personally am not a fan of the 4 cylinder class but you have to admit, it is the class that is growing. The front stretch wall finally kept Kristin Etling from winning heat races.
-Here we are entering into the last half of May and Ed Lynch has yet to win a feature at Lernerville.
-There must be more money in selling photos than I thought…Howie Ballis, track photographer from Motordrome, has two race cars he owns at Motordrome. They both are sharp looking cars. I think he will have to sell a few more photos this week to fix the modified!
Contact me at revbill87@comcast.net, 724-832-6436, or at 703 Green Street, Greensburg, PA 15601.
This week has Thompson opening up for weekly racing. Scott and I will be up there on Thursday, headed to Albany/ Saratoga on Friday for the MRS and then I am off to Foxboro on Saturday for the wedding. Rev. Dan will be headed to Iowa for the East meets West K&N Pro Series race at Iowa Speedway. He will be joined by our West Coast Coordinator, Gary Dionne and Mid-West Coordinator, Chuck McNeil. Keep our travel in your prayers.
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***
May 19
EDDIE & ANN DENSIESKI- This Riverhead NASCAR Modified driver and wife share their special day.
JERRY AND DEBBIE LILLQUIST- This former Thompson Late Model driver and wife, now living in Myrles Inlet, SC, have their 37th anniversary.
May 21
TODD & LINDA HENSHAW- This Thompson MiniStock driver turned crewchief and wife share their 21st anniversary.
REV. DAN & DEBBIE PETFIELD- The RWJM Vice President/KNPSE Pastor and wife share their 28th.
May 23
STEVE AND PATTY SMUDGE- The Easton, MA retired Mini Modified team owner and wife have their 39th anniversary.
***HAPPY BIRTHDAYS***
May 19
MATT HUTTER- Chardon, OH NASCAR KNPSE/NNS driver.
JODY RIDLEY- Chatsworth, GA NASCAR All Pro Series driver.
DALE CAMPFIELD- Apalachin, NY former owner of Shangri-La (Tioga) Speedway.
SYLVIA CRUNDEN- Wife of CT ProStocker Brian.
May 20
BOB MENSCHNER- Wall Stadium’s RWJM Chaplain from Waretown, NJ. Keep up the good work.
MIKE STEFANIK- Coventry, RI Whelen Modified Tour and K&N Pro Series East multi-time champion and current WMT driver.
TONY STEWART- Rushville, IN born, now in Columbus, IN car owner and driver in NSC.
ERIC NORRIS- Redondo Beach, CA NASCAR West/NNS driver.
FRED SCHIELE- Riverhead Raceway regular.
ASHLEY FULLER- A daughter of Karen and NASCAR WMT champ Jerry Marquis of Enfield, CT.
May 21
RODNEY FRANKLIN- Cross Junction, VA dirt LM driver.
DANNY ONGAIS- Hawaii born, now Santa Ana, CA IRL driver.
DAN MASON- Holland and Spencer Speedways NASCAR LM driver.
DAVE NESEMANN- Crewman on George Andretta Wall Stadium ProStock team.
May 22
BOBBIE SCHNEIDER- wife of The Old Master, Frankie Schneider, has her big day.
ERNEST WINSLOW- Scotland Neck, NC LMSC driver.
RAY DANIELS- Colorado Springs, CO NASCAR LM driver.
STEVE PORTENGA- Ukiah, CA NASCAR West driver.
CLAYTON MURPHY- Plymouth, MA Regional Manager for Ferrero Candies, including Tic-Tac and a good friend to all in the K&N Pro Series and Modified Tour.
BILL POTTEIGER III- This Christian fan and Vintage Car enthusiast from Enola, PA has his birthday.
May 23
WALLY DALLENBACH, JR- NNS driver and TV commentator.
CHARLES ELMS III- Bear Ridge, VT Speedway owner and dirt Modified driver.
STEVE CHOWANSKY- Stafford Speedway WAAS SK Modified team owner.
BOB BARKER- “Mad Dog,” owner of the Legends 8NY driven by Paul Rochelle III.
DALE NICKEL- This Thompson Speedway photographer is Joan’s brother-in-law and photographer Scott’s brother.
LISA JO WORTH- South Tom’s River, NJ Nextel Cup fan and wife of Don.
May 24
RICKY CRAVEN- The Newburgh, ME NASCAR driver has turned his eforts to broadcasting.
TERRY FISHER- Sandy, OR NASCAR West driver.
JOHN SPORS- Boston, NY NASCAR KNPSE/ Holland Speedway driver.
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