A Father’s Lessons

By admin June 18, 2010 RWJM

As I prepared my sermon for Father’s Day I reflected on some of the lessons I learned at my Father’s knee. I wondered how many of us know what we know because our father put it there? What did you learn from your Father? Greetings in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

My dad taught me to drive at an early age. I think the first time he let me move the truck I could barely reach the pedals. Granted I didn’t start it, but I did press in the clutch and let it roll a few yards.

I remember sitting in his lap with my hands on the wheel. It was a blue Ford Galaxy we had named Ole Betsy. I would steer from one side of the road to the other, he would correct it just as I was getting to the edge.

My father taught me to give an honest days work. He taught me to be honest and fair. Those lessons I can only appreciate now, later in life, when I see how much good character means.

I have my father to thank for that. My dad didn’t live too long, he passed when I was fifteen, but during the time we had together he taught me a tremendous amount about life and how to live it. I think every parent only wants that opportunity, the opportunity to teach their children the lessons that they learned; the opportunity to teach their children what and how this life should be lived.

I was rereading a story told by Geoff Bodine in the March 2003 issue of Guideposts. He talked about the family feud that went public after that faithful day in Indy when he and Brett exchanged love taps in turn three and four. Geoff recounted how he shot his mouth off and exposed a family matter for the whole world to see.

He remembered what his dad had taught him and wondered what his father would make of the whole thing. He behaved in a way that went against everything his father had taught him. “I couldn’t imagine how deeply our fighting must have hurt Dad.”

Geoff continued, “I grew up on my grandfather’s farm in Chemung, NY. Grandpa worked the dairy part. Dad and I worked the chicken farm. Side-by-side with dad, I learned what it meant to be a caring, decent Christian man. He was always giving, whether it was a meal, a job or money. People in church and the community counted on him. I can’t remember him ever once saying anything bad about anyone. Especially family.”

Geoff shared how something continued to nag at him, despite all his success he had forsaken the lessons he learned from his father. His dad loved his wife, loved his children and most of all loved living a life that pleased God. Geoff remembers praying, “Please Lord, teach me how to make you more a part of my life. Like dad.”

In the end God would come to Geoff’s aid, as he tumbled in a horrific crash at Daytona, God came to him and spared his life. “It wasn’t luck or safety restraints that saved me, it was a miracle. I am here to tell them I’m alive only by the grace and power of God. I’m sure Dad would be proud.”

That regret we feel when we let our parents down is a difficult one to deal with. The forgiveness our parents show us is a tremendous gift. As we reflect on what we have learned from our fathers think about what our Father in Heaven has to teach us. Think about the valuable lessons we can learn at the feet of God.

My Child ~

You may not know me, but I know everything about you ~ Psalm 139:1

I know when you sit down and when you rise up ~ Psalm 139:2

I am familiar with all your ways ~ Psalm 139:3

Even the very hairs on your head are numbered ~ Matthew 10:29-31

For you were made in my image ~ Genesis 1:27

In me you live and move and have your being ~ Acts 17:28

For you are my offspring ~ Acts 17:28

I knew you even before you were conceived ~ Jeremiah 1:4-5

I chose you when I planned creation ~ Ephesians 1:11-12

You were not a mistake, for all your days are written in my book ~ Psalm 139:15-16

I determined the exact time of your birth and where you would live ~ Acts 17:26

You are fearfully and wonderfully made ~ Psalm 139:14

I knit you together in your mother’s womb ~ Psalm 139:13

And brought you forth on the day you were born ~ Psalm 71:6

I have been misrepresented by those who don’t know me ~ John 8:41-44

I am not distant and angry, but am the complete expression of love ~ 1 John 4:16

And it is my desire to lavish my love on you ~ 1 John 3:1

Simply because you are my child and I am your father ~ 1 John 3:1

I offer you more than your earthly father ever could ~ Matthew 7:11

For I am the perfect father ~ Matthew 5:48

Every good gift that you receive comes from my hand ~ James 1:17

For I am your provider and I meet all your needs ~ Matthew 6:31-33

My plan for your future has always been filled with hope ~ Jeremiah 29:11

Because I love you with an everlasting love ~ Jeremiah 31:3

My thoughts toward you are countless as the sand on the seashore ~ Psalm 139:17-18

And I rejoice over you with singing ~ Zephaniah 3:17

I will never stop doing good to you ~ Jeremiah 32:40

For you are my treasured possession ~ Exodus 19:5

I desire to establish you with all my heart and all my soul ~ Jeremiah 32:41

And I want to show you great and marvelous things ~ Jeremiah 33:3

If you seek me with all your heart, you will find me ~ Deuteronomy 4:29

Delight in me and I will give you the desires of your heart ~ Psalm 37:4

For it is I who gave you those desires ~ Philippians 2:13

I am able to do more for you than you could possibly imagine ~ Ephesians 3:20

For I am your greatest encourager ~ 2 Thessalonians 2:16-17

I am also the Father who comforts you in all your troubles ~ 2 Corinthians 1:3-4

When you are brokenhearted, I am close to you ~ Psalm 34:18

As a shepherd carries a lamb, I have carried you close to my heart ~ Isaiah 40:11

One day I will wipe away every tear from your eyes ~ Revelation 21:3-4

And I’ll take away all the pain you have suffered on this earth ~ Revelation 21:3-4

I am your Father, and I love you even as I love my son, Jesus ~ John 17:23

For in Jesus, my love for you is revealed ~ John 17:26

He is the exact representation of my being ~ Hebrews 1:3

He came to demonstrate that I am for you, not against you ~ Romans 8:31

And to tell you that I am not counting your sins ~ 2 Corinthians 5:18-19

Jesus died so that you and I could be reconciled ~ 2 Corinthians 5:18-19

His death was the ultimate expression of my love for you ~ 1 John 4:10

I gave up everything I loved that I might gain your love ~ Romans 8:31-32

If you receive the gift of my son Jesus, you receive me ~ 1 John 2:23

And nothing will ever separate you from my love again ~ Romans 8:38-39

Come home and I’ll throw the biggest party heaven has ever seen ~ Luke 15:7

I have always been Father, and will always be Father ~ Ephesians 3:14-15

My question is ~ Will you be my child? ~ John 1:12-13

I am waiting for you ~ Luke 15:11-32

Love, Your Dad, Almighty God

I hope you enjoyed learning a little more about your Father in Heaven. He loves you and cares for you. I encourage you to take some time and seek Him out.

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***

June 16

AREA AUTO RACING NEWS- The East’s leading weekly racing publication, led by Publisher Lenny Sammons, celebrates its 45th anniversary.

DANA & LAURIE SAVARY- This Plymouth, MA Seekonk Speedway Street Stock driver and wife celebrate 29 years together.

June 17

DEBBIE AND CHRIS McMURRAY- from Catskill NY are celebrating their 5th wedding anniversary

June 19

CHRIS & LORI HALSTEAD- Point Pleasant, NJ ProStock driver at Wall Stadium and wife celebrate anniversary No. 11.

June 21

DENNIS & PAT PUNCH- This Hickory, NC Wolf Head’s Oil NNS Public Relations/ Team Manager pro and wife have their 26th anniversary. Dennis is also ESPN’s Dr. Jerry’s brother.

***HAPPY BIRTHDAYS***

June 16

SCOTT PURSELL- Frenchtown, NJ dirt Modified driver.

DEREK LYNCH- Augusta, ME LM/NASCAR CWES driver.

VICTORY MIBELLI- Windsor, CA NASCAR West driver.

THOMAS SCHRAMM- Hulmesville, PA Legends driver.

BOB SNYDER- PA photographer.

NIKKI KITCHENS- Daughter of Birmingham, AL NNS driver, team owner Jimmy.

DAN POZZUTO- The VP of Operations for Ed Ferree’s corporations based in Saxonburg, PA and team member on Ed’s winning Pennsylvania Motor Speedway Big Block Late Model.

June 17

TOMMY BARRON- Ontario, NY driver of the dirt ProStock 28T at Fulton Speedway.

WAYNE SAVLUK- Lisbon, CT former Mod/ProStock driver; proprietor of Savluk’s Service.

PAUL SURPRENANT- Agawam, MA NASCAR Whelen Modified Series driver.

ELAINE LaLUMIERE- Jefferson, NH wife of former ACT driver Rene.

June 18

GIL HEARNE- Hueytown, AL born retired multi-time Wall Township Speedway Modified champion.

JOE MAMMOLITO- Long Island retired Modified Series driver.

GAYLE FERREE- From Saxonburg, PA is the wife of Ed; championhsip Big Block LM dirt driver.

JILL OKULA- Daughter of Wayne,Team manager for the #28 King Racing Modified and Charger Driver for #67 – Riverhead Raceway & Sharon.

June 19

SCOTT RIGGLEMAN- Howell Township, NJ ARTS Truck championship driver.

June 20

JERRY COOK- Six time NASCAR Modified champion from Rome, NY, now in the Safety Department of NASCAR in Charlotte, NC.

RON HORNADAY, JR.- Palmdale, CA NNS/CWTS driver.

DAVID HUTTO- Rock Hill, SC NASCAR driver.

JODY TANNER- Portland, OR NASCAR West driver.

BRIANNE LEHMAN- The daughter of Smithville, OH AARN columnist “Doc” Lehman.

DAVE SUKUP- A son of retired Midget owner, Joe Sukup, of Schodack Landing, NY.

TYLER HEARN- Son of famous dirt Mod driver Brett.

June 21

CHRIS JONES- New Milford, CT NASCAR Modified driver.

BOB SLOTTER- PA asphalt Modified driver.

PHIL PARSONS- Detroit, MI Former driver now TV commentator.

JUDY WIBBELSMAN- The wife of RWJM advisor Dick, down in Gainesville, FL.

June 22

JAY SAUTER- West Salem, WI born, Mooresville, NC NASCAR CWTS/NNS driver.

DAN JIVANELLI- Hampton Bays, LI Riverhead Raceway and Legends driver.

JEFF WARD- Glasgow, Scotland born, now San Juan Capistrano, CA IRL driver.

RED SEAVER- Stafford Springs, CT member of the Brad Hietala WAARS SK Modified team at Stafford.

PAT JONES- Enfield, CT Brad Hietala fan.

*** REMEMBRANCES ***

REV. PAT EVANS’ birthday is on June 20th, please remember Betty and his family in your prayers.

*** IN THE SHOP ***

DANA KINSER- Dana, wife of Steve Kinser, is recovering from surgery, please continue to pray for her and the family.

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