The Ultimate Gift
The time has come; the weight of the world is on your shoulders. You bear the guilt of every bad decision ever made. How do you deal with the grief? How do you deal with the pain? You cry out to the one true God, the only one who can help. Greetings in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Have you ever felt the weight of the world on your shoulders? Have you ever had to deal with the pressure? Lets face it racing is important in many of our lives, but it should not be the most important thing. Many of the decisions we make at the track or in the shop can spell success or failure in the race. But for most of us there will be another day, there will be another race.
Many times we think it is the end of the world when things do not go as planned. Sometimes we take ourselves too seriously. We think the world revolves around us. We need to stop and look around a little, relax and realize that some things are not the end of the world.
Some things however are more significant that others. A good friend of mine gave me some advice to follow; if it is going to matter in 300 years, worry about it, otherwise let it go. Good advice for those of us who have a perfectionist mentality. What Jesus did on the cross still matters over 2,000 years later.
As we continue our study of final words we find the moment of truth, the challenge of carrying the sin of the world on your shoulders, we find Jesus crying out to God. Jesus reveals His human side as the weight of the world was placed on his shoulders by God. But Jesus knew who to turn to when the burden was to heavy to bear.
Mark 15:33-34, At the sixth hour darkness came over the whole land until the ninth hour. And at the ninth hour Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?”–which means, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”
Matthew 27:45-46, From the sixth hour until the ninth hour darkness came over all the land. About the ninth hour Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?”–which means, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”
For three hours on that Friday afternoon the sky was dark, the guilt of our sin was placed on the shoulders of our Lord and Savior. He suffered the punishment on our behalf. I am reminded of the song “Amazing Love, You are my King” Read the words of the chorus; Amazing love, how could it be that you my king would die for me?
Do you know what a great gift it is to be forgiven, to have someone pay the price for your mistakes? It is the ultimate gift. God provided that gift for us that day on the cross through His son Jesus Christ. Listen as Peter helps us understand the gift and the reason for it.
1 Peter 2:21-25 (New Living Translation); For God called you to do good, even if it means suffering, just as Christ suffered for you. He is your example, and you must follow in his steps. He never sinned, nor ever deceived anyone. He did not retaliate when he was insulted, nor threaten revenge when he suffered. He left his case in the hands of God, who always judges fairly. He personally carried our sins in his body on the cross so that we can be dead to sin and live for what is right. By his wounds you are healed. Once you were like sheep who wandered away. But now you have turned to your Shepherd, the Guardian of your souls.
Christ turned to God as we should when the world over whelms us, we should put our life in God’s hands and let Him guide us to what is right. Christ again shows us an example of how we need to respond when we face difficulty. Turn to God and leave things with Him. Christ put his life in His father’s hands that day and that allowed Him the strength to finish the job.
In whose hands have we placed our lives?
A basketball in my hands is worth about $19. A basketball in Michael Jordan’s hands is worth about $33 million. It depends whose hands it’s in.
A baseball in my hands is worth about $6. A baseball in John Lackey’s hands is worth $16.5 million. It depends whose hands it’s in.
A tennis racket is useless in my hands. A tennis racket in Pete Sampras’ hands is a Wimbledon Championship. It depends whose hands it’s in.
A rod in my hands will keep away a wild animal. A rod in Moses’ hands will part the mighty sea. It depends whose hands it’s in.
A sling shot in my hands is a kid’s toy. A sling shot in David’s hand is a mighty weapon. It depends whose hands it’s in.
Two fish and 5 loaves of bread in my hands is a couple of fish sandwiches. Two fish and 5 loaves of bread in God’s hands will feed thousands. It depends whose hands it’s in.
Nails in my hands might produce a birdhouse. Nails in Jesus Christ’s hands will produce salvation for the entire world. It depends whose hands it’s in.
As you see it depends whose hands it’s in. So put your concerns, your worries, your fears, your hopes, your dreams, your families and your relationships in God’s hands because He is faithful and will save you.
Place your life in the hands of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
THOUGHTS FROM THE ROAD
CHECKING IN FROM AROUND THE RACING WORLD- Stafford Motor Speedway had their Late Model 100 this past Friday and Woody Pitkat bested the field to post the prestigious win. Being a former champion he knows how to get around the half-mile but with the recent Richard Petty Driving Audition winner on his tail, Dillon Moltz, I am sure he needed every thing he learned to secure the victory. With the victory Woody put car owner Billy Snow in Victory Lane for the first time ever. Congratulations to the entire 88 team.
The events of Friday started out with the remembrance of Dare Stock Driver Bob Thompson who recently passed away after a battle with cancer. Please keep the entire Thompson Family in your thoughts and prayers especially his wife Rosemary (Harris) Thompson, and daughter, Heather.
MID-WEST REPORT FROM ANDERSON-2010 has started off with some cool weather. This week’s CRA Street Stock feature felt more like the New Years Bash weather of the past. So much for global warming…
The cool temps brought a fast track, with two track records being set in qualifying; both in front wheel drive, and street stock. Congratulations to owner/driver Rich Boyer and the #33 team for taking the 75 lap victory.(and last week’s Anderson Street Stock win, too) Also, good run by 2009’s rookie of the year Josh Poore finishing 5th in this sanctioned event.
A few folks need our prayer, too. Little Jacey is facing some tests at Riley Children’s Hospital, and she (and Mom and Dad) need your prayers for that, Also, push-truck driver Gene Howard underwent triple bypass surgery this past week and came through very well and is recovering at home. We pray for a speedy recovery.
And I am thankful to our Lord too, since the old Taurus was only a few miles away from a serious problem. The rear coil spring had broken and was rubbing on the back of the sidewall of the rear and while I put up with the bad ride for a couple of months, I didn’t know why. I didn’t know the tire had a quarter inch groove being rubbed in it. I was protected for a couple of thousand miles…
2 Samuel 22:3 (New Living Translation)
My God is my rock, in whom I find protection.
He is my shield, the power that saves me,
and my place of safety.
He is my refuge, my savior,
the one who saves me from violence.
IMHO (In My Humble Opinion), some thoughts from Rev. Bill;
-Cory Stivason, the soon to be Penn State graduate, has a really cool contest on the DirtFix.com website. Photographers are invited to send in pictures from this past weekend and the winners will get free T-shirts.
-Western PA lost a racing legend this week with the passing of Herb Scott. No one who watched him compete will forget his domination of the late model ranks in days past. I had the privilege of watching him race and then years later, talking to him in the booth at Challenger. What a great racer and man. Sympathies to his family especially his wife of 60 years, Pat.
-I was standing in line at the bank wearing my Challenger raceway shirt and another patron asked me where Challenger was. It was sad to say that the track has been closed for over two years. What a great track and the place where Donna & Jack Lentz gave me the opportunity to begin my work as a racing chaplain.
O.T. Congrats to our daughter Kristen on graduating (again) from Edinboro University of Pennsylvania with her Masters in Social Work. We are so proud of her.
Contact me at revbill87@comcast.net, 724-832-6436, or at 703 Green Street, Greensburg, PA 15601.
Thompson gets started this Thursday night with a tune up session, weekly racing isn’t too far away. I also have an invitation to a lawn mower race on Long Island this weekend, don’t know if I’ll get there but I guess with the closing of the tracks on the Island they’ll race anything, anywhere! See you out at the track. 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 12
HAROLD & BARBARA DAUNCEY- This Wall Township Speedway NASCAR Modified driver and wife share their 25th anniversary.
May 17
DAVE & KATHE DUPUIS- The mom and dad of Renee, accomplished lady NASCAR Modified driver have their anniversary.
May 18
HOWARD & MARY HODGE- This Manchester, CT racing photographer couple share their 47th.
JIM, JR AMD GINGER HAILEY- The NC LMSC driving son of Richard Childress Show Car Team Manager Jim, have their 16th anniversary.
TONY & ELIZABETH DIAS- This Riverside, RI ProStock driver and wife celebrate 25 years together.
***HAPPY BIRTHDAYS***
May 12
JIM SPENCER, JR.- NSC commentator Jim and wife Pat’s oldest.
May 13
BILL STIVASON- From Kittanning, PA, the Scorer at Challenger Raceway.
RON RIEDINGER- Former Flemington dirt Sportsman and LM champion.
CHERYL VENEZIAN- The grown-up daughter of Joe and wife Linda of Perth Amboy Springs.
May 14
GARY NAPOLITANO- D.I.R.T. Modified driver.
FRED VORDERMEIR- “The Big Apple Kid,” West Hempstead, NY Modified driver.
BUDDY BLACK- NC NASCAR Modified driver.
TONY RAINES- LaPorte, IN NASCAR NSC driver.
STEPHAN GREGOIRE- Neufchateau, France born, now Indianapolis, IN IRL driver.
DENNIS WOOLDRIDGE- Riverside, CA LM driver.
May 15
SHANE HMIEL- Former NASCAR driver.
ED ST. ANGELO- Barrington, RI Modified/ProStock driver.
NANCY CLARK- Wife of Long Island NASCAR modified driver Dick.
WES BENASH- Marlton, NJ son of Bridgeport Speedway Handicapper Bob.
PETE McCLUSKEY- Pete McCluskey Builders sponsor of Wall Township Speedway’s George Andretta’s ProStock and #1 fan.
May 16
DOUG FRENCH- Farmingdale, NJ occasional NASCAR Mod Series driver, proprietor of DFA, close friend of WMT driver Jamie Tomaino.
PETE PAVONE- Bridgeport, CT DWRS Modified driver.
GEORGE ANDRETTA- Neptune, NJ Wall Township Speedway ProStock driver/ Modified team owner,
STEVIE REEVES- Speedway, IN NNS driver.
TOM TAYLOR- Lodi, CA NASCAR West driver.
GARY DANKO- AARN Brian’s brother, racing radio host, Waterford announcing staff.
JARROD LEHMAN- Son of AARN columnist Doc and wife Carol.
May 17
JOHN McMULLIN- Daytona based Film Producer.
JIM POWERS- Seekonk Speedway co-announcer.
JANIE DANKO- Owner of the Waterford Speedbowl John Faulkner LM.
May 18
ROGER OXEE- Riverhead Raceway competitor.
GARY LaMOUNTAIN- Riverhead Raceway LM driver.
*** NEW BEGINNINGS ***
ROBERT R. “Bob” THOMPSON- 51, of Spring-field, went home Tuesday, May 4, 2010, at Baystate Medical Center in Springfield. He was a graduate of Holyoke High School and the Porter & Chester Institute in Chicopee. Bob was an 18 year forklift operator at Hasbro, and had served in the United States Navy from 1977 to 1978. Bob was a NASCAR driver at Stafford Motor Speedway in CT, and had coached softball and soccer for the Wilshire Athletic Association. Besides his parents, he is survived by his wife of 15 years, Rosemary (Harris) Thompson, a daughter, Heather Thompson of Springfield.
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