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  The Chrome Horn - Racing With Jesus Ministries

12/10/2014

TAKING A STEP BACK
by Rev. Don Rivers


 
As I do from time to time I ask my wife, Lynda, for her thoughts. She wanted to share this with you. Enjoy her thoughts. Greetings in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

  It’s that time of year again. The time for mistletoe and holly along with the sound of bells ringing, carols and everyone bustling around while feeling jolly. Feeling jolly? Truthfully, if we really admit it deep down we feel this sense of dread about the Christmas season. Shopping to do but how much do we have to spend, guests coming over but how will we get ready for them and is there room in the inn?

  Everywhere we look the days are being counted down for us and we feel like we are in a race. Many of us are speeding down the road, cutting each other off to get our errands done, stealing the space at the mall from the guy coming down the lane across from us and grumbling to the shop clerks that we can’t wait for it all to be over.

I wonder what it would be like if we just stepped back and let Christmas happen? Perhaps the big retailers would not show a larger profit than last year. Maybe we would have less stuff to try to find a use for or space to store it in. Then we might notice the twinkle of the lights on our neighbor’s home shining in the darkness on the long winter’s nights.

  We hear about the true meaning of Christmas but we tend to shove it away until we are ready to remember it after we have finished getting ready for Christmas. Have we just bought into the massive gift giving part of the holiday? By doing this we have forgotten the one gift we all can have but haven’t used or even opened or perhaps refused to receive.

  The prophet Isaiah told us,

  Isaiah 9:6 “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called, Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”

  The gift of Christ as the savior for the world was not intended to be a burden for us. His gift of eternal salvation is not the threat that many see it to be. Why is this gift so hard to simply accept? Quite often it is seen as a gift with strings attached or obligations to fulfill. In reality when we accept the gift of Christ as Lord of our life, a weight is lifted, we feel lighter than air. The day that it happens, we wonder what we ever questioned about it.

  Jesus told us,

Matthew 11:28-30, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.
Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

  It is told that a gentle and giving man, years ago, started giving gifts to children and became known as St. Nicholas, which led to the birth of Santa Claus. It would seem that he had the gift in his heart of the true meaning of Christmas and never dreamed of the “bah humbug” that would come about from his simple gestures of love.

  So how can we let Christmas happen? First, don’t try so hard to make it the Christmas we think it has to be. What would really happen if we stopped buying so many things, baking so many cookies, or sending so many cards? Would we help lift some of the burden from the ones we are overwhelming with our efforts by feeling that they need to reciprocate? They might be able to step back and enjoy the true gift of Christmas.

  I’ve noticed at the race track that it takes a team effort to have a successful race day. Too often at holiday time we go it alone with all the preparations and end up with resentment and tiredness. If we’re the one doing everything try to accept the offer from others to help by letting them do it their way. It might not get done just like we want but it will get done. If we are the ones who tend to sit back and enjoy everyone else’s efforts why not do something different and join the team to make the holiday enjoyable for everyone?

  Let’s try to stop counting the days left until Christmas in dread, but count them as we did when we were children in anticipation of something magical coming. Then we can enjoy the snowflakes falling instead of seeing it as a mess that will keep us from getting to the mall. We can gather and watch once again, “It’s a Wonderful Life” and realize that it really is a wonderful life. This is the gift of Christmas that God intended for us.

  Then we can truly say, “Merry Christmas to all and to all a Good Night!”
 

  THOUGHTS FROM THE ROAD

  RWJM YEAR END CHALLENGE - As we finish another year we celebrate the new birth of those in the racing community that have given their lives to God through Jesus. We know that this would not be possible without your dedication and support of Racing with Jesus Ministries. Thank You for standing by us.

  We continue to be welcomed into the lives of many in the racing community and find many who are responding to our presence at the track. Our efforts go further each year and we continue to add workers on the field.

  Reflecting on the past year I searched for a defining moment that spoke volumes about what we are being called to do. It occurred early in the year in Florida. We had just welcomed a new chaplain onboard and he served at Bubba Speedway Park in Ocala, FL. Tragedy struck as a young racer lost her life in an accident. God had his man stationed there to walk alongside the family and the racing community to help them in their time of grief. God does amazing things through us if we just join Him where He is working.

  As some of you know we come to the end of each year with a deficit at RWJM. We do not deny any request for our presence and never use the cost as a reason for not going. That does put a strain on our resources. We usually have more month at the end of the money.

  We have put a challenge out there for you to help. We would like to enter 2015 even; no debt. Every contribution will help us continue to serve the racing community. If you have benefited from our efforts please consider partnering with us. A one-time donation or a monthly commitment will make it possible for us to be there for each of you in your time of need. Thank you for considering this request.

  We have touched more lives, guided more decisions and brought the Good News to more places than at any time in our history. We are so thankful for our many long-time supporters; both financially and prayerfully! In His service, Rev Don and the Racing with Jesus ministries family.

  Not much happening after the Turkey Derby. I’ll be back on the road this week, headed to PRI in Indy, looking forward to seeing many friends. Keep our efforts in your prayers. Have a great week.

 
Until next time, be a witness for our Lord with the ministry decals and apparel. See them at the Show Your Faith Apparel Store at http://www.rwjm.com/store. Send us your prayer and counseling needs no matter what part of our racing family you are in, or give us a call. 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.

   See our on-line Apparel Store for subscription information.

   Check our home page http://www.rwjm.com for past articles.

   We invite you to input your thoughts as you sign our Guest Book.

   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
 


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SourceRev Don Rivers / Racing With Jesus Ministries
Posted: December 10, 2014

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