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Do we know what is going on around you? Sometimes we get tunnel vision. When
we focus so much in one direction we can lose our sense of what is going on
around us. We need to be focused but not so much so that we lose our
sensitivity to what is going on around us. Greetings in the name of our Lord
and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Have you ever gone looking for something in your shop? You know where it
is supposed to be but when you look there you don't find it. Now let’s be
honest some shops are more organized than others. For you guys with the not
so organized shops this is not a problem, you are used to not finding things
where they are supposed to be. For the guys who have everything in its
place, it can be very frustrating when you cannot find something. The first
response is to “ask” who didn't put it back where it belonged. Then you
start to look for it. After a long search someone finds it very close to
where it belonged. You never saw it. What were you looking for?
Let me explain. This is what happens when we are looking for something,
we expect it to be in a certain place and when we look we fail to see what
is around it. This doesn't only happen when we are looking for something but
it also happens when we expect things to happen a certain way. When things
don't happen the way we expect them to, we fail to figure out what is really
happening. We don't always look and see everything going on around us.
In racing we have spotters to help us know what is going on around us. We
can't always see everything and we need someone to guide us. Wouldn't it be
great to have spotters in life? We could use someone who is watching what we
are doing and guide us in the correct way. There are many people who try to
tell us where to go and what to do, but not everyone has our best interest
at heart. Who do you trust to guide you?
This week I am preparing to speak at a Celebration of Life for Linda
Austin, she was a crew member on the Busch North Team of Barney McRae. She
had a unique sense of what was going on around her and the needs of others.
We can learn something from someone who wasn’t so blind to her surroundings.
Life is an interesting thing, we only have one to live and for each one
the end is certain to come. We plan and dream, looking forward to the days
ahead, when in fact, it isn’t the days ahead we need to focus on, it is this
day, this moment, this place.
James 5:13-14; Look
here, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we are going to a certain town and
will stay there a year.
We will do business there and make a profit.” How do you know what your life
will be like tomorrow?
Your life is like the morning fog—it’s here a little while, then it’s gone.
We are fond of planning for tomorrow, looking
ahead to the things we are going to do, the places we will go. Oh the plans
we make. Truth be told it is in those moments when we lose sight of what is
truly important, today, here, now.
We do not know what tomorrow will bring and all our plans, hopes and
dreams will not make its coming any more certain. We expend so much effort
trying to secure the future we overlook the opportunities we have to change
the lives of those around us each day. What are we looking for?
Life is a challenge, add something as stressful as racing to it and it
complicates things. Having someone there to talk with and care for you
provides a certain peace, a comfort. Are we looking for others who need that
peace; that comfort?
Life is an interesting thing, we can get so caught up in it that we
forget to look around and see the lives of others. We can be so focused on
tomorrow that we forget that today is all we can count on and really it is
just this moment in time. Life can pass without having an effect on us or we
can use this moment to inspire us to change, to see things differently.
I encourage you to slow down, look around, let the lives of others touch
your heart, and then touch theirs. Did you find what you were looking for in
the empty tomb? Did you find a reason for hope and faith? Did you find your
savior?
When Jesus came not everyone recognized Him. Many thought he was a good
man. Others thought he was a prophet and still others thought he was someone
else. Jesus posed this question to his disciples, “But what about you, who
do you say that I am?”
What a great question. Who do we say Jesus is? You see that goes a long
way in how we respond to him. Most times we look to Jesus when we have
gotten ourselves into a difficult spot, a situation that we can no longer
deal with. We turn to Jesus when we have no other option. We turn to Him as
a last resort instead of a first option. Is it because He is not who we are
looking for? Maybe?
We may be looking for someone to set things right; someone to right the
wrongs committed toward us. In Isaiah 53 it says that even though Jesus was
falsely accused He did not open His mouth. Jesus took the false accusations.
Jesus didn't argue or retaliate. He let them say what they wanted.
We may be looking for someone to overthrow the government. Jesus did not
come to change the government. Jesus came as a humble servant. In fact he
was asked if it was right to pay taxes to Caesar. He took a coin and asked
whose picture is on it. Caesar was the reply. Jesus said, give to Caesar
what is Caesar's and give to God what is God's.
If we are not looking for the right thing we will not see what God has
given us. Jesus endured the cross to atone for our sin. He suffered and died
so that we could be forgiven. At the hands of the Roman guards he was beaten
and abused. In the end as he hung on the cross one Roman guard found what he
was looking for. He put it this way,” Surely this was the Son of God.” I
find it amazing that in all of this the guard’s heart was touched by the
Holy Spirit and he came to understand what so many had missed. This was
God's one and only son who gave his life for me.
As we look into the empty tomb, what are we looking for? Then look at the
cross; think of the Savior God sent to save you and me. Think of the cost.
Think of what you are looking for in life. You will find it in Christ.
Christ is the answer to any question.
John 3:16-17
"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son,
that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to
save the world through him.
Are you looking for a Savior? Look to Jesus,
accept the sacrifice He made to set you free. Find him waiting there ready
to forgive. Amen.
THOUGHTS FROM THE ROAD
SIZZLER SIZZLES - We enjoyed
another great weekend at the track. What started off cold and windy improved
each day and when the final checkered flag flew the sun shone on a
victorious Woody Pitkat and Buzz Chew Racing. The greatest race in the
history of spring went to one who dreamed of taking home that trophy since
he first stepped foot on the grounds so many years ago.
From a brash, flamboyant young kid to a matured veteran and now Sizzler
Champion, dreams do come true. It is such a great example of how you can
work through some of the rough spots, polish off the sharp edges and find
the champion. There have been many who might not have seen this day coming,
but I am one who did. I have had the pleasure of walking alongside for many
years, making an effort to encourage and support through good times and not
so good. Congratulations for a hard fought climb to the top. It hasn’t
always been pretty, but the desire and perseverance overcame the setbacks.
Enjoy the moment.
ON THE ROAD AGAIN - Although racing takes a breather there are
still members of our community that have needs. I headed north to Maine to
remember a dear lady, Linda Austin, who served the Busch North Family.
From there I’ll participate in the Blessings of the Bikes in Rockville,
CT as part of a Ken Kaplan’s Block Party and Relay for Life at the New
England Motorcycle Museum to benefit the American Cancer Society on March 2.
You can check out the details at the New England Motorcycle Museum, 200 West
Main Street, Rockville, CT, 06066, 860-916-9784.
We will then participate in remembering another lady whose presence on
the Whelen Modified Tour will be missed, Bev Bouley. Bev went home in
February but the family wanted to wait until spring to allow more folks to
attend. On May 9 at 11:00 in Hillside Cemetery, Thomaston, CT we will have a
memorial service. A reception will follow at the Thomaston Fire House. Come
support George, Kimmy and Scott as they say farewell for now.
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.
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Tolland, CT 06084.
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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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