God with us....

All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: “The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel”—which means, “God with us.” - Matthew 1:22-23

Merry Christmas

He came, not as a flash of light

He came, not as a flash of light or as an unapproachable conqueror, but as one whose first cries were heard by a peasant girl and a sleepy carpenter. God tapped humanity on its collective shoulder, "Pardon me," he said, and eternity interrupted time, divinity interrupted carnality, and heaven interrupted the earth in the form of a baby. Christianity was born in one big heavenly interruption.

Max Lucado

Facing your Giants!

In the new Winners Circle Study held at the Ganassi shop in Brownsburg, we are looking at Max Lucado's "Facing your Giants" book and study guide. One of the neat quotes from the book is "Focus on giants – you stumble.Focus on God – your giants tumble".

What are you focusing on today; your problems or God. Too often we look only at the issues in life and not our God who can resolve any problem.

Focus on God......

Give Thanks!

We are told in I Thessalonians 5:18 to "give thanks in all circumstances for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." There is a specific word that Paul used in this sentence; "in". He did NOT say give thanks "for" all circumstances, but "in" all circumstances.

No matter what you are going through today, give thanks to God for walking in God's love and resting in God's peace as he provides for us, His children.

Happy Thanksgiving!

New Winner's Circle Studies Being Formed!

The introductory meetings are being held today and tomorrow for the latest Winner's Circle studies! We will be holding new studies at both the Indianapolis and Brownsburg Ganassi race shops!

Pray that the Holy Spirit will lead people to these studies and that God would be glorified!

Road to Indy Test - Dan Wheldon Tributes

Carlos Linares of Linares Racing and Shannon McIntosh diving for Pabst Racing both had tributes to Dan Wheldon on their cars for the test at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway last week. Nicely done Carlos and Shannon!

My 3 Cents Worth

At the car show last weekend, a gentleman stopped by our booth to look at the car and some printed material we had on our table. I notice he reached into his pocket and put 3 coins in our donation box. I jumped up and grabbed a devotional and caught up with him, gave him the devotional, and thanked him for his donation. I discovered later that it was 3 pennies. We will never know if that was a sacrificial gift from him or not. Referring to the woman who gave all she had, Jesus said in Luke 21:4, "All these people gave their gifts out of their wealth; but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on.” Meaning, it is not the size of the gift, but the condition of our heart. How is your heart towards God today?

Road to Indy at IMS

The USF2000, Star Mazda, and Indy Lights series are testing on the IMS F1 track today and tomorrow!

Rock and Roll Car Show!

INDYCAR Ministry was at the Rock and Roll Car Show today at the Community Church of Greenwood. The organizer of the show, Garry Gilbert, ask me to open the show with a moment of silence and prayer out of respect for Dan Wheldon. Special thanks to Fred and Jim from Indian Creek Christian Church who served as the "pit crew" for the show car today!

INDYCAR Ministry this Weekend

The INDYCAR Ministry will be at the "Rock and Roll Car Show" at the Community Church of Greenwood this weekend http://www.rock-n-rollcarshow.com/. We will have the INDYCAR Ministry trailer and the Pennzoil show car there. I also will be speaking at Zionsville United Methodist Church at 7:00 AM on Saturday morning at the Men's Prayer Breakfast. http://www.zumc.org/ . Bob will be assisting in the officiating at Dan Wheldon's funeral in St. Petersburg, Fl also on Saturday morning at 10:00 AM. And I will be attending the Dan Wheldon memorial service at Conseco Fieldhouse, Sunday at 4:00 PM. http://www.indystar.com/article/20111019/SPORTS01/110190368/Public-memorial-service-set-Sunday-Conseco-Fieldhouse?odyssey=mod%7Cnewswell%7Ctext%7CIndyStar.com%7Cs.

Please pray for all these events this weekend that ears would be open, hearts would be receptive and Christ would be glorified.

Dan Wheldon will be missed

Our thoughts and prayers go out to Dan Wheldon's family and friends and all the INDYCAR Series family.

Congrats to Tristan Vautier!

JDC Motorsports and Crew Chief Scott Church for winning the 2011 Star Mazda championship!

2 Chapels this Weekend!

At the request of drivers wanting a 1/2 hour more sleep on Sunday morning, we have a service yesterday afternoon also! We are finishing up the entire book of Ephesians. We discussed the armor that God provides us! With this we can be stand firm, be righteous, be ready, have faith, guard our hearts and thoughts, and fight by knowing the word of God!

Listen to what Hebrews 4:12 says: "For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart."

Do you know the word? How is it changing your life?

Final Star Mazda Event this Weekend at Laguna Seca!

Pray for a safe weekend as the Star Massage series wraps their season up! Chapel is early on Sunday morning with quals and race following that morning!

Christ has already won the war!

With 4 races and 4 winners in today's races, no driver was assured victory before they started the race. We covered the first part of Ephesians 6 today in chapel. Although we are preparing for spiritual battle, rest assured that Christ already has the victory secured. We can go into battle knowing the our ascended Lord has conquered death and the grave and therefore, brought victory to His followers! Rejoice!

Congrats to Petri Suvanto!

For clinching the 2011 USF2000 championship today!

USF2000 & Star Mazda in Baltimore!

Shortened practices today. 1st USF2000 race tomorrow. Both series race on Sunday. Chapel is at 8:30 AM on Sunday morning at the USF2000 transporter! Pray for safe races and a Holy Spirit led service!

Do Everything As If....

In the Star Mazda chapel service yesterday, we discussed relationships, our attitudes and how we should think of ourselves. Ephesians 6:7 tells us, we should "Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not people". If we approached everything we did in life with this mindset, imagine what the outcome would be. Who are you serving; Christ or man?

INDYCAR Ministry at the Milwaukee Masterpiece!

The INDYCAR Ministry trailer, show car, and simulators are at the Milwaukee Masterpiece concourse car show this weekend! Special thanks to Fred, Jackie and James for getting them up there and representing Christ at this event!

Stop or Go.....

For qualifying, Star Mazda drivers J.V. Horto and Gustavo Menezes had to make sure which was which. As Christians we sometimes have these same confusing thoughts. Proverbs 3:5-6 tells us to Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight!

Star Mazda at Somona

It is a quick weekend at Infineon Raceway this weekend with 2 practice sessions today and the qualifications and race tomorrow. This weekend it seems people are asking questions. Questions about prayer, decisions, marriage, repentance, forgiveness, and grief. Pray the answers I have given get reinforced by God. Pray that these people see the mighty hand of God working in their lives. Pray God will comfort, forgive,and restore. Pray that God will provide direction and answers for those who are searching.

Star Mazda chapel is at 8:00 am tomorrow morning. Pray for the leading and prompting of the Holy Spirit. Thanks for praying.

Consider it pure joy...

.... whenever you face trials of any kind. Today I had more complaints about my presence and driver's meeting prayer. These are coming from non-believers. Pray I continue to stand for Christ by God's grace and help.

Neat moments this weekend about a crew member sharing their faith to a dying friend, a driver coach that shared his faith while protecting my stance, and a driver that continues to have unwavering faith in the midst of trial and unfortunate circumstances on the track.

They will hate you... But if God is for us, who can be against us - Romans 8:31. I consider it pure joy. Where has God called you to take a stand?

Road America USF2000 Grid

Pre race and pre prayer! God's protection was evident again today with only one accident and no injuries! Thanks be to Him!

Does the world hate you?

This was a first for me in 4 years with the INDYCAR Ministry today. I have had drivers turn down prayer. I have had drivers protest that they should not have to listen to a prayer before a drivers meeting. I have even had drivers tell me I was "bad luck". But I have never had a driver tell me not to hang up a chapel flyer in their transporter! That happened today. Jesus said in John 15:18-19 that, "If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you." He also said in Matthew 5:44, "But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you."

Will you join me in praying for this particular person? That his heart might be softened and he may be open to hear the word of God. In Jesus name! Amen!

Safely to Road America

Pray for a safe and good weekend for the USF2000 series in Wisconsin!

Does anyone ever say no?

This question was asked when I was praying with one of the Indy Lights drivers today. I answered, "yes, they do say I do not want to pray." How often do we have the opportunity to talk with God and we say no, or think I am too busy, or I feel don't need you right now or say I've got it. Talk to God. Pray without ceasing.

1st Race Done! Most Important Race Underway!

The first race of the weekend is complete. The race of life is still underway! There have been some exciting relationships built this year. I have seen the race of life being run in relationships with Christ growing in number and maturity. There have been some great times of victory and defeat on the track that has led to run the race of life even better.

Pray that God continues to move and lives continue to be changed for His glory alone. Thanks for your support and prayers.

Tribute to Norway

In remembrance of the shooting victim in Norway, Norwegian Indy Lights driver, Anders Krohn of Belardi Auto Racing is having competitors, team mates and staff members sign the rear wing of his car this weekend at Trois Riveres. We will remember. Thanks Anders!

Star Mazda Qual Lineup!

Trois Rivieres this Weekend

Both the Star Mazda and Indy Lights will be competing on this Canadian street course! Pray for safety this weekend! Chapel is Sunday at 8:30 at the Star Mazda transporter!

INDYCAR Ministry at The Creek!

Had a great time at Summerfest today at ICCC! Thanks again to Fred and Jackie for all their hard work and volunteering their time!

INDYCAR Ministry at Indian Creek Christian Church this Sunday!

The INDYCAR Ministry trailer, show car and simulators will be at the Indian Creek Christian Church Summerfest this Sunday, 7/31/11 from 3-7PM. Check out http://www.thecreek.org/ for details!

Congrats!

...to J.V. Horto for his first win in the Star Mazda series! JV is bold in his faith in Christ and is a great example for others in the way he proclaims Christ as his Lord and Savior! Praise the Lord!

Mosport Chapel

In our Mosport chapel, we looked at the second half of Ephesians 4. In verse 32, Paul wrote, "Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as Christ God forgive you". How are you doing in this area of your faith? Matthew 6:14 tells us that if we forgive others, God will also forgive you! To many times, we harbor ill feelings and hold grudges when we should be showing Christ's love and forgiving others. Start today. Go and forgive those who you have differences with. Do it now.

Chapel Sign is Everywhere!

This is where I found it when I arrived today! Awesome! Quals and Chapel went well today.

Star Mazda at Mosport in Canada!

Testing went fine today with just a few minor incidents. Practice tomorrow. Continue to pray for a safe weekend. Chapel service this weekend will be at 10:00am Saturday morning!

Race without God?

One of our series drivers recently told me that he didn't think he would race if he did not pray prior to the race! What an awesome statement! It made me think, are we willing to run the race of life without God? Do you start the day based on your self sufficiency or do you start the day on your knees in prayer asking God to help you through the day?

Philippians 4:6 tells us that in everything, by prayer, present your requests to God. Start the race today!

Give me your hand.

As I approached one of the cars for a pre-race prayer, the driver removed his gloves to take my hand. That was the first time that happened. He was ready to pray. Are we ready to that ready to talk to God? Are we available? The bible tells us to approach God with confidence. Have you made yourself available to talk with God?

Pre-qual line up!

Practice, quals and race all today! Continue to pray for God's protection for all participating today!

Grow up! (in your salvation)

That's what we discussed in today's chapel service. Do you know what God has called you to do? Do you know what your spiritual gift is? Are you responding to God when he calls you to service? Are you different now than when you first came to know Christ?  Are you growing up in your salvation? These are all questions we must ask ourselves....

Chapel Tomorrow!

Chapel for the Star Mazda series will be tomorrow at 11:00 am (12 EST). Pray for a movement of the Holy Spirit that people would come and leave changed!

Iowa this weekend!

Pray for safety on the Thursday test and pray that Christ would be shared and glorified!

God's Power in Us!

Today' message based on Ephesians 3 which tells us, "I became a servant of this gospel by the gift of God's grace given me through the working of his power." We have the power of God working in us. Are you allowing God's power to work through you? "Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than we can ask or imagine, according to his power that is in work in us."

Amen!! Rest in God's grace and allow God's power to work in and through you.

Chapel Service Sunday at 8:00!

I will be talking about Ephesians 3. Pray the Holy Spirit moves and hearts are changed.

How can I pray for you?

The conversations today ranged from God's provision, to God's direction, to the fact there is no such thing as luck, to judgement of others, to God's forgiveness if we come with a repentant heart. Today was unique in that the Christians that I asked how I could pray for them, the reply was "I think I am ok".

Are you ok? How can I be praying for you?

Practice at Milwaukee!

2nd day of practice for the USF2000 and Star Mazda series. Continue to pray for safety!

Milwaukee Mile this Weekend!

All four of the INDYCAR series will be in Milwaukee this weekend; including the USF2000 and Star Mazda series! Pray for safety at all events and that we would make in impact for Christ!

Race Morning at IMS.

USF2000 & Star Mazda at Lucas Oil Raceway

It was a full day of racing and excitement at LOR. God kept everyone safe and the racing was great!

LOR pics - USF2000 & Star Mazda!

One 5 Oh! at Lucas Oil Raceway!

Worship was rich and everyone in the paddock area new we were having church. Thanks to Andy and the guys! May God continue to bless your ministry!

Indy 500 Breakfast!

Thanks to all who participated in the first annual Indy 500 Breakfast benefiting the INDYCAR Ministry! It was a huge success!