What is THE Christmas story?

The Christmas story is not just that Jesus came to this earth in human form, but that he came to save us.  His mission on earth was just that; to seek and save the lost. That is what the name Jesus means; "the Lord saves".  Check out Matthew 1:20-21 that is often overlooked which says, "But after he (Joseph) had considered this (divorcing Mary), an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.”

Do you know this one who saves?

We can't say it first....

That's what the checkout clerk said to me at Lowes when I said "Merry Christmas" to her while I was paying for my items. She said, "Thank you for saying that because we are not allowed to say it first". That is the world in which we live. One that is wrought with sin and darkness; even to where employees are not free to proclaim Christ during this Christmas season. And people question why there is so much trouble and tragedy in this world.
Will you agree with me to keep Christ in Christmas this year?

Star Mazda becomes Pro Mazda Championship under Andersen Promotions

See article below for details on the transfer of ownership of the former Star Mazda series that will become the Pro Mazda Championship in 2013! INDYCAR Ministry will continue to provide coverage for the new Pro Mazda Championship in 2013. Please pray for the logistics of the transfer and that God's name will be glorified in the renewed series!

http://www.indycar.com/en/News/2012/12-December/12-7-Pro-Mazda-Series-on-board-for-2013

INDYCAR Ministry at IMIS

I am at the IMIS show today at the Indianapolis Convention Center for the USF2000 and Star Mazda series winter meetings. Lots of buzz and excitement about 2013 with major announcements for the leagues coming soon! INDYCAR Ministry will again be covering all four series under the INDYCAR sanctioning body in 2013. Looking forward to what God has in store!

As God's chosen people....be thankful.

Take some time today to reflect on God's goodness and just exactly what he did for us by sending his Son to died for us. If you cannot think of anything else to be thankful about today, rest on this verse below. As God's chosen people....be thankful.

"Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful." - Colossians 3:12-15

Happy Thanksgiving

Endured the cross.....

Hebrews 12:2 tells us we are to "Fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith." Jesus is our example in everything we do and how we act. The interesting part is when the writer of Hebrews says, "For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame". Throughout the 2012 season we have discussed how to be "Faithful to the Finish" in our lives to secure our eternity on the other side of this life. To "fix our eyes on Jesus" is the way!

The part of that verse that moved me when I read that passage this time was He "endured the cross". We endure many things but never to the extent Jesus did on the cross. It is 4:00 am as I am writing this because I cannot sleep due to the pain in my back from my spinal fusion surgery (see pic below) I had done last week. Jesus knew the pain prior to his crucifixion and He endured it with joy! Remember, we are not just talking about physical pain; but emotional pain and spiritual separation from His father.

I know it is quite a stretch to compare back surgery to a crucifixion. That's not the point. The point is, left to our frail humanness and our own will we could not be saved from the wrath of God. God chose to send his Son and Jesus agreed to the pain and agony of the cross; for us. Aren't you glad you serve a God full of grace and mercy that sent His Son who, with joy, endured the pain for you?
Fix your eyes on Jesus.....

Atlanta Pics!

Below are some pictures from Star Mazda's final race in Atlanta! Thanks for all your prayers and support! Looking forward to 2013!

INDYCAR Ministry at Christian Church of Jasper - TONIGHT!

I will be speaking at the Christian Church of Jasper, IN tonight at 6:00pm. Their student program named "The Well" is hosting our ministry and a parent open house for all of their middle school and high school students. The Pennzoil show car will be on display in their lobby.

Pray that the Holy Spirit moves in a mighty and powerful way as I share from Ephesians 2 on the topic of what sin does to our relationship with God!

Faithful Servant

This past weekend in the chapel service at Road Atlanta, we discussed what it looks like to be a faithful servant of Christ. Just as Jesus washed the disciples feet as an example for us, Philippians 2:3 tells us to "value others above yourself". Have you considered anyone more significant than yourself today? In Mark 8:34, Jesus tells us to "deny ourselves". Have you surrendered to the Lordship of Christ making Him number one in your life? 1 John 2:6 tells us that "Whoever claims to live in Christ MUST live as Jesus did". Are you living like Jesus?
A couple questions.....
1. Do you love the idea of Jesus or do you love Jesus?
2. Are you striving to like Jesus or are you striving to become like Jesus?
Where do you stand?
Humble yourself. Deny yourself. Live like Jesus.

Season wraps up at Road Atlanta!

The Star Mazda series completed their season last weekend at Road Atlanta. There are many hurting people in this community. Please continue to pray that God would provide comfort and healing.

What about Mary?

This question was asked by one of our new drivers in the series as we discussed his Catholic faith background. I believe he was trying to figure out where I was coming from when I told him I was a Christian. I responded by telling him I believe that Mary was a virgin when she was conceived by the Holy Spirit and that she gave birth to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
It was then that he saw we were talking about the same Jesus! Our conversation continued from there to talk about God's will and plan for his life....
It is about relationships... Where are your conversations stopping due to judgmental walls you build that keeps God from speaking through you?

Star Mazda Finale at Road Atlanta!

Chapel and race on Friday this week for the final event of the Star Mazda season. Lots of God related conversations as I went through the paddock yesterday. There are also many hurting people that are dealing with sickness and deaths of loved ones... Please pray for safety, comfort, and peace....

Road to Indy Test at IMS

Today and tomorrow is the Road to Indy test at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. This test includes the USF2000, Star Mazda, and Indy Lights series and is being run on the F1 road course.
Pray for safety as teams test drivers for the 2013 season.

INDYCAR Ministry at Rock-n-Roll Car Show today!

Come join INDYCAR Ministry at the Rock-n-Roll car show today at the Greenwood Airport at County Line Rd. and Emerson Ave. It runs all day today! Stop by and say hello!

2012 INDYCAR Ministry Golf Outing - Friday, September 28th

How would you like to play golf with some of INDYCAR’s Stars?? The 2012 INDYCAR Ministry Golf outing still has player and team openings! It will be held at the Brickyard Crossing on Friday, September 28th! Call 317-716-8850 to reserve your spot! See flyer for more details. Come hang out and play with/against Graham Rahal, Simona de Silvestro, Josef Newgarden, Sebastian Saavedra, Martin Plowman, Larry Foyt, Jay Howard and other drivers of INDYCAR!

USF2000 Champions!

Congrats to Matthew Brabham who won the Champion Class and Henrik Furuseth who won the National Class in the 2012 USF2000 season! God's blessings as they further their careers according to God's will and plan for their life!

God is moving at VIR!

God seems to be at work....  This weekend has been filled with "God related" conversations that have provided many opportunities for me to offer the hope and peace that can only be found through trust and faith in Christ! God's plan, not our plan. God's will, not our will. Hope. Trust. Faith. Know.

Thanks for praying!

House of Hope!

Special thanks to Andersen Promotions in cooperation with INDYCAR Ministry. Together, they donated over 100 pounds of food this weekend to the House of Hope; a homeless shelter near Virginia International Speedway in Danville, VA (www.danvillehoh.com). Also, a big thank you goes out to the hospitality folks at VIR who packaged and staged the food.

Steve Anderson, who runs the shelter, told me that their people were just getting ready to come in for the night and that they would be grateful to have a dinner like this!

Please pray for the people living in the House of Hope that they may find the ultimate hope in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ!

Green Flag is out at VIR for USF2000!

Final two races of the 2012 season are this weekend for the USF2000 series! Chapel service is at 7:15 on Saturday morning! Pray that God would move and protect!

Thanks for your prayers...

This was said to me twice this weekend by one of the drivers in our series. How often do we think we should pray and don't? When prompted to pray, act on it immediately; without hesitation, "present your requests to God" - Philippians 4:6

Congrats!

To Jack Hawksworth and Team Pelfrey for winning the 2012 Star Mazda championship today at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca!

"Hey Chaplain!"

This rang out from a golf cart that carried people back and forth to their parking area high on the hill at Laguna Seca. I stopped, turned around, and and shook his hand and said, "Yes?" The driver reply, "God bless you. I figure you are so busy giving blessings to others, that nobody gives you a blessing."

Wow! That was awesome! God encourages just at the right moments.... He is faithful.. He provides...

Thanks for your support!

Star Mazda at Mazda Raceway

The Star Mazda series is at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca this weekend. There will be two races this weekend on Saturday and Sunday. Chapel will be Sunday at 11:00 am at the Star Mazda transporter!

Please pray for good and safe racing this weekend and that God moves in a mighty and powerful way!

Standing room only!

Praising God for a great chapel turnout today! All the seats were full and we had people standing around the perimeter! The venue in Baltimore and the location of the chapel service was optimal for drivers, crews and fans!

Giving God the credit, praise and glory!

You saved me...

One of our drivers who doesn't typically pray prior to the race had me pray with his wife next to the car. I prayed with his wife for his protection and her peace. He was involved in a fairly significant accident this weekend and was not hurt. When we talked after the race, he said to me, "You saved me! (with your prayer)". I responded, I did not save you. I simply make the request. God saved you."

No one has ever done that before....

While going down the grid today offering prayer to every driver, I had something happen to me that had never happened before. As I was ending the prayer with one particular driver and said, "and I pray this in the name of Jesus. Amen.", the driver immediately grabbed me closer and started praying for ME! Ya, he thanked God for me and thanked Him that I was still here on this earth! Wow! I was blown away!

When he finished praying for me, he gave me a great big bear hug and told me he appreciated what I do. I told him thank you and that no one has ever done that for me before....

God shows us confirmation is so many different ways, I believe we miss it sometimes...  I did not miss that today. Thanks God.

Baltimore Grand Prix!

In Baltimore, MD for the Baltimore Grand Prix this weekend! All four of the INDYCAR series will be running (USF2000, Star Mazda, Indy Lights, & INDYCAR). Pray for safety for all involved and that God moves in a mighty and powerful way this weekend!

The USF2000 & Star Mazda chapel is at 8:30 AM on Sunday morning at the USF2000 transporter. Also, special thanks to the people working with the Velocity Channel this weekend as they will be capturing footage of INDYCAR Ministry in action in all four series in preparation for a new INDYCAR Ministry promo video!

Thanks for praying! God is faithful.

To Live is Christ!

My blog entries are usually how I see God working in other people's lives. This entry is how I saw God working in mine...

While at Road America this past weekend with the USF2000 series, I started to experience my heart racing...literally. I thought it was nothing until I couldn't catch my breath and started to feel faint and dizzy. After the symptoms did not go away for an hour, I drove myself to an immediate care center. Upon arrival, my heart rate was 256 and I was immediately put on oxygen and an EKG machine. They then took me by ambulance to a local hospital for further evaluation. The ER doctor saw something strange on my EKG. She faxed it to a heart specialist at a Milwaukee hospital. Upon evaluation, they wanted me at that hospital for an emergency procedure the next day. So they transported me by ambulance again to the Milwaukee hospital.

The cardiologist said not many people survive what I went thru (heart rate at 250+). He said this condition usually results in a severe drop in blood pressure and cardiac arrest ending in death.

The procedure went well Friday. They went up thru a vein into my heart and were able to recreate the problem in the operating room. They ablated 2 electrodes in my heart that were causing the rapid arrhythmia problem. They also sealed an extra pathway in my heart.

The apostle Paul said, "For me to live is Christ and to die is gain".... I believe God saved my life and He has more for me to do for Him on this earth! I will live for Christ and for his purpose and kingdom!!!

Do not waste another minute of your life. If you have not surrendered your life to Christ, do it today. If you are already a Christ follower, commit your life to service for Him. Live for Christ!

Trois Rivieres - Faithful to Death!

Today in the chapel at Trois Rivieres, QC, we talked about the night before Jesus was crucified, after praying all night and asking his Father three separate times, is this the only way? He realized that this was going down and in Matthew 26:46, he said to the disciples, "Rise! Let us go! Here comes my betrayer!”

In the midst of danger, when Jesus knew they were coming to take him away, staring in the face of death, Jesus said, “Rise! Let’s go!” Let’s go.. not to run away, but to face the will of God for His life here on earth. To face his betrayers head on. To say I will do the will of God, no matter the rejection, the separation from God, the cost, the pain, or even if I die.

Jesus was faithful – even to the point of death!

Should we do the same? What does that look like for our lives?

We are to - Die to self and surrender to our lives to Christ. Matthew 16:24 - Then Jesus said to his disciples, "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.”

We are to - Endure, fight the good fight of faith. Matthew 10:22b – “He who endures to the end will be saved.”

We are to - Be faithful our entire life on earth. Revelation 2:10b - Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you the crown of life.

Will you be "faithful to death"?

Give God the Glory!

After praying with Star Mazda driver Sage Karam today before qualifying at Trois Rivieres, he looked at me and said, "Give God the glory!" I asked, "Can I quote you on that?" He responded, "Yup!" He went on to say, "You have told me that enough times that it is beginning to sink in."

It's pretty awesome to see God working in the lives of these young, talented drivers. It's doubly awesome when they think about who has entrusted them with their talents.

Are you giving God the glory?

Life as you overcome.....

Heading to Trois Rivieres today for the Star Mazda and Indy Lights events this weekend. It has been a tough week, but the devotional below by Ozwald Chambers reminds us that God will bring us through all adversaries! Thank you Jesus!

"The typical view of the Christian life is that it means being delivered from all adversity. But it actually means being delivered in adversity, which is something very different. “He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. No evil shall befall you, nor shall any plague come near your dwelling . . .” (Psalm 91:1,10)— the place where you are at one with God. If you are a child of God, you will certainly encounter adversities, but Jesus says you should not be surprised when they come. “In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” He is saying, “There is nothing for you to fear.” The same people who refused to talk about their adversities before they were saved often complain and worry after being born again because they have the wrong idea of what it means to live the life of a saint. God does not give us overcoming life— He gives us life as we overcome."

Why Pray?

In chapel today we asked some questions about prayer.....  Do you struggle with prayer? Do you pray at all? Are your prayers typically for God to do something, fix something, or grant a wish or desire? Is your prayer to impose your will on God or to seek God's will for your life? What if in our prayers to God, we ask, as Jesus did, "not as I will, but thy will be done".

Our prayer should not be to move God towards our plan, but to seek God's plan for our life.

Why pray? Not to move God to us, but to move us closer to God.

Momentary Troubles

The Star Mazda race was littered with broken race cars and broken feelings during the dry and wet conditions.The conversations I had today and the way the race ended up reminded me that this life is full of wrecks, bumps, and bruises. Paul reminds us that these difficulties are temporal when he wrote,"For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all." - 2 Corinthians 4:17

We are to fix our eyes on Jesus. The seen in this world will pass away while the unseen is eternal.

O Canada!

Edmonton this weekend for Star Mazda....  Chapel is at 7:30am on Sunday morning. The message is "Why Pray" and is part of our sermon series "Faithful to the Finish".
Thanks for your continued support!

Come near to God

In chapel today, we talked about James 4:7-10 - ⁷ Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. ⁸ Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. ⁹ Grieve, mourn and wail. Change your laughter to mourning and your joy to gloom. ¹⁰ Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.

There are a couple interesting points about this section of scripture...   look at the action words in these verses... Submit, resist, come, wash, purify, grieve, change, humble.... Those are all things that we are to do as believers!

Imagine you are standing at a door. Imagine that on the other side of this door stands Jesus Christ. Let’s look at those actions we just talked about….

1. Submit - take a step towards the closed door. Your heart races as you realize you need to surrender your life.
2. Resist – we take a step back in human fear. We fight the notion from satan that God will not accept us as we are.
3. Come – you approach the door and raise your hand to knock. We think about how He will see us.
4. Wash – we consider that we are about to stand before a Holy God. You ask yourself, “What is the condition of my heart?”
5. Grieve – we drop to a knee and confess our sinfulness and short comings.
6. Humble – when nothing is left of us; no pride, no selfishness, no attitude. We knock…

The door opens slowly and we see Jesus on the other side of the door. We look up and he smiles at us. He holds out his hand and says, “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you." - Luke 11:9.
Humble yourself and God will lift you up. The more you move toward God, the more you can count on God moving toward you. Where do you stand? It's your move...

Whatever you did for one of the least of these...

....you did for me. - Jesus
Many of our Star Mazda drivers visited a local Toronto children's hospital. They signed autographs and showed the kids an Indy car....  But one of our drivers, Gabby Chaves, got autographs from the kids! He had them sign his driving shoes! He also placed 3rd in today's race! Nicely done Gabby!

Be faithful in......

I was excited today to have one of the drivers, who has never prayed before, requested prayer before practice today!! Paul says, "Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer." - Romans 12:12. I will continue to be joyful in the hope, the hope of glory, patient in any affliction that comes my way, and will always be faithful in prayer. Will you?

It's 4:33am and......

I am sitting in the kitchen doing my daily devotions and prayer. My flight leaves at 6:55am to Toronto for the INDYCAR event this weekend. I just had a great weekend getaway with my wife. I am a little tired and and for some reason, a bit discouraged this morning. In the devotion is a quote from John 14:1, "Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me."

My phone buzzed with a new message and I think, "Who sends an email at 4:33am?" God does. The email read:

David,

I hope all is well with you, your family and your ministry. I have not seen you lately, but was wondering how your return to school was progressing. I admire your dedication to speading the Word of Jesus and taking the necessary steps to a full-time ministry. My wife and I pray for you often. Take care & God bless.

This was from a brother in Christ from my church! God used him to send encouragement my way when I needed it the most! When it's 4:33am and dark outside, let not your hearts be troubled. God provides. God inspires. God does.

Thanks Mark for letting God work through you!

What you did was....

amazing.... That is what a fan said to me last weekend in Iowa after I had finished offering prayer to each driver in the Star Mazda series. He said, "You went to every one of them, every car." I thanked him for saying something and I said, "You must be a Christian?" He replied, "No, I am not". Much to my surprise I asked if he believed in God. He was not sure where he stood on the topic, but he said again what you did there was amazing.
I was reminded by my pastor that this encounter parallels what John wrote in John 16:8-9 says, "When he (the Holy Spirit) comes, he will prove the world to be in the wrong about sin and righteousness and judgment: about sin, because people do not believe in me."
Even when people see our actions; our response to the call of God on our heart, God can use that to convict those who are not yet in Christ.
Act...

Who's your boss?

This is what we discussed at the morning's chapel. Paul wrote in Colossians, that we are to do everything as if the Lord was our boss. Paul wrote to Timothy to tell him that Christian slaves were to respect their masters especially if they were believers. So what is our attitude? How is our work ethic? Who are you working for? Could it be that the way present ourselves has a profound way that non-believers see God? Absolutely... Live as if Jesus himself was signing your daily timesheet...

There's more than corn in Iowa!

Racing! Neat track. Very nice people. Safe day today! Chapel tomorrow at 9:00!

Iowa this weekend!

I will be at Iowa Speedway this weekend with the Star Mazda series. Chapel is Saturday at 9:00 am at the Star Mazda transporter. If you are at the track, stop by for the service!

Pray for a safe weekend and that Christ will be honored and glorified!

Can you pray while you drive?

Can you pray while you drive? I was asked this question as I was driving to Methodist Hospital with a family member of a driver who was injured in a scary crash at Lucas Oil Raceway last Saturday night. During that anxious moment, we did not know the condition of the driver. So as I drove, I prayed. Out loud.

1 Thessalonians 5:17 tells us to do just that; "pray continually". This does not have to be a verbal prayer, but an attitude of prayer; a constant dialogue with our heavenly Father. Lifting our thoughts and requests to Him and laying them at the feet of Jesus.

We thank God that this driver was released later that evening with no injuries. God wants to hear from you. Have you prayed today? Are you praying now. Do you pray continually?

Lucas Oil Raceway Pics!