USF2000 Winterfest Starts Next Week!

The Cooper Tires USF2000 Championship Powered by Mazda Winterfest starts next week! It is a six-race mini-series offering drivers and teams a head start on their 2013 campaigns. 

The first three races will be held on February 5/6 at Sebring International Raceway. From there the Winterfest championship will move south to Palm Beach International Raceway (PBIR) for an identical schedule on February 9/10. USF2000 made its debut at the 2.034-mile, 11-turn circuit during the 2012 Winterfest to accolades from its teams and drivers. The series will be offering track time to Pro Mazda  Championship competitors at PBIR for pre-season testing during the event. You may follow this link for detailed schedule information! http://www.usf2000.com/Schedule.aspx 

INDYCAR Ministry will be present for the entire week and will hold a chapel service at the USF2000/Pro Mazda transporter on Sunday, February 10th at 7:30 AM!

Pray for a safe week of racing for all the competitors!

"Like Jesus" - 2013 Sermon Series!

I am excited to announce the sermon series for the 2013 USF2000 and Pro Mazda Championship chapel services; "Like Jesus"!!!! This obviously is a spin off the Facebook "Like" and will include messages such as "Pray like Jesus", "Lead like Jesus", and "Live like Jesus". If you are at a USF2000 or Pro Mazda Championship event, be sure to catch a chapel service and see how you can be more "like Jesus"!

“Therefore, prepare your minds for action; be self-controlled; set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed. As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.” - 1 Peter 1:13-16

Be "Like Jesus".....

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!