We said goodbye to a faithful friend last night, Bob Schmelzer. Bob meant a lot to a lot of people and you could hear that echoed. I want to reiterate some of what I said and a little more of what I was thinking about.

Many of us got to enjoy Bob giving us a nickname and the friendly smile as we came to the pit gate. That seemed to be followed by stories which we enjoyed together. The other think I liked to watch was Bob’s interaction with others as they came to the gate. He knew so many and so much about racing that he had something to share with all. I liked how he taught, such as with the OTC kids. He would be giving them a hard time but he was teaching.

The thing I most enjoyed was that as we would be talking about the good old days of this or that. Family was always intertwined. His love for people, family and most of all Darlene, was so evident, so clear. We would be talking about Columbus and he would remind me of how Darlene and the family was right there with him. He never worried about the hamburgers, because she was on it.

What a story of faithfulness and in a world in need of faithfulness he was a great example.

The Bible talks of that too. In Proverbs 3:1-7 My son, do not forget my teaching, but keep my commands in your heart,  for they will prolong your life many years and bring you prosperity.  Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart.  Then you will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man.  Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;  in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.  Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD and shun evil.

This passage speaks of faithfulness, the faithfulness we need to have toward people, toward family and toward God. We are to faithfully serve the LORD with all we have. What does faithful mean? What picture do you have as you think of that word? I think of loyal, devoted, trustworthy, dependable. I think of committed. Yes, Bob was committed to racing but he was committed to his family first. He spoke of them so highly and with so much love. We know he sacrificed and know he gave of himself.

Jesus did that too and wants us to turn to Him in surrender and obedience. Jesus sacrificed with His life for sin, yours and mine. In verse 5 of the passage above it says, “Trust in the LORD with all your heart.” God does not want us to be part way committed to Him, He wants all of us. He wants us to acknowledge Him as Savior but also as LORD which means He gets to rule over us. I pray you have turned to God and His gift of salvation. I pray you have acknowledged your sin and that only Jesus (John 14:6 and 1 John 1:9) can forgive and save. He is our hope.

One more thing I want to say thanks for. There were times I wondered if anyone read the devotions or Chaplain Corner and that would be the week that Bob would say Darlene really enjoyed this week’s Corner. Thanks Bob. We will miss you.

Have a great day in the SONshine and see you at a track soon,

Pastor Todd Christopherson
Team Jesus Racing Ministry
Glad to be serving the racing community

We were sitting around in a church leadership meeting Thursday and one of the guys who farms asked for us to pray for rain and I said that would be great except not tomorrow as there is a big charity event at the track. We decided we would pray for rain at his farm and not at the track. You never know when God is going to answer a prayer like that so it is always lifted up asking for God’s will to be done not what we think is best because God knows what is truly best for all. Check it out, rain at the farm and all the races got in! Thank you the Lord for that. Thanks Lord for also providing a good night of racing, two of the features had no cautions.

I want to thank the teams, drivers, staff and fans for the out pouring of funds and canned goods for the River Food Pantry and Oregon Police Department K9 Division.

Thank you to RFP, John and K9 for coming out and spending the evening with us. We are looking forward to publicly recognizing you both next race.

Thank you to each of the pastors and chaplains for racing and entertaining us.

Thanks to Coker Motorsports and all the work they did.

I don’t know about anyone else, but Friday was tremendously special. We had chapel and talked together about Psalm 42:1-3 and prayed. We got the rain that many needed. We need to remember the farmers in our prayers. They provide food for our tables and are completely dependent on the Lord. Then things cleared out and we got practice and qualifying in. God gave us a spectacular lightning show to the south of us. There were two features without a caution! There was a great offering for the charities. There were 9 pastors to race. I happen to get a win. The greatest blessing of all was hearing and watching my kids sing the national anthem! I love them so much, am so proud of them and I am blessed so much by them. There is no reason God should bless me, us, in such a mighty way, but He does and He did Friday. Even with Scott’s accident. Scott could have been hurt much worse. Listen to the following verses and pray and give thanks to God. These are all WOW verses!

Romans 5:17 how much more will those who receive God’s abundant provision of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man, Jesus Christ.

1 Timothy 1:14 And the grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus. KJV. The NIV says 1 Timothy 1:14 The grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.

Titus 3:5b-6 by the Holy Spirit, 6 whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior,

Romans 5:5 And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.

Jude 2 Mercy, peace and love be yours in abundance.

What You pour out is good and so much more then we should have. Thank You for Your grace, love, faith, mercy, peace, Your Spirit! You give the good gift of righteousness and most of all the gift of salvation available to all that will come broken before you and call out on Your name.

Please continue to pray for Bob Schmelzer’s family.

I hope you enjoyed and rejoiced Friday as much as I did. See you at a track soon and have a great day in the SONshine,

Todd

It is in sadness I write with the passing of Bob Schmelzer. He was always fun to talk with and hang around with. He seemed to know everyone and was at his best with young OTC students teaching them the do’s and don’t's at the gate. He was a wealth of racing insight and information from years and years at the track.

Lets pray the following verses for the family and friends of Bob. He will be missed.
Psalm 29:11 The LORD gives strength to his people; the LORD blesses his people with peace.
Psalm 33:22 May your unfailing love rest upon us, O LORD, even as we put our hope in you.

Todd Christopherson
Team Jesus Racing Ministry

Shocking news continues as a helicopter went down in Afghanistan with what sounds like over 30 dead.

Sonny C had an issue at the track and we are praying for him. We continue to pray for Bob S and also Don L. Plus the young man injured in the plane crash earlier in the week. It seemed last night I had a dozen come to me with prayer requests that we can join together and lift before the LORD.

You know that those serving the military are dear to me and when I hear of this loss of life it pains me. I hurt for the families and friends of those that go down serving this nation. The cost continues to be high.

Today I pray and please join me:

Matthew 6:9 “This, then, is how you should pray: “‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name,

            God even in this time we know You do not change. You are still Lord, God, great and awesome and good. You are still holiness and righteous. Thank you for Your comfort and your kindness and help us accept You time and will.

Romans 15:5-6 May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus,so that with one heart and mouth you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

            May we glorify God no matter how difficult things get around us.

2 Thessalonians 2:16-17  May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by his grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope,  encourage your hearts and strengthen you

            LORD we accept Your encouragement and strength. May that be enough! May we not turn to anything but the LORD, family, and friends.

John 14:16-17  And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever- the Spirit of truth

            Thank you LORD for sending the Holy Spirit, the Comforter and Counselor.

Matthew 5:4 Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.

            LORD we do mourn with others. Thank You for Your promises. LORD we lift this before You and wait upon You.

Thank you for praying and see you at a track soon,

Todd