I am a race fan. Seems my penchant for racing stems from childhood experiences. I have been having some really nice chats with my Mom lately. She asked me how I came to like racing so much.

I couldn’t place a direct answer to the question, but I was certainly able to talk about my past and experiences as far back as I could remember. I began by recalling watching racing in our basement as young as possibly about 6 years old in our first house. Buddy Baker, was who I picked as my driver for some reason. My best guess is he was winning the race and or was talked about the most by the announcers about winning. Winning the race is important so I am sure that is the root!  

My Mom then told me a story how our family went to Pocono raceway with my Uncle when I was about 4 years old. We sat on the infield and sat in lawn chairs to watch the race in the back of my Uncle’s Big Red Truck. That was my first tailgate party apparently.

I can’t leave my own huge disappointments in racing out of the story. After my father’s death in 1980, I was finally old enough to join scouting. My immense failures in the cub scout Pinewood Derby events with no support of a father had the opposite effect of what you might think would have happened. Instead of hating racing, my hurt and failures cemented a passion for the desire to be a winner in racing. Little did I know, that besides being a NASCAR fan, I would insert my kids into the winning race formula I so wanted to fulfill as a child. All of my children and even my wife, have all received trophies in cub scout Pinewood Derby events over a 9-year period. We have the hardware to prove it! Today, I am still involved in running cub scout Pine Wood Derby events.    

What qualifies me to be a winner at racing? Nothing in particular at first. The first pinewood derby event I entered my oldest son in, started with desire. Then work! I investigated and researched winning pinewood derby strategies. The results? A firm second place. Passion took over from that point. I spent countless hours with my kids and by myself researching strategies, designing and building multiple cars a year. ( Some years as many as 5 cars and always at least 2 cars) In addition, one must include failure(s). Failures such as: Cars that had to get scraped during the build process due to errors. One year we made a total mis-build that lead to failure in speed but a winner in scout skill. Second place finishes were also part of the story. More Research and LOTS OF TIME and Experience would provide the winning race formula for many years to come.

What qualifies me to be a winner with Jesus? Everything particular at first! My first breath provided me with the desire. The Desire to be loved. Then work! It took me 43 years of investigative work to figure out life and find Jesus. The results? A FIRM FIRST PLACE! Passion took over from the point. I spend countless hours with my wife and my kids receiving love from Jesus. I am constantly refining my relationship with Him. In addition, failures are part of the process. I need to learn from my mistakes. Failure serves as a re-enforcement of what not to do. Seems much of my experience for the first 43 years was what not to do also. Second place finishes are not acceptable.  While they will happen, we strive for a First finish with Jesus! Research and MORE research (Bible reading and investigative commentary and discussions) provide for MORE depth with my relationship with Jesus. LOTS OF TIME and experience provides for the winning race formula – JESUS!

You Qualify!