FAITHFUL FRIEND

Topics:  Bob Schmelzer

Pastor Todd Christopherson
Mid American Stock Car Series
August 22, 2011

We said goodbye to a faithful friend last night, Bob Schmelzer. Bob meant alot to a lot of people and you could hear that echoed. I want to reiterate some of what I said and a little more 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 enjoy together. The other thing I liked to watch was Bob’s interaction with others as they came to the gate. He knew some 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 1 My son, do not forget my teaching, but keep my commands in your heart, 2 for they will prolong your life many years and bring you prosperity. 3 Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. 4 Then you will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man. 5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; 6 in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight. 7 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, to our family and to 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 the sin of the world, 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 received Jesus (John 14:6 and 1 John 1:9), the only one who 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 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