Michael Harrison's e-devotion

  We get to serve here.   It began 2001 after we moved to Virginia.  There were lots of opportunities I learned about where outreach in our community was happening and I could serve.    One of those was through Raceway Ministry at the speedway in Martinsville where NASCAR comes to town two times per year.  And as Paul Harvey would say, “that’s the rest of the story”.   Not sure how many races where I have been able to serve, but I can tell you that I have watched very few laps of racing.  But I have met thousands of race fans from all over the world, had countless of conversations,  prayed for people, talked about life, shared snacks and coffee, gave golf cart rides from one place to another and so much more.   But the best part is that we get to talk to people about Jesus.  Not only does our team host worship services at the speedway but the entire time we are on the property assisting with guest services, and we get to talk about ...

  I am grateful.  Well, you have heard me say it numerous times.  But right now all I can say is “thank you” to God and to some other who are on my mind. Thank you to people who remember and push forward.  You know these people.  They are the ones who remind you of your purpose, who give you encouragement, who show up most often and more.  We all need these kind of people. I Thessalonians 5:11  NLT   So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing. I am thankful for our team at the speedway who served long hours, during hot temperatures and in tough situations.  We have a great partnership with people at our speedway, we have some folks who donated items needed, and we have a bunch of awesome volunteers who keep showing up. 1 Corinthians 16:18  NLT   They have been a wonderful encouragement to me, as they have been to you. You must show your appreciation to all who serve so well. Finally for this Monda...

Look around you.  This week we have talked about opportunities that God gives us as well as the principles of recovery ministry.  The people we are around are going through so many things that we don’t know about. There are no tags on their shirts or signs over their heads that tell us they lost a loved one, they are struggling with addiction or depression, they don’t tell us their life’s story as we walk by.  But what we do have is the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of people who cross our path. It could be as simple as a smile and head nod.  It might be as time consuming as a long conversation or a drive across town.  What is need is for us to look around, see the opportunities God gives, notice the people who cross our path, and do something about it.  Speak up.  Share something.  Give value to others. Psalm 121:1-2  NASB   I will raise my eyes to the mountains; From where will my help come? 2 My help comes from th...

  Once again our team has the honor of serving at Martinsville Speedway this weekend through Raceway Ministry Martinsville.  We are committed to loved people because of a few important reasons. First, God loves people.  Second, people matter to God, and third, lots of people are coming to our community.  We have been blessed with an opportunity to share. Did you hear that?  We have an opportunity to share about Jesus.  And it is the Gospel, the Good News about Jesus, that we get to share this weekend. Mark 8:35 NASB For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake and the gospel’s will save it.   Have we accepted what God has given us?  The GOSPEL is the single most important part of our faith.  This is a very simple truth that we get to share with others.   Easter was this past weekend, and it we learned about Him … Jesus is the son of God sent to the world to deal wi...

We get to serve here. It all began 21 years ago after we moved to Virginia.  There were several different opportunities that I learned about.  Outreach in our community where our church and where I could plug in to serve.  There are always opportunities.  There is always a list. One of those was through Raceway Ministry at the speedway in Martinsville where NASCAR comes to town two times per year.  And as Paul Harvey would say, “that’s the rest of the story”. Not sure how many races I have been to, but I can tell you that I have only watched a few laps of every race.  In these years I have met thousands of race fans from all over the country and from several foreign countries. It has been full of conversations.  Full of praying for people.  Full of talking about life, sharing snacks and coffee, giving golf cart rides from one place to another and so much more. But the best part … are you ready for it?  We get to talk about Jesus.  Not on...

It was 18 years ago that I first had the opportunity to serve with the Raceway Ministries team in Martinsville, and it is has been an incredible time.    Since then I have had the honor of serving on the national Raceway Ministries board and helping our group grow in various ways.    It really is an honor to share Jesus with race fans at the speedway. This stuff happens at racetracks all around the world.    I mean there are men and women around the world volunteering their time to serve in the racing community.    They offer worship services, counseling, sharing refreshments and much more.    I have met so many people that are committed to making a difference in a place where few others will step.    In Martinsville our team offers several different things, and it is a blessing to be able to work along side the employees of Martinsville Speedway.    Sunday morning before the race this weekend there will b...