28 Hours & 50 Minutes!
November 12, 2013
Dale & Jeannie Daly
With this week’s CRA Moments heading, it makes one to think of predicting perhaps calamity in just a
brief few hours. Well….as a matter for a Bible believing person….that certainly could be the case as fast
as this world continues its downward spiral in rejecting the warnings and decrees it gives. That saying
however, is NOT the reason for today’s heading.
By now you may have heard or read about Ed Bolian, a Southerner who has established the record for the
fastest trip across the United States driving his 2004 CL55 Mercedes-Benz. Ed and his co-driver set out
from Manhattan, NY on their speed run to the West coast to Los Angeles, CA, arriving in a new recorded
record setting time. So no one could argue or dispute Ed’s lighting speed, a satellite program followed
his every mile. Ed equipped his Mercedes with larger gas tanks, and also veritable electronics such as
CB, GPS devices, mobile internet, radar detector, police scanner, laser jammer and a switch that could
deactivate the car’s lights if necessary. There was even a bedpan for insurance against unnecessary
stops! The car’s maximum speed was 158 mph and the average was 98 mph on I-40.
And just what does that bit of information have to do with this week’s CRA Moment? Simply this!
Jeannie and I returned home from Las Vegas, NV where the two of us along with two CRA Board
Members/CRA Hot Rod Camp Directors, Dan and Pam Jeffries attended the Specialty Equipment
Marketing Association (SEMA) event. On Wednesday morning there is always a prayer breakfast, and
that evening the SEMA Hot Rod Banquet follows the day’s events when awards are given to companies
for their influence in the motorsport world by way of new products and performance equipment. This
year one of the hot rod industries most notable car builders was honored into the SEMA Hall of Fame.
George Barris has been at the top of the customizing industry since he opened his first shop in 1944 along
with his brother Sam. A few of his incredible creations include the Batmobile, Munster’s ‘Koach’, KITT
from Nightrider and the Dukes of Hazzard’s General Lee. In addition to his kustoms, (George is credited
with being the first to spell customs by using the beginning letter “k” to set the word customs apart) is
recognized for his presence and contribution throughout magazines and in numerous car shows. Most
every nation and country is represented in one way or another during the week at SEMA. In attendance
were others of “world fame” such as top-fuel drag racer John Force; automotive designer Chip Foose;
high-performance race engine builder and race team owner Jack Roush; Gary and Marilyn Meadors of
Goodguys Rod & Custom Assoc; Bob Reynolds and team from National Street Rod Assoc; Bob Millard
of International Show Car Association; Ed Iskenderian of Iskenderian Racing Cams; Vic Edelbrock, Jr. of
Edelbrock; and Dave Smith of Factory Five Racing along with 6,383 companies worldwide. A week at
SEMA brings these men and women with their companies together with equipment manufacturers, media,
car dealers, installers, retailers and restoration specialists from countries such as Israel, Japan, China, as
well as most every country around the world. With SEMA’s draw from a $27.8 billion-a-year industry
including performance and racing components, cosmetic and functional accessories, wheels and tires,
mobile electronics, safety products, restoration parts, handling equipment, drive-train parts, the industry
caters to muscle cars, classics, luxury vehicles, sport compacts, street rods, off-road and sport trucks, as
well as SUV’s and recreational vehicles. Overall this one short week at SEMA draws more than 100,000
industry leaders from over 113 countries.
What does Ed’s documented 158 mph speed across the U.S. have to do with SEMA and these well known
personalities? As we mingled around such highly recognized individuals, my inner spirit asked over and
over the most important question ever to be asked of any individual. Do you…did you…have
you….confessed Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior? That one question will be asked and revealed.
Did we, while on earth, soak up all the accolades of the world’s attention giving little or no thought to
eternity or why we were put upon earth in the first place? The world’s recognition is nice, sweet, and
ego-building for a short while, but after that, what then? Did we, along with the talents, abilities, and
skills God placed within us, acknowledge the very best gift anyone could ever receive. That of knowing
Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior! That will be the one and only question asked on the day we appear
before the Lord. Not which denomination we attended, whether a large or small church, or what was it
we learned from TV or radio evangelists. Only one question will be asked, and that will be what did we
do with Jesus? Like Ed’s blistering run…our life is speeding by much faster than his top speed of 158
mph. Life is short! The Bible still reads the same today as it did yesterday, and that is that is “…your
life…It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away” (James 4:14).
There are some in our government that use the phrase, “Don’t let a crisis go to waste!” May I humbly
suggest that for you and me in our personal “race” as to the brief time we are on this earth that we “Don’t’
let a crisis go to waste.” The crisis for you and me is our brief time; and what have we done with our
time? You may have noticed…we’re in a crisis time….not only for our nation and the world but for our
brief stay on this planet. Before you and I know it we will appear before the Creator of EVERYTHING
that has been created and exists, to give account of our life. It will then be that those in the wings who
applaud will be the “great cloud of witnesses” of Hebrews 12:1 who, with us will rejoice if we laid
“aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and (ran) with endurance the race that is
set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith…...”
Jeannie and I are looking forward to seeing you there!
Blessings,
Psalm 20:7
Dale & Jeannie
CRA Ministries Int’l
Branson West, MO 65737
Phone 417-338-8537 ▪ Fax 417-338-8545
www.CRAministries.org ▪ cra@integrity.com