What If
Have you ever played that game of Monday morning quarterbacking? We rehash the decisions made and wonder what the outcome would have been if different choices were made. How about in your life, have you spent some time wondering what if? Greetings in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
What if you didn’t pit and tried to finish the race on old tires? What if you didn’t try to pass on the outside? What if you were more patient? What if we raced differently would the outcome be different? Certainly, every choice we make is exactly that, a choice. We have to analyze the options and pick the choice that best accomplishes the desire of our heart.
Racing is full of choices, split second decisions that are made in the heat of battle. Someone once said you will know someone’s true character when they have to make a difficult decision under pressure. When that happens, our true heart is revealed.
Do you know what makes golf different from other sports? You penalize yourself. You are not only the participant, but the referee. When someone is willing to lie to themselves or cheat themselves by not following the rules they are capable of almost anything. Do you want to know someone’s true character? Take them out golfing and see if they count every stroke. If they don’t lie to themselves there is a better than average chance they won’t lie to you either.
Sometimes we think we can fool people. We think we can make the decisions that please us, work to our advantage and then ask for forgiveness later. That is just selfish. I wonder what would have happen to us if Jesus made His choices that way.
What if Christ decided not to come? What if Christ decided not to die for us? What if Christ decided not to rise up from the grave? What if…?
God cares for us and wants to have a relationship with us. Do you know how I know that? I know that based on His actions toward me. The decisions God made that concerned me and the life I live. Let’s take a walk through some scripture and see what it says about God’s character.
John 3:16-17, “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.
Philippians 2:6-8, Who (Jesus), being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death— even death on a cross!
Matthew 26: 36-39, 44, Then Jesus went with his disciples to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to them, “Sit here while I go over there and pray.” He took Peter and the two sons of Zebedee along with him, and he began to be sorrowful and troubled. Then he said to them, “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me.”
Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.”
He went away a second time and prayed, “My Father, if it is not possible for this cup to be taken away unless I drink it, may your will be done.”
God sent His son, He gave His life, but at what cost? Look at the words from Matthew’s Gospel; Jesus was troubled, sorrowful, overwhelmed with the decision He had to make. One account says that he was so intense he sweated drops of blood. He wanted to bypass this part of His mission but He submitted Himself to His Father’s will. He did the right thing under intense pressure. He did it not for Himself, but for you and me.
What if we started to make decisions in our life the same way?
How much would it take for us to make a decision that benefited someone else and meant grief and pain for us? I am reminded of those people who serve not for the money but to change the lives of others.
She stood there working the graveyard shift cleaning the cuts of a drunken man who fell and cut himself on some glass. He smelled like it had been a while since he last bathed and the stench was overwhelming. She maintained her focus and worked to clean the cut on the side of his head. His breath was bad, his hair greasy, his cloths dirty, but it didn’t matter.
Someone spoke up and said, “I wouldn’t do that for a million dollars.”
Without looking up from her task she responded, “Neither would I.”
What if we took the same approach to serving others? What if we had the same attitude as Christ? Would it make a difference? Would your life be changed? Would we change the life of others?
Christ gives us the power to change lives. When he left this Earth he gave His disciples final instructions, he made two statements; “All authority on heaven and earth belong to me.” And, “I will be with you always.” With those words He gave us the same power and authority He possessed to change the lives of others. We need not worry about the circumstances behind the situation. We need only to care more for others than we do for ourselves. What if?
Ezekiel was asked “Can these bones live?” The answer was only if the Lord God breathes the breath of life into them. Where does that breath of life come from? It comes from our willingness to care, to reach out, to minister. Take a look around you. How many dead bones do you see? How many lives are on the road to nowhere? We have the power and authority to change that. What if?
THOUGHTS FROM THE ROAD
RIVERHEAD IN THE FALL- Lynda and I traveled to the Island this past weekend to speak at Riverhead Chaplain Scott Kraniak’s church in Centereach. We surprised a few folks along the way. Saturday night we had a terrific dinner at Elbow East in Mattituck. We found Buzz Chew holding court at a corner table. I told him I was keeping an eye on him. For those who don’t know Buzz Chew Racing is headed in a different direction in 2009. They are still in the decision process but it looks like it will be something modified, dirt or asphalt. It was good to see Buzz and finally meet his wife. If you ever get down to that neck of the woods stop in and order a marinated steak, they are fantastic! We want to thank Greg, aka Chief, for inviting us to join his family for dinner.
I did find out what the term moderate seas meant. We are relative novices to the ferry crossing and Saturday afternoon the wind was winding up for a rainstorm. I am a sailor and have been in pretty challenging seas and I am sure the Ferries have seen worse but this was the first time I saw wave crashing over the second and third deck. It was an invigorating ride.
We had a wonderful time in Worship on Sunday morning. We had some friends join us, Larry and Carlene Shivers and Greg. It was much quieter in the church than it was at Chemung. I want to thank Pastor Scott for the invitation and opportunity.
Remember, we are available to come and speak to your church or group, just drop us a line and we will put it on our schedule.
OFF-SEASON PLANS- The first event of the off-season finds us headed to North Carolina for the John Blewett III Memorial North-South Shootout. We are looking forward to being back with the crew at Concord Motorsports Park.
Thanksgiving has us tentatively planning on going to Wall Stadium for the Turkey Derby. Work is being done to prepare the track for the event. This report comes from our man on the scene, Bob Menschner;
Lots has been going on at the track! I have been there most every day the last week or so. Jim was at Thompson last week and said he got lots of driver support and some will bring their S-K’s and tour cars. Lots of work has been done to clean up the place, seat broads being replaced is the biggest project. I put up the practice dates and times on the front sign board; Nov. 15 & 22 from 10 till 4. Jim said that he has had talks with the owners to run next year and he said that the response has been good, so far. I think we need to take a step at a time, for now. Pray for Turkey Derby, first. BROTHER BOB
We then split up for December; Dan will be headed to the Banquets at Mohegan Sun while I am headed to the PRI show in Orlando. It is a shame that these two great events happen on the same weekend. We just cannot be in two places at once.
January finds us returning to the Motorsports 2009 show in Atlantic City. We have several cars lined up for our booth and we are sure you will be excited with the lineup. Watch this column for the lineup announcement. Following the show Dan will hop a plane to LA for the Toyota All-Star Showdown in Irwindale. He will be joined by our West Coast contingent, Gary and Paul.
They call it an off-season but every year there seems to be more things to do. Have a great week.
Be a witness for our Lord with the ministry decals and apparel. See them at the Online Apparel Store at www.RWJM.org. Call us with your prayer and counseling needs and list all your prayer needs, no matter what part of our racing family you are in, with the Racing Family Prayer Request Page www.rwjm.org/page/prayers.php also send your prayer request by mail. Until next time, remember that God loves you, we love you and
Jesus is Lord over Auto Racing. GOD BLESS.
Mail reaches us at Racing with Jesus Ministries, PO Box 586, Tolland, CT 06084. Check our weekly printed pages in “Area Auto Racing News”, the East Coast’s largest weekly racing paper” See our on-line Apparel Store for subscription information. Check our home page www.rwjm.org for past articles. We invite you to input your thoughts as you sign our Guest Book. Please remember, we can only do what we do because of your prayerful financial support.
Numbers 6:24-26 “The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.”
May God always Bless you, everyday in everyway. Rev. Don
CHECKERED CHEERS
***WEDDING ANNIVERSARIES***
October 29
WAYNE & KELLY HELLIWELL- This NH ProStock driver and wife share their 31st anniversary.
November 1
BRAD & DIANE BENNETT- This Reyben Racing NASCAR CTS and ASA driver from Stamford, CT and wife share their 10th anniversary.
TOM & SALLY CAVALLERO- These Wall Township Speedway fans from Farmingdale, NJ have their 12th.
ALAN & KATE CLAFFIE- This reporting/photographing couple whose work can be seen on eastseries.com share their 6th year together.
November 3
DINO & CHRIS LAWRENCE- The former Artworks proprietor in Danbury, CT, now heading up his Carolina Signworks in Rockingham, NC along with his lovely wife Chris, are RWJM Counselors and sponsors of the graphics on the Dodge Ministry Pace Car. They share their 17th anniversary.
***HAPPY BIRTHDAYS***
October 29
KEN LENDA- Norwich, CT Waterford Speedbowl SS driver.
DENISE & LISA GUNNING- The twin daughters of Stafford Speedway championship Modified driver Bo.
October 30
DOUG HOFFMAN- Allentown, PA top dirt Modified threat.
MICHELLE “SHELLY” BLEWETT- Daughter of retired Modified driving great John, Jr. and wife Jessie.
DANIELLE RIVERS- Daughterof RWJM WMT Pastor and president Rev. Don & wife Lynda.
October 31
LENNY SAMMONS- Character counts with people like this. He is the Publisher/Editor of Area Auto Racing News.
BUDDY LAZIER- Vail, CO IRL driver.
GARY LILECK- “Area Auto Racing News” race results reporter/writer.
RACHEL & HEATHER MARTIN- The grown-up daughters of Batesville, AK Roush Racing Valvoline team WC driver Mark and wife Arlene.
November 1
RICHARD BALSER- The grown-up son of Mass. photographer/PR Rep. Dave.
November 2
JULIE POST- The light that makes her husband shine, he says. She is the wife of Steve Post the Track Announcer for Lowe’s Motor Speedway in Charlotte, NC.
LARRY PEARSON- Spartansburg, SC NNS retired driver.
STAN GREGER- Retired Modified driver famous at the now closed Riverside Park Speedway.
BILL KUZMA- Wall Township Speedway driver.
JOHN TAGG- Dad of Webster, MA CT Mod driver Tom.
November 3
GREG SACKS- Mattituck, LI,NY NASCAR driver.
DERRIKE COPE- Spanaway, WA NASCAR driver.
WAYNE OKULA- Team manager for the #28 King Racing Modified and Charger Driver for #67 – Riverhead Raceway
November 4
JAMES BROWN- Barrington, VT NASCAR CWES driver.
BRIAN ROSS- Retired Ballston Spa, NY Modified/NASCAR CWES driver.
DON DAVIES- New York “Area Auto Racing News” dirt columnist.
JERRY VENNE- Bow, NH racing media personality.
DOTTIE PARK- Wife of Bob and mom of Todd and CWES’s Steve.
SHARE YOUR SPECIAL OCCASIONS WITH YOUR RACING FAMILY. SEND THEM TO RACING WITH JESUS MINISTRIES AT PO BOX 586, Tolland, CT, 06084.
Sources: Rev. Don Rivers/RWJM