Running the Right Race
In racing only one car receives the checkered flag signifying the winner. Many run with the goal of winning, but there is only one who receives the prize. Life is like a race and each one of us should run in such a way as to win. How is our race going? Are we living our life with winning as our goal? Greetings in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Do you remember your first win? Wasn’t it fantastic? It seems like the world stops turning and for that moment you are the center of attention. It doesn’t matter how many times you win after that there is nothing that can replace the first time. Winning never gets old. Once we have won we have the desire to repeat the experience over and over.
I have had the pleasure of sharing many first time wins with drivers and teams over the years. I never get tired of going to Victory Lane and shaking the hand of a first timer. When it happens there is jubilation in Victory Lane, more hugs and high fives than normal. It is encouraging to share that moment with them.
What does it take to win? Many say it is luck. You have to have everything right and then the cards have to fall your way. I think God’s Word has some direction for us in that regard. Paul writes that first we must prepare and run according to the rules. To prepare and run in a way that is against the rules disqualifies us for the prize.
1Corinthians 9:24-27, Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. Therefore I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air. No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.
Paul talks about the discipline we must have to qualify for the prize. As we train for and run the race there will be many choices we have to make. How we decide will ultimately determine if we qualify for the prize. Let’s look at this way. In chapel service, at the next race, if I asked how many people who, instead of using their racecars, would use their feet and run the same number of laps around the track, how many could? I suspect not many. We haven’t prepared to run the race that way.
You see, even the race you determine to run is a decision. Some of us choose to run the rat race. We get caught up in all the things of this world and run a race that doesn’t qualify us for a heavenly home. We need to choose to run the right race. Jesus said;
Matthew 6:19-21, “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
Jesus meant that we have a choice about the things we pursue in our lives. We can pursue the temporary things that fade and pass away or we can pursue the eternal things, the things that will remain with us forever.
At the end of his life Paul talked about the race he had run;
2Timothy 4:7-8, I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day–and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.
Many people have come before us and taught us how to run this race. Think of those who have taught you the right way to go. Those who taught you God’s Word and remained true to that regardless of what it cost them. They will receive their reward in heaven.
The writer of Hebrews leaves us with these instructions;
Hebrews 12:1-3, Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.
If you look at our pace cars you will see these verses paraphrased there; “Run the race in such a way as to win, throw off everything that hinders and focus on Jesus.”
Prepare for and run the race in such a way as to win! Do not run the wrong race. Choose the right way, the way that leads to the Cross. Others have given us an example of which race is worth running. They showed us how to run that race. They showed us how to persevere. Run in such a way as to qualify for the prize. God Bless, Rev. Don
THOUGHTS FROM THE ROAD
MUSIC CITY PLAYS A SWEET NOTE- Matt Kobyluck waited for the opportunity to come to him last Saturday night at Music City Motorplex in Nashville. Opportunity knocked and Matt had saved enough of his tires to drive through the open door. With the last several laps seeing lead changes and driver’s fading as the race took it’s toll on equipment, Matt had been patient enough early in the race to have something to left. His crew chief, Perry wasn’t sure how much was left but was pleasantly surprised.
Another great race was run for the fans as they saw some of the best side-by-side action anywhere around. On this night perseverance was the key and saving a little something for the end payed big dividends. After a hot day and a hotter night Nashville proved to be a great place to race. I would love to see the Northern Mods make the trip with us next year and do a double like Mansfield, Ohio.
A rhetorical question, Is it possible in the city known for Country, this country, Music to find an artist that knows the words to the National Anthem?
MATT HIRSCHMAN ADDS ANOTHER AND ANOTHER- With the week off for the Whelen Modified Tour, Matt Hirschman headed to Seekonk for an open Mod show last Wednesday night. He added his second victory of the week after winning at Spencer the week before. He then headed to Oswego and won on Saturday night. He is on a roll, the next stop for the Whelen Modified Tour is Riverhead, lets see if he can continue his July run into August.
A DIFFICULT WEEK- It has been a difficult week in the racing community this week. We have lost some close friends and will miss them dearly; Lois Matczak, Super Modified car owner with husband Skip, Jay Miller, SKMod driver at Waterford and Parker Bohn, six-time Wall Stadium Champion, went home to the Lord. Please check out the Checkered Cheers Column for addresses to send your condolences to.
HEADED TO THE HILLS- This week the Camping World Series East is headed to camping country, Adirondack Speedway will host its annual race for the Grand National cars. Rev. Dan is headed up to the family cabin in the Adirondacks and will cover the race.
I am will be taking in the local scene with the big race at Stafford on Friday night, The Fifth Annual CARQUEST Autoparts SK Modified 150. Woody Pitkat has the hot shoe with wins at Thompson and Stafford this past week. Don’t look past current WAAS National Championship point leader Keith Rocco to give him a run for his money. It should be a great race. I also will be planning on camping a little, we are headed over to Moose Meadow, stop in and say hi.
BANQUET TIME- It is a little early to be talking about December but the dates for this years CWES and WMT banquets were announced. They will be held at Mohegan Sun Entertainment Complex on Friday, December 12 for the Campers and Saturday, December 13 for the Mods. We are looking forward to the celebration with an eye toward January and the two coveted spots for the champions in the RWJM booth at Motorsports 2009 in Atlanic City.
WE’RE BACK ONLINE- RWJM’s web site, www.rwjm.com is back. We redesigned and updated out site and we are back. You’ll find the weekly column, witness wear, our schedule along with a new video about the ministry. We are still putting all the photo galleries in place so please have some patience with us. Check it out and let us know what you think.
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***
July 23
RED & STELLA MEAD- This Hyde Park, VT White Mountain Motorsports Park (NH) driver and wife share their 23rd anniversary.
DAVE & SHIRLEY ALEXANDER- This retired Maine Modified driver and wife have turned their track 41 times.
***HAPPY BIRTHDAYS***
July 23
BUCKSHOT JONES- Monticello, GA former NNS driver.
DEBBIE KRODEL- Keith’s wife, both Sprint and NASCAR WMT fans, in Pensacola, FL.
July 24
JEFF HERBERT- Wall Township Speedway Modified driver.
STAN WATTLES- Glen Cove, LI born, now Sewall’s Point, FL IRL driver.
LEONARD WAGNER- This Schwenksville, PA Grandview Speedway fan, along with wife Earlene, is also a Dale Jarrett fan.
JUDY ROBINSON- Wife of Bill, daughter of Doris Bradley, fan of Wall Speedway, New Egypt and NASCAR fan of Ricky Rudd. Sister of Sally and Tammy.
July 25
FRANK FLEMING- Mt. Airy, NC Modified driver.
KELLY PUNCH- A son of Dennis and Pat from Newton, NC and crewman for Dale Earnhardt, Jr.
TODD STILES- Lisbon, CT Tech Inspector.
July 26
RANDY MacDONALD- Canadian born CWES,NNS,CTS owner/driver now living in NC.
RICK CRAWFORD- Mobile, AL NASCAR All Pro/CTS driver.
ALAN COATES- Connecticut Modified driver.
WILL POIGNONNEC- Kart Racer at Oakland Valley Race Park from East Brunswick, NJ.
DAVID ALIO- NSC photographer
MIKE SOVA- Windsor, NY writer.
July 27
GLENN SULLIVAN- Westbury, LI CWES driver.
PETE FIANDACA- Townsend, MA legendary LM/ProStock driver.
JACK SELLERS- Sacramento, CA NASCAR West driver.
July 28
REGGIE RUGGIERO- Berlin, CT NASCAR WMT driver.
WAYNE CARROLL, JR.- Massachusetts ProStock driver.
SAMANTHA JARRETT- Holyoke, MA photographer Gracie Ryan’s granddaughter is 19.
JESSICA LARSEN- daughter of Linda and Joe, NASCAR Mod Series official.
July 29
PHIL KURZE- Director of WHELEN MOTORSPORTS, sponsor of the WMT,WSMT and WAAS, a big fan of modified racing.
ROB OVERTON- Olivebridge, NY Eastern Limited Sprint Series driver.
PETE ORR- Miami, Fl NNS team owner, former driver.
REV.DON RIVERS- RWJM President and Pastor of WMT.
***NEW BEGINNINGS ***
LOIS MATCZAK, wife of Stanley “Skip” Matczak lost her battle with cancer on Monday, July 14th. At her side were her husband Skip, her dog Snookie, family and friends.
Skip and Lois were Super-Modified and Silver Crown car owners. Together they won numerous races and championships along with helping to build a number of driving careers and strong friendships with Doug Didero, Johnny Heydenreich, Bentley Warren, Tony Stewart, Carl Edwards and JJ Yeley, along with publishers and broadcasters, Dick Bergren and Chris Economaki. In addition, Skip and Lois co-founded Seals-it, a company serving the automotive performance market that was a result of their love for auto racing.
Cards of condolence can be sent to, Stanley Matczak, 188 Parker Street, Somers, CT 06071. Memorial donations in Lois’s memory may be made to The Felician Sisters, 1315 Enfield Street, Enfield, CT 06082.
JASON “JAY” OWENS MILLER, 35, of East Granby, CT, son of Walter “Ray” Miller III of East Granby and Mary Lou Miller-Koba of Cromwell, died suddenly on Tuesday July 15, 2008. He raced at Stafford Motor Speedway and Waterford Speedbowl in the SKmodified division. Jay will be missed by the racing family. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in his memory to the East Granby Volunteer Ambulance Association, PO Box 100, East Granby, CT 06026.
PARKER BOHN, passed from this life at age 90 on July 13. He was a six-time driving champion at Wall Stadium, and one of the track’s great competitors from the 1950s through the 70s. He drove the famous No. 659, fielded by his good friend Tom Skinner. Cards of condolence can be sent to the Bohn Family, 300 Stonehill Rd., Freehold, NJ 07728.
RUTH BALIS, mom of AARN staff photographer Howard “Howie” Balis, died on July 11, at age 67. Cards of condolence can be sent to Howie Balis and family, 313 Rolling Dr., Bellevernon, PA 15012.
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