Gate W or Gate N?
Have you ever noticed that when we are hanging out with our friends we are more inclined to get involved with something crazy? Whether it is peer pressure or the desire not to be singled out or for the sake of saving face, we agree to do things that are questionable. Greetings in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
I was thinking the other day about some of the stupid things we did as kids. The bunch of us would get together and who knows what we would come up with. You can be sure it was something that would only make sense to a bunch of teenage boys. I can hear my mother now, “What in the world were you thinking? If all your friends jumped off a bridge would you?” I didn’t tell her, but probably.
Remember a few years back, down in Tampa a fellow convinced a few friends to jump off a bridge. They tied a wire to the bridge support and planned to swing back and forth until they came to a gentle stop at the bottom. A couple of things we might want to note; first, I think alcohol was involved, second I am pretty sure the leader wasn’t an engineer.
You can guess what happened, the wire stretched and broke and the five friends went crashing into the water at 60 mph. They were severely hurt but no one lost their life. I am not sure they are still friends, but I hope they think twice the next time.
We are all guilty of following someone down a road that leads to destruction. I am sure if we listened to the campfire stories told at last event we would find exactly who did what where. Remember the time……
We need to decide which road we will take. Jesus explained;
Matthew 7:13-14, “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.
When we follow the crowd and go along with things that are questionable, we go down a road that doesn’t benefit us. We are caught up in situations that will lead us down a road that we shouldn’t be on. They will destroy us.
I know it is not popular to be the voice of reason. There are many names for those that try to guide others away from things that are not beneficial. In the end, we realize that they are right. I think they call it maturity.
In John’s Gospel Jesus helps us find the narrow gate. He explained that he was going to prepare a place for us and he would return to take us to be with him. Thomas asked, “How do we know the way?” Jesus answered I am the way, the truth and the life. No ones comes to the father except through me. Jesus is the narrow gate, the key to life.
How do we get there? We have to decide to follow Jesus. We first need to acknowledge that our way leads to destruction. We then need to ask for His forgiveness and turn our life over to Jesus and let him lead us.
If you have already done that then take a look around and ask yourself, How good of a guide am I? Are we living in a way that will lead others to Jesus? Are we taking the risk to stand out in the crowd and help others find the right direction? We need to be.
Take some time this week and evaluate the road you are on. If you need to find the narrow gate, turn to Jesus, ask his forgiveness and let him lead you. If you need to show others the right way, seek out the guidance of Jesus, take the risk, stand out in the crowd and help others find the way to life.
THOUGHTS FROM THE ROAD
DOUBLE HEADER WEEKEND- With both the Whelen Modified Tour and The Camping World East Series in Connecticut this weekend you might think the time on the road would be minimized, but truth be told, both events were barely in the state. Thompson and Lime Rock Park are about as far as you can be apart from each other and still be in the State of Connecticut.
We were excited to have part of our West Coast contingent with us for both events. Gary Dionne was in town to visit family and came out to help us. Gary’s brother Bob and his son were also on hand to help. It was a great time catching up and ministering together, thank Gary.
Thursday found us at Thompson International Speedway for the Bud 150. This race brings back memories of those we have lost recently and we took the time to remember. As we have for the last four races, we fought the weather. Qualifying fell to the weather but with two cars short of a full field everyone that made the effort to come had a place in the show.
Jimmy Blewett had the chance to go three in a row but as things played out it was not his night. Ronnie Silk had the car to beat. After getting caught up in an early spin he marched back through the field to take home the victory. Matt Hirschman wanted desperately to win this race in his father’s honor as this night NASCAR honored Tony for his five championships. Matt didn’t have the horses to catch Silk and had to settle for second. Bobby Santos came home third.
Off to Lime Rock where Matt Kobyluck had the same opportunity to win three in a row. Qualifying also was rained out on Friday evening and the field was set by points. Matt would start on the pole and with his experience on road courses it would be difficult to deny him. Matt won the previous road race at Watkins Glen.
Matt didn’t disappoint and brought home the victory in a race that was delayed midway through due to rain. Matt shared the podium with Marc Davis and Peyton Sellers.
We will have another double header this week in Mansfield Ohio. Both divisions will run at the Ohio track.
LOOK MOM NO LEGS- I know it usually is no hands, but in this case it was all hands no legs. Ray Paprota gave me the ride of my life on Saturday. Ray is a paraplegic and doesn’t have use of his legs, what is left of them. He drove me around the Lime Rock circuit using a specially equipped racecar that allows disabled persons to race.
I must admit it was a little weird looking down and seeing no feet on the pedals, but if you closed your eyes you couldn’t tell. Accessible Racing has outfitted the car so that Ray could drive it with hand controls. He is the only NASCAR licensed touring series paraplegic driver. Accessible Racing is opening doors for the disable to allow them to experience the rush of driving a racecar. Check out their website at www.accessibleracing.com.
GOING UP TO THE MOUNTAIN- Received a report from Former Wall Stadium Chaplain, Bob Menschner. Bob headed up to Mountain Speedway where some of the former Wall drivers have found a home. Bob was met with open arms. They welcomed him and the ministry. He was overwhelmed with the reception he received and wanted to send his thanks to the entire crew up at Mountain.
BACK ON THE ROAD- We have another long trip this weekend as we head to Ohio. We’ll get a late start so keep our travel in your prayers. Chuck, our Midwest Coordinator will be assisting us and we are looking forward to two exciting races. If you are in the area, join us.
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***
August 20
ANDY & BARBARA HALL- This former NASCAR PR director, now Indy Racing League official, and wife have their 19th anniversary.
DAN & LAURIE WALKER- The Public Relations Director at Beech Ridge Motor Speedway and wife share their 23rd.
August 21
JERRY & LESLIE BURCHETTE- This Super Pro IHRA driver and wife share their 15th anniversary.
STEVE & BONNIE MILLER- This NASCAR CWES couple from Waterford, NJ have their 35th anniversary.
August 23
JIM & PAT SPENCER- The former driver now TV personality from Berwick, PA and lovely wife share their 28th.
August 25
TOM & SUE FEARN- The Feeding Hills, MA ProStock championship and Latemodel driver and wife have their 11th anniversary.
JOE AND KAREN cIVALI- Parents of WMT driver James and CTS sppotter Joey celebrate thier 29th.
August 26
BOB & LISA CLASETTA- This Vernon, CT auto racing industry Sales Rep. and wife have their 36th anniversary.
***HAPPY BIRTHDAYS***
August 20
JOHN LESNIAK- Wallingford, CT NASCAR CWES driver
CHARLIE KREMER- NJ asphalt Modified driver.
STEVE MILLER- Waterford, NJ BES team part-owner.
DENNIS PUNCH- PR man for the Brewco NNS Team. Dennis is also Dr. Jerry’s brother.
August 21
NEAL FEOLA- He really isn’t “Nasty Neal” and is a Blunderbust driver at Riverhead Raceway.
TIM ATTAYA- Promoter of the Augusta, ME civic Center Motorsports Show in January and Maine TV personality.
RENE LaLUMIERE- Jefferson, NH retired LM driver.
KAREN MARQUIS- Enfield, CT wife of NASCAR WMT and CWES driver Jerry.
BILL SANSEVERINO- Son of Hillsborough, NC photographer Ed and wife Linda.
August 22
STAN FRIESEN- Owner of NY’s Lancaster and Ransomville Speedways.
NICHOLAS GRAVEL- One of ProStock driver Gege and wife Lisa’s children in Groton, MA.
TIFFANY FULLER- A daughter of NNS/WMT driver Jeff and wife Lisa is 10.
GAGE MICHAEL COLEMAN- The son of former Waterford Speedbowl Modified Team owner Danny, and future Quarter Midgt driver turned his 9th lap.
CHELSEA BREHM- Mechanicsburg, PA. Jr. Champ Kart racer and Daughter of Merl Brehm turns 13.
August 23
STEVE PARK- E. Northport, LI, NY NSC/NNS/CTS/CWES driver.
KENNY WALLACE- NSC/NNS driver from St. Louis, MO
ED KENNEDY- Coppell, TX ARCA/NASCAR CWES/NASCAR retired WMT driver.
ANDREW McILRAVEY- “Big Mac” is a 1960’s Plainville, CT Stadium driver, now a regular at Stafford and Thompson. True to his heritage you can spot him by his plaid shirts.I am told this year is lap 81!
NICOLE TRACI- Accord Speedway dirt Sportsman driver.
DORIS BRADLEY- The mother-in-law of Steve Wood, R&D with Ray Evernham Racing, from Oakhurst, NJ.
August 24
DAVID BONNETT- Hueytown, AL NSC/ARCA driver.
MIKE JEFFREY- NY DIRT Modified driver.
TOM PERREGO- Another NY DIRT Mod driver.
CHUCK DOCHERTY- Connecticut ProStock/SK Mod driver.
TED HEBERT- Agawam, MA proprietor of Teddy Bear Pools, long time racing sponsor.
AMANDA HAYES- Daughter of NH photographer Rich and wife Dede.
SARAH SMITH- Fiance of ACT crewman whose favorite singer is Wayne Newton.
August 25
LARRY SHIVERS JR.- Brother to former WMT driver Gregg.
KYLE PURKS- Langhorne, PA 358 and URC Sprint driver.
JEFF PEARL- Colchester, CT Waterford Speedbowl based CT Modified driver.
RODNEY COMBS, JR.- Fort Wayne, KY dirt LM and CTS driver.
PETE PERNESIGLIO- Riverhead Raceway Blunderbust driver.
August 26
RAY EVERNHAM- From Hazlet, NJ, he learned it all in NASCAR Modified driving and has put it to excellent use as the owner for the Dodge NNC program.
BARNEY McRAE- Colchester, VT NASCAR CWES team owner/crew chief and former driver.
NICOLE TRACY- This lady from Danbury, CT drives a dirt Sportsman Modified at Accord Speedway in New York.
DAVE SILVIA- Seekonk Speedway Sportsman driver.
CHRIS DUSSEAULT- Wife of Somersworth, NH Marc Motorsports former NASCAR CWES team owner “Deuce.”
KAITLYN DILLNER- The daughter of Long Island native SPEED personality Bobby and wife Meredith is 10.
MARIO “SPEEDY” TOMAINO- Giants NFL fan and proud dad of Howell,NJ NASCAR WMT driver and RWJM Rep. Jamie.
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