Relating To One Another
Thanks for allowing me to take some time off last week. We have hit the home stretch, four weeks left until the Icebreaker! We have one more section of Scripture to cover in these next few weeks and I think it will change the way we look at things. Have you ever noticed that the grass is always greener on the other side of the fence? Until you go over there and realize that it is artificial turf! Greetings in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Changing dance partners is a phrase we hear in racing when things are not going the way we expected. We switch things around to see if we can find the right combination of people to make the team work. Sometimes this change is peaceful and sometimes there are hard feelings. How is it that something that seemed so right at one point now is all wrong? I think it has to do with human nature, our unwillingness to see things from a different perspective. The teams that are successful are also the most flexible.
Have you ever noticed that some teams are surrounded by change and others stay pretty consistent? In my observation the teams that are the most stable tend to perform the best. The ones that are always changing and do not have some sort of foundation to hold them do not. You can look across the sporting world and you can see teams that are successful when the leadership is consistent and when the leader is changing every other week the performance is lacking.
I am a UCONN fan and the secret to the success of UCONN Athletics is due to the stability of the leadership; coaches that are here for the long run. Yes, we have had our ups and downs but the fact remains the university has fundamentally changed for the good in a large part due to this fact.
I look at race teams and the ones that are consistent performers are the ones that are less likely to change personnel every year. They have a stability and purpose. Jesus helps us understand that we are too quick to change dance partners in life. Whether it be in marriage, friendships or even acquaintances we switch instead of putting forth the effort to build.
For the next four weeks we are going to delve into this last section of The Sermon on the Mount to close out our Winter Bible Study. It is a pretty sweeping realignment of the way we tend to see things so stick with me and we will tackle it together.
Matthew 5:31-6:4, “It has been said, ‘Anyone who divorces his wife must give her a certificate of divorce.’ But I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for marital unfaithfulness, causes her to become an adulteress, and anyone who marries the divorced woman commits adultery.
“Again, you have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘Do not break your oath, but keep the oaths you have made to the Lord.’ But I tell you, Do not swear at all: either by heaven, for it is God’s throne; or by the earth, for it is his footstool; or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the Great King. And do not swear by your head, for you cannot make even one hair white or black. Simply let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes,’ and your’No,’ ‘No’; anything beyond this comes from the evil one.
“You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’ But I tell you, Do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. And if someone wants to sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. If someone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.
“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.
“Be careful not to do your ‘acts of righteousness’ before men, to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven.
“So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.
Looking closely at this passage you can see that it covers the way we need to deal with the relationships of life. It starts with the most significant one and goes from there. We will spend some time looking at each of them.
Two weeks ago we talked about marriage and the significance of that relationship in God’s eyes. In society today the marriage relationship has become one of convenience. The term irreconcilable differences has grown to mean we just do not want to try. Jesus said there is only one reason to get divorced, marital unfaithfulness, anything else is adultery. In view of what we see around us how can we deal with such a high standard? First remember that God’s standard is the highest and the best. If we can live our lives by God’s standard then we will live the best life possible. Knowing that we shouldn’t enter into the marriage relationship lightly, we should view it like God does, til death do we part. Jesus says here the only excuse is when the trust is gone, when one or both violate the trust that marriage is built on, unfaithfulness.
We get into the area of permission and forgiveness here. How many of us have thought to ask God what he thought we should do as it relates to marriage? Did we take the time to ask for His direction and guidance before we entered into the most significant relationship we could have?
Life being what it is we all make choices that do not please God, choices that He would rather we didn’t make. With those choices come the consequences of living our lives differently than God would want. We cannot go back and remove them, but we can move forward from here and seek God’s direction in the future. The process of getting things back in line is available from God in the form of forgiveness.
We first have to admit our mistakes and take responsibility for them, they were our choices not someone else’s. We then have to go before God’s throne and seek His forgiveness. Once requested we are forgiven and now we can move forward in our lives recommitted to following God’s direction. We can because of the sacrifice Jesus made for our sins on the cross. We have hope even when we make the wrong choice. That hope is Jesus Christ.
As we start down this road of getting the relationships in our life in line with God I think a good place to start is at the feet of God’s throne. Take some time this week and sit there. Open your heart and ask his forgiveness. Receive it and start life anew, restored and useful to God.
Matthew 6: 7-8 “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.
THOUGHTS FROM THE ROAD
SPEEDWAY EXPO- Spent the weekend in West Springfield, MA at Speedway Expo. It was great to catch up with friends and see what everyone is planning for the race season. I hung out with the Race Depot bunch. The show was a little down from last year as one might expect with the economy. Some folks had a great show while others were pleased considering the state of things. No matter what the size this is a right of spring, the kickoff to the racing season and a necessity for all of us with cabin fever. Get the ice picks out and let’s get ready to break some ice!
HARDCORE RACING SHOW RETURNS- For those who think PRI has gone soft and really don’t think Orlando has anything to offer hardcore racers the wait is over. IMIS Indy has been launched. Make your plans now to be in Indy on December 2-3 for a hardcore racing industry show. I have never been to Indy but I have this on my calendar as a must see.
ACCESSIBILITY RACING- From the guys who put together a race car with hand controls comes a game controller for the disabled drivers. Made to mimic the hand controls they would use to drive their vehicles they can now enjoy the fun of sim racing. Rick Riduca was last seen so involved with the game that he forgot to go home. If you get a chance ask the boys from Hinchman about the calzone they had delivered. They had enough to share with the whole aisle!
FROSTBITE – Watching the snow fall in North Carolina make me wonder if it will clear enough for next weekend. They may get frostbite out there clearing the roads. I saw them plowing with a road grader. If it melts we’ll be there, if not we’ll go next week. I am looking forward to seeing some live racing action.
PROVIDENCE- If you can’t make it down to the snowy south then head to the Dunk and take in the indoor racing show. TC and Steffy headline at the a who’s who on TQ Midget racing. Get out there and support this event and they might be able to expand to other cities in the Northeast. Look for changes to be announced to the dates of Motorsports 2010 and the indoor racing at the Boardwalk Hotel. It looks like a trip to Tulsa for some chili might be possible this winter.
Brother Bob asked if we could reach out to John McHale who went through an operation and is in need of some encouragement. John used to race PRO 4 and wished RWJM was around when he raced. Please take the time to let John you are thinking of him. Cards will reach him at 35 Maple St. Waretown, NJ. 08758
I am looking forward as I am sure you are to the upcoming season. It has the potential to be a great one if those who truly love racing will go out and support their local track. Let’s let our voice be heard loud and clear, we want racing in our backyard!
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***
March 4
VIC & SANDY KANGAS- The WC/BGN Crew Chief and wife have their 46th.
March 6
WARREN & ROSE FRYE- “Jeep” is a well-known team owner of the Bunky Higbee No. 26. He and wife Rose share their 58th anniversay down in Delaware.
ROY & DONNA HANKS- This Somers, CT LM driver and wife share their 32nd anniversary. March 8
JAMES & KATIE STANDLEY- This dedicated Christian couple are the proprietors of Design 500 and Lady Eagle Safetywear in Seattle, WA, racing’s leading uniform and team wear maker. Visit them at www.design500.com as they celebrate their 17th.
BARRY & KIM BABB- This Maine LM driver and wife have their 21st.
***HAPPY BIRTHDAYS***
March 4
RICK MAST- Virginia NNC retired driver.
GARY MYERS- NC Modified driver.
BILL GREENE- Ellington, CT crewman of the Bobby Georgiades CT Modified team.
NANCY LaBONNE- East Hartford, CT wife of Stafford LM crewman Rich Caouette.
March 5
GARY DIONNE- Former Dave Dion NASCAR CWES crewman, now Acton, CA movie stunt car driver and RWJM West Coast Coordinator.
PAUL CLAPROOD- 2000 Championship NASCAR WMT Co-Crew Chief now in NC with the Ganassi/Sabco NNC team in final assembly.
RON HEDGER- NY based NSS writer.
PHIL BARIL, JR.- Son of NH LM driver, Phil, Sr.
LUKE WILLIAM BOEHLER- This future team owner is the son of BRE Racing FMS Team owner Mike and Sarah and turns 5.
March 6
PAT WARD- NY D.I.R.T. Fonda Speedway Modified driver.
JACK ELY,JR.- NJ asphalt Mod driver.
RONNIE THOMAS- Christiansburg, VA LMSC driver.
BETTY FEARN- Spending the winter in Florida with husband Dick, the mom of ProStock driver Tom from Feeding Hills, MA.
JASLYN WILLIAMS- Wife of Carson City, NV Midget driver J.R.
LINDA TAGG- Wife of Webster, MA retired Thompson Speedway Mod driver Tom.
JACOB CHRISTOPHER MANIX- Judy’s son and nephew of Plainville, CT twin drivers Ted and Mike Christopher is 12.
March 7
JEFF WITHEY- From Clifton Park, NY, Jeff writes about Fonda, NY Speedway for “Area Auto Racing News.”
RYAN DALE HUNSINGER- Son of dirt late model and IMCA modified driver Ricky Hunsinger and wife Nakeisha. He is also the little brother of AJ Hunsinger mini stock driver, based in Northeastern PA, will be turning 6.
March 8
KIRK SHELMERDINE- Welcome,NC ARCA/NASCAR driver; NSC/NNS Crew Chief.
DONALD J. WORTH- NJ loyal fan of retired Wall Township Speedway Modified great, Gil Hearn and NNC’s Jeff Gordon.
March 9
CRAIG KEEL- WoO Sprint driver.
WARREN FRYE- “Jeep” is the Delaware based owner of the Bunky Higbee No. 26, rememberd for multiple feature wins.
March 10
MIKE WALLACE- The driving middle brother of the famous racing Wallace’s with Kenny and Rusty.
DEAN CHRYSTAL- Milford, ME NASCAR CWES driver/ Graphics specialist.
ALFRED HILL- NC Modified driver.
MATT EMHOFF- York, Maine. He is a member of Ken and Art Barry’s crew on the 21 Spearpoint Racing team.
RAQUEL RIOLO- Daughter of Stafford LM driver Joe and wife Brenda is 12.
*** NEW BEGINNINGS ***
BILL FINNEGAN- On Saturday mornings, when the Wall Stadium runs, they have a Green flag driving experience, were people can take rides in either a 3/4 midget, legends car or a modified. An old gentleman came by to drive a racecar. He said he has been a fan at Wall for many years and wanted to drive a racecar. We talked and I told him of the ministry and he was pleased that I did that for the drivers. He went to church, when his health would allow it and knew the power of God. He wanted to drive a modified that day, about 2 years ago, because he had cancer and was feeling good, at the time and knew he could handle it. Well, the mod wasn’t there that day so he drove a TQ. He had a great time and said he would be back in ’08, to drive the modified. We stayed in touch, to pray for his health. Last week I called to tell him the track would be open and the driving experience would run also. He was glad to finally get the chance to drive the mod. Monday his wife Barbara called me to tell me Bill had passed away. She said Bill wanted to make sure she called “his chaplain buddy” from the track if anything were to happen to him. She said Bill was pleased with the way I dealt with him and was glad for the ministry that was at the track. She gave me her address and asked if I would pass it along to you. Cards of sympathy can reach Barbara Finnegan at 94 Rumson Road Little Silver N.J.07739.
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