Eye for An Eye
I don’t get mad, I get even! I know some folks who live that way, are you one of them? We want the right to get back at those who harm us. We want to see them get what we think they deserve. Many times we want to be the one inflicting the justice. What do you think Christ would say? Greetings in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Getting even, claiming our rights, making sure we are treated fairly are all things each one of us expect. Our country was built on the premise that we each have certain unalienable rights. When we are mistreated or taken advantage of we want justice.
What is justice? We want it for others but for us we prefer forgiveness. I remember a meeting I had once between a veteran and a young driver. The young driver was brash and bold. He drove his race car without regard for the other competitors. This veteran was on the receiving end of one of these acts of defiance. It could have cost him his life.
By all accounts the veteran could have done many things to that young driver and be totally justified. Instead there was a tone of forgiveness in his voice. He talked calmly to the young man. He explained how in his early days he drove the same way. When someone drove him hard he would respond harder. He didn’t care who it was. He shared how one day he intentional crashed someone and they got hurt. He shared how difficult it was to go and tell the family what he had done. From that day on he lived and raced with a different agenda.
He said to the young driver that in his younger days he would have done the same thing but now knowing what he knows, he responds differently. He told the young man he was forgiven and encouraged him to change the way he drove because he didn’t want him to have to go through what he did.
Sometimes we want revenge when we should show compassion. Listen to what Christ has to say about it;
Matthew 5:38-42; “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.
Turn the other cheek, this is where it originated. Jesus gave us that instruction when we are faced with the prospect of getting even. This is a very difficult instruction for us to deal with because it puts the control out of our hands. We want to decide what judgment is exercised against those who mistreat us.
If you have been following these past few weeks you will notice a consistent theme, let go and let God. You see Jesus wants us to realize that we need to turn it over to God. He wants to release us of the burden of trying to control things. Some of us are control freaks and we need to be in control of everything. Jesus wants us to relinquish control to him and live free of that burden.
If you don’t think it is a burden try releasing it. Let the day come to you. Don’t try to control things just let them happen. Let the other guy go first. Let someone cut in front of you. If you begin to get uncomfortable then you are a control freak. It is a burden.
Don’t repay evil with evil, turn the other cheek. Do the unexpected, don’t get even. Try it out this week and see if things don’t turn out different. They will and you will be released from your desire to control things.
THOUGHTS FROM THE ROAD
ONE OF THE GOOD GUYS- We lost the Patriarch of Fadden Racing this past week. Stanley “Stub” Fadden went home to be with the Lord after a long battle with illness. Stub was a legend in Northeast racing circles as the line at the wake proved. I made the trip up to New Hampshire with Howie and Mary Hodge. It was a great time to reminisce.
I remember the first time I heard his name. We were at the Motorsports show and had some memorabilia that was signed to sell to raise money for the ministry. One was a hat signed by Stub Fadden. I asked Rev. Pat who that was. He shared who Stub was and how he affected those who raced in the Northeast. It didn’t sink in until I had the chance to meet him in person.
I remember the first time I met Stub, it was Thunder Road and the then Busch North Series was in town for what would prove to be the last time. The Little Trees team had a backup car available and Stub was going to qualify it to fill out the field. I remember standing next to him as he pointed to his unique driving shoes; penny loafers. He proclaimed, “Do you know why I wear these? You don’t have to bend down and tie them.” He captured everyone’s attention and it was easy to see why he was so popular.
Stub did qualify and started the race. The plan was to run a few laps and bring it in. Two things worked against that plan; one, Stub had a good car and he knew it. Two, when you put a racecar driver in a race seat and tell him to race it is awful hard for him to stop. Most times when you run a backup car, the driver understands his role. Stub, being the founder of the race team, had that working to his advantage and was not going to face any criticism for not following the plan. He stayed out, finished the race and brought home a top ten; ninth place I believe. When asked he simply said, “As I drove around I said to myself, ‘I can win this thing.'” And win he almost did.
I remember the night the Busch East Series crowned their first Champion, an old friend with a long history of supporting NASCAR full-bodied racing in the Northeast. Mike Olsen returned to the top spot for the second time, but the first in the newly named series. One thing that holds true in life and racing is that someone helped make us who we are. In victory lane at Lime Rock Park that sight was not truer as we saw Stub Fadden, Mike’s grandfather, join him in celebrating the title. Stub has been in the racing game for many years and his influence and guidance made Mike the racer and man he is today.
There was a tremendous amount of history seated next to Mike on that victory platform and a lesson there for each of us to remember. We did not get to where we are in life alone. Someone came before us and paved the way. Remember those and honor them for what they gave to us. Life is fragile and we need to remember how our actions affect others. We need to remember that everything we do has an effect not only on those around us but also on those who follow us for years to come.
We are going to miss him, but his influence and the stories will remain in our hearts and memories. Rest in peace, friend.
PRAYER NEEDS- Boots Tomaino needs our prayers as she recovers from knee replacement surgery. Please keep he rehab in your prayers.
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 19
HAROLD & CINDY BURDICK- This Stafford Speedway announcing team member and wife have thier 24th anniversary.
March 20
DAN & LYNN POZZUTO- The VP of Operations for the Saxonburg, PA Ed Ferree corporations including Frankland Racing Supply rears and Clincher Gears and wife Office manager for Frankland celebrate their 31st anniversary.
March 21
JACK & BETTY DENNIS- These Appomattax, VA Jamie Tomaino fans and parents of JT fan Laura make it 49 years.
March 22
ALAN & JEANN COULL- The Norwich, CT race car paint graphics designer and nurse wife celebrate their 38th.
JIM & BERNICE GOLEMBESKI- The brother of Steve, Wall Stadium’s winningest Sportsman Modified driver, and wife have their day.
March 24
DAVE & KYLE MICHEL- This Wall Stadium Modified stand-out and wife share their 17th lap together.
***HAPPY BIRTHDAYS***
March 18
ROGER LAURENO- Ivyland,PA multi-time Bridgeport(NJ) Speedway dirt Modified champion.
March 19
BILL SEDGEWICK- Acton, MA NASCAR Truck team owner, neighbor of RWJM Counselor Gary Dionne.
TONY TOSTE- Pismo Beach, CA NASCAR West driver.
HARRY RICE- Retired Waterford Speedbowl Mod driver.
RICK CERAVOLO- Crew Chief for the Dick Ceravolo owned CT Modified to be driven at Thompson by brother Todd.
FREIDA MAGLIO- Scranton, PA fan, Sal’s wife.
ELLEN DAVIS- Girl friend/crew member of Bob “Mad Dog” Barker Garden State Stock Car Club, Staten Islamd, NY
March 20
MARTY MEMBRINO- Waterbury, CT ProStock driver.
TOM FERN- Westport, CT LM driver; police officer.
March 21
ROBERT HUFFMAN- NC Dash Series driver.
KENNY BRACK- Karlstadt, Sweden IRL driver.
RICKY MILLER- Claremont, NH ProStock/NASCAR CWES driver.
DAVE & MIKE KIMBALL- These brothers are both Oxford Plains (ME) Speedway drivers.
LARRY McCLURE- NSCs team owner.
March 22
EDDIE BELLINGER- ISMA SuperModified driver from NY.
MIKE CASTERLINE- Tioga/Chemung Speedway driver.
BILLY HAGAN- NSCS team owner.
JEFF GADA- Of the famous Niantic, CT racing family.
SHIRLEY DENSIESKI- Wife of Riverhead Raceway’s Sonny and mom of Riverhead Modified driver Ed.
MIKE GEER- Waterford Speedbowl announcing team member.
March 23
WILLIAM ALLEN- Crewman on the Jim Hawkes Wall Township Speedway Mod.
March 24
MARTIN TRUEX- Mayetta, NJ NASCAR CWES former driver now biggest fan of his son’s efforts with the DEI.
SCOTT PRUETT- IMSA/IRL driver.
ROGER MEARS- Bakersfield, CA NASCAR Truck Series driver.
JIMMY MAKAR- NSCS Crew Chief.
CHRIS WOODS- Mass. native, now a driver at Concord Motorsports Park.
KENNY VANASSE- Son of Pensacola, FL fans Keith and Debbie Krodel.
HEATHER AUBE- Daughter of Charlotte, VT NASCAR CWES driver CWWS crew cheif Jamie and wife Paula is 14.
*** NEW BEGINNINGS ***
STANLEY “STUB” FADDEN – Stub went home to be with the Lord on March 11, 2009. He was the patriarch of Fadden Racing and raced throughout the Northeast for six decades running his last a few years ago at Thunderroad in Barre Vermont. Stub ran many races in his life and touched the hearts of many. One of his greatest joys was racing with his grandson, Two-time CWES Champion Mike Olsen. He also loved going to the track and cheering on his other children and grandchildren. Stub had a tremendous influence in the racing careers of so many drivers. We will miss that smiling face greeting us when we return to the pits.
Sympathy cards can be directed to his wife Charlotte Fadden, at P.O. Box 427, North Haverhill, N.H. 03774.
SHARE YOUR SPECIAL OCCASIONS WITH YOUR RACING FAMILY. SEND THEM TO RACING WITH JESUS MINISTRIES AT PO BOX 586, Tolland, CT, 06084.
Sources: Rev. Ron Rivers/RWJM