Sponsor Obligations
Many of us have sponsors that help pay for the expense of racing. We represent them and their companies. How about our representation of Jesus? Do we represent our sponsors better than we represent Jesus? Greetings in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
We all know that the more money we receive from sponsors the more that is expected from us. There are promotional events, autograph signings and appearances. We owe our sponsors something besides just having their name on our car, we also have the responsibility to act in a manner that would please our sponsors. Without their finances many of us would not be racing.
Let me ask you this question, how good are we at representing Jesus? It was Jesus who paid the price for our sin. It is through Jesus that we receive the inheritance God promised. It is through Jesus that we gain entrance into Heaven and live for eternity with God. In a way Jesus is our sponsor. How have we represented Him in our daily life?
Do we look like Jesus? That is to say, when people see us do they see a compassionate, humble person ready to serve? Do we talk like Jesus? Do words of encouragement and support come from our mouths? Do we do the things that Jesus did? Are we forgiving and willing to look past the faults of others and love them the same way Jesus loves us?
If we have accepted Christ as our Savior, Scripture tells us it is God’s will to conform us to the image of Christ.
Romans 8:29; For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.
God has a plan for us to represent Him the same way that Jesus did. That is what the term Christian means, like Christ.
I am reminded of a story I heard about a Christian and his willingness to give of his financial resources. When it was time for the offering at Church he reached into his pocket and gave whatever change he had in his pocket. The same afternoon he went out to eat and when it came time to pay the bill he made sure to give the right percentage to the waitress for the tip. His son was watching and asked his father who was more important in his life the waitress or Jesus? Why Jesus of course the father answered. The son then asked, why did you give that waitress more of an offering than you gave Jesus?
When push comes to shove most of the time our actions are dictated by who is watching. Who are we really? How do we act when no one is watching? Do we have different standards if no one is watching? All these are difficult questions. When we think about them we see that maybe we haven’t represented Jesus the way we should. I have heard it put this way, “Give God what is right, not what is left.”
The illustration helps us to understand that we put things in our life at a higher priority than Jesus. At times we have relegated Jesus to the “also ran” position in our life. If I have time I’ll go to chapel. If I have some extra money I’ll give it in the offering. If I feel like it I’ll stop and help someone out. If I don’t have anything else to do I’ll take time to visit with someone who can’t get out. The phrase “IF I” is not one Jesus would have used. Putting Jesus as the top priority of our life changes each one of these statements to “I Will” not “If I”.
What will you do to change the way you look to others? Will you let God transform you into the likeness of His Son? Will you let others see Jesus in you? Proverbs records the promise of God as it concerns how we live.
Proverbs 3:5-6, Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.
The only way we are able to live a life that honors God is to trust in him with all our heart. That means having nothing in our lives that is more important than serving God. Nothing.
We also need to acknowledge Him in all we do. We need to do the right thing whether someone is watching or not. We need to understand that we represent Jesus in the way live and we need to represent Him correctly.
So how are we representing our sponsor? Can we make a commitment to do better this week? Look around you and see all the folks that need the touch of love that only comes from contact with Jesus. Go out this week and represent your sponsor well. God Bless, Rev. Don
THOUGHTS FROM THE ROAD
THOMPSON STARTS OFF WITH A WINNER- The talk of the garage on Friday night at Stafford was something that happened the previous night at Thompson. Jimmy Blewett and Keith Rocco put on a show in the Sunoco Modified Feature. What is being called the best ever saw four cars come out of turn four headed to the checker. Some of the cars were sideways, digging as hard as they could. Keith Rocco made the pass stick and took home the win followed by Jimmy. Let’s hope this is an indication of things to come. I told you there is nothing better than watching live racing.
WHELEN MODIFIED TOUR- Going three for three would prove difficult for Ted Christopher, but he didn’t fall short by much. TC won his third pole in three races keeping the potential of a perfect season alive, but Jimmy Blewett had other ideas.
After having come close the night before only to come home second, Jimmy wouldn’t be denied on Friday. Jimmy outlasted TC and Todd Szegedy to take down the win. Jimmy redrew the pole and never relinquished the lead surviving six restarts. Veterans Mike Stefanik and Reggie Ruggiereo rounded out the top five with the youth movement taking down the next five spots, Chris Pasteryak, Rowan Pennink, Woody Pitkat, Doug Coby and Ryan Preece.
The Tour returns to action at NHMS at the end of the month. It should be interesting.
THUNDER ROAD ROOKIE- After the Friday night’s show at Stafford Rowan Pennink headed north to run with the True Value guys at Thunder Road. Never having been there I explained he was in for an interesting surprise. I talked with him on Sunday afternoon and he found the track to his liking except for the wall. He introduced himself to it a couple times but that didn’t stop him from coming home second. A top ten and a top five have to make this Memorial Day Weekend a memorable one for him.
OSWEGO DESTINATION FOR SOME- After the Friday night’s show several competitors headed to New York to compete in the ROC event at Oswego. TC Wouldn’t be denied in this one as he edged out Matt Hirschman for the win by inches. Eric Beers came home third behind Jan Leaty and Erick Rudolf rounded out the top five.
MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND IN THE BOOKS- Memorial Day Weekend has long been associated with racing and this one was no exception. There were too many choices to decide. I am glad that I did take in some live racing and I must confess I did watch my favorite, the Indy 500; it is open wheel racing after all. Thirty Days in May has come to a close, so on with the season. See you in South Boston Virginia next Saturday night!
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***
May 27
WALTER & TRUDY CHARETTE- The Linwood,MA proprietor of Son Carpentry/ Mike Stefanik and Dale Jarrett fan and wife/ Reggie Ruggiero/Ernie Irvan fan have their 13th anniversary.
RUSH & MARTA LIMBAUGH- This New York City based Indy car fan and wife share their 14th anniversary.
May 30
BOBBY & MEREDITH DILLNER- This Long Island native, now a Charlotte based SPEED CHANNEL reporter and wife share their 16th anniversary.
TOM & CARITA TWINEM- These Brookfield, WI fans share their 28TH anniversary.
DON & MARY ANN MOYER- This Delaware race writing couple have their 16th anniversary.
JOE & JULI ANN DEVOLVE- This Plainfield, CT fan couple shares their 10th anniversary.
June 1
RANDY & LYNDA HEDGER- The Tioga Speedway/NASCAR WMT driver and wife from Morrisville, NY share their special day.
BOB & TRACY COX- Rev. Pat’s cousin in Boyertown, PA and wife, both NNC and Sprint car fans, share their 12th anniversary.
***HAPPY BIRTHDAYS***
May 27
GREG GASTELU- Jackson, NJ Wall Township Speedway driver of the famous No. 69 NAPA ProStock.
JEREMY MAYFIELD- Owensboro, KY NSC driver.
RON MOON- Cumberland, ME LM driver.
MARK GARMAN- “The Shark” is a Sprint writer from Laureldale, PA and a member of the Grandview Speedway staff.
DR. DICK BERGGREN- Publisher and Editor of “Speedway Illustrated” magazine and TV Race Commentator.
May 28
DON FORTE- Terrebone, Quebec LM driver.
WAYNE CARROLL, SR.- Dad of Massachusetts ProStock driver Wayne, Jr.
May 29
KEN SCHRADER- Fenton, MO NSC driver.
JIMMY MEANS- NSC/NNS/NASCAR West independent driver/owner.
AL UNSER, SR.- Retired Indy Car great, Little Al’s dad.
LARRY BARNETT- Ledyard, CT Limited late model champion at Thompson Speedway.
RITA TRUDEAU- Wife of retired Chaplin, CT Modified driver Joey.
RICH SYLVESTRI- Retired proprietor of Sylvestri’s Auto Care in Canterbury, CT formerly referred to as the Northern World Center of Speed.
RITA ST. JOHN- The mother of Jewett City (CT) Service Proprietor Henry.
May 30
BOB NEWBERRY- Schenectady, NY Alchohol Funny Car driver.
GLEN MEISENHELDER- Springfield, MA occasional NASCAR CWES driver, son of Ken of KGM Video.
PAUL HEARD- Lisbon, CT LM driver.
TED SEMINARA- This “Area Auto Racing News” Nextel Cup photographer from Brewster, NY is now turning “Rebel” down in Mount Holly, NC and loving it.
LISA ORR- Daughter of Orlando, FL LM driver Pete and wife Terri.
PATRICK SHANLEY- Bethel, CT Lebanon Valley fan turns 17.
May 31
GENE WEIDMAN- Big Diamond Speedway dirt NASCAR Modified driver.
ED SANSEVERINO- Hillsborough, NC Orange County (NC) Speedway and AARN photographer.
STEWART LEHMAN- Former longtime staff member at Wayne County Speedway, Orville, OH.
THOMAS PURVIS- Son of Clarksville, TN NNS driver Jeff is 20.
June 1
NORM PATRICK- Publisher of NY State’s “Gater Racing News.”
JAY SAUTER- NNS/Craftsman Truck Series driver.
DAVY JONES- Lake Tahoe, NV Offroad and CTS driver.
DARRYL LEWIS- New York Southern Tier asphalt Modified driver.
LORRAINE SYLVESTRI- The wife of Rich, retired proprietor of Sylvestri’s Auto Care World Center of Speed in Canterbury, CT.
LEW MARDEN- Onwer of Air Transport, Inc in Concord, NH and Jamie Tomaino NASCAR WMT fan.
DAVID BAKKER- Former NASCAR CWES Race Director
MARY ANN MOYER- Delaware writer.
MATTHEW THOMAS- Son of northern New England’s “Racin’ Paper” Publisher Mark.
June 2
KYLE PETTY- Randleman, NC Petty Enterprises NSC driver.
SATCH WORLEY- Rocky Mount, VA driver.
SAMMY BEAVERS- Glen Gardner, NJ retired famous dirt Modified driver.
STEVE KINSER- Bloomington, IN World of Outlaws superstar.
LISA LILLQUIST- The daughter of former Thompson Speedway Late Model driver Jerry and wife Debbie, now living in Myrles Inlet, SC.
JOHN UDES- Wall Township speedway/RoC Modified driver from Morris Plains, NJ.
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