Tires Tell the Story (Part Two)
Let’s pick up where we left off last week. We were talking about tires and how they indicate deeper issues. The question we explored was “Do you have a tire specialist to guide your walk?” Greetings in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
It is very rare that the winner of the race had the wrong setup. Having the wrong setup usually plays itself out during the race. Most times we see it all too clear. Right front tire wears out and you are introduced to the wall. Other times it just shows up in lack of performance; we just can’t get up to speed. How our car is set up determines how we run the race. It determines if we are running in such a way as to win. Our set up decides whether we succeed or fail.
We were looking into a passage in Matthew’s Gospel. Jesus taught on the mountainside to all who would listen. He gave them instructions on how to live an abundant life. He explained how to apply the law Moses had been given from God. He taught us the right way to view our role in the world. In this teaching he taught us what we call “The Lord’s Prayer”. He told us to go the extra mile, love those you hate, give to those in need, turn the other cheek, not to worry God is in control, do not be judgmental and in everything ask, seek and knock and God will provide. Jesus said the world would know us by our fruit, that is, how we affect those around us. Jesus closed with these words…
Matthew 7:24-27, NIV; “Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.”
Therefore is the key word here; when you read it the translation is as follows. Because of what was said make these adjustments to your life. Jesus says, “Therefore make the following adjustments.” He tells us of two lives, asks us to consider the end result and make the correct adjustments.
We talked about the similarities of these two men, now let’s explore their differences. The main difference is with the application of the instructions they received. One listened and applied what he heard. One listened and ignored what he heard. We see this played out in the results they achieved. One was able to withstand the storm and one was not.
Remember that both men heard the right instruction and, as each one of us do, had a choice to make. Do I follow these instructions or do I choose my own way. Many times in life we learn things the hard way. Have you ever walked by a bench that said wet paint and for some strange reason you have to go over and test it? Now you have to find a way to get the paint off your hand.
We had an incident at work one day that illustrates this. We had just poured some fresh concrete and there was a little pile on the ground. A salesman was visiting and instead of bypassing it he decided to see if it was wet. It was and now his dress shoe was covered with wet cement. Was it worth a ruined pair of shoes to see if the concrete was wet? We need to stop and examine the consequences of the decisions we make before we follow through on them. We need to take time to fully understand the choices we make in life. It is not necessary to learn everything the hard way.
One man applied what he had heard and when the storm came he was able to withstand it. The other ignored what he had heard, the storm came and his life came crashing down with a great fall. Where we finish is dependant on the decisions we make. It matters whose advice we follow. In life much like in a race if we don’t have the right setup we will not be able to finish.
Take the starting lineup of a race for example. Can you tell who has the best racecar? They are all nice and polished. They all have four wheels and a motor. They all have a talented driver. Can you tell which one will win? No you can’t. The cars have to run the race. Then and only then will we see who has the better car. Now having the best car doesn’t guarantee you a win. You still have to make the right decisions during the race. No one ever won a race that they didn’t finish. As Yogi would say, 90% of the cars that don’t finish don’t win.
What can we take with us from this passage? Jesus said listen to my words and do what they say. If you do this you will be able to stand even in the fiercest storm. If you listen to my words and do not make changes to your life, when difficult times come you will not have the foundation you need to withstand the storm. I am reminded of the image on the news last week of the hotel in Taiwan, the storm came, washed the foundation away and it fell with a great crash.
Jesus asked the question of His disciples, “Who do you say that I am?” Our answer to that question will indicate whose directions we will follow. I encourage you to listen and apply the teachings of Jesus. He will enable you to have a strong foundation that is able to withstand any storm. God Bless, Rev. Don
THOUGHTS FROM THE ROAD
A PERFECT STORM- What do you think happens when you name a race after a storm? It storms of course. But this was the perfect storm, although it rained several times during Tuesday and Wednesday in Bristol we were able to complete the event on schedule, perfect. I have never seen a track dry so quickly, it took one pass of the jet dryers, about one half hour and we were ready to go.
What can be said about Bristol that hasn’t already been said? Go and see it! I am a proponent of watching racing live and in person. There was nothing I saw in print or on television that could prepare me for the walk under the grandstand and onto the track in turn three. WOW! I had to inch my way down the banking and I was only on the entrance to the turn. As Mike Stefanik said “You can’t help smiling when you walk in this place.” I don’t think the smile left my face for two days. Needless to say this was my first visit to Bristol but it won’t be my last.
Oh, we did contest a race there. The first event saw everyone that made the trip qualify for the show. The perfect storm washed out qualifying and the field was expanded to include everyone. This added to some people’s apprehension that this would be one big crash fest. That never materialized, patience was the order of the day and they sorted things out during the first half of the race. Stefanik would be the big mover as he made his way through the field to the enjoyment of those who were watching.
When the mid-race break was over the race was on. Donny Lia set his sights on TC and soon had the lead in view. He passed for the lead only to see the caution fly. On the ensuing restart NASCAR deemed Lia got ahead of himself and needed to let the 36 car back alongside or risk being black flagged. TC assumed the lead but Lia clearly had the car to beat. As TC’s car got tighter and tighter, Lia got around him and brought the Mystic Missile home to victory lane.
With the first of what I think will be many Bristol modified races in the books it was time to head home. We had a short but wonderful time at The World’s Fastest Half-Mile, but there were races to run up north. I made it to Thompson for Thursday Night Thunder along with four of the drivers who competed in Bristol, TC, Jimmy Blewett, Rowan Pennink and Woody Pitkat. It is a testament to these drivers’s commitment to the local racing scene. It would have been easy to understand if they passed on this night, but they were there and ready to go.
This week has the True Value Modified Series trying for a third time to run their event at Thompson on Thursday. Stafford will wait until September 4, 2009 to run their Late Model 100 that was rained out this past Friday and will run their regular weekly program on Friday. Then we are off to Chemung for the Whelen Modified Tour race on Saturday night. Get out there and support your local track, hope to see you there.
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 26
BOB & LISA CLASETTA- This Vernon, CT auto racing industry Sales Rep. and wife have their 37th anniversary.
AUGUST 31
RICK & LIND RODENBAUGH- This NASCAR WMT couple, she with the Jake Morose Team and he Co-Crew Chief for Wade Cole share their 7th.
SEPTEMBER 1
BRUCE & SALLY SHIREY- This Latrobe, PA couple who live just five miles from Latrobe Speedway and also enjoy road racing, have their
24th anniversary.
***HAPPY BIRTHDAYS***
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 NSC 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 11.
MARIO “SPEEDY” TOMAINO- Giants NFL fan and proud dad of Howell,NJ NASCAR WMT driver and RWJM Rep. Jamie.
August 27
MIKE MORTIMER- “Mighty Mike” drives the LM 14 at Riverhead Raceway.
JOHN MINE- Wall township Speedway driver.
JIMMY BAKER- Crew Chief for the Junior Miller driven Whelen Southern Modified.
MICHAEL JAWORECKI- “JAWS” to some, our Long Island connection with a new photo assignment. Mike asks us to remember and support research for the treatment and cure of Autism, Autism Speaks!
August 28
KRIS SMITH- Husband of former NHIS media room attendant and chocolate chip cookie lover Stephanie.
RANDY LaJOIE- Norwalk, CT born two time NNS champ, currently concentrating on selling his excellent race car seats.
KELLEY KING EARNHARDT- Grown-up daughter of the late Dale Earnhardt.
August 29
MARK FLEURY- NY DIRT Modified driver.
August 30
KEVIN ECKERT- Allentown, PA based Sprint/Midget writer.
AUSTIN MARIE BRUNO- This little lady is the first child of Bomoseen, VT ACT/ CWES driver Mike and wife Alayne and turns 8.
August 31
JERRY SOLOMITO- Riverhead Modified driver.
JOHN HEWITT- DIRT Modified driver.
GARY MOORE- Horseshoe, NC driver/owner.
HOWIE HODGE- Well liked and respected photographer from Manchester, CT.
September 1
BRETT HEARN- Sussex, NJ top DIRT Modified driver.
LENNY FISCHER- Riverhead Raceway Modified driver.
EDDIE HOWELL- Lakeland, Fl former Dash Series driver.
LARRY BOUCHARD- Feeding Hills, MA ProStock driver.
DAVID STOKES- Son of Wall Township Speedway co-announcer Roger Stokes.
FRAN COLSON III- Son of Leominster, MA ProStock driver Fran and wife Doreen.
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