How’s Your Back
Rev. Dan brought an important message to both the Camping World East and Whelen Modified divisions at New Hampshire Motor Speedway. He asked the question, are we willing to carry someone’s burden? Greetings in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Racing isn’t easy. There are difficulties around each turn. It would be great if all you had to concern yourself with was getting your car setup for the race. Today we have to worry about many other things. We think we have it hard. I remember a talk given by Dale Inman, former crew chief for Petty Enterprises. His title, “It hasn’t always been this easy.”
He spoke of the days when you drove the actual race car to the track, sounds easy enough. Well how about when the track is in California and you are in North Carolina? Not only that but the seat have been removed for weight; you have a piece of plywood for a back seat and you share the ride with all the tools, jack and spare parts. The motor under the hood is the race motor and you have to baby it for the first 500 mile to make sure it wears in right. You don’t have the benefit of a speedometer and meet with the local law enforcement types no short of 10 times each way. It hasn’t always been this easy!
I am encouraged when I see teams rally to help other teams who face difficulties at the track. I know of several occasions when parts were lent or crewmembers worked on a competitor’s car to help them get ready in time. I remember just recently watching an engine being carried and installed by several “helpers” when time and space would not allow a more conventional way to move it. Why, because we want to race. We want the opportunity to win out on the track, not in the garage. We want everyone to have a chance to race.
We also face difficult times in life. Difficulties have a way of finding us when we least can afford it. We think we are prepared but we find we are not. What is the right way to respond when we see someone going through a difficult time? Listen to what the Paul says in Galatians;
Galatians 6:2-3, Share each other’s burdens, and in this way obey the law of Christ. If you think you are too important to help someone, you are only fooling yourself. You are not that important.
When we help someone who is going through a tough time we are obedient to God. We honor God when we sacrifice our time, resources and abilities to help someone in need. Have you ever reached out and helped someone?
I wouldn’t be the man I am today if someone didn’t reach out to me in my time of need. His name is Steve and he was always willing to help in any way he could. He never asked for anything back, he only said when you have what someone needs give it. His willingness to give and his attitude toward giving came right from God’s Word.
2 Corinthians 8:10-15; And here is my advice about what is best for you in this matter: Last year you were the first not only to give but also to have the desire to do so. Now finish the work, so that your eager willingness to do it may be matched by your completion of it, according to your means. For if the willingness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what one has, not according to what he does not have.
Our desire is not that others might be relieved while you are hard pressed, but that there might be equality. At the present time your plenty will supply what they need, so that in turn their plenty will supply what you need. Then there will be equality, as it is written: “He who gathered much did not have too much, and he who gathered little did not have too little.”
There are many lessons for us to learn in these verses but for now we need to understand that some of us have a surplus while others have needs. We need to recognize the burdens of others and be willing to give freely. Remember it is the effort that matters not the size of the gift.
So let me ask you, how is your back? Are we willing to carry someone’s burden? Are we willing to let go of our time, talents and possessions so that we might relieve the pain of someone? I can tell you this, Christ was.
Christ left his throne in Heaven, set aside his attributes as God and became man. He came to dwell with us and serve us. He carried our burdens to the cross and nailed them there. We are forgiven because Christ came and took the burden of our sin. Paul reminds us that our attitude should be the same as Christ’s.
Look back at the first passage we read, if you think you are above helping someone you are a fool, you are not that important. Christ didn’t think of Himself that important to come and give His life for you.
Take a look around I think you might be able to find someone who has a burden or two. Give of yourself to help that person. When you do you honor God and are obedient to His Law. When you think it is beneath you remember, you are just not that important.
Philippians 2:5-8; Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus:
Who, being in very nature[ God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death— even death on a cross!
THOUGHTS FROM THE ROAD
TWO OUT OF THREE AIN’T BAD- Eddie MacDonald had a tall task entering the weekend at New Hampshire Motor Speedway. He was entered in three of the five races and had a better than average chance in two of them. He came home with two wins and a bruised car. Eddie continued his dominance at NHMS by winning the Friday race for the Camping World East Series. He did so as the last available light faded away. As he rolled into Victory Lane to lone light on the grandstand illuminated a dark track. With his victory Eddie closed the gap on point leader Ryan Truex by twenty points. He trails by just thirty heading to the season ending race next Friday at Dover.
Saturday found Eddie up early and on the track in his ACT late model for their practice session then jumping into his Whelen Modified Tour ride for their last practice session. He did more driving before breakfast than I do.
I talked with him a little on Friday about his Modified ride and he shared that he was subbing in the ride for Andy Seuss who was at Caraway driving on the Whelen Southern Modified Tour. He hoped his learning curve in the modified would be quick enough for him to make a good showing. He didn’t fair so well, driving it in too deep and clipped the wall, ending his run at three wins. I think Andy will forgive him; after all Andy won the race at Caraway for his forth victory of the season on the southern tour and inched closer to the point lead.
He still had one more to go, closing out Saturday night with the inaugural ACT Invitational, a who’s who of Late Model drivers from the Northeast and Canada. Eddie faired much better with four fenders as he drove back to Victory Lane as he did the night before just as the light of day was fading away.
All in all it was a successful weekend for the MacDonald family and heading to Dover with a shot at the Championship doesn’t hurt either.
WOW, AND IT WAS TELEVISED- In what has become the most anticipated race of the weekend, the Whelen Modified Tour race on Saturday afternoon left no doubt why we watch. Ronnie Silk made a last lap pass for the lead and won the New Hampshire 100. A few short weeks ago he stepped out of his tour ride and folks wondered where he would land. He landed in Victory Lane driving as part of a two car entry belonging to Eddie Partridge.
Eddie’s team had its share of changes recently as Jimmy Blewett relinquished his ride to focus more time on family and the family business. When asked what, if any, effect the changes had Eddie shared his food bill was smaller. With his two car team qualifying second and third Eddie liked his chances in this one.
One thing to note after the large rating the Bristol race received Speed Channel decided to televise the Whelen Modified Tour race on a fifteen minute delay instead of a thirty day delay. The audience is growing! I heard from some friends who have never been to a race and live just ten minutes north of NHMS in Belmont. They watched and were amazed. There comment. “We have to go see one of these races live.” What a tremendous opportunity to showcase some of the best racing you will see. Thank you Speed Channel. Now if we can get them to stop cutting out the invocation and the National Anthem we’ll be all set.
BACK TO BRISTOL- It was announced at NHMS that the Whelen Modified Tour would return to Bristol in 2010. We are seeing many encouraging signs for the WMT recently and I for one am glad that plans are being solidified at great venues for these awesome race cars.
ANOTHER DOUBLE HEADER WEEKEND- This week finds us traveling to Dover and Martinsville. Friday we close out the Camping World East Schedule at Dover and then it’s off to Martinsville for the Whelen Modified Tour. We may have to stop by South Boston to catch the Saturday night show because you know you can’t get to much racing.
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***
September 24
JIM & MARIE BARNES- These Long Island race fans celebrate 22 years together.
September 25
ED & GINNY PERRY- This Rehoboth, MA faithful NEMA and Seekonk Speedway couple have their 36th anniversary.
September 27
BRAD & LINDA HIETALA- The proprietor of Reliable Welding in Enfield, CT/ Stafford Motor Speedway NASCAR Mod driver and wife have their anniversary.
JEFF & JENNIFER PEARL- This Waterford Speedbowl Modified driver from Colchester, CT and wife share their 10th anniversary.
***HAPPY BIRTHDAYS***
September 23
TOMMY SIGMON- Hickory, NC LMSC driver.
BILLY LAWSON- NC Modified driver.
TYCE CARLSON- Indianapolis, IN IRL driver.
September 24
BOB CRAMER- NJ asphalt Modified driver.
GLENN ALLEN, JR.- Cincinnati, OH NNS driver.
COREY LaJOIE- Son of Norwalk, CT Joie of Seating founder/owner and NNS driver Randy and wife Lisa is now driving in the CWES.
ROB BRANNON- Canterbury, CT, Betty Evans son, lead singer, guitarist for Christian Rock group “WARFARE”.
September 25
STEVE SULLIVAN- Crew Chief for the former NASCAR CWES team driven by Kelly Moore.
SCOTT PUNCH- NNS crewman son of Newton, NC Wolfhead Oil NNS Team manager Dennis and wife Pat.
BRITTANY MUHA- Tom’s River, NJ Quarter Midget driver.
September 26
JOE NEMECHEK- Lakeland, FL Sprint Cup driver.
PAUL DURANT- Manteca, CA IRL driver.
LINDA AUSTIN- Scorer for the NASCAR CWES #5 team owned by Barney McRae.
SHERI FULLER- Wife of No. Boylston, MA former NASCAR WMT team owner, Bobby, one of the famous Fuller racing brothers.
CLAY PURVIS- Son of Clarksville, TN NNS driver Jeff and wife Susan is 18.
MARY BETH WIBBELSMAN- The grown-up daughter of RWJM Advisor Dick and Counselor wife Judy of Gainesville, FL.
September 27
WARREN ALSTON- A friend of RWJM and Christian brother.
BERT MARVIN- Colchester, CT Modified driver.
DAN ORBST- Potland, OR NASCAR West driver.
BRUCE TAYLOR- Seekonk, MA NASCAR WMT and ProStock driver.
JOE TRUDEAU- Chaplin, CT retired Modified driver.
DOREEN COLSON- Wife of Leominster, MA ProStock driver Fran.
JUSTIN CUSACK- Son of Beech Ridge Motor Speedway President Glenn.
KRISTEN MONTVILLE- The daughter of Solhem Racing NASCAR CWES/NASCAR WMT crewman Chuck is 19.
PAM KRAUSE- The wife of AARN’s Assistant to the Editor/ Columnist, Earl.
September 28
KIM BAKER- Road Racer, part-time NASCAR CWES driver from Springfield, MA.
JACKIE ARUTE- The President of Stafford Motor Speedway and TV Sports announcer.
TYLER LEWIS- The son of Holland Speedway Charger Driver Mark and brother of Mark’s Crew chief son Christopher.
September 29
PAUL RADFORD- The legendary “Ferrum Flash” Modified and LMSC driver from Ferrum, VA.
TIFFANY BRODERICK- The youngest daughter of Brookfield, CT NASCAR Modified driver Jim and Debbie.
BRENDA BLAIN- Wife of South Killingly, CT ProStock driver David.
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