Who Are We Living For
Have you ever stopped to think about why you do something? Many of us are influenced to act a certain way by the people we hang around with. Peer pressure can be positive or negative. Greetings in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
I have been to a few racetracks in my day and I am always amazed at how some people can be influenced to do some pretty silly things without too much convincing. There are many things that trigger that type of behavior. Some don’t need too much encouragement while others need a little lubrication. Most take place after the racing in the camping area, but some take place during the race.
You have seen the type of driver that thinks he knows what happened and retaliates on the track only to find out later that he was wrong; or the driver one who makes a derogatory comment about another driver only to be his teammate one day. We had one instance where two drivers had issues and ended up together in a pre-race prayer. You never know what may come your way tomorrow so I would head the advice, think before you act.
Just recently I have seen drivers swinging at other drivers because of an on track incident. I have watched verbal sparing and shouting between teams. I have heard name calling. When you take a step back it all seems kind on childish doesn’t it? If it doesn’t maybe you need to grow up a little.
Talking is one thing but retaliating with your race car is another. Many times the on track variety endangers not only the recipient but also others. Why is it when we get behind the wheel every other car is the enemy. It isn’t just that way at the track but it is that way on the street also. It is like we drive with this mentality that the world revolves around us. That needs to change.
The writer of Roman’s challenges us to behave in a different way;
Romans 12:9-18, Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good. Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other. Never be lazy, but work hard and serve the Lord enthusiastically. Rejoice in our confident hope. Be patient in trouble, and keep on praying. When God’s people are in need, be ready to help them. Always be eager to practice hospitality.
Bless those who persecute you. Don’t curse them; pray that God will bless them. Be happy with those who are happy, and weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with each other. Don’t be too proud to enjoy the company of ordinary people. And don’t think you know it all!
Never pay back evil with more evil. Do things in such a way that everyone can see you are honorable. Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone.
The question for us is; who are we living for? We need to ask ourselves that and the answer should be God. We should be living for God and following his directions. Are we letting others influence our actions? Look at this passage and I think you will see the way to behave and honor God.
Be genuine, don’t pretend. No one likes a fake and most can see through the mask. People can tell when you genuinely care for them. God’s loving care for us is real. Ours should be the same.
Be ready to help, no strings attached. Many times we are motivated to help because of something we may receive. Try being motivated to please God and you will see a difference in your attitude.
Don’t be stuck up and think you are better than everyone else, God would rather you be thought a fool and serve Him than to be a well thought of by men and serve yourself. I know it is hard, we all want people to like us, we all want attention, but we first need to honor God. When we honor God then we truly are living the correct way.
Don’t be a know it all. More times than not people just want you to listen to them. They don’t want solutions or to hear what you would do. They want you to listen and really hear what they are saying. Did you know that God knows the future and the things that are going to happen, yet he still listens to us when we talk to him? Even if you have heard it before we need to be patient with other the way that God is patient with us.
There are many things that we can take from this passage. It is worth spending some time exploring. Take some time each day this week and read it. Ask God to reveal more of it to you each day. Remember to honor God first and everything else will fall into place.
THOUGHTS FROM THE ROAD
WHAT A RIDE- Been on the road for a few days this week, feels more like a marathon. We finished up the Camping World East Series at Dover on Friday. Ryan Truex claimed the crown and Brett Moffit won the race. As the Truex family celebrated the championship older brother Martin Jr. reminded Ryan that this meant he had to make a speech. Ryan, being a very quiet person had that look of fear that you remember from High School when you had to do an oral report.
Brett closed out his campaign with his second victory. His 2010 season is not solidified yet but his dad shared they are hopeful to put something together to have him comeback and run some of the bigger races on the schedule under the ASM logo.
Andy Santerre will be changing hats to head up the Drive For Diversity program. For the first time all four teams will be under one roof. One of the challenges has been that the funding for the individual teams wasn’t enough to run the season. Each driver also needed to bring sponsor money. That hasn’t been easy to find for young drivers trying to make a name for themselves. The hope by bringing the four teams together is that the available resources can be stretched further.
OFF TO MARTINSVILLE- We found our way to Martinsville and so did the rain that has plagued this racing season. With the Saturday Schedule washed out it was off to find something good to eat. Can you say BBQ? Pigs R Us to be exact. Best BBQ around according to Mike Smith PR director at the track. We went, we found, we conquered! Our euphoria would be short lived. When we asked our waitress where the best ice cream was her only suggestion was Sonic. Sonic? “Well this is Martinsville, you know” came her reply. I did check the phonebook and she was right, not an ice cream store in the whole town, how sad.
Well as bad as Saturday was Sunday was just the opposite. Under glorious sunny skies we contested the Whelen 300 or is it 200, I am not sure but there were a combined 300 laps run between the Modifieds and the Limited Late Models. The Modifieds ran 200 of the 300 and it proved to be just what the doctor ordered to tighten up the championship race. With TC having an engine problem and the three chasers finishing in the top ten the lead is down to one over second place Donny Lia and Twelve over third place Ryan Preece. Todd Szegedy closed the gap also with a second place finish.
As Mike Stefanik would proclaim in Victory Lane, ”Mark Martin isn’t the only over 50 guy who can still win a race.” Mighty Mike brought home the victory by winning a late race restart on the outside. He held the lead through the closing stages and a few more restarts. The sigh of relief at the checker told the story, it has been a tough season for the Flamingo Motorsports team and this victory would erase a whole lot of frustration. Congratulations guys.
OFF TO STAFFORD- With the race tighter than I can remember the Whelen Modified Tour visits Stafford Motor Speedway for the Fall Final that closes out the racing action at the famed Connecticut half-mile. All eyes will be on the top four as this horse race visits the old Fair Grounds. We’ll be there and 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***
September 30
BILL, JR. & MARY BRICE- This New Jersey couple now retired served the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour for many years. They celebrate their 48th anniversary.
October 2
JEFF & JULIE WINSOR- This Waterford Speedbowl staff couple from Danielson, CT have their 15th anniversary.
October 4
MIKE & LORI FIELDS- The Editor of LONG ISLANDMOTORSPORTS.COM and wife share their 33rd Anniversary. The couple is also Racing 4 Kids Children’s Charities.
BOB & JENNIFER WEBBER, JR.- Former Promoter of Star Speedway in Epping, NH and wife celebrate their 10th anniversary.
TRAVERS & NOREEN CAMBRA- This former Wall Stadium photographer and wife share their 38th anniversary.
October 6
RACING WITH JESUS MINISTRIES- Celebrates our 29th anniversary.
TIM & KATHY ATTAYA- The Co-Producers of the annual Maine Civic Center Motorsports show have their 18th anniversary.
***HAPPY BIRTHDAYS***
September 30
RICHIE RESNER- Team owner and brother-in-law of Riverhead Late Model #60 and driver Paul McElearney.
J.J. BRANSCOMBE- A grown-up son of Northwood, NH NASCAR CWES driver Babe and wife Deb.
October 1
STEVE NOWAKOWSKI- “Stevie Wonder” of East Hampton, CT NASCAR CWES and dirt Modified driver.
MARK SIMO- Carlsbad, NC NASCAR CWES/ LMSC driver.
KEVIN HODGE- Crewman son of Manchester, CT photographers Mary and Howie Hodge.
October 2
CARL PASTERYAK- Lisbon, CT NASCAR Whelen Modified Series driver.
JOE BARNES- Scranton, PA NASCAR CWES driver.
JOE INGLIN, JR- Three time most popular driver at the former Flemington Speedway.
RICHARD LASATER- CTS Crew Chief from Little Rock, AK.
VICTORIA ROMANO- This West Long Branch, NJ Wall Township Speedway George Andretta, Robert Geibel and a Steve Park fan is 16.
October 3
ALAN JOHNSON- “AJ Slideways,” NY based DIRT Modified driver.
TOM CAPIE- Trevose, PA URC Sprint driver.
TOM TAGG- Webster, MA Semi-retired CT Modified driver.
ALESSANDRO ZAMPEDRI- Monte Carlo, Monaco, Brescia, Italy born, IRL driver.
October 4
BUDDY LOECHER- Bob Park former Riverhead Modified Crew Chief, now doing same for Bob in NC.
DREW DAMIANI- The senior driver on the LAD 1/4 Midget Racing team in PA.
SARAH BURTON- The daughter of South Boston, VA driver Ward and wife Tabitha.
EMILY CAVALLERO- This Wall Township speedway fan from Farmingdale, NJ and grandaughter of fan Doris Bradley, has her 11th.
LINDA EVANS- A Whelen Modified Tour & Waterford Speedbowl fan.
October 5
DAVE REZENDES- Charlotte, NC ,Assonet, MA born, CTS/NNS driver.
JOHN BLEWETT, SR.- NJ retired asphalt Modified great and dad of retired great John Blewett II and grandad of WMT driver Jimmy Blewett and the late John III.
BUBBA GALE- Irvington, AL NASCAR All-Pro Series driver.
VILLEROY HARD – “Vill” of Clifton, NJ has his 80th.
October 6
CHIP SLOCUM- Ewing, NJ dirt Modified driver.
MIKE McLAUGHLIN- Waterloo, NY born former NNS, CWES & WMT driver.
DICK McCABE- Retired Kennebunkport, ME NASCAR CWES great.
RICH LAVALETTE- “Haskell” is a former Mario Fiore/Gulf Racing NASCAR WMT crewman, now on a south team.
SUZANNE STIVASON- Car owner of the modlite 116 champion at Blanket Hill speedway and sprintcar #4 champion at Mercer park in western pa.
*** NEW BEGINNINGS ***
OSCAR MORTON, Jim Morton’s dad Oscar was by his side through all his time at Wall Stadium and was glad to have him rent it. He came to the track at times this year but his health was getting bad. He was in and out of the hospital, for awhile. This weekend Oscar past away. All those who knew him will miss him. Cards with prayers and thoughts can be sent to Jim Morton C/O Wall Stadium 1803 State Route 34 Wall Township, N.J. 07719-9109. BROTHER BOB
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