Is It in There?
They say beauty is only skin deep. What you see on the outside is not always what you get. I have seen some good-looking racecars that don’t have what it takes to be competitive on the track. There is no easy way to find out if what you see is what you get. Is it in there? Greetings in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Tech inspection exists for the purpose of making sure the seen and unseen components conform to the rules. The necessity of having to check gives us an indication of our human nature, if no one catches you it is not cheating. I can think of many sayings we have, in and out of racing, which help us rationalize bending the rules.
“We get paid to cheat and they get paid to catch us”
“What they don’t know won’t hurt them.”
“No one will ever know”
“Everyone’s doing it.”
Many times we rationalize doing something based on the risk of being caught. Is the reward worth it if you received it by doing something illegal, immoral or deceitful? Some would say yes, win at all cost. Some would say yes, as long as no one was hurt. God’s word says, no.
We bend the rules in our favor. We try to have everything work out to our benefit. We spend time trying to figure out how we can get the upper hand and not get caught. We tend to be self-centered and do everything in our power to achieve the best outcome.
I have been known to golf a little bit. Golf is a very interesting sport. There are no officials out there checking to see if you are following the rules. You and You alone are responsible for enforcing the rules on yourself. Call your own penalties. That’s when it gets interesting. How many of us are ready to turn ourselves in for something that violates the rules? They say someone’s true character shows when you watch them play golf, will they cheat themselves or will they hold up the integrity of the rules. What does it matter it’s only a game right?
In Luke’s gospel he tells us that the blessings we receive from God are contingent on how we handle the things of this world. Do we handle them with the moral character that will honor God? Do we view these resources as someone else’s not to be squandered?
Luke 16:10-13; “Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much. So if you have not been trustworthy in handling worldly wealth, who will trust you with true riches? And if you have not been trustworthy with someone else’s property, who will give you property of your own? “No servant can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money.”
God doesn’t need tech inspection. He knows all that we do, seen and unseen. He knows the secrets that hide in each one of our closets. We cannot hide them from Him. God honors those that honor Him in all they do. It comes down to a choice. Who will we serve?
We love to sit on the fence. When we evaluate a situation we choose which side of the fence we want to jump down on and live accordingly. God says there are no fence sitters. You either are going to please Him or not.
I would like to encourage you to live with integrity in all your ways, seen or unseen. We should not need to explain our motives; they should be plain to see. Don’t live our lives always looking over our shoulder wondering if anyone is watching. It is difficult to move forward if we are always looking around. In all we do we should not be ashamed if it is exposed for all to see. Only when we live like this do we experience the presence of God in our lives. Rev. Don
THOUGHTS FROM THE ROAD
ANOTHER WET SATURDAY- Weather continues to be the story, for the second weekend in a row the Saturday schedule fell victim to the rain. What looked promising on the radar screen soon turned to an image that reflected the colors of fall, pretty on the trees but not so pretty on the radar.
The uncooperative weather did give us a chance to spend some time exploring the finer eating establishments of north central Connecticut. This was my back yard and I didn’t need directions to find cheeseburger heaven. I grabbed a couple of Jersey Boys and the driver of Ole Blue and headed to my favorite spot, Shady Glen. The boys didn’t have any complaints. The Rev. knows his food.
Again, Sunday turned out to be the opposite of Saturday and the challenge was getting it all in. To their credit Stafford received permission to start before noon and the Whelen Modified Tour took the track for practice at 10:00.
Qualifying would be held in between the season ending features for the Whelen All-American Racing Series. Donny Lia set fast time followed closely by TC. With the two separated by only one point with two races left this had the makings of a horse race.
That would not prove to be the case. For the second week in a row TC met with some difficulties, this week would be of the on track variety. Last week his engine would not cooperate, this week, after an aggressive move led to a spin and early pit stop he found himself at the back of the pack. When you run back there is a better than average chance of being collected up in something. TC was and it cost the team several laps to get the car back on the track. This combined with a victory for the 4 team turned the point standings around.
Lia has the lead heading into the World Series at Thompson. His nearest competitor now is young gun, Ryan Preece. Ryan now sits 26 points behind Lia heading to the season finale while TC is all but out of the title chase, 109 back. I can’t wait to see what happens.
INDOOR AT THE DUNK- Wondering what to do after the outdoor season is over? Go indoors of course. The indoor season has now doubled in size and Providence will host its second event on December 4 & 5. Look for drivers to try and unseat indoor champion Ted Christopher who swept both the Providence and Atlantic City events last year. We’ll be there, hope to see you there.
POSITIVE REPORTS FOR DICK CERAVOLO- Just wanted to pass along some positive news we received from the Ceravolo family. The hospital has started to bring Dick out of his coma and the initial results have been encouraging. He has been able to breath on his own in short intervals. They are still working to remove a pesky infection but this is encouraging news. Please continue to keep the Ceravolo family in your thoughts and prayers. Cards of encouragement can be sent to Dick Ceravolo, 1348 Baldwin Hill Rd, Gales Ferry, CT 06335.
UP NEXT SUPER DIRT WEEK- Dan and I are looking forward to visiting a new track. I have never been to Syracuse and just the thought of it make me smile. We may even take a quick trip over to the Glen. We are looking forward to enjoying some great dirt track racing and helping out.
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***
October 7
BOB & CAROLYN BLAISDELL- These fans from Champaign, IL have their 42nd anniversary.
October 9
SCOTT & MELANIE DEWARE- This South Easton, MA NASCAR BNS GRAND NATIONAL/SCCA couple have their 14th anniversary.
October 11
BOBBY & CAROL GAHAN- The multi-time Lee Speeway ProStock champion with over 300 feature wins from Barrington, NH have their 39th anniversary.
DALE & TERRY WAKEFIELD- This Warren, NJ AMA Expert division biker and wife celebrate their 19th anniversary.
October 12
JOHN & LISA SHAPLEIGH- These former JBIII crew members celebrate their 2nd anniversary.
October 13
RICH & LORRAINE SYLVESTER- The retired proprietor of Sylvestri’s Auto Care, formerly known as the northern world center of speed, in Canterbury, CT and lovely wife celebrate 47 wonderful years together. Just ask Rich.
***HAPPY BIRTHDAYS***
OCTOBER 7
LYNDA RIVERS- Wife of WMT pastor and RWJM President Rev. Don. Thank you for all your understanding and love.
October 8
BILL ELLIOTT- Dawsonville, GA Dodge part-time NSC driver and former champion.
WAYNE ANDERSON- Yaphank, LI, NY former NASCAR WMT champion.
HAL RESH- Pennsy asphalt Modified driver.
SHAWN MARQUIS- One of Enfield, CT NASCAR CWES/WMT driver Jerry and wife Karen’s children.
MARK SABATINE- Longtime spotter/radioman for Steve Payne and Payne Motorsports.
MARILYN BARKER- Mom of Bob “Mad Dog” and Billy “the Kid” Barker Garden State Vintage Stock Car Club, Saten Island, NY.
October 9
FRANKLIN BUTLER- Chester, VA Mitchell Motorsports NASCAR CWES driver.
RICKY ELLIOTT- D.I.R.T. Modified driver.
RON ESAU- Lakeside, CA NASCAR West driver.
VINCENZO SOSPIRI- Monte Carlo, Monaco IRL driver.
C.D. COVILLE- Retired famous Schenectady, NY dirt Mod driver.
DAN HARMON- Grottoes, VA Micro Sprint driver.
October 10
DALE EARNHARDT, JR.- A son of “the great one” and Hendrick Motorsports NSC driver.
MONTY UTZ- CWES crewman.
DEBBIE GASTELU- Widow of the late Wall Township Speedway ProStock driver Ray and team owner of the WTS Greg Gastelu dodge ProStock team.
October 11
JIMMY HENSLEY- Horsepasture, VA NASCAR CTS driver.
JIM SAVAGE, JR.- Ed Flemke NASCAR WMT crewman.
AARON ANTONE DIAS- The son of Seekonk Speedway ProStock driver Tony is 12.
SCOTT JAMES- Canterbury, CT RWJM freind and supporter. He spent many years on the road with Rev. Pat and in service to this ministry.
HEATHER FRANTZ- The wife of Mountain Speedway RWJM Chaplain and winning driver, Paul.
October 12
NED JARRETT- From Hickory, NC, one of racing’s great Christian examples and retired NSC champion.
SMOKEY WARREN- Popular Grandview/ Big Diamond NASCAR Sportsman Modified driver.
MARK DISMORE- Greenfield, IN Midget and IRL driver.
MORGAN SHEPHERD- Conover, NC NSC/NNS/CTS driver of the Racing with Jesus entries.
HAROLD DAUNCEY III- NJ asphalt Modified driver.
DANNY BAGWELL- Birmingham, AL NASCAR All Pro Series driver.
ERNIE GAHAN- Retired NH National NASCAR Sportsman champion and 300 plus ProStock feature winner Bobby’s dad.
JACK DENNIS- Laura’s dad and Appomattax, VA Jamie Tomaino NASCAR WMT fan.
October 13
CAITLIN BROWN- A daughter of Farmingdale, NJ Dwarf Car driver Bobby and wife Carolyn.
*** NEW BEGINNINGS ***
RICHARD “DICK” ABBEY- passed away on October 3. Dick worked as an official with Dick Brooks at Riverside Park. Cards of condolence and sympathy can be sent to his daughter, Kelly Kelly, 65 Craig Drive Apt. P4, West Springfield, MA 01089.
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