Focused
Have you ever noticed that you can be so focused on something that you miss the gorilla in the room? My wife tells me all the time that I can’t find things that are right under my nose. I think we all suffer from proximity blindness. How focused are we? Greetings in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ
Being successful at the track requires focus. The teams that are focused on the task at hand come out on top. They are the ones that can put everything aside and get down to the business at hand. How easily are we distracted from our mission?
Sometimes it isn’t about focus. We can be the most focused person on earth, we just happen to be focused on the wrong thing. Think about it, have you ever been so focused on something that you didn’t even notice that someone was talking to you? Guys this is what happens when you get so involved in a sporting event on TV and your wife wants you to help decide which pattern looks better. We can be so focused on something we forget what is truly important.
As we continue studying our passage about the woman at the well we see the disciples were focused on something but not the most important thing. Do you remember how we started? “He had to go through Samaria.” Did you ask yourself why? They had to go through Samaria to bring the good news of the Gospel to the people there. The disciples were just focused on getting through Samaria to Galilee.
John 4:31-38; Meanwhile his disciples urged him, “Rabbi, eat something.”
But he said to them, “I have food to eat that you know nothing about.”
Then his disciples said to each other, “Could someone have brought him food?”
“My food,” said Jesus, “is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work. Do you not say, `Four months more and then the harvest’? I tell you, open your eyes and look at the fields! They are ripe for harvest. Even now the reaper draws his wages, even now he harvests the crop for eternal life, so that the sower and the reaper may be glad together. Thus the saying `One sows and another reaps’ is true. I sent you to reap what you have not worked for. Others have done the hard work, and you have reaped the benefits of their labor.”
You see the disciples were focused on finding food to give them strength to continue the journey to where they were going. Jesus however was already there. Jesus came to Samaria to proclaim the Gospel. The disciples were so focused on where they thought they were going that they forget what was really important, to touch the lives of others on the way.
Have you ever been so focused on the destination that you forgot to enjoy the trip? Don’t go through life so focused on the destination that you miss all the blessings God has for you along the way.
Jesus explained to the disciples that the fields were ready to harvest, places that they haven’t even been before. He explained that they needed to open their eyes and see what God has prepared for them to harvest. We need to look beyond our own world, our own focus and see what God sees.
We need to look beyond our focus, look beyond our destination and see the people around us. We need to take a break, stop our journey and look around. Change the lives of people we meet along the way. What are we focused on?
“I said it before and I’ll say it again, life moves pretty fast, if you don’t stop and look around you might miss it.” Ferris Bueller
THOUGHTS FROM THE ROAD
TIME TO RACE AGAIN- Postponed from earlier this year the Shane Hammond Believe Foundation second annual “Shane Race for Fun” is on tap for Saturday, March 13 at On Track Karting in Wallingford, CT. This is your chance to chance to race against all those bench racers who think they know how it’s done. To top it off all the proceeds go to support safer racers and racing. You can even stage your own race up to 15 races. Make your plans to be there.
ACE LANE JR. Ace has had some medical issues over the past few weeks. I am told he is improving and on the road to recovery. Please keep him in your thoughts and prayers.
NEMA’S LOSS GREAT- This week NEMA lost a man who could be referred to as their heart and soul, 14 time champion car owner Gene Angelillio passed away on Monday at the age of 74. Midget racing was a passion of Genes along with his late wife Marilyn. Dumo’s Dream and later Marilyn’s Passion were the names that his team carried to honor his late father and wife. Drew Fornoro and Gene formed one of the greatest driver/owner combinations in midget racing. Russ Stoehr, Joey Payne, Johnny Kay, Nokie Fornoro and Ted Christopher all had success and won as drivers of Gene’s midgets. Please join us as we lift up the family in our prayers.
TUNING UP, TO RUN THE RACE IN SUCH A WAY AS TO WIN, A retreat led by Racing with Jesus Ministries for those who have a heart to reach the racing community.
Tune Up you skills to run the race for Christ. Join us for a time of getting to know each other, learning together, worshiping our Lord and praying with each other. March 19-21, 6:00pm Friday thru 12:00n Sunday at Emmanuel Baptist Church, 38 Front Street, West Springfield, MA. Conference fee; $50.00, covers conference supplies and meals; lodging available $80.00 covers two nights, ppdo. Reserve your spot now
Be a witness for our Lord with the ministry decals and apparel. See them at the Show Your Faith Apparel Store at www.rwjm.com. Send us your prayer and counseling needs no matter what part of our racing family you are in, or give us a call. 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” Check our home page www.rwjm.com for past articles. Drop us a note and share your input and thoughts. 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***
March 11
JOSEPH AND ALICE FERGUSON- The proprietor of Ferguson Painting and Decorating and wife; fans from Howard, PA celebrate their 34th anniversary.
March 14
MARK & AUDREY MOCKOVAC- The Danbury, CT based Modified Racing Series Media Coordiantor and wife/ Claremont Modified driver (Audrey Stevens) share their 13th anniversary.
***HAPPY BIRTHDAYS***
March 10
MIKE WALLACE- The driving middle brother of the famous racing Wallace’s with Kenny and Rusty.
DEAN CHRYSTAL- Milford, ME NASCAR KNPSE driver/ Graphics specialist.
ALFRED HILL- NC Modified driver.
MATT EMHOFF- York, Maine. He is a member of Ken and Art Barry’s crew on the 21 Spearpoint Racing team.
RAQUEL RIOLO- Daughter of Stafford LM driver Joe and wife Brenda is 13.
March 11
JOE GOSEK- NY based ISMA SuperModified driver.
HAL GOODSON- Darlington, SC All Pro driver.
BRIAN CRUNDEN- Connecticut ProStock driver.
DAVE BURNHAM- CT based LM driver.
VALARIE LeSIEUR- Daughter of former Speedway Scene Publisher, Val.
DAN BURY- Upstate NY photographer.
JOHN LANE- A son of NJ photographer Ace.
CAROL PARES- Wife of “Area Auto Racing News” NASCAR Mod Series photographer Mike of Wayne, NJ.
March 12
BOB HABERSTICK- Wall Township Speedway driver.
TODD MASSEY- Haw River, NC LMSC driver.
March 13
GREG COVERDALE- Milford, DE URC Sprint driver.
JEFF SPRAKER- Latham, NY NASCAR/ARCA Owner.
LYN ST. JAMES- Willoughby, OH born, now Daytona Beach, FL IRL driver.
SCOTT BONNEY- Lee Speedway (NH) LM driver.
RANDY KANE- Selinsgrove and Clinton County Pit Steward.
JASON KOHLER- Fleetwood, PA MicroSprint driver.
CRYSTAL SANSEVERINO- A daughter of Hillsborough, NC photographer Ed and wife Linda.
March 14
JACK BATEMEN- NH True Value Modified Promotor/driver/team owner.
PAT PUNCH- In Newton, NC, the wife of Brewco NNS Team manager, Dennis, who is the brother of TV’s Dr. Jerry.
ERIN & KARRI LARSEN- The twin daughters of NASCAR Mod Tour official Joe are 18.
March 15
DEVIN HILTS- Brushton,NY go-kart driver.
PAT D’ANTONIO- Tuscon,AZ NASCAR West driver.
ROBBY PAGE- A new quarter midget driver turnes 9.
March 16
ED FERREE- Pennsylvania Motor Speedway multi-time dirt big block LM champion, proprietor of Frankland Racing Supply racing rears and Clincher Gears.
JERRY CRANMER- Semi-retired NJ asphalt Modified and ARCA driver.
SHERRY BLAKELY- San Antonio, TX driver.
DAN MESERVEY- Chatham, MA Mini Modified driver, dad of Mod/NASCAR KNPSE drivers Dan, Jr. and Doug.
BOB CASAGRANDE- Riverhead Raceway Blunderbust driver.
KATRINA SPENCER- Daughter of former NSC driver Jim and wife Pat.
BRANDON LEHMAN- A grown-up son of AARN columnist “Doc” from Smithville, OH.
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