The Master Gardener
I came back from New Hampshire and our tomato plants have grown at least another foot. Unfortunately those pesky weeds grew also. The weeds needed to be removed so that the tomatoes could grow even larger and the plants would bear more fruit. We face the same thing in our lives, as we grow in Christ there are some things we need to remove before we can grow even closer to him and bear more fruit. Greetings in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
One day I was talking to Billy the Kid about engine building, not because I wanted to build one, but I wanted some understanding about the process. Before I came to RWJM I worked in manufacturing, I made things work, so I have always been intrigued about engine building. Billy and I talked about a spec engine or “recipe” engine. If I understand it correctly there is a list of parts you can use and from those parts you build an engine.
To some it sounds easy but Billy explained that picking the right size parts to go together can make all the difference in the world. Some of the parts, although the same, don’t match up right and wouldn’t work well together. You have to keep the right ones and discard the ones that don’t. When you put the right ones together you produce more horsepower and isn’t that what it is all about.
Now that I think about it, that must be why some chocolate chip cookies taste better than others. The ingredients are pretty basic, but some cooks just know how to put the ingredients together in such a way as to make them irresistible. I must confess though, there aren’t too many chocolate chip cookies I don’t like, but I digress. (Awesome commercial)
Our lives are a lot like tending a garden, building a motor or even making chocolate chip cookies, some things are desirable and some things don’t belong. Only the right combination of things produces the desired effect. We can only live a life that honors God when we remove the things that drain our resources and fertilize the things that grow us into the people we need to be. Jesus talked about it in John’s Gospel.
John 15:1-8; “I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.
“I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. If anyone does not remain in me, he is like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you. This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.
Gardening is a constant process of pruning, cutting out things that are not useful, so that the things that are useful can grow and flourish. It seems counter productive but if you let something grow without some pruning it gets unruly and out of control. It really parallels our lives, if we live without someone pruning us and shaping the decisions we make, our lives would become chaotic and unproductive. We would destroy ourselves. No one can live a long and productive life without some pruning.
Keep in mind though, once something is cut from the main plant it looses its source of living power and withers and dies. We need to stay connected to the source of life, true life, Jesus Christ. He provides the life we need and apart form Him we can do nothing, nothing worth doing that is. All we become if we are not connected to God through Jesus is deadwood.
To lead productive lives that honor God a few things have to take place; first we need to be connected to the Father through Jesus. Jesus is the vine that brings to us the essential elements for life. We need to accept Christ and allow him to provide for us the very source of life. He will lead us to the Father.
Second, we must allow God to prune, mold and shape us into the person He created us to be. Let’s face it that is not a comfortable process, cutting things off, changing things, thinking differently, but it is a process that is necessary if we are going to live an abundant life. Some of the things we think and do are not beneficial to us, they just don’t belong. God will remove those and help us to grow in the right direction.
“A lady studied the art of bonkei: she learned how to place curiously shaped rocks and bonsai plants on a tray spread with sand to create a miniature landscape. But … the final secret eluded her: no matter what she did, her sand never held together in the perfect waves and ripples of the master’s precisely arranged grains. Finally, after many years …she was told the answer. She bowed at the feet of the master, and he spoke. ‘Use glue,’ he said”
Jesus is the glue that holds our life together, he keeps us connected to God. Without that connection we will wither and die. God is the master gardener that shapes our lives into the life He created us to live. God uses the Holy Spirit to communicate to us the things that have to removed, adjusted and encouraged for our lives to honor Him. Remember that passage from last week?
1Corinthians 10:23 “Everything is permissible”–but not everything is beneficial. “Everything is permissible”–but not everything is constructive.
We sometimes think we can handle it when, in fact, we shouldn’t even try. We need to turn our life over to God and let him prune and shape us into what He created us to be. We need to stay connected to Jesus, without that connection we will wither and die. We need to call on the name of Jesus and seek God while He can still be found.
THOUGHTS FROM THE ROAD
BEAUTIFUL WEATHER FOR RACING- This weekend had to be one of the best stretches of weather I can remember over a holiday weekend of racing. >From Thursday night at Thompson to Saturday night at Monadnock the weather was the star of the show! Also there was some pretty good racing along the way. Mike Stefanik found victory lane Thursday night at Thompson in the Tour Type Mod open show.
NEMA also raced at Thompson that night and Randy Cabral won a thriller, coming from behind to chase down Russ Stoehr only to have to hold him off at the line but less than a car length. By the time you read this they will have another event under their belt with a Tuesday night race at Stafford.
TC showed us another one of his moves as he made another last lap pass for the victory in the Sunoco Mod feature. He has dominated the division at Thompson but he has had to earn every victory.
Before we leave the action at Thompson I might add that across the board the car counts are off from where I am used to seeing them. The pits looked a little empty when I arrived. The economic system is taking a toll on racing. Let’s hope for some encouraging indications soon.
Off to Lime rock for the historic first running of the Whelen Modified Tour at the picturesque road course with no easy way to get to. It really isn’t that bad of a ride when the weather was as beautiful as it was last weekend.
I did things a little differently on this trip to Lime Rock, I was offered a golf cart and took advantage of it. I felt so much better after two days there then if I had to walk around the facility. I actually visited parts of the track that I had never been before. It was good to see the entire layout up close and personal. Thanks to Dan, the golf cart guy, for making the offer and flagging me down to remind me. My feet thank you and I know of two photographers who are thankful also.
The hard work award goes out to the #2 team. They had to change engines and missed all but a few laps of practice. They then went out and qualified on the pole and came home second. Congratulations goes out to every member of that crew.
First place for the second race in a row went to a non-regular driver. In a deal worked out over the last few weeks, Dale Quarterly, road race ace, drove for Wayne Darling. Wayne only instruction, “bring it home in one piece.” Dale did that and also brought it home in first place! I think Wayne is still smiling!
In the K&N portion of the show the road race ace from north of the border put it on the pole and in the number one spot on the podium. It wasn’t as easy as it sounds though. Andrew Ranger had his work cut out for him as he had to battle his way back to the lead after relinquishing it. He showed his experience as he drove his way to victory lane.
The question did come up as I talked with Andrew before the race, “How come no Canadian National Anthem?” I guess the folks at Lime rock didn’t know they had an international field. Being fair we would have had to have several national anthems as this field included drivers from at least five different countries. Let’s just leave it with one anthem.
The MRS made a visit to Mad Dog Saturday night and the car count wasn’t a problem. I am told they sent home over ten cars. They also put on a great show slowed only by a few cautions. Scott said it was a great show with Kirk Alexander taking home the honors.
To close out the weekend I headed to Maine for a little sailing with my wife. Scott Martin will be at Stafford for the Extreme Tuesday show and we will be back in time to head to Thompson on Thursday. I hope your Forth of July holiday was a safe and happy one. Remember to get out there and support some local racing. There is nothing like being there.
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***
July 8
JOHN & LAURIE UDES- This asphalt Modified driver from white Plains, NJ and wife celebrate their anniversary.
July 9
GARY & KARIANN HARTSON- The proprietor of Clinton, CT G&H Trailer/ Waterford LM driver and wife have their 14th anniversary.
LEW & JOANN PARKS- This Glen Aubrey, NY Indy 500 tire specialist and wife make it 49 years together.
July 11
BILL & PHYLLIS BALSER- The Norton, MA photographer and wife have their 58th anniversary.
***HAPPY BIRTHDAYS***
July 7
WOODY “SKIP” PITKAT- WMT driver and SK/Late model regular at Stafford and Thompson.
RICK FORD- BRS Modified driver at Wall township Speedway.
TOM TWINEM- Brookfield, WI fan; Carita’s husband.
July 8
CHRIS INGO JR- driver in the Sport Truck Division at Seekonk Speedway celebrates another lap.
TOM ROSATI- Agawam, MA former CWES/ProStock driver and husband of Kristy Bennett Rosati, CWES driver Brad’s sister.
SPIKE MATTATALL- Beech Ridge Speedway driver.
JENNIFER & PAULA ZUIDEMA- The wife and mom of Brookfield, MA ProStock driver Jeff.
NICOLE STEFANIK- Daughter of NASCAR WMT/KNPSE multi-time champion Mike and wife Julie, head of Koszela Speed.
LORI CANNEY- Wife of Meriden, CT AARN photographer Frank.
BEV MAVLOUGANES- Mom of Springfield, MA photographer Dave and ProStock driving Jim.
KEVIN MORGAN- Son of Maryland fan Forrest.
JACOB MILLER- Son of Camp Hill, PA fans Ron and Arleen is 12.
JAKE MILLER- A son of Ron and Arleen in Camp Hill, PA is 13.
July 9
CARLTON ROBIE- Candia, NH dad of KNPSE/Al Pro driver Jarod Robie.
July 10
STEVE LOMBARDO- CT Modified driver.
CHUCK WELCH- Vacaville, CA NASCAR West driver.
TED PARKER- President of Praker Trucking in Avon, MA. Legends driver.
GEORGE MARTIN, JR- Wernersville, PA writer.
BRIAN SACKS- Son of NSC driver Greg.
SAL MAGLIO- Scranton, PA fan.
INGRID D’ALESSANDRO- Race fan from Agawam, MA
July 11
BOBBY DOTTER- Chicago, IL NCTS driver.
JOE BEAN- San Diego, CA NASCAR West driver.
DONNA LITTLE- Wife of former NSC driver now WMT director Chad.
KYLE BELMONT- Langhorne, PA ARCA driver Andy and wife Sue’s youngest is 15.
July 12
TOM CAREY- Former New Salem, MA NASCAR KNPSE driver/crew cheif now Charlotte based fabricator.
KRISTA ROEHRIG- The lady is the best friend and wife of former Big Diamond Speedway owner/promoter Fritz.
ED SPENCER II- Berwick, PA former Crew Chief for Jim Spencer in his Modified days.
BILLY STEBBINS- Former Jim Broderick Modified Crew Chief, now living in NH.
TOM BALDWIN III- Grandson of the late NASCAR WMT driver Tom and son of NNC Car owner Tom II.
MENA FELTENBERGER- Wife of Grandview/Big Diamond flgamn/photographer Mike.
July 13
BOBBY BABB- Maine based LM driver.
JEAN DEBOIS- Mom of Pam Krause, wife of AARN Ass’t Editor/Columnist, Earl.
*** IN THE SHOP ***
DANNY SARRANO- Danny, General Manager at New Egypt, has been in the hospital for the past week and may need to spend some additional time there. Please keep him and his family in your thoughts and prayers.
SHARE YOUR SPECIAL OCCASIONS WITH YOUR RACING FAMILY. SEND THEM TO RACING WITH JESUS MINISTRIES AT PO BOX 586, Tolland, CT, 06084