Big Picture Living
Have you ever taken a step back and looked at the big picture? Have you ever stopped to consider the grand scheme of things? Have you ever looked outside yourself and into someone else’s life? Greetings in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
We tend to look at things in snapshots. We only look at the situation that is right in front of our eyes. We consume ourselves with the here and now. I think we see that all around us more and more every day.
There are racers who race that way, focusing on only that one moment. They race one way, wreckers or checkers. If they don’t win the race you better be on the hook because if they aren’t they must not have been trying hard enough. That type of thought process can be a self fulfilling prophecy; you end up in the place your mind wants you to go.
When you learn accident avoidance they teach you to focus on where you want the car to go, not the danger, because that is where it will end up. Your body and mind work together to direct the car to the spot you are focused on. Too many times we are focused on the pile up and guess what, that is where we end up.
The big picture also applies to the end of the season championship. When you are making decisions out on the track during the race you have to have a goal in mind. Is it to get back at the guy who just bumped you and passed by? Is it to win this one race? Is your goal to get the best finish possible and let the little things that happen in the race go?
Too often you can do what it takes to win the race but lose the championship. The car with the most victories doesn’t always win the championship. We can accomplish our short term goal but lose out in the long run. We need to look at things differently.
We also need to look at the big picture in our lives, in the grand scheme of things what really matters. Do we pick each other apart for their little idiosyncrasies? Do we try to police everyone’s actions and make sure justice is done? When we live this way we get distracted from what really matters and we focus on things that really are not that important.
I am reminded of a passage Paul wrote to the Church at Colossi. He reminded people that they now belonged to Christ and their focus should be on things above. Here are a few verses to refer to;
Colossians 3:1-2; Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.
Colossians 3:12-14; Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.
Colossians 3:17; And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
It is easy to get caught up in the moment. It is easy to lose sight of what is truly important. It is easy to react to a situation out of frustration and anger. It isn’t always easy to forgive and show patience. We have to work to display that kind of response.
Maturity comes when we can follow the instructions of Paul and show compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. We learn to look at the big picture when we value people the same way God values us, when we can forgive the way God forgave us.
Let me ask you, are you looking at the big picture? Or are we so focused on every little detail that we cannot see the forest through the trees? I find it a little amusing that we have so many sayings that remind us to take a step back and look at things from a different perspective. We must all need to be reminded in some way that everything isn’t always what it seems.
Please take the time to broaden your viewpoint. Take a step back and look at things from God’s perspective. You belong to Christ and His Spirit lives in you. Show the world what that means. You will be amazed at what you see.
THOUGHTS FROM THE ROAD
DOUBLEHEADER PROVIDES SOME GREAT RACING ACTION- We were honored to be a art of the Busch North Reunion at Lee Speedway last Friday night. We spent time reminiscing about the days gone by; remembering the drivers and teams that made The Busch North Series what it was. Things have changed and a new group of young drivers were introduced to Lee Speedway. The highlight of this night was the tribute paid to the late series director, Bunk Sampson. The entire Sampson family was on hand to participate and received a warm welcome from the fans. It was great time.
The race itself provided some of the most exciting two wide racing we have seen. Several laps were run side by side and the tight racing produced a great race to watch. Home cooking proved to be beneficial for Eddie MacDonald as he contended for the win the entire night.
The move of the race belonged to eventual winner Darrell Wallace Jr, as he dove low entering turn three to make it three wide after taking the green with four to go. Truex, MacDonald and Wallace ran three wide for another lap before Wallace edged out front and brought home the victory. Some good hard clean racing, all three finished in one piece. The fans left having witnessed an exciting finish fitting of the night they remembered their roots.
OFF TO THE ISLAND- Pulling out early Saturday to catch the boat to the Island we were joined by a few Whelen Modified Teams for the ride. After a little bench racing we rolled off and headed to the last track left on the Island, Riverhead.
Again we enjoyed wonderful summer weather for this traditional midsummer classic. Thanks goes out to the fans and the efforts of one, LI Maniac, for raising extra purse money to entice the best of the best in Tour Type Modifieds to come and compete.
A first time winner rose to the top of field as Rowan Pennink won his first Tour race. He crossed the line with hard charging Ryan Preece attached to his bumper. Pennink along with his team and family celebrated this hard fought victory. After many close calls and not for the lack of trying, finally getting across the stripe first proved to be sweet.
Riverhead is known for its hospitality and the post race pit party continued that tradition. Scott and Dan enjoyed spending some time reviewing the race and reminiscing. Our thanks go out to the Chief, Greg Dickenson, for extending his hospitality to us and making sure we were well taken care of during our visit. Once again we enjoyed another memorable visit to Riverhead and a classic dual out on the track. We are looking forward to our next visit.
STAFFORD PLAYS HOST TO TOUR- This week we head to Stafford for the summer visit of the Whelen Modified Tour. We are looking forward to this visit. From Stafford we head to Beech Ridge to accompany Scott for the Modified Racing Series race there on Saturday night. Make plans now to join us.
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***
August 6
RICH and PAT DURANTI – This LM driver from the Waterford Speedbowl and his wife celebrate 33 years of marriage.
August 7
SCOTT & HEATHER PUNCH- This NNC crewman and wife in Claremont, NC have their 10th anniversary.
August 10
CLIFF KULIKOWSKI & SUSAN ZINSMEISTER- This Christian brother now Atlanta, GA commercial Direct TV dealer, Atlanta Antenna, transplanted from Brooklyn, NY tied the knot.
***HAPPY BIRTHDAYS***
August 4
BILL SLATER- “Wild Bill” of East Hartford, CT Stafford Motor Speedway staffer and retired great NASCAR Modified Sportsman driver in the 60’s and 70’s of the famous CT Valley Rocket “V-8.”
JAMIE AUBE- Charlotte, VT NASCAR Former KNPSE driver, three-time champion and now crew chief.
SHAWN PARKER- NH driver, son of Parker’s Express Trucking owner Ted.
JEFF GORDON- Multi-time Nextel Cup champion driver of the Hendricks Motorsports.
August 5
DON SCERENCITS- Northampton, PA AARN Subscrition Sales Field Rep.
KIP STOCKWELL- Vermont based NASCAR KNPES/late model driver and now farmer.
RICH WOODLAND, JR.- Templeton, CA NASCAR West driver.
KEVIN LITTLEFIELD- Salem, NH fabricator/crewman on the former #77 NASCAR KNPSE team.
JACK FLOWERS- Charlotte, NC NSC writer.
KYLE GUENNETTE- Son of Fairfield, CT fan “Fast Eddie” is 19.
ELISABETH MINTER- A daughter of Martinsville, VA WODY Radio’s “Uncle Wendell” and wife Deloris is 18.
August 6
EDDIE MARSHALL- NY D.I.R.T. Modified driver.
CRAIG RAUDMAN- Redding, CA NASCAR West driver.
JEB BURTON- Son of former NSC driver Ward and wife Tabitha is 16.
DEBBIE DIONNE- Wife of Gary, both of Acton, CA RWJM Counselors and Gary a Hollywood car stuntman and RWJM West Coast Coordinator.
August 7
BRUCE D’ALLESANDRO- East Hartford, CT former Riverside Park and NASCAR WMT driver.
AL HANNA- CT based alchohol Funny Car driver.
RICHIE YANETTA, Sr.- Of Bridgewater, NJ, the father of Go-Kart drivers Rich, Jr. and Jeff.
August 8
JACK SPRAGUE- Concord, NC NSC/NNS/CTS driver.
CHARLIE PASTERYAK- Lisbon, CT NASCAR WMT/MRS driver/owner.
LORIN ARTHOFER- Bath, PA Mahoning Valley Speedway based Modified driver and proud dad of driver Jason.
TOMMY ELLIS- Retired Richmond, VA BGN driver.
GREG TOMAINO- Brother of Howell, NJ popular NASCAR WMT driver Jamie Tomaino.
SAMANTHA HOWARD- A daughter of retired Waterford Speedbowl LM driver Tom and wife Carol.
JERRY TOMARCHIO- Former driver at East Windsor and Flemington.
BRIANNA PAGE- This quarter midget driver at the Garden State Quarter Midget Race Club at the Wall Township Speedway is 14.
MICHAEL DRANSFIELD- Another Garden State Quarter Midget racer is 19.
August 9
CHRIS KOPEC- Massachusetts Flamingo Racing NASCAR WMT Cheif and former driver.
BRITTANY TOMAINO- Howell, NJ NASCAR WMT driver Jamie and wife Cheryl’s daughter.
AUGUST 10
DON NEUENBERGER- Fort Washington, PA former NASCAR driver.
CHRIS URBAN- The grandson of Bob Pratt and grandson of Richie Pratt, Sr.
JOHN TEMCHAK- Canterbury, NH NHIS Victory Lane Staff Member.
*** IN THE SHOP ***
MICHAEL PARES UPDATE- After 8 hours of surgery the pins have been removed and Michael is able to bend his knees 90 degrees. He is making progress and is still in need of our encouragement. I am sure he would appreciate a card or note. Please also remember his family in your prayers. If you would like to send him a card his address is 5 Broadway, Wayne, NJ 07470.
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