The Internal Struggle, (part two)
As I said last week, we are all familiar with the angel on one shoulder and the devil on the other. We know what is right and want to do the right thing, but there is still that voice in there that tells us we can do what we want. Let’s continue as we close out our discussion of the internal struggle that challenges each one of us. Greetings in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Have you ever tried to stretch your car to the end of the race? Avoiding the pit stop and hoping you had enough to make it. Sometimes we don’t make it. Sometimes we fall short of the finish line. We need to take the proper steps to finish the race in such a way as to win.
As we talked last week we discussed the internal struggle and the spiritual birth that needs to take place in each one of us. We continue that discussion this week. Let take a look at how should make the right adjustment in our lives.
For some, we think we can just forgo the decision and not participate in this spiritual birth. We think we can just do our best and try to be good people and that will be good enough. It won’t, if we do not accept Christ, we are destined to destruction. Our sinful nature will lead us down a road that makes life meaningless. We will wake up one morning and regret the path we took and wonder if there is still a way out. Our only hope comes from accepting Christ and winning the battle.
The writer if Romans encourages us;
Romans 6:12-14, (New Living Translation); Do not let sin control the way you live; do not give in to sinful desires. Do not let any part of your body become an instrument of evil to serve sin. Instead, give yourselves completely to God, for you were dead, but now you have new life. So use your whole body as an instrument to do what is right for the glory of God. Sin is no longer your master, for you no longer live under the requirements of the law. Instead, you live under the freedom of God’s grace.
Living without the anxiety of looking over your shoulder is a wonderful blessing. Getting there takes some practice. We have to replace all those desires that are in us with the character of God. The Holy Spirit that dwells in our heart will help us learn what decision is right. Paul compiled a list in Galatians for us to compare the two natures so that we can understand to difference.
Galatians 5:16-22 (New Living Translation) So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves. The sinful nature wants to do evil, which is just the opposite of what the Spirit wants. And the Spirit gives us desires that are the opposite of what the sinful nature desires. These two forces are constantly fighting each other, so you are not free to carry out your good intentions. But when you are directed by the Spirit, you are not under obligation to the law of Moses.
When you follow the desires of your sinful nature, the results are very clear: sexual immorality, impurity, lustful pleasures, idolatry, sorcery, hostility, quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissension, division, envy, drunkenness, wild parties, and other sins like these. Let me tell you again, as I have before, that anyone living that sort of life will not inherit the Kingdom of God.
But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!
We need to change the direction our lives are going. If we stay on the path of self fulfillment, satisfying our selfish desires, we will find out sooner or later we missed the boat. We will find ourselves living a life without meaning or substance. We will find ourselves lost; looking for the turn we missed, wanting to move our lives in a different direction. As long as you are here there is still hope. Hope that comes in the form a Savior, Jesus Christ. Take time to consider how many times you have to look over your shoulder and see who is coming up behind you, wondering if you treated them right. Accept the hope that Jesus offers and start your life down the road that leads to security, satisfaction, fulfillment and life.
THOUGHTS FROM THE ROAD
MAD DOG FILLS THE HOUSE- After a 17 year hiatus the Whelen Modified Tour returned to Monadnock. The fans didn’t forget and made the night a success by filling the seats. Whelen Engineering also took the opportunity to say thank you to their New Hampshire Employees some 250 guests enjoyed the nights racing action. Our thanks go out to Phil and the entire Whelen crew for outfitting the RWJM pace car with the safety lighting necessary to pace the field. Because of their provision we were called into duty as the primary pace car. It was an experience Dan and I will not soon forget; thanks.
Qualifying saw Erick Rudolph win his first pole. He picked the right race to do as there was no redraw and his qualifying effort allowed him to lead the field to green. He was able to maintain his good performance and brought the car home second behind race winner TC.
Ronnie Silk had the run of the night starting in 16th and finishing on the podium in third. He passed thirteen cars as he worked to bring the high groove into play.
All in all it was a good day. We were able to renew relationships with the folks at Monadnock and catch up on a few things. We want to thank them for their hospitality. I think they do a wonderful job of making people feel welcome. Take in a race there some Saturday night.
OPS RUNS LATE- This week I (Scott) traveled a lot further north to Oxford plains speedway in Oxford, Maine with the Modified Racing Series. Once again there was a strong contingent of Modified’s making the trip. For me I was excited about going to this track for the first time. I heard greats like Bobby Allison talk about how they got there start in the early days by racing at this track and I must say it was worth the trip.
Probably the only issue of the night was the 10:36 green flag which was caused by some added races from a Wednesday rained out show. Once the MRS went green no one was disappointed. Oxford is so wide that the cars were three wide many times during the night and it took 73 laps before anyone saw a caution. At the end of the night Southern Modified Tour regular Andy Suess took down an exciting win for his first MRS win of the season. Louie Mechalides finished second and Todd Annarummo finished 3rd.
The MRS will be traveling to Canaan, NH this week and I encourage everyone to get out and support this touring division. You will see some real special racing and will not be disappointed.
NEMA REMEMBERS SHANE- This Saturday night we will be with NEMA at Waterford Speedbowl for the running of the First Annual Shane Hammond Memorial. We will be on hand to help the NEMA family honor one of their own and to help the racing community remember the inspiration they received from Shane and the life he lived. There are still lap sponsorships available, check out the website, nemaracing.com.
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 21
JERRY & LINDA SOLOMITO- It is 24 laps together for this Long Island driver and wife.
July 22
BRAD & LYNN LEIGHTON- This Center Harbor, NH CWES Grand National driver and wife share their 19th anniversary.
PHIL & BETTY SMITH- This veteran writer and wife of Westerly, RI celebrate their special day.
July 23
RED & STELLA MEAD- This Hyde Park, VT White Mountain Motorsports Park (NH) driver and wife share their 25thanniversary.
DAVE & SHIRLEY ALEXANDER- This retired Maine Modified driver and wife have turned their track 43 times.
***HAPPY BIRTHDAYS***
July 21
BOBBY WILKINS- Milford, DE Dirt Modified driver.
TIM McCAULEY- Huntington Beach, CA NASCAR West driver.
July 22
RON YOUNG- Conyers, GA NASCAR All Pro Series driver.
CHRISTOPHER SAVLUK- Son of Lisbon, CT Crew Chief Roger.
RICH YANNETTA- Bridgewater, NJ Flemington go-kart driver.
JULIANNE ELIZABETH COX- The youngest of Bob and Tracy is 7.
July 23
BUCKSHOT JONES- Monticello, GA former NNS driver.
DEBBIE KRODEL- Keith’s wife, both Sprint and NASCAR WMT fans, in Pensacola, FL.
July 24
JEFF HERBERT- Wall Stadium Modified driver.
STAN WATTLES- Glen Cove, LI born, now Sewall’s Point, FL IRL driver.
LEONARD WAGNER- This Schwenksville, PA Grandview Speedway fan, along with wife Earlene, is also a Dale Jarrett fan.
JUDY ROBINSON- Wife of Bill, daughter of Doris Bradley, fan of Wall Stadium, New Egypt and NASCAR fan of Ricky Rudd. Sister of Sally and Tammy.
July 25
FRANK FLEMING- Mt. Airy, NC Modified driver.
KELLY PUNCH- A son of Dennis and Pat from Newton, NC and crewman for Dale Earnhardt, Jr.
TODD STILES- Lisbon, CT Tech Inspector.
July 26
RANDY MacDONALD- Canadian born KNPSE,NNS,CWTS owner/driver now living in NC.
RICK CRAWFORD- Mobile, AL NASCAR All Pro/CWTS driver.
ALAN COATES- Connecticut Modified driver.
WILL POIGNONNEC- Kart Racer at Oakland Valley Race Park from East Brunswick, NJ.
DAVID ALIO- NSC photographer
MIKE SOVA- Windsor, NY writer.
July 27
GLENN SULLIVAN- Westbury, LI KNPSE driver.
PETE FIANDACA- Townsend, MA legendary LM/ProStock driver.
JACK SELLERS- Sacramento, CA NASCAR West driver.
*** IN THE SHOP ***
MICHAEL PARES SR- AARN modified tour photographer had an accident and is in the hospital with broken legs. Hehad surgery and in about 3 weeks he will go back for surgery to have the pins removed. He has a long recovery 6-8 months. He’s getting around in a wheelchair now; he can’t bend his legs as they are in braces. His spiritsare up. Please pray for him. Thank you. If you would like to send him a card his address is 5 Broadway, Wayne,NJ 07470, He need a lot of cheers!
SHARE YOUR SPECIAL OCCASIONS WITH YOUR RACING FAMILY. SEND THEM TO RACING WITH JESUS MINISTRIES AT PO BOX 586, Tolland, CT, 06084