Beginning at the End
Have you ever done something wrong? Seems like a simple question with a simple answer, but why is it we forget that when it comes time to forgive someone else from a mistake they made. Forgiveness is something we want to receive but many times are not as willing to give. Greetings in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Let me set the record straight, we all make mistakes. We all make choices that seem right at the time but in retrospect they were not the correct ones. That being said why have we become a society that has developed a less forgiving attitude. Zero tolerance is not the right way to deal with mistakes.
As the season winds down I can remember several occasions over the past few months that mistakes on and off the track have been made. At the moment when they occurred it seemed the whole season hinged on them. After a little time passed, there significance waned and we have moved on. Those are the ones that are easy to deal with. Other mistakes take on a life of there own.
Some are not truly mistakes but maybe a little creative rules interpretation. Penalties are levied and corrections are made. We move on or at least we are supposed to. Some of us have longer memories than others.
Some linger because the punishment doesn’t fit the crime. This is where timing and zero tolerance collide. As the season plays itself out the rules change. When things get out of hand we receive a warning and the bar is raised. What would have been acceptable before is not now. These situations really cause us the most angst.
At one time the infraction would have been overlooked but now because of zero tolerance and the timing it draws a stiff penalty. We are judged by one standard and extenuating circumstances are not considered. Most times the punishment doesn’t fit the crime, but because there is no flexibility and only one penalty, everything is judged the same. The voice of reason has no place in the discussion.
Some never seem to be dealt with so they linger and fester. These types effect relationships and are the most destructive. No matter what the situation was, when mistakes are made they need to be corrected. We need to take responsibility for them and seek forgiveness. We then need to forget about it and move on.
Forgive and forget; a familiar refrain, but one of the most difficult things for us to do. We want to get back at the person who wronged us. We have a need to get even. We have our rights and no one is going to take advantage of us. We say that we forgive but we will never forget. These are many of the comments you hear when you encourage others to forgive. We tend to be unforgiving people when it comes to others, but we want to be forgiven when it comes to us.
Let’s take a look at what God says about this issue. God’s rules never change and His standard is always the same. God does not accept our mistakes. God is right and just and mistakes are not something that God can accept. God says all mistakes are the same, big, small doesn’t matter all mistakes fall into the category of sin, missing the mark. We all have made them and all will have to pay the penalty.
Romans 8:23; There is no difference, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.
And the penalty is the same;
Romans 6:23a; For the wages of sin is death,
But look at the rest of that verse and we start to see what God intends for us.
Romans 6:23b; but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
God said I will make a way for your mistakes to be forgiven; I will send My Son, Jesus Christ to pay the penalty for you.
John 3:16-18; “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son.
We have spoken at chapel about being a peacemaker. Jesus was the ultimate peacemaker. He gave his life so that we could have peace with God. Jesus came, suffered, died and rose again so that the penalty for our sin would be paid in full. We can receive that payment by accepting it. It is a gift from God.
Ephesians 2:8-9; For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith–and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God– not by works, so that no one can boast.
God provided this opportunity for forgiveness and we can receive it by accepting Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior. When we do, we make peace with God, we restore our relationship with Him and our sin is forgiven, remembered no more.
As the season comes to an end, take a look back and see if there are some people you need to forgive. We are expected to forgive as God forgave us. That means not because we deserve it but because He loves us. Forgive not because they deserve it, but because God forgave you.
We cannot experience the full blessing of God if we refuse to forgive others. Our unwillingness to forgive implies that our standard is greater than God’s. That is not correct; God’s standard is the only one that counts. If God is willing to forgive you, there is no reason we could have for not forgiving others. Make that commitment this week. Commit that you will go to the people you have refused to forgive and forgive them. Don’t worry if they refuse to accept it, many have refused to accept the forgiveness that God offers. We are not called to make people accept our forgiveness, but to offer the gift. Offer that gift to someone today. God Bless, Rev. Don
THOUGHTS FROM THE ROAD
NO SNOW- When the schedule came out and the October date at Chemung was announced thoughts immediately turned to the prospect of a snowout. Quite the contrary was in store, a beautiful fall day in the mountains of New York. As long as the sun was out the temperature was great, when the sun set however it cooled off very fast. Give credit to all involved for moving the program along and moving the start time up, we actually finished before we were scheduled to start. Matt Hirschman took home the victory and cut into TC’s point lead. The lead is down to 55 points and with two to go this is turning out to be a horse race.
We were joined in Chemung by Dan’s daughter Stephanie and her boyfriend Kevin. It was great to have them along and share the experience with us. I think we created a new race fan in Kevin. It was a good day to serve the Lord at the track.
NEW SERIES FORMING? I want to be the first to announce this so here goes, from my observations there seems to be a trend in drivers driving Minivans. First Lou Cicconi and then Billy Pauch Jr. I am not sure but I think I see the next big thing coming down the line, Minivan racing. We can add some flames, a wing and who knows! Can you see it now, a division for Soccer and Hockey moms, this should be cool. Have you ever seen them drive in traffic? One point we need to stress, there is no passing the pace car. Lou already committed his first rule infraction on Route 17 somewhere on the Pennsylvania/New York line.
FALL FINAL GETS BUSY- TC will add to his challenges during Fall Final weekend as he not only tries to nail down two championships, SMS SKMod and NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour, but will also jump in a Camping World East entry and use that as a warm-up for the day.
Woody Pitkat gets into the act also, he will be in a Fadden Racing prepared machine for Mike Olsen. Woody ran with the team out in Irwindale last December and will be back to race with them at a track where he has turned many laps. Remember the driver’s seat for the Fadden Racing entry in the Camping World Series is empty for 2009 and with some financial support it would be great to see Woody driving it full time. The Camping World East is getting tremendous exposure and is a great place for a new sponsor to break in.
ITS OFFICIAL, PREECE WINS- One of these days Ryan will get his chance to celebrate in Victory Lane, this week the decision was handed down to remove the victory from Burt Myers and award it to second place finisher Ryan Preece. Ryan has had one taken away at Stafford and one awarded to him at Martinsville. One of these days he is going to win and celebrate in victory lane on the same day. I spoke with Ryan and he said they are trying to work something out so that he can head down to Martinsville and take the victory lane photos with track president Clay Campbell, Whelen’s Phil Kurze and the trophy. Ryan was hoping it might be on Cup weekend but that is the same weekend as the World Series at Thompson. I think he will accept victory lane photos at Thompson as a substitute. The famed #3 visited victory lane in last year’s WMT race at Thompson on World Series weekend, maybe a repeat is in order.
MOTORSPORTS 2009 SHAPING UP- We have begun selecting cars for our booth at next years Motorsports show in Atlantic City. We have secured the Camping World East Champion’s car of Matt Kobyluck already and we are waiting on the final standings of the WMT with hopes of having both the Champion’s car and the ROTY car. We are also trying to secure the Camping World East ROTY car and the WSMT Champion’s car of Brian Loftin. Needless to say our display gets bigger and better each year. Make your plans now to come by and show your support for Racing with Jesus Ministries.
This week has us back at Stafford Motor Speedway for the Fall Final. Both the Whelen Modified Tour and the Camping World East Series will join the weekly divisions for the season ender for Stafford. Let’s hope for a great fall weekend of exciting racing action, see you there.
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***
Correction- Somewhere along the line we missed a year, Bill and Mary Brice have been together for 47 not 46 years as previously reported.
October 9
SCOTT & MELANIE DEWARE- This South Easton, MA NASCAR BNS GRAND NATIONAL/SCCA couple have their 13th anniversary.
October 11
BOBBY & CAROL GAHAN- The multi-time Lee Speeway ProStock champion with over 300 feature wins from Barrington, NH have their 38th anniversary.
DALE & TERRY WAKEFIELD- This Warren, NJ AMA Expert division biker and wife celebrate their 18th anniversary.
October 12
JOHN & LISA SHAPLEIGH- These former JBIII crew members celebrate their first 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 46 wonderful years together. Just ask Rich.
October 14
RON & CAROL MENTUS- This AARN racing writer and great Christian witness and wife share their 47th anniversary.
BILL & JUDY ROBINSON- These Wall Township Speedway fans from Whiting, NJ, and she the daughter of Doris Bradley, share their 24th anniversary.
***HAPPY BIRTHDAYS***
OPPS!
October 6th
SUZANNE STIVASON- car owner of the modlite 116 champion at Blanket Hill Speedway and sprintcar #4 champion at Mercer park in Western PA.
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 11.
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 Dodges.
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.
October 14
JASON JARRETT- Hickory, NC NNS/ARCA driving grandson of Ned and son of NSC’s Dale.
JOE VENEZIAN- Proprietor of Perth Amboy Springs (NJ) and Statewide Trailers.
JERRY GLANVILLE- Roswell, GA occasional ARCA/NNS driver, former NFL coach and TV commentator.
ANGELINA STUART- Preston, CT wife of JDM Chaasis builder/ LM driver Jay.
PATRICK MANNING- Sheldonville, MA Carl Pasteryak NASCAR WMT fan.
SHARE YOUR SPECIAL OCCASIONS WITH YOUR RACING FAMILY. SEND THEM TO RACING WITH JESUS MINISTRIES AT PO BOX 586, Tolland, CT, 06084