One of the most challenging things about life is
keeping it in balance. It is very easy to get things leaning one way or
the other. Do you remember the game we used to play in the 70-80’s
called tip it? Let’s take a look this week at getting our lives back
into balance. Greetings in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus
Christ.
Have you ever driven a car with the tires out of balance? You
know it, don’t you. The thing is bouncing down the road. The steering
wheel is vibrating in your hand. It feels like the whole car is going to
fall apart at the seams.
How fast can a racecar go if it isn’t balanced right? When we
are setting up a racecar we look for balance, keeping the car stable and
drivable while at the same time going fast. The team that achieves the
best balance has the best opportunity to win.
How do we get there? We practice, take measurements, make
changes and try them out. We then repeat the steps again until the
desired balance is achieved. Sometimes it is hard to attain and the only
other option is to build some adjustability into the car so that it can
be adjusted during the race to make it as balanced as possible. You can
drive a car that is out of balance, but not very fast.
If your racecar is not able to run very fast because it is
out of balance what do you think your life would be like if it is was
the same? You see many of us live our lives out of balance. We try thing
that lead us to places that are not beneficial for us. The circumstances
and results of our actions create difficulties for us. We struggle to
make things right or we just choose to live in the chaos we know as
life. That is not the way God wants it to be, He didn’t create us to
live our lives out of balance. He provided a way for us to put things
right, to balance to books; Jesus Christ.
If you recall last week we were taking about Jesus and the
question he asked His disciples, “Who do you say that I am?” He
challenged us to search Him out and find out who He truly is. We need to
recognize Him and understand what he has to offer to us.
We sometimes recognize that and decide that we’ll be alright
without it. We can make it on our own. We’ll try it and see how we do.
The only certainty there is at some point in our life is we will need
Him. Will he be there waiting for us?
We talked about Peter and his denial of knowing Christ. How
he claimed he would defend Christ even if it meant death, but when asked
if he was with him he said “NO”.
He soon found himself broken, shattered, knowing he had given
up something he couldn’t live without, his relationship with Christ. Why
is it that this relationship is so critical to our lives?
Without a relationship with Jesus our lives are out of
balance. No matter how much we try. No matter what we do. No matter how
successful we are. No matter how much we own. Nothing matters if we
sacrifice our relationship with Jesus to get it.
One of the falsehoods of life is thinking that we can do
enough good things to get to heaven. That is not true. A relationship
with Jesus is the only way. Our life will never be right until we have
that. When we recognize who Jesus is and what He did on the cross for us
it is time for us to reconcile our life with Him.
Ephesians 2:8-10, 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. For we are God's workmanship,
created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance
for us to do.
We need to go before him and request forgiveness for the sins
in our life. Then and only then will we be in balance. That is the way
God created us and that is the way God intended it to be. No other way
will work.
Look at Peter, he thought he had it all figured out. He did
until someone asked him if he was really committed to follow Christ.
That’s when he lost it. He broke down and learned life’s most critical
lesson, it is not within us to save us it is Christ and Christ alone. He
learned that the night he went out fishing. After he denied Christ he
went back to doing all he knew how to do, fish. Guess what happened? He
didn’t catch any fish. Surprised? Shouldn’t be, when he agreed to follow
Jesus, Jesus told him, “Follow me and I will make you fishers of men.”
Peter didn’t get it yet, but he would. John’s Gospel tells it to us this
way.
John 21:1-14, Afterward Jesus appeared again to his
disciples, by the Sea of Tiberias . It happened this way: Simon Peter,
Thomas (called Didymus), Nathanael from Cana in Galilee , the sons of
Zebedee, and two other disciples were together. "I'm going out to fish,"
Simon Peter told them, and they said, "We'll go with you." So they went
out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing.
Early in the morning, Jesus stood on the shore, but the disciples did
not realize that it was Jesus.
He called out to them, "Friends, haven't you any fish?"
"No," they answered.
He said, "Throw your net on the right side of the boat and you will find
some." When they did, they were unable to haul the net in because of the
large number of fish.
Then the disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, "It is the Lord!" As
soon as Simon Peter heard him say, "It is the Lord," he wrapped his
outer garment around him (for he had taken it off) and jumped into the
water. The other disciples followed in the boat, towing the net full of
fish, for they were not far from shore, about a hundred yards. When they
landed, they saw a fire of burning coals there with fish on it, and some
bread.
Jesus said to them, "Bring some of the fish you have just caught."
Simon Peter climbed aboard and dragged the net ashore. It was full of
large fish, 153, but even with so many the net was not torn. Jesus said
to them, "Come and have breakfast." None of the disciples dared ask him,
"Who are you?" They knew it was the Lord. Jesus came, took the bread and
gave it to them, and did the same with the fish. This was now the third
time Jesus appeared to his disciples after he was raised from the dead.
After breakfast, Jesus restored Peter and forgave him. Peter’s life was
now in balance. His sins were paid for by the death and resurrection of
Christ. He would no longer be a fisherman, but a fisher of men. We will
continue to follow Peter next week and see where his newfound balance
leads him.
Let me ask this, are your books balanced? Are you justified by Christ’s
death and resurrection? Jesus came so we could have life and have it
abundantly, John 10:10, He is the way the truth and the life, no one
comes to the Father except through Him. John 14:6. Put your life into
balance; reconcile your life with the one payment that matters, Jesus
Christ.
THOUGHTS FROM THE ROAD
It’s off to the Midwest this week for Dan and I. We will be traveling to
Minnesota and Iowa . It will be an action packed weekend as Dan and I
plan on visiting the famed half-mile dirt oval in Knoxville , Iowa for
their Saturday night show. We will once again be joined by Kenny, as we
tour the corn fields. I am sure we will have at least one picture on the
“fruited plain” that we have sung about since we were children.
I have flown to Minneapolis once for a two week business trip and they
lost my luggage. I only had the clothes I traveled with to wear for two
days before they found my bag and delivered it. I am only bringing a
carryon this trip. I can always go to Wally World if I need supplies!
I have made plans to participate in the Tom Baldwin Memorial Golf
Tournament this year down on the Island . That is taking place on June
7. I am looking forward to having a fun day out on the links doing
something that Tom enjoyed as much as racing, playing golf. I am sure
they will make room for you if you haven’t already signed up, just give
Steve Halpin, a call at (516) 790-6178 or drop him a note at
tbgolfouting@yahoo.com.
The tournament will support four charities near and dear to Tiger Tom’s
heart, the Autism Society of America, the Village of Bellport Summer
Concert Series , the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation and the
Victory Junction Gang Camp. The goal is to send as many children as
possible to Victory Junction Camp from Long Island and New England .
Lend this event your support and pray that through this lives would be
touched. Tom was truly a generous man and this helps us continue his
generosity.
I read that Wild Bill Slater and Joe Brady were going to reminisce with
others about their days at Norwood Arena on June 3. Should be very
interesting to listen to these guys relive the glory days of a track now
gone. Let’s help make memories for the next generation and go out to
your local track and make some memories that can be relived in the years
to come. I remember the night….
Rev. Dan lent me a book this week that touches close to each one of us.
We all meet at the track, prepare and race but sometimes don’t realize
what is happening in our lives away from the track. Dan and I are
privileged to be trusted with some of that information and feel honored
that you let us help you through the challenges of life. Rev. Dan and
Racing with Jesus Ministries were acknowledged for helping one such
family member through one of those challenges. One member of our racing
family wrote a book about what he faced, “The Hopeville Fire
Department”, by Tony Lembo. As difficult as this book was to write, Tony
felt the leading of God to record the events of his youth. He was the
victim of an abusive priest. The story broke a few weeks ago in The
Hartford Courant about a priest who used his flashy cop car and his
access to accident scenes to lure young men in. Tony didn’t want the
story to be swept under the rug and refused to be prevented from telling
his story. He fought the internal demons that have plagued him since the
events. He didn’t want another priest to get shuffled off to a never
mentioned place to live his life protected from justice. He wanted to
warn others and maybe, just maybe, prevent another tragedy from
happening. He wanted to help those who still fight with the memories and
the guilt that somehow this was their fault. As difficult as it is to
read this book it was necessary to see the evil that comes when we give
in to our own selfish desires. Check out Tony’s story at
www.TonyLembo.com and when you see him at the track encourage him. It is
because we care for each other that we can make it through these
difficulties.
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***
May 17
DAVE & KATHIE DUPUIS - The mom and dad of Rene, accomplished lady NASCAR
Modified driver have their anniversary.
May 18
HOWARD & MARY HODGE - This Manchester, CT racing photographer couple
share their 45th.
JIM, JR AMD GINGER HAILEY- The NC LMSC driving son of Richard Childress
Show Car Team Manager Jim, have their 13th anniversary.
TONY & ELIZABETH DIAS- This Riverside, RI ProStock driver and wife
celebrate 22 years together.
May 19
EDDIE & ANN DENSIESKI - This Riverhead NASCAR Modified driver and wife
share their special day.
JERRY AND DEBBIE LILLQUIST - This former Thompson Late Model driver and
wife, now living in Myrles Inlet, SC, have their 34th anniversary.
May 21
TODD & LINDA HENSHAW - This Thompson MiniStock driver turned crewchief
and wife share their 18th anniversary.
***HAPPY BIRTHDAYS***
May 16
DOUG FRENCH - Farmingdale, NJ occasional NASCAR Mod Series driver,
proprietor of DFA, close friend of WMT driver Jamie Tomaino.
PETE PAVONE - Bridgeport, CT DWRS Modified driver.
GEORGE ANDRETTA - Neptune, NJ Wall Township Speedway ProStock driver/
Modified team owner,
STEVIE REEVES - Speedway, IN BGN driver.
TOM TAYLOR - Lodi, CA NASCAR West driver.
GARY DANKO - AARN Brian's brother, racing radio host, Waterford
announcing staff.
JARROD LEHMAN - Son of AARN columnist Doc and wife Carol.
May 17
JOHN McMULLIN - Daytona based Film Producer.
JIM POWERS - Seekonk Speedway co-announcer.
JANIE DANKO - Owner of the Waterford Speedbowl John Faulkner LM.
May 18
ROGER OXEE - Riverhead Raceway competitor.
GARY LaMOUNTAIN - Riverhead Raceway LM driver.
May 19
MATT HUTTER - Chardon, OH NASCAR BES/BGN driver.
JODY RIDLEY - Chatsworth, GA NASCAR All Pro Series driver.
DALE CAMPFIELD - Apalachin, NY former owner of Shangri-La (Tioga)
Speedway.
SYLVIA CRUNDEN - Wife of CT ProStocker Brian.
May 20
BOB MENSCHNER - Wall Township Speedway's RWJM Chaplain from Waretown, NJ.
Keep up the good work.
MIKE STEFANIK - Coventry, RI Whelen Modified Tour and Busch Grand
National East multi-time champion and current WMT driver.
TONY STEWART - Rushville, IN born, now in Columbus, IN Joe Gibbs
Racing/Home Depot NC driver.
ERIC NORRIS - Redondo Beach, CA NASCAR West/BGN driver.
FRED SCHIELE - Riverhead Raceway regular.
ASHLEY FULLER - A daughter of Karen and NASCAR WMT champ and BNS driver
Jerry Marquis of Enfield, CT.
May 21
RODNEY FRANKLIN- Cross Junction, VA dirt LM driver.
DANNY ONGAIS - Hawaii born, now Santa Ana, CA IRL driver.
DAN MASON - Holland and Spencer Speedways NASCAR LM driver.
DAVE NESEMANN - Crewman on George Andretta Wall Township Speedway
ProStock team.
May 22
ERNEST WINSLOW - Scotland Neck, NC LMSC driver.
RAY DANIELS - Colorado Springs, CO NASCAR LM driver.
STEVE PORTENGA - Ukiah, CA NASCAR West driver.
CLAYTON MURPHY - Plymouth, MA Regional Manager for Ferrero Candies,
including Tic-Tac and a good friend to all in the Busch East Series and
Modified Tour.
BILL POTTEIGER III - This Christian fan and Vintage Car enthusiast from
Enola, PA has his birthday.
SHARE YOUR SPECIAL OCCASIONS WITH YOUR RACING FAMILY. SEND THEM TO
RACING WITH JESUS MINISTRIES AT PO BOX 586, Tolland, CT, 06084
Racing With Jesus Ministries Website
