Have you noticed that things are not always what they seem? We live in a
world where you constantly have to be on guard for the hidden agenda.
Sometimes it is clear but sometimes you have to look closely. How about
us? Are people looking at us and wondering what motivates us? Greetings,
in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Racing doesn’t corner the market on words spoken with the
intent to deceive. I remember the now famous Duke Lacrosse case. The
facts were there for all to see but that didn’t stop the prosecutor from
pursuing charges that damaged the lives of those innocently accused. The
DA now is standing trial for withholding the truth.
Racing also has its they said, you said deals. Kyle Busch
sees things differently than Rick Hendricks. I am sure that is not the
only case where there has been a difference of opinion when it comes to
negotiations.
Sometimes the truth is difficult to discern because people
are not always concerned with the truth. They are more concerned with
what’s in it for them.
In last weeks edition of AARN Monte Dutton wrote about the
story and the truth and how the truth seems to be irrelevant when
reporters need something to write. Monte suggests three rules when
quoting unnamed sources and they made sense to me. The source must be
objective with nothing to gain. If the source was revealed they would
lose their job. The writer has the responsibility to make sure the
information is correct. That is some good advice we could use before we
start telling people what we think.
I got on this subject because of a comment Woody Pitkat made
about his new car owner, Hillbilly Racing, owned by Roger and Sandra
Hill of North Carolina. He said that as he talked with Crew Chief and
Son David Hill he was honest with me.
Woody said, “You get the types of people that always get you
full of high expectations and always give you this big line, but at the
end when you think something’s going to happen, they fold up. I told
David last night that everything he said he was going to do, he’s done.
He’s stuck to everything. I told him that made me even happier to work
with him because of his honesty. He really appreciated that, and I
really appreciate him and his family giving me this opportunity.”
I think honesty and looking at things realistically is
something we have lost as a society. We have spin doctors that serve to
twist and manipulate the facts so that they favor their cause. Have you
ever just wanted to have someone tell you the truth? Have you ever just
wanted to be able to relax with someone and know that whatever they say
it is from the heart? When it happens it stands out and it is like a
breath of fresh air.
We, as Christians, need to remember that the motives behind
what we say and do need to honest and truthful. We need to be motivated
to serve God and do His will, not ours. Listen to the words of Jesus;
Matthew 7:21-23, "Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,'
will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my
Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, 'Lord, Lord,
did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and
perform many miracles?' Then I will tell them plainly, 'I never knew
you. Away from me, you evildoers!'
And Paul adds;
Philippians 2:3-5, Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain
conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of
you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the
interests of others. Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ
Jesus.
Jesus helps us understand that our motives will determine who
we belong to. We can do good things for the wrong reasons. We can say
good things but not mean them. It is only when we have the desire in our
heart to please God that matters. Jesus said many will claim my name and
claim to do things in my name but they will not enter heaven. The only
ones that will enter heaven are the ones who do My Father’s Will. We
will only do that when we are motivated to please God instead of
pleasing ourselves.
Paul helps us understand that a little more. We should do
nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Wow, how many times do
we look out for #1 and have no concern for anyone else? Paul says we
should think of others better than ourselves and we should look out for
their interests. Paul uses Christ as an example of how we should act.
That is a challenging goal. Let me ask you to take a look at
your heart this week. Ask yourself what are my motives? Then we should
pray and ask God to help us have the right motives. We need to ask God
to guide and direct our actions so that they reveal the right motives.
Lets not get caught just doing things so that others will
notice us, but doing things for the right reason: to please God. We need
to strive to be honest and truthful in all our dealings. God Bless, Rev.
Don.
THOUGHTS FROM THE ROAD
With both the BES and the WMT off this week it was sort of an
off week, but you know me, I just can’t sit around and not go to the
track. I took in the weekly shows at Thompson and Stafford this week and
tried to understand the difference between Tour racing and Weekly Track
racing.
I listened as many drivers and officials lamented about the
SK Mod feature at SMS the week the BES was in town. The consensus was
this was the worst race they had seen for as long as they could
remember. Many wished they could have shown what they really could do
when the attention of many high profile teams were there instead of what
happened. I think the control lies with the competitors. They control
the product on the track and if they race each other with the same
respect they want to be shown then I think things can change. Maybe the
drivers need to have a team meeting of sorts and hash things out. Talk
with each other, look into each other’s eyes and decide to race each
other differently. They say that when you get your helmet and climb into
your car you become invincible. You focus on only one thing, you. I not
only see it on the track but I see it on the road with the way people
drive everyday. Somewhere we have lost the idea that the world doesn’t
revolve us and that we need to be courteous and think of others to
receive that in return. It can be done on the race track and still have
a great race.
I remember a few weeks ago in the SK Lite feature at Stafford
. Chris Matthews and Glenn Reen were running one-two for the win. They
raced side by side for several laps without contact. When the checkered
flag fell the margin was inches, the fans got their monies worth and the
drivers were pumped. It also happened at SoBo with the BES, Matt
Kobyluck and Payton Sellers battled side by side for several laps
without contact. Again the race margin was inches, the fans were happy
and the drivers pumped.
I think the root of the problem is that we have resigned
ourselves to the fact that this is the way local racing is supposed to
be. I suggest a higher standard. Let’s get together and make a
difference in the way we drive and compete. I for one think it will not
only save the drivers money but the product for the fans will be better.
The big story at both tracks this week was the announcement
by Hillbilly Racing to tap a local driver for their #79 WMT ride. Woody
Pitkat got the nod and will be headed down South this week to do some
seat fitting and testing at Motor Mile in Virginia . The racing on the
tour is a little different that the local variety and Woody knows he
will have to earn the respect of the drivers there. So far in his career
he has been able to handle the transition from one car to another and I
am sure this will be no different. He has experience with the chassis
and has been working as a crewmember on the tour so he knows the ropes
so the transition behind the scenes should be fine. When he gets into
the drivers’ seat he’ll be on his own to show what he can do. The Hills
have gone out of their way to take the pressure off Woody by letting him
know that they just want him to use the remaining 2007 season to get
comfortable and to position the team for a run in 2008. I know Woody and
he will do his best to get everything he can out of the car for them. I
remember Woody from his Dare Stock days and I can see how he has matured
as a driver and a person. I think this opportunity will give him the
chance to grow even more in both categories. Woody, do well.
We received a note from up North this week. Elaine Stockwell
sends her best and hopes to attend at least one BES race this year.
Please keep her and the family in your thoughts and prayers as she
endures heart surgery. Kip is racing at Thunder Road these days and
enjoying his cows with his two young sons and wife. I am hoping to get
up there one of these days and watch him. I miss having the Stockwells
around to keep an eye on me.
This week has the Whelen Modified Tour visiting Thompson
Speedway for the first of their visits on Thursday night. I’ll be there
and will be looking for you. Take a minute, stop by and let me know how
things are going for you. Rev. Dan will be at the graduation of his
daughter Amanda and will be back with us at NHIS next week. Travel safe
and we’ll see you at a track near you.
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***
June 21
DENNIS & PAT PUNCH - This Hickory, NC Wolf Head's Oil BGN Public
Relations/ Team Manager pro and wife have their 23rd anniversary. Dennis
is also ESPN's Dr. Jerry's brother.
June 23
STEVE & ESTHER DEVINE - This Lebanon Valley Speedway Modified driver
and wife from Danbury, CT complete 23 laps together.
June 26
CHARLIE & TERRY LEACH - This Beech Ridge Speedway driver and wife
celebrate their 25th anniversary.
TOM & JUDY KEHLEY - This Brooklyn, NY couple Modified team owners
have their 35th anniversary.
***BELATED WEDDING ANNIVERSARIES***
June 17
DEBBIE AND CHRIS McMURRAY - from Catskill NY are celebrating their
second wedding anniversary
***HAPPY BIRTHDAYS***
June 20
Remember our founder Rev. Pat Evans, today would have been his
birthday.
JERRY COOK - Six time NASCAR Modified champion from Rome, NY, now in
the Safety Department of NASCAR in Charlotte, NC.
RON HORNADAY, JR. - Palmdale, CA BGN/NNC driver.
DAVID HUTTO - Rock Hill, SC NASCAR driver.
JODY TANNER - Portland, OR NASCAR West driver.
BRIANNE LEHMAN - The daughter of Smithville, OH AARN columnist
"Doc" Lehman.
DAVE SUKUP - A son of retired Midget owner, Joe Sukup, of
Schodack Landing, NY.
TYLER HEARN - Son of famous dirt Mod driver Brett.
June 21
CHRIS JONES - New Milford, CT NASCAR Modified driver.
BOB SLOTTER - PA asphalt Modified driver.
PHIL PARSONS - Detroit, MI BGN driver/ TV commentator.
JUDY WIBBELSMAN - The wife of RWJM advisor Dick, down in
Gainesville, FL.
June 22
JAY SAUTER - West Salem, WI born, Mooresville, NC NASCAR CTS/BGN
driver.
DAN JIVANELLI - Hampton Bays, LI Riverhead Raceway and Legends
driver.
JEFF WARD - Glasgow, Scotland born, now San Juan Capistrano, CA
IRL driver.
RED SEAVER - Stafford Springs, CT member of the Brad Hietala DWRS
SK Modified team at Stafford.
PAT JONES- Enfield, CT Hietala fan.
June 23
ROGER TREICHLER - Retired D.I.R.T. Hall of Famer.
MELISSA RESNER - Wife of Riverhead LM team owner Richie.
June 24
HUT STRICKLIN - Former NNC driver.
JIM BOWN - Portland, OR BGN/CTS driver/ team owner.
CLAUDE BOURBONNAIS - lle Perrot, Quebec IRL driver.
PETER DANIELS - Lebanon, NH ProStock/Modified/BES driver.
HENRY ST. JOHN, SR. - The father of the proprietor of Jewett City
(CT) Service Henry, Jr.
June 25
JOE BESSEY - Former BES championship driver/owner.
BOBBY GILL - Dalton, GA NASCAR All Pro Series driver.
DAVE MAVLOUGANES - West Springfield, MA photographer.
JERRY ELLIOTT, JR. - Montville, CT Mike Stefanik and Waterford
Mod's Jerry Pearl fan.
June 26
KRAMER WILLIAMSON - URC Sprint driver.
STEVE GRISSOM - Gadsden, AL NNC/BGN driver.
KEVIN LePAGE - Shelburne, VT NNC/BGN driver.
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
