We have all heard the excuse about having good intentions. We want to do
the right thing. We have every intention of doing the right thing. We
just, for some reason, don’t follow through. When we set out to do what
is right it will take courage to accomplish the task. How are we doing
in following through on our intentions? Greetings in the name of our
Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
I have heard it said that the road to hell is paved with good
intentions. Do you know why that is true? It is true because we don’t
follow through. Somewhere along the line our actions create a different
result than our intentions.
We have heard it several times in a post race incident
interview, “I didn’t do it intentionally. Now I should point out here
that I have heard drivers say they did it intentionally. That doesn’t
make it right but they do get points for honesty.
When we have the intention to do something and it is the
right thing to do what causes us to choose to do the wrong thing or
something different? I can think of a few things, pride, getting even,
anger, fear, etc. The list is long. Sometimes we reason it out and feel
that people will forgive us for this one little lapse in judgment. You
know the saying, “it is better to ask for forgiveness than permission.”
We spend too much time thinking how we can do the wrong thing and get
away with it. We should be focused on doing what is right and treating
people right.
It takes courage to do the right thing. It also takes faith
in God. Let me explain, when we choose to do what is right we expose
ourselves. We open ourselves up for other to see and for ridicule for
being gracious and merciful.
Look at this scenario, Your are on the track racing as hard
as you can, peddling for all your worth. You make a mistake and drive it
in too deep. You have two choices, the right one is to lift and brake,
keep the car low, allow the outside cars to pass and then regain your
position by racing back through the pack. The wrong thing is to keep
your foot in it, wash up the track, hit the guy outside of you and cause
all kinds of carnage in your rearview mirror as you drive away, saved by
the car on the outside.
The postrace goes something like this, “I thought I could
make it, washed up a little, but that’s racing. The truth be told, you
made a mistake and you refused to do the right thing with the hope you
could deal with the consequences of you actions. It happens all the
time. One thing is true about people, we will not change until we can’t
deal with the consequences of our choices. Let me put that a different
way, racers won’t respect each other until they realize that the
consequence for their actions cost them the race. There are many options
officials have to change a driver’s tactics, a black flag, sending them
to the rear, suspending them and even requesting that the get
professional help before they return to the track to race. The
responsibility for using these options fall on the race officials and I
would hope their intentions are right when they administer these
penalties. Let it be said though that unless discipline in enacted the
competitors will not change. I believe it has to cost us something
before we are willing to admit our actions need to be changed.
I have seen all these work to varying degrees. I would prefer
that we could all act and drive in a manner that is right, but I know
that is wishful thinking. Read the driver’s prayer many of you have in
your cars. In it we ask God to direct our actions so that those actions
would honor him. In many cases our actions only honor ourselves and God
isn’t even in the picture. I can assure you of one thing, God will not
bless actions that do not honor Him. When we start acting on our good
intentions and we respect and value those we compete with then and only
them will the blessing come.
I was reading a passage this week from the book of Acts that
demonstrates that acting on good intentions will bring not only
blessings but also, miraculous changes in someone’s life.
ACTS 3:1-10, One day Peter and John were going up to
the temple at the time of prayer--at three in the afternoon. Now a man
crippled from birth was being carried to the temple gate called
Beautiful, where he was put every day to beg from those going into the
temple courts. When he saw Peter and John about to enter, he asked them
for money. Peter looked straight at him, as did John. Then Peter said,
"Look at us!" So the man gave them his attention, expecting to get
something from them.
Then Peter said, "Silver or gold I do not have, but what I
have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.” Taking
him by the right hand, he helped him up, and instantly the man's feet
and ankles became strong. He jumped to his feet and began to walk. Then
he went with them into the temple courts, walking and jumping, and
praising God. When all the people saw him walking and praising God, they
recognized him as the same man who used to sit begging at the temple
gate called Beautiful, and they were filled with wonder and amazement at
what had happened to him.
A couple things to note, Peter commanded the attention of the
lame beggar; he intended to help him, not in the way the beggar expected
but in a much more substantial way. Peter reached out and touched the
man, having faith that if he reached out and helped him up that God
would do the rest. God proved faithful and healed the man.
This is pretty dramatic and you may say that’s great but God
doesn’t perform miracles like that today. I would disagree. I know, in
fact, of several lives that have been changed because we reached out and
helped someone up. I know of a racer on the modified tour who was headed
in the wrong direction. He was disciplined and we were asked to step in
and help. We did. We put our trust and faith in God that we would do the
right thing and honor him. We reached out and helped that driver out of
the situation that crippled his diving ability. He responded by winning
the rookie of the year and now is contending for the championship. He,
like the beggar, had faith to get up and stretch his legs. His new found
strength supported him and he soon learned to run and jump with joy.
When we are motivated by the right intentions and we have our
faith in God that He will work things out, we will receive His blessing.
Not every day will be glorious, we will still need to learn how to use
our new legs, but God will walk with us, guiding us through and letting
us lean on Him when we need strength, encouragement and love.
Let’s take a look at our intentions this week, are they
honoring to God? If so, do we have the courage and faith to act on them?
Do we even have a relationship with God to know what the right
intentions should be? My prayer for you this week is that you would have
the best intentions in mind in every decision that you make, to please
God. Let that intention guide your thought, words and actions this week,
God Bless.
THOUGHTS FROM THE ROAD
This week we made the quick trip to Dover for the last race
on the Busch East Schedule. This was also the last race with Busch as
the title sponsor. There is still no word yet as to who will replace
them.
Dover was a bit of a contrast of emotions, congratulating and
celebrating with the winners while saying goodbye to some old friends
and so long for a few month to many of the folks we have built
relationships with. Congratulations goes out to Joe Gibbs Racing and
Joey Logano for winning the Busch East Series Championship. Sean Caisse
was the race winner and finished second in the championship points while
Peyton Sellers made a move up to third in the final championship
standings.
I remember the phone call I received from Dan when he
traveled down to Greenville for the first race of the 2007 season.
“Don this is a totally different series. I only know a few of
these teams. This is going to be interesting.”
It has been just that. As we left the track Friday night Dan
and I talked about how God enabled us to touch the lives of so many in
this series in just a few short months. We are excited about what the
future holds for some of these young drivers. We are more excited about
the opportunity we had to introduce them to Jesus and help them learn
how He can help them through the challenges they will certainly face as
they work their way up the ladder.
We felt honored that God chose us to reach out to these teams
and care for them. It hasn’t always been easy and the road can get long
and demanding but with the help and guidance from above we have finished
the race. Thank you so much for letting us serve you.
I have a question for you, who can change an engine with one
leg tied behind his back? Paul Andrews. Paul was at Dover , helping his
son Tim out, on crutches, one leg up in the air and a full protective
body shell on. Oh yes let me not forget he also had that famous smile,
from ear to ear. It encourages me every time I see it, his head popped
out from under the hood to say hi and there it was. Paul is recovering
from the injuries he suffered while changing a light bulb at the shop.
He fell several feet off a ladder. He indicated he should heal up fine
it will just take some time. He tucked his head back under the hood,
balanced on one leg, and returned to connecting hoses.
Let me take a moment to mention someone I have come to
respect very much, Bobby Labonte. A few years ago when David Green won
at NHIS I stood in victory lane next to Bobby. He stood back in the
shadows, not wanting to attract attention away from David. He came to
congratulate his good friend on his win, not to be the center of
attention. I am sure he had other things to do on a busy weekend but
this was important and he made time for it. This past weekend at Dover
Bobby has the same busy schedule but just before the BES driver’s
meeting started he stuck his head in the door and made eye contact with
Paul Andrews, his former crew chief, and indicated that he cared for him
and wanted to talk a little later. Again, something that could have been
overlooked during such a busy time but made important by the caring
relationship that Bobby had with both these people.
We can lean a lesson from that, take time to show people you
care for them no matter how busy you think you are.
Dan and I wanted to say thanks to the Seaman family and #06
racing team for letting us share a meal with them. We consider it a
privilege to be a part of your team.
A quick update on WMT driver Danny Sammons, upon further
review by a specialist Danny suffered a fracture of one of the bones in
his foot. The initial swelling hid this on the x-ray. He has his foot in
a cast and missed the race at Thompson. He will see the specialist again
this week for further evaluation. Keep his healing in your thoughts and
prayers.
What a day for a makeup for the WMT at Thompson. Ronnie Silk
made the most of it bringing home his first WMT win. He came close at
NHIS and finished the deal this week. Look out as another young gun
shows he has the stuff to win.
This week finds the Whelen Modified Tour helping to close out
the weekly racing season at Stafford Motor Speedway with The Fall Final.
Stop by and say hello.
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
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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***
September 27
BRAD & LINDA HIETALA - The proprietor of Reliable Welding in
Enfield, CT/ Stafford Motor Speedway NASCAR Mod driver and wife have
their anniversary.
JEFF & JENNIFER PEARL - This Waterford Speedbowl Modified driver
from Colchester, CT and wife share their 8th anniversary.
September 30
BILL, JR. & MARY BRICE - This New Jersey couple serve as the (he)
Chief Tech. Inspector and she the Registra for the NASCAR Whelen
Modified Series. They celebrate their 45th anniversary.
October 2
JEFF & JULIE WINSOR - This Waterford Speedbowl staff couple from
Danielson, CT have their 13th anniversary.
***HAPPY BIRTHDAYS***
September 26
JOE NEMECHEK - Lakeland, FL Winston Cup driver.
PAUL DURANT - Manteca, CA IRL driver.
LINDA AUSTIN - Scorer for the NASCAR BES #5 team owned by Barney
McRae.
SHERI FULLER - Wife of No. Boylston, MA former NASCAR WMT team
owner, Bobby, one of the famous Fuller racing brothers.
CLAY PURVIS - Son of Clarksville, TN BGN driver Jeff and wife
Susan is 16.
MARY BETH WIBBELSMAN - The grown-up daughter of RWJM Advisor Dick
and Counselor wife Judy of Gainesville, FL.
September 27
WARREN ALSTON - A friend of RWJM and Christian brother.
BERT MARVIN - Colchester, CT Modified driver.
DAN ORBST - Potland, OR NASCAR West driver.
BRUCE TAYLOR - Seekonk, MA NASCAR WMT and ProStock driver.
JOE TRUDEAU - Chaplin, CT retired Modified driver.
DOREEN COLSON - Wife of Leominster, MA ProStock driver Fran.
JUSTIN CUSACK - Son of Beech Ridge Motor Speedway President Glenn
is 19.
KRISTEN MONTVILLE - The daughter of Solhem Racing NASCAR BNS/NASCAR
WMT crewman Chuck is 17.
PAM KRAUSE - The wife of AARN's Assistant to the Editor/
Columnist, Earl.
September 28
KIM BAKER - Road Racer, part-time NASCAR BES driver from
Springfield, MA.
JACKIE ARUTE - The President of Stafford Motor Speedway and TV
Sports announcer.
TYLER LEWIS - The son of Holland Speedway Charger Driver Mark and
brother of Mark's Crew chief son Christopher.
September 29
PAUL RADFORD - The legendary "Ferrum Flash" Modified and LMSC driver
from Ferrum, VA.
TIFFANY BRODERICK - The youngest daughter of Brookfield, CT
NASCAR Modified driver Jim and Debbie.
BREND BLAIN - Wife of South Killingly, CT ProStock driver David.
September 30
RICHIE RESNER - Team owner and brother-in-law of Riverhead Late
Model #60 and driver Paul McElearney.
J.J. BRANSCOMBE - A grown-up son of Northwood, NH NASCAR BES
driver Babe and wife Deb.
October 1
STEVE NOWAKOWSKI - "Stevie Wonder" of East Hampton, CT NASCAR BES
and dirt Modified driver.
MARK SIMO - Carlsbad, NC NASCAR BES/ LMSC driver.
KEVIN HODGE - Crewman son of Manchester, CT photographers Mary
and Howie Hodge.
October 2
CARL PASTERYAK - Lisbon, CT NASCAR Whelen Modified Series driver.
JOE BARNES - Scranton, PA NASCAR BES driver.
JOE INGLIN, JR - Three time most popular driver at the former
Flemington Speedway.
RICHARD LASATER - CTS Crew Chief from Little Rock, AK.
VICTORIA ROMANO - This West Long Branch, NJ Wall Township
Speedway George Andretta, Robert Geibel and a Steve Park fan is 15.
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