4/3/2008

THE RIGHT WAY TO PRACTICE

    As we move into the open practice time of the preseason, I wondered if you knew there is a right way to practice. Like everything we do in life there is a right way and a wrong way. Many times we are told to practice what is right. Are we practicing what is right or just what makes us feel good. Greetings in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
    We head to the track with the expectation of figuring out the best setup. We try to find the right combination of settings that will yield the fastest car. Our feeling is having the fastest car will give us the best chance at winning. I have heard it said the fastest car doesn't always win. So why do we practice trying to make the car go faster?
    To further support the notion that practicing to make the car go fast is not always the right way to practice let us take a look at the big boys. A few years ago in an effort to reduce costs and eliminate the need for two setups, one for qualifying and one for racing, NASCAR had impound races. What did we learn? Making a car go fast for a few laps produces a car that won't race very well in the long run. It looks fast for a few laps but soon, very soon, it will destroy itself because it isn't setup to run the race.
    Wow, what a life lesson. We know that setting a racecar up to go fast doesn't yield a car that will last. The same holds true in life, setting up our life to live in the fast lane only yields a very short life. I have seen many burn themselves out because they practiced the wrong things. They lived life the wrong way.
    Did you ever notice that we want the good life, the best life, but we engage in activities that produce results that are contrary to those wishes. It is impossible for us to live one way and expect a result that is contrary to the activities we practice. A good life is not the result of bad practices. As a matter of fact that is the definition of the word insane, doing the same things over and over and expecting results that are different. Are we caught in that rut? Are we practicing the same things and expecting different results? We must be nuts!
    We all have a sense of what is right and what is wrong. We try to rationalize the wrong activities that we practice. We try to convince ourselves that we are alright because everyone is doing it. We make excuses for our incorrect practices and try to convince ourselves that everything will work out fine. When it doesn't we look for someone to blame. Generally, God falls into the category that we blame. How could God let this happen? The writer of Romans helps us to understand that a little;

    Romans 1:28-32; 28 Furthermore, since they did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God, he gave them over to a depraved mind, to do what ought not to be done. 29 They have become filled with every kind of wickedness, evil, greed and depravity. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit and malice. They are gossips, 30 slanderers, God-haters, insolent, arrogant and boastful; they invent ways of doing evil; they disobey their parents; 31 they are senseless, faithless, heartless, ruthless. 32 Although they know God's righteous decree that those who do such things deserve death, they not only continue to do these very things but also approve of those who practice them.

    The writer explains that there comes a time when God says, “Enough! If that is the way you want to live, fine live that way. I am withdrawing my presence from your life.” Think of it like raising a child. You try to teach them the right way to live but they think they know better. You try to show them the right path so that they don't experience the pain and suffering you did, but they think they know better. You try to protect them in every way from the things they don't need to experience, but they think they know better. At some point you say fine go ahead try it your way. You sit by and watch, waiting for the results you know are coming. When it comes you have a choice to make. Do you pick them up or do you let them experience the consequences of their actions? There are instances when each response is right. You need God's guidance to know which response is the right one.
    Sometimes we ask God for his guidance and direction only to set it aside and do things our way. I am amazed at how many of us think we know better than God what the right direction is for us. It is not in God's character to lead us in the wrong direction, yet we question His wisdom. Jesus explained it this way;

    Luke 6:46-49; 46 "Why do you call me, `Lord, Lord,' and do not do what I say? 47 I will show you what he is like who comes to me and hears my words and puts them into practice. 48 He is like a man building a house, who dug down deep and laid the foundation on rock. When a flood came, the torrent struck that house but could not shake it, because it was well built. 49 But the one who hears my words and does not put them into practice is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. The moment the torrent struck that house, it collapsed and its destruction was complete."

    We need to take heed of the guidance we receive from God. We need to follow His ways. We need to practice the right way by following God. We need to practice what is right.
    Practice makes perfect. What use is it if we become experts at things that are wrong? As we repeat things over and over they become habits. Habits can be good or bad. We all have many bad habits. They come from practicing the wrong way. Only when we practice the right things, the right way do we develop the right character.
    Lets take a look at what we are practicing. Is it consistent with the teaching in God's word? Does it honor God and bring glory to His name? Only when it does is our life blessed. When we practice what is right the results will be a blessing. I would encourage you to analyze your practice routine and if it needs to be adjusted then make the necessary adjustments to get it in line with God.

    Philippians 4:8-9; 8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things. 9 Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me--put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.

    God Bless, Rev. Don

THOUGHTS FROM THE ROAD

    PRACTICE OPENS THE RACING SEASON IN NORTHEAST - The cold temps and the Whelen Southern Modified tour opener kept the numbers down but the pit area of Thompson Speedway was buzzing with activity. It was good to see everyone and catch up on the winter. Many were just shaking things down and making sure things were ready to go. The opener is just two weeks away and I hope it warms up.
    Talked with Woody Pitkat who had both his Waterford and Thompson car there to shake them down. He is looking forward to running a few races at Waterford this year including the Bud 150 the week after the Icebreaker.
    I talked with Bill Roberts at Waterford and RWJM will be there to kick off their season like we did last year. Bill is putting forth the effort to turn Waterford into what it could be, let’s support his effort, get out there and buy a ticket, a burger and a souvenir.
    This season will be a pivotal one for the local tracks. With the economic pressure on everyone’s wallet, discretionary income will be difficult to come by. Let me suggest that taking in a race at your local track is the biggest bang for your buck. The competition is fantastic. Everyone in the family can pick a driver to root for and after the race you can go meet them in the garage area. There still aren’t many sports that let you go in the locker room during and after the game.
    Get out there and experience racing first hand, you’ll find it very different that sitting in front of the TV and much more fun.
    TRI STATE SPEEDWAY ENTERING THE FINAL STAGES OF PREPARATION - I swung by the track this past week and the track looks great. They were in the process of installing the guardrail, we won’t need those will we? The cars are on there way from California . The timing loop is in and the software is in place to keep track of the records. The official opening will be the Friday and Saturday night of the Icebreaker, April 4 & 5.
    The will open to work out the bugs the week before. If you need me I’ll be putting in laps to make sure the cars are all working fine.
    Crystal wants this to be a great success. This was her and John’s dream and she completed it as a tribute to him. I would like to see the place packed! If you are bringing your car in on Friday of the Icebreaker make plans to spend the night at Tri State Speedway. It is only 10 minutes from the track.
    Take a left out of the pits, at the top of the hill turn right and head North on 193. Take left onto Wilsonville Rd. Follow to Rt. 12 North. Chase Ave. is a right off Rt.12 about 1.25 miles into Massachusetts .
    TOYOTA SPEEDWAY ? The name of the track has changed, the date has changed but the event is still the same. The Toyota All-Star Shootout has been moved to January 23-24, 2009 at Toyota Speedway at Irwindale. We are looking forward to the event but it does make the schedule a little cramped in the “off-season”. The event is now right on the heals of Motorsports 2009 in Atlantic City . While it does give more time to prepare, it will present a challenge for us to get the drivers to the show for exposure. We’ll see you in sunny southern California to kick off the new year!
    We’ll be back at Thompson this Saturday for another practice session. Stop by and say hi. Have a great week.

    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***

March 29
BOBBY & DONNA LABONTE - The Corpus Christi, TX driver of the Petty Enterprises #43 and wife have their 16th anniversary.

***HAPPY BIRTHDAYS***

March 26
JOHN MARKOVIC, JR. - Mountain Speedway and ocasional NWMT driver.
DOROTHY BEERS - Mom of Northampton, PA NASCAR WMT driver Eric.
JODI PAPALE - Wife of Meriden, CT ProStock/Modified driver Tony.
SHAYNE GEIST - Son of Wescosville, PA Mahoning Valley Speedway driver Todd and wife Karen is 18.
NATALEE JARRETT - One of Hickory, NC based NNC's Dale and wife Kelley's children turns 16.

March 27
GLEN DAVIS - This Maine based sports photographer has his special day.
ANDY HALL - Formerly of NASCAR, now with the Indy Racing League.
CALE YARBOROUGH - Retired NNC team owner, retired champion and one of the founders of the very first NNC ministry.
RODNEY COMBS - Lost Creek, WV NNS driver.
JEFF FULLER - Auburn, MA born NNS driver.
BOSCO LOWE - Retired Southern Virginia NNS driver.
LYNN BODINE - Wife of Chemung, NY CTS Champion driver Todd.
NICKI STOUT - Neptune,NJ Jamie Tomaino NASCAR WMT driver and NNC's Dupont driver Jeff Gordon fan is 19.
MACKENZIE MICHEL - Daughter of Wall Township Speedway Modified driver Dave and wife Kyle is 8.

March 28
BOB BREVAK - Ashalnd, WI ASA/ NASCAR Truck Series driver.
JAKE SMULLEY - Jake is the step-son of Big Diamond Former Promoter Fritz Roehrig and son of Fritz's wife Krista. He was also Frit's right-hand man at the track.

March 29
DOUG HEVERON - Liverpool, NY BGN driver/spotter.
JEFF SCHMETZLE - PA Sportsman Modified driver.
JOE ROSENFIELD - Mass. ProStock driver.
RON FOX - Retired CT Modified driver, dad of Plainfield, CT Modified driver Tom.
STEVE GEORGIADES - Crew Chief brother for brother Bobby's Stafford/Thompson Modified team.
JOE CUDNIK, JR. - Crewman on the Enfield, CT Brad Hietala Modified team.
SHAWN HOULIHAN - CWES Flagman, NASCAR official, SMS and TIS Flagman, son of retired WMT driver Dick.
THE REV. BILL WAUGH - RWJM Western PA Coordinator and Chaplain, also Pastor at the Greensburg, PA Church of the Brethren.

March 30
MARIO ALBERTO - This AMSRA Micro Stock rookie at MVS and son of writer Dino from Lehighton, PA.

March 31
RON SMOKER - Upstate, NY D.I.R.T. Modified driver.
S.J. EVONSION - East Hartland, CT Whelen Modified tour driver/Crew Chief for son.
FRED SCHIELE IV - Son of Riverhead Raceway regular Fred III.
WILLIE CHARETTE - Retired Riverside Park Speedway Modified driver.
MARYANN GRECO - Widow of the late Stafford Modified driver George.
BRENDAN JONES - Manchester, CT Brad Hietala Modified fan.
BETTY DENNIS - The mom of Laura Dennis from Appomattox, VA a Jamie Tomaino WMT fan.

April 1  NO APRIL FOOLS
JIMMY PHELPS - This driver of the 99J New York dirt Modified from Baldwinsville, NY celebrates.
JARRETT SENG - Orefield, PA Micro Sprint driver. Recognize the car by Bible verse Hebrews 12: 1-2 on it.
SCOTT HOUSTON - NNS Crew Chief from Hickory, NC; a son of retired NNS great Tommy.
FRANKLIN HIETALA - Dad of Enfield, CT Modified driver Brad.
MARTY NOLL - Scranton, PA NASCAR CWES driver.
GEORGE MAYLOTT, JR. - Jim Spencer fan.

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SEND THEM TO RACING WITH JESUS MINISTRIES AT
PO BOX 586, Tolland, CT, 06084

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Source: Rev Don Rivers / Racing With Jesus Ministries
Posted:  February 27, 2008