Sometimes in life we are ridiculed or rumors are told about us by people
who don’t know the truth or even care about the truth. Paul Harvey has
made a living by telling “the rest of the story.” That gets to us and
eats us up. It can cripple us. Are people jumping to conclusions all
around us without regard for the truth? Who knows and who doesn’t know.
Greetings in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
In racing we put up with rumors all the time. The truth
sometimes is ignored, rarely is the truth proclaimed or believed. I
think as Christians it is important to know that we are people who seek
the truth, accept the truth and honor the truth. When we are faced with
things that are not the truth, things that seek to tear people down, not
build up, innuendo or rumor, we stand up. We should not participate in
or promote the rumor mill.
Many of us have been the victim of rumors, had things told
about us that were not true. The people who have respect for us take the
time to find the truth. We have all received those phone calls; I heard
this, what’s going on?” We have had to defend ourselves against
someone’s words that were full of false accusations, things we didn’t
even know were going on.
Recently the ministry has had that happen to us, someone has
been going around telling people things that are not true, things that
are not consistent with what we have done. We have had to deal with
that. We know that you also have had to deal with that in your lives.
We also deal with it racing, this team is doing that, that
team is bending the rules, their cheating. You ever notice rumors are
not about doing good things. Anytime there is a question in a race about
it you wonder, what really is the truth.
We need to find the truth and use that to squash all the
rumors, remove all the misinformation out there. I encourage you that
when you are confronted with this that you take the time to learn the
truth, embrace the truth and build your life on that foundation.
John 14:6, Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth,
and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me.
That means that if you want to build your life on the truth,
on the foundation that doesn’t move, then Jesus is that truth. Jesus is
where you have to come to rest. You can search the world over,
everywhere, trying to find that foundation, that truth, but you won’t
find it in anyone else but Jesus.
In a speech given by Frank Peretti he talks about the society
in which we live. A society where the truth has no foundation, it has
wheels. The truth is different depending on each situation. Peretti says
that is false. There is absolute truth, there has to be. I know in
racing we want to put wheels on everything, but the truth should not
have wheels. There has to be an absolute, this is always right and this
is always wrong. The truth is always the truth or society has nothing to
build on. If the truth is a moving target, where do we stand? If the
truth has wheels we will not have a stable foundation to build our lives
on.
What if we ran a race and then changed the rules after it was
finished. I know some of you out there thinks that happens quite a bit.
Some of the skeptics think different teams have different rules. What if
at the end of the race they decided to change the number of laps? Let’s
say we ran 150 but the winner is the team that was leading at lap 125.
The rules changed because we wanted things to turn out a certain way.
This is just an illustration of how the truth can have wheels. If we
don’t know what the truth is it is hard to depend on anything. We race
based on the rules. When we don’t win based on the rules we have to deal
with it, we don’t change them to suit our needs.
In a recent blog Peretti writes, “The truth still stands:
honor God, and you will truly and assuredly see positive results in your
life. Maybe you won’t get all the instant, heart-tuggy turnarounds our
hero does, but your life, your relationships, your innermost being, will
most certainly benefit, and who knows? God just might decide to give you
a few blessings along the way. In addition, what families are not going
to benefit from a good dose of faith and hope that are more than just
nebulous words but founded in a living, personal Source?
The truth is the right foundation in life, things are always
right and always wrong. If we pretend that they are not so that we can
do what we want then we are fooling ourselves. Then our life is built on
something other that truth, it is built on a lie.
God said this is life, I created it and this is the way to
lead the best life. The only foundation that is stable, the only
foundation that will withstand the challenges and trials we face, the
only truth, is Jesus Christ. Think about that this week. God Bless, Rev.
Don
THOUGHTS FROM THE ROAD
BITTERSWEET WOULD BE THE WORD - With the accent on the
bitter. A decision handed down by NASCAR following the
Greenville-Pickens Camping World East Race was a bitter pill to swallow
for Andy Santerre Motorsports and Peyton Sellers. One of the shocks on
the racecar was not correct and didn’t meet the rules. One shock out of
the four on Peyton’s car and the four on Austin Dillon’s car, declared
the winner and an ASM car.
NASCAR decided they would forfeit the win and said the team
could not appeal the decision.
I talked with the parties involved this week and listened to
their explanation of how things transpired and believe me when I say
this was not intentional. Don’t get me wrong, the shock was not legal,
no one is disputing that. I guess the bitter part comes when you look at
the track record of the parties involved and see that this is an
isolated incident. The punishment does not fit the crime.
With that said, we will move forward and see how the season
plays out. Congratulations to Austin Dillon for his victory, one of a
few who have won in their very first Camping World Series race. I know
Austin wants to win differently next time and based on what I saw he
will soon have the chance to celebrate in victory lane.
ITS OFFICIAL, JERRY MARQUIS IS RETIRED - I spoke with
Jerry at Stafford and the rumors are true, over the winter he decided to
call it a career. His only lament was the week he decided he received
two offers to drive. He declined. He is in the process of cleaning out
some of the stuff he has accumulated over the years. Let me give you
some advice, if you have something stored in one of Jerry’s barns get it
quick because he selling it all, whether or not it’s his. He does have
some race item for sale, give him a call and check out the Jerry Marquis
going out of racing sale.
THE GREATEST RACE IN THE HISTORY OF SPRING - TC just
shy of his 50th birthday still has it. I think he enjoyed the milk most
of all. TC and Eris Beers put on a heck of a show. Several late race
cautions made for some exciting side-by-side racing action. Chuck
Hossfeld got caught up in some early trouble and had to work his way
back through the field. After some give and take he brought it home in
third. Mike Stefanik and James Civali rounded out the top five.
Young Ryan Preece proved he had what it takes to move Ole
Blue around the track taking home his first pole on Saturday. He was
beaming with the smile that indicated he was on top of world. After
getting his first win in Florida over the winter and now a pole, this
could be a breakout year for Ryan.
The Rookie of the race performance was a testament to being
patient. Glen Reen got to race on Sunday because Mark Arute decided to
add the two non-qualifiers to the field. Glenn didn’t let his chance go
to waste. He finished thirteenth on the lead lap. Glen made the jump
from the SKlite division at Stafford and in only his second tour race he
is showing the patience needed to finish the race.
We have some time off and I have some yard work to catch up
on. I’ll be around the local scene as the Whelen All-American Series
gets under way. With travel expenses climbing take the opportunity to
check out your local track. See you at the track.
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 1
BILL & KATHY COTROFELD - The couple who haul and display the
Featherlite Show Trailer have their 32nd.
RON & SUE CORNELL - AARN and Maine based "Racin' Paper" columnists
from Westport, MA have their 31st anniversary.
May 3
WOODY & ELAINE FEBRIELLO - This former NASCAR Modified team owner
and wife from Waterbury, CT share their 36th anniversary.
May 4
PHIL & CONNIE RONDEAU - This Baltic, CT Hooters Cup/Mod/LM driver
and wife have shared 17 years together.
GARY & TINA DANKO - This Connecticut tracks announcer, radio show
host and wife share their 7th.
***HAPPY BIRTHDAYS***
April 30
MICHAEL WALTRIP - NAPA's NSC driver/team owner for Toyota's entry
into cup racing.
ANDY HILLENBURG - Indianapolis, IN NNS/ARCA/Sprint driver.
JASON MANAFORT - Plainville, CT former NASCAR CWES driver.
FRANK KIMMEL - Clarksville, IN ARCA Series driver.
JEFF KAUFMAN - Red Bank, NJ Modified owner/driver.
CHRIS GRADY - Son of Lebanon Valley Speedway photographer John.
JACKIE HENDRICKSON - Wife of Lawrenceville, NJ Modified driver Wade.
DAN SERRANO - The grandson of Rusty Farrar, who is also the mother
of Kathy Van Norde, wife of Wall Truck Division driver Bruce, has
favorite drivers we must mention including the Hoffman brothers, Jimmy
Blewett and Darren McCaughey and a writer for
www.newjerseydirtracing.com
May 1
JOHNNY SAUTER - NASCAR Sprint Cup/ NNS driver.
May 2
BUZZ CALKINS - Denver, CO IRL driver.
DAVE MEDLER - Auburn, NY Steve Paine and Mark Martin fan.
May 3
TONY HIRSCHMAN - Northampton, PA Whelen Modified Tour five time
champion.
WALTER CHARETTE - Linwood, MA Mike Stefanik/Dale Jarrett fan.
DAVE DORNBLASER - 270cc Micro-Sprint driver at Borger's Speedway
and Kutztown Fairgrounds.
CAROL EVONSION - Wife of former Riverside Park Mod driver
S.J.Evonsion.
May 4
JOHN FORCE - Yorba Linda, CA NHRA Funny Car driver.
BILL PARK - Riverhead Raceway NASCAR Modified driver.
TONY URBINA - Riverhead LM driver.
FRANK MANCINI - Father of Janice Brice, wife of Bill III.
WHITNEY BENDER - Daughter of Colden, NY NASCAR CWES driver Tim
and wife Kathy is 17.
TROY OADE ESTELLE - The son of Eddie and Lori Estell. Eddie is a
crewman on the #119 Street Stock driven by Rob Ormsbee at East Windsor,
NJ Speedway. Eddie is also a HUGE Bill Elliott fan and a faithful Wall
Township Speedway fan. Troy turned lap 7.
May 5
MIKE WEEDEN - No. Haverhill, MA retired NASCAR CWES/LM driver.
JEFF YANNETTA - Bridgewater, NJ Flemington Go-Kart driver.
SARA ELIZABETH SANTERRE - The daughter of BES championship
driver/Car Owner Andy and Sue Santerre is 5.
May 6
TODD SZEGEDY - NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour driver.
MIKE COPE - Pinellas Park, FL Slim Jim NNS driver.
TAMMY JO KIRK - Dalton, GA NASCAR All-Pro Series/ CTS driver.
MIKE CLAYTON - Crewman with Dave Michel No. 60 Wall township team
and proprietor of McGraphics Graphics.
RENE DUGAS - Taftville, CT photographer.
STACEY KOHLER - Wife of Fleetwood, PA Micro Sprint driver Jason.
*** IN THE SHOP ***
JOAN SPARTA - Mom of Jamie Tomaino spotter Gino will undergo cancer
surgery. Please keep her in your thoughts and prayers.
SHARE YOUR SPECIAL OCCASIONS WITH YOUR RACING FAMILY.
SEND THEM TO:
RACING WITH JESUS MINISTRIES
PO BOX 586, Tolland, CT, 06084
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Racing With Jesus Ministries Website
