In racing only one car receives the checkered flag signifying the
winner. Many run with the goal of winning, but there is only one who
receives the prize. Life is like a race and each one of us should run in
such a way as to win. How is our race going? Are we living our life with
winning as our goal? Greetings in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus
Christ.
Do you remember your first win? Wasn’t it fantastic? It seems like
the world stops turning and for that moment you are the center of
attention. It doesn’t matter how many times you win after that there is
nothing that can replace the first time. Winning never gets old. Once we
have won we have the desire to repeat the experience over and over.
I have had the pleasure of sharing many first time wins with
drivers and teams over the years. I never get tired of going to Victory
Lane and shaking the hand of a first timer. When it happens there is
jubilation in Victory Lane , more hugs and high fives than normal. It is
encouraging to share that moment with them.
What does it take to win? Many say it is luck. You have to have
everything right and then the cards have to fall your way. I think God’s
Word has some direction for us in that regard. Paul writes that first we
must prepare and run according to the rules. To prepare and run in a way
that is against the rules disqualifies us for the prize.
1Corinthians 9:24-27, Do you not know that in a race all the
runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get
the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training.
They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a
crown that will last forever. Therefore I do not run like a man running
aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air. No, I beat my body
and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself
will not be disqualified for the prize.
Paul talks about the discipline we must have to qualify for the
prize. As we train for and run the race there will be many choices we
have to make. How we decide will ultimately determine if we qualify for
the prize. Let’s look at this way. In chapel service, at the next race,
if I asked how many people who, instead of using their racecars, would
use their feet and run the same number of laps around the track, how
many could? I suspect not many. We haven’t prepared to run the race that
way.
You see, even the race you determine to run is a decision. Some of
us choose to run the rat race. We get caught up in all the things of
this world and run a race that doesn’t qualify us for a heavenly home.
We need to choose to run the right race. Jesus said;
Matthew 6:19-21, “Do not store up for yourselves
treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break
in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where
moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and
steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
Jesus meant that we have a choice about the things we pursue in our
lives. We can pursue the temporary things that fade and pass away or we
can pursue the eternal things, the things that will remain with us
forever.
At the end of his life Paul talked about the race he had run;
2Timothy 4:7-8, I have fought the good fight, I have
finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me
the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will
award to me on that day--and not only to me, but also to all who have
longed for his appearing.
Many people have come before us and taught us how to run this race.
Think of those who have taught you the right way to go. Those who taught
you God’s Word and remained true to that regardless of what it cost
them. They will receive their reward in heaven.
The writer of Hebrews leaves us with these instructions;
Hebrews 12:1-3, Therefore, since we are surrounded
by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that
hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with
perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus,
the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him
endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of
the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful
men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.
If you look at our pace cars you will see these verses paraphrased
there; “Run the race in such a way as to win, throw off everything that
hinders and focus on Jesus.”
Prepare for and run the race in such a way as to win! Do not run
the wrong race. Choose the right way, the way that leads to the Cross.
Others have given us an example of which race is worth running. They
showed us how to run that race. They showed us how to persevere. Run in
such a way as to qualify for the prize. God Bless, Rev. Don
THOUGHTS FROM THE ROAD
MUSIC CITY PLAYS A SWEET NOTE - Matt Kobyluck waited for the
opportunity to come to him last Saturday night at Music City Motorplex
in Nashville . Opportunity knocked and Matt had saved enough of his
tires to drive through the open door. With the last several laps seeing
lead changes and driver’s fading as the race took it’s toll on
equipment, Matt had been patient enough early in the race to have
something to left. His crew chief, Perry wasn’t sure how much was left
but was pleasantly surprised.
Another great race was run for the fans as they saw some of the
best side-by-side action anywhere around. On this night perseverance was
the key and saving a little something for the end payed big dividends.
After a hot day and a hotter night Nashville proved to be a great place
to race. I would love to see the Northern Mods make the trip with us
next year and do a double like Mansfield , Ohio .
A rhetorical question, Is it possible in the city known for
Country, this country, Music to find an artist that knows the words to
the National Anthem?
MATT HIRSCHMAN ADDS ANOTHER AND ANOTHER - With the week off for the
Whelen Modified Tour, Matt Hirschman headed to Seekonk for an open Mod
show last Wednesday night. He added his second victory of the week after
winning at Spencer the week before. He then headed to Oswego and won on
Saturday night. He is on a roll, the next stop for the Whelen Modified
Tour is Riverhead, lets see if he can continue his July run into August.
A DIFFICULT WEEK- It has been a difficult week in
the racing community this week. We have lost some close friends and will
miss them dearly; Lois Matczak, Super Modified car owner with husband
Skip, Jay Miller, SKMod driver at Waterford and Parker Bohn, six-time
Wall Stadium Champion, went home to the Lord. Please check out the
Checkered Cheers Column for addresses to send your condolences to.
HEADED TO THE HILLS- This week the Camping World Series East
is headed to camping country, Adirondack Speedway will host its annual
race for the Grand National cars. Rev. Dan is headed up to the family
cabin in the Adirondacks and will cover the race.
I am will be taking in the local scene with the big race at
Stafford on Friday night, The Fifth Annual CARQUEST Autoparts SK
Modified 150. Woody Pitkat has the hot shoe with wins at Thompson and
Stafford this past week. Don’t look past current WAAS National
Championship point leader Keith Rocco to give him a run for his money.
It should be a great race. I also will be planning on camping a little,
we are headed over to Moose Meadow, stop in and say hi.
BANQUET TIME - It is a little early to be talking about
December but the dates for this years CWES and WMT banquets were
announced. They will be held at Mohegan Sun Entertainment Complex on
Friday, December 12 for the Campers and Saturday, December 13 for the
Mods. We are looking forward to the celebration with an eye toward
January and the two coveted spots for the champions in the RWJM booth at
Motorsports 2009 in Atlanic City .
WE’RE BACK ONLINE - RWJM’s web site,
www.rwjm.com is
back. We redesigned and updated out site and we are back. You’ll find
the weekly column, witness wear, our schedule along with a new video
about the ministry. We are still putting all the photo galleries in
place so please have some patience with us. Check it out and let us know
what you think.
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***
July 23
RED & STELLA MEAD - This Hyde Park, VT White Mountain Motorsports
Park (NH) driver and wife share their 23rd anniversary.
DAVE & SHIRLEY ALEXANDER - This retired Maine Modified driver and
wife have turned their track 41 times.
***HAPPY BIRTHDAYS***
July 23
BUCKSHOT JONES - Monticello, GA former NNS driver.
DEBBIE KRODEL - Keith's wife, both Sprint and NASCAR WMT fans, in
Pensacola , FL.
July 24
JEFF HERBERT - Wall Township Speedway Modified driver.
STAN WATTLES - Glen Cove, LI born, now Sewall's Point, FL IRL
driver.
LEONARD WAGNER - This Schwenksville, PA Grandview Speedway fan,
along with wife Earlene, is also a Dale Jarrett fan.
JUDY ROBINSON - Wife of Bill, daughter of Doris Bradley, fan of
Wall Speedway, New Egypt and NASCAR fan of Ricky Rudd. Sister of Sally
and Tammy.
July 25
FRANK FLEMING - Mt. Airy, NC Modified driver.
KELLY PUNCH - A son of Dennis and Pat from Newton , NC and
crewman for Dale Earnhardt, Jr.
TODD STILES - Lisbon , CT Tech Inspector.
July 26
RANDY MacDONALD - Canadian born CWES,NNS,CTS owner/driver now living
in NC.
RICK CRAWFORD - Mobile , AL NASCAR All Pro/CTS driver.
ALAN COATES - Connecticut Modified driver.
WILL POIGNONNEC - Kart Racer at Oakland Valley Race Park from
East Brunswick , NJ .
DAVID ALIO - NSC photographer
MIKE SOVA - Windsor, NY writer.
July 27
GLENN SULLIVAN - Westbury, LI CWES driver.
PETE FIANDACA - Townsend, MA legendary LM/ProStock driver.
JACK SELLERS - Sacramento , CA NASCAR West driver.
July 28
REGGIE RUGGIERO - Berlin, CT NASCAR WMT driver.
WAYNE CARROLL, JR. - Massachusetts ProStock driver.
SAMANTHA JARRETT - Holyoke, MA photographer Gracie Ryan's
granddaughter is 19.
JESSICA LARSEN - daughter of Linda and Joe, NASCAR Mod Series
official.
July 29
PHIL KURZE - Director of WHELEN MOTORSPORTS, sponsor of the WMT,WSMT
and WAAS, a big fan of modified racing.
ROB OVERTON - Olivebridge, NY Eastern Limited Sprint Series
driver.
PETE ORR - Miami, Fl NNS team owner, former driver.
REV. DON RIVERS - RWJM President and Pastor of WMT.
***NEW BEGINNINGS ***
LOIS MATCZAK, wife of Stanley "Skip" Matczak lost her battle with
cancer on Monday, July 14th. At her side were her husband Skip, her dog
Snookie, family and friends.
Skip and Lois were Super-Modified and Silver Crown car owners. Together
they won numerous races and championships along with helping to build a
number of driving careers and strong friendships with Doug Didero,
Johnny Heydenreich, Bentley Warren, Tony Stewart, Carl Edwards and JJ
Yeley, along with publishers and broadcasters, Dick Bergren and Chris
Economaki. In addition, Skip and Lois co-founded Seals-it, a company
serving the automotive performance market that was a result of their
love for auto racing.
Cards of condolence can be sent to, Stanley Matczak, 188 Parker Street,
Somers, CT 06071. Memorial donations in Lois’s memory may be made to The
Felician Sisters, 1315 Enfield Street , Enfield , CT 06082 .
JASON “JAY” OWENS MILLER, 35, of East Granby , CT , son of Walter
“Ray” Miller III of East Granby and Mary Lou Miller-Koba of Cromwell,
died suddenly on Tuesday July 15, 2008. He raced at Stafford Motor
Speedway and Waterford Speedbowl in the SKmodified division. Jay will be
missed by the racing family. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may
be made in his memory to the East Granby Volunteer Ambulance
Association, PO Box 100 , East Granby , CT 06026 .
PARKER BOHN, passed from this life at age 90 on July 13. He was a
six-time driving champion at Wall Stadium, and one of the track's great
competitors from the 1950s through the 70s. He drove the famous No. 659,
fielded by his good friend Tom Skinner. Cards of condolence can be sent
to the Bohn Family, 300 Stonehill Rd. , Freehold, NJ 07728.
RUTH BALIS, mom of AARN staff photographer Howard "Howie" Balis,
died on July 11, at age 67. Cards of condolence can be sent to Howie
Balis and family, 313 Rolling Dr. , Bellevernon , PA 15012 .
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RACING WITH JESUS MINISTRIES
PO BOX 586, Tolland, CT, 06084
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Racing With Jesus Ministries Website