Many of us have sponsors that help pay for the expense of racing. We
represent them and their companies. How about our representation of
Jesus? Do we represent our sponsors better than we represent Jesus?
Greetings in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
We all know that the more money we receive from sponsors the more
that is expected from us. There are promotional events, autograph
signings and appearances. We owe our sponsors something besides just
having their name on our car. With that comes the responsibility to act
in a manner that would please our sponsors. Without their finances many
of us would not be racing.
Let me ask you this question, how good are we at representing
Jesus? It was Jesus who paid the price for our sin. It is through Jesus
that we receive the inheritance God promised. It is through Jesus that
we gain entrance into Heaven and live for eternity with God. In a way
Jesus is our sponsor. How have we represented Him in our daily life?
Do we look like Jesus? That is to say, when people see us do they
see a compassionate, humble person ready to serve? Do we talk like
Jesus? Do words of encouragement and support come from our mouths? Do we
do the things that Jesus did? Are we forgiving and willing to look past
the faults of others and love them the same way Jesus loves us?
If we have accepted Christ as our Savior Scripture tells us it is
God's will to conform us to the image of Christ. Remember this verse
from Romans.
Romans 8:29, For those God foreknew he also predestined to
be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn
among many brothers.
God has a plan for us to represent Him the same way that Jesus did.
That is what the term Christian means, like Christ.
I am reminded of a story I heard about a Christian and his
willingness, or lack of, to give of his financial resources. When it was
time for the offering at Church he reached into his pocket and gave
whatever change he had in his pocket. The same afternoon he went out to
eat and when it came time to pay the bill he made sure to give the right
percentage to the waitress for the tip. His son was watching and asked
his father who was more important in his life the waitress or Jesus? Why
Jesus of course the father answered. The son then asked, why did you
give that waitress more of an offering than you gave Jesus?
When push comes to shove most of the time our actions are dictated
by who is watching. Who are we really? How do we act when no one is
watching? Do we have different standards if no one is watching? All
difficult questions. When we think about them we see that maybe we
haven't represented Jesus the way we should. I have heard it put this
way, "Give God what is right, not what is left."
The illustration helps us to understand that we put things in our
life at a higher priority than Jesus. At times we have relegated Jesus
to the “also ran” position in our life. If I have time I'll go to
chapel. If I have some extra money I'll give it in the offering. If I
feel like it I'll stop and help someone out. If I don't have anything
else to do I'll take time to visit with someone who can't get out. The
phrase "IF I" is not one Jesus would have used. Putting Jesus in the top
priority of your life changes each on of these statements to "I Will"
not "If I".
What will you do to change the way you look to others? Will you let
God transform you into the likeness of His Son? Will you let others see
Jesus in you? Proverbs records the promise of God as it concerns how we
live.
Proverbs 3:5-6, Trust in the Lord with all your heart and
lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him,
and he will make your paths straight.
The only way we are able to live a life that honors God is to trust
in him with all our heart. That means having nothing in our lives that
is more important than serving God. Nothing. We also need to acknowledge
Him in all we do. We need to do the right thing whether someone is
watching or not. We need to understand that we represent Jesus when we
live and we need to represent Him correctly.
So how are we representing our sponsor? Can we make a commitment to
do better this week? Look around you and see all the folks that need the
touch of love that only comes from contact with Jesus. Go out this week
and represent your sponsor well. God Bless, Rev. Don
THOUGHTS FROM THE ROAD
TIS MODIFIED MANIA - Well, that is a deep and wet subject, much
like the start of Modified Mania at Thompson. I did learn something, the
new Mini-Stock is a Sunoco Modified. You see when you only have
modifieds available to finish the track drying process I guess instead
of using Mini-Stocks or Limited Late-Models you use what you have,
Sunoco Modifieds.
We did manage to get some practice in and based on the comments I
heard the teams were pleased to be able to scrub their sticker tires.
Many said the decision made sense. With the short practice in the rain
fell, again and we closed up and headed home.
Sunday would prove to be a better day. Under bright sunshine the
thunder rolled. After a quick practice session, the features were ready
to roll. Jimmy Blewett would attempt running in four divisions, Sunoco
Modified, Roc, True Value and WMT, 340 laps. He fared pretty well at the
start, first in the Sunoco Mod, second in the ROC car, eighteenth in the
True Value and twenty-sixth in the WMT race. Many other drivers ran two
divisions but no one else attempted the sweep.
The features ran smooth for such a crowd of Modifieds. Todd Szegedy
outlasted the field in WMT race. Todd has come close several times this
year but brought this one home. He was followed home by Ronnie Silk and
Doug Coby. Todd used a no pit strategy to get to victory lane and you
could say he slid this one home on threads. A couple of veterans rounded
out the top five with The Reg coming home forth and Rick Fuller coming
home fifth.
Some teams will have their work cut out for them to be able to roll
into NHMS on Wednesday night.
RWJM SOFTBALL TEAM UPDATE - RWJM is playing in the White
Plains NY Industrial League. We ended the season in a tie for 4th place
so we had to have a one game elimination vs AB Black on Tuesday. We beat
them soundly which qualified us to play the first place team - Federal
Express on Wednesday. More importantly though, I was talking to the
umpire after the game. One of the umpires was going to be late because
his daughter was in the hospital. We did say a special prayer for him
and his daughter before and after the game. The ump got both teams
together and asked us not to give him a hard time - at least until the
other ump showed up. After the game in talking with him, I asked him if
we gave him a hard time. He said you guys never do. He continued on to
say that a lot of people go around wearing shirts that say something
about Jesus on it, but they don't live it. You guys wear the shirts,
live it and play like it. What a testimony! That was great to hear from
the officials in our league. We went on Wednesday night to beat Federal
Express and we are playing for the championship next Monday - best two
our of three. Special thanks to Adam Greto from Greto Contracting for
sponsoring our team, and allowing our team to be named Racing with Jesus
Ministries . God bless you Adam.
A WORD ON SAFETY - Recently, my Stepfather and I attended a
race together at a New York dirt track. (it isn't necessary to name the
track, this incident could've happened at ANY short track in the United
States ). In one of the support divisions that evening, one of the
competitor's car spun and did a seemingly harmless slow-motion rollover.
Moments later, the race car was totally engulfed in flames. From the
stands, the only firefighting capabilities was a number of fire
extinguishers on the back of one the infield tow trucks. A track worker,
it was reported to us in the stands, went into the flames and sprayed
the driver with his fire extinguisher while the car was still engulfed
in flames and the car on it's roof! The brave worker received burns for
his efforts, and reports have it the driver, who was airlifted out of
the speedway, lies in a medically induced coma because of the severity
of burns on his face and arm(s?)!
Every racer who reads this should IMMEDIATELY take a long,hard look
at his personal protective gear. (IE firesuit, nomex or carbonex
underwear and hood sock, shoes, and helmet and gloves, seat,neck
brace,etc.) If you can't afford the best possible protection BEFORE you
get into racing, then you shouldn't get into a race car. I've seen too
many Mickey Mouse excuses for safety wear and gear out there.
Personally, ten years ago, I bought the best I could select BEFORE I
bought my mini-sprint. That should be every racer's top priority. And
simply put, the evidence speaks for itself...many drivers have their
priorities wrong! The track isn't going to compel you to watch out for
yourself. You're responsible for your own safety! As it is spoken, God
helps those who help themselves!
God Bless and thanks. Greg
A FEW THINGS TO KEEP IN PRAYER - Keep Rick, Jeff, Jimmy and
the entire Fuller clan in your thoughts and prayers as they grieve the
loss of their mom. Also, Jimmy Savage was back in the hospital for
additional treatment. Keep Jimmy and his family in your prayers. He
should be home soon but there are some things to deal with. You can send
a card of encouragement to Jimmy at:
33 Laurel Leaf Drive
Gales Ferry, CT 06335
Also Carl Bergman, AKA Bugs Stevens, was hospitalized this past week. He
is definitely getting better and was moved to South East Rehabilitation
Center in Charlton Memorial Hospital, Fall River, MA yesterday. Cards
can be sent to:
Carl Bergman
South East Rehabilitation Center
Charlton Memorial Hospital
363 Highland Ave. Room 332
Fall River, MA 02720
We head to the Magic Mile this week for a double header with the
Camping World East and Whelen Modified, oh yes those Cup guys will be
there also. As always, travel safe and take in some live racing action
at a local 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***
September 10
LARRY AND CARLENE SHIVERS - This Mom and Pop team for #23 Modified
celebrate 48 years on the road.
September 11
BOB & PEGGY KARBONIC - This CT Mod driver and wife have their 14th
anniversary.
September 12
DAN & SHARON MESERVEY - The parents of NASCAR WMT/CWES drivers Dan,
Jr. and Doug from Chatham, MA have their 42nd anniversary.
September 13
LARRY & CINDY NICEWICZ - This retired racing writer/ go-karter and
wife from Vernon, CT share their 48th anniversary.
September 14
ED & GAYLE FERREE - Saxonburg, PA multi-time PA Motor Speedway
Big-Block Late Model dirt champion and owner of Frankland Racing Supply
and Clincher Gears and wife have their 31st anniversary.
VILL AND ARLENE HARD - The Ford racing fans from Clifton, NJ have
their 50th anniversary as a loving couple and partners in racing.
***HAPPY BIRTHDAYS***
September 10
ROBERT JEFFREYS - NC Modified driver.
RALPH SOLHEM - Owner of the NASCAR WMT No. 0.
BILL CHRISTOPHER - In Plainville, CT, the father of well-known
racing twins Mike and Ted.
PHIL SMITH - Veteran racing writer from Westerly , RI.
CARRIE KILCOLLINS - Sturbridge, MA fan of CT Mod driver Willie
Hardee and her dad Wendell is Hardee's Crew Chief.
AL HANSEN - Green Lane, PA former Modified team owner at
Grandview and Bridgeport Speedways.
September 11
TERRORISTS STRIKE USA - It was not the first time, but on September
11, 2001, our country changed forever after 3,000 people were killed by
terrorists.
GEORGE KENT - The veteran Tioga Speedway and NASCAR WMT driver
from Horseheads, NY
LARRY CARON - Williston, VT LM driver.
DEBBIE VECCHIO - Wife of Syracuse, NY NASCAR CWES chassis
specialist, Tony.
STEPHEN "GOODYEAR" BELLEROSE - NASCAR WMT crewman and Dave Lind
Goodyear Tire technician.
CHERIE BEERS - Wife of Northampton, PA asphalt NASCAR WMT driver,
Eric.
September 12
RICKY RUDD - Semi-retired NSC driver.
CINDY NICEWICZ - Wife of retired Vernon, CT writer Larry.
September 13
JIM GUTHRIE - Gadsden, AL born, Albuquerque, NM IRL driver.
ED HERROLD - A former Riverhead Raceway NASCAR Starter, now
living in Texas .
September 14
DOMINIC DOBSON - Mercer Island, WA CTS driver.
MARK PORCARO - Clinton, NJ occasional NASCAR CWES driver.
BILLY CLARK - Farmington, ME LM driver.
WES ROSNER - Famed Agawam, MA ProStock/NASCAR CWES builder.
DELORSE BOULET - The special woman in the life of Jewett City
Service proprietor Henry St. John.
GARY MARTIN - Concord, NC Sprint Cup photographer.
September 15
BILL WILSON - Fuquay Varina, NC Dash Series driver.
VENETTA NARDUCCI - Wife of Greg, WMT fan.
RONNIE MILLER III - Son of Camp Hill, PA Susky fans Ron and
Arleen is 16.
September 16
BOB BRUNNELL - Peru, NY NASCAR CWES semi-retired driver/ team owner.
TOMMY CLOCE - Canton, NY NASCAR WMT/NASCAR CWES driver, son of
well-known team owner, Ed.
TIM ZOCK - Youngsville, PA NASCAR CWES driver.
BILL DUGGAN - Belmont, NH LM driver.
DARREN BRASSFIELD - Los Galos, CA IMSA GT driver.
JOE BRADY - Stoughton, MA legendary #00 NASCAR WMT team owner.
SHARE YOUR SPECIAL OCCASIONS WITH YOUR RACING FAMILY.
SEND THEM TO:
RACING WITH JESUS MINISTRIES
PO BOX 586, Tolland, CT, 06084
TheChromeHorn RWJM Archives
Racing With Jesus Ministries Website
