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7/31/2009
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LOSING FOCUS
by
Rev. Don Rivers |
Sometimes in life we get to a place where things just seem disorganized. We
try but we just don’t seem to be able to get our hands around things. We
struggle to find our focus. Greetings in the name of our Lord and Savior,
Jesus Christ.
I was talking to a crew chief the other day about the way his car
was handling and he shared with me that they came to the track with a new
setup and have been trying to dial it in. They were not having much success
but were committed to work through it. I was amazed when he said they
couldn’t even go as fast as the “old” setup. I was confused.
If you try something and it doesn’t work why not go back to what
you know works? The effort and time spent trying to make something work on
race day seems like a waste. It only teaches you what you can’t do. It
demonstrates a loss of focus. Take a step back and rethink the reason why
you came to the track that day, to race. Not only to race but to win!
I understand you have to try new things and when you try, you may
find something out, but that type of activity is for a test session, not
race day. There is a time and place for every activity and we need to be
aware of the situation and focus on the desired result.
Losing focus applies to every aspect of our lives. We need to
remind ourselves what is it that we are doing and focus on the activities
that reflect that. Sometimes we get distracted from our mission. We need to
take a step back and refocus.
The writer of Hebrews reminds us;
Hebrews 2:1 - We must pay more
careful attention, therefore, to what we have heard, so that we do not drift
away.
Have you ever noticed that what you focus on is likely to become
where you end up? Daryl Shoemaker tells us about how he learned this lesson.
On a recent summer vacation I enjoyed a round of golf with, for the purpose
of this story, an unnamed family member. While standing by a tee box, we
admired all of the beautiful homes and their immaculately landscaped patios
that backed right onto the left side of the fairway. My golf partner
indicated that the home owners complained at length about golf balls hitting
their homes. However, it had not been a problem for him as he followed the
sage golfing advice - don't focus on the home, tree or water, but instead
focus on the place where you want your shot to land. That makes sense. You
always hear about how pro athletes are successful in part because they are
able to visualize the play. He went on to effectively demonstrate this
principle, as after 5 minutes of looking at the homes, he managed to hit a
250 yard shot right into the back of the home furthest from the fairway.
Actions follow thoughts. It is not that we should ignore the
challenges that face us. However, it is a question of focus. We need to
remember the situation we are in. Remind ourselves of the right focus. When
our focus is correct, the obstacles remain in our periphery, the risks
become secondary. While we focus on our purpose the path may not seem so
long. While we focus on the reward the cost may seem small.
What is it that we need to be focused on? We need to remind
ourselves that we are to be about the Lord’s work. Don’t let things distract
you from what God requires. I refer back to the writer of Proverbs when I
get things out of focus on my life.
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.
Are you a little out of focus? Take a step back and look at where
you are expending energy. Ask yourself if you are moving in the direction
that God wants you to. Make the necessary adjustment to get things back on
track. God Bless
THOUGHTS FROM THE ROAD
MAKING THE RIGHT CALL - I have been around long enough to know
that when you let racers go unchecked things can get out of hand. I have
listened to the drivers encourage the officials to call something, anything.
Even to the point of volunteering to be the one to have the penalty called
on.
Discipline, rules, constraints, and the like result is a more
entertaining product on the track. It also assures that the racers and cars
will return to race another day. To that end Thompson Speedway has made a
change that they hope will rein in some of the racing exploits that have
bordered on out of control. The goal is to produce an exciting race on the
track while keeping as many cars as possible off the tow truck.
These things have a habit of taking some time to correct. The
pendulum tends to swing too far from one side to the other before it settles
into a good balanced position. Let’s have some patience and be thankful that
attempts are being made to minimize the damage.
BACK TO THE TRACK - We return to action this week with both
divisions hitting the track in the State of New York . The Whelen Modified
Tour will make its annual visit to Riverhead out on Long Island while the
Camping World East Series heads to the Adirondacks and Adirondack Speedway.
I will be joined on the Island by our Track Chaplain, Pastor Scott. Scott
will bring the message at Chapel, please make an effort to get there, it
will be at about 1:15, directly following the driver’s meeting.
Rev. Dan will be up in the woods with the Campers. Adirondack is an
interesting track, almost round, a half-mile continuous left turn. It almost
tempts you to mount your seat turned a little to the left so that your neck
doesn’t get sore.
BUSY WEEKEND IN INDY - Our Midwest chaplain, Chuck McNeil
commuted back and forth across town with the Cup drivers this weekend. He
used his Ford Taurus though, not a helicopter. He sent this report on the
kids that moved up from the Camping World Series.
O’Reilly Raceway Park was the place to be for Saturday. It was good
to reconnect with several folks. Trevor Bayne set ORP on fire and took the
pole, while having to go out as one of the first cars. Chase Austin also
made the field and based on his reaction, you’d have thought he took the
pole too. All in all, the NCWES contingent present did really well.
Trevor was the center of a controversial call on lap 36. When
rookie Michael Annett brought out a caution the leaders were entering turn
one. They both rolled out of the throttle, then got surprised as the pace
car appeared in the turn two entry, while the field was still moving 100
miles an hour. Trevor came hard on the brakes, and Steve Wallace tapped him
from behind, both of them loosing several spots. NASCAR judged that they
failed to maintain pace and moved them back off the lead. I’m not too sure
about how you can maintain pace speed and not pass the pass car when it cuts
you off like that. Even so Trevor finished a very respectable 7th and has
quite a bit more name recognition now.
With qualifying at the Brickyard running late, everything got
stacked up and the four double duty drivers did not get out to qualify at
ORP for themselves. Brian Ickler ensured a spot in the field for David
Reutimann. The late hour meant no chapel service, but Lonnie Clouse from MRO
and Tim Spillman, the local USAC chaplain and I did get to talk. Also got to
talk a bit with Jack Arute and catch up on the Stafford scene.
This was a great end to a long day that started with feeding a
little over a thousand folks in downtown Indy at the Metro Baptist Center .
God is Good, Chuck
TRUE VALUE MODIFIED SERIES TO GIVE IT ANOTHER GO - For the
second time in the last two months the TVMRS was rained out at Thompson.
They managed to get a practice in and it was nice to catch up with a few
teams that I haven’t seen in a while. We were hoping to get the event in but
the weather did not cooperate. The rain came just as the cars were preparing
to go out for their second practice and it became apparent that it would not
relinquish control of the track. The event has another rain date, The Town
Fair Tire 75 True Value Modified Racing Series race at Thompson
International Speedway has been rescheduled for Thursday, August 27. We’ll
be there to give it another try. Let’s hope that we can finally get this one
in.
GET YOU TICKETS NOW - Start to make your plans now for the
7th Annual John Blewett III Memorial North-South Shootout scheduled for
November 6 & 7. It is not too early to plan for what is one of the biggest
collection of Modifieds and racers. C & C promotions is hoping for another
packed house at Concord Speedway in Concord , NC . We’ll see you there.
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***
August 2
PAUL & ROSE TEETER - From Ithaca, NY, this NY Antique Race Car
enthusiasts have their 17th anniversary.
***HAPPY BIRTHDAYS***
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.
July 30
MICKEY YORK - Asheboro , NC NASCAR driver.
PENNY DEGRE - Whitinsville, MA NASCAR CWES writer.
TYLER WILSON - Son of James and Janai Wilson, Grandson of Wall
Chaplain Bob Menschner.
July 31
BILLY RUSSELL - Hudson, NH long-time crewman on the Dion Bros. NASCAR
CWES team with driver Dave Dion.
TAMMY O'BRIEN - Boyertown, PA crewman for the Grandview Late Model X4
driven by Lou Egrie.
SONYA CLAY - The lady who heads up the Dale JR Pit Board Charity out
in Gustine, CA. Visit the site at
www.dalejrpitboardcharity.com
August 1
BOB KESELOWSKI - Rochester, MI CTS and ASA driver.
ALAN CHAPMAN - Elmira , NY NASCAR CWES driver.
FIL MARTOCCI - NSC's FiLmar Racing Team owner.
GLORIA HANNA - Amsterdam, NY Fonda Speedway fan.
LISA ROMANO - This lady is in Appomattax , VA , the sister of Laura
Dennis and another huge Jamie Tomaion WMT fan.
CONNOR McELEARNEY - The son of Riverhead LM driver Paul and wife
Michelle of Commack, NY IS 9.
JIM BARNES - This Long Island Kyle Busch fan celebrates his big day.
August 2
ROBIN LaHUE - Wife of Northfield , VT White Mountain Motorsports Park
(NH) driver, Don.
JOHN FITZGERALD - Happy 4th to this son of Riverhead Enduro and demo
regular Terrence and Christine.
August 3
GREG RAY - Plano , TX IRL driver.
BOB MARTI - Crewman on the 57 WAAS Modified at Stafford .
CAROL SAVLUK - Wife of former Modified driver, Wayne, of Lisbon , CT.
JOANN SCHERER - Sister of Northampton , PA NASCAR WMT driver Eric
Beers.
DILLON ZACHARIAS - The son of Modified driver and part of the track
management team Rick and wife Pam is 8.
BRENDA VENTH - Daughter of former Harbach X90 Modified crewman George
Venth is 9.
August 4
BILL SLATER - "Wild Bill" of East Hartford , CT Stafford Motor Speedway
staffer and retired great NASCAR Modified Sportsman driver in the 60's and
70's of the famous CT Valley Rocket "V-8." Stop by and say hello to Bill at
The Pit Gate at SMS and he will fill you in on the things he has done in and
out of racing.
JAMIE AUBE - Charlotte, VT NASCAR BES driver and three-time NASCAR
CWES champion.
SHAWN PARKER - NH driver, son of Parker's Express Trucking owner Ted.
JEFF GORDON - Multi-time Nextel Cup champion driver of the Hendricks
Motorsports Dupont Monte Carlo's.
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
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Source: Rev
Don Rivers / Racing With Jesus Ministries
Posted: July
31, 2009 |
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