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10/2/2009
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WHO ARE WE
LIVING FOR
by
Rev. Don Rivers |
Have you ever stopped to think about why you do something? Many of us are
influenced to act a certain way by the people we hang around with. Peer
pressure can be positive or negative. Greetings in the name of our Lord and
Savior, Jesus Christ.
I have been to a few racetracks in my day and I am always amazed at
how some people can be influenced to do some pretty silly things without too
much convincing. There are many things that trigger that type of behavior.
Some don’t need too much encouragement while others need a little
lubrication. Most take place after the racing in the camping area, but some
take place during the race.
You have seen the type of driver that thinks he knows what happened
and retaliates on the track only to find out later that he was wrong; or the
driver one who makes a derogatory comment about another driver only to be
his teammate one day. We had one instance where two drivers had issues and
ended up together in a pre-race prayer. You never know what may come your
way tomorrow so I would head the advice, think before you act.
Just recently I have seen drivers swinging at other drivers because
of an on track incident. I have watched verbal sparing and shouting between
teams. I have heard name calling. When you take a step back it all seems
kind on childish doesn’t it? If it doesn’t maybe you need to grow up a
little.
Talking is one thing but retaliating with your race car is another.
Many times the on track variety endangers not only the recipient but also
others. Why is it when we get behind the wheel every other car is the enemy.
It isn’t just that way at the track but it is that way on the street also.
It is like we drive with this mentality that the world revolves around us.
That needs to change.
The writer of Roman’s challenges us to behave in a different way;
Romans 12:9-18, Don’t just
pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly
to what is good. Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in
honoring each other. Never be lazy, but work hard and serve the Lord
enthusiastically. Rejoice in our confident hope. Be patient in trouble, and
keep on praying. When God’s people are in need, be ready to help them.
Always be eager to practice hospitality.
Bless those who persecute you. Don’t curse them; pray that God will
bless them. Be happy with those who are happy, and weep with those who weep.
Live in harmony with each other. Don’t be too proud to enjoy the company of
ordinary people. And don’t think you know it all!
Never pay back evil with more evil. Do things in such a way that
everyone can see you are honorable. Do all that you can to live in peace
with everyone.
The question for us is; who are we living for? We need to ask
ourselves that and the answer should be God. We should be living for God and
following his directions. Are we letting others influence our actions? Look
at this passage and I think you will see the way to behave and honor God.
Be genuine, don’t pretend. No one likes a fake and most can see
through the mask. People can tell when you genuinely care for them. God’s
loving care for us is real. Ours should be the same.
Be ready to help, no strings attached. Many times we are motivated
to help because of something we may receive. Try being motivated to please
God and you will see a difference in your attitude.
Don’t be stuck up and think you are better than everyone else, God
would rather you be thought a fool and serve Him than to be a well thought
of by men and serve yourself. I know it is hard, we all want people to like
us, we all want attention, but we first need to honor God. When we honor God
then we truly are living the correct way.
Don’t be a know it all. More times than not people just want you to
listen to them. They don’t want solutions or to hear what you would do. They
want you to listen and really hear what they are saying. Did you know that
God knows the future and the things that are going to happen, yet he still
listens to us when we talk to him? Even if you have heard it before we need
to be patient with other the way that God is patient with us.
There are many things that we can take from this passage. It is
worth spending some time exploring. Take some time each day this week and
read it. Ask God to reveal more of it to you each day. Remember to honor God
first and everything else will fall into place.
THOUGHTS FROM THE ROAD
WHAT A RIDE - Been on the road for a few days this week,
feels more like a marathon. We finished up the Camping World East Series at
Dover on Friday. Ryan Truex claimed the crown and Brett Moffit won the race.
As the Truex family celebrated the championship older brother Martin Jr.
reminded Ryan that this meant he had to make a speech. Ryan, being a very
quiet person had that look of fear that you remember from High School when
you had to do an oral report.
Brett closed out his campaign with his second victory. His 2010
season is not solidified yet but his dad shared they are hopeful to put
something together to have him comeback and run some of the bigger races on
the schedule under the ASM logo.
Andy Santerre will be changing hats to head up the Drive For
Diversity program. For the first time all four teams will be under one roof.
One of the challenges has been that the funding for the individual teams
wasn’t enough to run the season. Each driver also needed to bring sponsor
money. That hasn’t been easy to find for young drivers trying to make a name
for themselves. The hope by bringing the four teams together is that the
available resources can be stretched further.
OFF TO MARTINSVILLE - We found our way to Martinsville and
so did the rain that has plagued this racing season. With the Saturday
Schedule washed out it was off to find something good to eat. Can you say
BBQ? Pigs R Us to be exact. Best BBQ around according to Mike Smith PR
director at the track. We went, we found, we conquered! Our euphoria would
be short lived. When we asked our waitress where the best ice cream was her
only suggestion was Sonic. Sonic? “Well this is Martinsville , you know”
came her reply. I did check the phonebook and she was right, not an ice
cream store in the whole town, how sad.
Well as bad as Saturday was Sunday was just the opposite. Under
glorious sunny skies we contested the Whelen 300 or is it 200, I am not sure
but there were a combined 300 laps run between the Modifieds and the Limited
Late Models. The Modifieds ran 200 of the 300 and it proved to be just what
the doctor ordered to tighten up the championship race. With TC having an
engine problem and the three chasers finishing in the top ten the lead is
down to one over second place Donny Lia and Twelve over third place Ryan
Preece. Todd Szegedy closed the gap also with a second place finish.
As Mike Stefanik would proclaim in Victory Lane , ”Mark Martin
isn’t the only over 50 guy who can still win a race.” Mighty Mike brought
home the victory by winning a late race restart on the outside. He held the
lead through the closing stages and a few more restarts. The sigh of relief
at the checker told the story, it has been a tough season for the Flamingo
Motorsports team and this victory would erase a whole lot of frustration.
Congratulations guys.
OFF TO STAFFORD - With the race tighter than I can remember
the Whelen Modified Tour visits Stafford Motor Speedway for the Fall Final
that closes out the racing action at the famed Connecticut half-mile. All
eyes will be on the top four as this horse race visits the old Fair Grounds.
We’ll be there and hope to 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***
September 30
BILL, JR. & MARY BRICE - This New Jersey couple now retired served the
NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour for many years. They celebrate their 48th
anniversary.
October 2
JEFF & JULIE WINSOR - This Waterford Speedbowl staff couple from
Danielson, CT have their 15th anniversary.
October 4
MIKE & LORI FIELDS - The Editor of LONG ISLANDMOTORSPORTS.COM and wife
share their 33rd Anniversary. The couple is also Racing 4 Kids Children's
Charities.
BOB & JENNIFER WEBBER, JR. - Former Promoter of Star Speedway in
Epping, NH and wife celebrate their 10th anniversary.
TRAVERS & NOREEN CAMBRA - This former Wall Stadium photographer and
wife share their 38th anniversary.
October 6
RACING WITH JESUS MINISTRIES - Celebrates our 29th anniversary.
TIM & KATHY ATTAYA - The Co-Producers of the annual Maine Civic
Center Motorsports show have their 18th anniversary.
***HAPPY BIRTHDAYS***
September 30
RICHIE RESNER - Team owner and brother-in-law of Riverhead Late Model
#60 and driver Paul McElearney.
J.J. BRANSCOMBE - A grown-up son of Northwood, NH NASCAR CWES driver
Babe and wife Deb.
October 1
STEVE NOWAKOWSKI - "Stevie Wonder" of East Hampton, CT NASCAR CWES and
dirt Modified driver.
MARK SIMO - Carlsbad, NC NASCAR CWES/ LMSC driver.
KEVIN HODGE - Crewman son of Manchester, CT photographers Mary and
Howie Hodge.
October 2
CARL PASTERYAK - Lisbon, CT NASCAR Whelen Modified Series driver.
JOE BARNES - Scranton, PA NASCAR CWES driver.
JOE INGLIN, JR - Three time most popular driver at the former
Flemington Speedway.
RICHARD LASATER - CTS Crew Chief from Little Rock, AK.
VICTORIA ROMANO - This West Long Branch, NJ Wall Township Speedway
George Andretta, Robert Geibel and a Steve Park fan is 16.
October 3
ALAN JOHNSON - "AJ Slideways," NY based DIRT Modified driver.
TOM CAPIE - Trevose, PA URC Sprint driver.
TOM TAGG - Webster, MA Semi-retired CT Modified driver.
ALESSANDRO ZAMPEDRI - Monte Carlo, Monaco, Brescia, Italy born, IRL
driver.
October 4
BUDDY LOECHER - Bob Park former Riverhead Modified Crew Chief, now doing
same for Bob in NC.
DREW DAMIANI - The senior driver on the LAD 1/4 Midget Racing team in
PA.
SARAH BURTON - The daughter of South Boston, VA driver Ward and wife
Tabitha.
EMILY CAVALLERO - This Wall Township speedway fan from Farmingdale,
NJ and grandaughter of fan Doris Bradley, has her 11th.
LINDA EVANS - A Whelen Modified Tour & Waterford Speedbowl fan.
October 5
DAVE REZENDES - Charlotte, NC ,Assonet, MA born, CTS/NNS driver.
JOHN BLEWETT, SR. - NJ retired asphalt Modified great and dad of
retired great John Blewett II and grandad of WMT driver Jimmy Blewett and
the late John III.
BUBBA GALE - Irvington, AL NASCAR All-Pro Series driver.
VILLEROY HARD - "Vill" of Clifton, NJ has his 80th.
October 6
CHIP SLOCUM - Ewing, NJ dirt Modified driver.
MIKE McLAUGHLIN - Waterloo, NY born former NNS, CWES & WMT driver.
DICK McCABE - Retired Kennebunkport, ME NASCAR CWES great.
RICH LAVALETTE - "Haskell" is a former Mario Fiore/Gulf Racing NASCAR
WMT crewman, now on a south team.
SUZANNE STIVASON - Car owner of the modlite 116 champion at Blanket
Hill speedway and sprintcar #4 champion at Mercer park in western pa.
*** NEW BEGINNINGS ***
OSCAR MORTON, Jim Morton's dad Oscar was by his side through all his
time at Wall Stadium and was glad to have him rent it. He came to the track
at times this year but his health was getting bad. He was in and out of the
hospital, for awhile. This weekend Oscar past away. All those who knew him
will miss him. Cards with prayers and thoughts can be sent to Jim Morton C/O
Wall Stadium 1803 State Route 34 Wall Township, N.J. 07719-9109. BROTHER BOB
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: October
2, 2009 |
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