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10/9/2009
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IS IT IN THERE?
by
Rev. Don Rivers |
They say beauty is only skin deep. What you see on the outside is not always
what you get. I have seen some good-looking racecars that don’t have what it
takes to be competitive on the track. There is no easy way to find out if
what you see is what you get. Is it in there? Greetings in the name of our
Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Tech inspection exists for the purpose of making sure the seen and unseen
components conform to the rules. The necessity of having to check gives us
an indication of our human nature, if no one catches you it is not cheating.
I can think of many sayings we have, in and out of racing, which help us
rationalize bending the rules.
“We get paid to cheat and they get paid to catch us”
“What they don’t know won’t hurt them.”
“No one will ever know”
“Everyone’s doing it.”
Many times we rationalize doing something based on the risk of being caught.
Is the reward worth it if you received it by doing something illegal,
immoral or deceitful? Some would say yes, win at all cost. Some would say
yes, as long as no one was hurt. God’s word says, no.
We bend the rules in our favor. We try to have everything work out to our
benefit. We spend time trying to figure out how we can get the upper hand
and not get caught. We tend to be self-centered and do everything in our
power to achieve the best outcome.
I have been known to golf a little bit. Golf is a very interesting sport.
There are no officials out there checking to see if you are following the
rules. You and You alone are responsible for enforcing the rules on
yourself. Call your own penalties. That’s when it gets interesting. How many
of us are ready to turn ourselves in for something that violates the rules?
They say someone’s true character shows when you watch them play golf, will
they cheat themselves or will they hold up the integrity of the rules. What
does it matter it’s only a game right?
In Luke’s gospel he tells us that the blessings we receive from God are
contingent on how we handle the things of this world. Do we handle them with
the moral character that will honor God? Do we view these resources as
someone else’s not to be squandered?
Luke 16:10-13; "Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted
with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest
with much. So if you have not been trustworthy in handling worldly wealth,
who will trust you with true riches? And if you have not been trustworthy
with someone else's property, who will give you property of your own? "No
servant can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the
other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot
serve both God and Money."
God doesn’t need tech inspection. He knows all that we do, seen and unseen.
He knows the secrets that hide in each one of our closets. We cannot hide
them from Him. God honors those that honor Him in all they do. It comes down
to a choice. Who will we serve?
We love to sit on the fence. When we evaluate a situation we choose which
side of the fence we want to jump down on and live accordingly. God says
there are no fence sitters. You either are going to please Him or not.
I would like to encourage you to live with integrity in all your ways, seen
or unseen. We should not need to explain our motives; they should be plain
to see. Don’t live our lives always looking over our shoulder wondering if
anyone is watching. It is difficult to move forward if we are always looking
around. In all we do we should not be ashamed if it is exposed for all to
see. Only when we live like this do we experience the presence of God in our
lives. Rev. Don
THOUGHTS FROM THE ROAD
ANOTHER WET SATURDAY - Weather continues to be the story, for the second
weekend in a row the Saturday schedule fell victim to the rain. What looked
promising on the radar screen soon turned to an image that reflected the
colors of fall, pretty on the trees but not so pretty on the radar.
The uncooperative weather did give us a chance to spend some time exploring
the finer eating establishments of north central Connecticut. This was my
back yard and I didn’t need directions to find cheeseburger heaven. I
grabbed a couple of Jersey Boys and the driver of Ole Blue and headed to my
favorite spot, Shady Glen. The boys didn’t have any complaints. The Rev.
knows his food.
Again, Sunday turned out to be the opposite of Saturday and the challenge
was getting it all in. To their credit Stafford received permission to start
before noon and the Whelen Modified Tour took the track for practice at
10:00.
Qualifying would be held in between the season ending features for the
Whelen All-American Racing Series. Donny Lia set fast time followed closely
by TC. With the two separated by only one point with two races left this had
the makings of a horse race.
That would not prove to be the case. For the second week in a row TC met
with some difficulties, this week would be of the on track variety. Last
week his engine would not cooperate, this week, after an aggressive move led
to a spin and early pit stop he found himself at the back of the pack. When
you run back there is a better than average chance of being collected up in
something. TC was and it cost the team several laps to get the car back on
the track. This combined with a victory for the 4 team turned the point
standings around.
Lia has the lead heading into the World Series at Thompson. His nearest
competitor now is young gun, Ryan Preece. Ryan now sits 26 points behind Lia
heading to the season finale while TC is all but out of the title chase, 109
back. I can’t wait to see what happens.
INDOOR AT THE DUNK - Wondering what to do after the outdoor season is over?
Go indoors of course. The indoor season has now doubled in size and
Providence will host its second event on December 4 & 5. Look for drivers to
try and unseat indoor champion Ted Christopher who swept both the Providence
and Atlantic City events last year. We’ll be there, hope to see you there.
POSITIVE REPORTS FOR DICK CERAVOLO - Just wanted to pass along some positive
news we received from the Ceravolo family. The hospital has started to bring
Dick out of his coma and the initial results have been encouraging. He has
been able to breath on his own in short intervals. They are still working to
remove a pesky infection but this is encouraging news. Please continue to
keep the Ceravolo family in your thoughts and prayers. Cards of
encouragement can be sent to Dick Ceravolo, 1348 Baldwin Hill Rd, Gales
Ferry, CT 06335.
UP NEXT SUPER DIRT WEEK - Dan and I are looking forward to visiting a new
track. I have never been to Syracuse and just the thought of it make me
smile. We may even take a quick trip over to the Glen. We are looking
forward to enjoying some great dirt track racing and helping out.
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***
October 7
BOB & CAROLYN BLAISDELL - These fans from Champaign, IL have their 42nd
anniversary.
October 9
SCOTT & MELANIE DEWARE - This South Easton, MA NASCAR BNS GRAND NATIONAL/SCCA
couple have their 14th anniversary.
October 11
BOBBY & CAROL GAHAN - The multi-time Lee Speeway ProStock champion with over
300 feature wins from Barrington, NH have their 39th anniversary.
DALE & TERRY WAKEFIELD - This Warren, NJ AMA Expert division biker and wife
celebrate their 19th anniversary.
October 12
JOHN & LISA SHAPLEIGH - These former JBIII crew members celebrate their 2nd
anniversary.
October 13
RICH & LORRAINE SYLVESTER - The retired proprietor of Sylvestri's Auto Care,
formerly known as the northern world center of speed, in Canterbury, CT and
lovely wife celebrate 47 wonderful years together. Just ask Rich.
***HAPPY BIRTHDAYS***
October 7
LYNDA RIVERS - Wife of WMT pastor and RWJM President Rev. Don. Thank you for
all your understanding and love.
October 8
BILL ELLIOTT - Dawsonville, GA Dodge part-time NSC driver and former
champion.
WAYNE ANDERSON - Yaphank, LI, NY former NASCAR WMT champion.
HAL RESH - Pennsy asphalt Modified driver.
SHAWN MARQUIS - One of Enfield, CT NASCAR CWES/WMT driver Jerry and wife
Karen's children.
MARK SABATINE - Longtime spotter/radioman for Steve Payne and Payne
Motorsports.
MARILYN BARKER - Mom of Bob "Mad Dog" and Billy "the Kid" Barker Garden State
Vintage Stock Car Club, Staten Island, NY.
October 9
FRANKLIN BUTLER - Chester, VA Mitchell Motorsports NASCAR CWES driver.
RICKY ELLIOTT - D.I.R.T. Modified driver.
RON ESAU - Lakeside, CA NASCAR West driver.
VINCENZO SOSPIRI - Monte Carlo, Monaco IRL driver.
C.D. COVILLE - Retired famous Schenectady, NY dirt Mod driver.
DAN HARMON - Grottoes, VA Micro Sprint driver.
October 10
DALE EARNHARDT, JR. - A son of "the great one" and Hendrick Motorsports NSC
driver.
MONTY UTZ - CWES crewman.
DEBBIE GASTELU - Widow of the late Wall Township Speedway ProStock driver Ray
and team owner of the WTS Greg Gastelu dodge ProStock team.
October 11
JIMMY HENSLEY - Horsepasture, VA NASCAR CTS driver.
JIM SAVAGE, JR. - Ed Flemke NASCAR WMT crewman.
AARON ANTONE DIAS - The son of Seekonk Speedway ProStock driver Tony is 12.
SCOTT JAMES - Canterbury, CT RWJM freind and supporter. He spent many years
on the road with Rev. Pat and in service to this ministry.
HEATHER FRANTZ - The wife of Mountain Speedway RWJM Chaplain and winning
driver, Paul.
October 12
NED JARRETT - From Hickory, NC, one of racing's great Christian examples and
retired NSC champion.
SMOKEY WARREN - Popular Grandview/ Big Diamond NASCAR Sportsman Modified
driver.
MARK DISMORE - Greenfield, IN Midget and IRL driver.
MORGAN SHEPHERD - Conover, NC NSC/NNS/CTS driver of the Racing with Jesus
entries.
HAROLD DAUNCEY III - NJ asphalt Modified driver.
DANNY BAGWELL - Birmingham, AL NASCAR All Pro Series driver.
ERNIE GAHAN - Retired NH National NASCAR Sportsman champion and 300 plus ProStock feature winner Bobby's dad.
JACK DENNIS - Laura's dad and Appomattax, VA Jamie Tomaino NASCAR WMT fan.
October 13
CAITLIN BROWN - A daughter of Farmingdale, NJ Dwarf Car driver Bobby and wife
Carolyn.
*** NEW BEGINNINGS ***
RICHARD “DICK” ABBEY - passed away on October 3. Dick worked as an official
with Dick Brooks at Riverside Park. Cards of condolence and sympathy can be
sent to his daughter, Kelly Kelly, 65 Craig Drive Apt. P4, West Springfield,
MA 01089.
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
9, 2009 |
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