I came back from New Hampshire and our tomato plants have grown at least
another foot. Unfortunately those pesky weeds grew also. The weeds needed to
be removed so that the tomatoes could grow even larger and the plants would
bear more fruit. We face the same thing in our lives, as we grow in Christ
there are some things we need to remove before we can grow even closer to
him and bear more fruit. Greetings in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus
Christ.
One day I was talking to Billy the Kid about engine building, not
because I wanted to build one, but I wanted some understanding about the
process. Before I came to RWJM I worked in manufacturing, I made things
work, so I have always been intrigued about engine building. Billy and I
talked about a spec engine or “recipe” engine. If I understand it correctly
there is a list of parts you can use and from those parts you build an
engine.
To some it sounds easy but Billy explained that picking the right
size parts to go together can make all the difference in the world. Some of
the parts, although the same, don't match up right and wouldn't work well
together. You have to keep the right ones and discard the ones that don't.
When you put the right ones together you produce more horsepower and isn't
that what it is all about.
Now that I think about it, that must be why some chocolate chip
cookies taste better than others. The ingredients are pretty basic, but some
cooks just know how to put the ingredients together in such a way as to make
them irresistible. I must confess though, there aren't too many chocolate
chip cookies I don't like, but I digress. (Awesome commercial)
Our lives are a lot like tending a garden, building a motor or even
making chocolate chip cookies, some things are desirable and some things
don't belong. Only the right combination of things produces the desired
effect. We can only live a life that honors God when we remove the things
that drain our resources and fertilize the things that grow us into the
people we need to be. Jesus talked about it in John's Gospel.;
John 15:1-8; "I am the
true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me
that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so
that it will be even more fruitful. You are already clean because of the
word I have spoken to you. Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch
can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear
fruit unless you remain in me.
"I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him,
he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. If anyone does
not remain in me, he is like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such
branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. If you remain in me
and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you.
This is to my Father's glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves
to be my disciples.
Gardening is a constant process of
pruning, cutting out things that are not useful, so that the things that are
useful can grow and flourish. It seems counter productive but if you let
something grow without some pruning it gets unruly and out of control. It
really parallels our lives, if we live without someone pruning us and
shaping the decisions we make, our lives would become chaotic and
unproductive. We would destroy ourselves. No one can live a long and
productive life without some pruning.
Keep in mind though, once something is cut from the main plant it
looses its source of living power and withers and dies. We need to stay
connected to the source of life, true life, Jesus Christ. He provides the
life we need and apart form Him we can do nothing, nothing worth doing that
is. All we become if we are not connected to God through Jesus is deadwood.
To lead productive lives that honor God a few things have to take
place; first we need to be connected to the Father through Jesus. Jesus is
the vine that brings to us the essential elements for life. We need to
accept Christ and allow him to provide for us the very source of life. He
will lead us to the Father.
Second, we must allow God to prune, mold and shape us into the
person He created us to be. Let’s face it that is not a comfortable process,
cutting things off, changing things, thinking differently, but it is a
process that is necessary if we are going to live an abundant life. Some of
the things we think and do are not beneficial to us, they just don't belong.
God will remove those and help us to grow in the right direction.
"A lady studied the art of bonkei: she learned how to place
curiously shaped rocks and bonsai plants on a tray spread with sand to
create a miniature landscape. But … the final secret eluded her: no matter
what she did, her sand never held together in the perfect waves and ripples
of the master's precisely arranged grains. Finally, after many years …she
was told the answer. She bowed at the feet of the master, and he spoke. 'Use
glue,' he said"
Jesus is the glue that holds our life together, he keeps us
connected to God. Without that connection we will wither and die. God is the
master gardener that shapes our lives into the life He created us to live.
God uses the Holy Spirit to communicate to us the things that have to
removed, adjusted and encouraged for our lives to honor Him. Remember that
passage from last week?;
1Corinthians 10:23 "Everything is permissible"--but not everything is
beneficial.
"Everything is permissible"--but not everything is constructive.
We sometimes think we can handle it when,
in fact, we shouldn't even try. We need to turn our life over to God and let
him prune and shape us into what He created us to be. We need to stay
connected to Jesus, without that connection we will wither and die. We need
to call on the name of Jesus and seek God while He can still be found.
THOUGHTS FROM THE ROAD
BEAUTIFUL WEATHER FOR RACING - This weekend
had to be one of the best stretches of weather I can remember over a holiday
weekend of racing. From Thursday night at Thompson to Saturday night at
Monadnock the weather was the star of the show! Also there was some pretty
good racing along the way. Mike Stefanik found victory lane Thursday night
at Thompson in the Tour Type Mod open show.
NEMA also raced at Thompson that night and Randy Cabral won a
thriller, coming from behind to chase down Russ Stoehr only to have to hold
him off at the line but less than a car length. By the time you read this
they will have another event under their belt with a Tuesday night race at
Stafford.
TC showed us another one of his moves as he made another last lap
pass for the victory in the Sunoco Mod feature. He has dominated the
division at Thompson but he has had to earn every victory.
Before we leave the action at Thompson I might add that across the
board the car counts are off from where I am used to seeing them. The pits
looked a little empty when I arrived. The economic system is taking a toll
on racing. Let’s hope for some encouraging indications soon.
Off to Lime rock for the historic first running of the Whelen
Modified Tour at the picturesque road course with no easy way to get to. It
really isn’t that bad of a ride when the weather was as beautiful as it was
last weekend.
I did things a little differently on this trip to Lime Rock, I was
offered a golf cart and took advantage of it. I felt so much better after
two days there then if I had to walk around the facility. I actually visited
parts of the track that I had never been before. It was good to see the
entire layout up close and personal. Thanks to Dan, the golf cart guy, for
making the offer and flagging me down to remind me. My feet thank you and I
know of two photographers who are thankful also.
The hard work award goes out to the #2 team. They had to change
engines and missed all but a few laps of practice. They then went out and
qualified on the pole and came home second. Congratulations goes out to
every member of that crew.
First place for the second race in a row went to a non-regular
driver. In a deal worked out over the last few weeks, Dale Quarterly, road
race ace, drove for Wayne Darling. Wayne only instruction, “bring it home in
one piece.” Dale did that and also brought it home in first place! I think
Wayne is still smiling!
In the K&N portion of the show the road race ace from north of the
border put it on the pole and in the number one spot on the podium. It
wasn’t as easy as it sounds though. Andrew Ranger had his work cut out for
him as he had to battle his way back to the lead after relinquishing it. He
showed his experience as he drove his way to victory lane.
The question did come up as I talked with Andrew before the race,
“How come no Canadian National Anthem?” I guess the folks at Lime rock
didn’t know they had an international field. Being fair we would have had to
have several national anthems as this field included drivers from at least
five different countries. Let’s just leave it with one anthem.
The MRS made a visit to Mad Dog Saturday night and the car count
wasn’t a problem. I am told they sent home over ten cars. They also put on a
great show slowed only by a few cautions. Scott said it was a great show
with Kirk Alexander taking home the honors.
To close out the weekend I headed to Maine for a little sailing
with my wife. Scott Martin will be at Stafford for the Extreme Tuesday show
and we will be back in time to head to Thompson on Thursday. I hope your
Forth of July holiday was a safe and happy one. Remember to get out there
and support some local racing. There is nothing like being there.
Be a witness for our Lord with the ministry decals and apparel. See
them at the Show Your Faith Apparel Store at
www.rwjm.com. Send us
your prayer and counseling needs no matter what part of our racing family
you are in, or give us a call. 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
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Check our home page
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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 8
JOHN & LAURIE UDES- This asphalt Modified driver from white Plains, NJ and
wife celebrate their anniversary.
July 9
GARY & KARIANN HARTSON- The proprietor of Clinton, CT G&H Trailer/ Waterford
LM driver and wife have their 14th anniversary.
LEW & JOANN PARKS- This Glen Aubrey, NY Indy 500 tire specialist and wife
make it 49 years together.
July 11
BILL & PHYLLIS BALSER- The Norton, MA photographer and wife have their 58th
anniversary..
***HAPPY BIRTHDAYS***
July 7
WOODY "SKIP" PITKAT- WMT driver and SK/Late model regular at Stafford and
Thompson.
RICK FORD- BRS Modified driver at Wall township Speedway.
TOM TWINEM- Brookfield, WI fan; Carita's husband.
July 8
CHRIS INGO JR- driver in the Sport Truck Division at Seekonk Speedway
celebrates another lap.
TOM ROSATI- Agawam, MA former CWES/ProStock driver and husband of Kristy
Bennett Rosati, CWES driver Brad's sister.
SPIKE MATTATALL- Beech Ridge Speedway driver.
JENNIFER & PAULA ZUIDEMA- The wife and mom of Brookfield, MA ProStock driver
Jeff.
NICOLE STEFANIK- Daughter of NASCAR WMT/KNPSE multi-time champion Mike and
wife Julie, head of Koszela Speed.
LORI CANNEY- Wife of Meriden, CT AARN photographer Frank.
BEV MAVLOUGANES- Mom of Springfield, MA photographer Dave and ProStock
driving Jim.
KEVIN MORGAN- Son of Maryland fan Forrest.
JACOB MILLER- Son of Camp Hill, PA fans Ron and Arleen is 12.
JAKE MILLER- A son of Ron and Arleen in Camp Hill, PA is 13.
July 9
CARLTON ROBIE- Candia, NH dad of KNPSE/Al Pro driver Jarod Robie.
July 10
STEVE LOMBARDO- CT Modified driver.
CHUCK WELCH- Vacaville, CA NASCAR West driver.
TED PARKER- President of Praker Trucking in Avon, MA. Legends driver.
GEORGE MARTIN, JR- Wernersville, PA writer.
BRIAN SACKS- Son of NSC driver Greg.
SAL MAGLIO- Scranton, PA fan.
INGRID D'ALESSANDRO- Race fan from Agawam, MA
July 11
BOBBY DOTTER- Chicago, IL NCTS driver.
JOE BEAN- San Diego, CA NASCAR West driver.
DONNA LITTLE- Wife of former NSC driver now WMT director Chad.
KYLE BELMONT- Langhorne, PA ARCA driver Andy and wife Sue's youngest is 15.
July 12
TOM CAREY- Former New Salem, MA NASCAR KNPSE driver/crew cheif now Charlotte
based fabricator.
KRISTA ROEHRIG- The lady is the best friend and wife of former Big Diamond
Speedway owner/promoter Fritz.
ED SPENCER II- Berwick, PA former Crew Chief for Jim Spencer in his Modified
days.
BILLY STEBBINS- Former Jim Broderick Modified Crew Chief, now living in NH.
TOM BALDWIN III- Grandson of the late NASCAR WMT driver Tom and son of NNC
Car owner Tom II.
MENA FELTENBERGER- Wife of Grandview/Big Diamond flgamn/photographer Mike.
July 13
BOBBY BABB- Maine based LM driver.
JEAN DEBOIS- Mom of Pam Krause, wife of AARN Ass't Editor/Columnist, Earl..
***IN THE SHOP***
DANNY SARRANO- Danny, General Manager at New Egypt, has
been in the hospital for the past week and may need to spend some additional
time there. Please keep him and his family in your thoughts and prayers.
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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