As we continue our discussion about ambition and how we need to see things
correctly, I wanted to explore the ambition to serve. Let’s see if we can
start to understand how to channel the energy of ambition into the right
activities in our lives, Greetings in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus
Christ.
This past weekend was Father’s Day, a time when we say thank you to
our fathers for their love and devotion to their family. I hope your father
was worthy of your love and devotion. The fact is not all fathers are. Some
of us didn’t have the blessing of a father that took care of us, that
sacrificed his own well being so that his children had what they needed.
Some of us didn’t have a father who had the ambition to serve his family.
Racing is a family sport, passed down from one generation to the
next. A couple families come to mind, I think of Don Desrochers, father of
Heather, a racer in his own right. I’ve seen pictures of him at the old
Riverside Park. There was a time when you wouldn’t even think of letting
your daughter into the pits and exposing her to the type of environment the
pits had to offer. Times change and things are different now, racers come in
both genders and from all walks of life. You can find Don working on
Heather’s car, making sure it is all set to go.
I think about the Santos Family, Third generation driver, Bobby
III, given the ambition to race by his Father and Grandfather, winning a
NASCAR Championship. I think of Erica, their daughter, a racer in her own
right. A family built on the tradition of racing.
There are many examples and I could go on. Stop and think about it,
how many of the racers we see today are racing because they were introduced
to the sport by their fathers?
I had a conversation at Thompson the other day with second
generation driver Ken Barry. Kenny’s son, Tyler now competes at Stafford
Motor Speedway racing Karts. I talked with Kenny about the transition from
driver to father of a driver and how difficult it is to watch your child
compete. Three generations, Art, Kenny and now Tyler, each new generation
has the opportunity to compete because of the ambition of a father to give
his children what they desire; fathers that have an ambition to serve.
Most would say they didn’t get up one morning and decide to be a
servant. They are right; most servants I know are too humble to say that.
Most would say they just want to give their children the opportunity to find
their way in life. Most want what is best for their children and would do
anything to make that possible.
That is the hallmark of someone who has the ambition to serve
others, their only desire is for others to have what they need to find their
way in life. They don’t see what they do as a big deal; they do it without
even thinking. They value what God values, the lives of others and desire to
see them taken care of.
Looking at the next section of Matthew’s Gospel we see that the
ambition to serve others is blessed by God.
Matthew 25:34-40;
"Then the King will speak to those on his right. He will say, 'My Father has
blessed you. Come and take what is yours. It is the kingdom prepared for you
since the world was created. I was hungry. And you gave me something to eat.
I was thirsty. And you gave me something to drink. I was a stranger. And you
invited me in. I needed clothes. And you gave them to me. I was sick. And
you took care of me. I was in prison. And you came to visit me.'
"Then the people who have done what is right will answer him. 'Lord,' they
will ask, 'when did we see you hungry and feed you? When did we see you
thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you as a stranger
and invite you in? When did we see you needing clothes and give them to you?
When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?'
"The King will reply, 'What I'm about to tell you is true. Anything you did
for one of the least important of these brothers of mine, you did for me.'
God
blesses those who see and meet the needs of others. Those not motivated by
recognition or attention, but those willing to reach out and help without
having the spotlight shone on them; selflessly serving others.
When we contrast that with blind, selfish ambition we talked about
last week, we start to see what God desires for us. We start to get a
picture of what is right and what honors God. If we need more, God went the
extra mile and did something even more significant for us. God made a
provision for us to have life and have it abundantly through his son, Jesus
Christ. We become the children of God when we accept the sacrifice that
Jesus made for us.
Romans 5:6-8; You see, at just the right time, when we were still
powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. Very rarely will anyone die for a
righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die. But
God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners,
Christ died for us.
Many of our earthly fathers have
sacrificed their own ambitions for the ambitions of their children. They
have sacrificed and served those who would follow them. That example came
from God, who for our sake became poor and sacrificed his life for us.
Selfish ambition only leads to one place and you can celebrate it
with your three friends, me, myself and I. But the ambition to serve others
leads to an abundance of life, an opportunity to see someone find their way
in life and have what they need. I am reminded of a picture I saw recently,
grandfather, father and son, grandfather taught how to give, the father
learned his lesson well and gave to his son. Our actions affect more that
just ourselves, they set in motion the lives of generations to come.
THOUGHTS FROM THE ROAD
STEFANIK RETURNS TO GO WIRE TO WIRE - Two
short weeks ago Mighty Mike was at Thompson to compete in the Tour Type Mod
feature. His motor had other ideas and he needed TC’s backup car to run the
event. This time was a little different. With fresh power under the hood, he
qualified on the outside pole, took the lead at lap 1 and never looked back.
They story might have finished a little differently if the MRS ran their
customary 100 green flag laps as Rowan Pennink was coming, but this was
Mike’s night. I am sure I saw a look if relief on Mike’s face to be finally
back in Victory Lane. It was a good showing for the Valenti Modified Racing
Series as 19 of the 22 that started finished the race. Next Stop, Stafford
Motor Speedway this Friday night.
K&N IMPRESSES THE FANS IN VIRGINIA - After the action at
Thompson on Thursday I was off to Langley, VA with Dan for the K&N Pro
Series East race. As comfortable as it was weather wise at Thompson, Langley
was hot! The racing action didn’t disappoint the large crowd either. When
asked if they wanted the K&N back next year they responded with rousing
applause.
I think we are missing the boat up here in the Northeast, after a
tremendous show these guys put on at Lee last year, a race I might add that
is still talked about in the garage area, and the racing that they have put
on this year, we need to see these guys at Thompson and Stafford. I know
this is Modified Country, but with the right promotion and a little support
from the late model and prostock fans I am certain that they will not
disappoint you with racing action. The combination of young talent wanting
to get to the front and double file restarts to the end make these races
exciting.
Sergio Pena took home the victory with a spirited drive after
losing the lead and falling to forth but Brett Moffitt had the drive of the
night, after an early cut tire and falling two laps down he fought his way
back to the lead lap with 40 to go and he drove his socks off getting all
the way to second place when the checkered’s fell, it was exciting to watch.
With only four cautions for 25 laps this one was a keeper, no wreckers
needed. Set you DVR’s, the VisitHamptonVA 175 will air on SPEED on Thursday,
June 30 at 6 p.m. Take a look and see what I mean.
I did want to comment about what a great facility this has become,
after falling on hard times the management renewed its commitment to
refurbishing the place and let me tell you this was a great facility to
attend. Keep up the good work.
BUSY WEEK AHEAD - With the MRS at Stafford on Friday and the
Whelen Modified Tour invading Monadnock on Saturday there will be no
shortage of great Modified racing action to attend, get out there and go
racing!
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.
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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***
Not sure how this one slipped by?
June 11
BILL & BETH RUMINAS- This couple from Ramsonville, NY who work with RWJM
celebrate their 17th wedding anniversary.
June 23
STEVE & ESTHER DEVINE- This Lebanon Valley Speedway Modified driver and wife
from Danbury, CT complete 27 laps together.
June 26
CHARLIE & TERRY LEACH- This Beech Ridge Speedway driver and wife celebrate
their 29th anniversary.
TOM & JUDY KEHLEY- This Brooklyn, NY couple former Modified team owners have
their 39th anniversary.
***HAPPY BIRTHDAYS***
June 22
JAY SAUTER- West Salem, WI born, Mooresville, NC NASCAR CWTS/NNS driver.
DAN JIVANELLI- Hampton Bays, LI Riverhead Raceway and Legends driver.
JEFF WARD- Glasgow, Scotland born, now San Juan Capistrano, CA IRL driver.
RED SEAVER- Stafford Springs, CT member of the Brad Hietala WAARS SK
Modified team at Stafford.
PAT JONES- Enfield, CT Brad Hietala fan.
June 23
ROGER TREICHLER- Retired D.I.R.T. Hall of Famer.
MELISSA RESNER- Wife of Riverhead LM team owner Richie.
June 24
HUT STRICKLIN- Former NSC driver.
JIM BOWN- Portland, OR NNS/CWTS driver/ team owner.
CLAUDE BOURBONNAIS- lle Perrot, Quebec IRL driver.
PETER DANIELS- Lebanon, NH ProStock/Modified/CWSE driver.
HENRY ST. JOHN, SR.- The father of the proprietor of Jewett City (CT)
Service Henry, Jr.
June 25
JOE BESSEY- Former KNPSE championship driver/owner.
BOBBY GILL- Dalton, GA NASCAR All Pro Series driver.
DAVE MAVLOUGANES- West Springfield, MA photographer.
JERRY ELLIOTT, JR.- Montville, CT Mike Stefanik and Waterford Mod's Jerry
Pearl fan.
JOE DUNAY- Crew member for the #20 SKMod at Stafford Motor Speedway.
June 26
KRAMER WILLIAMSON- URC Sprint driver.
STEVE GRISSOM- Gadsden, AL NSC/NNS driver.
KEVIN LePAGE- Shelburne, VT NSC/NNS driver.
STEVEN DINO- Pennsy Sprint KART driver.
KIMBERLY SASSAMAN- Daughter of Pennsy dirt superstar Kenny Brightbill.
ALLISON ZYLA- Elysburg, PA writer/editor Greg's daughter.
REBEKAH PERKINS- The sister of Angelina Stuart, wife of Preston, CT JDM
Chassis proprietor and LM driver Jay.
RACHEL WISOCKI- This Old Saybrook, CT Jim Broderick fan.
June 27
JOHNNY BENSON, JR.- CWTS/IMSA driver from Grand Rapids, MI
ROBBIE REISER- Allentown, WI NSC/NNS Matt Kenseth's former Crew Chief with
Rousch Racing.
June 28
MIKE SKINNER- Randleman, NC CWTS driver.
JOHNNY JOHNSON- NC Modified/Virginia Sprint Series driver.
DICK WIBBELSMAN- RWJM Advisor from Gainesville, FL.
AL GEAUDREAU- Owner of New London, CT's Quality Auto Electric and famous
former Waterford Speedbowl Modified Team owner.
KRIS HANSEN- Green Lane, PA wife of Al, Grandview/Bridgeport crew members.
MARIAH THOMAS- Neice of JDM Chassis owner Jay and Angelina Sturat in
Preston, CT.
***IN THE SHOP***
MIKE SWEENEY - LM driver at Waterford , please pray for
Mike and his family as his 7 month old child continues to face health
issues.
BRIAN ROSS - Crew Chief for Glen Reen at Stafford Motor Speedway is also
battling some health issuers and needs our 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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