Over the past few weeks we have been talking about the condition of our
hearts, are we sensitive enough to the challenges others face or are we so
focused on our own lives that we don’t have time for them? The difference
between the two determines where we will spend eternity. Greetings in the
name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
We have covered a little ground in our discussion of ambition and
having the right focus in our lives. We learned that selfish, blind ambition
can only lead to one place, destruction. We also learned that if the
condition of our heart is right we will spend eternity in heaven with God.
In talking about what it takes to change our focus we were reminded
by the events of this spring that life is more that just what we experience
in our own little world. It is one thing to see the images of a natural
disaster on television and in print and quite another to experience it first
hand. It seems this entire spring the weather and its damage has held our
attention. Our hearts go out to those whose lives have literally been torn
apart. The question remains, does God have our attention yet?
No matter how much we think we are in control of our lives the fact
remains, God is in control and He uses these types of events to get our
attention. I shared about sitting in Bible study and prayer meeting at
Emmanuel Baptist Church in West Springfield, MA, lifting up the folks in
Joplin, MO. Just one week later a tornado passed by the room we were sitting
in, 100 yards to the south.
Who could have known? The fact is, no one but God knows. This is
His creation and He is Lord over it. Do you remember the Great Flood and
Noah? What is God trying to communicate to us?
Think of a race and how focused a driver is on what’s in front of
them. Their focus is on getting to the front, so focused they are not aware
of those around them. But there is a voice in their ear telling them where
the other cars are, the danger ahead that they cannot see, guiding them
around the track and helping them know what is going on around them.
I think we have become too focused on ourselves and we don’t take
the time to see what is going on around us. That voice is there but for some
reason we ignore it. Like the black flag waving, lap after lap, we don’t
respond until we absolutely have to. How many times are we going to drive by
and not take the time to reach out to someone in need?
The storms of this spring are bringing people together to help one
another. In some cases all the normality of life is gone, job, home, car and
all that remains is to draw together and rely on each other for strength,
encouragement and support.
Why does it take so much to get our attention? Why do we fail to
see the needs of others? Why do we fill our lives with so much busyness that
we cannot stop and help someone?
One of our Chaplains shared this with me; “there was another event
that happened this week. It has impacted me and caused me to reflect on the
many things Jesus did and one thing he didn’t; he never turned away or
walked in the other direction.
I happened to be driving down a road in Berlin, MA and came upon an
individual that was having a heart attack. I didn’t realize it at the time
and thought as many other motorists that there was nothing wrong; maybe
something fell off his van. As I drove by I looked back in my mirror and saw
him looking at me with a distress look. I turned around, stopped and
approached him.
"I think I am having a heart attack."
What struck me hard in my heart is that he grasped my hand and
almost started to cry he said, "No one would stop to help me".
As Christians we are the life of Jesus, to walk in His footsteps
each and every day. How many times have we walked past an individual, had a
look and figured they were okay? Maybe we just need to be more aware of what
others are telling us or expressing in their faces. Maybe we just need to
slow down our very hectic lives and take the time to reach out to someone.”
Matthew’s Gospel record provides for us some insight into this
subject and what is the right way.
Matthew 25:31- 46;
"The Son of Man will come in all his glory. All the angels will come with
him.
Then he will sit on his throne in the glory of heaven. All the nations will
be gathered in front of him.
He will separate the people into two groups. He will be like a shepherd who
separates the sheep from the goats.
He will put the sheep to his right and the goats to his left.
The fact remains when this life
is over each one of us will have to stand before God and have the decisions
we made in life judged by Him. He won’t be listening to our reasons, he
won’t give an ear to our excuses, and do you know why? He knows what is in
our hearts.
Do you know the sensitivity of our heart determines what we see and
don’t see? It determines our actions and how we respond to those around us
who have needs. If we have the heart of Jesus we see a very different world.
In fact our main ambition in life should be to condition our heart so that
is reflects the love of Christ. If our heart is not in the right condition
we will not see those in need.
Judgment comes at the end of this life; God is the one we stand
before. He already knows our motives and the condition of our heart. He will
separate the sheep from the goats.
Don’t let it come to a black flag and we have to be parked in the
infield before we finally figure it out. Stop, take the time, look around
and see what others are going through. Do what is right.
Give this some thought this week, when we stand before God our fate
is sealed, no arguments, no defense, no excuses, no explanations, God will
separate the sheep and the goats without discussion. All he will concern
Himself with is the condition of our heart. Change the condition of your
heart, kneel before God, accept the sacrifice Christ made on the cross for
our sins, ask for His forgiveness and give your life to Him.
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,
a grandfather, father and son, the grandfather taught his son 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.
Make sure your ambition is in the right place and the condition of
you heart is tuned to God, then and only then will you be able to be counted
among the sheep.
THOUGHTS FROM THE ROAD
WE INTERRUPT THIS PROGRAM….. We have all
seen and heard it, the piercing noise of the alarm tones and a message from
the emergency broadcast system, Friday night, without warning the sound of
large raindrops fell on lap 31 of the Valenti Modified Racing Series 80 lap
feature at Stafford Motor Speedway washing out the remaining night of
racing. Just when the show was getting good too! Don’t you hate it when
you’re watching TV and just when they get to the good part……..
And what a race it was, Keith Rocco, fresh off his victory in the
Late Model feature was proving there is an outside line at Stafford and you
can race side by side. As he, Chris Pasteryak and Dave Ethridge swapped the
lead during the first thirty this was shaping up to be a great race. Then it
happened, we interrupt this program….. continued July 29.
Friday night the folks at Stafford are to be commended for hustling
up and making every effort to get the show in, a late program switch to move
the MRS up in the schedule fell short by a few laps. To their credit they
will honor rain checks when the race resumes as part of the July 29 show.
A DAY LATE AND A HEAT RACE SHORT - Sunday we headed to
Monadnock for the Whelen Modified Tour race, with a few adjustments in the
schedule the race went off in bang, bang fashion, no time for sitting around
on this day. From the time we rolled in to the time we rolled out the
schedule had things moving. The 175 lap feature took under an hour to run
with Todd Szegedy returning to Victory Lane for the first time on tour this
year. With the Tour running this Thursday night at Thompson and Todd already
visiting Victory Lane there in an open Mod show, he looks to be the odds on
favorite to be the first repeat winner this year.
It was a quick trip to Monadnock and the tour moves on; with
Thompson on Thursday this week, a quick break for the Fourth of July Holiday
and it’s off the NHMS. Should be interesting to see who shows up to compete
with the best of the best in Modified racing. Speaking of that it is great
to see one of, if not the, best finally get his due. Richie Evans will be a
member of the class of 2012 inducted into the NASCAR Hall of Fame. I know
Richie and Pat had a good relationship and Pat was instrumental in helping
Richie find the right way.
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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Please remember, we can only do what we do because of your prayerful
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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***
June 30
JAMES & JANAI WILSON- Daughter and son-in-law of Wall Chaplain Bob Menschner
celebrate their day.
July 1
RENE & ELAINE LaLUMIERE- From Jefferson, NH, this former ACT LM driver and
wife; faithful Ministry helpers, have their 22nd anniversary.
July 3
THE REV. BILL & DAWN WAUGH- Pastor of the Greesburg, PA Church of the
Brethren/ RWJM PA/Ohio Coordinator and Bedford Raceway RWJM Track Chaplain
and very supportive wife share their 28th anniversary.
GEORGE & SANDRA MARTIN- This Wernersville, PA writer and wife have their
42nd anniversary.
July 4
GARY & DEBBIE DIONNE- This RWJM West Coast Coordinator/former Dion Bros.
Racing crewman and wife from NH, now in Acton, CA and a Hollywood stunt
driver, share their 19th anniversary.
July 5
PAUL & FRANCES HINTON- The proprietor of New England Heirlooms; supplier of
many beautiful auto racing trophies and plaques and much more in Norwich, CT
and wife share their 9th.
RON & ARLEEN MILLER- These Susquehanna and Silver Spring fans from Camp
Hill, PA have their 24th anniversary
***HAPPY BIRTHDAYS***
June 29
JEFF BURTON- South Boston, VA RCR Cup driver.
MARTIN TRUEX, JR.- Mayetta, NJ NSC MWR #56 driver.
BILLY ELLIS- Oley, PA URC Sprint driver.
LARRY CAUDILL- No. Wilkesboro, NC NASCAR driver.
NICOLE ROSE BELLISLE- The daughter of Canterbury, CT Waterford Speedbowl
Strictly Stock driver Jim.
THOMAS URIAH JAMES- "TJ" is the eldest son of Canterbury, CT RWJM Advisors
Scott and Lisa.
June 30
STERLING MARLIN- Columbia, TN Former Cup driver.
JEFF TROMBLEY- NY D.I.R.T. Modified driver.
JIMMY BEGOLO- D.I.R.T. Modified driver.
BOB PARK- East Northport, NY former NASCAR WMT driver and proud dad of
driver Steve Park.
LYNDON AMICK- Batesburg, SC NASCAR NNS driver.
DAVE MADER III- NC LMSC/NNS driver.
JOHN GRADY- "Turtle" is a Lebanon Valley Speedway based photographer.
BILL BRICE III- Part of the Brice racing family and a familiar sight at NJ
racetracks.
SKIP MATCZAK- Ellington, CT SuperModified team owner.
LISA GRAVEL- Wife of Groton, MA driver Gege.
JERRY SOLOMITO- Son of Riverhead Raceway driver Jerry and wife Linda.
July 1
JENNY CHILDRESS- Wife of K&N Pro Series Race Director Kip.
GREG ZYLA- Shamokin, PA Editor/writer.
CHRIS LOMASTRO- She is a Stafford Herb Bennett LM and Lebanon Valley Billy
Decker Modified fan.
SALLY CAVALLERO- This Cup and Wall Township race fan, wife of Tom, mother of
Emily, Bobby and Joey, daughter of Doris Bradley.
July 2
RICHARD PETTY- Randleman, NC owner of RPM, all-time winningest Cup driver, a
founding-father of ministry in auto racing.
JOHNNY LEACH- Lumbertown, NJ dirt Modified driver.
TOM FLINN- Former Star Speedway (NH) Chief Tech Inspector.
GARY NEGRI- Danbury, CT Cup/Mod fan.
SCOTT ROBERTSON- Goodyear tire tech and a pretty good bagpipe player.
July 3
JAMIE TOMAINO- Popular Howell, NJ NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour driver Team
#99 and Racing with Jesus Ministries supporter.
JIMMY HORTON- Whitehouse Station, NJ top dirt Modified driver.
CHARLIE DONK- NY D.I.R.T. Modified driver.
DON TIRPAK- Mt. Arlington, NJ Street Stock and Micro Stock driver.
RON JACKS- NASCAR West Series driver of Las Vegas, NV.
LINDA GEER- Waterford Speedbowl former Office Manager.
RICH PAWLICH- Rocky Hill, CT Modified fan.
July 4 INDEPENDENCE DAY
UNTIED STATES OF AMERICA- Our Great Nation Blessed by God turns lap 234.
BOB BARRON- Ontario, NY driver of the Spencer Speedway No. 28 asphalt
Modified.
JOHN LOBO, JR.- CT based ProStock driver.
July 5
GIL TEGG, JR.- D.I.R.T. Modified driver.
MARK BURNS- NH SuperModified team owner.
ROB HODGKINS- Retired RWJM "Lieutenant," now a CT State Correctional Officer
from Canterbury.
CHERYL MORGAN- Daughter of Betty Evans.
***IN THE SHOP***
MICHAEL & CAROL PARES- Michael & Carol got to meet their
daughter Rachel on Saturday, June 25th. She met them at Wall and sat with
them in the grandstands. Rachel wanted to see what her brother Michael & mom
do on Saturday nights. She will be staying with them until Thursday when she
flies back to Illinois. They are looking forward to making up for lost time.
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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