I have been teaching through the book of Colossians from the pulpit at
Emmanuel Baptist over the past few months and thought that might be a good
place to concentrate our Winter Bible Study. This week it has been placed on
my heart to jump right in. What do we expect from others? What do others
expect from us? Greetings in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Meeting and exceeding expectations has been a catch phrase in
corporate America for some time now. Everyone wants to meet or exceed their
expectations. Have you ever stopped to think what that means?
I remember a day when a man’s word was his word. A handshake was
all that was needed to close a deal. You knew that integrity and honesty
were character traits that others possessed. Yes, there were exceptions, but
you learned quickly who you could trust and who you needed to shy away from.
Racing has its share of folks that you can count on. It also has
its share of characters. We all have to learn for ourselves who means what
they say and who doesn’t. Sometimes the lessons are painful and the cost is
great.
I find it interesting how few times when a team is formed, the
participants sit down and outline what the expectations of each member are.
Sure there is the main goal; Win! But beyond that, what are the expectations
of each member?
I think we fly by the seat of our pants, we assume we will figure
it out as we go, things will fall into place. When we are successful, there
are no problems, but let the performance and the success fall and the
infighting starts. I think the root of this is not fully understanding the
expectations.
The driver seems to bear the brunt of the responsibility, they are
the spokesperson and to a large extent the only face of the team most will
see. Some are comfortable with that and some do not do well with it. The
fact remains, good or bad, the driver is the out front. The driver can make
or break a team with their comments.
Just think back over the last few months, how many drivers have
created difficult situations for their teams because of their comments and
actions? Quite a few. Many of those situations are resolved by the changing
of personnel; driver included.
Our relationships in life are much the same, when we do not meet
the expectations of others or they do not meet ours there is strain and
tension. Resolving that can go in two directions; repair and strive to do
better or tear apart and separate.
I have seen both; many time people take the easy way out, they run
away. Sometimes people are willing to face the truth and change. I admire
those who when faced with the challenge of change, embrace it and strive to
become better.
I have heard all the excuses and I am sure you have too. I remember
one fellow shared with me once; “I’m okay with who I am and if that isn’t
good enough, well I’ll just have to live with it.” I need to share with you
that man is living a very lonely life. It is easy to refuse to meet
expectations, but that road does not lead to a full life.
Does God have expectations for us as His children? Yes, there are
some character traits that should set us apart, Paul shares them with us.
Colossians 3:1-17;
Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things
above,
where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things
above, not on earthly things.
For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ,
who is your life, appears,
then you also will appear with him in glory.
Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual
immorality, impurity, lust,
evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. Because of these, the wrath of
God is coming. You used to walk in these ways,
in the life you once lived. But now you must rid yourselves of all such
things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander,
and filthy language from your lips. Do not lie to each other, since you have
taken off your old self with its practices
and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the
image of its Creator.
Here there is no Greek or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian,
Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all.
Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves
with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each
other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another.
Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love,
which binds them all together in perfect unity.
Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body
you were called to peace. And be thankful.
Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one
another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs
with gratitude in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, whether in word
or deed,
do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father
through him.
If we belong to Christ, there are
some things we have to change about the way we live, the things we say, the
feelings in our hearts and the thought in our minds. Join me as we explore
these verses and how we can apply them to our lives in the hope that we can
conform our lives to reflect the character of God.
Romans 12:1-2;
Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your
bodies as living sacrifices,
holy and pleasing to God--this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not
conform any longer to the pattern of this world,
but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to
test and approve what God's will is--his good,
pleasing and perfect will.
THOUGHTS
FROM THE ROAD
NC BOUND - Monday morning
came early this week; on the road headed south to say goodbye to a friend.
With Howie, Mary and Dave in tow we hit the road. As I drive through the
darkness with the road singing in my ear I think a lot. I would have plenty
of time to think on this quick trip. Thoughts turn to reflection and then
they cause you to take a look at the way you live your life.
Rodger didn’t plan on leaving us; in fact I think it was the
furthest thing from his mind. With a new season on the horizon, a new piece
in the garage and a young and talented driver ready to take a shot at
getting a handle on driving a modified, the future seemed certain. It was,
but not the way we had planned.
That’s what I think about; I wonder how many things in our lives do
we plan for, prepare for and even sacrifice for that never happen? Would we
be better off living each day like it was our last and letting those who
mean so much to us know how much we care for them? Yes, I think so.
As I drive I see the impatience of those around me, too many of us
are speeding along trying to get things done that in the blink of an eye,
will be meaningless. We need to adjust our focus, slow down and allow the
daily living of life be meaningful. Too many times we just try to get
through it and hope tomorrow will be better.
It is times like these that should cause us to reflect on how much
of our life is out of our control. I urge you to take this opportunity to
slow down, seek out what is truly important in life and pursue that. When
all is said and done, it won’t matter how many things we owned or trophies
we won, it will matter how many lives we touched.
Sandra, David and the entire Hill family were overwhelmed with the
outpouring of heartfelt sadness for their loss. The number of people that
came and shared about how Rodger had touched their lives was amazing. Sandra
shared, “I didn’t know he had so many friends.” There is no greater comfort
for those who have lost someone they love than to see how many other lives
were touched. Rodger Hill will be missed, but his legacy will live on.
MOTORSPORTS 2012 - Time to retool; things don’t always work
out the way you plan so we will have to make some adjustments. As of this
writing I can confirm that Ronnie Silk and Todd Szegedy will be in the
Racing with Jesus Booth to sign autographs on Saturday. George and Andy had
things come up that won’t allow them to be there. There is a possibility of
Andy Seuss being available on Sunday to sign some autographs.
We will have the #6 Whelen Modified Tour Championship Car on
display along with one of our pace cars and a Green Flag Driving Experience
TQ Midget. We are waiting for confirmations on some other cars so you will
have to come by to check us out; we may have a surprise or two for you.
LEGENDS HELPING LEGENDS - Legends Helping Legends honors the
Flock Family, Racing with Jesus Ministries will be a part of the 6th Annual
Legends Helping Legends on Saturday February 4, 2012 from 10am-2pm at Memory
Lane Museum, 769 River Hwy, Mooresville NC, home of the Racers Reunion Hall
of Fame.
This event will be in honor of the Flock Family. The Racing Flock
family consisted of Brothers Tim, Bob, Fonty, and Sister Ethel. The Flocks
were great drivers and to this day hold many distinguished racing records.
They contributed much to the sport of racing and Tim, the youngest brother,
was considered the leader in wins and accomplishments. Tim’s wife Frances,
also a true asset to the sport of racing, will be our honored guest at this
event.
A portion of the proceeds will go to the medical fund of Old
Timer’s Racing Club which helps early racing veterans in need. This group is
under the leadership of Mike Sykes who devotes much of his time to
supporting the people who were the true back bone of Racing.
If you are in the neighborhood stop by and support this worthy
cause.
We look forward to seeing you this weekend at the show. Until next
time, 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. 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***
January 18
WILL & JENNIFER POIGNONNEC- This Oakland Valley Race Park (Cuddebackville,
NY) Kart racer and wife share 9th anniversary.
GREG & DEBBIE DICKERSON- LI Mod fans enjoy their special day.
January 20
JOHN & SANDY LEGER- This CT based LM driver and wife have their 21st
anniversary.
GERG & VENETTA NARDUCCI- This FL based couple celebrates 34 years together.
January 21
ED & LINDA SANSEVERINO- This AARN/RWJM photographer and wife from
Hillsborough, NC have their 37th anniversary.
January 22
IRA & KIMBERLY HARTOUGH, JR.- Long time fans of Bob Park, NASCAR Modified
driver, have their 12th.
January 23
KERRY & RENE' EARNHARDT- This Kannapolis, NC ARCA/NNS driving son of the
late Dale share their 14th anniversary.
BOB & LOIS MARTI- This Watertown, CT Modified Team crewman and wife have
their 44th anniversary.
***HAPPY BIRTHDAYS***
January 18
VAL LeSIEUR- No. Easton, MA former Publisher of "Speedway Scene."
BEN DODGE- Vernon, CT Whelen Modified Tour Start/Finish Productions Team
owner and Thompson Speedway Special Advisor.
GINA FRANCIS- Wife of former Jamie Tomaino NASCAR WMT crewman Tom, both now
residing happily in Denver,NC.
NICOLE ACKERLY- Daughter of Orange County driver Ray and wife Paula.
ROBERT GEIBEL- A very special friend of Laura Dennis from Brick, NJ and a
Jamie Tomaino WMT and Steve Park fan.
BRAEDEN DOUST, Marcellus, NY - son of Sportsman driver Greg Doust.
January 19
BOB McCREADIE- Watertown, NY winningest ever NY dirt Modified drivers.
GARRETT EVANS- Ardenvoir, WA NASCAR West driver and NASCAR Truck team owner.
JOE HEATH- Northridge, CA NASCAR West driver.
TOM HESLIN- Plainville, CT spotter for the Ted Christopher driven WMT team.
JONATHAN WAWRZONEK- Son of Fonda Speedway fans, Ron and Gloria Hanna.
January 20
KENNY BRIGHTBILL- Sinking Springs, PA legendary and active dirt Mod driver.
DONALD SMITH- NC Modified driver.
BARRY BABB- Beech Ridge Speedway LM driver.
RICHIE GALLUP- Springfield, MA Modified driver.
JERRY CATANIA- A son of CT Mod owner, Joe.
MIKE ADASKAVEG- "Speedway Illustrated" photographer.
GORDY KILLIAN- Reading, PA Sprint writer/photographer.
ROSE TEETER- Wife and NSC fan with husband Paul of Ithaca, NY.
January 21
ERNIE SAXTON- Fellow AARN columnist and Motorsports Marketing President of
Langhorne, PA and president of Eastern Motorsports Press Association.
GARY "BUGS" HAIRFIELD- Chesterfield, VA LMSC driver.
BUD KUEHNE- Clinton, CT Waterford LM driver.
HARRY SOLT- NH based NASCAR KNPSE crewman.
BILLY SOLT- Lehigh Valley, PA NASCAR WMT crewman and Harry's twin.
BOB RUDNE- Brother of Norwich, CT race car letterer Alan Coulle.
LINDA BROWN- Riverhead Raceway fan.
January 22
DAVE STACY- Enon, OH former Dash Series driver.
JACK CARUSO- Former New Jersey dirt Sportsman driver and crewman, also proud
dad of Micro sprint driver Angela Caruso.
January 23
HERB DRUGG- Troy,NH NASCAR KNPSE driver.
BRAD HIETALA- Ellington, CT Modified driver.
January 24
BRETT ROUBINEK- Chicago, IL born, Lakeville, CT occasional Crystal Rock
Water NASCAR KNPSE driver and lead sports car driving instructor.
GARY SPENCER- Shickshinny, PA NASCAR KNPSE driver from the famous Berwick,
PA racing family.
AUSTIN CAMERON- El Cajon, CA NASCAR West driver.
TINA CAMPBELL- Wife of Busch Sport Scene editor and organizer of the Annual
Busch Sport Scene Snowmobile Poker Run for Charity, George
JENSEN PICARDL- Riverhead Raceway crewman/ driver.
JEFF SANDT- Gainseville, GA All Pro/ UDTRA photographer and writer.
JAMES CASEY- Seekonk Speedway fan.
ALEXANDRIA TWINEM- The daughter of Brookfield, WI fans Tom and Carita.
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
|
