Have you ever looked at yourself in the mirror? Silly question, we all have,
but what did you see? Most times we look into a mirror to make sure our
appearance looks okay for others to see. Do others see what is in our heart?
Greetings in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Do you know what I like most about racers? What you see is what you
get. The closer you get to the grass roots the more honest a picture you get
of someone. Meet someone where they live and you will learn more about them
than you could any other way.
When we meet people where they live we can determine who is genuine
and who is just blowing smoke. You know what I am saying, we meet many
people, talk with many people, but the ones we know, the ones we have spent
time with, the ones we have some history with, those are the ones that can
not fake it.
Sometimes the reflection we see in the mirror is not what is really
in people’s hearts. Most times we cover up what we truly have in our hearts.
We try to put up a good front and hope people don’t see through us. We don’t
always show people who we really are. We have very few close friends that we
can truly be ourselves with.
That is not the way God would like us to be. He desires that we are
transparent, that our motives would be plain to see and others would see the
love of Christ in us. We need to reflect the character of God. Do we have a
good reflection?
As we move on to the next subject in our study, our need to reflect
the character of God, we need to be honest with ourselves. We need to look
into that mirror and see who we really are. Then we need to get on our knees
before God and ask for His forgiveness and restoration.
We were created in His image, but we corrupted that. We made some
choices that went against what God desired for us and tarnished the image of
Him in us. We need to be transformed.
There is a verse in Scripture that came to mind;
Romans12:2; 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.
We all need to do a little
transformation. We all need to think a little differently. With that in mind
I thought we would have a little fun this week. Let’s take a look at some
Farmer Wisdom, “Reflections from the Seat of My Tractor.” Read them, reflect
on them, smile and laugh, it is good for the soul.
“The best sermons are lived, not preached.”
“Life is simpler when you plow around the stump.”
“Keep skunks and bankers at a distance.”
“Forgive your enemies; it messes up their heads.”
“Words that soak into your ears are whispered…....not yelled.”
“If you find yourself in a hole, the first thing to do is stop
diggin'.”
“A bumble bee is considerably faster than a John Deere tractor.”
“Do not corner something that you know is meaner than you.”
“You cannot unsay a cruel word.”
“Every path has a few puddles.”
“Most of the stuff people worry about, ain't never gonna happen
anyway.”
“Don't judge folks by their relatives.
“Remember that silence is sometimes the best answer.”
“Always drink upstream from the herd.”
“Lettin' the cat outta the bag is a whole lot easier than puttin'
it back in.”
“If you get to thinkin' you're a person of some influence, try
orderin' somebody else's dog around.”
“Good judgment comes from experience, and a lotta that comes from
bad judgment.”
“Live a good and honorable life, then when you get older and think
back, you'll enjoy it a second time.”
“Live simply, love generously, care deeply, speak kindly, and leave
the rest to God.”
“The biggest troublemaker you'll probably ever have to deal with,
watches you from the mirror every mornin'.”
There is a lot of truth in these sayings. We can apply them as we
gaze upon our own reflection in the mirror. Think about how we look to
others. Are we a good reflection of God? Next week we will continue to work
on our reflection and see if we can’t just polish it up a little.
THOUGHTS
FROM THE ROAD
WHO TURNED ON THE HEAT? I
have made a few trips to Florida in February but this one is different. This
one is warm! Yes, we have been in the mid 80’s all week and it doesn’t take
long to get used to that, shorts, t-shirt, flip-flops, but I digress. I have
been spending time at Volusia and New Smyrna.
It is interesting to look at the differences between the two
groups. As noted on the window of a truck at Volusia, “Dirt is for Racing,
asphalt is for getting there!” I am not so sure but I appreciate their view
point.
I will say this, most times when I come home from an asphalt track
I don’t have to clean the dirt out of my hair, nose, ears, etc. etc. etc.
Having a shower available is a necessity if you are going to spend any
amount of time at a dirt track.
We did do something for the first time that I wanted to share with
you. We had a chapel service Sunday morning at the WOO Command Center. It
was the beginning of what we hope to be many opportunities to minister to
the teams and families that travel with the series. Ed Harkins of Finish
Line, Steve Fowler and I conducted the inaugural service.
God has opened the door for ministry there and we need to join Him
there. Please pray for that opportunity, the resources and personnel that
will allow is to fulfill that commitment. If God is leading you to be
involved, contact us. Thanks.
It was good to see Brian Paulus at the track; I actually helped
rebuild his engine on Sunday. I was the one that held the parts and handed
to him and one of the Kinser clan as they had to tear it down and replace
the head gaskets because of a leak. I ended up with oil on my hands and
satisfaction in my heart for being a small part of the deal. Brian qualified
for the A Main in his heat race and finished 17. Not a bad accomplishment
for a guy who returned to run part-time after an 18 month absence and had to
do an engine rebuild in the wind and showers on race day.
I am looking forward to another week of being at the tracks and
meeting many of you who have made the trip.
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.
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articles.
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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***
February 27
DENNIS & ELLEN MURRAY- This Mike Weeden LM fans from NH have their 46th.
***HAPPY BIRTHDAYS***
February 22
CHUCK BOWN- Oregon semi-retired NNS/NASCAR Truck driver.
PHIL COOK- Hickory,NC Speedway driver.
PEGGY KARBONIC- Wife of Newington, CT Modified driver Bob, forever young.
JONATHAN JORDAN- Of Kelly Moore NASCAR KNPSE sponsor Jordan Lumber.
FRANK CANNEY- Meriden, CT photographer.
AJ PAPALE- Son of CT based Mod/ProStock driver/crew cheif Tony and wife
Jodi.
February 23
JASON KELLER- Greensville, SC NNS driver.
STEVE SEABURG- New Britain, CT retired Mod driver.
JIMMY STRUPP- Former Long Islander, now based in Charlotte, NC.
TRACY YOUNG- Canterbury, CT wife of former LM driver Ronnie.
TIMOTHY ZYLA- Son of Shamokin, PA Editor Greg.
February 24
MICHAEL RITCH- High Point, NC NNS/LMSC driver.
RICK DYKE- Danbury, CT retired ProStock driver.
LOUIS LaFLEUR- Thompson Speedway track crew member.
KYLE McGOWaN- Flagger at Wall and familiar sight at Mod races enjoys his big
day.
February 25
NORM HOLDEN- Seekonk Speedway ProStock driver.
T.J. CLARK- Chandler,AZ NASCAR West driver.
BUTCH GILLILAND- Anaheim, CA NASCAR West driver.
PATTI BETTS- Show horse riding Wife of former Long Island now Salisbury, NC
engine builder John.
NESTER Q. KRAMER- Riverhead, NY Billy Pauch fan.
February 26
GLENN FITZCHARLES- Pottstown, PA URC Sprint driver.
KEN LAVOIE- Massachusetts driver.
ZUNILDA ROCCO- Wife of the world famous Plainville, CT Modified driver
"Rocket Ronnie."
ELIZABETH DIAS- Wife of Seekonk Speedway ProStock driver Tony.
February 27
GARY GOLLUB- Mohnton, PA Mod/Sprint driver.
DENNIS SETZER- Newton, NC NNS/CWTS driver.
TODD BODINE- Chemung, NY CWTS Champion driver.
GEORGE INGOLE- Lakeland, FL All Pro driver.
TY DILLON- A son of Welcome, NC NNS driver/Crew Chief Mike and wife Tina,
also Richard Childress' grandson.
February 28
MARIO ANDRETTI- This Nazareth, PA World Class retired driver really does
think he's Mario Andretti.
JAY HEDGECOCK- High Point, NC NSC fabricator and LMSC builder; Modified
driver.
JOE GAERTE- WoO sprint driver.
BUTCH LEITZINGER- State College, PA NASCAR KNPSE and World Class driver.
RICH GARDNER- Late Model Stock Car driver from Waterford, PA; "Erie
Speedway" 5-time Dirt Late Model champion.
LIZ STRICKLER- Susquehanna Sportsman driver Randy's wife.
JUDY MANIX- The sister of Plainville, CT drivers Ted and Mike Christopher.
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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