TURNING UP THE HEAT
by Rev. Don Rivers

2 Chronicles 7:13-16; "When I shut up the heavens so that there is no rain,
or command locusts to devour the land or send a plague among my people, if my people,
who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways,
then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.
Now my eyes will be open and my ears attentive to the prayers offered in this place.
I have chosen and consecrated this temple so that my Name may be there forever.
My eyes and my heart will always be there.

   Let me provide a little background to this passage. Solomon, David’s son, had completed the temple of our Lord. God responded to that completion with these verses. God explained that when we face difficulties we need to come into the house of God, kneel before his throne, confess our sins and pray with all our heart.

   God promised to always be there, to see and listen when His people come before him and show him the respect He deserves as God, he will hear and heal.

   Where do we turn when the going gets tough? Where do we go for answers when the questions are beyond our understanding? What do we do when we realize we have no control over the situations of our lives? There is only one place to turn, we must come before God and seek His direction.

   The great thing to remember is that if we come before God with humility and seeking forgiveness, He will hear and heal. That is His promise and He has the power and authority to keep it.

   So how do we respond when the heat is turned up? Here is an illustration that can help see the different ways we can respond. Which one most reflects our tendency?

   A young woman went to her mother and told her about her life and how things were so hard for her. She did not know how she was going to make it and wanted to give up. She was tired of fighting and struggling. It seemed as one problem was solved a new one arose.

   Her mother took her to the kitchen. She filled three pots with water. In the first, she placed carrots, in the second she placed eggs and the last she placed ground coffee beans. She let them sit and boil without saying a word.

   In about twenty minutes she turned off the burners. She fished the carrots out and placed them in a bowl. She pulled the eggs out and placed them in a bowl. Then she ladled the coffee out and placed it in a bowl.

   Turning to her daughter, she asked, "Tell me what do you see?"

   "Carrots, eggs, and coffee," she replied.

   She brought her closer and asked her to feel the carrots. She did and noted that they were soft. She then asked her to take an egg and break it. After pulling off the shell, she observed the hard-boiled egg. Finally, she asked her to sip the coffee. The daughter smiled, as she tasted its rich aroma.

   The daughter then asked. "What does it mean?"

   Her mother explained that each of these objects had faced the same adversity—boiling water—but each reacted differently.

   The carrot went in strong, hard and unrelenting. However after being subjected to the boiling water, it softened and became weak.

   The egg had been fragile. Its thin outer shell had protected its liquid interior. But, after sitting through the boiling water, its inside became hardened.

   The ground coffee beans were unique, however. After they were in the boiling water they had changed the water.

   "Which are you?" she asked her daughter. "When adversity knocks on your door, how do you respond? Are you a carrot, an egg, or a coffee bean?"

   Think of this: Which am I? Am I the carrot that seems strong, but with pain and adversity, do I wilt and become soft and lose my strength?

   Am I the egg that starts with a malleable heart, but changes with the heat? Did I have a fluid spirit, but after death, a breakup, a financial hardship or some other trial, have I become hardened and stiff? Does my shell look the same, but on the inside am I bitter and tough with a stiff spirit and a hardened heart?

   Or am I like the coffee bean? The bean actually changes the hot water, the very circumstance that brings the pain. When the water gets hot, it releases the fragrance and flavor.

   If you are like the bean, when things are at their worst, you get better and change the situation around you. When the hour is the darkest and trials are their greatest do you elevate to another lever?

   How do we handle Adversity? Are we a Carrot, an egg, or a coffee bean?

2 Chronicles 7:13-16; "When I shut up the heavens so that there is no rain,
or command locusts to devour the land or send a plague among my people, if my people,
who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways,
then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.
Now my eyes will be open and my ears attentive to the prayers offered in this place.
I have chosen and consecrated this temple so that my Name may be there forever.
My eyes and my heart will always be there.
 

   THOUGHTS FROM THE ROAD

    FEELING THE HEAT IN IOWA - I headed out the Midwest last week to take in the K&N race at Iowa Speedway. They have been suffering this summer with triple digit heat and no rain. As I drove through the brown corn stalks I thought of the Scripture passage above. I felt the pain of the farmers as they watch, helpless to change the fate of their crops. It is times like these that we need to pull together and carry each other through.

   Iowa is short track super speedway, combine its wide 7/8 of a mile distance with progressive banking and D-shape and fast is the result. I would love to see the Mod’s run this place.

   Corey LaJoie hooked up with this place and took home the victory. It seemed his mission was to finish the first 75 lap segment being the only car on the lead lap. He succeeded in lapping every car except 15. That setup the last 75 laps of side by side action for the win. In the end his car proved to be the best and he won going away.

   COBY REMAINS HOT AT STAFFORD - While out of town, Rev Dan and Scott took care of things at Stafford with the Whelen Modified Tour. Doug Coby proved he has Stafford figured out winning his third straight tour race at the famed Connecticut half-mile. With a short turn around we’ll see if he can make it two in a row at Thompson this Thursday. Coby widened his point lead with Preece and Silk looking to take a bite out of it this week. Silk won the Icebreaker and Preece won the pole with a track record earlier this season at Thompson. That sets us up for a great summer shootout.

   OPEN WHEEL WEDNESDAY, TAKE TWO - As I prepared for my flight to Iowa, Bobby Somers filled in for me at Seekonk last Wednesday, and here are his thoughts.

   On Wednesday afternoon I headed down to Seekonk Speedway for the Open Wheel Wednesday race. Traveling through Worcester the sky looked like something from the Wizard of Oz. Coming down Rte146 I hit incredible downpours and it just didn’t look good for racing. But just as I made my way into Rhode Island nice blue skies and warm temps welcomed the sight of “Lets Go Racing”!

   I was surprised once in the lot that there weren’t more Modifieds, but I think the Sunday race last week at Thompson put a lot of those competitors in the shop. Several drivers just didn’t have time for all the repairs to be completed. They did however show up to be fans.

   There were 25 drivers registered to compete for the $10,000 purse, and chatter among the pits was who they thought would be there at the end. Many names mentioned Hirschman, Preece, Stefanik and one name that trickled out was Barrett. The #9 Barrett from Millis, MA had the second fastest lap in practice and could a rookie steal the show?

   It was announced in the drivers meeting that all 25 cars would make the feature, so that possibly saved some cars from trying to battle for a spot in the heat races. With 10K at stake I have to commend all teams competing strong, clean and providing a great race for the fans.

   In the last Modified race at Seekonk it was the #85 of Mechalidas pulling the train for the whole race but struggles throughout the race tonight keep them out of contention. Talking to #13 of Masse, using his backup car, he didn’t know what to expect, wanting to finish strong. Well being patient picking his moves he did just that finishing third and being happy with his finish. It was Hirschman running Preece ragged late in the race, searching for a way around and not being able to find it. After stalking Preece, with few laps to go, Hirschman figured a way around and found a place to make the move. Jumping high then low it was Hirschman on the inside taking the lead and the checkered flag and the big purse. As Preece took off his helmet and smiling, as he always does, second place tonight was a tough place to finish, but he handled it well.

   Thanks Bobby for those comments.

   I’m headed to Thompson this week for the WMT race on Thursday, Stafford for the Weekly show on Friday and then to Waterford on Saturday for the Wings and Wheels, make plans to join us.

   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 http://www.rwjm.com/store. 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.
 

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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

***HAPPY ANNIVERSARIES***

August 10
CLIFF KULIKOWSKI & SUSAN ZINSMEISTER- This Christian brother now Atlanta, GA commercial Direct TV dealer, Atlanta Antenna, transplanted from Brooklyn, NY tied the knot.

August 13
RON & GLORIA HANNA- This Amsterdam, NY Fonda Speedway fans have their 13th anniversary and were wed as an early birthday present for Ron who celebrates on the 19th.

August 14
BOB & DEBBIE YURKO- This couple can be seen recording the action at Monadnock and Thompson weekly have their special day. As I heard one anouncer put it "she must be a saint"

***HAPPY BELATED BIRTHDAYS***

August 7
FRED PECKHAM, Former driver of 49Sk at Stafford Motor Speedway, now the mechanic for his Grandson Ronnie Williams 47 SK Light.

***HAPPY BIRTHDAYS***

August 8
JACK SPRAGUE- Concord, NC NSC/NNS/CTS driver.
CHARLIE PASTERYAK- Lisbon, CT NASCAR WMT/MRS driver/owner.
LORIN ARTHOFER- Bath, PA Mahoning Valley Speedway based Modified driver and proud dad of driver Jason.
TOMMY ELLIS- Retired Richmond, VA BGN driver.
GREG TOMAINO- Brother of Howell, NJ popular NASCAR WMT driver Jamie Tomaino.
SAMANTHA HOWARD- A daughter of retired Waterford Speedbowl LM driver Tom and wife Carol.
JERRY TOMARCHIO- Former driver at East Windsor and Flemington.
BRIANNA PAGE- This quarter midget driver at the Garden State Quarter Midget Race Club at the Wall Township Speedway.
MICHAEL DRANSFIELD- Another Garden State Quarter Midget racer.

August 9
CHRIS KOPEC- Massachusetts based crew chief for son Dylan and former Mod driver.
BRITTANY TOMAINO- Howell, NJ NASCAR WMT driver Jamie and wife Cheryl's daughter.

AUGUST 10
DON NEUENBERGER- Fort Washington, PA former NASCAR driver.
CHRIS URBAN- The grandson of Bob Pratt and grandson of Richie Pratt, Sr.
JOHN TEMCHAK- Canterbury, NH NHIS Victory Lane Staff Member.

August 11
FRANKIE SCHNEIDER- The "Master of Dirt Modifieds" from the 1950's through early 80's is now retired. God Bless, Frankie.
ED ZWICKEL- "Bubba" drives the late Model #1 at Riverhead Raceway and is said to have the best BBQ in town; at least in the pits.
KEN WALLACE- Dallas, PA SCCA driver.

August 12
CRAIG Von DOHREN- BARTO, PA dirt Modified driver.
JERRY YOUNG- Plainfield, CT LM driver.
RICHIE GALLUP- Agawam, MA Modified driver.
RON HUMES- Islip, NY Modified driver.
LONNIE RUSH, JR.- Pickerington, OH CTS driver.
SCOTT GAYLORD- Lakewood, CO NASCAR West driver.
LENNY CHANDLER- Windham, CT fan and friend of Jimmy Broderick.

August 13
DAN COLEMAN- Griswold, CT former Modified championship owner and expert carpenter.
LINDA BRADY- The wife of Stoughton, MA legendary Modified #00 owner, Joe Brady.
WILLIAM WOOD- Son of Tammy and Steve. Tammy is the daughter of Doris Bradley, sister to Judy and Sally.

August 14
RUSTY WALLACE- St. Louis, MO retired NSC driver now ABC commentator.
LAURA DENNIS- Ocean, NJ long-time Jamie Tomaino NASCAR WMT fan.
MERL BREHM- Mechanicsburg, PA Sr. Champ Kart driver.

***IN THE SHOP***

BILL VANDERVEEN- Hurt in a Street Stock crash at Wall Stadium is recovering from a hand injury. Please keep his recovery and healing in your prayers.
KEITH ROCCO- Recovering from wrist surgery on an injury he received in a practice crash at Thompson. Please keep his healing in you prayers.

***NEW BEGINNINGS***

JIM HAGAMAN- Engine builder and friend of many at Wall Stadium passed away last week. Jim built many winning engines for the races at Wall Stadium. He was always there to help and lend a hand. He will be missed. Please keep his family and friends in your thoughts and prayers.

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Tolland, CT, 06084

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Source: Rev Don Rivers / Racing With Jesus Ministries
Posted: August 10, 2012