They say growing old is mandatory, growing up is optional. When we are faced
with a choice in how to responding to a certain situation; sometimes we
respond like a mature adult and sometimes we respond like a little child.
Does it make a difference how we respond? Greetings in the name of our Lord
and Savior, Jesus Christ.
I have watched recently the response of some competitors when
events on the track didn’t go the way they wanted. They responded like a
spoiled little child would. You know the response, if I don’t get my way I
am taking my ball and going home. They run away and hide not wanting to take
responsibility. What kind of example does that show others?
Then there are others that no matter what happens they are able to
objectively look at what happen and take responsibility for their actions.
The funny things is, sometimes the ones that act the most mature are the
younger ones.
Let’s face it, in racing there are going to be good days and bad
days. Some times everything is going to fall in place and you will find
yourself in Victory Lane . Sometimes everything is going to go against you
and someone else wins. Sometimes the driver that ends up in Victory Lane
doesn’t deserve to be there. As one songwriter put it,” Some days are
diamonds and some days are stones.” How we respond to the days that fall
short of our hopes and dreams reveals how mature we are. It also sets the
tone for days to come.
We may not realize it but when we act in a way that doesn’t honor
God we set in motion a path that leads away from Him and His plan for our
lives. Think if it this way, good produces good, bad produces bad, good
results do not come from doing things against God.
Yes, we all know bad things happen to good people. There are many
reasons for that, one being not everyone has our best interest at heart.
Most times people are so caught up in themselves that they don’t take the
time to think how their actions affect others. When someone acts in a
selfish way, good people will sometimes get in the way and bad things
happen.
We can however still honor God. This just provides another
opportunity for us to respond differently than what others might expect. We
need to remember who is in control and let God direct us. Think of the
example we set for others when we respond in a mature and God honoring way?
Here is a passage that will help at times like those;
Matthew 5:43-48, “You have heard the law that
says, ‘Love your neighbor’ and hate your enemy. But I say, love your
enemies! Pray for those who persecute you! In that way, you will be acting
as true children of your Father in heaven. For he gives his sunlight to both
the evil and the good, and he sends rain on the just and the unjust alike.
If you love only those who love you, what reward is there for that? Even
corrupt tax collectors do that much. If you are kind only to your friends,
how are you different from anyone else? Even pagans do that. But you are to
be perfect, even as your Father in heaven is perfect.
We have all seen drivers who
drive like no one else in the race matters to them. They drive with one
vision, get to the front at all costs. Sometimes they win; sometimes they
end up on the hook, wrecker or checkers. But what about the damage and chaos
they cause along the way? What about the drivers who are the benefit of that
driver’s immature behavior? Maturity requires that we think about our
actions and how they affect those around us. We can’t just run roughshod
through life and leave a path of destruction along the way. That does not
honor God.
Paul, the writer of the Book of Ephesians, challenges us to grow
up, become mature in our faith so that we won’t be tossed about, believing
anything we hear as the true Word of God. He says;
Ephesians 4:11-16, Now these are the gifts Christ gave to the church:
the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, and the pastors and teachers.
Their responsibility is to equip God’s people to do his work and build up
the church, the body of Christ. This will continue until we all come to such
unity in our faith and knowledge of God’s Son that we will be mature in the
Lord, measuring up to the full and complete standard of Christ.
Then we will no longer be immature like children. We won’t be tossed and
blown about by every wind of new teaching. We will not be influenced when
people try to trick us with lies so clever they sound like the truth.
Instead, we will speak the truth in love, growing in every way more and more
like Christ, who is the head of his body, the church. He makes the whole
body fit together perfectly. As each part does its own special work, it
helps the other parts grow, so that the whole body is healthy and growing
and full of love.
We are all teachers and we teach by
example; our job is to build up the Kingdom of God . We cannot do this if we
act like immature children. The goal is that we are mature in the Lord and
do our part to make the body of Christ one, whole, healthy, growing and full
of love.
There is a danger if we fail to grow up; we will be tossed about,
running from here to there not knowing what to believe. Think of a dog
chasing his tail, running around and around in circles, he only knows what
he is chasing when he catches it, bites it and feels the pain. When we are
not mature we can be led astray. We are like that dog, chasing after
something we believe to be something else, only to catch it and find it is
nothing at all. Then we feel the pain of deceitfulness.
Solomon asked God for wisdom to understand all things. God granted
that to him. He then set out to determine what was real and worth pursuing.
He determined that the pursuits of man’s desires were like “chasing the
wind” and that nothing lasting and fulfilling came from those pursuits. You
can read his thoughts in the OT book of Ecclesiastes, here is his
conclusion;
Ecclesiastes 12:13-14, That’s the whole story. Here now is my final
conclusion: Fear God and obey his commands, for this is everyone’s duty. God
will judge us for everything we do, including every secret thing, whether
good or bad.
We need to develop maturity in our faith,
learn and teach about God. We need to have a respect for God and place Him
above everything in our lives. We need to be obedient to His guidance,
direction and instructions. Don’t waste away your life living like a little
child, tossed here and there, without anything to hold you firmly in place.
Develop a maturity that honors God and leads others to Him.
THOUGHTS
FROM THE ROAD
DOWN BUT NOT OUT - From time to time when the weather is
right my Asthma gets the best of me. This fall has been one of those times
and for the last week I have been confined, for the most part, to the house
battling to stay ahead of the congestion. I am on the mend but was unable to
get out to the track. I am thankful to all our dedicated chaplains who made
sure everything was covered. We have a great group of folks.
GETTING BACK TO THE SCHEDULE - Our Valenti Modified Series
Chaplains, Bobby and Vinetta checked in from Seekonk. Here are his thoughts.
With the VMRS off for a few weeks it was nice to spend a few
weekends with Vinetta at the house. I was able to get some things done; the
garden needed some upkeep, the lawn and landscaping needed trimming. During
the time I spent relaxing and catching up I looked at myself and realized I
need upkeep. How is my relationship with the Lord and am I making sure my
family is taken care of as well. I urge all men that read this column to
listen to a song by Sanctus Real “Lead Me” (it can be found on You Tube).
After listening to this song take a moment and “Look Around” and see where
are you leading your family? If this doesn’t hit home about your faith
supporting your family nothing will.
We get caught up in our racing, work, football weekends, traveling
and the list goes on. Whether you’re in a new relationship or celebrating
many years of marriage your racing career will stop at one point, but the
Lord has placed this family before us to honor, love, and strengthen their
faith and to be with for Eternity.
After a couple of weeks break the Valenti Modified Racing Series
traveled to a familiar place. It was the Fall Classic D.A.V. at Seekonk
Speedway. It was great to be back with the MRS family again. I think every
driver we asked said they would have rather been racing than have the break.
They wanted to be racing! The weather was perfect to describe a fall classic
until later in the evening.
The MRS had 33 cars on hand and with one team all the way from
Canada . Several notable drivers missing this weekend Coby, and Pasteryak to
name a few. One team that hasn’t been back for a handful of races was the
#06 of Les Hinkley due to a crash at Thompson Speedway. You could tell by
the smile he was very happy to be back in the seat and competing once again.
After the heats there was one consi of 15 cars competing for 4
spots. When you have 15 cars competing for 4 spots you would think it would
have been a Metal fest, but it was very competitive and all drives respected
each other’s line.
With the Feature ready to go green with a front row of the #09 up
front alongside the #25 of Rowan Pennink the #09 surprised all and prior to
the green he went into the pits for a quick adjustment that put him scratch
at the rear of the field. That adjustment may have caused him the race
because due to rain the Race was only able to get in 51 of the 100 laps.
In overall there were several cautions mostly for spinouts but one
long caution red/yellow for oil on the track. Without that caution they may
have gone the distance. Just shortly after they returned back to action
Mother Nature halted the action for good. A decision was made to call the
race at halfway and call it an official race.
It was the #25 of Rowan Pennink finally getting a break this season
after some tough troubles at various tracks and some type of mechanical
troubles. This race surely made up for it as he towed the field for the
entire race of 51 laps. There were several drivers that tried to pass
Pennink at various times but just didn’t have it for today.
Drivers like Masse, Bernhard, Annarummo kept Pennink alert at all
times around the track. The top five finishers for this race at lap 51 were
#25 Pennink, #13 Masse, #12Todd Annarummo, #06 Hinkley,#21Bernhard.
The next stop for the Valenti Modified Racing Series is the World
Series Thompson Intl Speedway then ending the season at Lee USA Speedway for
the Octoberfest the 21st-23rd.
I would ask again that everyone continue to keep Bobby Mac (MRS
official) & his wife Robyn in their prayers as Robyn has ongoing treatment
for cancer.
WORLD SERIES WILL CROWN WMT CHAMPION - With the last race of
the season to be contested at Thompson International Speedway all eyes will
be on the track to see who the 2012 Champion will be. With Coby, Preece and
Silk separated by just 18 points this will be an interesting race. Will we
see a first time Champion or will Silk go Back to Back? Be there to find
out.
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.
 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
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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***
October 11
BOBBY & CAROL GAHAN- The multi-time Lee Speeway ProStock champion with over
300 feature wins from Barrington, NH have their 42nd anniversary.
DALE & TERRY WAKEFIELD- This Warren, NJ AMA Expert division biker and wife
celebrate their 22nd anniversary.
October 12
JOHN & LISA SHAPLEIGH- These former JBIII crew members celebrate their 5th
anniversary.
October 13
RICH & LORRAINE SYLVESTER- The retired proprietor of Sylvestri's Auto Care,
formerly known as the northern world center of speed, in Canterbury, CT and
lovely wife celebrate 50 wonderful years together. Just ask Rich.
October 14
RON & CAROL MENTUS- This AARN racing writer and great Christian witness and
wife share their 50th anniversary.
BILL & JUDY ROBINSON- These Wall Township Speedway fans from Whiting, NJ,
and she the daughter of Doris Bradley, share their 27th anniversary.
October 15
RANDY & LISA LaJOIE- The Norwalk, CT born NNS/CWTS driver and two-time
champion and wife share their 20th anniversary.
JERRY & KAREN MARQUIS- This Enfield, CT popular Former NASCAR KNPSE/WMT
driver and wife have their anniversary.
TOM & LINDA TAGG- proud parents of T.I.S. modified driver Brian Tagg
celebrate 29 years together.
October 16
FRANK & LORI CANNEY- This AARN photographer and wife from Meriden, CT have
their 34th anniversary.
RALPH & LINDA AUSTIN- This Sanford, ME couple, she the Barney McRae scorer,
he a Barney McRae crewman, share their 41st anniversary.
***HAPPY BIRTHDAYS***
October 10
DALE EARNHARDT, JR.- A son of "the great one" and Hendrick Motorsports NSC
driver.
MONTY UTZ- KNPSE crewman.
DEBBIE GASTELU- Widow of the late Wall Township Speedway ProStock driver Ray
and team owner of the WTS Greg Gastelu dodge ProStock team.
JULIA SAVAGE, Daughter of Satch and Karen Savage from N.J. now in N.C.
October 11
JIMMY HENSLEY- Horsepasture, VA NASCAR CWTS driver.
JIM SAVAGE, JR.- Ed Flemke NASCAR WMT crewman.
AARON ANTONE DIAS- The son of Seekonk Speedway ProStock driver Tony.
SCOTT JAMES- Canterbury, CT RWJM freind and supporter. He spent many years
on the road with Rev. Pat and in service to this ministry.
HEATHER FRANTZ- The wife of Mountain Speedway RWJM Chaplain and winning
driver, Paul.
October 12
NED JARRETT- From Hickory, NC, one of racing's great Christian examples and
retired NSC champion.
SMOKEY WARREN- Popular Grandview/ Big Diamond NASCAR Sportsman Modified
driver.
MARK DISMORE- Greenfield, IN Midget and IRL driver.
MORGAN SHEPHERD- Conover, NC NSC/NNS/CWTS driver of the Racing with Jesus
entries.
HAROLD DAUNCEY III- NJ asphalt Modified driver.
DANNY BAGWELL- Birmingham, AL NASCAR All Pro Series driver.
ERNIE GAHAN- Retired NH National NASCAR Sportsman champion and 300 plus
ProStock feature winner Bobby's dad.
JACK DENNIS- Laura's dad and Appomattax, VA Jamie Tomaino NASCAR WMT fan.
October 13
CAITLIN BROWN- A daughter of Farmingdale, NJ Dwarf Car driver Bobby and wife
Carolyn.
October 14
JASON JARRETT- Hickory, NC NNS/ARCA driving grandson of Ned and son of NSC's
Dale.
JOE VENEZIAN- Proprietor of Perth Amboy Springs (NJ) and Statewide Trailers.
JERRY GLANVILLE- Roswell, GA occasional ARCA/NNS driver, former NFL coach
and TV commentator.
PATRICK MANNING- Sheldonville, MA Carl Pasteryak Modified fan.
October 15
EARL PELLETIER – Driver of an SK Light at Stafford Motor Speedway.
MATTHEW PELLETIER – Oldest son of SK Light Stafford Motor Speedway driver
Earl.
KRISTIN MARQUIS- Another one of Enfield, CT Karen and NASCAR KNPSE/ WMT
driver Jerry's kids and she celebrates on their anniversary.
CHRISTINA GRODSKI - Photographer and daughter of TheChromeHorn.com's
webmaster Richie Grodski.
October 16
SEAN WOODSIDE- Saugus, CA NASCAR West Series driver.
DON PRINGLE- Ontario, NY Street Stock driver at Spencer Speedway.
WOODY FEBRIELLO- Retired asphalt Modified team owner.
TOODI ROSATI- The former Toodi Gelinas, famous weekly racing columnist, wife
of retired Modified driver John Rosati in Agawam, MA.
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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