Have you ever noticed the way we approach a situation
matters? The attitude with which we go about our day to day activities has a
tremendous influence on those around us. We can change any encounter with
our attitude; for the better or the worse. Having the right perspective goes
a long way. Greetings in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
When you step back and take a look at life you start to realize how
few things we control. We have no control over the things that happen to us.
Think about how many times a race driver has said “I got caught up in
someone else’s mess.” When you race you have control of the decisions you
make, but there are 30+ other drivers who are making decisions independent
of yours. When you think of it, you really don’t have much control.
You do however have control of how you respond to the decisions of
the other drivers. Sometimes we respond before we figure out what really
happened and make a fool of ourselves. Remember the old adage, “Put your
mind in gear before you put your mouth in motion.” In the heat of the battle
we forget to think first and speak later.
Our attitude is determined by giving thought and feelings about the
choices we make. We always have the choice to decide how we are going to
look at something. The glass can be half full or half empty. Our attitude
has influence and will help determine how those around us respond. Our
attitude is contagious.
Think about how we react to difficult circumstances and challenges.
What is our attitude when things are not going the way we thought or hoped
they would? We don’t have to let circumstance dictate our attitude. When we
are able to see beyond our difficult circumstances and make the effort to
look into the lives of those around us our attitude changes.
Everyone understands disappointment or discouragement when things
aren’t going well, but when we choose to look for the good in spite of the
difficulties people take notice. That is when people wonder what we have
that they don’t. James wrote;
James 1:2, Consider it
pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds,
This isn’t the entire thought but it sets
the tone for the right way to deal with difficult circumstances. James says
do it with joy. Now how many of us face difficulty and trials with joy?
Joy is an inner peace, a confidence that God is in control and the
situation we are in will benefit us. But our instinct is to see them as bad
things, things we don’t deserve. We are disappointed and discouraged and let
it show. We need to adjust our attitude. Listen as James completes his
thought.
James 1:3-4, because you
know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.
Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete,
not lacking anything.
When we learn how to respond to
challenging times we develop the maturity necessary to be complete; not
lacking anything. Think back to how you responded when you were younger. We
didn’t have the discernment or knowledge we do now. Because of that we
responded immaturely.
We go through life thinking we have control, but we really don’t.
Let’s take a drive. We arrive at the stop sign and there is a car
approaching from the other direction. Will they stop or won’t they? You
don’t know and you can’t predict it either. Who knows what the driver is
thinking or doing. Are they changing the radio station or maybe talking on a
cell phone? They could be just daydreaming or thinking of something other
than driving or obeying the traffic laws. What do you choose?
We live our life that way every day, we trust others to make the
right choices and we feel somehow we have control. We don’t.
I know of only one person who can control the choice of others if
they let him, God. We need to set an example by first following God’s
direction. As we live life we should have a peace, a joy, in our heart that
demonstrates our trust in Him. That will help us develop maturity and
perseverance. We will be complete.
This week try this, relax, don’t get excited and smile. Let God
have control, trust Him and see where He leads us. You will be surprised how
much freedom we have when we let God have control of our schedule.
THOUGHTS
FROM THE ROAD
WASHED OUT - The timing of the
weather couldn’t be more frustrating for Thompson Speedway Motorsports Park
. It has been a month since the big oval has seen any racing. This week we
have the Whelen Modified Tour event there, let’s hope Phil Kurze brings his
Whelen Weather!
STAFFORD GETS WET ALSO - This week the weekly schedule at
Stafford Motor Speedway fell to the weather also. What this means to all of
us race fans is that these places are losing the revenue from a nights
racing. We all know how tight things are and how the success or failure of a
business hangs on the very edge. Let me encourage you to make an effort to
get out to the local track, buy a ticket and enjoy some great racing. It is
up to us fans to keep these places going or we risk losing them. I am sure
it would be difficult to miss a weeks pay or worse a months pay. Let’s do
our best to support local, live racing.
MODIFIEDS, NEMA, ISMA - Must be the Mid-Summer Wings and
Wheels event at Waterford Speedbowl. It is great to see at least one track
being able to run this weekend. Here are some thought from Tara Stoehr our
NEMA Chaplain.
NEMA celebrated the Gene and Marilyn Angillilo memorial. As a way
to celebrate two incredible, faithful and dedicated lives, I asked several
people from NEMA if they could give me a sentence or two about Gene and
Marilyn. It was clear to me that for over three decades they have impacted
so many lives and continue to do so today!
I will share just a few statements that I received;
"Gene would give you the shirt off his back....anything, anytime."
"Whether people believe it or not, Gene was always a fan of the
underdog"; Gene and Marilyn were exemplary people, they gave to each other,
they gave to others and they gave to this club.”
"Gene and Marilyn are a part of NEMA folklore"
And I will end with a statement his best friend Jack wrote:
"I traveled a million miles with Gene and Marilyn, never a dull
moment. I laughed and cried with them both, and prayed for them, for no more
suffering when it was their time to go home."
You can read more about Gene and Marilyn Angelillo on the NEMA
web-site.
Russ Stoehr finished 3rd in the Gene and Marilyn's 45 "Dumo's
Desire", I heard one of the crew members say "that was as good as a win
tonight!" Todd Bertrand #39 won with Randy Cabral 2nd.
The NEMA Lites feature was won by Scott Bigelow #32 followed by Ian
Cummins in the #9 car and Danny Cugini in the #51.
TWO WHEEL MADNESS - Just for the record, I passed my
Motorcycle Road Test with flying colors, thanks to Bob and Ron of TSI Harley
Davidson in Ellington , CT for their excellent instruction.
God has placed this vision in my heart and I hope to share more
about it with you in the weeks to come. For now, please pray for the
resources to be able to ride with some of the racing community and some
veterans that need a Rev. to hang with.
As always thank you for your encouragement and support, both
financial and prayer. It is your support that makes this all possible.
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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Tolland, CT 06084.
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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
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