In life and racing we make many decisions. Most times
they are of a less significant nature but sometimes they can change the
course of our life. Often times those decisions are not between good and bad
but better and best. How do we to know what choice is best? Greetings in the
name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Most of the decisions we make at the racetrack fall into two
categories; how to setup the race car and how to run the race. Drivers have
another category added to their thought process, how to drive the car.
Practice time is spent trying to find the right combination of settings to
go fast. Finding the right setup and a driver who is comfortable in the car
gives you hope for race day, but we still have to run the race. You hear it
all the time, “we had a great car, but…”
I asked a driver about how they spent their practice time. He
explained they try to make the car comfortable for him to drive. I asked how
that related to speed he responded, “I’m comfortable when I am going fast.”
Each driver is a little different but the decisions remain the
same, get the car going as fast as the driver can handle it. Therein lies
the challenge, which one wins, fast or comfortable? When you are on your
game they both do and many times that leads to victory lane.
I asked another driver what it was about New Hampshire that he
liked. He said that it was the driving that excited him. “You have to drive
your butt off.” He shared that you are consumed by the experience and you
have to be focused for every turn and every lap.
When the right setup decisions are made the driver has a car he can
win with.
It is a common question in the garage area, “how’s your car?” It is
met with the follow up, “can you drive it?” Those two questions indicate who
has made the right decisions and who still has some work to do.
In life it is much the same, we struggle with getting things in
order so that our day to day activities will run smooth. We try to position
ourselves so that we can handle daily events without having to face too many
struggles. Then it happens, life; something out of your control happens and
the circumstances are changed.
The decisions we make in those times reveal who we really trust. It
is the decisions we make when the challenges of life come at us that
determines who we have faith in. What do we do when we have to choose? Whose
advice do we seek when we have to decide? Where do we turn for direction?
When faced with these questions turning to God is always the right
choice. When we seek Him out and ask Him for guidance He will provide it.
The amazing thing is it doesn’t matter who we are He will answer us with the
right guidance Listen to what James says:
James 1:5; If any of you
lacks wisdom, he should ask God,
who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to
him.
When we lack the wisdom to know what the
right choice is we should ask God. God gives generously without finding
fault. That means it doesn’t matter who you are or what you have done God
will give you the best answer. But, we must listen to the answer and follow
God’s direction.
We need to be able to know and understand God’s voice. This is
accomplished by having a relationship with Him. Our willingness to follow
the direction of someone is dependent on how well we know and trust their
advice. If you don’t know God and don’t have a relationship with Him it will
be difficult to hear Him, let alone trust Him.
The writer of Proverbs puts it this way;
Proverbs
3:5-6; Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own
understanding;
in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.
We get it right when we follow God
without trying to think it through first. God will guide us and direct us in
the path that is right. God promises to guide us and give us the best
answer, the right direction. That is the best decision we can make.
THOUGHTS
FROM THE ROAD
DOVER , STAFFORD AND BEYOND - Well
another double header is in the books and what a fantastic weekend for
racing. The only issue with the weather was that it was too good to believe.
Hard to remember a recent stretch of such great weather; the racing wasn’t
bad either. This weekend had the potential to crown two division champion,
K&N Pro Series East and Whelen Modified Tour. The trophies were present but
not awarded.
The racing only proved to tighten the point’s races on both fronts.
Dylan Kwasniewski's K&N Pro East points lead was sliced to 5 over Brett
Moffitt. The championship will be decided at Road Atlanta, as close to a
neutral court as possible with every driver being a rookie. This will be a
true test of the teams and who can make the necessary adjustments to win the
race and be crowned champion!
On the Whelen Modified Tour front, Donny Lia dominated Stafford .
He won the Pole, led every lap and took home a long awaited victory. He was
followed closely by Doug Coby who cut into Ryan Preece’s point lead with a
second place finish. Preece had a rear-end break late in the race and
finished fifteen laps down in seventieth place. His points lead is down to
twenty-six and this championship will be decided in Thompson at the World
Series.
VETS 4 VETS - In between my racing schedule we had a few
things going on at church and one I am particularly excited about, Veterans
For Veterans CT. This is a group for veterans to gather together and
encourage and support one another; to help each other through the special
challenges that veterans face; informal, relaxing and no agenda. It will be
meeting on the second and forth Saturdays of the month at 8:00 at Mt. Carmel
in North Haven . In the spring we will spread our wings and have some Bike
Rides to reach all corners of the state. If you are a veteran you are
welcome to come and join us. If you have a bike, ride it and enjoy a long
put with some friends.
MAYBE YOU CAN HELP - Many of you in the racing community
know Rick Raducha and his physical challenges. It was great to see him in
Speedway Illustrated last month. Rick needs to be in warmer weather. The
heat provides him comfort and relief from the pain he deals with on a daily
basis. As many know Rick is not one to complain or ask for help. He is such
an inspiration. He is in need of a place or places to spend the winter in
Florida . He is willing to do what ever he can to pull his weight. If you
can help, great, reach out to him and let’s show our thanks to him for
everything he has done for others.
WILLIAMS GROVE - While my asphalt schedule takes a little
break I am off to spend some time in the dirt. I will be heading to Williams
Groove in PA for the WOO Sprint car Nationals. My sidekick Howie Hodge will
keep me company as we set out on yet another adventure. Look for our
updates; I am sure we will find some interesting things along the road.
We are also introducing a new recruit to the dirt community at
Williams Groove, Mike Kray. Mike is coming on board to help in the Mid-West.
He is based in Columbus , Ohio . Please lift him up in prayer as he seeks
God’s direction and guidance.
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,
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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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