 As
we race to get things ready for opening day and practice the thought came to
mind that there is a right way to practice. Like everything we do in life
there is a right way and a wrong way. We are told to practice what is right.
Are we practicing what is right or just what makes us feel good? Greetings
in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
We head to the track with the expectation of figuring out the best setup.
We try to find the right combination of settings that will yield the fastest
car. After all having the fastest car will give us the best chance at
winning. I have heard it said the fastest car doesn't always win. So why do
we practice trying to make the car go faster?
To further support the notion that practicing to make the car go fast is
not always the right way to practice. We frequently have two setups; one for
qualifying and one for racing. What does that tell us? It says, making a car
go fast for a few laps will produce a car that won't race very well in the
long run. It looks fast for a few laps but soon; very soon, it will destroy
itself because it isn't setup to run the race.
Wow, what a life lesson. We know that setting a race car up to go fast
doesn't yield a car that will last. The same holds true in life, setting up
our life to live in the fast lane only yields a very short life. I have seen
many burn themselves out because they practiced the wrong things. They lived
life the wrong way.
We want the good life, the best life, but we engage in activities that
produce results that produce different results. It is impossible for us to
live one way and expect a result that is contrary to the activities we
practice. A good life is not the result of bad practices. As a matter of
fact that is the definition of the word insane, doing the same things over
and over and expecting a result that is different. Are we caught in that
rut? Are we practicing the same things and expecting different results? We
must be nuts!
We all have a sense of what is right and what is wrong. We try to
rationalize the wrong activities that we practice. We try to convince
ourselves that we are alright because everyone is doing it. We make excuses
for our incorrect practices and try to convince ourselves that everything
will work out fine. When it doesn't we look for someone to blame. Generally
God falls into this category. How could God let this happen? The writer of
Romans helps us to understand that a little;
Romans 1:28-32;
Furthermore, since they did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge
of God,
he gave them over to a depraved mind, to do what ought not to be done.
They have become filled with every kind of wickedness, evil, greed and
depravity.
They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit and malice. They are gossips,
slanderers, God-haters,
insolent, arrogant and boastful; they invent ways of doing evil;
they disobey their parents; they are senseless, faithless, heartless,
ruthless.
Although they know God's righteous decree that those who do such things
deserve death,
they not only continue to do these very things but also approve of those who
practice them.
The writer explains that there comes a time when
God says, “Enough! If that is the way you want to live, fine live that way.
I am withdrawing my presence from your life.”
Think of it like raising a child. You try to teach them the right way to
live but they think they know better. You try to show them the right path so
that they don't experience the pain and suffering you did, but they think
they know better. You try to protect them in every way from the things they
don't need to experience, but they think they know better.
At some point you say fine go ahead try it your way. You sit by and
watch, waiting for the results you know are coming. When it comes you have a
choice to make. Do you pick them up or do you let them experience the
consequences of their actions? There are instances when each response is
right. You need God's guidance to know which response is the right one.
Sometimes we ask God for his guidance and direction only to set it aside
and do things our way. I am amazed at how many of us think we know better
than God what the right direction is for us. It is not in God's character to
lead us in the wrong direction, yet we question His wisdom. Jesus explained
it this way;.
Luke 6:46-49; "Why do
you call me, `Lord, Lord,' and do not do what I say?
I will show you what he is like who comes to me and hears my words and puts
them into practice.
He is like a man building a house, who dug down deep and laid the foundation
on rock.
When a flood came, the torrent struck that house but could not shake it,
because it was well built.
But the one who hears my words and does not put them into practice is like a
man who built a house on the ground
without a foundation. The moment the torrent struck that house, it collapsed
and its destruction was complete."
We need to take heed of the guidance we receive
from God. We need to follow His ways. We need to practice the right way by
following God. We need to practice what is right.
Practice makes perfect. What use is it if we become experts at things
that are wrong? As we repeat things over and over they become habits. Habits
can be good or bad. We all have bad habits. They come from practicing the
wrong way. Only when we practice the right things, the right way do we
develop the right character.
Let’s take a look at what we are practicing. Is it consistent with the
teaching in God's word? Does it honor God and bring glory to His name? Only
when it does is our life blessed. When we practice what is right the results
will be a blessing. I would encourage you to analyze your practice routine
and if it needs to be adjusted then make the necessary adjustments to get it
in line with God.
Philippians 4:8-9;
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right,
whatever is pure,
whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or
praiseworthy--think about such things.
Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me--put
it into practice.
And the God of peace will be with you.
THOUGHTS FROM THE ROAD
WINTER
IS NOT FINISHED YET - Waterford ’s Blast-off weekend fell victim to the
weather as did many races up and down the Eastern seaboard. Due to the
weather we will head back to Waterford next week and finish what was never
started. Look forward to seeing you there. It was a good thing there was
UCONN Basketball to watch because there wasn’t much else to occupy your
time.
I did get a trip up to Thompson Speedway Motorsports Park on Friday
morning to watch several WMT teams get some practice in. That was also short
lived as the weather moved in early afternoon. It is always good to hear the
sound of race cars making laps. Spring will be here soon enough!
MINISTRY UPDATE - Just wanted to take a moment to bring you up to
speed on how things are going. With the new racing season upon us and all of
us here at Racing with Jesus Ministries are excited about what the Lord has
in store for us. We have seen doors open for us in ways that indicate His
Spirit is moving. Opportunities have been made available to us that only God
could arrange and we thank Him for those. We also thank you for your
dedication and commitment to partner with us in spreading the Good News of
the gospel.
With those opportunities comes a responsibility. We need to honor what
God has provided. We need to trust Him and exercise faith as we step out
beyond our own comfort zones. We are in the process of walking through the
open doors that God has provided and expanding our presence throughout the
racing community.
Please continue to be in prayer for us as we enter this new racing
season. Pray that God would provide the additional personnel and resources
that will be necessary to follow as God leads us. We have many exciting
fields in which to harvest. Fields that were closed off to us in the past,
but now, through the leadership of the Spirit, are open.
With a new season comes the chance to plant new seeds, grow new lives,
and produce fruit that is pleasing to God. We must always remember who makes
that possible, Jesus. Pray that we will remain in Him and He in us. Pray
that we will bear much fruit. Pray that we would honor God in all that we
do. Pray that we have the trust and faith to go and minister.
ICEBREAKER ON TAP FOR WMT - The traditional right of breaking the
ice falls to the new Thompson Speedway Motorsports Park this weekend. I was
up there last week and things are coming along. There will be a few things
that will need to be adjusted but we should be able to work around and get
this in. Thanks to the team at Thompson who have worked through what can be
considered a very difficult winter to get this race in. It was a long shot
last year but their hard work has made it a reality. Thank you.
PRAYERS NEEDED - Please lift the Venditti and Petty Families in
your thoughts and prayers as they grieve their loss.
IRENE VENDITTI, On March 28th Irene Venditti, 94, left the world
of the living, passing away peacefully in her sleep. She was born in Seekonk
on August 21, 1919. She married D. Anthony Venditti in 1938. For 6 years
Irene and Anthony were reluctant chicken farmers until Anthony, determined
to make a better life for his family, decided to build a racetrack in his
backyard. That dream became a reality when Seekonk Speedway opened its gates
in 1946. Today the track holds the title of being the oldest consecutively
family run track in the country. Irene was instrumental in the success of
the raceway, working tireless alongside her husband until his death in 1991.
They were married 53 years. Irene continued to be involved with the running
of the speedway and in 2012 she was inducted into the New England Antique
Racers Hall of Fame. A devout catholic and humanitarian, Irene was awarded
the Marian Medal by the Fall River diocese in 1992. She was active in many
groups for many years at Mount Carmel Church in Seekonk.
LYNDA GAYLE OWENS PETTY, March 6, 1942 - March 25, 2014, 72, one
of the first women of NASCAR and its most beloved wife, mother and friend,
passed away peacefully at her home in Level Cross, North Carolina today. She
was surrounded by her family. Affectionately known as "Mrs. Lynda" to so
many, Lynda Petty set a standard for being a loving, supportive and, when
needed, an authoritative wife and mother. She also set the benchmark for
being a leader in her local community while raising a family in the
fast-growing sport of stock car racing. Lynda helped start the Racing Wives
Auxiliary and will always be remembered as the wife to Richard Petty. Their
steadfast love endured trials that only a marriage of over 50 years can.
Through triumph and heartache, Lynda Petty was the castle that supported a
king in private and public moments. The family offered the following
statement to the public: "We wish to sincerely thank everyone who has
supported us and our Family throughout the years and at this time. We will
forever love and miss a wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother and
friend."
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.
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the East Coast’s largest weekly racing paper.
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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
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