.
Have you ever stopped to think about why we do something? Many of us are
influenced to act a certain way by the people we hang around with. Peer
pressure can be positive or negative. How are we Living Life? Greetings in
the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
I have been to a few racetracks in my day and I am always amazed at how
some people can be influenced to do some pretty silly things without too
much convincing. There are many things that trigger that type of behavior.
Some don’t need too much encouragement while others need a little
lubrication. Most take place after the racing in the camping area, but some
take place during the race.
You have seen the type of driver that thinks he knows what happened and
retaliates on the track only to find out later that he was wrong; or the
one driver who makes a derogatory comment about another driver only to be
his teammate one day. We had one instance where two drivers had issues and
ended up together in a pre-race prayer. You never know what may come your
way tomorrow so I would head the advice, think before you act.
I have seen driver’s swinging at other drivers because of an on track
incident. I have watched verbal sparing and shouting between teams. I have
heard name calling. When you take a step back it all seems kind on childish
doesn’t it? If it doesn’t maybe we need to grow up a little.
Talking is one thing but retaliating with your race car is another. No
matter where we retaliate, doing it with our car endangers not only the
recipient but also others. Why is it when we get behind the wheel every
other car is the enemy? It isn’t just that way at the track but it is that
way on the street also. It is like we drive with this mentality that the
world revolves around us. That needs to change.
The writer of Roman’s challenges us to behave in a different way;
Romans 12:9-18, Don’t
just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold
tightly to what is good.
Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each
other.
Never be lazy, but work hard and serve the Lord enthusiastically. Rejoice in
our confident hope.
Be patient in trouble, and keep on praying. When God’s people are in need,
be ready to help them.
Always be eager to practice hospitality.
Bless those who persecute you. Don’t curse them; pray that God will bless
them.
Be happy with those who are happy, and weep with those who weep. Live in
harmony with each other.
Don’t be too proud to enjoy the company of ordinary people. And don’t think
you know it all!
Never pay back evil with more evil. Do things in such a way that everyone
can see you are honorable.
Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone.
The question for us is; who are we living for?
We need to ask ourselves that. We should realize there is only one answer.
We should be living for God and following his directions. Are we letting
others influence our actions? Look at this passage and I think you will see
the way to behave and honor God.
Be genuine, don’t pretend. No one likes a fake and most can see through
the mask. People can tell when you genuinely care for them. God’s loving
care for us is real. Ours should be the same.
Be ready to help, no strings attached. Many times we are motivated to
help because of something we may receive. Try being motivated to please God
and you will see a difference in your attitude.
Don’t be stuck up and think you are better than everyone else, God would
rather you be thought a fool and serve Him than to be a well thought of by
men and serve yourself. I know it is hard, we all want people to like us, we
all want attention, but we first need to honor God. When we honor God then
we truly are living the correct way.
Don’t be a know it all. More times than not people just want you to
listen to them. They don’t want solutions or to hear what you would do. They
want you to listen and really hear what they are saying.
Did you know that God knows the future and the things that are going to
happen, yet he still listens to us when we talk to him? Even if you have
heard it before we need to be patient with other the way that God is patient
with us.
There are many things that we can take from this passage. It is worth
spending some time exploring. Take some time each day this week and read it.
Ask God to reveal more of it to you each day. Remember to honor God first
and everything else will fall into place.
THOUGHTS FROM THE ROAD
PLANS CHANGE - Sometimes our
plans and God’s plan are different. We need to yield to Him, after all he
knows what tomorrow holds. So I made the necessary adjustments and ventured
into some unforeseen territory. I am thankful for a crew that is willing to
make the same adjustments and go in the name of Jesus to serve.
The week took a turn for the worse early Monday morning when the phone
rang and we received word that two of our Girls had been in an auto
accident. Those words snap you to attention! Vacation was over, life
interrupted!
Thanks be to God everyone was not seriously hurt. The car was a total
loss but it did its job and protected our most precious gift. We got them
cleaned up, checked out and safely home.
This meant I wouldn’t be going to Richmond, thankfully Rev. Dan was
willing to go alone and took care of things for RWJM. It also meant I would
be taking care of the grandbabies without my wife as she was stuck in Maine.
Let me tell you the prospect of watching the kids was more challenging than
going to a new racetrack.
We did well, the kids were happy and Papi needed a nap!
At Stafford on Friday night, 9/11, we honored first responders and
remembered those who lost their lives in NYC, Washington and Pennsylvania.
We will never forget!
We had a special guest at the track Friday night, Chace Bennett. Chace is
the young son of Michael and Lindsey recently diagnosed with Leukemia.
Michael is a Late Model driver at Stafford, Chace is the car owner. Chace
has responded well to treatment and is in remission. He was well enough to
attend Friday night and when announced received thunderous applause from the
crowd.
There is still a long road to go but the prognosis is one of hope and
healing, Thank God for his indescribable gift.
Off to New London-Waterford Speedbowl. We had an opportunity to do
something very special Sunday morning. Under the big white tent in the
midway we had chapel, not just any chapel, but a child dedication. The
Hirschman and Darling families came together to dedicate young Matthew
Christopher Hirschman Jr. We are so blessed to be a part of such a special
day.
Sometimes racing takes a back seat to life. Even though our lives revolve
around the racing calendar we need to make time for the truly special things
in life, the blessing of children. I am reminded by this week’s events that
God has placed children in our care and we need to have that as a priority
over our plans. There is no greater blessing than God trusting His children
to raise their children.
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
Store for subscription information.
Check our home page
http://www.rwjm.com 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
SHARE YOUR SPECIAL OCCASIONS WITH YOUR RACING FAMILY.
SEND THEM TO:
RACING WITH JESUS MINISTRIES
PO Box 586
Tolland, CT, 06084
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