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9/4/08
ON TOP OF YOUR GAME
What does it take to be at the top of your game? What does it take to stay there? Have
you noticed life is full of ups and downs? It is difficult to stay on top. It is not that
we don't try, but it just seems difficult. Greetings in the name of our Lord and Savior,
Jesus Christ.
Repeat champions are few. In the world of sports it is difficult to win one, but
repeating that is a challenge. We label the repeat champions some of the greatest teams
of all times. We all know how difficult that accomplishment is.
I remember a few years back a team was on their run to the championship. Wanting so badly
to win they were afraid to change anything thinking a change might keep them from
winning. They won but do you know what happened? The rest of the race teams passed them
by. The new season started and their car and setups that won them the championship were
not good enough to compete up front. They forgot to do the one thing that put them in the
position to win in the first place, move forward.
Unless we continue to move forward we fall behind. Staying on top of things requires that
we don't stop evaluating what we are doing. We can find ourselves in a rut, we do the
same things over and over. They worked once. We cannot fool ourselves into thinking that
we are fine where we are. Life requires growth and change.
Have you ever been to the mountaintop? Looked out over all the Earth in awe and had that
feeling that you were on the top of the World? When we win that is what it feels like.
When our life is in order and things fit together, that it what it feels like. The
trouble is, staying on the top requires that we grow.
I know it sounds like a never ending battle with little time to relax, but it is far from
that, it is a life style. See we are willing to risk everything for the temporary high we
get from winning a trophy but what about the eternal prize we receive in glory? The road
to glory isn't a difficult one, but it is one that requires constant attention. Will
Rodgers said "Even if we are on the right road we'll get run over if
we just sit there."
We need to continue to grow in our walk with the Lord, but we also need to remember that
God is the one doing all the work. Many times in His Word we find that promise of rest,
restoration and comfort. We find God ready to guide us, we don't have to find the way
ourselves, we only need to find God. We need to stay close to Him and not wander away. We
need to have others alongside us to encourage us. Others to help us remain on that
mountain top.
Look around and ask yourself, who have I surrounded myself with? If you are running a
race team you would want those around you who knew how to setup a race car to go fast. If
your goal is to live a life that pleases God then those around you should know how to do
that. They should be able to help and encourage you toward that. The writer of Hebrews
gives us some words of encouragement;
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Hebrews 10:19-25, Therefore, brothers, since we
have confidence to enter the Most Holy
Place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain,
that is, his body, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw
near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled
to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. Let
us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. And let us
consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up
meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one
another--and all the more as you see the Day approaching. |
Like a race team, each one of us has a responsibility. In racing each job is necessary
for the team to function in a way that qualifies it for the prize. In life we need to do
the same. It is not something that can be done on your own. It is not something that
requires knowledge that we do not have. It is something that requires us to turn to God
and ask for his forgiveness and guidance. We need to surround ourselves with others that
will encourage us and provide an example for us. Listen to Paul's encouragement;
|
1Corinthians 9:24-27, Do you not know that in a
race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as
to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict
training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get
a crown that will last forever. Therefore I do not run like a man running
aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air. No, I beat my body and
make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not
be disqualified for the prize. Philippians 3:17-21,
Join with others in following my example, brothers, and take note of
those who live according to the pattern we gave you. For, as I have often told you before
and now say again even with tears, many live as enemies of the cross of Christ. Their
destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame.
Their mind is on earthly things. But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a
Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables him to bring
everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like
his glorious body. |
Stay on top of your life! Live in such a way as to show others the right way to go. Help
one another, encourage one another. Show the love that Christ had for us that while we
were yet sinners he died on the cross so that we may have life and live it to the
fullest. Have a great week.
THOUGHTS FROM THE ROAD
It was with surprise and sadness that the news came Sunday night of Joe Pratt's passing.
It was a surprise to us all as Joe held pretty close to himself about his condition. I
think that was the character of Joe Pratt, not wanting anyone to stop what they were
doing to concern themselves about him. Joe has a connection with many in the racing
family as he was the coordinator behind MOTORSPORTS, the largest motor sports show on the
Northeast, for Area Auto Racing News. He was also a lifelong friend and sidekick of Lenny
Sammons. They raced together and worked together for some 30 plus years. Please keep the
entire Area Auto racing family in your thoughts and prayers.
I met Joe a few times at Motorsports as he drove around on his ATV. Joe seemed to always
have that smile on his face that let you know he had heard just about every excuse and
story you could come up with for why you needed special consideration. Joe had seen a lot
and heard it all before so you weren't going to tell him anything new. If you needed
something he understood and would do his best to get you what you needed. We will miss
him.
I spent the week away from the track this week, headed to Maine and relaxed a little.
Headed out to the Blue Hill Fair for Labor Day. The fair has a history that has touched
each one of our lives, read the September issue of Downeast Magazine and you will be
able to make the connection. If you are not the reading type, ask me and I'll fill you in.
The racing action at Thompson saw Jimmy Blewett win the Sunoco Mod feature and qualified
for the SK portion of the John Blewett Memorial North-South Shootout, an event he won
last year. At Stafford, TC took home win #102 as he schooled Keith Rocco. Keith is a
quick learner and will be all the wiser the next time around.
We get back to the track this week with Modified Mania at Thompson. With the modified
community descending on Thompson there is only one place to be. Dan and I are looking
forward to seeing you there. God Bless, have a great week.
Be a witness for our Lord with the ministry decals and apparel. See them at the Online Apparel Store at www.RWJM.org. Call us with your prayer and counseling needs and list all your prayer needs, no matter what part of our racing family you are in, with the Racing Family Prayer Request Page
www.rwjm.org/prayer also send your prayer request by mail. Until next time, 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 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***
September 3
WILLIS & LOIS MERRILL- Kennebunk, ME NASCAR CWES fans celebrate their anniversary.
September 6
David & Colleen Bennett- Officials with the old Busch North now David with Sprint Cup
celebrate their 22nd lap together.
September 7
BOBBY & SUSAN SILAPIGNI- Sheba Racing NASCAR WMT team crewman and wife have their
anniversary.
RICH & MARY PAWLICH- These Rocky Hill, CT NASCAR WMT fans have their 15th anniversary.
***HAPPY BIRTHDAYS***
September 3
JACK PENNINGTON- Augusta, GA LMSC driver.
CARLTON P. MERRILL- From Newton, MA, Carl is the GM at Monadncok Speedway near Keene, NH.
NORM McINTOSH- Crewman on the NH based Mike Weeden LM.
RANDY LEE JOHNSTON-A New Waterford Speedbowl fan.
September 4
BOB JENKINS- Renowned as racing's premier pass-by-pass action TV announcer on ESPN for
the IRL, this Indianapolis, IN resident is also with Linger Productions who produces
great race coverage and Bob is also the voice of the Indy 500 Radio Network.
REV. JOE BUBBICO- This former CT based Modified driver also has quite a voice and is using it to witness for our Lord at Orange Show Speedway and Perris Speedway while
continuing his driving at OSS from his home in Winchester, CA.
JEFF FEHR- Mahoning Valley Speedway driver.
BRANDON BUTLER- Richmond, VA NASCAR CTS driver.
FRED STODDARD- Brother-in-Law of Stafford Late Model driver Tom Fearn.
BILL EMHOFF- York Maine crew member on the #21 WMT.
September 5
DICK HOULIHAN- Massachusetts ProStock/ WMT driver.
BILL TANNER- Newtown, PA Bridgeport Modified driver.
KELLY TANNER- Woodinville, WA NASCAR West driver. (no relation to Bill)
JEFF GREEN- Owensboro, KY NSC driver.
KENNY BERNSTEIN- NHRA Funny Car driver.
DOROTHY "PETE" BLACKADAR- West Danville, VT NASCAR Registra.
DONNA WEARING- Wife of Western PA dirt big block LM driver Bob, Jr.
DAN AYOTTE- Waterville, ME racing writer.
GREG GODEK- Windsor Locks, CT Mini Sprint driver at Whip City and brother in Christ.
JULIE STEFANIK- The Manager of Koszella Speed Warehouse in Rhode Island and the
supportive wife of past NASCAR Camping World East Series and Whelen Modified Tour champion, Mike.
September 7
ANDY SANTERRE- Cherryfield, ME, now Mooresville, NC, 4-time CWES Champion now is guiding ASM.
JOHN PRESTON- Wyalusing, PA NASCAR WMT/NASCAR CWES driver.
TOM FEARN- Feeding Hills, MA Late Model driver.
PEGGY HEEG- Sponsor of Mark Lento's Riverhead Raceway Firgure Eight team.
September 8
MARTY RADEWICK- Almost Retired Riverside Park Speedway Modified driver.
September 9
JEFF HAMMOND- Former NSC/NNS Crew Chief now TV commentator.
AUDREY STEVENS MOCKOVAK- This Calremont, NH Speedway Modified driver is also the lovely wife of Mark Mockovak.
FRED VORDEMEIER, SR.- The father of NASCAR WMT driver, Fred, JR; "The Big Apple Kid" from
West Hempstead, NY.
LARRY NICEWICZ- Vernon, CT retired racing writer.
CHAD MILLER- Son of NY photographer Chuck.
BILL CHANNELL- Proprietor of Epping, NH's Channell 1 Video who has now gone digital.
ARLEEN SUKUP- Wife of Schodack Landing, NY former Midget owner Joe.
BILL WOODWARD- Big Ed Flemke Jr. fan and former NFM driver.
*** NEW BEGINNINGS ***
JOE PRATT- Joe passed away suddenly last Sunday evening after a long but private battle with some medical issues. Joe was an integral part of Area Auto Racing News and also the man who made Motorsports go. Joe will be missed by all of us in the racing family. Cards of sympathy and condolece can be sent to Cindy Pratt, 19 Wayne Drive, Woolwich, NJ 08085.
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