The sights I see at the racetracks I travel to, encourage me. We call
ourselves a family; a group of people who endure the same set of challenges
together. The time we spend at the track takes away from the time we spend
at home. Keeping our families in balance is one of the challenges we face.
Greetings in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Family has come to mean many things in our society today. We call any
group of people bonded by some common thread a family. Use the racing family
for example; we come together around the sport of racing. We have a common
language. We experience together the ups and downs of racing. We are bonded
by the thread of racing.
Balancing those responsibilities is one of the greatest challenges we
face when we try to pursue a racing career and raise a family. We have a
passion for racing and we could easily consume all our time turning
wrenches, traveling and racing. Many a family has suffered because of the
imbalance of priorities. It is always refreshing to see families who happen
to be racers enjoy their time together at the track.
We are a family at the track, but we also have responsibilities away from
the track. How we manage those responsibilities will ultimately determine
how successful we are in life. What are our priorities? How do we manage our
relationships away from the track? Do we ever wonder if there is a way to
keep it all in balance?
God created the family unit and gave each member responsibilities. In
creation he created man and his perfect compliment a woman. Together they
were to create and raise a family. God ordained marriage for a man and a
woman to come together in a life commitment to each other; a commitment that
starts with marriage and ends with death.
Think about that commitment, what it really means. That commitment is a
statement to the world that you value the other person so much that you set
them apart from everyone else; you will remain with them for life. How many
of us view it that way today?
A marriage commitment says I will walk alongside you and witness your
life. I will be there for every moment. I will not let your life go
unnoticed; I will share it with you. I will not leave you.
Mark 10:6-9, "But at the beginning of creation
God `made them male and female.'
`For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his
wife, and the two will become one flesh.'
So they are no longer two, but one. Therefore what God has joined together,
let man not separate."
The next relationship that takes priority in our
lives is our family. If we have submitted ourselves to marriage, as God
defines, one man and one woman, this becomes your next priority in life.
In addition to our spouse we also have the relationship between parents
and children. Scripture helps us to know how we should address those. Both
parents and children have a responsibility. It is not a one-way street.
Ephesians 6:1-4; Children, obey your parents in
the Lord, for this is right.
"Honor your father and mother"--which is the first commandment with a
promise--
"that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the
earth."
Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the
training and instruction of the Lord.
God is clear in His word that the family is the
foundation of all our relationships. With our family priorities in order we
will be in God’s will. When our family is out of balance our life is out of
balance.
If we are to achieve anything in our life we need to have our priorities
right. Our relationship with God must always be the top priority. God is
creator and sustainer. Nothing exists without God allowing it to.
Fight the temptation to replace your relationship with God with your
passion for racing. If you acknowledge God in all you do, He promises to
make our path straight.
Also fight the temptation to sacrifice your relationship with your family
for racing. God is not honored, your family is not honored and your life is
out of balance.
I understand there are reasons for the condition of each of our families,
but that doesn’t mean we cannot start here and move toward God. Look at it
this way, take a moment today and pray to God about your family. Just talk
with Him, ask Him to lead you in the right direction, ask Him to guide your
spirit, ask Him to teach you what you need to be doing.
He will; he is our Heavenly Father, like his expectation of our earthly
father, he will teach, guide and lead you in the right direction. Trust in
Him and he will help you move from where you are to where you need to be.
Your life will be fulfilling and satisfying. Many of the difficulties we
bring upon ourselves will be gone. Putting things in order honors God and
blesses us.
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.
THOUGHTS FROM THE ROAD
MISSING
A FRIEND (Thank you Bobby Somers for this tribute) - This past
week leading up to “Friday Night Under the Lights” at Lee Speedway USA was a
somber one. On Thursday Vinetta and I were at the wake for Jim Boniface and
Friday the funeral services at Monadnock Speedway. We were very humbled and
blessed when Lori Boniface asked that we preside over the services on Friday
for Jim. Both days were very well attended. The sight of Kyle Boniface
driving his dad’s #88 Modified alongside the hearse doing laps is a memory
many will not forget soon.
We shared time with Jim on various occasions at home and in the hospital.
On Friday evening the Valenti Modified Racing Series paid their respects as
well, honoring Jim leaving the pole position vacant in the lineup. As
drivers took their parade laps once again the pole position belonged to Jim,
John Spence Sr. announcing that Jim Boniface was on the pole. During driver
introductions on the front straightaway with the vacant spot for Jim I was
emotional. I stood close by to deliver the invocation. It was a challenge to
hold back the tears and speak clearly.
We have become very close to the many in the Valenti Modified Racing
Series family as well as at Lee Speedway, it goes beyond race cars,
firesuits, and all the excitement on the track. The blessings of every
weekend we may have standing at any track throughout New England with the
many drivers and families is one to be cherished. We have been blessed to be
a part of this community.
It’s bigger than any trophy, larger than any prize money could cover.
Never ignore your calling, never ignore what you have or complain about each
day. Your calling may become something as big as what Vinetta and I have
been blessed to do every weekend. We love the racing family whether your
part of a team or just walking thru the gates to watch a race.
This coming week we will be back at Monadnock Speedway with the Valenti
Modified Racing Series, and the #88 will be piloted by Kirk Alexander. As
the #88 comes onto the track for the feature race I don’t think there will
be a dry eye found. God Bless everyone!
NEMA TURNS LAPS AT TWIN STATE (Thanks Tara for this report)
Claremont NH, I heard a song this week by Kristen Mueller it went like
this; I will run, I will run this race and I'll do it all for love. I will
fight this good fight of faith. His love compels me forward and controls my
heart.
1Corinthians 13:13; And now these
three remain; Faith, Hope and Love but the greatest of these is love.
Everything Jesus did was out of love for God and people. He only did what
his father told him to do, he only said what his father told him to say and
he only went where his father told him to go. He paid the ultimate sacrifice
for all of us because he loves us!
Love God, love people - in that order. We all have people in our lives
that are hard to love. We don’t think we can. But loving God first overflows
onto others and God changes our hearts. He will help us love others well if
we allow him!
I shared a true story about how a retired chaplain for the United States
Air Force obeyed God out of love and how it impacted a wife of a military
man.
I pray we would be motivated by love, not by bitterness or anger. We all
have stuff in our lives to deal with, some because of our past. I pray we
would not stuff it down but deal with it and hand it over to God and allow
him to heal us! God cares about every detail of our lives! Godspeed!
RIVERHEAD - Need I say more, it was, well, Riverhead. Close, full
contact racing, more yellow than green and in the end the gladiator that can
keep it together for 200 laps usually ends up with the trophy.
Saturday night was a long time coming for the hometown Riverhead Building
Supply family. I say family and not team because that is what it is, family.
Eric Goodale won his first Whelen Modified Tour Race and the Goodale family
celebrated together. What a wonderful night for a family that has supported
the Tour for so many years. Hard work does pay off. Congratulations.
EPIC SKMOD RACE LEADS UP TO THE SK 5K - Friday night at Stafford
Motor Speedway was one for the ages. As Skmod teams refine their machines
for this weeks biggest SKmod race, this was anything but a test and tune
session. The early battles between Doug Coby, TC and Ryan Preece were only
and indication of things to come. TC and Preece put on an epic tussle for
the lead. At one point the lead changed three times in one lap. I think this
is what Jack Arute Sr. had in mind when he started the SKmod. TC came out on
top of this one but no one wanted to see it end.
Plan to be in town Friday night, July 4, for the fireworks of the SKmods.
This is sure to be a classic. See you there.
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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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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