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Pinewood Derby Stories and Photos from Maximum Velocity
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A man called me the other day. He was going to race in a corporate charity event, and he REALLY WANTED TO WIN. I told him that I would be glad to help, and then asked him if he had a copy of the rules for his race. He didn't have the rules, and seemed surprised that I would ask. I tried to explain that there are many techniques to speed up pinewood derby cars, but oftentimes certain techniques are disallowed. So, before designing or building, he would want to get a copy of the rules to know what was allowed. He certainly wouldn't want to spend a lot of time building a car that would be disqualified.
Some organizations have honed their rules very carefully such that participants have a clear understanding of what is allowed (or have no excuse for not understanding). Unfortunately, other groups are not as thorough - using rules that are not complete or specific.
At a minimum, a good set of pinewood derby rules should cover the following topics:
With this information, participants will have an understanding of the do's and don'ts of the race, and can feel confident that their car will be qualified to race.
In a similar way, we have a set of rules for our lives. With this rule set, we can have confidence that our life will have purpose, and that we will not be disqualified from participating in eternal life in heaven. Of course, because the rules are complete and specific, those that choose not to abide by the rules will have no excuse when they face God.
How can you know that you will not be disqualified? Turn to the Book, also known as the Bible. I realize that it is a big book, and it can be confusing. But start by reading just the Gospel of John. It doesn't take that long to read, and in it you will find the key to eternal life. In the third chapter, starting with the sixteenth verse we read:
"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God's one and only Son."1
The rules of pinewood derby racing are actually much more complicated than the rules for life. Jesus came to give us eternal life, and in so doing he made the rules simple and complete. Just "Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved."2
Don't be disqualified from your pinewood derby race or from heaven due to ignorance of the rules. Read and understand the rules for your race, and the rules for the human race. Then follow them.
If you have any questions about the rules for pinewood derby racing or the rules for life, don't hesitate to contact me at: