Vacation Time
It is that time of year when we traditionally take a vacation. The Whelen Modified Tour has had plenty of time over the last month to take some time off and relax. The Grand National Busch East Series has a few weeks before their next race at Lime Rock. We all need to take some time off. What do you have planned for your summer vacation? Greetings in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Ahhhhh, summertime, brings back memories of when I was a kid. We ruled the world, went where we wanted, when we wanted and stayed as long as we wanted. As long as we had our bikes we were free. No school, no homework, free to do anything we wanted. For me growing up vacation time was the entire summer. I lived in a neighborhood with enough kids that there was always something going on. We had enough kids to play baseball, so you could always find someone or something to do.
My family did take that annual summer trip that you have seen recorded in the movies. We would head north to
I wonder how many of you have plans to take a rest, to step out of the routine and recharge your batteries. It is something that is necessary. In fact, God commanded it.
Our racing calendar is full in the summertime. That is the time we have to race. But it struck me that if we don’t take time to get away and recharge our batteries we won’t have the energy we need to continue. We need to take some time away from racing and take time to rest. I think you would be surprised how much it changes your perspective on things.
Did you know that God created us with a need to take a break once in a while and rest? In Scripture, it is called a Sabbath, from the Hebrew sabbat. Our word sabbatical comes from it and it means to rest, to take a break from labor.
I know we all have team members that seem to have the technique of avoiding labor figured out, but believe me they work hard trying to avoid working. Maybe they need to take a break and do some work?
The reality is we all forget that we need to stop and rest. We get so involved in things we don’t see how they could continue if we took some time off. They will and if you don’t you will not be around long enough to enjoy the fruits of your labor. Balance is the key and when we balance our work with our rest we live life to the fullest.
When God created the world we live in he did it in six days and on the seventh day he rested. God, the creator of everything, the one in whom all power and authority, the one who breathes life into each one of us rested. That speaks volumes to us about the necessity of resting, taking a break from our labor and changing our focus and resting. If God rested we need to rest also.
Let me explain that racing isn’t a diversion from your full-time job it is a second full-time job. I see most of the racers I know burning the candle at both ends. They work hard at enjoying racing. The rest I am talking about is different. It is a purposeful time that you take to stop and focus on everything we have been blessed with from God. A time when we adjust our minds from thinking about all we have to do and think about all we have been able to do. I think if we have lost one thing as a society it is the art of rest. We have forgotten that at the beginning of it all rest was a cornerstone of life, God created us that way.
Let us take a look at a couple of Scriptures that helps us know the importance God places on rest.
Genesis 2:2-3, By the seventh day God had finished the work he had been doing; so on the seventh day he rested from all his work. And God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it he rested from all the work of creating that he had done.
Exodus 20:8-11, “Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the LORD your God. On it you shall not do any work, neither you, nor your son or daughter, nor your manservant or maidservant, nor your animals, nor the alien within your gates. For in six days the LORD made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, but he rested on the seventh day. Therefore the LORD blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy.
The concept of a Sabbath has been confused throughout the years that man has been here and this column is not long enough to explore all the various arguments for what is allowed and what is not. Suffice to say Jesus said we should be about doing good and our activity should reflect our acknowledgement of God and the blessings he has provided for us.
When we do that we start to understand that life doesn’t revolve around us, life revolves around the creator of life Himself. We start to see that we don’t have to do everything, it is alright to let some things go undone. We are free from the pressure of the world to acquire things and pursue the things that really matter, our relationship with God and those who love us.
We try to provide that opportunity at the track for you, chapel service. It provides a time to rest and reflect on God. It can do wonders for your perspective if you let it. We know the race day is busy and many things need to get done, but trust me in this, if you take the time to honor God He will honor your commitment and your day and your perspective will change for good. Trust God and let him help you through the challenge of raceday, try attending chapel and relax.
We don’t always have the luxury to have a consistent Sabbath day and that’s okay if you don’t use that as an excuse to not have one at all. The concept of taking time to rest and focus on things outside ourself can take place at any time and in any place. If you haven’t taken time to rest and reflect this week yet, do it now. At the next opportunity stop, remove yourself from the distractions around you and talk to God, just like he was sitting beside you. Share your thoughts with Him, ask for His help with the things that are on your heart. Let Him know how much you depend on Him to get through life. Ask Him for forgiveness for the things you didn’t quite get right. Rest in His comfort and mercy.
You see now you have spent time with God and He will honor that.
I encourage you to experience the freedom of resting in God. Acknowledge His presence in your life and seek His guidance. He will not disappoint. Remember the Sabbath and set it apart from your everyday activity, rest in Jesus. God Bless, Rev. Don.
THOUGHTS FROM THE ROAD
Well, guess what I am doing this weekend? I am taking a little time off. It is my birthday and I am spending it at home with my wife and girls. Dan covered the BES race at
I am excited that Dan had help at the track this weekend. We were contacted during the off-season by a pastor in upstate NY who drives a racecar and wanted to start being involved with us. Well, he went with Dan this weekend along with his assistant pastor. God provides. We are looking forward to having these guys come on board and expand our ability to reach the racing community.
Another blessing that we have received this year is Phillip Satkowski. Phillip is Rev. Rick’s son and has been helping out at Thompson and
How’s the baby naming contest going, did you get your entry in? On the baby front we have another couple added tho the list. Jeremy and Stephanie Clark announced at
BES flagman Sean Houlihan missed the
Dan reported the
A familiar name has made it back to the BES these days, Jerry Marquis. Jerry took over the #35 ride from Eric Holmes. Jerry proved racing is like swimming, when they throw you in, paddle like heck! Jerry has posted two top ten finishes in his first two races. Good job Jerry and don’t worry how they spell your name, it is the driving that matters!
At Stafford Motor Speedway Friday night I received word that SKmod driver Glenn Griswold’s wife had passed away. I was unable to get the details but as soon as I have them I will pass them along.
This week finds the Racing with Jesus Ministries Softball team participating in a tournament in
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/page/prayers.php 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***
August 2
PAUL & ROSE TEETER- From Ithaca, NY, this NY Antique Race Car enthusiasts have their 15th anniversary.
August 7
SCOTT & HEATHER PUNCH- This NNC crewman and wife in Claremont, NC have their 7th anniversary.
***HAPPY BIRTHDAYS***
August 1
BOB KESELOWSKI- Rochester, MI CTS and ASA driver.
ALAN CHAPMAN- Elmira, NY NASCAR BES driver.
FIL MARTOCCI- NNC’s FiLmar Racing Team owner.
GLORIA HANNA- Amsterdam, NY Fonda Speedway fan.
LISA ROMANO- This lady is in Appomattax, VA, the sister of Laura Dennis and another huge Jamie Tomaion WMT fan.
CONNOR McELEARNEY- The son of Riverhead LM driver Paul and wife Michelle of Commack, NY IS 7.
August 2
ROBIN LaHUE- Wife of Northfield, VT White Mountain Motorsports Park (NH) driver, Don.
August 3
GREG RAY- Plano, TX IRL driver.
BOB MARTI- Crewman on the 57 WAAS Modified at Stafford.
CAROL SAVLUK- Wife of former Modified driver, Wayne, of Lisbon, CT.
JOANN SCHERER- Sister of Northampton, PA Flemington/ NASCAR WMT driver Eric Beers.
DILLON ZACHARIAS- The son of Modified driver and part of the track management team Rick and wife Pam is 7.
BRENDA VENTH- Daughter of former Harbach X90 Modified crewman George Venth is 8.
August 4
JEFF GORDON- Multi-time Nextel Cup champion driver of the Hendricks Motorsports Dupont Monte Carlo’s.
JAMIE AUBE- Charlotte, VT NASCAR BES driver and three-time NASCAR BES champion.
BILL SLATER- “Wild Bill” of East Hartford, CT Stafford Motor Speedway staffer and retired great NASCAR Modified Sportsman driver in the 60’s and 70’s of the famous CT Valley Rocket “V-8.”
SHAWN PARKER- NH driver, son of Parker’s Express Trucking owner Ted.
August 5
DON SCERENCITS- Northampton, PA AARN Subscrition Sales Field Rep.
KIP STOCKWELL- Vermont based NASCAR BES/late model driver and now farmer.
RICH WOODLAND, JR.- Templeton, CA NASCAR West driver.
KEVIN LITTLEFIELD- Salem, NH fabricator/crewman on the former #77 NASCAR BES team.
JACK FLOWERS- Charlotte, NC NNC writer.
KYLE GUENNETTE- Son of Fairfield, CT fan “Fast Eddie” is 16.
ELISABETH MINTER- A daughter of Martinsville, VA WODY Radio’s “Uncle Wendell” and wife Deloris is 15.
August 6
EDDIE MARSHALL- NY D.I.R.T. Modified driver.
CRAIG RAUDMAN- Redding, CA NASCAR West driver.
JEB BURTON- Son of former NNC driver Ward and wife Tabitha is 13.
DEBBIE DIONNE- Wife of Gary, both Acton, CA RWJM Counselors and Gary a Hollywood car stuntman and RWJM West Coast Ass’t. Coordinator.
August 7
BRUCE D’ALLESANDRO- East Hartford, CT former Riverside Park and NASCAR WMT driver.
AL HANNA- CT based alchohol Funny Car driver.
RICHIE YANETTA, Sr.- Of Bridgewater, NJ, the father of Go-Kart drivers Rich, Jr. and Jeff.
*** IN THE SHOP ***
SHARE YOUR SPECIAL OCCASIONS WITH YOUR RACING FAMILY. SEND THEM TO RACING WITH JESUS MINISTRIES AT PO BOX 586, Tolland, CT, 06084
Sources: Rev. Don Rivers/RWJM