Endless Summer
We begin that part on the season reserved for open all-star events. They usually take place in warmer climates and entice us to extend our season just a little bit longer. I remember the movie about some surfers who just followed the sun around the world looking for another place to surf, Endless Summer. Can we be consumed by the pursuit of another checkered flag? Greetings in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
It is easy to get obsessed with racing, anywhere, anytime, any type of car. When we are trying to make a name for ourselves and get people to notice we can extend ourselves too far and do more harm than good. I think it is important to take a step back and honestly evaluate the direction we need to go. God should be a part of that process. We need to seek His guidance and direction for our career as we explore the options the future holds. Dan and I have been talking about making decision and trusting God with you for the last few weeks. It is not the easiest thing to do, I know, I can get so caught up in getting there that I forget to enjoy the ride. I have to remind myself, “I am here because I am not all there.”
It is a simple saying with many deep meetings, one that comes to mind is to enjoy this part of the season. Use it to help bring the future into focus. Enjoy the ride!
I have used the poem from William Hastings before and I think it is appropriate to reread it once in a while to help reminds us that the journey is most important, not the destination. Many times we don’t end up where we think we are going.
The Station, by Robert J. Hastings
Tucked away in our subconscious minds is an idyllic vision. We see ourselves on a long, long trip that almost spans the continent. We’re traveling by passenger train, and out the windows we drink in the passing scene of cars on nearby highways, of children waving at a crossing, of cattle grazing on a distant hillside, of smoke pouring from a power plant, of row upon row of corn and wheat, of flatlands and valleys, of mountains and rolling hills, of biting winter and blazing summer and cavorting spring and docile fall.
But uppermost in our minds is the final destination. On a certain day at a certain hour we will pull into the station. There will be bands playing, and flags waving. And once we get there so many wonderful dreams will come true. So many wishes will be fulfilled and so many pieces of our lives finally will be neatly fitted together like a completed jigsaw puzzle. How restlessly we pace the aisles, damning the minutes for loitering … waiting, waiting, waiting, for the station.
However, sooner or later we must realize there is no one station, no one place to arrive at once and for all. The true joy of life is the trip. The station is only a dream. It constantly outdistances us.
“When we reach the station, that will be it !” we cry. Translated it means, “When I’m 18, that will be it ! When I buy a new 450 SL Mercedes Benz, that will be it ! When I put the last kid through college, that will be it ! When I have paid off the mortgage, that will be it ! When I win a promotion, that will be it ! When I reach the age of retirement, that will be it ! I shall live happily ever after !”
Unfortunately, once we get it, then it disappears. The station somehow hides itself at the end of an endless track.
“Relish the moment” is a good motto, especially when coupled with Psalm 118:24: “This is the day which the Lord hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.” It isn’t the burdens of today that drive men mad. Rather, it is regret over yesterday or fear of tomorrow. Regret and fear are twin thieves who would rob us of today.
So, stop pacing the aisles and counting the miles. Instead, climb more mountains, eat more ice cream, go barefoot oftener, swim more rivers, watch more sunsets, laugh more and cry less. Life must be lived as we go along. The station will come soon enough.
All Rights Reserved, Robert J. Hastings Estate
The point is this is the time of season to enjoy the ride, experience the blessings God has provided and have some fun. God has provided these opportunities for us. Not only to prosper us, but to give us a hope and a future. Sounds like that verse from Jeremiah 29:11;
For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
As we experience the endless summer of the racing season keep in mind that God’s hand controls the events of our lives. He loves us and cares for us. He wants us to enjoy the world he created for us. He does not want us to perish but to live life to its fullest, honoring Him in all that we do. Enjoy the journey. Ride the wave of success. Let your heart know the joy and peace that a relationship with God through Jesus can bring. Seek Him and acknowledge Him and He will guide you the right way. God Bless, Rev. Don
THOUGHTS FROM THE ROAD
We headed west on Thursday morning and we were welcomed to
A couple of surprises showed up in Irwindale, Woody Pitkat made the deal to come when he was in the hunt for the Whelen All-American Series National Championship. He had been told he had a guaranteed spot. That was later taken back, but he discussed it with owner Mike Olsen and Mike expressed his confidence in Woody and they came anyway. Woody made a fantastic inside move on the green, white, checkered finish of the 50 lap non-qualifiers race to move into the top six and earn a spot in the 250 lap main event.
Scott Bouley and the entire family also made the trip. Scott wanted to make it to the event ever since it started and when he had the chance he thought it through and made the trip. It didn’t work out the way he wanted. After making contact with the wall during the 50 lap non-qualifiers race his rear-end failed. His season was over and the ride home is a little bit longer. Have a safe trip guys.
Mike Johnson is having an interesting trip this year. His hauler broke a spring and jackknifed off the road in
Joey Logano continued his championship ways and added the Toyota All-Star crown to his list of 2007 accomplishments. Sean Caisse had the early lead after winning the pole but was collected by a lapped car on lap 75 that ended his night.
Plans are underway for Motorsports 2008. Our car lineup should be great. We hope to add the Whelen Southern Modified Tour Champion, L.W. Miller, to our list of cars that include the RWJM Ford Fusion, the Busch East Series Champion car of Joey Logano and the Whelen Modified Tour Champion car of Donny Lia. We also hope to have an additional Whelen Modified Tour car and driver Woody Pitkat who finished second for the Whelen All-American Series driving title.
Dan and I are headed back to the East coast. We are headed to the John Blewett III Memorial North-South Shootout in a few weeks. Hope to see you there.
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***
October 24
JIM & PAT BEEBE- The Star Speedway NASCAR flagman and wife have their anniversary.
October 25
DON & MELINDA FOWLER- This Waterford Speedbowl Modified driver and wife have their 35th anniversary.
October 26
KEITH & DEBORAH CYR- The AARN photographer from Danbury, CT and wife share their 10th anniversary.
MR. & MRS. DALE HOLDRIDGE- This senior Waterford Speedbowl driver and wife have their 44th anniversary.
October 27
RAY & PAULA ACKERLY- This Katonah, NY dirt Modified driver and wife celebrate their 16th anniversary.
October 28
JOHN & KATHY TEMCHAK- This NHIS Victory Lane staff member and wife from Canterbury, NH have their 28th anniversary.
JOHN & DONNA HALL- This racing couple of Northeast Connecticut have their 11th anniversary.
October 29
WAYNE & KELLY HELLIWELL- This NH ProStock driver and wife share their 30th anniversary.
***HAPPY BIRTHDAYS***
October 24
TRACY LESLIE- Clemens, MI BGN/ASA driver.
EDDIE DUMBROWSKI- Riverhead Raceway based Rusty Turbush LM crewman.
STEPHANIE PETFIELD- A daughter of Thornwood, NY RWJM BES Pastor Dan and wife Debbie.
October 25
WARD BURTON- South Boston, VA returning NNC driver.
BILLY “BEAR” CALLICHO- Meriden, CT top innovator, owner of the NASCAR WMT 14 team.
PAUL TEETER- Ithaca, NY antique car enthusiast.
AMANDA GRAVEL- A daughter of NH ProStock driver Gege and wife Lisa.
JOSHUA BRANDON LAWRENCE- The son of Dino and Chris, proprietors of Carolina Signworks in Rockingham, NC RWJM Counselors turns 9.
October 26
SAMMY SWINDELL- WoO Sprint driver.
DEBORAH PETFIELD- RWJM Counselor/ Singer from Thornwood, NY; BES Pastor Dan’s wife.
BRANDON SETZER- The son of Newton, NC NASCAR CTS driver Dennis and wife Darla is 13.
October 27
DICK TRICKLE- Fan favorite retired Wisconsin based NNC team driver.
NEWT HARTMAN- Flagtown, NJ East Windsor Mod driver.
RAY HEDGER- Williamson, NY Bruce Driver WMT Crew Chief.
MARC OSWALD- Vineland, NJ based “Trackside” Magazine Field Sales Rep.
AMANDA PETFIELD- Thornwood, NY RWJM BES Pasotr & vice president Dan and wife Debbie’s youngest is 14.
Allan Claffie- BNS Racing web master and Steve Park look alike.
October 28
JOE RUTTMAN- Upland, CA born, Brentwood, TN NASCAR CTS driver.
RICK BELL- Poughkeepsie, NY NASCAR BNS Road Racing specialist with Merit Motorsports.
BILL BRICE, JR.- NASCAR WMT Chief Tech. Inspector and former Wall Township Speedway Sportsman Modified champion from New Jersey.
TOM BALDWIN, JR.- Dad taught him all he knows. The son of Bellport, NY Tiger Tom, Tom is now working with Bill Davis Racing on the NNC series..
JOAN HOFFMAN- Mom of Allentown, PA dirt Mod star, Doug.
ALEXIS MICHEL- The daughter of Wall Township Speedway star Modified driver Dave and wife Kyle is 13.
October 29
KEN LENDA- Norwich, CT Waterford Speedbowl SS driver.
DENISE & LISA GUNNING- The twin daughters of Stafford Speedway championship Modified driver Bo.
October 30
DOUG HOFFMAN- Allentown, PA top dirt Modified threat.
MICHELLE “SHELLY” BLEWETT- Daughter of retired Modified driving great John, Jr. and wife Jessie.
DANIELLE RIVERS- Daughter of RWJM WMT Pastor and president Rev. Don & wife Lynda.
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