A Time for Restoration
With the crisp fall air comes the reminder that the holidays are not far behind. The plans for spending time together around a Thanksgiving Day feast come to mind. The smells and sounds of the season start to echo in your mind. What does this time of year mean to you? Greetings in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Ah, the holidays, a time to sit back and relax. Well we should but we get caught up in the wrapping and forget what the real heart of the season is all about. In a couple of weeks we will sit down and reflect on all God has blessed us with. We will be with family and friends and enjoy relaxing and spending time with them.
A thought came to mind as I was thinking about what the holiday really meant. Do you remember a few short weeks ago at Thompson Speedway when Jamie Tomaino had an issue in qualifying? He was able to race that day because he was loaned an engine from the Blewetts. When the throttle stuck he crashed at the end of his qualifying lap. What happened then was as close an example of what it means to be family than anyone could come up with. Teams, car owners and crew members came from every direction to help. Cars were offered, parts were delivered, and extra hands were available to get the work done. Why?
I am not sure what would have happened if it was someone else, but I know that Jamie Tomaino would have done the same for someone else. I know that through his years on the Whelen Modified Tour he has. I suspect everyone else does also.
Family is about rallying together to make it through a challenging circumstance. Family is about celebrating together the accomplishment of one member. There is no room in family for jealousy or animosity. I am not saying it doesn’t exist, but it should not be there. Family should be the place where we are accepted unconditionally, the way that God accepts us. Families should love one another enough to be willing to sacrifice for each other. Listen to what Paul writes about this unconditional love we should have for each other.
1Corinthians 13:1-13; If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing.
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when perfection comes, the imperfect disappears. When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me. Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.
And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.
The key to restoring family relationships and learning how to love is contained in these verses. I want to challenge you to read and reflect on these verses during the next few weeks. I want you to take a look at the relationships you have in your life and hold them up against the mirror that these verses reflect. Do we need to do some forgiving and restoration before we bow before God and thank him for all he has blessed us with?
Start this week with giving the benefit of the doubt. Look at the part of this passage that helps us to understand that what we see and what we understand is not the total picture. Ask yourself, have I been a little too hasty in my judgment? We have time; work on restoring the relationships that have been torn apart. Look forward to celebrating a time of thanksgiving with everyone you know. God Bless, Rev. Don
THOUGHTS FROM THE ROAD
Only a short trip this week to take care of some ministry responsibilities. I am actually looking forward to a little down time at home by the lake. I do however have some long neglected yard work to attend to; any help will be welcome. If you would like to chat feel free to call or stop by the coffee shop on Saturday mornings, I am usually there when I am home; The Daily Grind Café, Willington, CT exit 69 off I-84. Remember, we also have a Tuesday night Bible Study at 7:00, also at the coffee shop, feel free to stop by.
Our booth for Motorsports is coming together. We have commitments from Joey Logano and Joe Gibbs Racing to have the driver and car of the Grand National Busch East Series there. I also received this week a commitment from Whelen Modified Tour Champion car owner, Bob Garbarino, to have the famed Mystic Missile in our booth. I am waiting to hear back from WMT Champion Donny Lia, we hope to have him there at some point during the weekend to sign autographs with Joey. I also have a couple of other commitments we are waiting for to add cars to the booth. We hope to have the Connecticut Whelen All-American Series and second place National Championship driver Woody Pitkat added to the fold, but we’ll have to wait until he gets back from the banquet in Vegas to confirm that. It should be a great show, make your plans now to attend.
Stafford Motor Speedway continues to try and find ways to balance the field and contain the cost of racing. This week they introduced a tire rule and will limit the number of new tires that can be bought and used on a weekly basis. Speedway COO/GM, Mark Arute said, “During the course of the 2007 season, the feedback we were getting from our SK Modified competitors was pointing us in the direction of going with a tire rule for the 2008 season. Once the season was over, we consulted with our tech staff to put together a tire rule based on the competitor feedback we had received. Once we had something put together on paper, we sent it out to our SK Modified® and SK Light competitors for their review, and the response from our competitors has been overwhelmingly positive. The tire rule is still in its infant stage and we will continue to work with our competitors and make any necessary adjustments as we go forward into the 2008 season.” Hoosier Tires will be the tire of choice for the two SK modified division.
Wall’s Turkey Derby is the last racing on tap in the Northeast. They posted a schedule this week and you can find it on their website. While you’re there, be sure and reserve your tickets. I received this special statement from the track and the Blewett Family last night.
Wall
Wall Township Speedway is proud to announce that Jimmy Blewett will be running the family owned car at Turkey Derby XXXIV. John “Grandpa” Blewett, Sr. has said that this will be the last time that this vehicle will be run. This will be the public’s last chance to see this amazing tradition hit the banks of any speedway. After Turkey Derby XXXIV, the Grand Champion #76 Modified will be placed in the Blewett Automotive Museum and Wall Township Speedway will retire the number. An honor so duly earned, not just for JBIII, but for the entire Blewett Family. Grandpa wants to see this car run one last time.
Traditions do not have to end. At a time when change is something that happens daily, at every level, traditions may change as well. Traditions and family: two things that are ever changing, ever growing and remarkable memory makers at the dawn of every day and turning of every season.
Have a great week and remember to restore those relationships before we sit down to give thanks.
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***
November 15
DON & ROBIN LaHUE- This Vermont couple, he a driver at NH’s White Mountain Motorsports Park, have their 30th anniversary.
November 16
BILL III & JANET BRICE- This NASCAR WMT official and wife (aka Mother Goose) have their 15th anniversary.
JERRY & LINDA VENNE- This Bow, NH media person and wife have their 37th anniversary.
November 17
BERT & DEBI MARVIN- This Colchester, CT Mod driver and wife have their 8th anniversary.
November 20
RON & LYNN HEDGER- This upstate NY NSS writer and wife share their anniversary.
KRISTOFER & STEPHANIE SMITH- He a former BES crewmember and She a former media center worker at NHIS were married this day in 2004.
***HAPPY BIRTHDAYS***
November 14
DAN MESERVEY, JR.- West Chatham, MA NASCAR BES/NASCAR WMT driver.
CHRIS CARLSON- Modified crewman from Danbury, CT.
LEE HENDRICKSON- Former Mod driver/owner dad of Lawrenceville, NJ Wall Township Speedway Modified driver Wade.
BENTO WILLIAMS- Wall Township Speedway co-announcer Lee Greenwood’s great nephew is 17.
JIM YOUNG- The proprietor of www.RACESONGS.com and the writer of all those famous theme songs for tracks and drivers and divisions, including Racing with Jesus Ministries.
November 15
DICK THOMPSON- Martinsville Speedway VP of Public Relations.
JAMIE MILLS- Milford, DE Bridgeport Speedway Modified driver.
TIM MANGUS- Tioga Speedway based NASCAR WMT driver.
STEPHANIE BAKER- Daughter of Baker Carburetion’s Steve and Sue.
DELORIS & ELISABETH HOPE MINTER- The wife and daughter of Martinsville, Va WODY Gospel Radio’s “Uncle” Wendell.
LAUREN GEORGIADES- Daughter of Steve, Crew Chief for brother Bobby’s CT Mod turns 14.
JEFFREY MAHER- East Windsor fan “Chipper” turns 14.
November 16
TERRY LABONTE- Corpus Christe, TX Retired Hendricks NNC driver.
MIKE GROFF- Los Angeles, CA IRL driver.
ROBERTO GUERRERO- San Juan Capistrano, CA IRL driver.
BO GUNNING- Bethlehem, CT DWRS Modified driver and ’98 and ’02 Stafford champion.
FRED DUMACHOWSKI- Neshanic Station, NJ East Windsor, NJ Modified driver.
PHILIP SMITH- NC Modified driver.
GEORGE KENT- Horseheads, NY Modified asphalt driver.
PHIL BARIL- NH ProStock driver.
BOB SCHERER- Mahoning Valley Speedway driver.
RAY PENFOLD- Yarmouth, ME retired LM great driver and proud father of driver Billy.
CORINE SCHAFFER- Grandview Speedway Mod driver Rick and wife Donna’s daughter is 17.
November 17
BRAD BENNETT- Stamford, CT born, now in Cornelius, NC BES driver.
LAUREN LADOUCHER- D.I.R.T. NY Modified driver.
GARY LUSCHER- D.I.R.T. NY Modified driver.
JIMMY BELLISLE- Lisbon, CT retired Strictly Stock driver.
KEN CASSIDY- Canterbury, CT Strictly Stock driver.
BRYAN DUNBAR- NJ Street Stocker.
LEE CAMPFIELD- Wife of former Tioga Speedway, then named Shangri-La, promoter Dale in Apalachin, NY.
DAN SUKUP- Son of Schodack Landing, NY retired Midget team owner Joe.
November 18
SCOTT WALTERS- Louisville, KY NASCAR driver.
RICH BURGDOFF- NASCAR Cup official.
ELISEO SALAZAR- Santiago, Chile IRL driver.
JOHN KATANIA- Crewman/son of CT Mod owner Joe, and graphics artist.
November 19
RON BURNS- Phoenix, AZ NASCAR West driver.
November 20
PETE MORGANTINI- West Pittston, PA NASCAR Mod driver, son of engine builder Lou.
ANDY BELMONT- ARCA driver/ New Egypt co-promoter.
ACE LANE, JR.- Legendary New Jersey photographer.
*** NEW BEGINNINGS ***
DENNY LAUER- Denny’s battle with cancer ended late last week. In his years involved in racing Denny served as an ARDC Midget Series official, crew member and driver. Most recently he he was part of the Zipps Racing Team as a crewman with driver Scott Zipp. He was also recipient of the 2006 Bill Schindler Founders Award from the ARDC. Cards and letters can be sent to; The Lauer family, 232 Morgan St., Phoenixville, PA 19460. Donations in Denny’s memory may be sent to: The Baptist Church of Phoenixville, 248 Church St., Phoenixville, PA 19460.
NICK FONORO SR.- A few weeks back we shared with you about Nick’s passing and now have an address for cards and letters. As you may know, Nick was the official flagman for the ATQMRA for much of the 70s and 80s as well as being the only flagger the CART division had until his retirement from the flagstand. Both of his sons Nokie and Drew won numerous races with the ATQMRA as well as in midgets and other divisions. Nick Sr. was a renowned midget driver himself being credited with 4 feature race wins with the ARDC and the 1950 ARDC drivers championship. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the entire Fonoro family. Cards and letters can be sent to The Fonoro Family, 27 Sweetbriar Rd., Rockaway, NJ 07866.
SHARE YOUR SPECIAL OCCASIONS WITH YOUR RACING FAMILY. SEND THEM TO RACING WITH JESUS MINISTRIES AT PO BOX 586, Tolland, CT, 06084.
Sources: Don Rivers/RWJM