Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving is a time of reflection. A time to look at all we have and humble ourselves before a gracious God. We don’t always get what we want and we don’t always understand the plans God has for us, but we can be confident that he loves and cares for us. How has God cared for you this past year? Greetings, in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Thanksgiving is a time for sharing. I see it in the lives of others as they give of themselves to help those less fortunate. As I helped out in the coffee shop on Saturday, a family; husband, wife, son and daughter picked up some hot drinks and muffins for the road. They were headed to pack up their Suburban and deliver Thanksgiving baskets to those in need. It’s not what it seems.

This Suburban is 1970’s vintage and as I talked with the dad he told the story of last year. He stayed up all night rebuilding the rear-end so that they could keep their commitment and make deliveries last year. They made it and those who were collecting the food were thankful. No matter what obstacle had to be overcome they would be there. They received such a blessing they gave up their Saturday and delivered baskets again this year.

I think all of our hearts start to soften up a little bit when the holidays roll around. I am not sure what hardens them the rest of the year but I know we are more generous and willing to give. It is somewhat funny; when the weather gets cold our hearts soften up.

One of the main reasons we have to be thankful is that we have God who cares for us. He is there; despite what we think, guiding those who will follow through life and providing for our needs. I am reminded of Paul’s statement in Scripture about his level of comfort with God’s provision. He stated that he had learned to be content no matter whether he had enough or was in need. Just knowing that God was with him allowed him to relax and focus on serving others. My hope is that we can each attain that peace.

Listen to what David writes in Psalm 100 about giving thanks to God;

Psalm 100

A psalm. For giving thanks.

Shout for joy to the LORD, all the earth.

Worship the LORD with gladness;

come before him with joyful songs.

Know that the LORD is God.

It is he who made us, and we are his;

we are his people, the sheep of his pasture.

Enter his gates with thanksgiving

and his courts with praise;

give thanks to him and praise his name.

For the LORD is good and his love endures forever;

his faithfulness continues through all generations.

David reminds us of why we should give thanks to God; He is good, He loves us forever and He is faithful throughout the generations. We find hope in those words. Not an empty hope but a hope that will enable us to live, to love and care for others knowing all the time that God has us covered.

I want to encourage you this Thanksgiving to let go. Let go of all the things you have to do and follow the leading of your heart. Give this holiday season to God and let Him lead you by the Holy Sprint. Paul gives us this encouragement;

1Thessalonians 5:16-19, Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

Have a great time relaxing and serving others this thanksgiving. God Bless, Rev. Don.

THOUGHTS FROM THE ROAD

Rick and I had the pleasure of being guests at the awards banquet for Stafford Motor Speedway. We had a great time catching up with folks and meeting some new ones. I sat at the table of 16^th place SKMod driver John Cleary and his family. I was the twelfth member of the party. Twelve is a good number with Biblical significance. I was thankful to spend time getting to know them and sharing a meal with them.

It was a great night to remember the past season. I came away with a different perspective on some of the competitors. It is always interesting to see how people behave away from the track. Sometimes you have to wonder though.

I want to share with you about one champion that returned to his roots for the 2007 season, Ted Christopher. Over the past several years TC had enjoyed the unlimited budget that comes with having a generous car owner. He was able to buy what he needed to compete at the highest-level week in and week out. This year was different. This year Teddy won because of his hard work and determination. He had one car, two engines, a borrowed trailed and a faithful crew chief and the drive to win championship number six. Ted got choked up a little as he listed all the people that had a hand in helping him win the title this year, a definite contrast to the Ted we see and love at the track. He also had someone new to thank this year, his wife. Teddy, you won this one the old-fashioned way, you put your heart and soul into it and I hope that this is one of your most cherished achievements in your career as a race driver.

This week finds us closing out a couple of chapters in racing. The 2007 racing season will be closed out this weekend at Wall Stadium and the #76 of John Blewett will see its last on track racing action with Jimmy at the wheel. It is always with mixed emotions that we face the end of the season. Some seasons hold more significance than others. This season has been a challenge. We have traveled more, to new tracks in far away places, and met some great people along the way. We have been saddened by the loss of a good friend and driver, John Blewett III. We have learned how to move forward in spite of the obstacles. This Saturday we will say goodbye to some and see you next year to others. As always we thank you for letting us serve you.

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 21

JOE & ANDREA NEMECHEK- The Lakeland, FL Bell South NNC driver and wife have their 13th anniversary.

WALT & MARSHA DYER- The owners of the Lance Dewease driven Pennsy Sprint No. 461 have their 54th anniversary.

November 22

CARL (Bugs Stevens) & DORIS BERGHMAN- This retired Modified champion of Rehoboth, MA; parents of current Prostock driver Dave Berghman, have their 47th anniversary.

DICK & NANCY CLARK- The veteran Long Island NASCAR WMT driver and wife have their special day.

MICHAEL & CAROL PARES- This “Area Auto Racing News” NASCAR Whelen Mod Series photographer and wife from Wayne, NJ share their 27th anniversary.

November 23

LEO & CLAYLENE ADAMS- This Pomfret, CT Pro Tour Truck driver and wife have their 30th anniversary.

JASON & STACEY KOHLER- This Fleetwood, PA Micro Sprint driver and wife have their special day.

November 26

MARIO & BOOTS TOMAINO- From Freehold, NJ, these two are the very proud parents of WMT driver Jamie and have been wed 52 years.

November 27

GARY & SHARON MOORE- Horseshoe, NC driver and wife have their 35th anniversary.

BOBBY & JENNIFER GADA- Niantic, CT Waterford Speedbowl Mod driver and wife share their 13th anniversary.

ANDY & JUDY JOHNSON- The owners of Johnson Chassis in Monson, MA have their 50th anniversary.

***HAPPY BIRTHDAYS***

November 21

BILLY DECKER- Franklin, NY DIRT Mod driver.

TOBY PORTER- Greenville, SC NASCAR driver.

TRAVIS CARTER- Veteran NNC team owner.

JIMMY MILO- Southington, CT AARN columnist and head of Stafford Motor Speedway’s Safety Team.

AIMEE BARKER- Daughter and Team Crew member on dad Bob “Mad Dog” Barker’s 8NY Legend out of Staten Island.

Billy “The Kid” Barker- Garden State Vintage Stock Car Club, Staten Island, NY.

November 22

BRENDA HIRSCHMAN- The wife of Northampton, PA NASCAR WMT driver Tony.

LUCY CHRISTOPHER- Plainville, CT Bill’s wife and mom of famous racing twins Ted and Mike.

DR. CHRIS WIBBELSMAN- Eldest son of Gainesville, FL RWJM Advisor Dick and wife Judy, living in Dayton, OH.

DOREENE EMHOFF- Wife of Bill and mother of Matt, both crew members on Art Barry’s #21 WMt team.

MAYNARD TROYER- Rochester, NY chassis builder and retired Modified driving great.

J.C. “SUITCASE” ELDER- Veteran NNC Crew Chief.

TOMMY GAVINE- Proprietor of Stafford Springs, CT Fyne Lyne Fabrication.

November 23

RICK CLONCH- E. Smithfield, PA NASCAR BES driver.

RON BOUCHARD- Fitchburg, MA retired NNC driver.

PATRICK O’BRIEN- A son of Tammy Longacre in Boyertwon, PA is 8.

November 24

DOUG MESERVEY- Chatham, MA NASCAR BES/NASCAR WMT driver.

BUDDY PARROTT- WC Crew Chief

DAN WALKER- Beech Ridge Motor Speedway PR Director.

ADAM HEDGER- NASCAR Cup official son of Williamson, NY Mod driver Randy and wife Lynda.

November 25

MIKE GALLO- Sanford, ME NASCAR BES driver.

JEFF STREETER- Brawley, CA NASCAR West driver.

TOM BUTLER- Stafford Speedway LM driver.

MIKE JOY- Hartford, CT based TV/Radio racing announcer.

MIKE FELTENBERGER- Grandview/ Big Diamond flagman/photographer.

November 26

TOM McCANN- Huntington, LI, NY Modified driver.

DALE JARRETT- Hickory, NC Toyota Racing NNC driver.

BILLY STANDRIDGE- Shelby, NC NNC/BGN driver/owner.

MARY BRICE- WMT Registra, wife of WMT Chief Inspector Bill.

BRUCE WEAVER- Bethlehem,PA. Go-Fer on former Earl Steffen’s Sprinter.

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

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