A Time For Everything
Many times in life we question why things happen. The timing of things puzzle us. Why did this happen? Why now? How do we deal with things that we don’t understand. Greetings in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Events happen in our life that do not follow the plan we have in our head. Think of a race day, how many of them go the way you planned? One thing is guaranteed about race day, it will not go the way you planned. We adapt and get thorough it the best way we can.
Each of us think we know the best way things should go. We think we fully understand and know the way things should go. The truth is we don’t. Have you ever noticed how two people can be in the same situation and they have different ideas about what should be done?
I think of the question that comes up about pitting, do we pit? Some say yes some say no and some say wait and see. Then when we are in the heat of the battle all bets are off. What we thought we were going to do we don’t. Why, because the situation changed and we needed to adjust.
Things in life happen, they are beyond our control. We think we know what to expect, but the truth be told we don’t. We cannot predict the future, even what we will do and where we will go. We need to be flexible and respond to life events in a way that would honor God.
Listen to what James says;
James 4:13-14, Now listen, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.” Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. Instead, you ought to say, “If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that.”
We can plan all we want, but the fact remains that God is in control. God has our lives in His hands. When things happen that we don’t understand we must turn to Him. If we do, He will comfort us, forgive us and show us the right way to move forward. We need to heed His guidance and follow His lead.
It is good to remember how we arrived in this place. We did not get to where we are in life alone. Someone came before us and laid a foundation for us. Life is fragile and we need to remember how our actions affect others. We need to remember that everything we do has an effect not only on those around us but also on those who follow us for years to come. This reminds me of a passage in the Old Testament that helps us to remember there is a time for all things in life.
Ecclesiastes 3:1-8, There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven:
a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot,
a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build,
a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance,
a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them, a time to embrace and a time to refrain,
a time to search and a time to give up, a time to keep and a time to throw away,
a time to tear and a time to mend, a time to be silent and a time to speak,
a time to love and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace.
Knowing the cycle that life has for us helps us to understand and learn the lessons that others have already learned. We need to draw on that experience and learn from it. We need to recognize that someone has come before and paved the way so that we can start with a better understanding and build off their experience. We are only condemned to repeat failure when we refuse to learn from the example of others. There is nothing so new under the sun that someone somewhere has not dealt with it. We need to learn from that, acknowledge that and live a life that reflects that.
When difficulties come, how will we respond? Will we lean on our faith in God? Will we be able to carry on because we know who holds the future? Will we be able to carry someone through the difficulties in their life with our faith. Or, will we fall apart and crumble under the weight. Others are watching us and keeping track of how we respond to the challenges we face in our lives. What we say and do makes a difference.
I guess the question remains, “what are we doing to affect the lives of those around us?” Do we ever take under consideration that our actions and reactions affect not only us but those around us. We should look at our life not only for what it means to us, but for what it means to those around us. We are here today because of the choices of others. Tomorrow other’s lives will reflect the decisions that we make today. How should we change the way we live to leave the right directions?
When tragedy strikes we all question why we are doing this. We wonder if some how things would be different. They wouldn’t be the things we are supposed to be doing. God places a passion on each one of our hearts. It is what makes us tick. Some times we have trouble identifying that, but when we do, watch out, we do not feel satisfied doing anything else.
Passion is easy to see, look into someones eyes, look into their heart. You can tell. Our lives were Christ’s passion, he gave His life for us. When we find the thing God placed in our lives that we are passionate about we will find Him. Our life will be a testament to Him and will spread His goodness to everyone we meet.
I encourage you to find that passion and pursue it. If it is the one God has for your life you will see the results and they will glorify Him. Be careful not to get caught up pursuing what you want, the results won’t be the same. We will not honor God.
I think of the two lives we have lost in the racing community in the last few months. I look at the affect their lives had on others. I see God’s hand in those lives. Their actions will change the way others live. They were passionate about racing and everyone knew it. They were in God’s will because they changed the lives around them in a way that honors Him. They left an example to us. We need to do the same. God bless, have a great week, Rev. Don
THOUGHTS FROM THE ROAD
Another great race at Greenville-Pickens. Because of the events that started the racing season Dan and I didn’t lock ourselves into plane tickets to travel to South Carolina. That required us to make the trip in the new Pace car. What would a road trip be like without our favorite sidekick, Ken Spring. The nickname, 8-track comes to mind.
Greenville proved to be worthy of it’s reputation, a great race was run for a packed house. I remember a few short years ago that the racing in this series wasn’t very exciting. Since they started double-file restarts with the lapped cars to the back the racing has changed dramatically. Now every restart has every driver fighting for position. Thins year the Modified Tour went to the same format. Thompson wasn’t a good test, but I think it will prove to be as exciting there as it has for the Grand National Division.
I wonder if it would spice up some of the top level competition. I think there is no other more exciting thing in racing than the restart. If you add to that every driver is fighting for a position side by side it can only serve to be more exciting. It would also remove the hinderence of the lapped cars at the front of the field. I think it would be a win-win for everyone.
Payton Sellers started off his partnership with Andy Santerre Motorsports with his first series win. Payton was followed closely by Austin Dillon. Austin returned the famed Black #3 to NASCAR touring competition and he didn’t disappoint. For young man to carry such a famed number and excel only serves notice that we have more to come from this young man. ASM started the season with the best possible finish possible, 1,2, but it wasn’t all that east.
Payton started to show signs of brake problems as his rear rotors glowed even at the end of the straight. He had to pit to fix some damage received and started working his way back through the field. He had lead early and proved he had the car to beat.
In his absence young Austin patiently moved to the point and led several laps before being passed by Payton late in the race. He held off a hard charging Mark Davis to secure second place.
I received a note from Bob Menschner, Wall Stadium Chaplain, he writes; Hope all is well with everyone. My dad has been in the hospital for a few weeks and can finally come home. He had some heart problems and had a ‘pacemaker’ put in. We prayed many times during his time in the hospital and he now has a relationship with God. He is in need some cards of cheer. If the folks out in the Racing Community would send a note or card of encouragement as he continues to heal that would be great. His address is; John Menschner, 84B Galadiola court, Lakewood, N.J. 08701. Thanks, Brother Bob
We will be headed to Stafford for the Sizzler this coming weekend let us hope for better weather and a complete race. Have a good week.
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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***
April 23
PAUL & MICHELLE McELEARNEY- This veteran Riverhead Raceway LM driver and wife have their anniversary today.
April 26
MIKE AND SHARON TALLMAN- A crewman on the Thompson Speedway Modified driven by Sharon’s brother Tom Tagg and his wife have anniversary 22.
April 27
GEORGE AND BEVERLY BOULEY- The family that races together stays together. This family that includes children Kim and CWES driver Scott and the entire #26 team started at Danbury Arena and have become a common sight at tracks throughout the East. They always have a smile and a laugh despite what the circumstances may be. Let us wish them a blessed anniversary as they complete 53 laps in the family camper.
***HAPPY BIRTHDAYS***
April 23
ROBBIE CROUCH- Burlington, VT’s “Tampa Tornado” retired NASCAR CWES/LM driver.
JASON KELLER- Greensville, SC NNS driver.
P.J. JONES- Rolling Hills, CA Indy car/ NASCAR Truck series driver.
CHUCK GAFRARAR- Team Penske fabricator.
AL ROBINSON- World-wide race announcer and Storyteller extraordinaire.
J.J. O’MALLEY- Al’s buddy and the PR Director at Watkins Glen Speedway.
BOB PRATT- A brother of AARN Advertising Manager Joe, NJ Mod driver Ed and uncle of sportsman driver Richie Pratt, Jr.
MICHELLE McELEARNEY- The wife of Commack, NY Riverhead LM driver, Paul.
April 24
RICK SCHAFFER- Woxall, PA all-time winningest Mod driver at Grandview.
HERMIE SADLER- Emporia, VA NNS/NSC driver.
ED FLEMKE- Southington, CT NASCAR WMT Modified driver/ chassis builder.
CHERYL MARKS- Grandview Souvenier Stand Manager.
LINDA GOLDEN- Daughter of retired Midget owner Joe Sukup from Schodack Landing, NY.
WALTER NEWCOMB- Keeper of the cup, this Long Island WMT crewmwmber has his big day.
April 25
BILL HENDERSON- Owner of a KARS Sprint team at Williams Grove.
MIKE LENMAN- Driver of Bill Henderson’s KARS Sprint.
RAY MILLER- Former driver of the Henderson KARS Sprint.
JOHN MICHALOWSKI, JR.- From Riverhead, NY, now driving LMSC in NC.
CHET THOMPSON- Former Wall Township Speedway driver, now G.S.U.S.C.E. member and race fan.
SHAWN PODZIEWSKI- BNS crewman.
CHRISTINA CASAGRANDE- Sister of Riverhead Blunderbust driver Bob.
AARON MICHAEL COX- One of Rev. Pat’s cousin Bob and wife Tracy Cox’ children down in Boyertown, PA is 9.
BILL DIMMICH- Slatington, PA Former Pocono 500 chief announcer and TV host.
April 26
JIMMY KITCHENS- Birmingham, AL NNS/NW driver.
JUNIOR MILLER- Winston-Salem, NC WSMT 2005 Chmpionship driver.
RON SHEPHERD- From NY, now in NC driving Modifieds and Concord Motorsports Park Super LMSC.
ROGER GODIN- Maine LM driver.
ALLEN MONETTE- NH ProStock driver.
RON & ED PROVOST- Oxford Plains Speedway official and son.
April 27
BOBBY SUMMERS- The owner of Hossier Tire East in Manchester, CT and provider of the racing rubber for the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour and proud dad of WMT driver Rob.
RICK KNAPP- Scotland, CT retired Waterford Speedbowl Modified driver.
JIM PETERSON- CT LM driver.
AUSTIN DILLON- A son of NNS driver/spotter Mike and Tina and driver of the famed #3 Camping World Series entry for ASM.
April 28
KIRK BRYANT- Thomasville, NC LMSC driver.
MARK GEER- Waterford Speedbowl former Chief Tech. Inspector.
JUDY MARTIN- Concord, NC NSC photographer.
NATHAN DIAS- Son of Westport, MA Seekonk ProStock driver Tony and wife Elizabeth is 12.
April 29
CHAD LITTLE- Spokane, WA lawyer and now Whelen Modified Tour Director for NASCAR.
JIM LOWREY, JR.- NH SuperModified driver.
DAVE FAIR- Oaks, CA SCCA driver.
BRUCE THOMPSON- Newtown, PA Len’s dad.
MARK MOCKOVAC- Husband of Claremont Speedway Modified driver Audrey Stevens and the Media Coordinator for the TVMS from Danbury, CT
BOB MORRIS- Auburn, ME racing columnist.
JOHN SZERENCITS III- Whitehall, PA brother of AARN subscription sales rep. Don.
LINDA & NICOLE BRUNO- The wife and daughter of Jim, from Absecon, NJ both celebrate today.
DAVE JONES- Driver of the #76 sprint car at Lernerville and other West Pennsylvania tracks and a member of the “old guy race team”.
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