Divine Guidance
Have you seen the commercial with the tag line “Life comes at you fast”? There is truth to that statement. In a moment life can change. How prepared are we to face the unexpected? Where does our direction and guidance come from? Who is our source of courage and strength? Greetings in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Why do we run the race? Because you cannot predict what will play out on the racetrack. No one knows who’s car will make it, who will have a failure, who will make a poor decision and who will be affected by it. That is why we run the race.
Over the past few races there have been some decisions made out on the track that have had an impact on the point standings. Depending on what perspective you have that could be good or bad.
How the race will play out and how life will play out have some similarities. Look at the recent natural disasters and how they have completely turned the lives of people around. Our life can turn on something totally out of our control. We need to know where to turn when things happen.
Listen to the guidance that James gives us;
James 5:13-16, Is any one of you in trouble? He should pray. Is anyone happy? Let him sing songs of praise. Is any one of you sick? He should call the elders of the church to pray over him and anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise him up. If he has sinned, he will be forgiven. Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.
James tells us that no matter where our life has gone we need to acknowledge that it is in God’s control. If you are sick or you have sinned, lift up your prayer, in faith, to God and you will be made well and your sins forgiven.
If you are happy, blessed, then acknowledge who the blessings came from, God. He is the one that supplies everything we need. In good times and bad we need to remember it is God who has the control.
More importantly though look at what it tells us about how we should relate to each other. We should confess our sins to each other. That sounds difficult. Who can we trust enough to confess to? The secret is to have strong trusting relationships with others so that you can share the burden of your sin without fear.
We should spend time in our lives building relationships with others. Strong trusting relationships don’t happen overnight, they take time. They take effort. Too much of our lives are spent pleasing ourselves. Many people think the world revolves around them. Building these relationships turns the focus from us to them.
Those relationships withstand the shortcomings we each have. They withstand the mistakes we make. They give us encouragement when we are down. They give us strength to get through difficult situations.
Spend some time developing these types of relationships. Life has many curves to throw at us. We never know when we will be in need. If we prepare by surrounding ourselves with people who care about us we will be able to withstand the challenges.
It is comforting to know that others are praying for you. It gives you a reason to go on. It encourages you to continue on when the road ahead looks bleak.
I know the difference having people pulling for you can make. It has given me the strength to face situations that I would have turned away from facing. Be an accountability partner for someone. Let them know that you are there for them no matter where the road leads. Be the right friend; show people you care about them.
THOUGHTS FROM THE ROAD
I didn’t head out on the road this past week. Situations prevented me from traveling. Dan was out there though and the Lord provided some help for him. As he headed to Dover for Friday, Jim Foster was driving up from Virginia to help him out. Jim serves as chaplain at SoBo with MRO and is a good friend of RWJM. Jim road up with Burt Sellers, Peyton’s Dad and helped Dan out. Dan headed home to Jim’s house after the race on his way to Martinsville. Don Lamson, a fellow familiar with Modified racing and a new friend of RWJM, joined Dan at Martinsville, it was great to have him with us. Dan, Don and WSMT Chaplain Kyle Froman took care of things in Virginia. Thank you to all that helped cover this past weekend.
CAMPING WORLD CROWNS THEIR FIRST CHAMPION- The first car in our Motorsports booth will be no stranger to the resort community of Atlantic City. The Mohegan Sun sponsored car of Matt Kobyluck will grace the RWJM booth as champion of the Camping World East Series. Matt secured the championship with one race left on the schedule by finishing third at Dover. It has been a long time coming for Matt having finished as bridesmaid a few times. Matt showed what he had learned through the years to finally wear the title NASCAR CHAMPION. Great job Matt, see you at Stafford.
MODIFIEDS GET TOGETHER AT MARTINSVILLE- With the southern and northern tours meeting in this late summer classic all eyes were on this historic half-mile. After 300 laps the South came out on top, but he was followed by several Northerners. Ryan Preece won the pole and led the field until late. As he faded Burt Myers claimed the lead and brought home the victory. Ryan followed in second followed by Matt Hirschman.
Matt also ran the double header last weekend competing in the Camping World Series race at Dover on Friday finishing sixth. Matt has run two Camping World races and finished forth and sixth. Look for the doors to open for him next year.
The Reg showed he still has it bringing home a forth place finish.
Woody Pitkat had a little harder ride than most. Woody competed and won Friday night at Stafford Motor Speedway, then drove all night to make the early morning driver’s meeting in Southern Virginia. He then went out and brought the Don King entry home seventh. I thing the 300 laps was much shorter than the ride down from Stafford. Good job Skip.
The Whelen Modified Tour point leader didn’t get much sleep either. TC is locked in a battle for the SK Mod title at Stafford with former crewmember Keith Rocco. TC sits 14 points out of the lead with one race remaining. He also made the trip south and brought home his point leading entry fifth. TC has an 89 point lead over Matt Hirschman with three WMT races left.
Everyone is headed to the house that Jack built this weekend. Stafford Motor Speedway will host both the Camping World and the Whelen Modified Tour as part of the Fall Final event that closes out the racing season for SMS. We will be there and looking forward to some great racing action. Make your plans now to join us.
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***
September 24
JIM & MARIE BARNES- These Long Island race fans celebrate 21 years together.
September 25
ED & GINNY PERRY- This Rehoboth, MA faithful NEMA and Seekonk Speedway couple have their 35th anniversary.
September 27
BRAD & LINDA HIETALA- The proprietor of Reliable Welding in Enfield, CT/ Stafford Motor Speedway NASCAR Mod driver and wife have their anniversary.
JEFF & JENNIFER PEARL- This Waterford Speedbowl Modified driver from Colchester, CT and wife share their 9th anniversary.
September 30
BILL, JR. & MARY BRICE- This New Jersey couple serve as the (he) Chief Tech. Inspector and she the Registra for the NASCAR Whelen Modified Series. They celebrate their 46th anniversary.
***HAPPY BIRTHDAYS***
September 24
BOB CRAMER- NJ asphalt Modified driver.
GLENN ALLEN, JR.- Cincinnati, OH NNS driver.
DEANE MERCIER- Racing radio personality and Stafford Motor Speedway announcer from Norwalk, CT.
COREY LaJOIE- Son of Norwalk, CT Joie of Seating founder/owner and NNS driver Randy and wife Lisa is 16.
ROB BRANNON- Canterbury, CT, Betty Evans son, lead singer, guitarist for Christian Rock group “WARFARE”.
September 25
STEVE SULLIVAN- Crew Chief for the former NASCAR CWES team driven by Kelly Moore.
SCOTT PUNCH- NNS crewman son of Newton, NC Wolfhead Oil NNS Team manager Dennis and wife Pat.
BRITTANY MUHA- Tom’s River, NJ Quarter Midget driver.
September 26
JOE NEMECHEK- Lakeland, FL Winston Cup driver.
PAUL DURANT- Manteca, CA IRL driver.
LINDA AUSTIN- Scorer for the NASCAR CWES #5 team owned by Barney McRae.
SHERI FULLER- Wife of No. Boylston, MA former NASCAR WMT team owner, Bobby, one of the famous Fuller racing brothers.
CLAY PURVIS- Son of Clarksville, TN NNS driver Jeff and wife Susan is 17.
MARY BETH WIBBELSMAN- The grown-up daughter of RWJM Advisor Dick and Counselor wife Judy of Gainesville, FL.
September 27
WARREN ALSTON- A friend of RWJM and Christian brother.
BERT MARVIN- Colchester, CT Modified driver.
DAN ORBST- Potland, OR NASCAR West driver.
BRUCE TAYLOR- Seekonk, MA NASCAR WMT and ProStock driver.
JOE TRUDEAU- Chaplin, CT retired Modified driver.
DOREEN COLSON- Wife of Leominster, MA ProStock driver Fran.
JUSTIN CUSACK- Son of Beech Ridge Motor Speedway President Glenn is 20.
KRISTEN MONTVILLE- The daughter of Solhem Racing NASCAR CWES/NASCAR WMT crewman Chuck is 18.
PAM KRAUSE- The wife of AARN’s Assistant to the Editor/ Columnist, Earl.
September 28
KIM BAKER- Road Racer, part-time NASCAR CWES driver from Springfield, MA.
JACKIE ARUTE- The President of Stafford Motor Speedway and TV Sports announcer.
TYLER LEWIS- The son of Holland Speedway Charger Driver Mark and brother of Mark’s Crew chief son Christopher.
September 29
PAUL RADFORD- The legendary “Ferrum Flash” Modified and LMSC driver from Ferrum, VA.
TIFFANY BRODERICK- The youngest daughter of Brookfield, CT NASCAR Modified driver Jim and Debbie.
BREND BLAIN- Wife of South Killingly, CT ProStock driver David.
September 30
RICHIE RESNER- Team owner and brother-in-law of Riverhead Late Model #60 and driver Paul McElearney.
J.J. BRANSCOMBE- A grown-up son of Northwood, NH NASCAR CWES driver Babe and wife Deb.
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