A Time to Rest
Racing for fun or for a living is stressful. The nature of the deal is that our life is on the edge. When you are at the track everything seems to run at 100 miles an hour. It is racing after all. It is supposed to move fast. Maybe it is a good time to take a rest. Greetings in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Resting with Jesus, sounds like a new name for a ministry? The racing world does not corner the market on stress and frustration. The world we live in has been described as a rat race. Did you every find yourself wondering why you do what you do? Many times in life the thought crosses our mind concerning our motivation. Why do we do this? Why am I here? When we get to that point it is good to step back and take a look at things. Take a step out of your routine and look for a place to rest and collect your thoughts. Jesus is that place.
We are entering the time of year when we can take that break and relax. We can look back and reflect on the season past. Taking some time to rest and catch up on the things we left behind in our race to the front. Jesus gives up a place to rest.
Jesus came to save us. From what you ask, from us. We fill our lives with so much stuff that the stuff starts to win out. We develop a lifestyle that feeds off itself. We start finding ourselves needing to do this, this and this in order to maintain our lifestyle. It becomes overwhelming and we just keep on going trying to stay one-step ahead, for what? So we can live?
I am not sure many people would classify what they do as living. They may say surviving, but not living. We all have a vision of what living is and we are not there yet.
In his poem, The Station, Hastings talks about the vision, “when we get there”. Where? A new house, car, home, kids through school, promotion, win a race. We never get there. Once we accomplish one thing there is another to move on to. Our vision is never satisfied. He writes further to say it is not the destination, but the journey that we must focus on. That is why Jesus makes this offer in Matthew:
Matthew 11:28-29,nlt, Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle, and you will find rest for your souls.
Jesus provides for each one of us the security of the destination. If we accept Him we will be with him for eternity. Destination settled, now about the journey.
At this past World Series at Thompson I made a trip to the Bench. The bench was presented to Rev. Pat at Thompson Speedway by the Camping World Ladies Auxiliary along with a plaque thanking him for twenty-five years of dedicated ministry to the Whelen Modified and Camping World East Tours. The bench is located by the handicapper’s booth. The message is simple, come unto me and rest. Park it on the bench, focus on the journey and not the destination, spend some time with Jesus and seek His will for your life. When we ask, seek and knock, it will be provided for us within the will of God. RWJ takes on a new meaning, Rest with Jesus.
Matthew 7:7-12, “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.
“Which of you, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him! So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.
When we take a step back from the challenges of our life and we realize that we do not have to win the race, our Savior has already won that race. We can adjust our focus and look around us and participate in the journey. Along that road we need to reach out and help one another. We need to guide and direct people to the source of life. We need to, as Jesus said, be humble and gentle as we demonstrate how to live.
David writes in Psalm 23,
The LORD is my shepherd; I have everything I need.
He lets me rest in green meadows; he leads me beside peaceful streams.
He renews my strength.
In Jesus we have a place to rest. Rest in Him, walk with Him along those peaceful streams, and let Him renew your strength.
THOUGHTS FROM THE ROAD
CONGRATULATIONS TO TVMS CHAMPION- Chris Pasteryak clinched his first Championship by finishing seventh in the Ricky Miller Memorial at Twin State Speedway in New Hampshire. Good Job Chris. The entire family was on hand to celebrate, Dad Charlie and Uncle Carl are both accomplished Modified drivers and now Chris has a championship to add to the families racing heritage.
Matt Hirschman continues to run at the front of the field as he brought home the win in the race. Matt recently split with one of his owners of his Whelen Modified Tour ride but it didn’t seem to slow him down. Matt had planned on running at All-Star but the rainout on Saturday meant he would race at Twin State on Sunday. Matt will return to the track in NC at the JBIII-NS Shootout to defend his title.
ALSO IN NEW HAMPSHIRE- Mike Stefanik likes All-Star Speedway as he recorded another win in an open Mod event. Who knew late October would be the right time for modified action in the Granite State.
HEADED TO THE OLYMPIC VILLAGE- Whelen has come on board as title sponsor for the Fourth Annual Whelen Geoff Bodine Bobsled Challenge, slated for January 2-4, 2009 at the Olympic Sports Complex. The Bo-Dyne sled, a joint venture between Geoff and Chassis Dynamics, is truly something for Americans to take pride in. It is built and designed right here in America and it is only for our bobsled teams. It looks like we night be able to make the trip this year. I have visited Lake Placid once before, on my Honeymoon. I am looking forward to making the trip back there.
FLYING SOUTH- This week we follow the birds south. I did some searching and found a great non-stop flight from NY to Charlotte, so Dan and I will fly south, Concord Motorsports Park to be exact. Turns out there are still some bargains out there as flying was cheaper than driving. We are looking forward to one last Modified race. The competition is always close and the speeds are fantastic. See you down south.
Have a great week and remember to take some time to rest and renew your strength, let Jesus give you the peace only He can give.
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 3
BOB & LISA KLUKAS- Whelen mod tour crewman and wife celebrate 18 years.
November 6
RICK & DONNA SCHAFFER- The Woxall, PA Grandview Speedway based all-time winningest Mod driver and wife celebrate their 17th anniversary.
November 10
BOB & DOTTIE PARK- This Northport, LI veteran NASCAR WMT driver and wife, also parents of NASCAR driver Steve, share their anniversary.
November 11
MIKE & JULIE STEFANIK- The West Greenwich, RI multi-time NASCAR WMT, including 2006, and NASCAR CWES champion and wife/GM of Koszela Speed Warehouse share their 24th anniversary.
***HAPPY BIRTHDAYS***
November 5
PETE RONDEAU- No. Waterboro, ME NASCAR crew cheif.
November 6
GEGE GRAVEL- Groton, MA ProStock/CWES driver.
GLEN BREHIO- Templeton, MA NASCAR CWES driver.
ANDY HOUSTON- Hickory, NC CTS/NNS driver.
BRUCE KLINE- OCFS dirt Mod driver.
ROY HANKS- Somers, CT ProStock driver.
DENISE BARKER- Wife of Legends 8NY team owner Bob “Mad Dog” Barker of Staten island, NY.
CASEY LaJOIE- One of BGN Randy’s and Lisa’s children is 13.
BARBARA SMITH- Wife of Setauket, LI,NY Marco.
November 7
KELLY YANETTA- This New Jersey Powder Puff Go-Kart Club driver.
JOE LARSEN, JR- The son of Linda and NASCAR Mod tour official Joe, SR.
November 8
ED BERRIER- Winston-Salem, NC NNS driver.
RUSS BROWN- Mannsville, NY NASCAR CWES driver.
KERRY ANDERSON- Scarborough, ME occasional NASCAR CWES driver.
HOMER KEINERT- Mahoning Valley Speedway driver.
DEDE HAYES- Wife of NH photographer Rich.
November 9
DICK DISBROW- NJ asphalt Mod driver.
TERRY MARCOVIC- PA/NJ asphalt Mod driver.
RICK CARELLI- Arvada, CO CTS driver.
CHRISTINE STEFANIK- The second of Mike and Julie’s girls has turned 17.
WILL WRIGHT- Godson of CWES#84 Driver Dion Ciccarelli and son of Glidden Motorsports Marketing Dir. Gerry Wright has his 4th birthday.
DANA MAE KOST- Daughter of NSC crewman Mike is 13.
MICHAEL “Bonzi” BOZZUTO – Head tech inspector at Oswego Speedway, former ESS sprint car driver and “wanna be” dwarf car driver
November 10
DAWN DIPPEL- AARN “Third Turn” columnist.
November 11
BOB POLVERARI- Riverside Park Speedway multi-time Modified champion, retired NASCAR Modified Tour and TVMOD hotshoe.
BRIAN WEBBER- Long Island NASCAR CWES driver.
BARRY BODINE- CTS driving son of Geoff.
ROY PAYNE- Alvin, TX ARCA driver.
GEORGE SAVARY- Retired Massachusetts former Modified driver, and top Mini Modified threat.
MIKE RYAN- Springfield, MA NASCAR WMT/NASCAR CWES crewman, brother of photographer Gracie Ryan.
BOBBY CAVALLERO- Farmingdale, NJ Wall Township Speedway and Sprint Cup fan turns 10.
*** REMEMBRANCES ***
TONY MARCIEL- Passed away November 5,2005. He was LW Miller’s crew chief when he drove for TG Racing.
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