Thanksgiving
Giving of ourselves to others is not something that comes naturally; we have to work at it. Many times it is a difficult choice between serving ourselves and serving others. Take a moment and think about all those who have made the difficult choice and give thanks. Greetings in the name of our Lord and savior, Jesus Christ.
Thanksgiving gives us a time to reflect on all that God has blessed us with. We don’t have to look very far before we find something we are thankful for. Who are you thankful for? Go to them and let them know that their sacrifice for you was appreciated.
Racing is one of the sports that depend on volunteers for a good part of the work that goes into getting a car ready to race. Everyone connected with racing knows what it is like to give up sleep to work on the car. We are all familiar with seeing the inside of the garage more than the inside of our living room. We willfully give of ourselves to go racing.
Life has similar people who give of themselves for the benefit of others. One group that comes to my mind is our military. They offer up their life to secure our freedom. From the birth of our country there have been those who value our freedom and the things that America stands for so much that they have offered there life for it.
Jesus came and gave His life so that we could have life. He paid the price with His sacrifice for our sins. God presented it to us as a gift. We need only to receive it. Now that is something to be thankful for. Are we thankful for the gift of eternal life? Paul helps us to put it into perspective.
Philippians 4:4-7, Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
There are many people who cross our path during the racing season and we would like to take this opportunity to say thank you. As Dan and I reflected on the season now completed some folks came to mind.
We are thankful for Les Westerfield, Chad Little and Richard Buck for all that they do for this ministry.
We are thankful to NASCAR for supporting us.
We are thankful for the readers who read this column and when they see us let us
know that they read it and apply the lessons it contains.
We are thankful for the racers, officials and team members who tell us they enjoy chapel and apply the sermons they hear.
We are thankful for the drivers from all the divisions who thank us for praying with
them and appreciate us being there.
We are thankful for all of the crewmembers from each team that support us and
appreciate us for being there.
What are you thankful about? Think about all the people who have helped you get to where you are and remember to thank them. Take time this week to give thanks for the blessings from God. Remember Jesus who gave his life for you. Use this Psalm to help you remember to give thanks.
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.
Have a blessed time celebrating your thanksgiving holiday, God Bless, Rev. Don
THOUGHTS FROM THE ROAD
THANKFUL FOR A TRUE FRIEND- It is with a heavy heart that I write this week. I lost a good friend and partner in ministry. RWJM lost one of their most dedicated Chaplains. On Saturday afternoon after finishing up some yard work Stafford Motor Speedway Chaplain Rev. Rick Satkowski had a heart attack and went home to be with the Lord. I talked with his wife Lucy and she is holding up well given the circumstances. It was a shock to everyone.
Just last week Rick and I attended the Champions Banquet for Stafford Motor Speedway. Rick brought the invocation, thanking God for a safe racing season and asking for His blessing on the night’s festivities. We joked together about how unlikely TC was in winning the most popular driver. As we drove home we reflected on the season that had passed and all the Lord had blessed us with. We reminisced about trips we made in previous years, especially one to Beech Ridge and how quickly we made it home.
I am involved with RWJM because of a favor Rick did for someone. He helped out someone who had connections and set up for Rick and I to have garage passes at NHMS. We met Rev. Pat that day and the rest, as they say, is history.
I remember the first night we sat in the pace car at Thompson Speedway. As we led the Whelen Modified Tour through the parade laps we were like kids in the candy store. God really means it when He says He will bless you beyond your wildest dreams. Rick and I felt blessed that night and every time we were allowed to minister to those who race. We knew this was where God needed us to be.
Rick and I were also students together. We attended graduate school together. We worked together on attaining our Masters of Divinity degrees, attending classes in Northboro, MA at the Boston center for Southern Seminary. We enjoyed lively discussions of theological issues.
Rick and I also served together in the Massachusetts Baptist Association. We worked to further the Gospel throughout New England. We fought the fight and won more than our share of the battles. In the end Rick was the Pastor at Emmanuel Baptist Church in West Springfiled, MA; the church I left to serve here at RWJM.
I am thankful for having a true friend like Rick. Our relationship was ordained by God and God had his hand on it. I will miss him. There will always be an empty place next to me in the pace car for Rick.
2Timothy 4:6-8, For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time has come for my departure. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day–and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.
Cards can be sent to: Lucy Satkowski and Family, 192 Brimfield Road, Holland, MA 01521
TURKEY DERBY SOMETHING SPECIAL TO RWJM- This weekend while many will be with celebrating Thanksgiving, I will return to the Jersey Shore, joined by Ricky Maddox, for what will be remembered as the rebirth of Wall Stadium. This was Rev. Pat’s last race a few years ago and he had us thinking he had turned the corner; that was not the case. Well Wall wasn’t going to face the same fate, Jim, Sue and the entire crew have the track prepared for a record turnout of cars and fans this weekend. I will be headed down on Saturday and looking forward to the out pouring of support for racing at this historic track. See you on the Jersey Shore.
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 26
MARIO & BOOTS TOMAINO- From Freehold, NJ, these two are the very proud parents of WMT driver Jamie and have been wed 53 years.
November 27
GARY & SHARON MOORE- Horseshoe, NC driver and wife have their 36th anniversary.
BOBBY & JENNIFER GADA- Niantic, CT Waterford Speedbowl Mod driver and wife share their 14th anniversary.
ANDY & JUDY JOHNSON- The owners of Johnson Chassis in Monson, MA have their 51st anniversary.
November 30
RICHARD & DIANE MOORE- The parents of Scarborough, ME semi-retired CWES driver Kelly and Grand parents of former driver Ryan have their anniversary.
December 1
KEN & TIFFANY BARRY- The Manager of SPAFCO Chassis and wife share their 7th anniversary.
***HAPPY BIRTHDAYS***
November 26
TOM McCANN- Huntington, LI, NY Modified driver.
DALE JARRETT- Hickory, NC former NSC driver now TV commentator.
BILLY STANDRIDGE- Shelby, NC NSC/NNS driver/owner.
MARY BRICE- WMT Registra, wife of WMT Chief Inspector Bill.
BRUCE WEAVER- Bethlehem,PA. Go-Fer on former Earl Steffen’s Sprinter.
November 29
KEN WOOLEY, JR.- Howell, NJ Modified driver.
CRIS EASH- Pennsy based WoO driver.
JIM VOGT- Wall Township Speedway ProStock driver.
RICK MARTIN- Westport, MA ProStock driver.
BOBBY DILLNER- TV SpeedChannel Racing Reporter from Long Island and Mason-Dixon Meltdown Promoter.
CAROLYN BROWN- Wife of Farmingdale, NJ Dwarf Car owner/driver Bobby.
MATTHEW HIRSCHMAN- The driver son of Northampton, PA NASCAR WMT driver Tony and wife Brenda.
November 30
DAVE DION- Milton, VT Retired driver of the Berlin City Dealerships/ Continental Paving Ford and RWJM advisor.
DORIS BERGHMAN- Rehobath, MA wife of the legendary Bugs Stevens and mom of po-stock driver Dave Berghman.
DON TOAL- Rochester, NY fan.
December 1
BENTLEY WARREN- Kennebunkport, ME SuperModified/ Silver Crown great.
RUSS WOOD- NH based ISMA SuperModified driver.
MARCO GRECO- Sao Paulo, Brazil IRL driver.
DAVE SALZARULO- CT based ProStock/Mod driver.
HARRY WYANT- Brookfield, CT Waterford Speedbowl championship Modified team owner.
ARMADEE NADEAU- Dana/Perfect Circle Executive and CTS Team Manager.
KRISTIN ELLIOTT- A daughter of Uncasville, CT fan Jerry and wife Jusinta is 18.
December 2
RUSS FRANTZ- PA asphalt Modified driver.
FRANK BETTENCOURT- MA based Mini Modified driver.
ANDREW BELMONT- Son of New Egypt Promoter Andy and wife Jennifer is 15.
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