Thankful for a Guiding Spirit
Life is full of temptations, challenges, difficulties and decisions. Do we have someone guiding us through or are we trying to get through it on our own? Is there someone waking beside us? Who is spotting for you on the road of Life? Greetings in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
The other day I was standing behind the grandstands talking with a friend waiting for the Modifieds to take the track for practice. I wasn’t sure what the schedule was but when I started to see the stream of spotters walk by with the tools of their trade in their hand I knew the time was close.
A spotter’s tools are simple; a good set of eyes to be able to watch what is happening, good judgment about how to advise the driver and a way to communicate to the driver. We can all watch but a good spotter sees difficulty coming before it happens. Some things that happen need to be communicated to the driver some don’t. A good spotter doesn’t overload the driver with information that they don’t need to run the race. The third thing a good spotter needs is a way to communicate to the driver. Just having a radio and taking into the mike doesn’t qualify. The spotter and the driver need to speak the same language they need not only to hear each other but to understand what the other means.
Look at it this way, when the spotter says “inside” does that mean go inside or go outside? It could mean either, that is up to the spotter and driver. The driver and the spotter develop a language all their own and develop an understanding of each other so that they can communicate with each other. When that works, things go well. When it doesn’t it usually means disaster. Over the past few weeks I have seen it happen several times when a car runs into a wreck and the announcer says “his spotter didn’t warn him.” With our ability to listen to the driver/spotter communications, we know if it is true. It isn’t always that cut and dry though. Sometimes there just isn’t enough time. Sometimes the driver doesn’t listen.
One of the rules in racing is that when you are on the track you need a spotter. Wouldn’t it be great to have a spotter for life also? God provided that in our parents but let’s face it we really don’t pay that much attention to them, do we? We need someone who is in our ear, living inside us and guiding us in the right path. God has provided a spotter for us all; his name is The Holy Spirit. Listen to what Jesus says about the Spirit;
John 14:16-18, 25-27, (Jesus answered) And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever– the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you. I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.
“All this I have spoken while still with you. But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.
In addition, we read in the book of Acts;
Acts 5:5, And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.
The Holy Spirit is given to us to guide our heart in the paths that are right. I am reminded of the cartoon with the devil on one shoulder and the angel on the other. This is a good illustration of what happens when the Spirit becomes our spotter. He guides us with the right advice, but there is that other voice. That voice inside us that tells us something different, something not of God. Which voice do we follow? Which guidance do we take?
To answer that question it is helpful to have another type of spotter in your life. Someone who will hold you accountable to the choices you make. Someone trust worthy, someone who loves you, someone who would lay down their life for you, a true friend.
We need this kind of spotter in our lives also. This spotter’s job is much the same as a race spotter. We can ignore the voice of the Spirit and make wrong choices. But they look out ahead and spot the trouble before we see it. They talk to us and guide us around the difficulty. They want us to finish the race of life in the best possible condition.
We need to have The Holy Spirit as our guide. We receive The Holy Spirit when we ask Jesus to come into our heart. When we seek forgiveness from God for our shortcomings and accept the sacrifice Jesus made for us. When we ask God for that He sends The Holy Spirit to live in our heart, to guide us in the paths that are right, to counsel us, to show us the truth.
I am thankful that God cares about me enough to send a spotter to guide me. Do you have The Holy Spirit in your heart? You can. He will be a spotter that will never leave you. Ask God today to send Him and God will honor that request and send Him. The key component is asking with sincerity in your heart; you have to want to.
Seek out the guidance of The Holy Spirit today. Accept the sacrifice Jesus made for you and ask God to forgive your sin. If your heart is sincere the transaction is done, your life has changed.
I would ask that you share that with us so that we can rejoice with you. We can also help and guide you along the road. We will come along side you and walk with you through life. We will help you through the difficulties. We will do our best to help you figure out life and learn how to live it to the fullest. God Bless, Rev. Don
THOUGHTS FROM THE ROAD
NIGHT OF CHAMPIONS- This year marked a couple of changes to the banquets, one they were held in North Carolina, two, they were held as one combined celebration. Rev. Dan and his wife Deb made the trip. Dan shared these comments; it was long but not boring. There were some kinks that will need to be worked out, but that can be expected with a first year event. The food was good and the company was great.
We want to thank all our friends in the Charlotte area that help us defer the costs associated with our trips down. Special thanks to Warren and Denise Hamilton for opening up their home. It is nice to have a home away from home.
SCHEDULES ARE OUT- As part of the Champions celebration the schedules have been released. Looks like the Camping World East and the Whelen Modified Tour will have a few race dates together. Martinsville and Lime Rock will be companion events for these two touring divisions.
Lime Rock Park is no stranger to open wheel racing but it has been a few years since the Modifieds have graced the historic Connecticut road course. Earlier this year the True Value Modifieds tested at the track but they ran counterclockwise. Word is that the Mods will run clockwise.
The road course presents a few changes, one the fuel will have to be filled from the right side as the cars will pit right side in. The other change will be left and right turns. Adjustments will have to be made to allow the cars to turn both ways.
The Modifieds will also return to Bristol. This should be an interesting race as the teams now have some experience there. I am looking forward to that second groove coming in.
The Camping World East Series will return to a couple of tracks they have run in the past, Martinsville and Lee, NH. They also added a new track in Georgia, a high banked half mile, Gresham Motorsports Park in Jefferson. I think we will have to fly to that one!
I am glad to see the return to Lee, the series always put on a good show at Red’s place. I am also glad to see the race in July. I remember the days when we headed north to open the season at Lee. It could get pretty cold and white. The addition makes it three trips to the White Mountains this year, sounds good to me.
ANDERSON BANQUET REPORT- The Anderson Speedway 2009 Annual banquet and awards night crowned the division champions in the top divisions and honored those drivers displaying the greatest sportsmanship and those with the greatest dedication to their respective divisions.
This was the 30th Banquet in a row for Master of Ceremonies and track announcer Denny Adams. Denny also has the Newcastle Christmas Parade this Saturday, where apparently he helps some red-suited elf out. Bring your race cars for this parade – all are welcome. Denny is noted for his weekly invocation that starts the night off right, honoring our Creator and Savior.
Rookie of the year, Josh Poore, was not just honored for that title, but also pulled in 8th as driver/owner in both the WMDH Thundercar and the ImmediaDent Figure 8. He also pulled in 4th and 2nd respectively in those divisions as car owner.
You can see all the results at www.andersonspeedway.com.
Track owner/CEO Rick Dawson also had a heartfelt word at the conclusion of the banquet. He pointed out the proof, in his mind, of God’s presence. Both he and the track faced a pretty tough year, with the economy, especially locally. Not only did Anderson get by, but we celebrated a great season, with just the right folks coming to offer help at just the right times. He also pointed to some great prospects for 2010.
· The Speedway is set for National Television Broadcast exposure three times already.
· The Redbud 300 will see Kyle Busch return – this time, purportedly with some of his friends – I can’t say who, but stay tuned…
· Lion’s Family Festival Week returns
· Ultimate Fighting Matches – a first for the track.
Only 48 days until the Indiana version of the Ice Breaker – the New Years Day Bash…
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 20
RON & LYNN HEDGER- This upstate NY NSS writer and wife share their anniversary.
KRISTOFER & STEPHANIE SMITH- He a former CWES crewmember and She a former media center worker at NHMS were married this day in 2004.
November 21
JOE & ANDREA NEMECHEK- The Lakeland, FL NASCAR driver and wife have their 15th anniversary.
WALT & MARSHA DYER- The owners of the Lance Dewease driven Pennsy Sprint No. 461 have their 56th anniversary.
November 22
CARL (Bugs Stevens) & DORIS BERGHMAN- This retired Modified champion of Rehoboth, MA; parents of current Prostock driver Dave Berghman, have their 49th 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 29th anniversary.
November 23
LEO & CLAYLENE ADAMS- This Pomfret, CT Pro Tour Truck driver and wife have their 32nd anniversary.
JASON & STACEY KOHLER- This Fleetwood, PA Micro Sprint driver and wife have their special day.
***HAPPY BIRTHDAYS***
November 18
SCOTT WALTERS- Louisville, KY NASCAR driver.
RICH BURGDOFF- NASCAR Cup official.
ELISEO SALAZAR- Santiago, Chile IRL driver.
JOHN KATANIA- Son of CT Mod owner Joe, graphics artist and SK Mod driver.
November 19
RON BURNS- Phoenix, AZ NASCAR West driver.
November 20
PETE MORGANTINI- West Pittston, PA NASCAR Mod driver, son of engine builder Lou.
ANDY BELMONT- ARCA driver/ New Egypt co-promoter.
ACE LANE, JR.- Legendary New Jersey photographer.
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 and Mother of Mod driver Matt.
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 NSC Crew Chief.
TOMMY GAVINE- Proprietor of Stafford Springs, CT Fyne Lyne Fabrication.
November 23
RICK CLONCH- E. Smithfield, PA NASCAR CWES driver.
RON BOUCHARD- Fitchburg, MA retired NSC driver.
PATRICK O’BRIEN- A son of Tammy Longacre in Boyertwon, PA is 10.
KEVIN OKULA- Son of Wayne,Team manager for the #28 King Racing Modified and Charger Driver for #67 – Riverhead Raceway & Sharon.
November 24
DOUG MESERVEY- Chatham, MA NASCAR CWES/NASCAR WMT driver.
BUDDY PARROTT- NSC 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.
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