Giving Thanks
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 also comes to mind. 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 Kip Childress, Chad Little and Richard Buck for all that they do for the ministry.
· We are thankful to NASCAR for supporting us.
· We are thankful for the readers who read the column and when they see us let us know that they read it and use the contents.
· 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 both series 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.
· We are thankful for those who support our efforts. They pray for us and encourage us to continue on serving in Jesus’ name.
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. Have a blessed time celebrating your thanksgiving holiday, God Bless, Rev. Don
THOUGHTS FROM THE ROAD
FOUR IN A ROW- Many have won multiple championships but no one has won four in a row. With the accomplishment Jimmy Johnson and his team are in a class all their own. I remember reading an article recently that recalled his first asphalt race at Georgia’s Peach State Speedway. He spun the car five times but managed to finish eighth. He went on that year to win the ASA Rookie of the year. That was eleven years ago. He has come a long way from running a straight line in the desert sand.
And what about that 50 something driver that chased him all the way? Mark Martin proved to all who were watching that you are never too old to drive. What a refreshing change from all those teams looking for a twenty something driver to drive. Mark will continue to be a contender as long as he wants to drive.
TURKEY DERBY- Rev. Dan will make the trip down to Wall Stadium on Saturday to join Bob Menschner as he ministers to the drivers and teams who are participating in the traditional Thanksgiving Weekend race. I am staying home to tend to some family responsibilities. Let Dan and Bob know how much you appreciate them.
Watch the RWJM Pace Car closely; you will see a few changes. First the car has the commemorative hood, remembering those who have meant so much to us. Second you will notice the light bar, courtesy of the good folks at Whelen Engineering. Whelen has been a big supporter of what we do. Third you will see a guest driver. Warren Kuhlthau has been given permission to drive the car this year.
We need to keep Warren in our prayers as he has had some setbacks in his battle with Cancer. I talked to him the other day and his spirits are high and he expects to get to Wall this weekend. Please let him know that you are praying for him.
A FEW MORE FRIENDS NEED OUR PRAYERS- Grace Ryan shared with me this week that the health challenges she is facing are eluding treatment. She also is planning on heading down to the derby. Please encourage her to keep her spirits up and let her know that she is on your heart.
I also received word this week that a good friend of ours, MRO Chaplain Bob Elliff went home to be with the Lord this past week. Bob is from southern California and ministered to the Camping World West Series. Please keep his wife Ruth and his family in your thoughts and prayers. Cards of sympathy and condolence can be sent to The Elliff Family, 5951 Downey Avenue, Long Beach, CA 90805.
ON THE ROAD AGAIN- I know it is the off-season but over the next few weeks I will be traveling quite a bit, first to the trade show in Indy, then to Providence for some racing and then to Orlando for PRI. Please keep us in your thoughts and prayers.
Have a Happy Thanksgiving.
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 25
DEAN & DEBBIE STREETER – These Jeff Malave pit crew members will be celebrating their 31st anniversary.
November 26
MARIO & BOOTS TOMAINO- From Freehold, NJ, these two are the very proud parents of WMT driver Jamie and have been wed 54 years.
November 27
GARY & SHARON MOORE- Horseshoe, NC driver and wife have their 37th anniversary.
BOBBY & JENNIFER GADA- Niantic, CT Waterford Speedbowl Mod driver and wife share their 15th anniversary.
ANDY & JUDY JOHNSON- The owners of Johnson Chassis in Monson, MA have their 52nd 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 8th anniversary.
***HAPPY BIRTHDAYS***
November 25
MIKE GALLO- Sanford, ME NASCAR CWES driver.
JEFF STREETER- Brawley, CA NASCAR West driver.
TOM BUTLER- Stafford Speedway LM driver.
MIKE JOY- Hartford, CT based TV/Radio racing announcer.
MIKE FELTENBERGER- Grandview/ Big Diamond flagman/photographer.
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- Former WMT official and wife of former 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.
CAROLYN BROWN- Wife of Farmingdale, NJ Dwarf Car owner/driver Bobby.
MATT 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 19.
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