Motorsports 2010
The new venue afforded us the opportunity to have Chapel in the stage area. The neat part was that those who were waiting to enter the show also had the opportunity to listen in. What a tremendous blessing. Greetings in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
We have been working through some Scripture that helps us understand that when we meet Jesus face to face we change. They say there are a few things in life that are certain, change is one of them. Why is it that we need to change?
I was thinking, as I walked through the show, that everything offered there was about change; making things different, better; better looking, safer, more horsepower, easier, faster, better handling, better competition, better gate, better fan experience. Change must make things better, right?
Have you ever wondered why we spend so much energy trying to improve? Why is it we put such a high value on things that are bigger, better, new and improved? I think it is that “got to have it” mentality.
What about the rest of our lives, what about our lives away from the track, what do we value? I think if we examine our motives we will find that we value the things that we want. We value the things that make us feel good. We pursue things that we think will improve our life.
Have you ever wanted something so bad that you made sacrifices to get it? You pursued something so hard that you lost sight of the things going on around you? You pushed everything out of the way to get that thing you just had to have. Then, when you got it, you realized it wasn’t all that special. You could have lived without it.
We spend time and energy pursuing things everyday that will not last. These things do not satisfy or fulfill us. Soon we have that empty feeling and we set our sights on something else. Just look around and you will see them, thing you had to have, just sitting there collecting dust. Matthew reminds us;
Matthew 6:19-20, 19 “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
Where is your treasure? Where is the thing you value the most? Where is your heart?
Allow me to fill that void in your life. Jesus is the answer to any desire we have in Life. The creator of life itself knows more about how to live the most abundant life. We spend so much time pursuing things that will only fade and rot, maybe we should spend some time pursuing the most important thing we can ever have, a relationship with Jesus Christ. Here are a few Scripture passages that will help us attain that relationship.
John 3:16-17, “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.
God sent Jesus to save us not to condemn us. He didn’t come to judge, he already knew the condition of our hearts. He came to save us from the consequences of the choices we make. Why is a question that comes to mind.
1John 4:9-10, This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.
The answer is God created us and loved us. He cared for us and didn’t want us to be separated from Him. He made a provision so that we could have a relation ship with Him. So how do we receive that gift of salvation?
Romans 10:9-13, That if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved. As the Scripture says, “Anyone who trusts in him will never be put to shame.” For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile–the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”
We have to want it. We have to pursue it with all our heart. We have to want it more than anything we have ever wanted in our lives. Jesus is the one who sacrificed his life for you and me. He is the one who made forgiveness possible. Luke the writer of the Book of Acts recorded it this way.
ACTS 4:12, Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved.”
Salvation, forgiveness of sin, is a gift from God. We cannot earn it, we cannot be good enough. We just have to receive it. That is the change that takes place when we surrender our lives to Him. We are saved, saved from the consequences of our sin, saved from eternal separation from your Heavenly Father. When you come face to face with God through Jesus your life is changed forever. You are a new creation. Confess with your mouth, believe in your heart, let Christ come into your life and change you forever.
THOUGHTS FROM THE ROAD
MOTORSPORTS 2010- Motorsports returned to its roots this year, a few short miles from its birthplace at the Valley Forge Convention Center. The Greater Philadelphia Expo Center is still refining itself into a premier venue but it was sufficient to return the fans to the show.
We had a wonderful time meeting with some old friends and meeting some new ones. We received tremendous encouragement from many. Thank you for all your support.
Saturday’s autograph session was a big success. Ryan Preece went through 200 cards in no time. Eddie MacDonald was prepared for the crowd with 4,000. He didn’t quite use them all but made a pretty good dent in them. Bubba Broderick joined the two of them and the fans were happy. Ryan Truex was delayed but made it to the show a little later and the fans that waited patiently were rewarded with the autograph they came to get. We are very thankful to the four of them for coming down and lending their support to Racing with Jesus Ministries and Motorsports 2010.
We also would like to thank the Mystic Missile, Michael Waltrip Racing, Grimm Racing and The Green Flag Racing Experience for providing the cars that so many came to see. We were pleased with how things turned out and are looking forward to next year.
K&N PRO SERIES- That’s the new name for the Camping World Series, formally the Busch East, formally the Busch North. I mention that to say the seven year deal will add some longevity and identity to the series that is hasn’t had since the days it was known as the Busch North. We know the series has changed from those days and it is now a different racing community but I think this will allow the series to solidify that new identity.
Speaking of the Busch North Days, we received a tremendous vote of confidence and trust from the Ladies Auxiliary. I will write more on that but, I did want to say thank you from everyone here at Racing with Jesus Ministries
HARRY DAVIS- It was a shock to learn on Thursday of the sudden passing of Harry Davis, father to NASCAR driver Marc and a driving force behind diversity in the racing community. Harry will not see the fruit of his labor as his son Marc heads to South Africa to compete in a ground breaking race there.
Cards of condolence can be sent to the family at 136 Bridle Path Lane, Moorsville, NC 28117. Arrangements have not been announced but as soon as they are available we will post them.
TOYOTA ALL-STAR SHOWDOWN- Off to Southern California this week. I hope the soggy weather clears and we are able to have a dry track to run this year’s event. Dan and I are looking forward to spending some time with our west coast coordinator, Gary Dionne. We usually find something to play with when were out there, maybe Ken will get a rental car with a little more horsepower than that PT cruiser we couldn’t get to jump the bumps in Gary’s front yard. But I digress, now that’s a funny commercial. See you in Sunny California.
Look for the return of The Racer’s Bible, we have been working on it and should have it out for the beginning of the season. 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***
January 28
ROBERT & DONNA DILLNER- On Long Island, the parents of TV’s Bobby and Matt have their day.
January 30
JAMIE & CHERYL TOMAINO- The Howell, NJ driver for the Perth Amboy Spring NASCAR WMT Team/ RWJM Tour Rep. and his best friend wife share their 31th anniversary.
February 1
GREG & VICKIE SACKS- The Long Island native WC driver and wife have their 35th anniversary.
TONY & SANDY URBINA- This Riverhead LM driver and wife have their 19th anniversary.
February 2
JIM & GERRI RICHARDS- This former driver at the former Plainville Stadium from Ansonia, CT and wife share their 47th.
***HAPPY BIRTHDAYS***
January 27
ROB BOUCHARD- Massachusetts ProStock driver.
RIT PATCHEN- Retired Danbury, CT Modified driver.
LEWIS COMPTON- Martinsville Speedway Retired Chief Announcer.
BILL YODER- Glenside, PA fan and EMPA Secretary.
BRIAN T. CUMMINS- New Jersey fan.
CHRIS McMURRAY- Schenectady, NY Eddie Marshall Lebanon Valley friend and fan.
January 28
DAVID GREEN- Archdale, NC NSC/NNS driver.
JON CLEMENS- Pennsy Hoosier Tire dealer.
JUSTIN BOSS- Son of CT Strictly Stock/ LM driver Glen is 20.
KEVIN CLASS- Quarter midget drivers from Jersey turns 11.
MIKE HOFFMAN- Mike has raced quarter midgets and USAC midgets for over 10 yrs. He now works full time as a fabricator for Tommy Baldwin Racing on their NASCAR Sprint Cup team.
January 29
SUE SANTERRE- Wife of four-time CWES Champion Andy and his favorite PR agent.
TOMMY HOUSTON- Hickory, NC retired NNS driver.
RICK KARPEUK- PA asphalt Mod driver.
JEFF DAVIS- Anaheim Hills, CA NASCAR West driver.
PATRICK REYNOLDS- New Milford, CR ProCup driver.
LUKE DAMIANI- One of Andy’s sons of Woxall, PA and 1/4 Midget driver is 19.
SCOTT BACHAND- Williston, VT NASCAR NCWS team owner/driver.
TOM HOWARD- Waterford Speedbowl faithful.
RICKY TODD- Captain Video of Riverhead Raceway.
NICK CAPPAZOLA- Crew Chief for the Riverhead Rusty Turbush LM team.
WALT STUBBS- Blairstwon, NJ Modified AARN columnist.
LAURIE O’DONNELL- Orrinton, ME Dave Dion fan.
January 30
LLOYD GILLIE- East Holden, ME LM driver.
RICK GIANNINO- LI based LM driver.
BOB McKEE- New Jersey based NASCAR CWES Crew Chief.
BUTCH KALBA- Riverhead Rusty Turbush LM crewman.
GERRY FILLIMON- Old Bridge, NJ noted photographer who along with brother John, make up the famous “Fillimon Brothers Racing Films and Videos.”
January 31
MIKE DILLON- Welcome, NC NNS driver, Cup Team member husband of Richard Childress’ daughter Tina.
KELLY MOORE- Scarborough, ME part-time NNS/NCWES driver.
JON GAMBUTI- Montville, NJ 1998 ATQMRA 3/4 Midget champion and ISMA SuperModified driver.
ROBBIE GROFF- Northridge, CA IRL driver.
RICK WILSON- Bartow, FL NSC/NNS driver.
GARY HERRIN- Spokane, WA LM driver.
GEORGE TALLAS- Las Vegas, NV LM driver.
February 1
DAN AVERY- Somersville, CT NASCAR WMT driver.
JANICE WOLF- Riverhead Mod driver Scott’s mom.
February 2
ELIZABETH AYOTTE- Mom of Augusta, ME writer/ Track promoter Dan.
JEAN WENZEL- Mom of Riverside Park LM driver, Chris.
JACOB MALACHI JAMES- The youngest son of Scott and his wife Lisa is 15.
*** NEW BEGINNINGS ***
HARRY DAVIS- Father of NASCAR driver Marc passed away suddenly this past week. Harry has been by his son’s side throughout his development as a driver. He has also worked to make the racing community more diverse. Arrangements have not been made at this time. Please keep his family in your thoughts and prayers. Cards can be sent to the family at 136 Bridle Path Lane, Moorsville, NC 28117.
SHARE YOUR SPECIAL OCCASIONS WITH YOUR RACING FAMILY. SEND THEM TO RACING WITH JESUS MINISTRIES AT PO BOX 586, Tolland, CT, 06084.