Don’t Go It Alone
As the season winds down we find ourselves looking ahead to the off season. A time when we will be apart form each other. Sometimes that is a good thing, but most times it isn’t. How do you plan to spend your time this off season? Greetings in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Racing season has us busy running from one track to another, leaving little time to fit much else in. It flies by with a blur. It is great to see everyone a few times a week, you get used to talking and racing together. But what happens when we stop for a few months?
I would like to keep having Chapel services throughout the off season. I think it is important for us to stay connected with each other and with God. It is important to receive the encouragement of each other. We need to know there are others who stand along side of us to help through life’s challenges.
I would encourage you to find a place to worship in the off season. If you do not have a place to go, contact us and we will help you find one. If you live in the Hartford/Springfield area you are invited to come to the church I serve at, Emmanuel Baptist Church, 38 Front Street, West Springfield, MA. We gather at 10:00 on Sunday morning for worship.
It is important in your walk with Christ in order to maintain and grow that you gather together with other Christians. This encourages and helps us grow in the right way. There are many challenges we face in the world and we need to help each other through. Let me try to illustrate what happens when we don’t stay connected with one another.
A member of a certain church, who previously had been attending services regularly, stopped going. After a few weeks, the preacher decided to visit him.
It was a chilly evening. The preacher found the man at home alone, sitting before a blazing fire. Guessing the reason for his preachers visit, the man welcomed him, led him to a comfortable chair near the fireplace and waited.
The preacher made himself at home but said nothing. In the grave silence, he contemplated the dance of the flames around the burning logs. After some minutes, the preacher took the fire tongs, carefully picked up a brightly burning ember and placed it to one side of the hearth all alone then he sat back in his chair, still silent.
The host watched all this in quiet contemplation. As the one lone ember’s flame flickered and diminished, there was a momentary glow and then its fire was no more. Soon it was cold and dead.
Not a word had been spoken since the initial greeting. The preacher glanced at his watch and realized it was time to leave. He slowly stood up, picked up the cold, dead ember and placed it back in the middle of the fire. Immediately it began to glow, once more with the light and warmth of the burning coals around it.
As the preacher reached the door to leave, his host said; ‘Thank you so much for your visit and especially for the fiery sermon. I will be back in church next Sunday.’
Paul wrote these words to encourage Christians to stay connected;
Hebrews 10:25; Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another–and all the more as you see the Day approaching.
And David wrote these words to help us understand the benefits we receive by staying in touch with God.
Psalm 23 with comment;
The Lord is my Shepherd —– that’s a Relationship!
I shall not want —– that’s Supply!
He makes me to lie down in green pastures —-that’s Rest!
He leads me beside the still waters —–that’s Refreshment!
He restores my soul —– that’s Healing!
He leads me in the paths of righteousness –that’s Guidance!
For His name sake —– that’s Purpose!
Yes, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death–that’s Testing!
I will fear no evil —– that’s Protection!
For You art with me —– that’s Faithfulness!
Your rod and your staff they comfort me —–that’s Discipline!
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies——that’s Hope!
You anoint my head with oil —– that’s Consecration!
My cup runs over —– that’s Abundance!
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life—-that’s Blessing!
And I will dwell in the house of the Lord —–that’s Security!
Forever —– that’s Eternity!
Don’t be a stranger to God in the off season, find a place to worship and receive the food you need for your soul. Honor God by giving Him your time and let His Spirit fill your soul.
THOUGHTS FROM THE ROAD
FIRST K&N CHAMPION CROWNED – As Yogi Berra once said, “Déjà vu all over again” as Ryan Truex claimed the Championship again. Although the name has changed many of the players were the same. We are looking forward to having the 00 Michael Waltrip Racing entry and Ryan with us at Motorsports 2011.
Brett Moffit won the Sunoco 150 at Dover and was thrilled to have that awesome trophy to take home.
As we close out the first K&N Pro Series East season we want to thank all of you who have supported our efforts. We consider it an honor to serve you. Thank you for feeding us and making sure we had what we need
WHELEN MODIFIED TOUR DOWN TO TWO CLASSICS – With a tight point race for the title we head to Stafford Motor Speedway and the Fall Final. It will be interesting to see who comes out on top as the all the contenders for the crown have had success there. We hope to see you there as we wind down the chase and crown a champion.
NEW NICKNAME FOUND ON THE ROAD – Sometimes you see something and you just know it is right. Well Rev. Dan has a new nickname courtesy of IHOP; Rooty Tooty, Fresh n Fruity. You can use your imagination.
RIVERHEAD RACEWAY REPORT – Pastor Scott sent in a report from Riverhead as they closed out their summer of racing. Well the year ends being the best year we ever had there. I can’t say how pleased I am with the Lord’s moving at Riverhead Raceway. He has led me to plan to start next year off with a racers meeting and prayer for the New Year. We had some challenging confrontations and I have been allowed to intercede. I cannot wait until next season; I have never felt so welcomed. The teams are starting to open up and I even have a few that I can share a meal with, pretty cool. I also had one of the modified drivers come up to me and ask if I could pray with him. God is moving at Riverhead.
With the season winding down and most local action in the books it will be a few weeks before we see some of you. Don’t be strangers, drop us a line and let us know how you are doing. Be a witness for our Lord with the ministry decals and apparel. See them at the Show Your Faith Apparel Store at www.rwjm.com. Send us your prayer and counseling needs no matter what part of our racing family you are in, or give us a call. 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” Check our home page www.rwjm.com for past articles. Drop us a note and share your input and thoughts. 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***
September 30
BILL, JR. & MARY BRICE- This New Jersey couple now retired served the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour for many years. They celebrate their 49th anniversary.
October 2
JEFF & JULIE WINSOR- This Waterford Speedbowl staff couple from Danielson, CT have their 16th anniversary.
October 4
MIKE & LORI FIELDS- The Editor of LONGISLANDMOTORSPORTS.COM and wife share their 34th Anniversary. The couple is also Racing 4 Kids Children’s Charities.
BOB & JENNIFER WEBBER, JR.- Former Promoter of Star Speedway in Epping, NH and wife celebrate their 11th anniversary.
TRAVERS & NOREEN CAMBRA- This former Wall Stadium photographer and wife share their 39th anniversary.
***HAPPY BIRTHDAYS***
September 29
PAUL RADFORD- The legendary “Ferrum Flash” Modified and LMSC driver from Ferrum, VA.
TIFFANY BRODERICK- The youngest daughter of Brookfield, CT NASCAR Modified driver Jim and Debbie.
BRENDA BLAIN- Wife of South Killingly, CT ProStock driver David.
September 30
RICHIE RESNER- Team owner and brother-in-law of Riverhead Late Model #60 and driver Paul McElearney.
J.J. BRANSCOMBE- A grown-up son of Northwood, NH NASCAR CWES driver Babe and wife Deb.
RYAN PLOURDE – Crew Chief of the #27 SK Light at Stafford Motor Speedway and tire changer for Todd Szegedy’s WMT #2.
October 1
STEVE NOWAKOWSKI- “Stevie Wonder” of East Hampton, CT NASCAR CWES and dirt Modified driver.
MARK SIMO- Carlsbad, NC NASCAR CWES/ LMSC driver.
KEVIN HODGE- Crewman son of Manchester, CT photographers Mary and Howie Hodge.
October 2
CARL PASTERYAK- Lisbon, CT NASCAR WMT/MRS driver.
JOE BARNES- Scranton, PA NASCAR CWES driver.
JOE INGLIN, JR- Three time most popular driver at the former Flemington Speedway.
RICHARD LASATER- CWTS Crew Chief from Little Rock, AK.
VICTORIA ROMANO- This West Long Branch, NJ Wall Township Speedway George Andretta, Robert Geibel and a Steve Park fan.
October 3
ALAN JOHNSON- “AJ Slideways,” NY based DIRT Modified driver.
TOM CAPIE- Trevose, PA URC Sprint driver.
TOM TAGG- Webster, MA Semi-retired CT Modified driver.
ALESSANDRO ZAMPEDRI- Monte Carlo, Monaco, Brescia, Italy born, IRL driver.
October 4
BUDDY LOECHER- Bob Park former Riverhead Modified Crew Chief, now doing same for Bob in NC.
DREW DAMIANI- The senior driver on the LAD 1/4 Midget Racing team in PA.
SARAH BURTON- The daughter of South Boston, VA driver Ward and wife Tabitha.
EMILY CAVALLERO- This Wall Township speedway fan from Farmingdale, NJ and grandaughter of fan Doris Bradley.
LINDA EVANS- A Whelen Modified Tour & Waterford Speedbowl fan.
October 5
DAVE REZENDES- Charlotte, NC ,Assonet, MA born, CTS/NNS driver.
JOHN BLEWETT, SR.- NJ retired asphalt Modified great and dad of retired great John Blewett II and grandad of WMT driver Jimmy Blewett and the late John III.
BUBBA GALE- Irvington, AL NASCAR All-Pro Series driver.
VILLEROY HARD – “Vill” of Clifton, NJ has his 81st.
TIM PLOURDE – Car Chief of the #27 SK Light at Stafford Motor Speedway and tire carrier for Todd Szegedy’s WMT #2.
Sources: Rev. Don Rivers/RWJM