Realizing What We Have
Do we realize what we have? Think about the time we spend involved with racing. Think about the blessings we have to be at the track. How about the other blessings in life; family, friends, house and home? Do we realize the value of it? Greetings in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ
Do we value the time we spend living life? We put a tremendous amount of effort into racing and preparing to run the race but do we stop to appreciate it? One of the dangers we face is looking ahead to the next event on the calendar and not appreciating this one.
To realize the value of ten years: Ask a newly Divorced couple.
To realize the value of four years: Ask a graduate.
To realize the value of one year: Ask a student who has failed a final exam.
To realize the value of one month: ask a mother who has given birth to a premature baby.
To realize the value of one week: ask an editor of a weekly newspaper.
To realize the value of one minute: ask a person who has missed the a train, bus or plane.
To realize the value of one-second: ask a person who has survived an accident.
I was that person who missed being killed by a split second. I noticed a police car put its lights on and proceed to pull through the intersection and pull over to the side of the road. What I didn’t see was the car that sped away form the officer at 100 mph. It swerved to miss some cars at a stop sign, passed between my car and theirs, lost control, hit the side of the road, flew through the air, took out a bus stop enclosure, and rolled over several times before coming to rest on its roof. A split second and I would have been broad sided by that car. We need to realize how valuable the time is that we have.
Time is precious and does not stand still. There is no force we know of that can stop the march of time. We need to value every moment we have.
To realize the value of a friend or family member: LOSE ONE.
We need to stop procrastinating and looking down the road. We need to stop and cherish what has been given to us. How many of us are guilty of looking past today and wanting what tomorrow brings? When we do that we fail to see the blessings that we have right here, right now. We are condemned to look back and say what if…..
How much would change if we only took the time to realize what we have? How much more peace and joy would we have if we only took the time to appreciate each moment?
Don’t get to the end of your life and wonder what would have happened if you did things differently. Through Jesus Christ we can secure our future so that we can have peace in each moment.
We all want to get somewhere in life. We all want to accomplish something. We all have our sights set on attaining things in the future.
One thing that we can secure now that will change our focus forever is securing our eternal destiny. Billy Graham asks the question about how sure you are of going to heaven. We’ll, are you one hundred percent positive you will be in heaven if the call came today? You can be.
We all have issues; we haven’t lived a perfect life. We all have made choices that don’t honor God. We all like to think we are good but the fact remains we fall short.
Let me ask you; have you told more than 20 lies in your life? Have you ever taken something that belongs to someone else, even a little thing? Have you ever used God’s name in vain? Jesus said if you look at someone with lust in heart you have committed a sin, have you ever looked at someone with lust in your heart? Well when you look at things that way we are blaspheming lying thieves with lust in our hearts.
Scripture tells us
Romans 3:23, “For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God.”
But
Romans 5:8, “God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”
Titus 3:5, “He saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of His mercy.”
What do you think will happen when we stand before God? Scripture tells us if we are guilty of these things we will end up in hell. That is not where we want to be, eternally separated from God and His goodness. We can fix that, God made a provision through Jesus Christ.
Romans 6:23, “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Jesus Christ our Lord.”
Romans 10:9-10, “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.”
John 3:16, “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.”
Are we ready to accept the gift of eternal life that Jesus is offering, to secure our future that will allow us to be at peace?
We must acknowledge that we are a sinner in need of a Savior – this is to repent or turn away from sin. We must believe in our heart that God raised Jesus from the dead – this is to trust that Jesus paid the full penalty for our sins. We must confess Jesus as our Lord and our God – this is to surrender control of our life to Jesus. We then receive Jesus as our Savior forever – this is to accept that God has done for us and in us what He promised.
A Prayer for Salvation
“Lord Jesus, I know that I am a sinner and I do not deserve eternal life. But, I believe You died and rose from the grave to make me a new creation and to prepare me to dwell in your presence forever. Jesus, come into my life, take control of my life, forgive my sins and save me. I am now placing my trust in You alone for my salvation and I accept your free gift of eternal life.”
Please share with us if you made a decision to accept the gift of life that God offers. We would welcome the opportunity to rejoice with you.
THOUGHTS FROM THE ROAD
AND ONE MAKE THREE- After going for so many years and with so many talented drivers without a championship Bob Garbarino and the Mystic Missile team are on a roll. They rolled across the finish line sixth on Sunday, not up to their usual standard and certainly not to the liking of driver Bobby Santos, but it was good enough to secure the coveted crystal bowl that is given to the Whelen Modified Tour Champion. That makes three championships in the last four years for the #4 team.
You could see by the expression on his face that Bobby wanted to run a better race on Sunday. He wanted to finish contending for the lead. He would have to settle for sixth and that was a disappointment.
Disappointment has a way of disappearing when the world around you is jumping up and down celebrating and soon that look of disappointment turned to that trademark smile. It was great to see Bobby celebrate with his Dad, I am sure that Bobby Sr. is celebrating along with them.
Bobby has won many races and competed in many different events but I believe this is his first Tour Championship; an accomplishment that is achieved by focusing your attention on one goal, overcoming the adversity that comes your way during the season and in the end finishing the deal.
Sometimes it doesn’t go the way we dream it should, but the ring still shines the same; Bobby Santos III, 2010 Whelen Modified Tour Champion, driving for Bob Garbarino, Three-Time Whelen Modified Tour Champion Owner and the entire Mystic Missile Team.
MCKENNEDY RIDE TO VICTORY IN MRS- While the eyes of the Modified world were on the championship run of Bobby Santos, Jon McKennedy was putting the finishing touches on his forth victory of the year at Twin State Speedway in the MRS event. Jon’s victory went a long way in strengthening his chances to repeat as champion of The Modified Racing Series. That determination will take place next weekend at Red’s house, Lee Speedway, at their Oktoberfest year ending celebration.
Join us there for all the action as we also mark the end of our first season touring with the MRS. Rev. Scott has proved to be a faithful companion for the series although medical issues kept him away from attending the event this week. I am pretty sure he will be back in form next week and looking forward to celebrating with the teams at Lee.
After Lee the next event on our calendar will be the John Blewett Memorial, North South Shootout at Concord Motorsports park in Concord, NC. I may also have to take a trip across town, I hear there is a dirt track over there and some racing going on. I must say that I am getting used to this dirt track stuff, now if I can only remember to bring my goggles.
We’re looking forward to seeing you somewhere on the road, if you see us, stop and say hi or give us a wave. God bless your travels. 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***
October 20
KRISTEN (ADAMS) AND SCOTT ROBINSON- Daughter of Thompson veteran driver Leo, HAPPY 14 YEARS.
October 22
REV. PAT & BETTY EVANS- This would have been the 27th anniversary for Pat and Betty. Please keep Betty in your prayers as this will be a difficult day.
October 24
JIM & PAT BEEBE- The Star Speedway NASCAR flagman and wife have their anniversary.
October 25
DON & MELINDA FOWLER- This Waterford Speedbowl Modified driver and wife have their 38th anniversary.
October 26
KEITH & DEBORAH CYR- The AARN photographer from Danbury, CT and wife share their 13th anniversary.
MR. & MRS. DALE HOLDRIDGE- This senior Waterford Speedbowl driver and wife have their 47th anniversary.
***HAPPY BIRTHDAYS***
October 20
JACK WILLIAMS- Fire supervisor at Stafford Motor Speedway for over forty years.
LARRY BROLSMA- Midland Park, NJ dirt Modified driver.
BOBBY ZUROWSKI- Riverhead Raceway LM driver.
STEVEN COLLICHO- FormerTom Baldwin NASCAR WMT team crewman.
BILL ARMOUR- Bluefield, VA writer.
October 21
MORGAN SHEPHERD- Conover, NC NNS driver and outspoken Christian.
BOB LeSIEUR- No. Easton, MA NSC photographer.
ROBERT ROSSI, JR.- Riverhead, LI, NY based Mike Ewanitsko NASCAR WMT fan.
October 22
TONY VECCHIO- Syracuse, NY Former NASCAR KNPSE team owner and chassis specialist.
JOHNNY UNSER- Long Beach, Ca born, Sun Valley, ID IRL driver.
MIKE SWANN- Rev. Pat’s cousin from Sumneytwon, PA.
JAYE COTTER- Wife and assistant to No. Attleboro, MA racing paper/magazine sales rep., Paul.
RUTH TAGG- Mom of Webster, MA CT Mod retired driver Tom.
Ocotober 23
TREVA MERRILL- The wife of Newton, MA based Monadnock Speedway (Keene, NH) GM, Carl.
CATHERINE & CHRISTIAN HANKS- The twins of CT ProStock driver Roy and wife Donna.
NATALIE BELMONT- A daughter of Pennsy based ARCA/NNS driver Andy and wife Jennifer.
October 24
TRACY LESLIE- Clemens, MI NNS/ASA driver.
EDDIE DUMBROWSKI- Riverhead Raceway based Rusty Turbush LM crewman.
STEPHANIE PETFIELD- A daughter of Thornwood, NY RWJM KNPSE Pastor Dan and wife Debbie.
S.J. GOLEMBESKI- crewmember for the WMT #99 of Jamie Tomaino.
October 25
WARD BURTON- South Boston, VA former NSC driver.
BILLY “BEAR” CALLICHO- Meriden, CT top innovator, owner on the Modified Tour.
PAUL TEETER- Ithaca, NY antique car enthusiast.
AMANDA GRAVEL- A daughter of NH ProStock driver Gege and wife Lisa.
JOSHUA BRANDON LAWRENCE- The son of Dino and Chris, proprietors of Carolina Signworks in Rockingham, NC RWJM Counselors.
October 26
SAMMY SWINDELL- WoO Sprint driver.
DEBORAH PETFIELD- RWJM Counselor/ Singer from Thornwood, NY; KNPSE Pastor Dan’s wife.
BRANDON SETZER- The son of Newton, NC NASCAR CWTS driver Dennis and wife Darla.
*** IN THE SHOP ***
MICHAEL PARES UPDATE- He made it back to the track on this past Saturday. Carol brought him over to Raceway Park to take in some Karting. He shot some photos from his wheelchair and it was a tremendous boost for his moral. He still has a few more weeks of antibiotic treatment but the hope is that in three months the infection won’t return. Another milestone for his recovery is October 25 when he returns to the surgeon and begins to learn to walk again! Carol shared how proud she was of him and his determination to get his life back.
The Pares family does have some needs, if the Lord leads you to help please contact us and we will be able to let you know how best to help. They are very appreciative of all prayers and support of the racing family. A note of encouragement would go a long way. His address is; 5 Broadway, Wayne, NJ 07470
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