Are You There Yet?
Do you remember those holiday trips, the ones to visit relatives you don’t even know? Maybe even those long road trips to distant races, do you remember that familiar refrain “Are we there yet?” The question comes to mind and with the additional refrain, Where is there? Greeting in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
This past week I made a trip down to the Charlotte area for a couple of races. This year we had things to do at both Concord Speedway and The Dirt Track at Charlotte. Mixed in with that we had several folks to meet with and shops to visit. The question came up, are we there yet? Where?
What day is it? What track am I at? No. I really don’t mind all the traveling. In fact we took the long way home and made some visits along the way.
When we spend time together on the road it helps us grow closer. It has been a wonderful season and this past weekend just capped it off. I have watched many of you move closer to God during this season. I have been blessed to be a part of your progress. We have all grown closer and have learned to lean on one another. Our journey together is only possible when we invite Christ to walk along with us. Let me ask you, “are you there yet?”
I received this some time ago but thought it would be good to share with you again. It gives us the opportunity to invite Christ into our lives. Nothing could express your thanks to God more than accepting His offer of salvation.
Believing in God is one thing. But you must also take the next step…you must come to know Him. You can make this Thanksgiving a very special one by thanking the God of your forefathers for all He has done for you and for America.
And when you give thanks, acknowledge these facts:
1) God loves you.
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. John 3:16
2) We are all sinful and separated from God.
Your iniquities have separated you from your God; your sins have hidden his face from you, so that he will not hear. Isaiah 59:2
All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. Romans 3:23
3) Jesus Christ is God’s only solution to our sin problem. Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures,
…he was buried, [and] he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures.
1 Corinthians 15:3,4
4) Our choice is whether or not we will accept Jesus’ sacrifice on our behalf.
Everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name. Acts 10:43
If you are ready to accept Jesus as your Savior, you can do so through a prayer like this: Dear God, I am so sorry that I have not been thankful enough for what You have done for America, and what You have done for me. I want to have the same devotion for You that our country’s forefathers had. I want to accept Jesus’ sacrifice for my sins right now. I trust in His death and resurrection as all I need to cleanse me of my sins and make me perfect in Your sight. Thank You for giving America her freedom, and thank You for giving me mine, in the form of eternal salvation. Help me to make Your love known to others. Amen.
Are you there yet? Where? You can start down that road by turning to God and asking him to forgive you. If you prayed this prayer, please share it with us. We would like the opportunity to pray for you on your new journey.
THOUGHTS FROM THE ROAD
THE ROAD IS LONG WITH MANY A WINDING TURN – I headed south last Monday to take in the races in the Charlotte area. James from Design 500 rode along with me as we set out to see what God had in store for us. God did not disappoint.
I am not the kind of person that likes to leave things, especially trips, up in the air, but for this one I decided to let God do the planning. One of the amazing things, He had it all scheduled out and the timing was perfect. As I look back I have trouble believing all we accomplished in a few short days. Let me share with you some of the details.
As we rolled into Mooresville on Wednesday we stopped at George Brunnhoelzl’s shop to try to arrange a little golf. The weather had other ideas and that plan went by the wayside. It soon started to rain so we headed to the hotel and made dinner plans to take some friends out who open there house to us when we are in the area.
Thursday we headed out to check out the tracks to see how the weather would affect the racing schedule. The scheduled practice day at Concord would be scrubbed, so we had to find something to do. God had it all planned. Thanks to Andy Stapp we were able to get a behind the scenes tour of the Earnhardt/Ganassi shop. Turns out Andy is quite a character and we enjoyed the time we spent with him and his family.
We stopped by NASCAR and had a great lunch with Kip Childress. I was introduced to Jimmy Johns, they only do sandwiches! After lunch the skies cleared and the Dirt Track was ready for a night of racing. We headed up there to meet with Finish Line Chaplain Ed Harkins and help him out with the three series there.
Friday was a day we could have used a helicopter to get back and forth. We started at Concord, headed to the dirt track, back to concord. I think next year we will bring reinforcements to help out. I did have a wonderful opportunity to pray at the WOO driver’s meeting. It was great to meet some of the drivers and get to know them a little. The weather still wasn’t going to let up and the evening program at the dirt track had to be postponed.
Saturday would be another busy day. We had chapel at Concord and were encouraged by the tremendous turnout. Dan and Kyle Froman, WSMT Chaplain, stayed to minister while I headed across town to help Ed out at the dirt track. We were able to meet with some of the Outlaw drivers and encourage them. We also found out that some of them are Christians. Brian Smith shared his testimony with us and we prayed with him as he searches for God’s direction. We are excited about what God is going to do through him.
Back on the pavement, Matt Hirschman took his third N/S title and Keith Rocco extended his great season by wining the SKMod feature. With the action completed early enough Dan headed over to the dirt track to help out.
During my time at the dirt track I was also introduced to Jason Myers and we talked about the opportunity he had to finally nail down the WOO Championship. He not only won it but he did it by winning both A mains. I am looking forward to getting to know Jason better.
Time for the ride home. Have you ever decided to do something crazy? James is from Seattle and doesn’t get a chance to visit many east coast tracks, soooo….. Let me see besides Charlotte we stopped at Bowman Gray, Martinsville, South Boston, Richmond, Dover and as of this writing we are not home yet, maybe a few more! We have New Jersey to drive through and I have heard of a few tracks there, New Jersey Motorsports Park, Wall Stadium, Raceway Park, etc. Check back next week and see what we were able to fit in.
All in all the trip was great, long but great. We were able to minister in the name of our Lord and see lives changed. God always has a tremendous blessing in store for you if you just let Him lead you. Are you there yet?
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***
November 10
BOB & DOTTIE PARK- This Northport, LI veteran NASCAR WMT driver and wife, also parents of NASCAR driver Steve, share their anniversary.
November 11
MIKE & JULIE STEFANIK- The West Greenwich, RI multi-time NASCAR WMT, including 2006, and NASCAR CWES champion and wife/GM of Koszela Speed Warehouse share their 26th anniversary.
FRANKIE AND BOBBIE SCHNEIDER- The Old Master and his wife celebrate 22 years together.
November 15
DON & ROBIN LaHUE- This Vermont couple, he a driver at NH’s White Mountain Motorsports Park, have their 33rd anniversary.
November 16
BILL III & JANET BRICE- This racing official and wife (aka Mother Goose) have their 18th anniversary.
JERRY & LINDA VENNE- This Bow, NH media person and wife have their 40th anniversary.
***HAPPY BIRTHDAYS***
November 10
DAWN DIPPEL- AARN “Third Turn” columnist.
November 11
BOB POLVERARI- Riverside Park Speedway multi-time Modified champion, retired NASCAR Modified Tour and MRS hotshoe.
BRIAN WEBBER- Long Island NASCAR KNPSE driver.
BARRY BODINE- CWTS driving son of Geoff.
ROY PAYNE- Alvin, TX ARCA driver.
GEORGE SAVARY- Retired Massachusetts former Modified driver, and top Mini Modified threat.
MIKE RYAN- Springfield, MA NASCAR WMT/NASCAR KNPSE crewman, brother of photographer Gracie Ryan.
BOBBY CAVALLERO- Farmingdale, NJ Wall Township Speedway and Sprint Cup fan.
November 12
JOHN ANDERSON- Southington, CT retired Mod driver.
RYAN OLSEN- Son of No. Haverhill, NH KNPSE Owner Mike and wife Vicki.
November 13
KENNY TREMONT, JR.- West Sand Lake, NY Lebanon Valley Speedway based Modified driver.
TRACY GORDON- Strong, ME KNPSE driver.
RICK MILLER- Riverhead Raceway NASCAR Mod driver.
RENE CHARLAND- “Da’ Champ”, retired four time NASCAR Sportsman champion and dad of Fonda driver Rick.
TOMMY PORTER, JR.- Savannah, GA All Pro driver.
LOUIE MAIETTA- Brother of multi-time Beech Ridge LM champion Mike, Sr.
ROGER SAVLUK- Lisbon, CT Savluk’s Service partner.
November 14
DAN MESERVEY, JR.- West Chatham, MA NASCAR CWES/NASCAR WMT driver.
CHRIS CARLSON- Modified crewman from Danbury, CT.B
LEE HENDRICKSON- Former Mod driver/owner dad of Lawrenceville, NJ Wall Township Speedway Modified driver Wade.
BENTO WILLIAMS- Wall Township Speedway co-announcer Lee Greenwood’s great nephew is 19.
JIM YOUNG- The proprietor of www.RACESONGS.com and the writer of all those famous theme songs for tracks and drivers and divisions, including Racing with Jesus Ministries.
November 15
JOE BERTOTHY- Joe has helped many a racer with by giving of his time and financial support, but he has also helped many come to know Christ as their Savior. Thanks for your special gifts to the racing family, enjoy your special day.
JAMIE MILLS- Milford, DE Bridgeport Speedway Modified driver.
TIM MANGUS- Tioga Speedway based NASCAR WMT driver.
STEPHANIE BAKER- Daughter of Baker Carburetion’s Steve and Sue.
DELORIS & ELISABETH HOPE MINTER- The wife and daughter of Martinsville, Va WODY Gospel Radio’s “Uncle” Wendell.
LAUREN GEORGIADES- Daughter of Steve, Crew Chief for brother Bobby’s CT Mod.
JEFFREY MAHER- East Windsor fan “Chipper”.
November 16
TERRY LABONTE- Corpus Christe, TX Retired Hendricks NSC driver.
MIKE GROFF- Los Angeles, CA IRL driver.
ROBERTO GUERRERO- San Juan Capistrano, CA IRL driver.
BO GUNNING- Bethlehem, CT Former WAARS Modified driver and ’98 and ’02 Stafford champion.
FRED DUMACHOWSKI- Neshanic Station, NJ East Windsor, NJ Modified driver.
PHILIP SMITH- NC Modified driver.
GEORGE KENT- Horseheads, NY Modified asphalt driver.
PHIL BARIL- NH ProStock driver.
BOB SCHERER- Mahoning Valley Speedway driver. RAY PENFOLD- Yarmouth, ME retired LM great driver and proud father of driver Billy.
CORINE SCHAFFER- Grandview Speedway Mod driver Rick and wife Donna’s daughter.
Sources: Rev. Don Rivers/RWJM