Thanksgiving
Can you smell the turkey? Can you hear the chatter of friends and family? Is your heart full of anticipation of the coming celebration? Thanksgiving is one of the most popular holidays of the year. Greetings in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
This past weekend the church that I pastor, Emmanuel Baptist Church, had their Harvest Festival. We use the occasion of Thanksgiving to come together as one body in Christ. Let me explain. Emmanuel Baptist Church reaches out to several different people groups, Deaf, Hearing, Romanian, Moldavian, Central Asian, Nepali, Bhutanese and the list goes on. Most times we meet at different times because each service is in a different language. The Harvest Festival is different; we all come together for one worship service and to partake of the Lord’s Supper as one congregation.
This past Sunday was standing room only. We enjoyed worship together as each group brought something to share. No one understood all that was said, but God did. This was just a snapshot of heaven, all people from all nations together worshiping one God.
It reminded me of a family reunion, when the in-laws and outlaws come together to celebrate. They celebrate for one reason, they are family. I guess the racing family has a thanksgiving celebration of sorts also. For the last thirty-six years it has been held at Wall Stadium. It is called the Turkey Derby. When we gather this Thanksgiving for the 37 running of the Turkey Derby take a look around and you will see some diversity in the racing family.
It is always good to be with family and friends; eating and drinking, catching up on each other’s lives, sharing special moments, relaxing as one family. There is another family we can belong to also, the family of God. We enter into the family through faith in Christ. The goal of this family is to love one another as God loves us.
Paul writes to the church at Colossi how thankful he is to have them as family members;
Colossians 1:3-4; We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you, because we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love you have for all the saints.
Paul’s comments bring to mind an interesting point, have we been a blessing to someone? Have we given someone a reason to be thankful for us? Many times we are on the receiving end of someone’s grace and kindness. In fact it is by the grace of God that we are saved from death and destruction. That should move us to be a blessing for someone else.
Think about those you are thankful for this Thanksgiving. Think about those who have loved you, supported you, provided for you, and encouraged you. Then think about what you have done for others. Have you done the same for someone else? God gives us the ability to reach out to those in need. Take the opportunity to give back something.
We have been blessed with a Lord and Savior, not everyone knows the peace that comes from knowing Christ. We need to rejoice in that; we need to live a life that shows the love of God, we need to be a blessing to others.
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.
May the grace and peace of God be with you this Thanksgiving holiday. May the blessing of friends and family make this a special time. May the memories you share encourage you to be a blessing for someone.
God’s continued blessings, Rev. Don
THOUGHTS FROM THE ROAD
STAFFORD MOTOR SPEEDWAY BANQUET – I had the pleasure of attending the year end banquet for SMS this past week. It is always good to spend some time with folks away from the track. It was good to talk with Bobbie Santos’ folks, he is out in California to race on Thanksgiving Day, I guess he won’t be home dinner, As I drove home I remembered my friend Rick, it was this banquet that we attended last. Please keep his family in your prayers as they remember their dad this Thanksgiving.
MRS SCHEDULE OUT – What has been the subject of many board posts these past few weeks was released Saturday night. The eighteen race schedule has no surprises but a marquee event in Ricky’s Race for Kids. The $12,000 to win event falls on the same weekend as NHMS. It will be interesting to see who will make the weekend a double.
TURKEY DERBY – Off to Jersey this week for Turkey Derby Thirty Seven! It will be neat to lead the field to the green. Hope to see you there.
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 25
DEAN & DEBBIE STREETER – These SMS pit crew members will be celebrating their 32nd anniversary.
November 26
MARIO & BOOTS TOMAINO- From Freehold, NJ, these two are the very proud parents of WMT driver Jamie and have been wed 55 years.
November 27
GARY & SHARON MOORE- Horseshoe, NC driver and wife have their 38th anniversary.
BOBBY & JENNIFER GADA- Niantic, CT Waterford Speedbowl Mod driver and wife share their 16th anniversary.
ANDY & JUDY JOHNSON- The owners of Johnson Chassis in Monson, MA have their 53rd anniversary.
November 30
RICHARD & DIANE MOORE- The parents of Scarborough, ME semi-retired KNPSE driver Kelly and Grand parents of former driver Ryan have their anniversary.
***HAPPY BELATED BIRTHDAYS***
NOVEMBER 22
MAX ZACHEM- Modified Racing Series Driver and Whelen Modified Tour Crew Member
***HAPPY BIRTHDAYS***
November 24
DOUG MESERVEY- Chatham, MA NASCAR KNPSE/NASCAR WMT driver.
BUDDY PARROTT- NSC Crew Chief
DAN WALKER- Beech Ridge Motor Speedway PR Director.
ADAM HEDGER- NASCAR Cup official son of Williamson, NY Mod driver Randy and wife Lynda.
November 25
MIKE GALLO- Sanford, ME NASCAR KNPSE driver.
JEFF STREETER- Brawley, CA NASCAR West driver.
TOM BUTLER- Stafford Speedway LM driver.
MIKE JOY- Hartford, CT based TV/Radio racing announcer and big Modified fan.
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.
*** NEW BEGINNINGS ***
ANNA CARUSO – Anna went home to the Lord last week at the age of 87. Her granddaughter Angela, a 270 micro-sprint driver asked us to remember her. Her son, Jack, used to race in the old sportsman division. Please keep the entire family in your thoughts and prayers.
Sources: Rev. Don Rivers/RWJM