It is that time of year when we traditionally take a vacation. The
Whelen Modified Tour has had plenty of time over the last month to take
some time off and relax. The Grand National Busch East Series has a few
weeks before their next race at Lime Rock. We all need to take some time
off. What do you have planned for your summer vacation? Greetings in the
name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Ahhhhh, summertime, brings back memories of when I was a kid.
We ruled the world, went where we wanted, when we wanted and stayed as
long as we wanted. As long as we had our bikes we were free. No school,
no homework, free to do anything we wanted. For me growing up vacation
time was the entire summer. I lived in a neighborhood with enough kids
that there was always something going on. We had enough kids to play
baseball, so you could always find someone or something to do.
My family did take that annual summer trip that you have seen
recorded in the movies. We would head north to Vermont to visit
relatives and we had a lot of them! I enjoyed those trips. I went to one
of my most memorable race on one of those trips, Catamount Speedway.
I wonder how many of you have plans to take a rest, to step
out of the routine and recharge your batteries. It is something that is
necessary. In fact, God commanded it.
Our racing calendar is full in the summertime. That is the
time we have to race. But it struck me that if we don’t take time to get
away and recharge our batteries we won’t have the energy we need to
continue. We need to take some time away from racing and take time to
rest. I think you would be surprised how much it changes your
perspective on things.
Did you know that God created us with a need to take a break
once in a while and rest? In Scripture, it is called a Sabbath, from the
Hebrew sabbat. Our word sabbatical comes from it and it means to rest,
to take a break from labor.
I know we all have team members that seem to have the
technique of avoiding labor figured out, but believe me they work hard
trying to avoid working. Maybe they need to take a break and do some
work?
The reality is we all forget that we need to stop and rest.
We get so involved in things we don’t see how they could continue if we
took some time off. They will and if you don’t you will not be around
long enough to enjoy the fruits of your labor. Balance is the key and
when we balance our work with our rest we live life to the fullest.
When God created the world we live in he did it in six days
and on the seventh day he rested. God, the creator of everything, the
one in whom all power and authority, the one who breathes life into each
one of us rested. That speaks volumes to us about the necessity of
resting, taking a break from our labor and changing our focus and
resting. If God rested we need to rest also.
Let me explain that racing isn’t a diversion from your
full-time job it is a second full-time job. I see most of the racers I
know burning the candle at both ends. They work hard at enjoying racing.
The rest I am talking about is different. It is a purposeful time that
you take to stop and focus on everything we have been blessed with from
God. A time when we adjust our minds from thinking about all we have to
do and think about all we have been able to do. I think if we have lost
one thing as a society it is the art of rest. We have forgotten that at
the beginning of it all rest was a cornerstone of life, God created us
that way.
Let us take a look at a couple of Scriptures that helps us
know the importance God places on rest.
Genesis 2:2-3, By the seventh day God had
finished the work he had been doing; so on the seventh day he rested
from all his work. And God blessed the seventh day and made it holy,
because on it he rested from all the work of creating that he had done.
Exodus 20:8-11, "Remember the Sabbath day by keeping
it holy. Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh
day is a Sabbath to the LORD your God. On it you shall not do any work,
neither you, nor your son or daughter, nor your manservant or
maidservant, nor your animals, nor the alien within your gates. For in
six days the LORD made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that
is in them, but he rested on the seventh day. Therefore the LORD blessed
the Sabbath day and made it holy.
The concept of a Sabbath has been confused throughout the
years that man has been here and this column is not long enough to
explore all the various arguments for what is allowed and what is not.
Suffice to say Jesus said we should be about doing good and our activity
should reflect our acknowledgement of God and the blessings he has
provided for us.
When we do that we start to understand that life doesn’t
revolve around us, life revolves around the creator of life Himself. We
start to see that we don’t have to do everything, it is alright to let
some things go undone. We are free from the pressure of the world to
acquire things and pursue the things that really matter, our
relationship with God and those who love us.
We try to provide that opportunity at the track for you,
chapel service. It provides a time to rest and reflect on God. It can do
wonders for your perspective if you let it. We know the race day is busy
and many things need to get done, but trust me in this, if you take the
time to honor God He will honor your commitment and your day and your
perspective will change for good. Trust God and let him help you through
the challenge of raceday, try attending chapel and relax.
We don’t always have the luxury to have a consistent Sabbath
day and that’s okay if you don’t use that as an excuse to not have one
at all. The concept of taking time to rest and focus on things outside
ourself can take place at any time and in any place. If you haven’t
taken time to rest and reflect this week yet, do it now. At the next
opportunity stop, remove yourself from the distractions around you and
talk to God, just like he was sitting beside you. Share your thoughts
with Him, ask for His help with the things that are on your heart. Let
Him know how much you depend on Him to get through life. Ask Him for
forgiveness for the things you didn’t quite get right. Rest in His
comfort and mercy.
You see now you have spent time with God and He will honor
that.
I encourage you to experience the freedom of resting in God.
Acknowledge His presence in your life and seek His guidance. He will not
disappoint. Remember the Sabbath and set it apart from your everyday
activity, rest in Jesus. God Bless, Rev. Don.
THOUGHTS FROM THE ROAD
Well, guess what I am doing this weekend? I am taking a
little time off. It is my birthday and I am spending it at home with my
wife and girls. Dan covered the BES race at Adirondack and will spend
the week up at his parents cabin in the mountains.
I am excited that Dan had help at the track this weekend. We
were contacted during the off-season by a pastor in upstate NY who
drives a racecar and wanted to start being involved with us. Well, he
went with Dan this weekend along with his assistant pastor. God
provides. We are looking forward to having these guys come on board and
expand our ability to reach the racing community.
Another blessing that we have received this year is Phillip
Satkowski. Phillip is Rev. Rick’s son and has been helping out at
Thompson and Stafford this season. Phillip has been through some
challenging times in his young life and he knows the grace and mercy
that God can deliver when you trust him. Welcome aboard Phillip. We hope
to get Phillip acclimated to our traveling schedule. Look for him to
join Dan and I on the road later this year.
Waterford is saved! Two individuals with connections with the
racing community stepped up to the plate and refinanced the loan that
would have been up for auction this last Saturday. This arrangement
avoids foreclosure and secure Waterford ’s future for the foreseeable
future. Thanks to Rocco Arbitell of Southbury and Peter Borelli of Derby
, the two local businessmen who accepted the financial responsibility.
Let’s get out there and support Waterford and the new management team
that is making the changes necessary to return Waterford to its glory
days. Let’s show them that the faith they placed in racers and race fans
was worth it. They provided us the opportunity and now it is up to us to
follow through.
How’s the baby naming contest going, did you get your entry
in? On the baby front we have another couple added tho the list. Jeremy
and Stephanie Clark announced at Adirondack that they are expecting in
March. Jeremy is the driver of the #25 BES entry and lives in the
Cortland , NY area. Congratulations!
BES flagman Sean Houlihan missed the Nashville race but with
good reason. He and his wife went to the doctor for a check up on the
progress of their pregnancy and due to circumstances they decided it was
time for the baby to be born. They did an emergency “C” section and mom,
and baby are both doing fine. I talked with Sean in victory lane at
Thompson on Thursday night and didn’t have time to get the particulars.
I’ll get an address to send them congratulations.
Dan reported the Adirondack race wasn’t without controversy.
He reported many unhappy campers in the mountains of upstate New York .
We will have to see how this all shakes out.
A familiar name has made it back to the BES these days, Jerry
Marquis. Jerry took over the #35 ride from Eric Holmes. Jerry proved
racing is like swimming, when they throw you in, paddle like heck! Jerry
has posted two top ten finishes in his first two races. Good job Jerry
and don’t worry how they spell your name, it is the driving that
matters!
At Stafford Motor Speedway Friday night I received word that
SKmod driver Glenn Griswold’s wife had passed away. I was unable to get
the details but as soon as I have them I will pass them along.
This week finds the Racing with Jesus Ministries Softball
team participating in a tournament in Pennsylvania . My wife is joining
me for the race out on the Island . We are looking forward to spending
some time at the beach. Keep our travel in your prayers. See you at a
track near you. Have a great week.
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***
August 2
PAUL & ROSE TEETER - From Ithaca, NY, this NY Antique Race Car
enthusiasts have their 15th anniversary.
August 7
SCOTT & HEATHER PUNCH - This NNC crewman and wife in Claremont, NC
have their 7th anniversary.
***HAPPY BIRTHDAYS***
August 1
BOB KESELOWSKI - Rochester, MI CTS and ASA driver.
ALAN CHAPMAN - Elmira, NY NASCAR BES driver.
FIL MARTOCC I - NNC's FiLmar Racing Team owner.
GLORIA HANNA - Amsterdam, NY Fonda Speedway fan.
LISA ROMANO - This lady is in Appomattax, VA, the sister of Laura
Dennis and another huge Jamie Tomaino WMT fan.
CONNOR McELEARNEY - The son of Riverhead LM driver Paul and wife
Michelle of Commack, NY IS 7.
August 2
ROBIN LaHUE - Wife of Northfield, VT White Mountain Motorsports Park
(NH) driver, Don.
August 3
GREG RAY - Plano, TX IRL driver.
BOB MARTI - Crewman on the 57 WAAS Modified at Stafford.
CAROL SAVLUK - Wife of former Modified driver, Wayne, of Lisbon,
CT.
JOANN SCHERER - Sister of Northampton, PA Flemington/ NASCAR WMT
driver Eric Beers.
DILLON ZACHARIAS - The son of Modified driver and part of the
track management team Rick and wife Pam is 7.
BRENDA VENTH - Daughter of former Harbach X90 Modified crewman
George Venth is 8.
August 4
JEFF GORDON - Multi-time Nextel Cup champion driver of the Hendricks
Motorsports Dupont Monte Carlo's.
JAMIE AUBE - Charlotte, VT NASCAR BES driver and three-time
NASCAR BES champion.
BILL SLATER - "Wild Bill" of East Hartford, CT Stafford Motor
Speedway staffer and retired great NASCAR Modified Sportsman driver in
the 60's and 70's of the famous CT Valley Rocket "V-8."
SHAWN PARKER - NH driver, son of Parker's Express Trucking owner
Ted.
August 5
DON SCERENCITS - Northampton, PA AARN Subscrition Sales Field Rep.
KIP STOCKWELL - Vermont based NASCAR BES/late model driver and
now farmer.
RICH WOODLAND, JR. - Templeton, CA NASCAR West driver.
KEVIN LITTLEFIELD - Salem, NH fabricator/crewman on the former
#77 NASCAR BES team.
JACK FLOWERS - Charlotte, NC NNC writer.
KYLE GUENNETTE - Son of Fairfield, CT fan "Fast Eddie" is 16.
ELISABETH MINTER - A daughter of Martinsville, VA WODY Radio's
"Uncle Wendell" and wife Deloris is 15.
August 6
EDDIE MARSHALL - NY D.I.R.T. Modified driver.
CRAIG RAUDMAN - Redding, CA NASCAR West driver.
JEB BURTON - Son of former NNC driver Ward and wife Tabitha is
13.
DEBBIE DIONNE - Wife of Gary, both Acton, CA RWJM Counselors and
Gary a Hollywood car stuntman and RWJM West Coast Ass't. Coordinator.
August 7
BRUCE D'ALLESANDRO - East Hartford, CT former Riverside Park and
NASCAR WMT driver.
AL HANNA - CT based alchohol Funny Car driver.
RICHIE YANETTA, Sr. - Of Bridgewater, NJ, the father of Go-Kart
drivers Rich, Jr. and Jeff.
*** IN THE SHOP ***
DAVID ROSENFIELD - David is a former SKmod driver at Waterford
who recently had a stroke. They inserted a stint and he is on the road
to recovery. He wants to return to the Speedbowl and race again. He
presently is in rehab at Nemasket Health Care Center in Middleborough,
MA. He would certainly appreciate a card of encouragement. Send them to
David @ Nemasket Health Care Center, 314 Marion Road, Middleborough, MA
02346.
*** NEW BEGINNINGS ***
GARY SCHWAD - Gary “The Flying Milkman” drove the #89 on the
Busch North Series passed away recently after a accident at home. Gary
leaves his wife Darla and children Jason, Tim and Kim. Cards of sympathy
and condolence can be sent to the family at 10090 Pigeon Hill Road,
Delevan, NY 14042
SHARE YOUR SPECIAL OCCASIONS WITH YOUR RACING FAMILY.
SEND THEM TO
RACING WITH JESUS MINISTRIES AT
PO BOX 586, Tolland, CT, 06084
TheChromeHorn RWJM Archives
Racing With Jesus Ministries Website
