Thanksgiving is a time
of reflection. A time to look at all we have and humble ourselves before
a gracious God. We don’t always get what we want and we don’t always
understand the plans God has for us, but we can be confident that he
loves and cares for us. How has God cared for you this past year?
Greetings, in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Thanksgiving is a time for sharing. I see it in the lives of
others as they give of themselves to help those less fortunate. As I
helped out in the coffee shop on Saturday, a family; husband, wife, son
and daughter picked up some hot drinks and muffins for the road. They
were headed to pack up their Suburban and deliver Thanksgiving baskets
to those in need. It’s not what it seems.
This Suburban is 1970’s vintage and as I talked with the dad
he told the story of last year. He stayed up all night rebuilding the
rear-end so that they could keep their commitment and make deliveries
last year. They made it and those who were collecting the food were
thankful. No matter what obstacle had to be overcome they would be
there. They received such a blessing they gave up their Saturday and
delivered baskets again this year.
I think all of our hearts start to soften up a little bit
when the holidays roll around. I am not sure what hardens them the rest
of the year but I know we are more generous and willing to give. It is
somewhat funny; when the weather gets cold our hearts soften up.
One of the main reasons we have to be thankful is that we
have God who cares for us. He is there; despite what we think, guiding
those who will follow through life and providing for our needs. I am
reminded of Paul’s statement in Scripture about his level of comfort
with God’s provision. He stated that he had learned to be content no
matter whether he had enough or was in need. Just knowing that God was
with him allowed him to relax and focus on serving others. My hope is
that we can each attain that peace.
Listen to what David writes in Psalm 100 about giving
thanks to God;
Psalm 100
A psalm. For giving thanks.
Shout for joy to the LORD, all the earth.
Worship the LORD with gladness;
come before him with joyful songs.
Know that the LORD is God.
It is he who made us, and we are his;
we are his people, the sheep of his pasture.
Enter his gates with thanksgiving
and his courts with praise;
give thanks to him and praise his name.
For the LORD is good and his love endures forever;
his faithfulness continues through all generations.
David reminds us of why we should give thanks to God; He is
good, He loves us forever and He is faithful throughout the generations.
We find hope in those words. Not an empty hope but a hope that will
enable us to live, to love and care for others knowing all the time that
God has us covered.
I want to encourage you this Thanksgiving to let go. Let go
of all the things you have to do and follow the leading of your heart.
Give this holiday season to God and let Him lead you by the Holy Sprint.
Paul gives us this encouragement;
1Thessalonians 5:16-19, Be joyful always; pray
continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will
for you in Christ Jesus.
Have a great time relaxing and serving others this
thanksgiving. God Bless, Rev. Don.
THOUGHTS FROM THE ROAD
Rick and I had the pleasure of being guests at the awards
banquet for Stafford Motor Speedway. We had a great time catching up
with folks and meeting some new ones. I sat at the table of 16th place
SKMod driver John Cleary and his family. I was the twelfth member of the
party. Twelve is a good number with Biblical significance. I was
thankful to spend time getting to know them and sharing a meal with
them.
It was a great night to remember the past season. I came away
with a different perspective on some of the competitors. It is always
interesting to see how people behave away from the track. Sometimes you
have to wonder though.
I want to share with you about one champion that returned to
his roots for the 2007 season, Ted Christopher. Over the past several
years TC had enjoyed the unlimited budget that comes with having a
generous car owner. He was able to buy what he needed to compete at the
highest-level week in and week out. This year was different. This year
Teddy won because of his hard work and determination. He had one car,
two engines, a borrowed trailed and a faithful crew chief and the drive
to win championship number six. Ted got choked up a little as he listed
all the people that had a hand in helping him win the title this year, a
definite contrast to the Ted we see and love at the track. He also had
someone new to thank this year, his wife. Teddy, you won this one the
old-fashioned way, you put your heart and soul into it and I hope that
this is one of your most cherished achievements in your career as a race
driver.
This week finds us closing out a couple of chapters in
racing. The 2007 racing season will be closed out this weekend at Wall
Stadium and the #76 of John Blewett will see its last on track racing
action with Jimmy at the wheel. It is always with mixed emotions that we
face the end of the season. Some seasons hold more significance than
others. This season has been a challenge. We have traveled more, to new
tracks in far away places, and met some great people along the way. We
have been saddened by the loss of a good friend and driver, John Blewett
III. We have learned how to move forward in spite of the obstacles. This
Saturday we will say goodbye to some and see you next year to others. As
always we thank you for letting us serve you.
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***
November 21
JOE & ANDREA NEMECHEK - The Lakeland, FL Bell South NNC driver and
wife have their 13th anniversary.
WALT & MARSHA DYER - The owners of the Lance Dewease driven Pennsy
Sprint No. 461 have their 54th anniversary.
November 22
CARL (Bugs Stevens) & DORIS BERGHMAN - This retired Modified
champion of Rehoboth, MA; parents of current Prostock driver Dave
Berghman, have their 47th anniversary.
DICK & NANCY CLARK - The veteran Long Island NASCAR WMT driver
and wife have their special day.
MICHAEL & CAROL PARES - This "Area Auto Racing News" NASCAR Whelen
Mod Series photographer and wife from Wayne, NJ share their 27th
anniversary.
November 23
LEO & CLAYLENE ADAMS - This Pomfret, CT Pro Tour Truck driver and
wife have their 30th anniversary.
JASON & STACEY KOHLER - This Fleetwood, PA Micro Sprint driver and
wife have their special day.
November 26
MARIO & BOOTS TOMAINO - From Freehold, NJ, these two are the very
proud parents of WMT driver Jamie and have been wed 52 years.
November 27
GARY & SHARON MOORE - Horseshoe, NC driver and wife have their 35th
anniversary.
BOBBY & JENNIFER GADA - Niantic, CT Waterford Speedbowl Mod driver
and wife share their 13th anniversary.
ANDY & JUDY JOHNSON - The owners of Johnson Chassis in Monson, MA
have their 50th anniversary.
***HAPPY BIRTHDAYS***
November 21
BILLY DECKER - Franklin, NY DIRT Mod driver.
TOBY PORTER - Greenville, SC NASCAR driver.
TRAVIS CARTER - Veteran NNC team owner.
JIMMY MILO - Southington, CT AARN columnist and head of Stafford
Motor Speedway's Safety Team.
AIMEE BARKER - Daughter and Team Crew member on dad Bob "Mad Dog"
Barker's 8NY Legend out of Staten Island.
Billy "The Kid" Barker - Garden State Vintage Stock Car Club, Staten
Island, NY.
November 22
BRENDA HIRSCHMAN - The wife of Northampton, PA NASCAR WMT driver
Tony.
LUCY CHRISTOPHER - Plainville, CT Bill's wife and mom of famous
racing twins Ted and Mike.
DR. CHRIS WIBBELSMAN - Eldest son of Gainesville, FL RWJM Advisor
Dick and wife Judy, living in Dayton, OH.
DOREENE EMHOFF - Wife of Bill and mother of Matt, both crew members
on Art Barry's #21 WMt team.
MAYNARD TROYER - Rochester, NY chassis builder and retired Modified
driving great.
J.C. "SUITCASE" ELDER - Veteran NNC Crew Chief.
TOMMY GAVINE - Proprietor of Stafford Springs, CT Fyne Lyne
Fabrication.
November 23
RICK CLONCH - E. Smithfield, PA NASCAR BES driver.
RON BOUCHARD - Fitchburg, MA retired NNC driver.
PATRICK O'BRIEN - A son of Tammy Longacre in Boyertwon, PA is 8.
November 24
DOUG MESERVEY - Chatham, MA NASCAR BES/NASCAR WMT driver.
BUDDY PARROTT - WC 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 BES driver.
JEFF STREETER - Brawley, CA NASCAR West driver.
TOM BUTLER - Stafford Speedway LM driver.
MIKE JOY - Hartford, CT based TV/Radio racing announcer.
MIKE FELTENBERGER - Grandview/ Big Diamond flagman/photographer.
November 26
TOM McCANN - Huntington, LI, NY Modified driver.
DALE JARRETT - Hickory, NC Toyota Racing NNC driver.
BILLY STANDRIDGE - Shelby, NC NNC/BGN driver/owner.
MARY BRICE - WMT Registra, wife of WMT Chief Inspector Bill.
BRUCE WEAVER - Bethlehem,PA. Go-Fer on former Earl Steffen's
Sprinter.
SHARE YOUR SPECIAL OCCASIONS WITH YOUR RACING FAMILY.
SEND THEM TO RACING WITH JESUS MINISTRIES AT
PO BOX 586, Tolland, CT, 06084
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