We started digging in to our passage last week and this week we continue
the process. There is a certain confidence that comes with having
someone walking along side you that knows the way. We see it throughout
life; someone with experience mentoring someone who is learning their
way. Who do you have beside you to show you the way? Greetings in the
name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Mike McLaughlin was a good racer in his own right. His
nickname, Magic Shoes, indicates that he could peddle with the best of
them. Now he spends his time coaching young drivers for Joe Gibbs
Racing, helping them learn the ins and outs of driving a racecar.
You look all around the garage area and pits and you see
experienced crew chiefs and mechanics helping young guns learn to turn
their raw talent into wins and championships. Shane Hopkins did that
this year with Keith Rocco as he guided him to the Sunoco Modified
Championship in just his third year of racing Modifieds.
Life presents to us many instances that we would benefit from
having guidance, but having guidance available and using it are two
different things. We all know better until we get in the middle of it
and realize that what we thought and what is really happening are two
different things. How many times have you looked back and lamented that
you would have done things differently if you had known?
We all need guidance and direction in life. We don’t always
know what is best for us. We don’t search for help until we get in the
middle of something we can’t get out of. Our thought process leads us to
think we can predict what the outcome will be, but in fact we cannot.
So what are the options? Let’s take a look at the next few
verses.
Psalm 23: 3b-4,
He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake.
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they
comfort me.
David points out that God guides him and God will guide us.
God will guide us along the right path and to act in a way that brings
honor and praise to His name. The problem we run into is we want to do
it our way. We want God to endorse and approve the way we want things to
be done. That is not in the deal.
God knows what lies ahead and He knows what we need to be
taught to get through it. He will give us the confidence to walk through
this world and not fear death. We will be able to resist being consumed
by evil and the destruction that it brings to our lives. Why? Because
God is with us. He is by our side. We can feel him there.
David says God’s rod and staff provide comfort. That means
that we can relax and take comfort. When you feel that staff press
against you, moving you in the right direction, you can say to yourself,
“God cares for me.” When he uses his rod to pull you back from a cliff
that you don’t want to fall off of you can give thanks.
God promises to walk through life with us, guiding us and we
can take comfort in that. Turn the direction and guidance of your life
over to God and let him comfort you even in the difficult and
challenging times we experience in life. God Bless.
THOUGHTS FROM THE ROAD
Where do I begin? They are racing in Florida , both in
Daytona and New Smyrna. The midwinter end of the off season is
officially under way. Jimmy Blewett got a jump on the field by winning
three times. Jimmy has two SKMod victories and one Tour Modified
victory. Chuck Hossfeld, still looking for a ride on the WMT, won the
first Tour Modified feature. By the time you read this three more races
will be in the books. I am lamenting the fact that I can’t be there. One
of these days we’ll have the resources to make the trip.
There is a new track in the works. Before he died, John and
Crystal began planning an indoor cart track in Webster , MA . That
project is nearing completion and should be ready sometime this spring.
Check it out at
www.tristatespeedways.com. The Logo pays tribute to John Blewett III
and his red white and blue color scheme. I am headed up there this week
to see how the construction is coming and I will have a report next
week.
Donny Lia completes a deal to drive in the Craftsman Truck
Series for 2008. He will be teamed with Andy Lally to complete the two
truck entry for Kevin Buckler and TRG Motorsports. More known in the
road racing world they are making inroads in NASCAR. Donny will miss the
Daytona race because he missed the mandatory rookie practice but will be
in the truck in California and the rest of the season. Talking with
Donny at Motorsports he was disappointed that the first deal fell
through but he had hope that something else could get done. It did and
he will become yet another Modified alumnus that has moved on.
Speaking of moving on, Phil Moran, WMT championship crew
chief is now the car chief for the #22 of Dave Blaney. Phil’s new
position at Bill Davis Racing is a testament to his hard work and 15
years experience in racing. Do a good job Phil. Check out his blog on
the Bill Davis Racing website. Phil, Polly’s not allowed to ghost write
for you.
Speaking of the Whelen Modified Tour, it know has a new
director, Chad Little. Chad takes over for Ed Cox who will move on to
handle special projects for NASCAR’s competition division. Chad has been
a familiar sight around the tour races this past season and speculation
was he would soon be the new director. Welcome aboard Chad , we are
looking forward to working with you this year.
Bob Menschner was honored this past week for 40 Years of
Service to Wall Township Speedway. Bob has been a fixture at the track
located on the Jersey Shore and he has done a wonderful job ministering
to the drivers and teams for RWJM. This week the Press of Atlantic City
carried an article on Bob and the ministry. Check it out at their
website, www.pressofatlanticcity.com. Bob you have served both Wall Stadium
and RWJM well, thanks for all your hard work.
I think that brings you up to speed, I’ll have some
additional information on Tri State for next week. Also we’ll have the
results of the Speedweeks at New Smyrna. 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***
February 14 ***VALENTINE'S DAY ***
ROY & DORIS DEALL - Riverhead Raceway's Neal Feola Crew Chief and
wife celebrate.
WAYNE & MARY BLAKE - Of Norwich, CT, the Ass't Infield
Coordinator at Waterford Speedbowl and wife celebrate their 10th
anniversary.
KIRK & PAM WISE -Kirk and his wife share their 26th wedding
anniversary.
February 15
RICH CAOUETTE & NANCY LaBONNE-CAOUETTE - These East Hartford, CT
fans share their 17th.
February 18
NED & MARTHA JARRETT - The former NNC champion and wife; proud
parents of TV's Glen and WNNC Dale, share their 51st anniversary.
***HAPPY BIRTHDAYS***
February 13
FRANK VIGLIAROLO, JR. - Medford,NY driver.
February 14 *** VALENTINE'S DAY ***
JERRY MARQUIS - Karen's Valentine husband, Enfield, CT CWES and
WMT driver, 2000 WMT Champion.
BILL VENTURINI - Wife Kathy's Valentine, Chicago, IL ARCA driver.
SCOTT SHARP - Norwalk, CT born, now Jupiter, FL IRL driver.
JESSICA WATTS - Daughter of Riverhead/NASCAR WMT Mod driver Danny
and wife Vivian is 15.
JOHN PAUL TEMCHAK - This son of NHIS Victory Lane Staff Member
John and wife Kathy from Canterbury, NH is 18.
February 15
JIM SPENCER - Berwick, PA NSCS driver and PA hero.
PAUL KOTTER - No. Attleboro, MA racing publications sales rep,
now retired to Florida.
JEANNINE NEGRI - Danbury, CT Jeff Fuller fan.
GLEN KONK - Jackson, NJ fan.
February 16
BOB BALAAM - Bridgeport Sportsman driver; Stan Ploski's nephew.
JERRY "MAGEE" MILLER - Allentown, PA Mod/NASCAR Mod/Truck driver.
ANDY SCHALTZ - Whip City Mini Sprint and Riverside Mini Stock
driver.
ROBERT BLACK - Hickory, NC retired former NNS Director.
STEPHANIE BALL - Daughter of NH Mod driver Rusty and wife Ann is 19.
ARIANNA KOHLER - The daughter of Grandview/ Big Diamond NASCAR dirt
Modified driver Warren is 11.
February 17
TRACY MARCIEL - Daughter of Springfield, MA NASCAR WMT former Team
owner Tony, now in PA, and regular with the NASCAR WMT.
DEVIN PEREZ - The grandson of LongislandMotorsports.com
Publisher/ Editor and Raceway Media magazine columnist, Mike and wife
Lori is 5.
SHELLEY GAHAN - Daughter of NH LM/NASCAR CWES driver Bobby and
wife Carol.
JUDY KRAMER - Riverhead, NY Rusty Wallace fan.
February 18
JIMMY KITE - Effingham, IL born, now Stockbridge, GA IRL driver.
PHILLIP DOWNS - Retired Riverhead Modified team owner.
February 19
JEFF PURVIS - Clarksville, TN BGN/ARCA driver.
JOHN PAUL, JR. - Muncie, IN born, now West Palm Beach, CA IRL
driver.
PAT DAVISON - Dover, ME LM/NASCAR CWES driver.
JOAN MICHEL - Mom of Wall Township Speedway top Modified driver
Dave and wife of former Wall Mod champion Tom.
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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Racing With Jesus Ministries Website
