Have you ever thought that you have “it” all under control? At times in
our lives we feel that way. We feel like everything is in order. We are
at peace. For some of us those times never seen to come. Who’s in
control in your life? Greetings in the name of our Lord and Savior,
Jesus Christ.
The rumor mill, we all are familiar with it. Some of us even
contribute to it. Why? Racing is an interesting sport. Most of the
information that is available starts as rumors. It has even been said
that if you want something to happen, start spreading a rumor about it.
If enough people believe it, it just might become a reality.
I think one reason for it is the access that racers and teams
give to the media and fans. There are very few places to hide in the
garage area. Their lives are lived out in the open and many times things
are revealed just by our actions.
Remember when Dale Jr. jumped into a Hendrick's car to run
some laps after Kyle Busch left the track thinking his car wouldn’t be
able to be repaired. Do you remember the rumors it started? Do you
remember the explanations? Now Jr. drives for Hendricks. I am not saying
it was because of that instance, but it is funny how things that start
out as rumors become fact.
We travel in a relatively small circle on the Whelen Modified
Tour. Most of the folks have a long history and connection with Modified
racing. We know each other pretty well. That doesn’t stop the rumor mill
though. I think it sometimes fuels the fire.
Why is it that we spread rumors; control, dissatisfaction,
jealousy, hate and pride are just a few of the reasons. I am reminded of
the contrast that Paul writes about in Galatians, the contrast between
the fruit of the Holy Spirit and the acts of the sinful nature;
Galatians 5:19-23: The acts of the sinful
nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry
and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish
ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the
like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will
not inherit the kingdom of God .
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience,
kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against
such things there is no law.
Paul contrasts the two ways we can choose to live. Moving
from one way of life to the other takes practice. You have to want to.
If we take a look at each of these lifestyles and the consequences of
each we certainly can figure out one is better than the other. We need
to follow the right direction.
Sometimes we think it looks better on the other side of the
fence. We let ourselves be led into activities that are not beneficial
to our lives. Paul cautions us about that:
Galatians 5: 7-12, You were running a good race. Who
cut in on you and kept you from obeying the truth? That kind of
persuasion does not come from the one who calls you. "A little yeast
works through the whole batch of dough." I am confident in the Lord that
you will take no other view. The one who is throwing you into confusion
will pay the penalty, whoever he may be.
Paul encourages us to live correctly
Galatians 5:13-15, You, my brothers, were called to be
free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather,
serve one another in love. The entire law is summed up in a single
command: "Love your neighbor as yourself." If you keep on biting and
devouring each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other.
Do you remember last week we talked about letting God have
control of your life? Who is in control of your life. Have we reduced
ourselves to spreading rumors. Rumors can mislead and destroy. I would
caution you not to get caught up in the rumor mill. It is not beneficial
for you or anyone else. James wrote, let your yes be yes and your no be
no. Sounds simple and we should strive to keep it that way. God Bless
THOUGHTS FROM THE ROAD
With great anticipation we headed to Thompson last weekend
for the Icebreaker. We were met by cold and rain. I stopped by of Friday
afternoon to find the NASCAR officials doing car inspections under the
cover of many E-Z ups. They were trying to get a jump on the work ahead
for the weekend as 40+ Modifieds showed up to run the first event of
2008.
Saturday started wet and the schedule was moved out some 2
hours. Qualifying was completed just after 7:00 with James Civali
bringing home his first Pole for the #28 King Racing Corvette. A new
decal required this year is a white strip with red letters reading
“Whelen” positioned on the leading edge of the roof. It proudly
proclaims the Title sponsor on the Tour. I think it is a great addition.
The SK mod feature sent Woody Pitkat to the hospital with a
shoulder injury. Woody was game on Sunday despite his discomfort. As it
turned out, he would not have to get back in the car. The second half of
the Late Model and SK Mod features would fall victim to the weather.
Sunday’s forecast as of Thursday was sunny and warm. Again,
the weather forecasters proved anything is possible. Sunday was a day
out of early winter, not spring. The Icebreaker was just that, if you
stood still long enough you were frozen stiff. With a steady wind out of
the Northeast and mist in the air we started to race.
The day turned tragic during the NEMA feature. A lap three
accident involving the car of 27 year old Shane Hammond left the track
and struck a billboard structure. Shane lost his life in the accident
casting an even darker cloud over the day.
Please keep the entire NEMA family and the family of Shane in
your thoughts and prayers. They will need all of our support to deal
with this tragedy.
After a delay the racing resumed with the WMT taking the
track for their 150 lap event. Under dark clouds and a steady mist the
green flag waved. After 92 laps the race was halted and Ed Flemke the
winner followed by Chuck Hossfeld and Bobby Grigas III.
To be honest my heart wasn’t in this one. My heart goes out
to those who lost so much this past Sunday. You do what you need to do
to get through it but it doesn’t make it any easier. A couple of the
drivers on the WMT knew Shane and I am sure climbing into their cars was
difficult. We did our best to help them through this difficult day.
We will be down at Waterford next week for the Bud Nationals.
The NEMA Midgets are on the schedule and it will surly be a difficult
race for them. Keep us in your prayers as we minister. God Bless and
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***
April 10
DENNIS & DARLA SETZER - The Newton, NC CTS driver and wife have
their special day.
JOE & BRENDA RIOLO - This CWES driver and wife have their
anniversary.
April 11
TONY & DEBBIE VECCHIO - This NASCAR CWES GRAND NATIONAL team owner
couple from have their 21th anniversary.
April 13
TED & BETH SEMINARA - The Brewster, NY, now in Mt. Holly, NC
proprietor of TS Racing Photo and Sprint Cup "AARN" photographer and
lively wife share their 17th anniversary.
***HAPPY BIRTHDAYS***
April 9
DALE SHAW - Center Conway, NH NASCAR CWES driver/ fabricator.
ROGER HILL - Westfield, NC NASCAR WMT Hillbilly Racing Team owner.
BOBBY RUSS WOOD - Richmond, MO All Pro Series driver.
JOHN "PEACH FUZZ" JONES - This fan and son of Fuzzy Pete and Ro from
Shirley, NY turns 10.
April 10
KASEY KAHNE - Enumclaw, WA NSC team driver for Evernham Motorsports
Dodge.
WARREN KUHLTHAU III - Wall Township Speedway Modified driver.
PAUL McELEARNEY - Riverhead LM driver from Commack, NY
JOHN GEORGIADES - Stafford Speedway staffer and dad of the well
known CT racing family.
SHIRLEY HIETALA - Enfield, CT mom of Mod driver Brad.
DEBORAH ZURAWSKI - Wife/car owner for husband Riverhead LM driver
Robert.
April 11
MIKE EWANITSKO - North Babylon, NY WMT driver.
DON LaHUE - White Mountain Motorsports Park (VT) driver.
RUSSELL WOOD - Son of Pelham, MA ISMA SuperModified driver Russ
and wife Lisa is 14.
ED D'HONDT, JR - Son of Long Island, now in Mooresville, NC, NSC
Team Manager Ed, Sr.
KARSYN JARRETT - NSC's Dale and wife Kelley's youngest is 17.
AIMEE FERREE - A daughter of Pennsylvania Motor Speedway Big
Block LM driver Ed and wife Gayle. Ed is also President of Frankland
Racing Supply who supplies those Frankland Racing Rears and Clincher
Gears.
April 12
MIKE CALINOFF - Charlotte, NC writer/editor, Producer of STOCK CAR
CITY at www.stockcarcity.com.
JIM HAILEY - Manager of the Richard Childress Show Car Teams out
of Welcome, NC.
DAVE MICHEL - Wall Township Speedway star Modified driver.
TIM DWIGGINS - NC Modified driver.
BOB STRAIT - Mokena, IL ASA/ARCA driver.
TOMMY FOX - Plainfield, CT NASCAR WMT/NASCAR CWES driver and
fabricator.
ELAINE FEBRIELLO - Wife of retired Waterbury, CT Modified team
owner, Woody.
MARK FEBRIELLO - Elaine and Woody's son.
April 13
RUSS HERSEY, JR. - Keene, NH NASCAR CWES driver.
CHRIS AMAN - NC based, Interlaken NY Mod Series/NASCAR CWES
driver.
MITCH GIBBS - Norwich, NY dirt Modified driver.
DARRYL CARL - Voorheesville, NY occasional NASCAR CWES driver.
JAY STUART - Preston, CT proprietor of JDM Chassis and
accomplished LM driver.
KEITH WHITE - Higginsville, MO All Pro Series driver.
KEN DIPPEL - Upstate NY photographer.
MARK GEER, JR. - A son of former Waterford Mod Tech Inspector
Mark and Office Manager wife Linda.
JEAN SMERIGLIO - Brookfield, CT wife of retired Danbury driver
Dave.
DEAN DeBOIS - El Monte, CA dad of Pam Krause, wife of AARN's
Ass't to the Editor, Earl.
April 14
JOHNNY RUMLEY - Winston-Salem, NC NNS driver.
JEFF ANDRETTI - Bethlehem, PA Indy Car/NSC/NNS driver; Mario's
youngest son.
PAUL SACKS - Son of NSC driver Greg.
DICK FEARN - Feeding Hills, MA dad of ProStock driver Tom.
April 15 TAX FILING DEADLINE
BOBBY HUTCHENS - NC Modified driver.
JIM RAYMOND - Earlville, NY crewman on the Mitch Gobbs dirt Mod.
*** NEW BEGINNINGS ***
MAX HELTON - Founder of Motor Racing Outreach and Worldspan
Ministries went home to be with the Lord this past week. Max Helton
passed away peacefully at home on Sunday evening March 30, following a
heroic battle with brain cancer. The family requests that in lieu of
flowers memorials contributions may be sent to: Worldspan Ministries,
P.O. Box 681117, Charlotte, NC 28216
SHARE YOUR SPECIAL OCCASIONS WITH YOUR RACING FAMILY.
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RACING WITH JESUS MINISTRIES
PO BOX 586, Tolland, CT, 06084
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Racing With Jesus Ministries Website
