Some things in life are very useful to have. Marketing companies have
made a living out of convincing us that we cannot live without it. What
is truly useful in our live? What can we not live without? Greetings in
the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Racing requires teamwork; teamwork requires that members pull their
own weight. Let’s face it, some team members are more useful than
others. I bet if you think about it you could come up with a few phrases
for those crewmembers that we label as useless.
The success of a race team is a direct result of how useful each
member is. You can have the most talented team available but if the
don't put that talent to use then it doesn't count for anything. You
have to put into use.
This weekend we celebrate Labor Day, a holiday set aside to
celebrate the working men and women of this country. This day was
created to celebrate the contribution they made to make this country
what it is. Think about everything we have, it was brought to you by the
working men and women of this country. They used their talents to help
build this country.
Did you know that God created each one of use so that we could be
used by Him to reach others in this world? How useful are we to God?
How about our usefulness to God. I spoke recently about John the
Baptist, he dedicated his life to serving God. Listen to how he is
described:
Matthew 3:1-6, In those days John the Baptist came,
preaching in the Desert of Judea and saying, "Repent, for the kingdom of
heaven is near." This is he who was spoken of through the prophet
Isaiah:
"A voice of one calling in the desert,
`Prepare the way for the Lord,
make straight paths for him.' "
John's clothes were made of camel's hair, and he had a leather belt
around his waist. His food was locusts and wild honey. People went out
to him from Jerusalem and all Judea and the whole region of the Jordan .
Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River.
John didn't count personal comfort or possessions as something to
be valued. He counted service to God as the most valuable thing he could
do with his life. He made straight the paths for the Lord. What do you
suppose that involved? We can look to Isaiah 40 for some clarification.
Isaiah 40:3-4, A voice of one calling:
"In the desert prepare
the way for the LORD;
make straight in the wilderness
a highway for our God.
Every valley shall be raised up,
every mountain and hill made low;
the rough ground shall become level,
the rugged places a plain.
Building a highway takes some work, removing all the obstacles from
the path is challenging. Think of the end result, a road that is
straight and flat, one that can be traveled fast on.
Let's transfer that image to someone's life. In life we have
mountains to climb, pitfalls, bumps and potholes. Most times we are so
focused on making it through these challenges we don't think to turn to
God. We are just trying to survive.
Our job is to help people get through these things in their life so
that they can see the love God has for them. When we do, there will be a
highway for God. Think about it, when people are delivered from the
challenges life presents them and they realize it was God who delivered
them, they will acknowledge that and see God's Glory. We are there to
help them see the love that God has for them.
Back to the question, how useful are we to God? Take this Labor Day
to reflect on the efforts of others to build this country. Also, take
time and ask God how you can be more useful to him. Have a great holiday
weekend.
THOUGHTS FROM THE ROAD
What a beautiful day, lets play two! I borrowed the phrase from
baseball, but it applied at Mansfield . For the first time in weeks
weather was not an issue. The day was a long one, maybe we can take a
look at it and shorten it up a little next year, but no matter we had a
great day if racing.
We were joined in Mansfield by Chuck, our Midwest Chaplain. He
arrived at the crack of dawn to start getting chapel flyers up. Dan and
I were still on the road. Getting a late start due to a family event on
Friday evening we pulled in at 7:00am with our faithful sidekick,
8-track. Ken added shadow to his nickname list on this trip. With
apologies to Gino, Shadow Spring was put into service to bring Dan's
pacecar back to New York after it was serviced at Bolles. Ken needed to
stay close to me as we drove down, closer than my shadow. For most of
the trip I could not see the head lights. No bumps or bruises, the car
made it back in one piece.
Shadow then took his familiar position in the passenger seat to
keep us awake as we drove through the night. We arrived without too much
trouble, in time to cover the days activities.
Have you ever noticed how God works things out? Let me take a
little side road hear and talk about how God has blessed this ministry
over the last few weeks. We were at Lime Rock Park last week when a
Pastor from North Haven , Ray Pavkov, saw the pace cars and stopped by
to ask about the ministry. We talked for a while, I gave him a ministry
hat to wear and we made plans to set up a trip to Thompson up so that he
could learn more.
During our conversation I explained that we would be headed to
Mansfield this weekend and he shared about his brother and others he
knew in the area. He thought that they would be interested in the
ministry and agreed to talk with them about it. Most times that is the
end of things, but not with God.
I received two phone calls last week, one from Jim of Bellville,
Ohio who offered to help us with lodging when we were in Ohio , he owns
two hotel eight miles south of the track. I also received a call from
Dave, Ray's brother. He also wanted to talk about the ministry and we
agreed to meet at the track on Saturday. He came and had a great time
learning about racing and how we minister to the racing community. It
was a blessing to have talked and met with them. The amazing thing was
that God put it all in place and we just benefited from His work. God
has it all in His hands we only need to trust and follow him.
Another story from Long Island , Riverhead to be exact. Pastor
Scott reports things are growing and going great at Riverhead. He is
thankful for the hospitality and inviting way he has been received. He
had to take a trip to California to find us here in Connecticut . It is
another example of God working though people who are willing to let Him
guide their lives. In his short time at Riverhead he has endeared
himself to the race fans. He is part of the flag parade during the
National Anthem with his Mercury. He hit the gas a little too hard to
catch up to the line and the tires broke loose. The fans thought the
burnout was great! I am told it is now part of the show. Scott is doing
a great job out on the Island .
Back to the race. Matt Kobyluck couldn't make it four in a row, but
came back from a flat tire to finish second. Brian Ickler made short
work of his first trip to the Ohio half mile. He brought home his third
victory of the year to start the doubleheader. Peyton Sellers limped
home third with a skipping powerplant ready to overheat at any moment.
The Modifieds closed out the evening with their half of the show.
The track at Mansfield was built for Modifieds and they put on a show.
TC and Ryan Preece had the cars to beat and as I talked with Ryan after
the race he shared he had one move left to try and get around TC but the
green, white, checker prevented him from finishing the deal. Jimmy
Blewett had other plans. As the two lap shootout developed Jimmy got
under Ryan for second and the three came across the line under a
blanket. TC, Blewett and Preece, what a great finish.
On the road again, headed back east. Without any rainouts this year
we have Labor Day weekend open for a little R & R. I am headed to the
beach in Maine , Dan is headed to the cabin in New York and 8-Track is
headed to Thunder Road . Have a great holiday.
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 30
SONNY & HENRIETTA KOSZELLA - The proprietor of Koszella Speed
Warehouse in Coventry , RI and wife have their 50th anniversary. They
are also the very proud parents of the lovely Julie Stefanik, wife of
NASCAR WMT & CWES Champion Mike Stefanik.
AUGUST 31
RICK & LIND RODENBAUGH - This NASCAR WMT couple, she with the Jake
Morose Team and he Co-Crew Chief for Wade Cole share their 6th.
SEPTEMBER 1
BRUCE & SALLY SHIREY - This Latrobe, PA couple who live just five
miles from Latrobe Speedway and also enjoy road racing, have their 23rd
anniversary.
***HAPPY BIRTHDAYS***
August 27
MIKE MORTIMER - "Mighty Mike" drives the LM 14 at Riverhead Raceway.
JOHN MINE - Wall township Speedway driver.
JIMMY BAKER - Crew Chief for the Junior Miller driven Whelen
Southern Modified.
August 28
KRIS SMITH - Husband of former NHIS media room attendant and
chocolate chip cookie lover Stephanie.
RANDY LaJOIE - Norwalk, CT born two time NNS champ, currently
concentrating on selling his excellent race car seats.
KELLEY KING EARNHARDT - Grown-up daughter of the late Dale
Earnhardt.
August 29
MARK FLEURY - NY DIRT Modified driver.
August 30
KEVIN ECKERT - Allentown, PA based Sprint/Midget writer.
AUSTIN MARIE BRUNO - This little lady is the first child of
Bomoseen , VT ACT/ CWES driver Mike and wife Alayne and turns 7.
August 31
JERRY SOLOMITO - Riverhead Modified driver.
JOHN HEWITT - DIRT Modified driver.
GARY MOORE - Horseshoe, NC driver/owner.
HOWIE HODGE - Well liked and respected photographer from
Manchester , CT.
September 1
BRETT HEARN - Sussex, NJ top DIRT Modified driver.
LENNY FISCHER - Riverhead Raceway Modified driver.
EDDIE HOWELL - Lakeland, Fl former Dash Series driver.
LARRY BOUCHARD - Feeding Hills, MA ProStock driver.
DAVID STOKES - Son of Wall Township Speedway co-announcer Roger
Stokes.
FRAN COLSON II - Son of Leominster , MA ProStock driver Fran and
wife Doreen.
September 2
JIM CHAPIN - Friend of RWJM ministries.
JACK JOHNSON - Duanesburg, NY legendary dirt Modified driver.
MARK FUSCO - DIRT Modified driver.
BLAIR AIKEN - Lakeport, CA NASCAR West driver.
STEVE GOLEMBESKI, Jr. - Jamie Tomaino NASCAR WMT team crewman.
CLAYLENE ADAMS - Wife of Pomfret, CT Pro Tour Truck and ProStock
driver Leo.
ADAM VENEZIAN - The son of Statewide Trailer/Perth Amboy Spring
owner Joe and wife Linda.
SHARE YOUR SPECIAL OCCASIONS WITH YOUR RACING FAMILY.
SEND THEM TO:
RACING WITH JESUS MINISTRIES
PO BOX 586, Tolland, CT, 06084
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Racing With Jesus Ministries Website
