Last week I talked about how we relate to others. I said we would take a
closer look at the subject this week. As we get started take a look
around. Who do you have relationships with? Why? Greetings in the name
of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
You are at the racetrack and you need a part for your car, who do
you go ask? You go to someone you know. You go to someone who you know
will help you out. How do you know? You know because you have a
relationship with them.
In our day to day lives we meet people and interact with them. Some
we decide to get to know better than others. Who we choose and why is an
interesting process. Did you know that guys generally choose who to be
friends with based on what others have. Let me explain.
If Joe has a truck and you don’t, you may choose to become friends
with Joe because you may need a truck someday. Think about it, if you
doubt it, go by a truck and see how many friends you suddenly have.
That is not the only way we choose our friends. We have many
different things that draw us to others. Stop for a moment and think
about why you hang around with the people you do. Think about what
attracts you to someone else.
Just like we have many people we have relationships with, there are
many different kinds of relationships. Some are close and some are
social. No matter the relationship there are a few things that are true
about each one of them. Close relationships are built on trust,
communication, time, honesty and faith.
Without these components close relationships cannot exist. We can
pretend, but when times get tuff and they will, only relationships that
are built on this solid foundation will be able to stand.
The keys to secure, close relationships come directly from our
relationship with God through Jesus. The relationship that God desires
to have with each one of us involves each of these. Lets break it down a
little.
Trust, it is difficult to be close with someone you cannot trust.
Think about how difficult it would be to share your most intimate
thoughts if you didn’t feel you could trust someone. You wouldn’t and
the relationship would not be as close as it should be. Think about the
relationships you have, are the trusting ones?
Communication is another vital component. How close can you be if
you don’t talk with someone? Communication can also be done without
talking, our body language can indicate our true feelings. Communicating
with each other helps develop the trust required in any close
relationship. It also helps us recognize each other, “that doesn’t sound
like….”
Time is another necessity, time spent together and time spent
thinking about one another. How much time have you spent on the
relationships you are in? Sometimes we think others will understand our
absence but it takes it toll. There is no substitute for being there.
Honesty is a given. No relationship stands a chance if honesty is
absence. Trust is built on being trustworthy. We are trustworthy when we
are honest with each other. When we are not honest we deceive not only
the other person but ourselves. There is tremendous pressure on a
relationship when it is built on lies.
When these components are present they produce faith. When we can
depend on someone to fulfill their responsibilities in a relationship it
is a freeing feeling. We are at peace. It puts the finishing touches on
what it means to be in a close personal relationship.
Let me transfer this to the personal relationship we need to have
with God through Jesus. You see Jesus opened the door so that we could
seek out God and have a close personal relationship with Him.
Seek Him out by reading His word and getting to know Him. Spend
some time talking with Him and asking Him some questions. You will find
Him trustworthy and Honest. You will find Him worthy of placing your
faith in. I am reminded of the passage that Jesus spoke at the end of
His sermon on the mount. He talked about two men who had heard His
words. One chose to listen, one chose to ignore them. The lived their
life and challenges came. One was able to put his trust and faith in
God. The other had only himself to depend on. One was able to stand. The
other life crumbled and crashed.
Matthew 7:24-27, “Therefore everyone who hears these words
of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his
house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds
blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had
its foundation on the rock. But everyone who hears these words of mine
and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his
house on sand. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew
and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash."
Who do you think we need to have a relationship with? Life is
difficult at best. We cannot make it through alone. We need the
companionship of others. God made us that way. Take some time and work
on the relationships in your life. Make every effort to build them on
the rock that is the teaching of our Lord, Jesus Christ. Learn how
having these close relationships can make life worth living. Build a
relationship with God today.
THOUGHTS FROM THE ROAD
STAFFORD BANQUET HAS A SURPRISE - I was the guest of the
Arute’s last Friday night at their Champion’s Banquet. It was good to
see everyone again. Every notice how different people look out of their
racing cloths? For the most part it was your standard fair, awards,
photos, speeches. Then it happened, I had a little heads up from Mark
Arute but I wasn’t the only one in the room shocked. The recipient
himself wasn’t sure if this was just a joke. After the announcement he
was speechless. Pay close attention to this one, The only driver who
could pin the boo meter was voted by the fans as the Most Popular
Drivers in the SKMod division. None other than Ted Christopher, he
couldn’t believe it. He walked to the podium turning wondering if he
really heard that right, You sure you counted the votes right?” That was
one award that TC had written off and never expected to win. Our
Stafford Chaplain, Rev. Rick Satkowski, told TC that he must be rubbing
off on him.
It was a great time and we are looking forward to 2009.
TURKEY DERBY PRACTICE A FULL HOUSE - Received a report from
Wall, the pits are full! The Turkey Derby preparations are in full
swing. Wall is alive with the sound of race cars! Wall Lives! You could
hear the excitement in Bob’s voice, like a long lost friend was found.
Like something so special was lost and now was found. Bob was walking on
air as he ministered in the pits he had called home for over 25 years.
He was thrilled.
Sponsor a lap and help promote the event. Racing with Jesus has
gotten into the act. You will find our name on lap 80, because it was in
1980 that this ministry was started by Rev. Pat. We are thankful for his
vision and his effort to open doors. Thanks Pat!
MODIFIED DRIVER SHOWS UP IN GREENWICH - The Royal Rangers (A
scouting organization backed by the Assembly of God church) from Harvest
Time Church International in Greenwich , CT are in the midst of building
their cars for the annual pinewood derby. Glen Reen Rookie of the Year
on the Whelen Modified Tour gave them a little incentive to keep on
going when he bought his NASCAR Modified to the church parking lot.
After the evening’s opening ceremonies, the boys came outside to take a
look at a real race car. The majority of them have never seen a race car
up close before. Each boy was able to sit in it, put Glen's helmet on
and dream about what it would be like to drive one of these. Glen bought
along some glow sticks and chocolate candy bars in the shape of a race
car for each boy. They enjoyed these while waiting in line to get in the
car. After each boy had a chance to get in, they all stood back and Glen
fired up the modified and revved up the motor for all to hear. He peaked
the interest of a lot of kids about racing - and the grown-ups as well.
I heard many comments such as "Wow, I never heard anything like that
before - it's shaking me up inside" or "I am definitely going to a race
next season and bring my boys to see these on the track". Many from the
church Youth Group and others from evening's service came out to take a
look. Afterwards, we gave the boys and commanders an opportunity to ask
questions and each one got an autograph on one of Glen's hero cards.
Many of the boys were really interested in racing and want to come to
the track and watch a race. They also received the encouragement they
needed to continue working on their pinewood derby cars. Thank you Glen,
and God bless you for taking the time to come down and showing your car
and giving the boys something to talk about for a long time.
We have now entered the off season. A couple of car shows, some
speaking engagements and the banquet circuit on the agenda. Keep in mind
we are available to come and speak to your group or church. Give us a
call.
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 20
RON & LYNN HEDGER - This upstate NY NSS writer and wife share their
anniversary.
KRISTOFER & STEPHANIE SMITH - He a former CWES crewmember and She
a former media center worker at NHIS were married this day in 2004.
November 21
JOE & ANDREA NEMECHEK - The Lakeland, FL Bell South NSC driver and
wife have their 14th anniversary.
WALT & MARSHA DYER - The owners of the Lance Dewease driven
Pennsy Sprint No. 461 have their 55th anniversary.
November 22
CARL (Bugs Stevens) & DORIS BERGHMAN - This retired Modified
champion of Rehoboth, MA; parents of current Prostock driver Dave
Berghman, have their 48th 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 28th
anniversary.
November 23
LEO & CLAYLENE ADAMS - This Pomfret, CT Pro Tour Truck driver and
wife have their 31st anniversary.
JASON & STACEY KOHLER - This Fleetwood, PA Micro Sprint driver
and wife have their special day.
***HAPPY BIRTHDAYS***
November 19
RON BURNS - Phoenix, AZ NASCAR West driver.
November 20
PETE MORGANTINI - West Pittston, PA NASCAR Mod driver, son of engine
builder Lou.
ANDY BELMONT - ARCA driver/ New Egypt co-promoter.
ACE LANE, JR. - Legendary New Jersey photographer.
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 NSC Crew Chief.
TOMMY GAVINE - Proprietor of Stafford Springs, CT Fyne Lyne
Fabrication.
November 23
RICK CLONCH - E. Smithfield, PA NASCAR CWES driver.
RON BOUCHARD - Fitchburg, MA retired NSC driver.
PATRICK O'BRIEN - A son of Tammy Longacre in Boyertwon, PA is 9.
KEVIN OKULA - Son of Wayne, Team manager for the #28 King Racing
Modified and Charger Driver for #67 - Riverhead Raceway & Sharon.
November 24
DOUG MESERVEY - Chatham, MA NASCAR CWES/NASCAR WMT driver.
BUDDY PARROTT - NSC 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 CWES 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.
*** NEW BEGINNINGS ***
DAVE SUCHY - Forner ARDC Midget driver , died of cancer, on Oct. 16
at age 56. Dave competed with the ARDC with his self-owned light blue
roadster No. 27 beginning in the mid-1980s past 2000; and was also a
board member of the ARDC as secretary for several years. He originally
drove dirt Modifieds and Late Models in Pa. Cards may go to his fiancé
Sandy Moll, at 101 North Penn St., Palmyra, PA 17078.
SHARE YOUR SPECIAL OCCASIONS WITH YOUR RACING FAMILY.
SEND THEM TO:
RACING WITH JESUS MINISTRIES
PO BOX 586, Tolland, CT, 06084
TheChromeHorn RWJM Archives
Racing With Jesus Ministries Website
