The Chrome Horn - Racing With Jesus Ministries

   4/30/2009

WHO WILL BE SUCCESSFUL (PART ONE)
by Rev. Don Rivers

   The new season has started and questions have started to be answered. Who will have success? Who will be successful? These are two similar questions but with very different answers. Greetings in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
   A successful season is different for each team. Some will judge the season a failure if they don't end up with the championship. Some are looking just to improve over last year's performance. Some are looking for seat time and for some finishing the race in one piece is judged a success. Whatever our standard, having success is different for each one of us.
   Being judged successful however is a different thing altogether. You know there are two different ways of looking at things, our way and God's way. When we judge success in earthly terms we focus on accomplishments and status. We look at awards and recognition. When we look at success from a Biblical viewpoint we focus on those who have submitted themselves to God and have chosen to do His will.
   Will you be successful? That depends on the standard you use. Many thought Jesus a failure as he hung on the cross. They challenged Him to save Himself. They hurled insults at Him and questioned His claim to be the Son of God. In the end Jesus accomplished what He came to do, He gave His life so that we might have life.
   In this passage of Scripture from the Gospel of Luke we can find some help in our quest to be successful.

   Luke5:1-11, One day as Jesus was standing by the Lake of Gennesaret , with the people crowding around him and listening to the word of God, he saw at the water's edge two boats, left there by the fishermen, who were washing their nets. He got into one of the boats, the one belonging to Simon, and asked him to put out a little from shore. Then he sat down and taught the people from the boat. When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, "Put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch." Simon answered, "Master, we've worked hard all night and haven't caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets." When they had done so, they caught such a large number of fish that their nets began to break. So they signaled their partners in the other boat to come and help them, and they came and filled both boats so full that they began to sink. When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at Jesus' knees and said, "Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man!" For he and all his companions were astonished at the catch of fish they had taken, and so were James and John, the sons of Zebedee, Simon's partners. Then Jesus said to Simon, "Don't be afraid; from now on you will catch men." So they pulled their boats up on shore, left everything and followed him.

   In chapter five Luke tells us about the calling of the first disciples. We read about the calling of Simon Peter. He had just finished a night of fishing and was cleaning up his nets. Think of it like the end of a race. You had trouble and didn't finish, a DNF. You and your crew are cleaning up and along comes this guy who wants to use your hauler as a pulpit. After he is done speaking he starts to tell you how to set up your car and how to win the next race. You look at him as if to say, "What do you know about racing?" He says trust me and do what I tell you. Reluctantly you agree. You set the car up and sure enough you run the fastest you have ever run. Maybe there is something to this guy? Maybe I should follow him?
   Let's examine what has taken place. First we have to let Jesus in. Whether it's our boat, our hauler or our life, success cannot happen without Jesus being a part of it. If we refuse to let Jesus in we are doomed to failure from the start.
   Once Jesus is a part of our life we have to let him have control. What good is it to have Christ as a part of our life if we are not going to listen to him? He will guide and direct us to what is right and just. He will guide us to places we would not go on our own. We need to listen and follow.
   As we take a closer look we need some background. The best time to fish was at night and in shallow water. Jesus instructed Simon Peter to put out to deep water in the middle of the day. Peter, like us, questioned if Jesus knew what he was talking about. Jesus did and proved it with a large catch of fish.

   On the road to success here are our first set if directions;
  1) The first step to being successful is including Jesus. He must be a part of our life.
  2) We must allow Jesus to have control of the direction and decisions in our life.
  3) Jesus will guide us to people, places and things that we wouldn't have met, gone or done if we didn't follow Him.

   I would encourage you to spend some time this week reading and reflecting on this passage of scripture. Next week we will look at this passage again and see what further application we can find. Until next week keep the Son in your eyes. God Bless, Rev. Don


   THOUGHTS FROM THE ROAD

   ONE
- A lonely number if you listen to Three Dog Night, but it is the sweetest number if you are TC. If you have ever heard of Three Dog Night you are in the same age bracket as the man who has dominated the Whelen Modified Tour this year. So far TC has only had to remember one number, one. Again he set fast time and won the pole, then went out and won the race. TC has been difficult to catch this year in his title defense. We will meet again at Stafford the Friday night of Memorial Day Weekend, I wonder if that number will change?

   REV. DAN’S TRIP SOUTH - Tri-County is a very well kept clean facility. They even had a crew go out before the practice session walk the track with buckets and pick up anything that was not supposed to be there. The bathrooms were even well maintained and cleaned throughout the day. Note: when you travel through the night, well kept bathrooms are high on the priority list.
   Chapel went great - well attended and I have to give Race Director Kip Childress a big thank you for arranging the days schedule so we are able to have the service right after the drivers meeting. I missed most of the practice session as I had to take a nap after driving through the night to get to the track - something that I will willingly do to be the chaplain for this series. Many hearts and lives were touched by the ministry in chapel and in the pits throughout the day. Many thanks to Ricky Maddox for taking the time out of his busy schedule to make the trip south. He was invaluable as a second driver and as a chapel assistant - He prayed beautifully with much enthusiasm and was an encouragement to me this weekend.
   Alan Tardiff did a great job and took the pole in qualifying. The race reminded me of the typical short track racing that was the roots for the Camping World Series East. Congratulations to Matt DeBenidetto who took the win of the 150 lap race that ended on lap 165 with an exciting green white checkered finish. Jody Lavender crossed the line 4th sideways with smoke and sparks flying due to contact with Patrick Long. Walking through the pits after the race, you could tell that this was a short track with may cars sustaining body damage. Great racing put on by all the drivers of the Camping World Series, and I can't wait for Iowa!

   WEDDING CAKE IN VICTORY LANE - As many of the fans in attendance for the pit party at Stafford found out, this was a perfect day for a wedding. I had my back to the crowd as I performed the ceremony in victory lane and didn’t realize how many folks were watching. When I pronounced the couple husband and wife a roar usually reserved for the start of the race rang out. As the pit party ended they cut the cake and shared it with all the folks who wanted some. Congratulations to Mr. and Mrs. George Jones!

   NEW ADDITION TO THE RWJM TEAM - This weekend we added another team member to the crew. Kyle Moreau spent his inaugural weekend with me at Stafford . Kyle will be Phillip Satkowski’s right hand man as they minister to the Whelen All-American Series racers at Stafford Motor Speedway. He may also join me out at Thompson from time to time. If you see Kyle out there let him know you appreciate him.
   Here’s to another racing season under way, we have a little gap in the schedule as both divisions are off next week. We however will be on the road. We are participating in a car show and auction for Plumstead Christian School in Plumsteadville, PA. Grimm Racing will be sending a car down to display alongside the RWJM Pace Car. If you are in the area come down and see us.

   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***

May 1

BILL & KATHY COTROFELD
- The couple who haul and display the Featherlite Show Trailer have their 33rd.
RON & SUE CORNELL - AARN and Maine based "Racin' Paper" columnists from Westport, MA have their 32nd anniversary.

May 3
WOODY & ELAINE FEBRIELLO
- This former NASCAR Modified team owner and wife from Waterbury , CT share their 37th anniversary.

May 4
PHIL & CONNIE RONDEAU
- This Baltic, CT Cup/Mod/LM driver and wife have shared 17 years together.
GARY & TINA DANKO - This Connecticut tracks announcer, radio show host and wife share their 8th.

***HAPPY BIRTHDAYS***

April 29

CHAD LITTLE
- Spokane , WA lawyer and now Whelen Modified Tour Director for NASCAR.
JIM LOWREY, JR. - NH SuperModified driver.
DAVE FAIR - Oaks, CA SCCA driver.
BRUCE THOMPSON - Newtown, PA Len's dad.
MARK MOCKOVAC - Husband of Claremont Speedway Modified driver Audrey Stevens and the Media Coordinator for the TVMS from Danbury , CT
BOB MORRIS - Auburn, ME racing columnist.
JOHN SZERENCITS III - Whitehall, PA brother of AARN subscription sales rep. Don. LINDA & NICOLE BRUNO - The wife and daughter of Jim, from Absecon , NJ both celebrate today.
DAVE JONES - Driver of the #76 sprint car at Lernerville and other West Pennsylvania tracks and a member of the "old guy race team".

April 30
MICHAEL WALTRIP
- NAPA's NSC driver/team owner for Toyota 's entry into cup racing.
ANDY HILLENBURG - Indianapolis , IN NNS/ARCA/Sprint driver.
JASON MANAFORT - Plainville, CT former NASCAR CWES driver.
FRANK KIMMEL - Clarksville , IN ARCA Series driver.
JEFF KAUFMAN - Red Bank, NJ Modified owner/driver.
CHRIS GRADY - Son of Lebanon Valley Speedway photographer John.
JACKIE HENDRICKSON - Wife of Lawrenceville, NJ Modified driver Wade.
DAN SERRANO - The grandson of Rusty Farrar, who is also the mother of Kathy Van Norde, wife of Wall Truck Division driver Bruce, has favorite drivers we must mention including the Hoffman brothers, Jimmy Blewett and Darren McCaughey and a writer for www.newjerseydirtracing.com

May 1
JOHNNY SAUTER
- NASCAR Sprint Cup/ NNS driver.

May 2
BUZZ CALKINS
- Denver , CO IRL driver.
DAVE MEDLER - Auburn , NY Steve Paine and Mark Martin fan.

May 3
TONY HIRSCHMAN
- Northampton, PA Whelen Modified Tour five time champion.
WALTER CHARETTE - Linwood, MA Mike Stefanik/Dale Jarrett fan.
DAVE DORNBLASER - 270cc Micro-Sprint driver at Borger 's Speedway and Kutztown Fairgrounds.
CAROL EVONSION - Wife of former Riverside Park Mod driver S.J.Evonsion.

May 4
JOHN FORCE
- Yorba Linda , CA NHRA Funny Car driver.
BILL PARK - Riverhead Raceway NASCAR Modified driver.
TONY URBINA - Riverhead LM driver.
FRANK MANCINI - Father of Janice Brice, wife of Bill III.
WHITNEY BENDER - Daughter of Colden , NY NASCAR CWES driver Tim and wife Kathy is 18.
TROY OADE ESTELLE- The son of Eddie and Lori Estell. Eddie is a crewman on the #119 Street Stock driven by Rob Ormsbee at East Windsor , NJ Speedway . Eddie is also a HUGE Bill Elliott fan and a faithful Wall Township Speedway fan. Troy turned lap 8.

May 5
MIKE WEEDEN
- No. Haverhill , MA retired NASCAR CWES/LM driver.
JEFF YANNETTA - Bridgewater , NJ Flemington Go-Kart driver.
SARA ELIZABETH SANTERRE - The daughter of CWES championship driver/Car Owner Andy and Sue Santerre is 6.

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

 

SourceRev Don Rivers / Racing With Jesus Ministries
Posted: April 23, 2009

Schedule/Results
Drivers
Points
Schedule/Results
Drivers
Points
Schedule/Results
Drivers
Points
Schedule/Results
Drivers
Points
Schedule/Results
Drivers
Points

©2009 GeeLaw Motorsports/Wolf Pack Ventures, Inc.