The Chrome Horn - Racing With Jesus Ministries

   7/17/2009

REST WITH JESUS
by Rev. Don Rivers

   Racing for fun or for a living is stressful. The nature of the deal is that our life is on the edge. When you are at the track everything seems to run at 100 miles an hour. It is racing after all. It is supposed to move fast. Maybe it is a good time to take a rest. Greetings in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
   Resting with Jesus, sounds like a new name for a ministry? The racing world does not corner the market on stress and frustration. The world we live in has been described as a rat race. Did you every find yourself wondering why you do what you do? Many times in life the thought crosses our mind concerning our motivation. Why do we do this? Why am I here? When we get to that point it is good to step back and take a look at things. Take a step out of your routine and look for a place to rest and collect your thoughts. Jesus is that place.
   Jesus came to save us. From what you ask, from us. We fill our lives with so much stuff that the stuff starts to win out. We develop a lifestyle that feeds off itself. We start finding ourselves needing to do this, this and this in order to maintain our lifestyle. It becomes overwhelming and we just keep on going trying to stay one-step ahead, for what? So we can live?
   I am not sure many people would classify what they do as living. They may say surviving, but not living. We all have a vision of what living is and we are not there yet.
   In his poem, The Station, Hastings talks about the vision, “when we get there”. Where? A new house, car, home, kids through school, promotion, win a race. We never get there. Our vision is never satisfied. He writes further to say it is not the destination, but the journey that we must focus on. That is why Jesus makes this offer in Matthew:

   Matthew 11:28-29, nlt, Then Jesus said, "Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle, and you will find rest for your souls.

   Is your soul restless? Is your life upside down? Jesus provides for each one of us the security of a destination. If we accept Him we will be with him for eternity. Destination settled, now about the journey.

   At Thompson Speedway by the handicapper’s shack there is a bench. It was given to Rev. Pat in honor of his service helping racers on their journey. The message is simple, come unto me and rest. Park it on the bench, focus on the journey and not the destination, spend some time with Jesus and seek His will for your life. When we ask, seek and knock, it will be provided for us within the will of God. RWJ takes on a new meaning, Rest with Jesus.

Ask, Seek, Knock

  
7 "Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.
  
9 "Which of you, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? 10 Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? 11 If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him! 12 So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.


   When we take a step back from the challenges of our life and we realize that we do not have to win the race, our Savior has already won that race. We can adjust our focus and look around us and participate in the journey. Along that road we need to reach out and help one another. We need to guide and direct people to the source of life. We need to, as Jesus said, be humble and gentle as we demonstrate how to live.

   David writes in Psalm twenty-three,

   Psalm 23 1-3,nlt, The LORD is my shepherd; I have everything I need. He lets me rest in green meadows; he leads me beside peaceful streams. He renews my strength.

   In Jesus we have everything we need. Rest in Him, walk with Him and let Him renew your strength.

THOUGHTS FROM THE ROAD

   Had a little R & R last week, Lynda and I had the trip of a lifetime. After spending some time in Seattle we headed south along the Pacific Coast to San Francisco . The scenery was awesome and the weather was fantastic, but as vacations do they come to an end. We headed back to the east and got ready for some racing.
   The schedule had me headed for Williamson , NY and Dan headed for Thompson. The weather had other ideas. A heavy band of Thundershowers forced the action at Spencer to be delayed until Sunday. I headed back home to prepare for Sunday morning while Dan extended his trip and after a quick nap headed to Spencer to cover the action on Sunday.
   I traveled twelve hours and didn’t get to see any racing; I guess that is the way it goes sometimes. I did get a chance to talk with a few teams at the stops along the turnpike on the way to the track. In the end they got the race in on Sunday and we don’t have to reschedule.
   The Camping World East Series ran as part of the Full-Fendered Frenzy at Thompson on Saturday. They beat the weather. Ryan Truex had success on another track that his brother dominated at and came home with the win ahead of Steve Park. Park won the pole and had one of his most successful weekends since coming back to the run the series.
   I remember an event that Thompson ran some years ago when Steve Park and Michael Waltrip came to town to run modifieds in a match race. Michael had an issue with the walls and never really got on track, but the event was a fan favorite and continued for a few years. I think it would be great for them to renew the event.
   Sunday saw Dan headed to upstate New York to cover the Sunday action that had been held over from Saturday at Spencer. I am thankful that Dan could make the trip. He saw history as Erick Rudolf became the youngest winner on the Whelen Modified Tour. Roughly four months younger than Ryan Preece when he won last year at Martinsville . The finish was extended for a green, white, checker finish and the top three fit under a blanket. Erick was followed home by Todd Szegedy and Chuck Hossfeld.
   Look for the action to get closer in a few weeks when we visit the tight confines of Riverhead Raceway.

   CHUCK’S DAD GOES HOME - It with a sad heart that I share with you our Midwest Coordinator’s Dad has passed away. Chuck welcomed moving out to Indianapolis to be close to his dad. He was able to spend some additional time with his dad during these last few months. Please keep the entire McNeil family in your thoughts and prayers.
   Don R. McNeil, of Madisonville, Tenn, passed away Thursday, July 9th 2009 at St Mary's Hospice. Don was a UT graduate of the School of Journalism and worked for many years as Executive Secretary of the Tennessee Press Service, Inc. Don is survived by wife, Heidi; son Charles McNeil (Kelly); daughters Jan Newman (Jim); Kimberly Huffman (Jeff); Terri McNeil; mother Ercie McNeil; sisters Glenda McMillan (Dick); Joy McNeil. Grandchildren: Courtney, Meghan, Katie, Will, Hunter, Hannah, Zach, Josh, and Jenna; many nieces and nephews; and 3 great-grandchildren: Parker, Braxton, and Tyler. His "12" friends for life; and his beloved dogs Maggie, Max, and Millie; and cats MissKitty and Sweetiepie.
   Special thank you to Dr. Wahid Hanna and Kimberly, and all of his staff at Turkey Creek; Dr. James Shamiyeh; caregivers, Denise, Melissa, Daniel, Edna, Sheila, and Pam.
   In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society; Monroe County Animal Shelter, 170 Kefauver Lane, Madisonville, Tn 37354; Young Williams Animal Center, 3201 Division Street, Knoxville, Tn.
   Memorial service to be held at Church of the Good Shepherd, 5337 Jacksboro Pike, Knoxville, with Father Charles Fels officiating, on Saturday July 18th at 2:00 PM.

   We have a little break in the schedule until August 1 when both divisions get back into action. Dan will be at Adirondack and I will be headed to Long Island . Until then the break will allow me to get out and take in some local action. I hope to see you out there.

   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***

July 16
KEITH AND DEBBIE KRODEL
- These former Jan Leaty NASCAR WMT team members now living in Pensacola, FL have their 16th anniversary.

July 17
MARK & STELLA BURNS
- This New Hampshire SuperModified team owners have their 25th anniversary.

July 21
JERRY & LINDA SOLOMITO
- It is 23 laps together for this Long Island driver and wife.

***HAPPY BIRTHDAYS***

July 15
LARRY MURDOCK
- "Urkel" is a crew member on the Late Model 14 Team, driven by Mike Mortimer, at Riverhead Raceway.
JOHN GEORGIADES, JR. - CT based ProStock driver.
CARRIE SHUBA - From Syracuse, NY, she was the 1997 Ms Miller Motorsports.
ANTHONY MARVIN - son of Sunoco Modified driver Bert Marvin.

July 16
"BOOTS" TOMAINO
- The mother of WMT career driver Jamie Tomaino.
MIKE FIELDS - The Publisher/Editor of www.LONGISLANDMOTORSPORTS.com from Long Beach, NY and close friend of the ministry has his day.
WAYNE ANDERSON - Wildwood, FL NASCAR Modified driver.

July 17
DOUG WOLCOTT
- NJ asphalt Modified driver.
BRANDON ASH - Umpqua, OR NASCAR West driver.
ERNIE COPE - Spanaway, WA NASCAR West driver.
MICHAEL LEATY - Mod Tour Jan's adult son.

July 18
STEPHEN LEATY
- Jan's next son.
RON CORNELL - Westport, MA AARN columnist and candle maker.
MAGGIE WOODS - The daughter of Tammy and Woody who works for Evernham Racing R&D, living in Mooresville, NC turns 8.

July 20
PETE HAMILTON
- Retired Massachusetts driver for Richard Petty won the Daytona 500 in the 70's.
DAVE WHEELER - Lisbon, CT former LM driver.
DAVE SHIPPEE - Former writing partner of New London, CT 's John Brouwer Sr. now retired in NH.
MIKE MONNETT - Owego, NY writer.
HAROLD K. DAUNCEY - Son of NJ asphalt Mod driver Harold and wife Barbara is 16.

July 21
BOBBY WILKINS - Milford, DE Dirt Modified driver.
TIM McCAULEY - Huntington Beach, CA NASCAR West driver.

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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SourceRev Don Rivers / Racing With Jesus Ministries
Posted: July 17, 2009

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