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10/29/2009
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PUTTING ON THE
BRAKES
by
Rev. Don Rivers |
Have you ever felt like a gerbil running on a never-ending wheel? Many times
life is a blur, moving at a speed that is difficult to keep up with. We find
ourselves being swallowed up. STOP, put on the brakes, slow down. Greetings
in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Have you ever seen twelve hours go as fast as it does on race day?
The hours turn into minutes, the minutes into seconds and before you know it
the checkered flag has fallen and it’s time to pack up and head home. This
is especially true when you are chasing the setup or you are trying to
repair some damage. The next thing you hear is the call for your heat or
feature. Where does the time go?
We experience similar events in our daily lives. We wake up, get
going and before you know it, the day is over. Where does the time go? The
Season just started and now it is in the books. Champions are crowned and we
start looking forward to next year. It hit me today at the track when some
one said, “see you next year.”
I look at the photos of my children and remember the times that
went by all too quickly. Now with one married and the other two out of the
house I find myself wondering if I spent enough time with them. I wonder if
I have taught them the right way, the way of God.
It seems to me that we get caught up in things that seem important,
we think they need to get done, but in hindsight they were not the most
important. I received an important piece of advice from a good friend once,
“If it’s going to matter in 300 years it’s alright to worry about, if it is
not don’t waste the time worrying.”
We can be guilty of placing importance on things that are not truly
important. We loose our sense of priorities. We worry about things that we
do not need to worry about. We consume our time trying to change or
influence things we cannot. We have an agenda and when it doesn’t go the way
we want it to we worry about what will happen next. Jesus asked us a
question:
Matthew 6:27, Who of you by
worrying can add a single hour to his life?
Do you know the answer? Some times we think we can change the
events of tomorrow if we worry about them enough. We can’t. The answer, no
one can. So why do we do it? We have trouble believing that God really has
it all under control. We think He needs some help. STOP, put on the brakes,
live the life God has planned for you.
God promises us that He will provide for our needs. He has it all
under control. We need only to trust Him with all of our heart. Listen to
the promise God shares with us through the Prophet Jeremiah,
Jeremiah 29:11-13, For I know
the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not
to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me
and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find
me when you seek me with all your heart.
There is too much life to live to be enslaved to the rat race. Try
to avoid getting so busy with things that we forget about what God wants us
to do. We get so busy trying to survive we forget to take time to look
around at what others are going through, what others need. God promises to
provide what we need to survive. God wants us to focus on what others are
going through and instead of focusing on ourselves.
If you have put that trust in yourself then you will be
disappointed. Even if you accomplish everything you want you will still be
missing something. It is God and God alone that can give you abundant life.
Fulfillment in life comes only through Jesus Christ. No matter what we have,
what we accomplish, what social standing we achieve, it will be incomplete
without a saving knowledge of God through Jesus.
Don’t get consumed by the pressure to get things done. The line of
the song says, “Life’s too long to live like this.” Focus on what is truly
important, on what will affect eternity. Focus on the things of God. Live in
such a way as to be sensitive to the leading of God. Step off the gerbil’s
wheel and stop running so fast that life is a blur, slow down and let things
happen. Put on the brakes. Watch for where God is working and join Him
there.
Psalm 118:24, This is the day
the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.
THOUGHTS FROM THE ROAD
WORLD SERIES CLOSES OUT THE 2009 SEASON - Finally, a perfect
day to race. It took an extra week but this was a beautiful fall day to
settle the championship. With two historic race teams running for the title
it was easy to see why this mattered so much. In its 25th season the Whelen
Modified Tour had a historic battle set up to decide it all. And with rain
washing out qualifying the two contenders would start side by side.
The historical value wasn’t lost on the teams. They understood the
significance of what was about to unfold. Before the race the two teams came
together and wished each other the best.
No one wanted to cause a problem for the two contenders but an
early brake problem on the #2 car would relegate Ole Blue to the rear of the
field. To his credit Ryan proved to be a racer with experience beyond his
years and guided the wounded #3 through the field to contend for the lead.
In the end TC took home the victory, Dominick Lia took home the
Championship, and Ryan Preece finished the season in second place. Again
showing his respect, Ryan made a visit to Victory Lane and congratulated
both winners. Ryan will live to run another race and there are Championships
in his future; on this day let the record show that this eighteen year old
showed us that you can race hard and show respect for others, great job
Ryan.
NOKIE FORNORO RUNS HIS LAST - With heartfelt emotion and
tears in his eyes Nokie said goodbye. After winning the NEMA feature at the
World Series he followed the lead of his car owner, Mike Jarret and said
this would be his last race. “My body is pretty beat up and I think it is
time to step away. Thank you.” Nokie shared that he had the opportunity to
race at over 200 tracks throughout his career but his favorite one was
Thompson Speedway. He thanked the fans for their support of racing and as
the push truck chauffeured the familiar #4 to the pit area Nokie gave the
standing crowd an emphatic thumbs up. Not many athletes get the chance to go
out on top. Many stay too long. Nokie took the opportunity to say goodbye
from Victory Lane , as it should be.
LET’S MAKE SOME NOISE - 2008 NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour
Rookie of the Year Glen Reen had his potent Motostar Performance #17 Whelen
Modified ready for the Thompson World Series on Sunday October 18th, but an
early postponement due to rain cancelled those plans. Rev. Dan wondered if
he would bring it down to show to the Royal Rangers at Harvest Time Church
International in Greenwich CT. For those of you who do not know what the
Royal Rangers are, they are a scouting organization similar to the Boy
Scouts, backed by the Assembly of God church. Glen readily agreed and bought
the car down to the church on Wednesday night October 21. As soon as it was
unloaded from the trailer, a small crowd gathered around asking questions -
and this was an hour before the evenings activities were supposed to start!
Pretty unusual to see a race car in a church parking lot.
After opening ceremonies for the Rangers, Sr. Commander Joshua
Crespo bought the boys out to see the car. Glen gave a short talk about the
car and how it feels to race and to sometimes crash. Rev. Dan talked to the
boys a little about Racing with Jesus Ministries and how they are involved
with the series and what we do at the track. After the talk and a question
and answer period, each of the boys got to sit in the car, get an
autographed picture from Glen, a Motostar Performance Reen Racing carryall
bag and a small screwdriver set.
Then came the fun part; firing her up so we all can hear the sound
of a Tour Modified. Glen had a little trouble getting it started - he told
Rev. Dan to say a quick prayer because he did not want to disappoint the
boys. Sure enough, after the prayer, God answered and Glen got it started!
They boys started running around the parking lot holding their ears! The
noise drowned out the sound of the airplanes landing and taking off from the
Westchester County Airport which is right in the church's backyard! Big
smiles filled the faces and it was a big hit.
Commander Crespo then decided that he wants to organize a trip to
bring the boys out to watch Glen race next year. After Glen shut it down,
Pastor Glenn Harvison from the church came over and prayed a beautiful
prayer for Glen and Rev. Dan. What an awesome time had by all!
In talking to Glen later, we concluded that God has his hand on
him; the problem getting started can easily be fixed at the shop, before he
goes to the track this weekend, but it would have been a big headache if
they found out they had a problem at the track. God does work in mysterious
ways.
A special thank you goes out to Glen, Bev (Reen Racing’s team mom),
Reen Racing, and Motostar Performance for taking the time out of their busy
schedules to brighten the eyes of the boys and men of the Royal Rangers and
to be a true ambassador for Jesus Christ, auto racing, Whelen Engineering
and NASCAR. God bless you guys!
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***
October 28
JOHN & KATHY TEMCHAK - This NHMS Victory Lane staff member and wife from
Canterbury, NH have their 30th anniversary.
JOHN & DONNA HALL - This racing couple of Northeast Connecticut have
their 13th anniversary.
October 29
WAYNE & KELLY HELLIWELL - This NH ProStock driver and wife share their
32nd anniversary.
November 1
BRAD & DIANE BENNETT - This Reyben Racing NASCAR CTS and ASA driver from
Stamford, CT and wife share their 11th anniversary.
TOM & SALLY CAVALLERO - These Wall Township Speedway fans from
Farmingdale, NJ have their 13th.
ALAN & KATE CLAFFIE - This reporting/photographing couple whose work
can be seen on eastseries.com share their 7th year together.
November 3
DINO & CHRIS LAWRENCE - The former Artworks proprietor in Danbury, CT,
now heading up his Carolina Signworks in Rockingham, NC along with his
lovely wife Chris, are friends of RWJM. They share their 18th anniversary.
BOB & LISA KLUKAS - Whelen mod tour crewman and wife celebrate 19
years
***HAPPY BIRTHDAYS***
October 28
JOE RUTTMAN - Upland, CA born, Brentwood, TN NASCAR CTS driver.
RICK BELL- Poughkeepsie, NY NASCAR CWES Road Racing specialist with
Merit Motorsports.
BILL BRICE, JR. - Former NASCAR WMT Chief Tech. Inspector and Wall
Township Speedway Sportsman Modified champion from New Jersey.
TOM BALDWIN, JR. - Dad taught him all he knows. The son of Bellport,
NY Tiger Tom, Tom is now a car owner in the NSCS.
JOAN HOFFMAN - Mom of Allentown, PA dirt Mod star, Doug.
ALEXIS MICHEL - The daughter of Wall Township Speedway star Modified
driver Dave and wife Kyle is 15.
October 29
KEN LENDA - Norwich, CT Waterford Speedbowl SS driver.
DENISE & LISA GUNNING - The twin daughters of Stafford Speedway
championship Modified driver Bo.
October 30
DOUG HOFFMAN - Allentown, PA top dirt Modified threat.
MICHELLE "SHELLY" BLEWETT - Daughter of retired Modified driving
great John, Jr. and wife Jessie.
DANIELLE RIVERS - Daughter of RWJM WMT Pastor and president Rev. Don
& wife Lynda.
October 31
LENNY SAMMONS - Character counts with people like this. He is the
Publisher/Editor of Area Auto Racing News.
BUDDY LAZIER - Vail, CO IRL driver.
GARY LILECK - "Area Auto Racing News" race results reporter/writer.
RACHEL & HEATHER MARTIN - The grown-up daughters of Batesville, AK
Roush Racing Valvoline team WC driver Mark and wife Arlene.
November 1
RICHARD BALSER - The grown-up son of Mass. photographer/PR Rep.
Dave.
November 2
JULIE POST - The light that makes her husband shine, he says. She is
the wife of Steve Post the Track Announcer for Lowe's Motor Speedway in
Charlotte, NC.
LARRY PEARSON - Spartansburg, SC NNS retired driver.
STAN GREGER - Retired Modified driver famous at the now closed
Riverside Park Speedway.
BILL KUZMA - Wall Township Speedway driver.
JOHN TAGG - Dad of Webster, MA CT Mod driver Tom.
November 3
GREG SACKS - Mattituck, LI, NY NASCAR driver.
DERRIKE COPE - Spanaway, WA NASCAR driver.
WAYNE OKULA - Team manager for the #28 King Racing Modified and
Charger Driver for #67 - Riverhead Raceway.
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
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Source: Rev
Don Rivers / Racing With Jesus Ministries
Posted: October
29, 2009 |
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