Have you ever made plans and then had to change them? No matter how good we
think our plans are, sometimes they have to change. God has a plan for our
lives. He will guide us through, if we follow His lead. Greetings in the
name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
We have had those days when everything doesn’t go the way we
thought it would. We had a plan; we anticipated the decisions we had to
make. We were all set; this is what we are going to do. Then something
happens and our plans change. Are we flexible enough to make the adjustments
we need to make?
How about planning for a race, no matter how prepared we are we
cannot predict the events of race day. I have seen many teams that prepare
for the every conceivable option only to be undone by something that weren’t
ready for. If you have a chance, take a walk down pit road as the teams set
up for a race. You will see these boards that have parts cable tied to them,
ready just in case something happens.
I remember the Boy Scout motto, Be Prepared. For some reason that
concept is imbedded in my brain and it affects the way I plan. I get
consumed by trying to think of all the “what ifs” that may come into play.
As it is said, “The best laid plans of mice and men often go awry”. I know
that for a fact. How many of us are consumed with the same compulsion? We
can drive ourselves crazy preparing for things that may not happen. We can
also be so consumed in planning that we miss the things that we need to pay
attention to today. It is impossible to think of everything.
Scripture tells us that we are only here for a short time, we plan
like we can predict the future, when in fact we do not even know what
tomorrow holds for us.
James 4:13-15;
Now listen, you who say, "Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city,
spend a year there,
carry on business and make money." Why, you do not even know what will
happen tomorrow. What is your life?
You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. Instead,
you ought to say, "If it is the Lord's will,
we will live and do this or that.”
The key is in doing the Lord’s will. We
sometimes get things out of order, impose our will on God and ask him to
bless it. Then, when things do not go according to what we think we are
disappointed and troubled that God would let that happen.
That is not the case; God doesn’t just let things happen. God has a
plan and His plan is beneficial for us. We need to get our priorities in the
right order. We need first to seek out God and ask for His guidance and
direction. He will not frustrate us; He will reveal to us the plan he has
for us. We will find it when we seek him with all our heart. Listen to what
the prophet Jeremiah says;
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.
This
past weekend, as I have shared with you for some time, we had plans in place
to be at several different places. Plane tickets were purchased, credentials
were secured, all the events that had requested coverage were being taken
care of or so I thought.
God had another detail that I hadn’t considered. As some of you may
know my Uncle became very ill over the last month and I have had to step in
and coordinate his care. He is not able to live on his own anymore and I
have had to make several decisions as to what the best course was for his
life to take. As I planned to head to California for the Toyota All-Star
Showdown it became apparent that I needed to change my plans.
Change isn’t something I do well. I am one of those who likes to
put a plan in place and see it through. That is not necessarily a good
thing, especially when God is involved. The only thing that you can do when
you feel the Holy Spirit moving you in a certain direction is pray. Talk
with God and ask Him to lead your decisions. I did, He answered, I changed
my plans and stayed home.
God’s plan was bigger than mine. On Friday I took my Uncle out to
lunch and talked to him about eternal things, where would he go if his life
ended today? We talked and I shared about the plan that God has for him and
each one of us, salvation through Jesus Christ. In that moment, during our
lunch, he reached out to God and asked God to forgive him. He accepted the
gift of salvation from God.
God’s plan was greater than mine. God’s plan gave my Uncle a hope
and a future. God used me to change his life forever. Billy Graham said,
“Now is the time, today is the day.” I am thankful that I listened and
followed the leading of the Holy Spirit.
Let me ask, how many blessings have we missed because we were not
willing to let God lead us? How many times have we suffered and frustrated
ourselves because we were following the wrong directions?
I urge you to make sure you are following God’s leading in your
life. To do that we must talk with Him; pray, listen to him; meditate, and
follow his Word; act. It is the most important activity we can do in our
service to God..
THOUGHTS FROM THE ROAD
TOYOTA CROWNS ANOTHER RISING STAR - Southern California
native Jason Bowles added Toyota All-Star Champion to his list of
accomplishments and he continues to build a resume that he hopes would open
doors at the next level. Racing for the Rusty Wallace Driving Experience he
put his backup car in victory lane Saturday night at Irwindale.
Travis Pastrana made his NASCAR debut for Michael Waltrip Racing
and brought his ride home sixth. Not bad for a rookie who had never been on
the track with other cars until Friday’s practice session.
Dan and Gary held down the fort as I remained on the east coast,
thanks guys for a job well done. If I ever get my email straightened out I
am sure Dan has some thoughts to share.
INDOOR RACING ATLANTIC CITY STYLE - A familiar name
topped the leader board when all the smoke cleared in Boardwalk Hall. TC
became only the third driver to win two coveted Gambler Classic titles. As
the TQ’s head to Providence this weekend we will see if Mighty Mike has
anything for TC at the Dunk. Thanks to Ricky Maddox for heading out to cover
the event with an assist from Bob Menschner.
FRANK MARATTA’S MAKES AN EFFORT - Given the weather
conditions and the amount of snow in the Southern New England region it was
an accomplishment to get some of the Motorsports community together in
Hartford this weekend. Our thanks go out to Frank Maratta’s for including
us. Scott and Ray took in the autograph session on Saturday. It is always
great to get some of the family together. Let’s hope this show can build on
what they have started and fill the void left in New England for racing
action in the off season.
HEADED TO THE DUNK - I am headed to Providence for the
second leg of the TQ winter racing season this Saturday night. Wouldn’t it
be great to get five or six of the arenas in the area to hold a race and
crown a champion? I am looking forward to seeing many of you there; let’s
see if Mighty Mike can repeat.
Be a witness for our Lord with the ministry decals and
apparel. See them at the Show Your Faith Apparel Store at
www.rwjm.com. Send us
your prayer and counseling needs no matter what part of our racing family
you are in, or give us a call. 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.
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Please remember, we can only do what we do because of your prayerful
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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***
February 2
JIM & GERRI RICHARDS- This former driver at the former Plainville Stadium
from Ansonia, CT and wife share their 48th.
February 3
HERMIE & ANGIE SADLER- The Emporia, VA NSC/NNS driver and wife have their
15th.
February 8
TOM & CAROL HOWARD- This Waterford Speedbowl/Kobyluck team couple have their
19th anniversary.
***HAPPY BIRTHDAYS***
February 2
ELIZABETH AYOTTE- Mom of Augusta, ME writer/ Track promoter Dan.
JEAN WENZEL- Mom of Riverside Park LM driver, Chris.
JACOB MALACHI JAMES- The youngest son of Scott and his wife Lisa.
February 3
TEXX, "MIKE" FRENCH-NKNSE former crewmember for ASM.
BOBBY GADA- Niantic, CT Waterford Speedbowl Modified driver of the
multi-time Harry Wyant championship team.
MIKE TICCO- Lancaster (NY) Speedway writer.
DAVID BACHMAN- Son of Pennsy based former ARDC scorer, Jennifer Bachman.This
No. 1 fan of John Marcovic and Eric Beers.
February 4
TOM BOLLES- Vernon, CT NASCAR WAAS driver, of the Bolles Motors family;
sponsor of the RWJM Dodge Intrepid Pace Car.
FREDDIE QUERY- Kannapolis, NC All Pro, NASCAR Truck driver.
JOHN BARBER- Buss, NY NASCAR KNPSE driver.
BILLY KANN- NASCAR KNPSW driver.
ERIC PALMER- New England Pro Four Mod driver.
SUSAN STRUPP- Wife of former Long Islander, now in Charlotte, Jimmy.
TAYLOR BRIAN CUMMINS- The daughter of New Jersey fans Brian and Lori.
February 5
DARRELL WALTRIP- Former NSC driver, turned TV race commentator, from
Franklin, TN.
JUSTIN LABONTE- NNS/ARCA driving son of Kellogg's NSC driver Terry and wife
Kim.
RICKY PEARSON- NNS Crew Chief, one of retired driver David's sons.
MATT DILLNER- Long Island brother to Speed's Bobby check him out on
www.speed51.com.
February 6
PAUL GENTILOZZI- Lansing, MI IMSA GTO driver.
BOBBY BROWN- Farmingdale,NJ based Dwarf Car driver/owner.
GLEN FLACK- President of AutoWorks Performance, Inc. in Sewell, NJ and Atco
Raceway SuperPro drag racer.
STEVE FULLER- One of the seven brothers in the famous Auburn, MA racing
family including NNS's Jeff and Rick and NASCAR WMT team owner Bobby.
PETER SNOW- Southbridge, MA NASCAR WMT Team crewman.
GRACIE RYAN- Holyoke, MA racing photographer and WMT Scorer.
February 7
CLAY CAMPBELL- President of Martinsville, VA Speedway.
WILL HOBGOOD- Winnsboro, SC former Dash Series driver.
BOBBY GAHAN- Barrington, NH NASCAR KNPSE/LM driver.
DICK KLUTH- Lancaster Speedway Modified driver.
DONNA SCHAFFER- Wife of Woxall, PA Sportsman Modified driver Rick, Grandview
Speedway's all-time winningest Modified driver.
MICHAEL HOPKINS- Son of CT based flagman Chris.
LORI D'AMORE- New Jersey fan.
February 8
MIKE OLSEN- No Haverhill, NH 2006 NASCAR KNPSE Champion Little Tree Air
Fresheners driver and now car owner.
RON LAMELL- Essex Junction, VT NASCAR KNPSE driver.
KYLE MICHEL- Wife of Wall Township Speedway excellent Modified driver Dave.
She is also NSCS driver Martin Truex' sister.
SUE MENTEN- Wife of Stony Brook, LI's Vinny.
CAROLYN BLAISDELL- Champaign, IL fan.
JUSTIN WAWRZONEK- Son of Amsterdam, NY dirt fans Ron and Gloria Hanna.
CHUCK McNEIL- RWJM Anderson Indiana Track Chaplain and RWJM officer.
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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