As we get the season started I thought it would be good to get things
started off on the right foot. Having a solid foundation is necessary for
success in racing and in life. It is good to check and make sure we are
standing on solid ground before we build something. Greetings in the name of
our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
I was driving the other day and bang, I slammed into a pothole. I
didn’t see it but it was big, shook the whole car. As I drove away I noticed
a vibration. I figured hitting the hole must have bent or broke something. I
had a choice, ignore it and hope it would go away or have it looked at and
fixed.
The answer seems pretty straight forward, have it checked out; why
take the chance that additional damage would be done. It could be as simple
as a lost wheel weight or as complex as a bent tie rod. Either way if I
ignore the problem it will only get worse and cause additional damage.
But what seems obvious and what we do are two different things.
With a car it is easy, but when our life is out of balance or a little
wobbly we tend to ignore it and hope it will go away. Just like the car,
that will only lead to bigger problems down the road.
Vibrations are not something we want in our passenger car or our
race car. When we have a vibration on the track there can be many reasons
for it, but whatever the reason it is not ignored. We pit and take a look at
things.
The first thing that we check is the tires. We want to see how they
are wearing, are there blisters, is the air pressure right, there are many
things we check. As we inspect the tires we start to understand what the
issue is and where to find the solution. The tire will tell us the story.
We search until we find the source of the problem, you cannot run
the race if your equipment is not stable. Oh we try, but usually it has a
way of ruining a lot more that just the cause of the vibration, most times,
when ignored, things end with a big crash.
It is important that our chassis is stable. If we do not start with
a solid chassis it is difficult to find the source of the problem. We
continue to chase things, make adjustments, only to find something else is
wrong. We run the risk of losing everything if we don’t start with something
solid and stable.
The same holds true in our life, if we are don’t start with a solid
and stable foundation, when things start to get out of balance we won’t know
where to turn. Things around us are always changing. We need that solid
foundation to stand on. If we do not have a stable foundation to return to
when life gets crazy we will come crashing down. We need a solid and stable
source to guide us through life.
Jesus talked about this in the Sermon on the Mount,
Matthew 7:24-27,
NIV; "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."
Jesus
told us about two men, both wanted to build something out of their life,
both heard his teaching, one decided to follow his teaching and they other
didn’t. Both of their lives were thrown out of balance. Both of them faced
challenges. Both of them were tested.
Only one of the men was able to stand when the storm clouds
cleared, the one who chose to follow the instructions of Jesus. He was the
one that built his life on a solid foundation of truth.
The other guy, he decided he could go his own way, figure things
out for himself. That didn’t work out so well. When the challenges came they
threw his life out of balance, he wasn’t able to make the right corrections
and he didn’t have the right guidance. His life came crashing down.
Having a solid foundation allows us to weather the storm; it allows
up to perceiver, it allows us to claim the victory when the storm has
passed. Life is full of potholes that throw things out of balance. We need
to stand firm on the teachings of Jesus Christ to be able to get through
those times.
Start the season off in the right place; stand on the solid
foundation that comes from knowing Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior.
Listen to his words of guidance and direction. Run the race in such a way as
to win, throw off everything that hinders and focus on Jesus.
THOUGHTS FROM THE ROAD
ONE MORE TIME - Well; I know it is a deep subject and wet
too! Wet was the order of the day at Greenville Pickens. The trip was dry
all the way down and despite the forecast the hope was to get some racing
in. Almost on cue the skies rained down and forced the postponement of the
Kevin Whitaker Chevrolet 150, the first K&N Pro Series East race of the
season until this Saturday.
When you drive 900 miles to get there and they call the race you
turn around and drive 900 miles home. The trip wasn’t too bad with the only
weather issue being along the NC/SC border; once we were north of I-40 we
were dry. It does make for a lot of seat time in the pace car though, I am
glad my daughter Katie came along for the ride. She did a great job
navigating.
We did take in some sights on the way home. We did some mountain
climbing on the Blue Ridge Parkway. We also decided to drive through
Manhattan on our way through New York City. We came up through Jersey City,
had a great view of the Statue of Liberty, through the Holland Tunnel, down
Broadway, over the Brooklyn Bridge and finally to Flushing in Queens where
Katie lives.
This week is another story; we’ll have to juggle some things around
to cover two events 900 miles apart.
TAKEN TO SCHOOL - Jon Henry, dirt modified and late model
driver took that statement literally. He recently attended math and science
classes at the Arts Magnet School at the Lima North Middle School in Lima,
Ohio. His goal was simple, answer the age old question, “Am I really going
to need to know this stuff later in life?”
The driver, from Ada, Ohio, put on several presentations for
Fifth-Eighth graders to help them understand the Physics and Math involved
in racing. Jon did a great job of connecting the formulas and lessons to
real-life examples in auto racing.
Teacher Jan Sanford, a fifth and sixth grade teacher at Arts,
shared, “The kids are just naturally interested in someone like Jon, someone
who does something like real-life auto racing, and it just makes it more
concrete when he can talk about math and science, things we've been talking
about in class. He can actually say how he uses it in real life. They're
just fascinated by that. He did a wonderful job.”
I had the opportunity to meet Jon when I was down in Volusia. He is
excited about getting involved in these types of opportunities. He even
worked out a deal with his employer, Wide Open Graphics, to let the kids
design a wrap for his car. The winner will get tickets to come to the race
and see their design compete.
"It's a great opportunity for these students to design a race car
and actually see their own car," Henry said.
Jon is looking forward to continuing these presentations and is
working on a schedule that will allow him to conduct them on a regular
basis. This effort will benefit both the school and Jon. The kids learn from
actual examples and Jon has a great opportunity to get his name out in the
community, gaining expose for his racing efforts. It is also not a bad way
to find young, new crew members. We all have to start some where, why not
math class.
ROCKET SHIP NEEDED - With the Bud Blast-off in Waterford and
the Kevin Whitaker Chevrolet 150 for the K&N Pro Series East in South
Carolina we could use a rocket ship to get back and forth! We will have to
settle for using the pace cars.
We will have two teams out there this weekend, one at Waterford as
the Valenti Modified Racing Series and the Northeastern Midget Association
join the regular competitors to start the local racing season and another at
Greenville Pickens to kickoff the K&N Pro Series East. If you are in the
area come on by, it will be great to see you and get the season started.
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.
Check our weekly printed pages in "Area Auto Racing
News",
the East Coast’s largest weekly racing paper.
See our on-line Apparel
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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***
April 4
DON & MARILYN TOAL- This ROC Rep. and her husband celebrate 52 years
together.
MARK & LINDA GEER- The former Waterford Speedbowl Mod Inspector and
Speedbowl Office Manager wife have their 41st anniversary.
***HAPPY BIRTHDAYS***
March 30
MARIO ALBERTO- This AMSRA Micro Stock rookie at MVS and son of writer Dino
from Lehighton, PA.
March 31
RON SMOKER- Upstate, NY D.I.R.T. Modified driver.
S.J. EVONSION- East Hartland, CT Whelen Modified tour driver/Crew Chief for
son.
FRED SCHIELE IV- Son of Riverhead Raceway regular Fred III.
WILLIE CHARETTE- Retired Riverside Park Speedway Modified driver.
MARYANN GRECO- Widow of the late Stafford Modified driver George.
BRENDAN JONES- Manchester, CT Brad Hietala Modified fan.
BETTY DENNIS- The mom of Laura Dennis from Appomattox, VA a Jamie Tomaino
WMT fan.
April 1 NO APRIL FOOLS
JIMMY PHELPS- This driver of the 99J New York dirt Modified from
Baldwinsville, NY celebrates.
JARRETT SENG- Orefield, PA Micro Sprint driver. Recognize the car by Bible
verse Hebrews 12: 1-2 on it.
SCOTT HOUSTON- NNS Crew Chief from Hickory, NC; a son of retired NNS great
Tommy.
FRANKLIN HIETALA- Dad of Enfield, CT Modified driver Brad.
MARTY NOLL- Scranton, PA NASCAR KNPSE driver.
GEORGE MAYLOTT, JR.- Jim Spencer fan.
April 2
JOHN SWANSON- Concord, MA NASCAR KNPSE driver/Crew Chief.
DAN PARDUS- Daytona Beach, FL NASCAR driver.
ED WATSON- Mt. Vernon, WA NASCAR West driver.
JOHN R. JANISITIS- The son of the late Waterford and Seekonk Public Relation
Director in the 70's and 80's, John Janisitis and wife Ruth.
April 3
JOE BUSCH- Norwich, CT Tri-State 4 cyl. Kart driver.
MIKE HURLBERT- Lynden, WA NASCAR West driver.
MIKE KOST- New Jersey born and raised Sprint Cup team member.
LISA RAINONE- Wife of NASCAR KNPSE driver Anthony.
TIARA BUSCH- Kart driver Joe and wife Fran's daughter.
SHANE CONNOLLY- Son of Endicott, NY NASCAR WMT driver Tim.
April 4
TOM PECK- McConnelsburg, PA KNPSE and Dirt Big Block LM driver.
BOB BAKER- Sharon, VT ProStock driver.
HEATH TOMAR- Son of Greensboro, NC track GM Larry.
CINDY SAVLUK- Wife of Lisbon, CT's Roger at Savluk Service Center.
DONNA HANKS- Wife of Somers, CT LM driver Scott.
ED PERRY III- Seekonk Speedway Prostock driver.
April 5
SIERRA JESANIS- niece of RWJM President Rev. Don and wife Lynda.
KATIE STANDLEY- proprietor of Lady Eagleware and the wife and number one
partner of James, proprietor of the famous Design 500 in Seattle, WA, and
maker of the RWJM Chaplain Uniforms and Driver Uniforms in partnership with
ASI Racewear, also the Ministry Northwest Coordinators and board members,
has her special day. Praise the Lord!
MIKE BLISS- Milwaukee, OR USAC Midget and NASCAR NSC/NNS/Truck driver.
DAVE ASHLEY- Riverside, CA LM driver.
MICHAEL CHRISTOPHER, JR.- The son of Plainville, CT Modified driver Mike and
wife Jennifer.
ROSE FRYE- The wife of Ferrell,NJ Team owner Warren "Jeep" and grandmother
of Glenn, JR.
DAVE PETFIELD- Brother of Dan and treasurer of Racing with Jesus Ministries.
***IN THE SHOP***
MELISSA RIERSON LOFTIN - Wife of WSMT Champion Brian
Lofton and Mother of young Carson, went unexpectedly home to the Lord on
March 15, please join with us as we lift Brian and Carson, along with the
entire family, up in prayer, pray that God’s peace and comfort would
surround them and help them through this challenging time. We send our
deepest condolences and sympathy.
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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