This past weekend we celebrated Mother’s Day and I hope each one of you
remembered to take the time and honor your mother, for no other reason than
she gave you life. None of us would be here without our mother’s decision to
give birth to us. Greetings in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
My thoughts this week turned to servanthood. Have you ever thought
about what makes a good and true servant? Humility is the greatest asset to
those who serve. Think of some of the people you know, our opinion of them
is formed by their level of humility.
We all know drivers full of talent, have all the right connections,
can drive anything, but for some reason we never seem to warm up to them. We
almost love to hate them. They are trapped because the one thing they lack
is humility. They come off with an attitude that they are better than
everyone else; that we should honor them because of their talent.
I was so encouraged by Trevor Bayne and the way he handled winning
arguably the biggest race in a driver’s career. He honored God and helped us
understand that it was only through God’s grace that he had the opportunity
to be in victory lane.
We all have to realize just who we are and that no matter what we
can do, no matter what our talents are we will not taste true success
without first realizing we are only able to do these things by the grace of
God.
We may seem successful, but all the awards and victories are only
window dressing, when the bright lights fade who will be by our side? Only
those we humbly served. If we don’t humbly serve God when the time comes for
deliverance He will not be there.
I remember the scene at the cross; Jesus looked down and saw his
mother there, beside herself in grief. Standing next to her was the disciple
that Jesus loved, John. As he hung, dying on the cross he honored the humble
service of his mother and asked John to care for her. John took her into his
home and made sure she was provided for.
Why, because of Mary’s willingness to humble serve God, because a
teenage girl scared to death, allowed herself to be used by God. Remember
the story of Christ’s birth, how the angel came and spoke to Mary. How the
angel told this young woman that she would give birth to Jesus. She was
frightened and scared but that did not overcome her desire to humbly serve
God.
Luke 1:38; "I
am the Lord's servant," Mary answered.
"May it be to me as you have said." Then the angel left her.
I
wonder where we are today, are we hiding behind the accomplishments of our
talents? Are we not willing to humbly bow before God and submit our lives to
him?
We spend a large portion of our lives storing up treasures that
will only fade away. Consider changing that. Consider turning your life over
to God, through Jesus and welcome the Holy Spirit into your heart. Consider
humbly bowing before God and recite the words of that young teenage girl, “I
am the Lord’s servant, may it be with me as your have said.” Remember
Luke 1:37; “… nothing is impossible with God.”
THOUGHTS FROM THE ROAD
FIRST TURN AT SEEKONK - I
started the weekend off Friday afternoon at Seekonk with plans to head to
Lee and then Stafford. Do you know there is no quick way to get from Seekonk
to Lee on a Friday night? No problem as you will read, God had things
covered.
Lynda and I settled for a great afternoon helping out The First
Turn Driving Experience and Bobby Seymour. I must confess though, if you
look at my face book page you might see some pictures of me out on the
track. We had a little extra time and well, you know.
SATURDAY NIGHT AT THE BOWL - Fresh of my on track experience
at Seekonk I headed to the Waterford Speedbowl to support the NEMA Lites and
their portion of the race card. They had 18 cars in attendance and that was
right up there with any touring division that comes to town. What a great
encouragement for this series that is still growing. Look for bigger and
better things to come from the NEMA Lites as they grow their numbers.
RIVERHEAD, STAFFORD FIRE UP A NEW SEASONS - Friday night saw
the kickoff of a new season of weekly racing at Stafford Motor Speedway. Ben
Greenier covered the pit area with an assist from his dad, Dave. With Rev.
Scott not being available, it is great to see how Ben has grown and has the
confidence to step out on faith and serve. I received a great report from
Ben and things are moving in the right direction.
On Saturday night I heard from Pastor Scott down at Riverhead, you
could hear the excitement in his voice, drivers start your engines. It was
time to fire things up on the Island and Scott was excited to be a part of
things. He is looking forward to expanding his presence at Riverhead and
reaching out to more people than ever this year.
LEE SPEEDWAY ROARS INTO ACTION AND RWJM WAS THERE - With the
new season come new opportunities; Friday night we had a presence at Lee
Speedway with Bobby and Vinetta Somers. My appreciation goes out to Bob
Watson for making them feel welcomed and allowing us to be a part of serving
the racing family at Lee. Bobby and Vinetta joined with Pastor John Hastings
of First Baptist Church in Brentwood, NH to cover opening night. Here are
some comments from Bobby.
On the way to the track Vinetta and I discussed the many things we
would need to focus on. In the past 7 yrs I have been traveling to the track
as a competitor, but this was going to be different, so many things were
going through my head. How were all these drivers going to greet us? Was
there going to be resistance? What direction do we start in the pits?
We were way ahead of schedule arriving and I mentioned to Vinetta
“Lets stop for an ice cream.” It’s amazing when you have an ice cream how
relaxing and enjoyable it is to eat! We sorted out many of the questions and
even found a few more as the time went by, but the ice cream calmed me down.
I soon realized that the calmness and guidance we were given wasn’t from the
ice cream but the Holy Spirit.
When we arrived at Lee Speedway we sought out Bob Watson, we found
him pacing around trying to get everything into place for Opening Night. He
took the time to sit down with us and filled us in about the history of Lee
and his career. Bob explained to us the new 2011 season and what he expected
from the drivers. He shared how committed he was to each and everyone that
came to Lee Speedway. I couldn’t believe as he talked with us how his head
revolved like an owl never once missing anyone with a "Hello" and keeping up
with our conversation! Bob made us feel welcome and at home, as he tries to
do with everyone.
We also met Rev. John Hastings from The First Baptist Church in
Brentwood, NH. John is also a Chaplain for Lee Speedway and together we
walked into the pits to greet the many drivers/families.
As Vinetta and I walked around the pits and started greeting the
many drivers, from one trailer to the next the reaction was amazing. We
introduced ourselves and with a smile they stated "We really need a
spiritual presence here", appreciate you being here"!
We had the blessing of meeting Kayla Cazares, a 15 yr old Late
Model Driver. We talked with her Mom and Dad and prayed with Kayla prior to
her heat race, which she finished 8th. God has begun a new relationship
between us and this family.
As the night moved on we witnessed the excitement of some
incredible side by side racing and at times 3 wide racing. During a Hobby
Stock Race three wide in the corner silenced the crowd with an incredible
crash in turn 4. The driver of the #69 crashed hard into turn 4 wall and his
right front tire didn’t stop until turn 2. We immediately focused on the
crowd standing by the fence; we saw a young girl trembling crying.
We went to this girl finding out that it was her dad in this crash.
As we walked to the pits with her, waiting for her dad to arrive in the
ambulance, I talked with her, consoling her, assuring her that her dad was
going to be all right, he was in good hands with the medics.
It’s amazing the trials we are placed in from one extreme to the
next; from sharing a conversation that evening in the pits with Kayla and
her Family to steps away from this young girl trembling at the fence, her
dad in an incredible crash. We are all blessed to be in the presence of our
Savior and receive the guidance He provides through the Holy Spirit. There
is a tremendous amount of Spiritual presence at Lee this year and we are
looking forward to the promise this season holds.
THOMPSON GETS THINGS GOING - This week Thompson
International Speedway gets into the action as they hold their first TTNT
weekly racing program. It will be good to see some old friends and have the
opportunity to make some new ones. Stop by and say hello.
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
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 12
HAROLD & BARBARA DAUNCEY- This Wall Township Speedway NASCAR Modified driver
and wife share their 26th anniversary.
May 17
DAVE & KATHE DUPUIS- The mom and dad of Renee, accomplished lady NASCAR
Modified driver have their anniversary.
***HAPPY BIRTHDAYS***
May 11
BUGS STEVENS- Rehoboth, MA retired NASCAR National Modified champion and
proud dad of NASCAR Modified/ProStock driver/car builder Dave Berghman.
JIM BEEBE- Star Speedway NASCAR flagman.
BEVERLY WEIDMAN- The owner of the NASCAR dirt Modified team driven by
husband Gene at Big Diamond.
MICHAEL WIBBELSMAN- The youngest son of RWJM Advisor Dick and wife Judy in
Gainesville, FL.
May 12
JIM SPENCER, JR.- NSC commentator Jim and wife Pat's oldest.
May 13
BILL STIVASON- From Kittanning, PA, the Scorer at Challenger Raceway.
RON RIEDINGER- Former Flemington dirt Sportsman and LM champion.
CHERYL VENEZIAN- The grown-up daughter of Joe and wife Linda of Perth Amboy
Springs.
May 14
GARY NAPOLITANO- D.I.R.T. Modified driver.
FRED VORDERMEIR- "The Big Apple Kid," West Hempstead, NY Modified driver.
BUDDY BLACK- NC NASCAR Modified driver.
TONY RAINES- LaPorte, IN NASCAR NSC driver.
STEPHAN GREGOIRE- Neufchateau, France born, now Indianapolis, IN IRL driver.
DENNIS WOOLDRIDGE- Riverside, CA LM driver.
May 15
SHANE HMIEL- Shane was involved in an accident at the Terre Haute Action
Track on Oct 9, 2010 and he continues his recovery at home.
ED ST. ANGELO- Barrington, RI Modified/ProStock driver.
NANCY CLARK- Wife of Long Island NASCAR modified driver Dick.
WES BENASH- Marlton, NJ son of Bridgeport Speedway Handicapper Bob.
PETE McCLUSKEY- Pete McCluskey Builders sponsor of Wall Township Speedway's
George Andretta's ProStock and #1 fan.
May 16
DOUG FRENCH- Farmingdale, NJ occasional NASCAR Mod Series driver, proprietor
of DFA, close friend of WMT driver Jamie Tomaino.
PETE PAVONE- Bridgeport, CT DWRS Modified driver.
GEORGE ANDRETTA- Neptune, NJ Wall Township Speedway ProStock driver/
Modified team owner,
STEVIE REEVES- Speedway, IN NNS driver.
TOM TAYLOR- Lodi, CA NASCAR West driver.
GARY DANKO- AARN Brian's brother and racing radio host.
JARROD LEHMAN- Son of AARN columnist Doc and wife Carol.
May 17
JOHN McMULLIN- Daytona based Film Producer.
JIM POWERS- Seekonk Speedway co-announcer.
JANIE DANKO- Owner of the Waterford Speedbowl John Faulkner LM.
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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