Our country is built on the foundation of freedom and the willingness to
sacrifice for the common good. God established at the foundation of creation
that Christ would give His life for our freedom. This weekend we remember
those who selflessly gave their lives for our freedom. Let’s take a moment
and reflect on how we are living our lives; are we willing to give it all
for the benefit of someone else? Greetings in the name of our Lord and
Savior, Jesus Christ.
One of the basic concepts of life is give and take. Life is much
more rewarding and fulfilling when we learn the balance of giving and
taking. When our life seems out of control, it can be traced to giving and
taking being out of balance. We are either taking too much or giving too
much. You can decide which one you are prone to do.
Think about it in racing terms, when we have a race where there is
some give and take the racing is better. When someone is out there and all
they are doing is taking, the racing gets heated and sloppy. The other
drivers are frustrated and the results are not the best. Conversely, when
all someone does is pull over and let everyone pass the racing isn’t very
exciting either. When there is a balance there is better racing.
The concept of giving one’s life for the benefit of others is not
new. This is the greatest gift someone can give. The problem arises when we
take it for granted. When we do not remember to acknowledge that sacrifice
we become the takers. We instead should be motivated to give because of the
opportunity we have been received.
Think about times in your life when you have been given something,
something of great value. If your first feeling is that you don’t deserve
it, that is good. Then if you are motivated to give back, that is great. It
is when we have the attitude that we deserved it that we falter. Compassion
has its roots in our willingness to give when we have been provided for.
Our country is based on the right response to the gift of freedom
we have been given by those who gave their lives for us. If we respond with
an attitude that we deserve this we are wrong. The right response is to
express a deep appreciation to those who have given so much. This
appreciation should motivate us to give as we have been given to.
God gave us the opportunity to overcome our shortcomings. He loved
us and didn’t want us to live our lives in vain, separated from His guidance
and wisdom. He provided a way for us to receive forgiveness. Out of love for
us, He provided Jesus.
John 3:16-18,
"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son,
that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to
save the world through him.
Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe
stands condemned already because
he has not believed in the name of God's one and only Son.
As you
read these verses you can see how the proper response is one of believing
and accepting this gift. Without a proper response to the gift we have been
given we condemn ourselves to living life and eternity separated from God.
I would encourage you to develop the right spirit in your heart.
Recognize the gift of freedom we have been given by those who have given
their lives for us. Go out this week and drive through a cemetery, look at
the American Flags that adorn the graves of the veterans who have paid the
ultimate price. Take a moment to say thank you and pray for the family that
lost this person. Let them know that you appreciate their sacrifice.
Likewise, remember the gift of forgiveness that has been provided
to us by God, and say thank you to Him. Let Him know how much you appreciate
His sacrifice for our freedom from the consequences of sin.
After we have said our thanks, commit to live a life that
demonstrates that appreciation. Live like you have been given a tremendous
gift, the gift of freedom to live.
1Peter 3:8-12, Finally, all of you, live in harmony with one another;
be sympathetic, love as brothers,
be compassionate and humble. Do not repay evil with evil or insult with
insult, but with blessing,
because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing. For,
"Whoever would love life
and see good days
must keep his tongue from evil
and his lips from deceitful speech.
He must turn from evil and do good;
he must seek peace and pursue it.
For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous
and his ears are attentive to their prayer,
but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil."
THOUGHTS FROM THE ROAD
WEATHER ISSUES - As we
endured what seemed like an endless week of wet weather and the continued
threat of wet weather in the Northeast, as you might expect, the racing
calendar suffered also. Thompson had to cancel on Thursday night and plans
to head to Lee on Friday night were scuttled under the threat of storms.
Rev. Dan had an eventful trip to Iowa on Friday night with an
aborted landing in Chicago and challenging weather conditions as he headed
to the track for the K&N Pro Series East race at Iowa Speedway. They were
able to get things in though many of the communities between Minneapolis and
Newton were hard hit by the storms.
This spring continues to put our focus on those who have lost so
much due to the historically severe spring weather. Please join with us as
we lift up in prayer all the families that have been touched by loss this
spring and if you have the opportunity reach out to them in some way and
show them you care.
SATURDAY NIGHT AT THE HEAD - When the opportunity presented
itself to head out to the Island and take in a Saturday night show at
Riverhead it didn’t take me long at all to get on the road. I always have a
standing invitation to attend but things don’t often align the right way for
it to become a reality. I do want to thank the entire staff at Riverhead for
making me feel welcome. There were more than a few surprised faces when the
pace car rolled in. Thank you.
If you read my column last week you will remember Walter’s comments
about Rev. Pat and the prayer he would offer if he was at a race on Armed
Forces Day. Well as things have a way of working out, Walter was in
attendance, Bob Finan was willing and we did an invocation before the 100
Lap Hall of Fame Modified Feature in honor of Rev. Pat and all those who
defend the freedom we enjoy. I can’t think of a better place to offer that
invocation, sometimes things just have a way of working out.
This was a special night at the Riverhead; the 100 lap Mod show
purse was supplemented by funds raised through the efforts of LIMODMANIAC.
The kids from his school were there to give the command; in fact some of his
former students were now driving cars in the feature. There were a half
dozen Whelen Modified Tour drivers in the house to participate. It was good
to see 31 Mods ready to compete for 24 starting spots. This is the first
time in a long time that I have seen more cars than the feature can hold; a
good sign.
Riverhead is a neat place, nestled in amongst the refinement of the
Eastern Long Island it clings to a simpler time when passion was worn on
your sleeves. You can count on a visit to Riverhead to stimulate the
memories of racing in the glory days when there were several tracks on the
Island. Having the #1 Vega of Charging Charlie Jarzombek there only helped
to define the pictures in your mind.
My trip to Riverhead was a special time to reminisce with old
friends, remember the days gone by and honor those who came before us and
paved the way. Thanks for letting me be a part of your racing family.
This week we are off to Stafford for to kick off the holiday
weekend with the Whelen Modified Tour. Rev. Scott will be with the Valenti
Modified Racing Series at Twin State on Saturday. As we kick off the
unofficial start to the summer season head out to the track and take in some
live racing action.
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
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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
OPPS! HAPPY BIRTHDAY
May 24
DALE NELSON- Wife of Cliff, supporter of many local racing teams in CT.
***WEDDING ANNIVERSARIES***
May 23
STEVE AND PATTY SMUDGE- The Easton, MA retired Mini Modified team owner and
wife have their 40th anniversary.
May 26
LLOYD & LINDA AGOR- From Brewster, NY, this Stafford WAARS Modified 2005
champion and wife have their 18th anniversary.
May 27
WALTER & TRUDY CHARETTE- The Linwood,MA proprietor of Son Carpentry/ Mike
Stefanik and Dale Jarrett fan and wife/ Reggie Ruggiero/Ernie Irvan fan have
their 15th anniversary.
RUSH & MARTA LIMBAUGH- This New York City based Indy car fan and wife share
their 16th anniversary.
May 30
BOBBY & MEREDITH DILLNER- This Long Island native, now a Charlotte based
SPEED CHANNEL reporter and wife share their 17th anniversary.
TOM & CARITA TWINEM- These Brookfield, WI fans share their 30TH anniversary.
DON & MARY ANN MOYER- This Delaware race writing couple have their 18th
anniversary.
JOE & JULI ANN DEVOLVE- This Plainfield, CT fan couple shares their 12th
anniversary.
***HAPPY BIRTHDAYS***
May 25
MIKE MAIETTA- Beech Ridge Speedway LM driver, and occasional on the NASCAR
KNPSE Series.
TIM DEROIN- Massachusetts based Modified Series driver and TV filim-maker.
CINDY BURDICK- Danielson, CT wife of Stafford announcing staff member
Harold.
May 26
STACY COMPTON- NNS driver.
RONALD COOPER- Statham, VA NNS team owner.
GEORGE BRUNNHOELZL- Lindenhurst, NY chassis builder.
LISA SANSEVERINO- A daughter of Hillsborough, NC photographer Ed and wife
Linda.
May 27
GREG GASTELU- Jackson, NJ Wall Township Speedway driver of the famous No. 69
NAPA ProStock.
RON MOON- Cumberland, ME LM driver.
MARK GARMAN- "The Shark" is a Sprint writer from Laureldale, PA and a member
of the Grandview Speedway staff.
DR. DICK BERGGREN- TV Race Commentator and short track fan.
May 28
DON FORTE- Terrebone, Quebec LM driver.
WAYNE CARROLL, SR.- Dad of Massachusetts ProStock driver Wayne, Jr.
May 29
KEN SCHRADER- Fenton, MO NSC driver.
JIMMY MEANS- NSC/NNS/NASCAR West independent driver/owner.
AL UNSER, SR.- Retired Indy Car great, Little Al's dad.
LARRY BARNETT- Ledyard, CT Limited late model champion at Thompson Speedway.
RITA TRUDEAU- Wife of retired Chaplin, CT Modified driver Joey.
RICH SYLVESTRI- Retired proprietor of Sylvestri's Auto Care in Canterbury,
CT formerly referred to as the Northern World Center of Speed.
RITA ST. JOHN- The mother of Jewett City (CT) Service Proprietor Henry.
May 30
BOB NEWBERRY- Schenectady, NY Alchohol Funny Car driver.
GLEN MEISENHELDER- Springfield, MA occasional NASCAR KNPSE driver, son of
Ken of KGM Video.
PAUL HEARD- Lisbon, CT LM driver.
TED SEMINARA- This "Area Auto Racing News" Sprint Cup photographer from
Brewster, NY is now turning "Rebel" down in Mount Holly, NC and loving it.
LISA ORR- Daughter of Orlando, FL LM driver Pete and wife Terri.
PATRICK SHANLEY- Bethel, CT Lebanon Valley fan.
May 31
GENE WEIDMAN- Big Diamond Speedway dirt NASCAR Modified driver.
ED SANSEVERINO- Hillsborough, NC Orange County (NC) Speedway and AARN
photographer.
STEWART LEHMAN- Former longtime staff member at Wayne County Speedway,
Orville, OH.
THOMAS PURVIS- Son of Clarksville, TN NNS driver Jeff.
***IN THE SHOP***
RUSS HUNSBERGER - I received an update on Russ this week,
he continues to recover from injuries sustained in his accident but it has
been a tough road. We first learned about Russ’s situation in January at
Motorsports and want to encourage him by letting him know his recovery is in
our thoughts and prayers.
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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