WALL TO WALL, WHEEL TO WHEEL
by Rev. Don Rivers

1 Corinthians 9:24-27; nlt, Don’t you realize that in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize?
So run to win! All athletes are disciplined in their training. They do it to win a prize that will fade away,
but we do it for an eternal prize. So I run with purpose in every step. I am not just shadowboxing.
I discipline my body like an athlete, training it to do what it should. Otherwise,
I fear that after preaching to others I myself might be disqualified.

   And the writer of Hebrews adds;

Hebrews 12:1-3; nlt, Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith,
let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up.
And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus,
the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross,
disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne.
Think of all the hostility he endured from sinful people; then you won’t become weary and give up."

   You may have seen the message on our pace cars; it is a combination of the thoughts of these two passages, “Run the race in such a way as to win, throw off everything that hinders and focus on Jesus.”

   There is a right way and a wrong way to prepare and run the race. Most of us choose the wrong way, it is just human nature. We hope that we can be good enough or be a good person and when we stand before God we can ask for forgiveness and He will have pity on us and save us. Nothing is further from the truth.

   Think of it this way, how much work goes into winning a race? How much practice? How many race cars? How many shop workers and crewmembers? How much does it take to win?

   Funny thing is I have seen some of the most talented drivers fail to win because on some level they didn’t have what it took, whether it was equipment, resources or perseverance. Winning isn’t easy, you don’t just wake up and you’re a winner.

   Practice, discipline, training, are three things that are necessary to live a life that honors God. We cannot wait until the last moment and expect that we will make the right choices when we have to. We cannot wait and expect to know the right way to turn when faced with a decision.

   Running the race requires us to know what pleases God. We find that out by reading His Word and talking with Him. Then we need to put that into practice, disciplining ourselves to focus on what will honor God and training our mind and body to execute those thoughts. Only then will we be in the race to win the race.

   God knows that is a tall order and made some provisions for us; He provided Jesus who sacrificed his life so that when we fall short we are forgiven. God also provides the Holy Spirit to guide us, teach us and convict us as we train ourselves to live lives that are pleasing to God. Both are available for the asking, seek God out, accept the forgiveness that Jesus offers, ask the Holy Spirit into your heart.

   You can reach out to God while He is still available or you can wait. But let me assure you of this, if you decide to live life without seeking out God’s direction and hope that in the end you will receive forgiveness, it won’t go well for you.

   Now is the time, today is the day, commit to run the race in such a way as to win, throw off everything that hinders and focus on Jesus.

  THOUGHTS FROM THE ROAD

   WHERE DO WE BEGIN - Before I get too far into my thoughts I want to take a moment and share a few things with you.

   Charles Kepley, 57, died Tuesday, May 24, 2011, unexpectedly at his home. Charles was born on Sept. 26, 1953, in Mecklenburg County. He was a service technician at Energy United, owner of C and C Racing Souvenirs, promoter of the North-South John Blewett III Memorial Shootout and also coached several local softball teams. He leaves his son, Chad Kepley; his mother of Lexington; a sister, Lisa Sizemore and husband Joel of Winston-Salem; two special nieces, Madison and Abigail; and special friends, Sherry Steed and daughter Haley.

   Charles had a heart for Modified racing and did his best to present an annual event to showcase that talent. The Modified community has lost a great champion and advocate. Please join with us in lifting up his family during this time of great loss.

   I also received word on Friday that Tommy Barrett, a competitor in the SK Lite division at Stafford was in a serious accident on his way home from the Thompson Speedway Thursday night. He is in the hospital; I talked with his dad, and they are hopeful. I have plans to visit with him and I will update you on his condition. Please lift Tommy and his family up in your prayers.

   A note of encouragement came at Chapel on Friday at Stafford. Beth Mueller, wife of Troyer Bob, shared that she will participate in this years Relay for Life as a 10 year survivor. She writes; “Thank you for the service you provide at the race track, for the past couple of years I would sit back but not attend, this year I made a promise to myself that I would attend each week that I was at the track.”

   “As we talked on Friday, I am proud that on Friday, June 3rd I will be able to participate in my 10th American Cancer Society's Relay for Life as a Survivor, I know through my Faith I am able to do this.” See you in June, Beth Mueller

   SILK GOES WIRE TO WIRE - Friday night saw Ronnie Silk the last to qualify as he put his car on the pole and never looked back; leading every lap on his way to Victory Lane. Although there wasn’t a challenge for the lead there was plenty of racing to watch as drivers contended to the finish.

   NO RESPECT - Rowan Pennink, the Rodney Dangerfield of the short track racing this year, continued his great run with a second place finish on Friday and a victory at Twin State in the MRS. He extended his lead in the WMT points race and he leads the points in the MRS. I think that should be enough to break him into the top ten at least!

   MRS AT TWIN STATE - Rev’s Scott and Ray sent in this report; Well it was off to the North Country for round 3 of the MRS. After the show at Mad Dog everyone was expecting some excitement. After a couple cars withdrew for mechanical there were 26 ground pounders ready to go out. It was another rough Memorial Day weekend for most but for the Pennink stable this year was much better then last. After a strong showing with the WMT at Stafford he got around Chris Pasteryak and never looked back.

   At the end of the night the pits were full of tore up cars so let's hope for better at Seekonk.

   It was a very good night though as we got to meet Jim Dube and his wife who are the track chaplains at Twin State. It’s always great when you can meet new people who have the same heart as you.

   Also want to say thanks to Thompson Speedway for letting us roll the pace car out in front of the MRS for the feature.

   Finally let's go Bruins as hockey is alive in New England.

   Rev. Ray added; When Rev. Scott asked me to join him for the MRS race at Twin State Speedway in Claremont, NH, I was looking forward to my first "small track USA" experience. He told me it was located up in, "God's Country". I knew we were in for a great time as we approached the track, and the last 4 miles were on gravel road. The quote of the day was from Rev. Scott, "Where else would you want to be on Memorial Day weekend than driving down a gravel country road, listening to June Carter Cash singing, "Goin' To Jackson". He was right! Other than a few sprinkles of rain the night was full of MRS excitement and blessings. The folks there couldn't have been more accommodating to us.

   We met the local Track Chaplain, Rev. Jim and Roxanne Dube who were praying over the track for God's protection and blessings that night. Prayer for God's hand of protection upon each driver & crew, track officials, safety crew, and fans was to become evident as several hard wrecks happened and each one walked away. Many new friends were made and sure enough, we had a great evening of racing.

   The Thompson Speedway guys were there with their pace car and they asked us to lead out the MRS with it. Probably would have gotten home earlier- except Rev. Scott left the air conditioning on with the car running while the drivers were introduced & and we then prayed with them. There was a huge puddle of water running down the track between turns 1 & 2. Thought for sure they were going to need some speedy dry to get the event started!

   Yes, you know you are at small track USA when the main wrecker is a big yellow Cat backhoe-bucket loader. Looking forward to a return trip, Rev. Ray

   Rev. Dan heads to Bowman Gray this Saturday night for the K&N Pro Series East race and I will be heading north to Star Speedway for the open Mod show. I am not sure where you are headed, but let me encourage you to head out and support live, local racing.

   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.
 

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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***

June 1
RANDY & LYNDA HEDGER- The Tioga Speedway/NASCAR WMT driver and wife from Morrisville, NY share their special day.
BOB & TRACY COX- Rev. Pat's cousin in Boyertown, PA and wife, both NNC and Sprint car fans, share their 14th anniversary.

June 6
SCOTT & LISA JAMES- This couple from Canterbury, CT who helped lead this ministry in the past have their 18th anniversary
LLOYD & LINDA MOORE- This Unity, ME driver and wife have their 38th anniversary.

June 7
REV. DON AND LYNDA RIVERS- The RWJM President and WMT Pastor and wife celebrate their 31st anniversary.

***HAPPY BIRTHDAYS***

June 1
NORM PATRICK- Publisher of NY State's "Gater Racing News."
JAY SAUTER- NNS/Craftsman Truck Series driver.
DAVY JONES- Lake Tahoe, NV Offroad and CWTS driver.
DARRYL LEWIS- New York Southern Tier asphalt Modified driver.
LORRAINE SYLVESTRI- The wife of Rich, retired proprietor of Sylvestri's Auto Care World Center of Speed in Canterbury, CT.
LEW MARDEN- Onwer of Air Transport, Inc in Concord, NH and Jamie Tomaino NASCAR WMT fan.
DAVID BAKKER- Former NASCAR KNPSE Race Director
MARY ANN MOYER- Delaware writer.
MATTHEW THOMAS- Son of northern New England's "Racin' Paper" Publisher Mark.

June 2
KYLE PETTY- Randleman, NC NSC driver now TV commentator.
SATCH WORLEY- Rocky Mount, VA driver.
SAMMY BEAVERS- Glen Gardner, NJ retired famous dirt Modified driver.
STEVE KINSER- Bloomington, IN World of Outlaws superstar.
LISA LILLQUIST- The daughter of former Thompson Speedway Late Model driver Jerry and wife Debbie, now living in Myrles Inlet, SC.
JOHN UDES- Wall Township speedway/RoC Modified driver from Morris Plains, NJ.

June 3
SCOTT NICKEL- The Thompson Speedway based photographer and brother of photographer Dale.

June 4
BETTY ANN EVANS- The wife of Racing with Jesus Ministries founder Rev. Pat Evans.
BOBBY HILLIN, JR.- Midland, TX NNS driver.
MICHAEL DOKKEN- St. Petersburg, FL LM/CWTS driver.
JENETTE SMULLEY- Daughter of Big Diamond owners Fritz and Krista Roehrig.

June 5
BUTCH MILLER- Coopersville, MI NASCAR CWTS driver.
MIKE & TED CHRISTOPHER- Plainville, CT twin drivers, both talented in open and closed wheel competition.
EUGENE SENA- Middletown, CT Mike Christopher and NASCAR WMT crewman.
GARY NELSON- NASCAR Managing Director of Competition.
TONY SYLVESTER, JR.- The son of semi-retired Lebanon, CT Mod/NASCAR KNPSE driver Tony and wife Diane.
LISA NICKEL- The daughter of Thompson Speedway photographer Scott and Joan.

June 6
RANDY PORTER- Greenville, SC NNS and Greenville Pickens Speedway LMSC driver.
JIM HAILEY, JR.- Winston-Salem, NC Tri-County and Caraway Speedways LMSC driver; son of Richard Childress Show Car Team Manager Jim, Sr.
BILL "TIGER" PERRY- Seekonk Speedway Sportsman driver.
WENDELL & CAROL KILCOLLINS- This husband and wife from Stafford Springs both celebrate. Wendell is a retired Modified driver.
KATY COLSON- Daughter of Leominster, MA ProStock driver Fran and wife Doreen.
VICTORIA ACKERLY- The daughter of Orange County Fairgrounds Speedway Modified driver Ray.

June 7
DENNIS DEMERS- Shelburne, VT NASCAR KNPSE driver.
RAY HORNER- New Jersey asphalt Modified driver.
TIM DAMIANI- Pennsy Modified driver.
ANTHONY DAMIANI- A son of Tim's.
JIM BOARDMAN- Maynard, MA LM/NASCAR KNPSE driver.
MIKE SWAIM- Archdale, NC LMSC driver.
CHUCK MONTVILLE- Crewman on the Ralph Solhem's NASCAR WMT team.
LESLIE LaJOIE- Wife of two time NNS champion driver Randy.
MARTIN SCHIFF- Wayland, MA proprietor of Sponsor Development of Reston, Ent., husband of Wayland Travel's Jane.
JOEL MARTIN- Son of Concord, NC NSC photographers Gary and Judy.
BRIDGETT JIVANELLI- Daughter of Riverhead Raceway driver Dan.
KELSEY BABB- Daughter of Beech Ridge Speedway LM driver Bobby and wife Carla.
ZACHARY D'ALESSANDRO- Agawam, MA son of Ingrid and former Modified driver Ron.

***NEW BEGINNINGS***

   WILLIAM MEFFORD - The Anderson Speedway family is mourning the loss of its great friend and family member, William Mefford. Willie succumbed to the injuries sustained when the hood on his Late Model flew up and accelerated the car at full throttle into the barriers head on in turn 3 Saturday night, May 21, 2011.

   "Willie was a great friend and a gentlemen competitor" said Rick Dawson, Speedway owner. "He embraced the return of the Late Models to the Speedway this year and was destined to be its Champion. Willie was a pleasure to be around and always hold a place in my heart as the first feature champion when R.J. (Scott) and I purchased the track 15 years ago."

   "I want to thank our safety crew, Anderson Fire Department and the helicopter medical staff from St. Johns who did everything humanly possible to resuscitate Willie. Sometimes God has a different plan for us and this time he took our friend to a happier place." continued Dawson. I know I speak for all of our fans and competitors when I say our thoughts and prayers are with Willie's family and wish them God's comfort in their time of pain.".

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PO Box 586
Tolland, CT, 06084

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Source: Rev Don Rivers / Racing With Jesus Ministries
Posted: June 3, 2011