It is one thing to see the images of a natural disaster on television and in
print and quite another to experience it first hand. Our hearts go out to
those whose lives have literally been torn apart. It seems this entire
spring the weather and its damage has held our attention. Does God have our
attention yet? Greetings in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
A week ago we were sitting in Bible study and prayer meeting at
Emmanuel Baptist Church in West Springfield, MA, lifting up the folks in
Joplin, MO, the latest area to be devastated by the severe spring weather. I
remember it well, one of the thoughts we shared reflected on how rare it is
for New England to experience such a storm. Just one week later a tornado
passed by the room we were sitting in, 100 yards to the south. Who could
have known?
The fact is, no one but God knows. This is His creation and He is
Lord over it. No matter how much we think we are in control of our lives the
fact remains, God is in control and He uses these types of events to get our
attention. Do you remember the Great Flood and Noah?
With that in mind, I was thinking this week, what is God trying to
communicate to us? I thought of a race and how focused a driver is on what’s
in front of them. The focus is only on getting to the front, so focused they
is not aware of those around them. But there is a voice in their ear telling
them where the other cars are, the danger ahead that they cannot see,
guiding them around the track and helping them know what is going on around
them.
I think we have become too focused on ourselves and we don’t take
the time to see what is going on around us. That voice is there but for some
reason we ignore it. Like the black flag waving, lap after lap, we don’t
respond until we absolutely have to. How many times are we going to drive by
and not take the time to reach out to someone in need?
The storms of this spring are bringing people together to help one
another. In some cases all the normality of life is gone, job, home, car and
all that remains is to draw together and rely on each other for strength,
encouragement and support.
Why does it take so much to get our attention? Why do we fail to
see the needs of others? Why do we fill our lives with so much busyness that
we cannot stop and help someone?
One of our Chaplains shared this with me; “If I may change course
for a minute on another event that happen this week. It has impacted me and
caused me to reflect on the many things Jesus did and one thing he didn’t;
he never turned away or walked in the other direction.
I happened to be driving down a road in Berlin, MA and came upon an
individual that was having a heart attack. I didn’t realize it at the time
and thought as many other motorists that there was nothing wrong; maybe
something fell off his van. As I drove by I looked back in my mirror and saw
him looking at me with a distress look. I turned around, stopped and
approached him.
"I think I am having a heart attack."
What struck me hard in my heart is that he grasped my hand and
almost started to cry he said, "No one would stop to help me".
As Christians we are the life of Jesus, to walk in His footsteps
each and every day. How many times have we walked past an individual, had a
look and figured they were okay? Maybe we just need to be more aware of what
others are telling us or expressing in their faces. Maybe we just need to
slow down our very hectic lives and take the time to reach out to someone.”
Thanks for that reminder Bobby.
Matthew’s Gospel record provides for us some insight into this
subject and what is the right way..
Matthew 25:31- 46;
"The Son of Man will come in all his glory. All the angels will come with
him.
Then he will sit on his throne in the glory of heaven. All the nations will
be gathered in front of him.
He will separate the people into two groups. He will be like a shepherd who
separates the sheep from the goats.
He will put the sheep to his right and the goats to his left.
"Then the King will speak to those on his right. He will say, 'My Father has
blessed you. Come and take what is yours.
It is the kingdom prepared for you since the world was created. I was
hungry. And you gave me something to eat.
I was thirsty. And you gave me something to drink. I was a stranger. And you
invited me in. I needed clothes.
And you gave them to me. I was sick. And you took care of me. I was in
prison. And you came to visit me.'
"Then the people who have done what is right will answer him. 'Lord,' they
will ask, 'when did we see you hungry and feed you? When did we see you
thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you as a stranger
and invite you in?
When did we see you needing clothes and give them to you? When did we see
you sick or in prison and go to visit you?'
"The King will reply, 'What I'm about to tell you is true.
Anything you did for one of the least important of these brothers of mine,
you did for me.'
"Then he will say to those on his left, 'You are cursed! Go away from me
into the fire that burns forever. It has been
prepared for the devil and his angels. I was hungry. But you gave me nothing
to eat. I was thirsty. But you gave me
nothing to drink. I was a stranger. But you did not invite me in. I needed
clothes. But you did not give me any.
I was sick and in prison. But you did not take care of me.'
"They also will answer, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty and not
help you?
When did we see you as a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison
and not help you?'
"He will reply, 'What I'm about to tell you is true. Anything you didn't do
for one of the least important of these,
you didn't do for me.'
"Then they will go away to be punished forever. But those who have done what
is right will receive eternal life.".
God
has prepared many opportunities for us to reach out and help others.
Sometimes we get so caught up in our own lives that we forget to take the
time. When that happens God needs to get our attention. Does He have it yet?
Don’t let it come to a black flag and we have to be parked in the
infield before we finally figure it out. Stop, take the time, look around
and see what others are going through. Do what is right.
THOUGHTS FROM THE ROAD
A COUPLE OF OPEN MOD EVENTS AND THE TAXI CABS
AT BOWMEN GRAY
While I took the opportunity to head to Star Speedway up in New
Hampshire on Saturday night, Rev. Dan had a chance to experience the
phenomenon of Bowmen Gray Stadium in Winston Salem, NC.
I received a text from Dan as the events unfolded at one of the
most heralded short tracks in the country. “It is electric!”
The fans make this place what it is, that was well documented in
the series Madhouse. From the feedback I received they didn’t play it up for
the camera, that is just the way it is, passion for their favorite, worn
right out on your sleeve for the world to see, like it or not.
There were a few cautions, as most suspected but in the words of
two security officers who have thirty years under their belt at The Stadium,
“This was one of the most entertaining races we have ever seen, better than
the Modifieds!”
Corey Lajoie, using the outside line to advance from his thirteenth
starting spot, finished second and got the attention of the crowd, but it
was Matt DiBenedetto who took down the win from his outside front row
starting spot. Let the record show that 15 of the starting 27 cars finished
on the lead lap. I can’t wait to see this on Speed.
Meanwhile, back at the ranch I headed out to Thompson for the first
of their open mod 40 lap sprints. While Thompson continues to face some
challenges the contingent of tour cars on hand promised to put on a good
show. With the likes of TC, Stefanik, Preece and Szegedy in the house there
was enough to hold the attention of any fan of Modified racing. Szegedy took
home the win and was excited to finally get the #2 back in Victory Lane
after coming so close so many times. I talked with Todd before the race and
he commented that came to Thompson to finally win something; that he did.
This may be just what Phil Moran and Todd need to break through.
With that it was off to Star Speedway for a Saturday night
showdown. Again another quality line up of Mods were in the house to put on
a great show, TC and Preece were back at it and they were joined by Pennink,
Civali, Coby, Pasteryak, McKennedy, Hirschman, Suess, Jarvis and Steuer.
When the dust settled from qualifying everyone had reason to get excited,
Coby took the pole followed by Preece, Pasteryak, Suess and McKeneddy.
The 125 green flag lap event went off with only one caution.
Dominated early by Preece but as his car tightened up it was Jon McKeneddy
that took home the victory.
Let me say that everyone involved with putting this race together
did and excellent job, Kevin Rice was the force driving the bus and he put
on a great event and putting together over $7,300.00 of lap money to enhance
the purse. They have already announced the race will be held again next
year, same bat time, same bat channel, so mark your schedules! The only
question that remains is just how many nickels and dimes were in that pink
tire?
OFF TO HOTLANTA - Rev. Dan continues his torrid pace touring
the south as he heads off to Gresham Motorsports Park for the K&N Pro Series
next Saturday night. I am headed north with my wife to visit her folks and
help them clean up from a challenging winter. Get out there and add your
voice to the crowd!
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***
June 10
MARCEL & LYNN L'ETOILE- This retired driver and proud parents of
Massachusetts ProStock driver Frank, share their 43rd anniversary.
June 13
MARCEL & CHRIS DUSSEAULT- "Deuce" and his wife from Somersworth, NH are
former owners of the NASCAR KNPSE GRAND NATIONAL Marc Motorsports team and
have their 46th anniversary.
SAL & FRIEDA MAGLIO- These fans from Scranton, PA have their 38th wedding
anniversary.
June 14
LENNIE & ELAINE STOCKWELL- Mom, dad and crew for the car driven by their son
Kip.
DICK & PHYLLIS WOLSTENHUME- This retired Beech Ridge Speedway driving mutli-time
champion and wife share their 51st anniversary..
***HAPPY BIRTHDAYS***
June 8
JOE BUCHEK- Binghamton, NY retired Modified driver; We-Go Racing Fan Club
activist.
SHARON MOORE- Horseshoe, NC wife of Gary.
KRISTEN LABONTE- Daughter of Nextel Cupp driver Terry and wife Kim.
JON MAYLOTT- Enfield, CT Lebanon Valley Speedway fan, hockey coach and CT
District Commissioner for Youth Hockey.
June 9
BILLY BIGLEY, JR.- Naples, FL All Pro Series driver.
RON D'ALESSANDRO- Agawam, MA former Mod No. 124 owner/driver at the now
closed Riverside Park Speedway.
TY BERGER- A past Advertising Director for "National Speed Sport News" from
1969 to 1978 and always involved in racing from Kutztown, PA.
June 10
JOHN SNEAD- Oxford, MA former Modified driver.
STEVE DARNE- Woodbridge, VA LMSC driver.
NICOLE MICHILOWSKI- Daughter of Lebanon Valley driver Mark and wife Robin.
ASHLEY DUNAY- Daughter of Stafford SKMod crew member Joe.
THOMAS DUNAY- Son of Stafford SKMod crew member Joe.
June 11
KENNY TROYER- Rochester, NY asphalt Modified driver.
KRISTA HOWARD- Daughter of Waterford Speedbowl faithful Tom and wife Carol.
June 12
BRAD LEIGHTON- Center Harbor, NH NASCAR KNPSE driver.
LEE SHERWOOD- Waverly, NY NASCAR KNPSE/Modified driver.
SCOTT WOLF- From Freeport, NY a Riverhead Raceway driver.
MITCH POOLE- Lebanon Valley Modified driver.
PAT FEZZA- Riverhead Raceway Tech. Inspector.
June 13
DAVEY HAMILTON- Boise, Idaho SuperModified great, now IRL driver.
RON KEYS- Nottingham, PA Sprint/ Modified driver.
SHAUN BUFFINGTON- Plainfield, CT Modified driver.
DIRK STEPHENS- Tumwater, WA NNS/All Pro/CWTS driver.
KEVIN RICHARDS- Spokane, WA NASCAR West driver.
IRENE GEHRIS- Grandview Speedway's VIP Registra and AARN Vickie's mom.
ADRAI SCHAFFER- One of Grandview Mod driver Rick and wife Donna's children.
FRANK L'ETOILE, JR.- Son of Massachusetts ProStock driver Frank and wife
Beth.
June 14
JACK MILLER- Dr. Jack, Carmel, IN IRL driver.
LEVI SCHULTZ- This Quakertown, PA 250cc Micro Srpint driver at Borger's
Speedway in Saylorsburg, PA.
JOEY CAVALLERO- This Wall Stadium fan and son of Tom and Sally and also the
nephew of Steve "Woody" Woods and wife Tammy.
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
|
