No matter how much we think we have things under control the fact remains we
don't. In the blink of an eye or the breath of the wind, life can change
forever. Recent events have reminded us of this. Can we find hope in the
challenges we face? Greetings in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus
Christ.
I sit here at my computer alongside a babbling brook in the
Catskill Mountains of New York. Sounds beautiful doesn't it? It is, this
long awaited family vacation has been a blessing. Last year, with the
pending birth our first grandchild, we made a commitment to have at least
one family weekend together. Labor Day Weekend was the one we chose. Little
did we know the challenge it would be this year.
It has been a over a week since we have had electricity and water
in our home. The refrigerator and freezer are cleaned out and empty. The
buckets of lake water sit at the ready on the deck for flushing
requirements. Ah the pleasure of indoor plumbing, my bathroom has the
bouquet of many racetrack facilities not that of a modern home.
My wife and I wondered how fun camping would be, but when we
realized that the campsite would have running water and electricity, we
loaded up the truck and away we went! What a wonderful time away, no agenda,
no worries, just sitting by the campfire watching the flames dance.
I haven't seen a TV in a week, I have read a paper or two, don't
know much of what is going on in the world. We had cell service for a couple
of days but soon the cell tower ran out of backup power and that went away.
Have you ever noticed how dark and quiet is can be when everything is shut
off? We had to wait until 10:00 pm to experience that; when the neighbor
turned his generator off.
As my wife and I sat there contemplating how many times we asked
for some peace and quiet only to receive it and wonder what to do. We did
just fine. We played games by candlelight, we talked, we rested.
What did you do? Did you consume yourself with trying to get things
back to “normal” or did you just rest and let God take care of it? I must
confess the first few day were frustrating and it did get to me. I wanted to
wring the power companies neck. Then I realized that the situation was out
of my control and the best I could do was make the best of it.
Have you ever got caught up in someone else's mistake on the track?
You are just in the wrong place at the right time. How about when the car
breaks during practice and you don't make the race? There is some truth to
the saying “everything happens for a reason”. Let me encourage you not to
let your frustration get the best of you. Don't let the circumstances that
surround you dictate the condition of your heart. You can be at peace in the
midst of turmoil. Listen to what Paul shares with us.
Philippians 4:11b-13;
...for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.
I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty.
I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation,
whether well fed or hungry,
whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who
gives me strength.
The secret is contained in the last
sentence, I can do everything through him who gives me strength. When we
learn that we can be content no matter what the situation. God is the one in
control, things on this earth happen according to His plan. We must let him
guide and direct us through the situations we face.
David wrote in
Psalm 23,
“The Lord is my Shepard, I have everything I need.”
Can we
say that with certainty? I can when things are going well and I have
everything I want. The challenge comes when the lights are turned off, the
water stops running and there is no food in the fridge. Can we still say
with certainty that we are at peace?
I think we all are challenged when life doesn't go according to our
plan. In the last month or so I have dealt with the direct results of a
tornado, a hurricane and some flooding. I thought we only had to deal with a
few snowflakes once in a while?
Life, like racing, doesn't always go the way we plan it or for that
matter the way we think it should go. We have not been the worst hit by any
of these storms, others have lost lives, homes, families, everything. I
wonder how it feels to see your life's dreams and efforts piled in a
dumpster? I empathize with those who have lost everything but I can also
encourage them that Christ will never leave us or forsake us.
We need to hold on to the things that mean everything, our
relationships, both with God and family. Do not forsake taking time to be
together. Try not to wait until the lights go out before we reach out to
others. As I heard this week, there is too much anger in this world, choose
to change that, reach out give someone hope.
I must confess without Internet, TV and the like, I haven't a clue
who is racing where. There is a race in Canada for the Whelen Modified Tour,
Ray and Sandi are up there covering that. Ray sent word that things went
well, the Canadians rolled out the red maple leaf carpet and made them feel
welcome. Ronnie Silk took down the win. Only minor difficulty crossing over
with one team member being left at the border for further review. Looking
forward to seeing the North and the South in action this week at Thompson
for the UNOH Showdown.
Also, there was a race down a Greenville for the K&N Pro Series,
Dan and Deb are covering that. That event is scheduled to go off on Monday
night and is not completed at this point.
Me, I am sitting by the riverbank with my laptop plugged into a
tree taking a little time to encourage each one of you to make time for
folks in your life before it is too late, the timing of things in this world
are out of our control!
Until next time, 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.
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Please remember, we can only do what we do because of your prayerful
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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***
September 7
BOBBY & SUSAN SILAPIGNI- Sheba Racing Modified team crewman and wife have
their anniversary.
RICH & MARY PAWLICH- These Rocky Hill, CT NASCAR WMT fans have their 18th
anniversary.
September 10
LARRY AND CARLENE SHIVERS- This Mom and Pop team for #23 Modified celebrate
51 years on the road.
September 11
BOB & PEGGY KARBONIC- This CT Mod driver and wife have their 18th
anniversary.
September 12
DAN & SHARON MESERVEY- The parents of NASCAR WMT/KNPSE drivers Dan, Jr. and
Doug from Chatham, MA have their 44th anniversary.
September 13
LARRY & CINDY NICEWICZ- This retired racing writer/ go-karter and wife from
Vernon, CT share their 51st anniversary..
***HAPPY BIRTHDAYS***
September 7
ANDY SANTERRE- Cherryfield, ME, now Mooresville, NC, 4-time KNPSE Champion
now is guiding Revolution Racing.
JOHN PRESTON- Wyalusing, PA NASCAR WMT/NASCAR KNPSE driver.
TOM FEARN- Feeding Hills, MA Late Model driver.
PEGGY HEEG- Sponsor of Mark Lento's Riverhead Raceway Figure Eight team.
September 8
MARTY RADEWICK- Almost Retired Riverside Park Speedway Modified driver.
September 9
JEFF HAMMOND- Former NSC/NNS Crew Chief now TV commentator.
AUDREY STEVENS MOCKOVAK- Former Claremont, NH Speedway Modified driver.
FRED VORDEMEIER, SR.- The father of NASCAR WMT driver, Fred, JR; "The Big
Apple Kid" from West Hempstead, NY.
LARRY NICEWICZ- Vernon, CT retired racing writer.
CHAD MILLER- Son of NY photographer Chuck.
BILL CHANNELL- Proprietor of Epping, NH's Channell 1 Video who has now gone
digital.
ARLEEN SUKUP- Wife of Schodack Landing, NY former Midget owner Joe.
September 10
ROBERT JEFFREYS- NC Modified driver.
RALPH SOLHEM- Owner of the NASCAR WMT No. 0.
BILL CHRISTOPHER- In Plainville, CT, the father of well-known racing twins
Mike and Ted.
PHIL SMITH- Veteran racing writer from Westerly, RI.
CARRIE KILCOLLINS- Sturbridge, MA fan of CT Mod driver Willie Hardee and her
dad Wendell is Hardee's Crew Chief.
AL HANSEN- Green Lane, PA former Modified team owner at Grandview and
Bridgeport Speedways.
September 11
TERRORISTS STRIKE USA- It was not the first time, but on September 11, 2001,
our country changed forever after 3,000 people were killed by terrorists.
GEORGE KENT- The veteran Tioga Speedway and NASCAR WMT driver from
Horseheads, NY
LARRY CARON- Williston, VT LM driver.
DEBBIE VECCHIO- Wife of Syracuse, NY NASCAR KNPSE chassis specialist, Tony.
STEPHEN "GOODYEAR" BELLEROSE- NASCAR WMT crewman and Dave Lind Goodyear Tire
technician.
CHERIE BEERS- Wife of Northampton, PA aspahlt NASCAR WMT driver, Eric.
PETER LATTANZIO- Mechanicsburg, PA Super Sportsman driver & owner who
competes at Williams Grove.
September 12
RICKY RUDD- Retired NSC driver.
CINDY NICEWICZ- Wife of retired Vernon, CT writer Larry.
September 13
JIM GUTHRIE- Gadsden, AL born, Albuquerque, NM IRL driver.
ED HERROLD- A former Riverhead Raceway NASCAR Starter, now living in Texas.
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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