From time to time we have to take a step back and reflect on how much we are
depending on Christ to guide and direct our lives. Sometimes we are guilty
of limiting Christ to a small portion of our lives when He should have
control over everything. Are we letting Christ rule the whole house or just
one room? Greetings in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Have you ever noticed that we can be our own worst enemies? We can
get in the way of moving things forward in our lives. The fact is most times
we can do a better job of living if we just take a step back, get out of the
way and let God have control.
It happens on race teams also, we get so focused on how we do
things that we get tunnel vision. We struggle to solve handling problem when
in fact if we take a step back and look at things from a new perspective we
can see where the problem is.
Sometimes we can’t see and need a fresh set of eyes. It serves us
well to not be so prideful that we cannot ask for help. How many times have
you struggled for the answer only to have someone walk up and point out the
obvious?
If you are wanting to get you life moving in the right direction,
but it seems you are always fighting the same struggles let me ask you a
question, is Jesus in the house? Not just in the house, but does he have
control over the whole house? That is to say, have you surrendered your life
to Christ? Let me share this story.
Once there was this very wealthy young man. He lived in a great,
elaborate house with dozens of rooms. Each room was more comfortable and
more beautiful than the one before it. There were paintings and sculptures,
crystal chandeliers, golden ornate railings on the stairs. More beauty than
most have ever seen. One day he decided to invite the Lord to come home and
stay with him. When the Lord arrived, this young man offered him the very
best room in the house.
The room was upstairs and at the end of the hall. "This room is
yours, Jesus! Stay as long as you like and you can do whatever you want to
in this room, remember Jesus, its all yours." That evening after he had
retired for the night there came a loud knocking at the front door. The
young man put on his robe and made his way downstairs. When he opened the
door he found that the devil had sent three of his demons to attack the man.
He quickly tried to close the door but one of the demons kept sticking his
foot in. Sometime later, after a great struggle, he managed to slam the door
shut and returned to his room totally exhausted.
Can you believe that," the man thought. Jesus is upstairs in my
very best room sleeping while I am down here battling demons. Oh, well,
maybe he just didn't hear. He slept fitfully that night. The next day things
went along as normal and, being tired as he was, the young man retired early
that evening. Along about midnight, there came such a terrible ruckus at the
front door that the young man was sure that whatever it was would tear the
door down. He stumbled down the stairs once again and opened the door to
find there were dozens of demons now trying to get into his beautiful home.
For more than three hours he fought and struggled against the
demons from hell, and finally overtook them enough to shut the door against
their attack. All energy seemed to fail him. He really didn't understand
this at all. Why won't the Lord come to my rescue? Why does he allow me to
fight all by myself? I feel so alone. Troubled, he found his way to the sofa
and fell into a restless sleep.
The next morning he decided to inquire of the Lord about the
happenings of the last two evenings. Quietly he made his way to the elegant
bedroom where he had left Jesus. "Jesus," he called as he tapped at the
door. "Lord, I don't understand what is happening. For the last two nights I
have had to fight the demons away from my door while you laid up here
sleeping. Don't you care about me? Did I not give you the very best room in
the house?" He could see the tears building in Jesus' eyes but continued on,
"I just don't understand, I really thought that once I invited you in to
live with me that you would take care of me and I gave you the best room in
my house and everything. What more can I do?"
"My precious child," Jesus spoke so softly. "I do love and care for
you. I protect all that you have released into my care. But, when you
invited me to come here and stay, you brought me to this lovely room and you
shut the door to the rest of your house. I am Lord of this room but I am not
Master of this house. I have protected this room and no demon may enter
here."
"Oh, Lord, please forgive me. Take all of my house -- it is yours.
I am so sorry that I never offered you all to begin with. I want you to have
control of everything." With this he flung open the bedroom door and knelt
at Jesus' feet. "Please forgive me Lord for being so selfish." Jesus smiled
and told him that He had already forgiven him and that He would take care of
things from now on.
That night as the young man prepared for bed, he thought "I wonder
if those demons will return, I am so tired of fighting them each and every
night". But, he knew that Jesus said that he would take care of things from
now on. Along about midnight the banging on the door was frightening. The
young man slipped out of his room in time to see Jesus going down the
stairs. He watched in awe as Jesus swung open the door, no need to be
afraid. Satan stood at the door, this time demanding to be let in. "What do
you want, Satan?" the Lord asked. The devil bowed low in the presence of the
Lord, "So sorry, I seem to have gotten the wrong address." And with that, he
and the demons all ran away.
Have we allowed Christ to have dominion over every aspect of our
life or have we limited him to one day a week? We will continue to struggle
with the things that haunt us if we do not allow Christ to rule over all.
Think about the offer the Christ makes to us, allow Him to have total
control, make a commitment to allow Him to reign in every aspect of your
life.
Matthew 11:28-30;
"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.
Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in
heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."
THOUGHTS FROM THE
ROAD
OKTOBERFEST 2011 AT LEE –
Our Lee Chaplain, Bobby Somers, fills us in on the happenings at this past
weekend.
Well Friday afternoon Vinetta and I rolled into Lee USA Speedway
for the final race of the season. This three day event known as OKTOBERFEST,
brought drivers from all over New England. Track officials reported they had
250 cars on hand for this weekend of racing. With many of the heat races
taking place on Saturday it had the fans taking in every lap as if it was a
feature race. With large car counts in every division the track worked hard
to break down how many heats were going to take place on Saturday.
The only Saturday night feature race to take place was the
Pro-stocks. This race was originally slated to be 100 laps but due to the
high number of cautions, 16, and a curfew of 8pm, only 78 laps were
completed before the checkered flag waved. 32 Pro-stocks headed down the
front stretch for the start of the race. With all these cautions you would
have thought only about 10 cars would have made it to lap 78, but 26 took
the checkered flag. The longest stretch of racing was from the green to lap
21 before a yellow. Wayne Helliwell Jr. took home the victory.
That concluded the night of racing on Saturday, which was only the
beginning for Wayne Helliwell Jr. Helliwell took home victories in the
Pro-stock Heat/Feature, Super Late Model Heat/Feature and the Small Block
Heat/ finishing third in the feature. This has been Wayne’s home track for
many years collecting several Championships. One of the other home track
drivers JR Baril started 32 and finished out the night in third place in the
Pro-stocks.
On Sunday morning the excitement continued to build around the pits
and in the stands as everyone was waiting for a great day of racing. There
were 11 races scheduled for the day, with engines fired up at noon.
The Valenti Modified Racing Series on hand this weekend and drew in
31 cars. They would have to whittle that down as only 24 cars were scheduled
for the Sunday feature. They had 3 heat races and one consi on Saturday that
would set the field for the show.
The #6 of Les Hinckley dominated the start of the race as the #25
of Rowan Pennink just waited out his turn. Hinckley, fighting for the
Championship, was clearly disappointed as Pennink took the checkered flag.
Rounding out the top 3 for this feature was Pennink, Hinckley and Wren.
Chris Pasteryak took home the Season Championship for the VMRS, his second
championship and Les Hinckley came home second, just 14 points behind Chris.
“Throwing Caution to the wind” took on a whole new meaning this
weekend at Lee USA Speedway. During the Hobby Stock feature race a few of
the full body cars looked like open wheel racecars by the finish.
It was certainly a blessing to have met so many drivers, families
and fans this season. This was the final race at Lee USA Speedway for GM Bob
Watson as he announced his retirement about a month ago. I know he has made
thousands of young and old racing fans very happy leaving Lee on Friday
Nights.
This was also Bobby Glass’s #24 Hobby Stock final race as he also
heads into racing retirement. This driver has entertained racing fans for 50
years. He was a gentleman on and off the track, no matter how rough they
raced him.
Vinetta and I would like to thank the McDonald family, Red and
Judy, for allowing us to be their Track Chaplains. We have certainly been
blessed to have met them both as well as many other personnel/teams/fans at
Lee USA Speedway.
BACK ON THE ROAD - Looks like we’ll be back at it in a
couple of weeks, looking forward to heading down to Charlotte area for the
North-South Shootout along with the World Dirt Finals. Famed racing
photographer, Howie Hodge, will be making the trip with Dan and I, he may
never come home the same.
PRAYERS NEEDED - Bob Menschner called in this week with a
couple of folks that need a touch from God, please join us as we lift them
up in prayer.
Nancy Shea, Wife of Ray who leads the Vintage Stock Car Club of New
Jersey is battling some serious health issues.
Kenny Crammer, Garvey boat pilot who was thrown from his boat
recently in a NJ Outlaw race was injured and is challenged with some
paralysis.
I am sure there are many more in the racing family that could use a
touch from our Lord, please lift them up as we look to God for healing,
strength and wisdom.
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.
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***
October 26
KEITH & DEBORAH CYR- The AARN photographer from Danbury, CT and wife share
their 14th anniversary.
MR. & MRS. DALE HOLDRIDGE- This senior Waterford Speedbowl driver and wife
have their 48th anniversary.
October 27
RAY & PAULA ACKERLY- This Katonah, NY dirt Modified driver and wife
celebrate their 20th anniversary.
October 28
JOHN & KATHY TEMCHAK- This former NHMS Victory Lane staff member and wife
from Canterbury, NH have their 32nd anniversary.
JOHN & DONNA HALL- This racing couple of Northeast Connecticut have their
15th anniversary.
October 29
WAYNE & KELLY HELLIWELL- This NH ProStock driver and wife share their 34th
anniversary.
November 1
BRAD & DIANE BENNETT- This Reyben Racing NASCAR CWTS and ASA driver from
Stamford, CT and wife share their 13th anniversary.
TOM & SALLY CAVALLERO- These Wall Township Speedway fans from Farmingdale,
NJ have their 15th.
ALAN & KATE CLAFFIE- This mazda driving, pug loving, photographing couple
share their 8th year together.
***HAPPY BIRTHDAYS***
October 26
SAMMY SWINDELL- WoO Sprint driver.
DEBORAH PETFIELD- RWJM Counselor/Singer from Thornwood, NY; KNPSE Pastor
Dan's wife.
BRANDON SETZER- The son of Newton, NC NASCAR CWTS driver Dennis and wife
Darla.
October 27
DICK TRICKLE- Fan favorite retired Wisconsin based NASCAR driver.
NEWT HARTMAN- Flagtown, NJ East Windsor Mod driver.
RAY HEDGER- Williamson, NY Bruce Driver WMT Crew Chief.
MARC OSWALD- Vineland, NJ based "Trackside" Magazine Field Sales Rep.
AMANDA PETFIELD- Thornwood, NY RWJM KNPSE Pastor & vice president Dan and
wife Debbie's youngest.
Allan Claffie- Mazda racing, Nationals promoting, Steve Park look alike.
NATALIA ALLISON-New Brittan, CT NASCAR fan and Stafford Motor Speedway
Regular enjoys her special day.
October 28
JOE RUTTMAN- Upland, CA born, Brentwood, TN NASCAR CWTS driver.
RICK BELL- Poughkeepsie, NY NASCAR KNPSE Road Racing specialist with Merit
Motorsports.
BILL BRICE, JR.- Former NASCAR WMT Chief Tech Inspector and Wall Township
Speedway Sportsman Modified champion from New Jersey.
TOM BALDWIN, JR.- Dad taught him all he knows. The son of Bellport, NY Tiger
Tom, Tom is now a car owner in the NSCS.
JOAN HOFFMAN- Mom of Allentown, PA dirt Mod star, Doug.
ALEXIS MICHEL- The daughter of Wall Township Speedway star Modified driver
Dave and wife Kyle.
October 29
KEN LENDA- Norwich, CT Waterford Speedbowl SS driver.
DENISE & LISA GUNNING- The twin daughters of Stafford Speedway championship
Modified driver Bo.
October 30
DOUG HOFFMAN- Allentown, PA top dirt Modified threat.
MICHELLE "SHELLY" BLEWETT- Daughter of retired Modified driving great John,
Jr. and wife Jessie.
DANIELLE RIVERS- Daughter of RWJM WMT Pastor and president Rev. Don & wife
Lynda.
October 31
KIP CHILDRESS- K&N Pro Series East Race Director and friend of RWJM turns
another lap.
LENNY SAMMONS- Character counts with people like this. He is the
Publisher/Editor of Area Auto Racing News.
BUDDY LAZIER- Vail, CO IRL driver.
GARY LILECK- "Area Auto Racing News" race results reporter/writer.
RACHEL & HEATHER MARTIN- The grown-up daughters of Batesville, AK NSCS
driver Mark and wife Arlene.
November 1
RICHARD BALSER- The grown-up son of Mass. photographer/PR Rep. Dave.
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
|
