As we look to the close of 2011 we need to take time to put things in place
for what lies ahead. We need to have the right equipment and be prepared for
what tomorrow brings. How do we see the future? Are we ready for what God
has in store? Preparation for tomorrow starts today. Greetings in the name
of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Potential is an interesting thing, until it is realized it isn’t
worth much. Having the right equipment can help. Having a good team can
help. Being good at what we do is also necessary. But without the ability to
engage all those resources none of it will add up to victory.
What makes a winning race team? There are many things that are
required, but without the ability and the right individual to draw out that
ability it doesn’t mean much. Have you ever looked at successful teams and
wondered what sets them apart from the rest? It is behind the scenes. It is
someone that holds the team together, encourages the team to try harder,
doesn’t give up and perseveres despite the odds.
There are many times in our lives that challenge us to make the
choice; are we going to persevere or give up? The courage and wisdom
necessary to persevere is not within us, we need to engage it. We engage it
by seeking out God. God has the ability to guide any one of us through the
difficult circumstances we face everyday. God provides examples all around
us to show us that. Following His guidance will change the circumstances we
face. Two Scriptures come to mind the first from the profit Isaiah:
Isaiah 40:28-3; Do you
not know? Have you not heard?
The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth.
He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom.
He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.
Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall;
but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on
wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint..
And then from the writer of
Hebrews:
Hebrews12:1-3;
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses,
let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily
entangles,
and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our
eyes on Jesus,
the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him
endured the cross, scorning its shame,
and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who
endured such opposition from sinful men,
so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.
We have the right equipment if we
have a relationship with God. When we face difficulties and challenges we
have a choice. We can do the easy thing and give up, or we can take God at
His word, put our hope in him, fix our eyes on Jesus and persevere. God has
the right stuff to get us through whatever we face. He will bless us beyond
our wildest dreams. Engage Him who is able to give us the strength to
succeed. Are we ready?
Next week we’ll take a look at the preparation we need to do in
order to receive the gift that God promised us. That person, behind the
scenes that can enable us to have what it takes to persevere.
THOUGHTS FROM THE ROAD
CAN YOU SAY TURKEY? I think
I am in turkey overload. After two Thanksgiving celebrations and all the
leftovers it is safe to say we are blessed. I think I’ll have to fast until
Christmas. It was a great weekend, visiting our daughter in New York City ,
celebrating with our new granddaughter at home, and spending some time with
the racing family also. I hope you were able to fit some quality family time
in and discover the importance of coming together.
TURKEY DERBY GLORY BELONGS TO BLEWETT - I headed down to
Wall Stadium on Friday, only able to be there for one day this year, but I
am glad I made the trip. I had a chance to talk with Cliff Kraus, the new
promoter, and he shared how difficult this year had been. He has taken a
risk not many would take. He shared that he expected the cost and is willing
to give this some time to develop. He, along with his wife Diane will be
there for at least three more years. My hope is that will encourage the
competitors to come back and support him.
It isn’t often that someone is willing to take on the risk that
Diane and Cliff Krause have, please give them a chance to prove to you they
are different than the others that have come before. Give them the
opportunity to succeed and there will be racing at the Jersey shore for many
years to come.
This Turkey Derby belonged to Blewett Racing with Jimmy winning
both the SK Mod and Tour Mod events and Stewart Friesen won both dirt
Modified/Sportsman 40-lap main events in a Blewett Motorsports entered car.
Although I missed the action on Saturday, Rev. Dan was there to
take it all in. He shared these thoughts;
God blessed Wall Stadium this past weekend; sunshine and around 70
degrees for Turkey Derby on Saturday. The stadium was packed to overflowing.
The grandstands and the pits were full. During opening ceremonies Cliff
Krauss announced to the crowd that they signed a 3 year lease to keep racing
on the Jersey Shore . The ministry pace car was used to pace the racing
action. It was a great way to end the 2011 outdoor racing season.
Congratulations to Jimmy Blewett for his wins at the 38th annual
Turkey Derby. He hung around the front of the pack and was there when the
checkered flag fell. Jimmy races hard and wants to win. Not only was it
great to see the Tour and SK Mods, but the 3/4 midgets, Dirt Mods and Street
Stocks all put on great shows. God blessed Wall Stadium this past weekend!
REACH OUT AND ENCOURAGE JIMMY - Jimmy Savage, who has served for
over 50 years as a crew member for Art Barry's #21 and Bob Garbarino's #4
Tour Mods is in the hospital. This message was sent by Jimmy's wife Pat and
she asked that we get it out to all his friends.
A couple weeks ago Jim's left carotid artery clogged 90% and he had
2 strokes. He was transported to Yale New Haven Hospital from Lawrence &
Memorial in New London . Yale put a stent in the artery. The procedure went
very well. He has garbled speech, a hanging right arm, and slight weakness
in his right leg. The prognosis for all but the arm is very encouraging. Jim
has been transferred to Avalon Health Center in Mystic. It has a very good
reputation for rehab. His meals are at 8am, 12pm, 5pm. Rehab is usually over
by 3pm. Visitors are welcome any time, even after the supper time. Thanks,
Pat
Jim's address is: Avalon Health Center , 186 Jerry Brown Road ,
Room 37 B, Mystic , CT 06355
Let’s rally around and help encourage Jimmy’s recovery.
PRI AND VMRS - I head off to Florida this week for the PRI
show, with the weather here lately I am not sure I want to go. We don’t
often see 70 degrees in late November and who wants to waste that. If you
are down at the show look me up, I’ll be with the Design 500/Lady Eagle
folks.
The Valenti Modified Racing Series will celebrate their champion,
Chris Pasteryak, this Saturday night during its 9th Annual Awards Banquet at
the Clarion Hotel and Conference Center , West Springfield , MA . Pasteryak
will be crowned series champion for the second time. He was also the 2008
champion. We look forward to being there and celebrating along with them.
This will also be a challenging night for the entire MRS family as
they remember John Hoyt, series director, who was lost earlier this year.
Please keep them in your thoughts and prayers.
I am headed out on the road; hope to see you in my travels. 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. 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***
November 30
RICHARD & DIANE MOORE- The parents of Scarborough, ME semi-retired KNPSE
driver Kelly and Grand parents of former driver Ryan have their anniversary.
December 1
KEN & TIFFANY BARRY- The Manager of SPAFCO Chassis and wife share their 10th
anniversary.
December 4
CHRIS & LISA ERM- This New Jersey Racing family have their 11th anniversary.
***HAPPY BIRTHDAYS***
November 30
DAVE DION- Milton, VT Retired driver of the Berlin City Dealerships/
Continental Paving Ford and RWJM adviser.
DORIS BERGHMAN- Rehobath, MA wife of the legendary Bugs Stevens and mom of
pro-stock driver Dave Berghman.
DON TOAL- Rochester, NY fan.
December 1
BENTLEY WARREN- Kennebunkport, ME SuperModified/Silver Crown great.
RUSS WOOD- NH based ISMA SuperModified driver.
MARCO GRECO- Sao Paulo, Brazil IRL driver.
DAVE SALZARULO- CT based ProStock/Mod driver.
HARRY WYANT- Brookfield, CT Waterford Speedbowl championship Modified team
owner.
ARMADEE NADEAU- Dana/Perfect Circle Executive and CTS Team Manager.
KRISTIN ELLIOTT- A daughter of Uncasville, CT fan Jerry and wife Jusinta.
December 2
RUSS FRANTZ- PA asphalt Modified driver.
FRANK BETTENCOURT- MA based Mini Modified driver.
ANDREW BELMONT- Son of New Egypt Promoter Andy and wife Jennifer.
December 3
GREG DICKERSON- Long Island modified fan known for his roasted corn on the
cob, aka "Cheif".
BOBBY ALLISON- Hueytown,AL former NASCAR Cup great.
WALKER EVANS- Riverside, CA CTS Team owner, retired driver.
KEITH KRODEL- This long-time friend of Rev. Pat and former Jan Leaty NASCAR
WMT crewman now lives in Pensacola, FL.
December 4
RAUL BOESEL- Curtiba, Brazil born, Key Biscayne, FL IRL driver.
JOE SUKUP- Retired Midget team owner from Shodack Landing, NY
AGNES KICHURY- Mother-In-Law of Mod tour photographer Michael Pares.
DASHIEL BOSTON CHRISTLEY- Son of NASCAR Communications Director Development
Series, Jason and his wife.
December 5
JAMIE TOMAINO, JR- Modified driver and crewman from Howell, NJ.
BOB BERRY, SR.- Rivervale, NJ,Former modified and TQ midget owner and
driver, past president of the ATQMRA and current TQ owner for Bob, Jr.
December 6
JOHN BROUWER, JR.- New London, CT Thompson, CT Speedway NWAAS Modified
driver.
PERCY HALE- Batavia, NY Crew Chief.
KATHERINE ANNE HALEY- Daughter of McFalls, ME LM/NASCAR KNPSE driver Bruce
and wife Sandy.
PATTI MUDGE- Wife of Easton, MA former Pro 4 Modified owner Steve.
AARON PETFIELD- Son of Thornwood, NY RWJM KNPSE Pastor and Vice-president
Dan and wife Deb.
AMANDA UDES- The daughter of Morris Plains, NJ asphalt Mod driver John and
wife Laurie.
***NEW BEGINNINGS***
JOHN “JACK” DENNIS JR. - passed away on Oct. 29, 2011
after a long battle with COPD. He lived in Monmouth Beach, NJ and faithfully
attended Wall Stadium every Saturday night with his daughter, Laura until he
retired to Appomattox, VA 13 years ago with his family.
His daughter Laura reflected “My Dad was the one that got me involved in
racing, introducing me to our favorite driver, Jamie Tomaino. He was a huge
supporter of Jamie's and always was so appreciative of the time Jamie took
with our family. Thank you for taking the time and God bless.” Please keep
this family in your thoughts and prayers. Cards of sympathy and condolence
can be sent to; Laura Dennis, 281 Lee Grant Ave., Appomattox, VA 24522.
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
|
