Sometimes in life we face situations that are out of our control. We are
faced with making adjustments and changing direction because of the
decisions of others. Things do not always go as we planned. Remember, if we
are following God, things will go as He planned. Greetings in the name of
our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
As Lynda and I drove home from Motorsports 2012 it occurred to me
that the weekend was very different than the original plans that were put
together. It was different than the contingency plan that was in place to
make adjustments for the changes in the first plan. It was different than
any plans we had put together, but in the end, it was good.
It was good because it was in God’s hands. It was good because no
matter what the changes were, God had it under control. It was good because
when all else fails, God is there to lift us up and show us His glory.
I was reminded of that on the way home. There it was for the world
to see, a billboard on the side of the highway, Colossians 3:15, Always be
thankful. That’s all it said, that’s all it needed to say. Always covers
everything. No matter what we think should happen or what ends up happening
we should always be thankful.
A pretty simple message but that is not the whole story. Let me
explain a little. After some time in prayer, talking with God about what
Scripture passage we should study this winter, the passage I introduced last
week was placed on my heart. I spoke on that passage at Chapel Sunday
morning at Motorsports. I put together a list of points to remember that
will guide us through that study. The list started and ended with the same
point, give thanks to God.
I find it encouraging when God confirms the message He placed on
your heart. Sometimes we miss it. Sometimes we are focused on why things
didn’t go the way we planned and we miss it. Sometimes God just needs to
remind us. Sometimes He just writes it on a billboard and places it in front
of you, always be thankful.
Yes, things didn’t go as we planned, but we need to remember most
things in life are out of our control. If we live our life trying to control
things we will live a life of frustration. All the more reason to remember
we serve a gracious God who cares for us and promises to provide for our
needs. In the end we will have what we need. Always be thankful.
The greatest thing God provided for us is salvation, freedom from
the penalty of our sin. You see freedom isn’t free, it comes with a price.
Just like the freedom we enjoy here in the United States came at a cost, the
freedom that God provides came at a cost. Jesus Christ gave his life as
atonement for our sin.
Romans 8:1-5;
Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus,
because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from
the law of sin and death.
For what the law was powerless to do in that it was weakened by the sinful
nature, God did by sending his own
Son in the likeness of sinful man to be a sin offering. And so he condemned
sin in sinful man, in order that the righteous requirements of the law might
be fully met in us, who do not live according to the sinful nature but
according to the Spirit.
God took care of things for us and
He will continue to take care of things and provide for us. We need to
remain faithful and confident in that. We need to always be thankful.
With that in mind we kick off our Winter Bible Study. If you didn’t
have an opportunity to join us at Motorsports Chapel, here’s the list of
Points to Remember that were in the bulletin. Our Scripture reference for
the study is Colossians 3:1-17. I included it in last week’s paper, keep it
close by or use your Bible. I am excited about how God is going to change
our lives through this.
Give thanks to God
Focus on the things of God
Put to death the habits of this world
We are all the same in God’s eyes
We need to reflect the character of God
[compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, patience, forgiveness and love]
Encourage one another
Hold each other accountable
Do everything in Christ’s name
Give thanks to God
THOUGHTS
FROM THE ROAD
MOTORSPORTS 2012 IS IN THE BOOKS
- Whenever an event is over I enjoy looking back and identifying the hand of
God in the events that took place. As I mentioned I received a little
prompting and encouragement on the way home by way of a billboard sign,
Colossians 3:15, always be thankful.
I am truly thankful for everyone who had a part in making this
event a success for us. From Danny, Len, Earl, Tim and the entire staff at
AARN to the TQ midget provided to round our booth, everyone had a role in
making the booth a success.
I am thankful to the teams that provided the cars, and we had two
of the best, HC, Peyton and the crew at Sellers Racing who brought up Philip
Morris’ Whelen All-American National Championship car. Thanks also to Philip
and Jim Dean for lending it to us. Also, thanks also go out to Ed Partridge,
The Grasso Brothers and Jay for bringing in Ron Silk’s Whelen Modified Tour
Championship car. It was a piece of art and attracted lots of attention.
Brian, the driver for Sellers Racing, did a great job handling the
winter weather he encountered on his trip north. When I asked him if he knew
how to drive on the snow he said, “Yeah, I’ve driven on dirt, it’s the same
thing.” I had my doubts but when he returned to the booth with the trophy
for setting fast time in the Billy Pauch Simulator defeating none other that
Billy Jr. I started to think he might know a little more than he was letting
on. Brian will be making a trip back north for his ride along with Billy,
now he needs to decide, Grandview or New Egypt?
It was a shame that the weather kept the drivers away on Saturday,
but we will be putting something together and hopefully we can have all four
do a signing for the fans.
We are also thankful for the encouragement and support we receive
from the racers and fans that stop by the booth. I never cease to be amazed
at the number of people who read this column. It is such an encouragement
when you share how it has helped you in your lives.
Speaking of that I met with a fellow that spent the 2011 show in
the hospital recovering from a severe accident, Russ Hunsberger stopped by
to share how much your prayers and encouragement meant to him. Here is the
rest of the story…
Dear Pastor Don, It was nice seeing you
at the Motorsports show on Friday. A little over a year ago on Dec. 10,
2010, I apparently pulled out in front of someone. I don't know how or why,
but I did, and he hit me broadside on the driver's side of the car. Here is
how God works. The first person to drive by was an EMT and he made the
determination that my wife and I needed to be flown by helicopter to Temple
University Hospital in Philadelphia, so he called and got the helicopter on
its way.
My wife left the hospital after three days, but I stayed for two
months. At first, they were not sure I was going to make it, but Temple was
able to provide the care I needed, so I slowly improved. I was in the
Intensive Care Unit for three weeks or so, with a feeding tube, and a
breathing tube stuck down my throat. I was in sad shape. I had both bones in
my lower left leg broken, my left hip broken, my pelvis broken in two
places, and five ribs broken. I now have a lot of metal in the left side of
my body, but it has not caused any problems with airport security.
I remember absolutely nothing from December 10 to December 18th.
When I woke up on December 18, they told me I had been in an accident.
Amazingly, I had absolutely no pain. They had taken out my spleen
(apparently you do not need a spleen very badly), and altogether, they had
opened me up three times. They put me back together, but with a skin graft
over my stomach.
After two months, I left the hospital (on Feb 8th) and went home.
At home I did physical therapy and rehab for about four weeks. In the middle
of March, I started back to work for half days, and by the middle of April,
I was back to work full time.
I have been working since. However, in October, I went back into
the hospital for a few days to have the skin graft removed and they put my
stomach back together, so everything is finished now.
Right now, I am at least 80% of where I was before the accident,
possibly better and I continue to heal. I am most likely going to heal
completely, but if not, I can live this way with no problem.
Thank you for your concern and prayers. There were a lot of people
praying for me, and I am grateful for that. God provided the healing, and I
thank him for that.
Thank you, Russ Hunsberger
I’ll be headed down to Mooresville for the Legends Helping Legends
honors the Flock Family event, on Saturday February 4, 2012 from 10am-2pm at
Memory Lane Museum, 769 River Hwy, Mooresville NC, home of the Racers
Reunion Hall of Fame. If you are in the area stop by and say hello.
I will miss going to Atlantic City for some great indoor action,
but we will have someone there to lift you up. I am planning on being in
Providence.
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
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Check our home page
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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***
January 28
ROBERT & DONNA DILLNER- On Long Island, the parents of TV's Bobby and Matt
have their day.
January 30
JAMIE & CHERYL TOMAINO- The Howell, NJ WMT driver/ RWJM Tour Rep. and his
best friend wife share their 33rd anniversary.
***HAPPY BIRTHDAYS***
January 25
JOE PLAZEK- Caistor Centre, Ontario D.I.R.T. Modified driver.
DALE QUARTERLY- Westfield, MA KNPSE owner, crew chief and part-time driver.
BUDDY BAKER- NASCAR Cup retired great, now race commentator.
BRIAN BOISSONNEAULT- Windham, CT ProStock team owner with brother Brad as
driver.
BRIAN DANKO- Southington, CT famous AARN Modified Series columnist.
LYNDA HEDGER- Wife of NASCAR Sprint Cup Official, Randy.
ROBERT BLAISDELL- Champaign, IL fan.
January 26
JOE TIEZZI- Ivoryton, CT retired Mod driver.
CAROL PRATT- Bob's wife/ sister-in-Law of the late AARN Advertising Manager
Joe Pratt and aunt to drivers Ed, Richie and Richie, Jr.
MICHELLE McMECHEN- The wife of Steve and daughter Henry St. John at Jewett
City Service.
MICHAEL PARES, JR- Raceway Park Champion and the son of "Area Auto Racing
News" NASCAR Mod Series photographer Mike and wife Carol.
JONNY KERSLAKE- son of the late Danbury racer John and a racer in his own
right.
January 27
ROB BOUCHARD- Massachusetts ProStock driver.
RIT PATCHEN- Retired Danbury, CT Modified driver.
LEWIS COMPTON- Martinsville Speedway Retired Chief Announcer.
BILL YODER- Glenside, PA fan and EMPA Secretary.
BRIAN T. CUMMINS- New Jersey fan.
CHRIS McMURRAY- Schenectady, NY Eddie Marshall Lebanon Valley friend and
fan.
January 28
DAVID GREEN- Archdale, NC NSC/NNS driver.
JON CLEMENS- Pennsy Hoosier Tire dealer.
JUSTIN BOSS- Son of CT Strictly Stock/ LM driver Glen.
KEVIN CLASS- Quarter midget drivers from Jersey.
MIKE HOFFMAN- Mike has raced quarter midgets and USAC midgets for over 10
yrs. He now works full time as a fabricator for Tommy Baldwin Racing on
their NASCAR Sprint Cup team.
January 29
SUE SANTERRE- Wife of four-time KNPSE Champion Andy and his favorite PR
agent.
TOMMY HOUSTON- Hickory, NC retired NNS driver.
RICK KARPEUK- PA asphalt Mod driver.
JEFF DAVIS- Anaheim Hills, CA NASCAR West driver.
PATRICK REYNOLDS- New Milford, CR ProCup driver.
LUKE DAMIANI- One of Andy's sons of Woxall, PA and 1/4 Midget driver.
SCOTT BACHAND- Williston, VT NASCAR NCWS team owner/driver.
TOM HOWARD- Waterford Speedbowl faithful.
RICKY TODD- Captain Video of Riverhead Raceway.
NICK CAPPAZOLA- Crew Chief for the Riverhead Rusty Turbush LM team.
WALT STUBBS- Blairstwon, NJ Modified AARN columnist.
LAURIE O'DONNELL- Orrinton, ME Dave Dion fan.
January 30
LLOYD GILLIE- East Holden, ME LM driver.
RICK GIANNINO- LI based LM driver.
BOB McKEE- New Jersey based NASCAR KNPSE Crew Chief.
BUTCH KALBA- Riverhead Rusty Turbush LM crewman.
GERRY FILLIMON- Old Bridge, NJ noted photographer who along with brother
John, make up the famous "Fillimon Brothers Racing Films and Videos."
BOBBY SOMERS- Lee USA Speedway Chaplain and husband of Vinetta.
January 31
MIKE DILLON- Welcome, NC husband of Richard Childress' daughter Tina and dad
of Austin and Ty.
KELLY MOORE- Scarborough, ME part-time NNS/KNPSE/PASS driver.
JON GAMBUTI- Montville, NJ 1998 ATQMRA 3/4 Midget champion and ISMA
SuperModified driver.
ROBBIE GROFF- Northridge, CA IRL driver.
RICK WILSON- Bartow, FL NSC/NNS driver.
GARY HERRIN- Spokane, WA LM driver.
GEORGE TALLAS- Las Vegas, NV LM driver.
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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