There are always two sides to the story and the truth lies somewhere in
between. There are always different ways to go and get to the same place,
the best lies somewhere in between. With so many choices and decisions to
make, how do we know which road to walk? Greeting in the name of our Lord
and Savior, Jesus Christ.
As I watched the coverage of the recovery effort in New Jersey and
New York I was struck by the great contrast in leadership. I saw on one hand
leadership that chose to encourage and commit to do what must be done to get
through the challenges. I saw leadership that chose to understand that every
effort was being made to accomplish the task in as short a time as possible.
I contrasted that with leadership that took the road of finger
pointing and placing blame. This leadership chose to meet the challenge with
threats and harsh words. They choose to believe that the effort being made
was not good enough, that the workers were somehow dragging their feet and
there intent was to make others suffer.
Let me ask you, which way do you think is the best? Which way do
you think will accomplish more?
I can speak to this issue because I have been there; three times
last year and now once this year we lost power long enough to have to empty
the refrigerator. I admit it is very frustrating. As I drove around to see
the damage the solution seemed so simple, just cut that tree down, string
the wire and turn my power on! I was choosing the wrong road to walk.
I tried to put myself in the shoes of a lineman, Here I am up in
this lift, trying to figure out how to piece back together this puzzle, the
wind is blowing and the wires I am trying to repair are difficult to handle.
I look down and someone is trying to talk to me.
The first person says thank you for making the effort to repair
those lines. I understand that you have been at it for several days on very
little sleep and you are doing your best to get this done so you can return
to the comfort of your home and family. Is there anything I can bring to you
that would make this go easier for you?
The second person, arms flailing, feet stomping, yelling; what’s
taking so long, I have been without power for almost a day, my generator is
running low on fuel, can you hurry it up. What’s the big deal anyway?
Let me add that those are actual comments I have heard here and
there throughout the coverage of this disaster. There were many more on both
sides of the issue, but the fact remains, there are two ways to handle
things, I think you can tell which one you might prefer if you were in that
bucket truck.
The direction we chose to take as we walk through life speaks
volumes as to who we put our trust and faith in. No matter how frustrated
and angry we get it doesn’t change the situation, in fact it probably makes
things worse. Who do you think is going to do a better job, the lineman that
was encouraged and supported or the one insulted and beaten down?
This is an illustration for all of us, when our comfort and
security is taken away who do we put out trust and faith in? Which road do
we chose to walk? None of us knows what tomorrow is going to bring. People’s
lives have been washed away, everything gone. Think about it, what would you
do? Where would you turn? Who do we choose to put our trust and faith in?
Which road will we walk?
The writer of Hebrews defines faith in this way. In Hebrews 11:1 it
says...
Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not
see.
When
we have to choose the road to walk, experience and understanding are good,
but trust and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ are better. He is the only one
who can provide us peace in troubling times. He is the only one who can
deliver us from the difficulties and challenges we face.
John
16:33; "I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me.
Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because
I have overcome the world.”
As we look around, the life we live is
being threatened on all sides. Our ability to overcome these threats is
dependant on who we trust. We can choose to respond in two ways; one will
lead to peace, fulfillment, satisfaction and joy. The other will lead to
frustration, anger, rage and vengeance.
I want to encourage you to walk down the road that leads to peace.
Choose the way that leads to fulfillment, satisfaction and joy.
Philippians
4:6-7; Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything.
Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will
experience God’s peace,
which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts
and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.
Colossians 3:15; And let the peace that comes
from Christ rule in your hearts.
For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be
thankful.
Jesus said;
John
14:27; “I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart.
And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled
or afraid."
I am thankful that the Lord our God knows
our troubles and trials. He knows the pain and suffering we endure. He knows
the sorrow we have in our hearts. He fully understands and offers us peace,
the peace that comes from knowing the one who holds your future in his
hands. This is the same one who created us, planned our steps and longs to
have an eternal relationship with us. Place your life in his hands; let him
provide you the peace that you need when everything around comes tumbling
down.
THOUGHTS
FROM THE ROAD
ONE MORE TIME - It was an interesting ride to the
Carolinas for the third straight weekend. This time I left my wife in a
somewhat better place, we had power but we also had snow. First stop, pick
up Howie Hodge, I don’t know too many 70 something guys who are willing to
make a banzai run to North Carolina for a Modified race, but I know of one
you can always count on. We added my Loyal Lieutenant Rev. Dan and off we
went, headed south for the 10th annual John Blewett III Memorial North South
Shootout.
We are not the only crazy folks out there. I was talking with a couple of
Modified fans from LI. They were spared the worst of Sandy and in a position
to contemplate attending the race. So, what do two Mod fans do on a Friday
night at 9:00? They decide to head to Caraway Speedway for the last Mod race
of the year! I will keep there names secret, I am sure if others knew they
were going they would have had to rent a Hampton Jitney! You just can’t make
this stuff up!
One thing always amazes me when I attend a race, how few local people
know what is going on. We stayed about 15 miles away in High Point and you
would have though we were in a different world, the clerk had no idea there
was a race going on. I guess I should be thankful; the $59.00 charge for the
room was a welcome relief from what they charge when the circus comes to
town.
It has been a long season and we are a bit worn down. We entered the day
with the hope of getting the race in before the sun went down, but that
didn’t happen. With a change in schedule, the need to move some haulers to
improve visibility, this race ended under mild but dark skies. With our
aches and pains that come from all day at the track we limped back to the
car for the ride north.
Without going into too much detail, we each had an ache or pain that made
the request for Aleve greater than the desire for food. You know its been a
long year when… When you pass the sign for the hospital and it says the ER
wait is only 14 minutes and you seriously think about going!
Now for my political rant of the day, it is no wonder our country is
searching for guidance and direction, when you enter the DC area from the
south you have a choice, I-495 east or I-495 north. Isn’t it east and west
or north and south? We are headed north so, the choice seems pretty clear.
Oh, north will get you there, but it is the long way around. I guess it is
time to stop trying to figure things out.
Anyway we made it home in one piece in time for Sunday morning services
at church. The trip was a success and we are looking forward to next season.
Time to hit the banquet circuit! With Stafford on Friday and NEMA on
Saturday I will be making up for all those track meals I endured throughout
the season. Hope to see you there.
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
http://www.rwjm.com/store. 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.
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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***
November 15
DON & ROBIN LaHUE- This Vermont couple, he a driver at NH's White Mountain
Motorsports Park, have their 35th anniversary.
November 16
JERRY & LINDA VENNE- This Bow, NH media person and wife have their 42nd
anniversary.
November 20
RON & LYNN HEDGER- This upstate NY NSS writer and wife share their
anniversary.
KRISTOFER & STEPHANIE SMITH- He a former KNPSE crewmember and She a former
media center worker at NHMS were married this day in 2004.
***HAPPY BIRTHDAYS***
November 14
DAN MESERVEY, JR.- West Chatham, MA NASCAR CWES/NASCAR WMT driver.
CHRIS CARLSON- Modified crewman from Danbury, CT.
LEE HENDRICKSON- Former Mod driver/owner dad of Lawrenceville, NJ Wall
Township Speedway Modified driver Wade.
BENTO WILLIAMS- Wall Township Speedway co-announcer Lee Greenwood's great
nephew.
JIM YOUNG- The proprietor of www.RACESONGS.com and the writer of all those
famous theme songs for tracks and drivers and divisions, including Racing
with Jesus Ministries.
November 15
RUTHANN LaGREGA- This LI Mod and Riverhead fan enjoys her special day.
JOE BERTOTHY- Joe has helped many a racer by giving of his time and
financial support, but he has also helped many come to know Christ as their
Savior. Thanks for your special gifts to the racing family, enjoy your
special day.
JAMIE MILLS- Milford, DE Bridgeport Speedway Modified driver.
TIM MANGUS- Tioga Speedway based NASCAR WMT driver.
STEPHANIE BAKER- Daughter of Baker Carburetion's Steve and Sue.
DELORIS & ELISABETH HOPE MINTER- The wife and daughter of Martinsville, Va
WODY Gospel Radio's "Uncle" Wendell.
LAUREN GEORGIADES- Daughter of Steve, Crew Chief for brother Bobby's CT Mod.
JEFFREY MAHER- East Windsor fan "Chipper".
November 16
TERRY LABONTE- Corpus Christe, TX Retired Hendricks NSC driver.
MIKE GROFF- Los Angeles, CA IRL driver.
ROBERTO GUERRERO- San Juan Capistrano, CA IRL driver.
BO GUNNING- Bethlehem, CT Former WAARS Modified driver and '98 and '02
Stafford champion.
FRED DUMACHOWSKI- Neshanic Station, NJ East Windsor, NJ Modified driver.
PHILIP SMITH- NC Modified driver.
GEORGE KENT- Horseheads, NY Modified asphalt driver.
PHIL BARIL- NH ProStock driver.
BOB SCHERER- Mahoning Valley Speedway driver.
RAY PENFOLD- Yarmouth, ME retired LM great driver and proud father of driver
Billy.
CORINE SCHAFFER- Grandview Speedway Mod driver Rick and wife Donna's
daughter.
November 17
BRAD BENNETT- Stamford, CT born, now in Cornelius, NC NASCAR driver.
LAUREN LADOUCHER- D.I.R.T. NY Modified driver.
GARY LUSCHER- D.I.R.T. NY Modified driver.
JIMMY BELLISLE- Lisbon, CT retired Strictly Stock driver.
KEN CASSIDY- Canterbury, CT Strictly Stock driver.
BRYAN DUNBAR- NJ Street Stocker.
LEE CAMPFIELD- Wife of former Tioga Speedway, then named Shangri-La,
promoter Dale in Apalachin, NY.
DAN SUKUP- Son of Schodack Landing, NY retired Midget team owner Joe.
November 18
SCOTT WALTERS- Louisville, KY NASCAR driver.
RICH BURGDOFF- NASCAR Cup official.
ELISEO SALAZAR- Santiago, Chile IRL driver.
JOHN KATANIA- Son of MA Mod owner Joe, graphics artist and SK Mod driver.
November 19
RON BURNS- Phoenix, AZ NASCAR West driver.
November 20
PETE MORGANTINI- West Pittston, PA NASCAR Mod driver, son of engine builder
Lou.
ANDY BELMONT- ARCA driver/ New Egypt co-promoter.
ACE LANE, JR.- Legendary New Jersey photographer.
***IN THE SHOP***
MIKE DAVIS - We need to keep the Davis family in our
Prayers, Mike Davis, a member of Ben Kennedy’s K&N Pro Series East team,
lost his dad this week. Please keep Mike and his family in your thoughts and
prayers.
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RACING WITH JESUS MINISTRIES
PO Box 586
Tolland, CT, 06084
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