As I reflected on the events of these past few weeks and what it means to
have someone care about us, my thoughts turned to my father. I wondered how
many of us have a passion for something because our father put it there.
Greetings in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
I remembered the first time I went to a racetrack, it was in the late
60’s and my dad brought me to Stafford Motor Speedway. I was your typical
seven year old, I didn’t sit still, wanted everything the concession stand
had to offer and watching the racing was secondary. I do remember wanting to
go back.
The race that cemented my interest in the sport happened one summer night
a few years later at Catamount Speedway in Vermont . Bobby Dragon and Jean
Paul Cabana battled for the lead the entire feature. As they came out of
turn four one car erupted in flames. Both hit the brakes coming to the
checkers. They stopped just after the start finish line. As they rolled to a
stop the other driver was halfway out of his car with a fire extinguisher in
his hand to help other driver. They had just fought tooth and nail for the
win but when it came to helping the other guy they were right there. I don’t
remember who won, but I remember that image.
But the part that really hooked me was when the night was finished we
went through the gate at the start/finish line and walked into the pits. I
had a chance to see the drivers and their cars up close. I was in awe,
theses guys were larger than life and that night left an impression that has
fueled my feeling about racing to this day.
I have my father to thank for that. My dad didn’t live too long, he
passed when I was fifteen, but during the time we had together he taught me
a tremendous amount about life and how things worked. He never had the
opportunity to live life the way I have, but I still refer back to his
lessons often.
I think every parent only wants that opportunity, the opportunity to pass
on their passion to their children; the opportunity to teach them what life
is and how this life should be lived. The desire of a father’s heart is to
instill in his children the truly important things in life.
We learn so much in dad’s house. Many of the lessons we learn we don’t
realize until we get older and have children of our own. We learn how we
want to live, but we also learn what we don’t want our life to be like. From
those lessons our life takes shape and set in a direction by the lessons we
learn in Dad’s house.
In the same way Jesus came to show us how life should be lived. He came
to teach us and help us know the will of our Heavenly Father. He showed us
the sacrifice we need to make for others. And he promised a place with him
in Dad’s house.
John 14:1-6; “Do not let your hearts be
troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. In my Father's house are many
rooms;
if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a
place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you,
I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.
You know the way to the place where I am going."
Thomas said to him, "Lord, we don't know where you are going, so how can we
know the way?"
Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to
the Father except through me.
Jesus is preparing a place for us in His Father’s
house; Heaven. He will come and claim what belongs to Him and we will be
there with Him. We do not have to live here, separated from our heavenly
Father. We know the way; Jesus Christ. Let Jesus instill a passion in your
heart for living in a way that would please your heavenly Father. Jesus is
that way, that truth, that life.
We have two fathers to guide us, our earthly father and our heavenly
father. Between the two we find direction and meaning. Our heavenly Father
will never leave us or forsake us. He will be there to guide us through the
challenges that life brings. Trust Him.
I miss my dad, but I will carry on with the directions he taught me. In
the same way our heavenly Father teaches us the way home, Jesus is the Way,
the Truth and the Life! Until we meet again.
THOUGHTS FROM THE ROAD
FAMILY
IS OUR THEME - As the week unfolded it became apparent how the racing
family would be brought into focus this week. God was at work on many fronts
helping families get through the challenges of life.
JIM BONIFACE GOES HOME - Bobby Somers shares with us some thoughts
about Jim, Thanks Bobby and Vinetta for serving God.
I write this newsletter with a heavy heart. This Friday night at Stafford
Motor Speedway as I prayed with the drivers and watched the race I felt
something different about the evening. On Saturday morning I received a call
from Lori Boniface that Jim went home to the Lord. I know as I went along
and prayed with each driver Jim was there in spirit saying his goodbyes to
each driver and wishing each one well those he has raced with over the
years.
Over the last few years we have grown close to Lori and Jim at the track
and at their home in Winchester , NH . We spent time with them at Jim’s
bedside in the hospital. We shared many racing stories about Jim’s career at
Monadnock and with the Valenti Modified Racing Series.
Being with Racing with Jesus Ministries it has become more than just race
tracks, race cars and haulers. When a hauler arrives, a certain color car or
number we see who is here to race that day. But it goes deeper than that, it
matters who is behind the wheel and who is gathered around the team and
hauler, it comes down to the people. We have the opportunity to be a part of
people’s lives.
We become very close to many teams talking about their daily lives
outside of racing. Vinetta has a medical background and shared many moments
in conversation with Jim talking about his situation from a medical
standpoint. The ministry allowed us to be close to Jim and Lori in their
time of need.
In February it wasn’t clear how long Jim had, but no more than two weeks
were given by the doctors. At his bedside in the hospital Jim talked about
how close they were getting with owners John and Betty Corliss and the
progress they were making getting the #88 ready for the season. The passion
and love Jim had for racing was a factor keeping Jim strong each and every
day. His love and passion for his family was strong as well and he had the
opportunity to see his grandson born. He watched his son Kyle race at
Monadnock. Jim also witnessed a few Valenti Modified races this season.
A deep void remains in us all that knew Jim outside of racing. We knew
him as a father, husband, brother and friend. On Saturday Evening Vinetta
and I joined many from the #88 team at Monadnock and along with Lori and
family. I was asked to do the drivers meeting for Monadnock drivers and
speak about Jim prior to the invocation. It was one of the most difficult
drivers meeting I had to speak and pray. I want to thank Tara Stoehr who was
on hand with NEMA and of course Vinetta who gathered with me at the flag
stand as I spoke about Jim. It is good to be surrounded by family and
friends to support you in your need.
The arrangements are still being finalized and Monday evening I should
have the times for later this week. We will post them on the RWJM Facebook
page and website. They will also be on the Modified Racing Series Facebook
page.
NEMA CELEBRATES FAMILY - Tara Stoehr also shared about the NEMA
Family, thanks for serving Tara.
On Saturday NEMA celebrated a life once lived and a legacy left behind.
We came together to honor Iron Mike Scravani Sr. It doesn't matter how long
someone has been gone there is a void in our hearts that only God can fill.
We try to fill it with stuff, wealth, material things, addictive behaviors
but those things let us down every time. God never lets us down if we allow
Him by putting our faith in Jesus Christ. He will fill that empty void like
nothing else can! I pray especially for the Scravani family that God would
fill their hearts with love, comfort and joy as they honor Mike Sr. I pray
that we would all live a life worth celebrating someday! God speed!
RACING FAMILY NEEDS - There is always many needs in the racing
family. Many times they go unannounced and pass by without notice. I want to
take a moment and bring a couple that are on my heart.
PICKERING FAMILY NEEDS OUR PRAYERS - I talked with Ed Pickering,
an official at Monadnock Speedway, this week and he shared with me some
things we need to keep in prayer. Ed’s wife Mary just endured surgery
associated with breast cancer. She is facing some difficult adjustments and
further treatment. Please pray for her and Ed. Also a card of encouragement
would go a long way. You can send them to her at: 31 Knight Street ,
Keene , NH 03431.
RAPID RICK - I also talked with Rick Raducha this week, he is
homesick. He has had to stay in Florida for health reasons and misses
everyone up north. He misses going to the tracks and spending time with his
family, all you racers. I will get an address for his new apartment so you
can send him a note. He may be in Florida but the racing family up North is
never far from his heart.
We look forward to serving you, our racing family, in any capacity we can,
please don’t hesitate to include us in your lives.
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.
Check our weekly printed pages in "Area Auto Racing
News",
the East Coast’s largest weekly racing paper.
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articles.
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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
SHARE YOUR SPECIAL OCCASIONS WITH YOUR RACING FAMILY.
SEND THEM TO:
RACING WITH JESUS MINISTRIES
PO Box 586
Tolland, CT, 06084
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