.
As we approach Father’s Day I think back, My dad is not with us anymore, but
his influence will never leave me. What does it means to have someone care
about us? 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 dueled for the entire feature. As they came out of turn
four one car erupted in flames. They rolled to a stop just past the
start/finish line. One driver trying to escape the flames and the other
driver was halfway out of his car with a fire extinguisher in his hand to
help. These two had just fought tooth and nail with for the win, but were
willing to help one another. What a show of sportsmanship.
The part that really hooked me though was when the racing 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 and personal. 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 to live it. I think every parent only
wants that opportunity, the opportunity to pass on their passion to their
children. To teach them what and how this life should be lived.
Think about the relationship that cemented your desire to go to the
track. Think about the relationship that put the passion in your heart for
racing. The passing on of our passions and lessons learned is the way God
ordained the generations. We have a responsibility to teach our children.
When we leave them they should be able to rely on the things they learned at
their father’s knee.
Jesus was no different, he taught his disciples the things they needed to
continue on after he was gone. As he talked with His disciples, His sons,
about His upcoming death He provided them words of assurance and direction.
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 separate 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 are not always allowed the benefit of our earthly father’s presence.
For some it is a short time. We must learn from that and not waste the time
we are given to us to teach our children what they need to know.
On the other hand our Heavenly Father is by our side every step of the
way, He is there to seek guidance and wisdom from. He provides comfort and
peace in our times of struggle. Spend some time this weekend at dad’s place.
He will meet you there and rejoice at your coming home.
THOUGHTS FROM THE ROAD
LEE USA - Bobby and Vinetta Somers share some thoughts
as the season gets going.
Well race three is in the books for LEE USA SPEEDWAY for the 2015
season. This night was special for the small block supers in memory of Jay
Merryfield. On the way to the track I was reflecting on the many times
Vinetta and I had conversation with Jay every Friday. There hasn’t been a
Friday since Jays passing two years ago, that I step out under the bridge
onto the track and can picture Jay driving around the track in his push
truck. We would stand in turn four, Jay would be driving around with all the
windows down come driving by us and yell out the window “You have a minute”.
After several more laps of Jay going around the track I would ask Vinetta “I
thought he wanted to talk with us”?
This was a weekly event and we would laugh. Vinetta and I made a game out
of trying to figure out how many more laps you think Jay will do before he
stops this time. Well Jay made one final lap at Lee USA Speedway enjoying
pushing off the Small Block Supers two years ago before going home to the
Lord.
We get asked on several occasions what it is like being a chaplain at a
race track. I pause and tell them this, all the racing is secondary and the
time we can spend with the teams, officials and fans is our priority. Just
as the relationship with Jesus is important in our lives the same is true
for all at the track. Don’t get me wrong I enjoy racing, but leaving a track
that day or evening knowing we were able to sit and chat, help comfort
someone in a tough time, or lift them up in prayer makes it worth the
effort. To have the memories of sharing a conversation just as we did with
Jay.
When Jay would finally stop for us to chat, he would say “I just needed
to do a few more laps” and would chuckle. Jay finished his laps, ran his
race and was handed the checkered flag to come home. We are looking forward
to building more life changing relationships. That is the reason we do what
we do.
Looking ahead, on June 19th the Valenti Modified Racing Series comes to
Lee USA Speedway along with a full schedule of the weekly series. All weekly
divisions at Lee USA have been incredibly competitive early on in the
season. It looks to be an interesting point’s battle for 2015. Come by and
say hi and sit a spell.
WMT CLOSES OUT BUSY 12 DAYS - Wednesday night at Thompson Speedway
Motorsports Park the Whelen Modified Tour closed out a busy stretch in the
schedule. No trifecta here, Doug Coby broke the streak of Ryan Preece and
took home a dominate win. The three winners on the Tour this year are packed
at the top of the standings separated by just a few points. Stay tuned this
is shaping up to be a barn burner!
BOSTON LOUIE - Looking ahead to Wednesday, July 1, 2015, make
plans to join us for the Boston Louie at Seekonk. Part of the Open Wheel
Wednesday Show. Ken Schrader, Bentley Warren and some friends will be
stopping by. It is sure to be a highlight of this racing season.
Remember to honor your father this weekend, not just your earthly dad,
but your heavenly Father also. May make time to visit Dad’s House on Sunday
morning. If you are in the area Mount Carmel Christian Church is where
you’ll find me, stop by and join us.
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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News",
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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
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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