As we continue the theme of giving thanks, let us give some thought to those
who stand by us as we walk through life. I am thankful for my friend and
wife, Lynda. She has helped me, nurtured me, supported me and loved me. Who
is standing by your side? Let them know how much their support means to you.
Greetings in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
In racing we have a team surrounding us and when that team is
working at its best, each member pulls their own weight. When one member
becomes weak the other members can pick up the slack. However, that team
will fail if the members refuse to give and take for the good of the team.
Challenges in racing come and the team that is the most flexible has the
best chance for overcoming those challenges.
In our lives we also face challenges. God did not intend for us to
face them alone. He provides for each one of us that asks him for a helpmate
to walk by our side. We all need held dealing with our weaknesses.
One of the things I struggle with is when the way things are
planned out and the way things happen don’t agree. I am analytical in nature
and think things through in a logical order. That is good in some
circumstances, but not well received in other. I don’t always see the big
picture. Lynda helps me put things in perspective.
One of the great advantages to having someone standing by your side
is that you have someone else to share the experience with. The hope is that
one can pick the other up and vice-versa. Lynda and I have become such a
team. We are thankful to the Lord for putting us together. When one of us
starts to go in the wrong direction the other is there to guide them back.
We remind each other not to get caught up in the trap that is set to snare
us by the enemy.
Ecclesiastes 4:9-10; Two
are better than one, because they have a good return for their work:
If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls
and has no one to help him up!
God has a way of doing things that at times
at difficult to see. Having someone to stand by our side helps us to see the
things we are blinded to. We can help each other find God’s way in our daily
life. We can encourage each other to refocus on the things that are right
and ignore the things that drag us down. We can encourage each other to find
God’s way.
Isaiah said this…
Isaiah 55:6-9; Seek
the Lord while he may be found; call on him while he is near. Let the wicked
forsake his way and the evil man his thoughts. Let him turn to the Lord, and
he will have mercy on him, and to our God, for he will freely pardon. "For
my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways," declares
the Lord. "As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher
than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.
You see our thoughts and ways are not the
thoughts and ways of God. We need to focus on what God wants us to do and
what God wants us to think. I know from personal experience that this is not
easy. It is much easier when you have someone at your side.
If you have that someone, let them know how thankful you are to
have them at your side. If not, I would like to challenge you to find such a
friend. It will help you maintain your focus where it should be on God and
His ways. When the trials and tribulations of life come, and they will, you
will do well to have a friend that will stand beside you. We all need a
friend to help you move in the right direction. I thank God for such a
friend.
THOUGHTS FROM THE ROAD
NEW SCHEDULE OUT - NASCAR released the 2011schedule for
both the Whelen Modified Tour and the Whelen Southern Modified Tour. A
couple things stood out. First, we will be making a visit to Canada at the
beginning of September. From what I have read they are looking forward to
seeing the ground pounders come and are ready to roll out the Red Maple Leaf
Carpet.
Second there will be a joint event for the Northern and Southern
tours at the same track with a 50 lap shootout following. Thompson speedway
will host this unique event on September 11. There will be two separate 125
lap races, one for the north and one for the south. They will each have
their own purse and points. The top 15 from each race will then qualify for
a 50 lap “dash for cash”, a no points match race that should prove to be
very exciting.
I am not sure how the rules package will work out, wether they have
to use the same car, how many tires, etc. but I would think the winner would
be thought of as the best of the best in modified racing.
CHANGES IN THE WORKS - Look for some news coming out of the
MRS Banquet on Saturday the 20th, in their press release they stated they
would have a major announcement for 2011 along with a tentative 18 race
schedule.
Speaking of change, it might be time to take a look at some of the
things that are happening and see if we can’t improve them. I was encouraged
when the North South Shootout was able to complete their features early
enough to allow the fans to take in the dirt race across town. I think it is
beneficial for all parties to work together to give the fans the best
experience. Having said that I think the car count was a major factor in
this happening. We have all heard many reasons why they are down, but at
some tracks that doesn’t seem to be the case. I see an opportunity here to
make some adjustments and get things back to where they need to be. My hope
is that all the groups involved with these events can work together for the
good of the sport.
TURKEY DERBY - Thanksgiving is coming soon and the last race
in the Northeast will be contested at Wall Stadium. I received a report from
our Chaplain, Bob Menschner that the practice session was well attended and
they are looking for another successful one this week. The RWJM Pace Car
will be in the house and we are looking forward to being a part of another
Thanksgiving tradition on the Jersey shore.
IMIS AND THE BANQUETS - After we wrap up the racing it will
be off to Indy where we will be a part on the IMIS Trade Show at the
convention center. If you have plans to head out stop by the Design 500/Lady
Eagle booth and say hi. From Indy we head back to Charlotte for the NASCAR
Banquets. This year they are being held at the Hall of Fame. We are looking
forward to celebrating with the touring champions as well as the Whelen
All-American Weekly Racing Champions.
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. Until next time, 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 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.
November 21
JOE & ANDREA NEMECHEK- The Lakeland, FL NASCAR driver and wife have their
16th anniversary.
WALT & MARSHA DYER- The owners of the Lance Dewease driven Pennsy Sprint No.
461 have their 57th anniversary.
November 22
CARL (Bugs Stevens) & DORIS BERGHMAN- This retired Modified champion of
Rehoboth, MA; parents of current Prostock driver Dave Berghman, have their
50th anniversary.
DICK & NANCY CLARK- The veteran Long Island NASCAR WMT driver and wife have
their special day.
MICHAEL & CAROL PARES- This "Area Auto Racing News" NASCAR Whelen Mod Series
photographer and wife from Wayne, NJ share their 30th anniversary.
November 23
LEO & CLAYLENE ADAMS- This Pomfret, CT Pro Tour Truck driver and wife have
their 33rd anniversary.
JASON & STACEY KOHLER- This Fleetwood, PA Micro Sprint driver and wife have
their special day.
***HAPPY BIRTHDAYS***
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 CT 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.
November 21
BILLY DECKER- Franklin, NY DIRT Mod driver.
TOBY PORTER- Greenville, SC NASCAR driver.
TRAVIS CARTER- Veteran NNC team owner.
JIMMY MILO- Southington, CT AARN columnist and head of Stafford Motor
Speedway's Safety Team.
AIMEE BARKER- Daughter and Team Crew member on dad Bob "Mad Dog" Barker's
8NY Legend out of Staten Island.
BILLY "The Kid" BARKER- Garden State Vintage Stock Car Club, Staten Island,
NY.
November 22
BRENDA HIRSCHMAN- The wife of Northampton, PA NASCAR WMT driver Tony and
Mother of Mod driver Matt.
LUCY CHRISTOPHER- Plainville, CT Bill's wife and mom of famous racing twins
Ted and Mike.
DR. CHRIS WIBBELSMAN- Eldest son of Gainesville, FL RWJM Advisor Dick and
wife Judy, living in Dayton, OH.
DOREENE EMHOFF- Wife of Bill and mother of Matt, both WMT crew members.
MAYNARD TROYER- Rochester, NY chassis builder and retired Modified driving
great.
J.C. "SUITCASE" ELDER- Veteran NSC Crew Chief.
TOMMY GAVINE- Proprietor of Stafford Springs, CT Fyne Lyne Fabrication.
November 23
RICK CLONCH- E. Smithfield, PA NASCAR KNPSE driver.
RON BOUCHARD- Fitchburg, MA retired NSC driver.
PATRICK O'BRIEN- A son of Tammy Longacre in Boyertwon, PA.
KEVIN OKULA- Son of Wayne, team manager for the #28 King Racing Modified and
Charger Driver for #67 - Riverhead Raceway & Sharon.
***IN THE SHOP***
MICHAEL PARES UPDATE - Michael had a setback last week
and is back in the hospital; he went in last Tuesday and had surgery on the
right leg that night. He was off the antibiotic for 4 days and the infection
came back. He has to do the IV infusions treatment again with the pill until
his legs are strong enough to remove the plates, they are the root cause of
the infection. Next month he has to go back to surgery to remove the plates,
if they don't the infection will never go away. He has been able to get
around with a walker and is looking forward to getting full use of his legs
back. Please continue to pray for him, Carol and the boys. If you are led to
help, please drop us a line and we will let you know how best to do that.
You can always send him a card of encouragement, Michael Pares, 5 Broadway,
Wayne, NJ 07470.
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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