At times we all resist change. We all dig in our heels and refuse to be
drawn into something that changes the way we see things. Stubbornness is not
a good thing; it will keep us from experiencing God’s Blessings. Take a look
and see, are there some things in our lives that we have refused to change?
Greetings in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Keep in mind there is a big difference between stubbornness and
good judgment. Being able to figure out and judge things that are not
beneficial for our lives is very different than refusing to do something
just because we don’t want to. Judgment and discernment are based on
knowledge and understanding. Stubbornness is based in pride, arrogance, fear
and lack of understanding.
I read a true story the other day that illustrated this point. In
the summer of 1986, two ships collided in the Black Sea off the coast of
Russia. Hundreds of passengers died as they were hurled into the icy waters
below. News of the disaster was further darkened when an investigation
revealed the cause of the accident. It wasn’t a technology problem like
radar malfunction—or even thick fog. The cause was human stubbornness. Each
captain was aware of the other ship’s presence nearby. Both could have
steered clear, but according to news reports, neither captain wanted to give
way to the other. Each was too proud to yield first. By the time they came
to their senses, it was too late.
It reminded me of that Italian cruise ship, the Costa Concordia,
back in January. The ship still sits capsized in the harbor off the Tuscan
island of Giglio after Capt. Francesco Schettino took it off course to show
off. He is accused of causing the ship to run aground, manslaughter and
abandoning the ship before all passengers were evacuated. 32 lives we lost
because of his pride and arrogance.
One of the most difficult things for me to understand about racing
is why it takes so long to get into single file. I watch and invariably
there is at least one car that wants to ride side by side. I understand you
don’t want to loose a position but riding two and three wide lap after lap
only serves to delay the restart and frustrate the officials. The end result
will be fewer laps raced and you having to start at the rear for refusing to
follow directions.
The burdens we create upon ourselves from our stubbornness, that is
to say, pride, arrogance, fear and lack of understanding, will wear us down
and take the joy out of life. I am reminded of what David wrote in
Psalm 32;
1 Oh, what joy for those
whose disobedience is forgiven,
whose sin is put out of sight!
2 Yes, what joy for those
whose record the Lord has cleared of guilt,
whose lives are lived in complete honesty!
3 When I refused to confess my sin,
my body wasted away,
and I groaned all day long.
4 Day and night your hand of discipline was
heavy on me.
My strength evaporated like water in the summer heat.
5 Finally, I confessed all my sins to you
and stopped trying to hide my guilt.
I said to myself, “I will confess my rebellion to the Lord.”
And you forgave me! All my guilt is gone.
When
we let our pride guide us the results are disastrous. It not only affects
us, but it may very well cost those around us their lives. The burden of not
following God and His direction is a heavy weight for us to bear. We need to
release that weight.
David Continued;
8
The Lord says, “I will guide you along the best pathway for your
life.
I will advise you and watch over you.
9 Do not be like a senseless horse or mule
that needs a bit and bridle to keep it under control.”
Each one of us comes to a point in time
when we realize we do not have the answer. Our choices and the direction our
life has gone have led us to a place that is not good. We are not at peace.
We do not look forward to tomorrow. We live in the regret of yesterday. We
live with a burden on our heart.
Jesus came to seek and save the lost. Jesus came not to condemn the
world but to save it. He invites us, come unto me all you who are weary and
heavy burdened and I will give you rest. I go and prepare a place for you so
that you can be where I am also. I am the way the truth and the life, no one
comes to the Father except through me.
He holds the future, our future, in his hands,
Jeremiah 29:11; “For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord.
“They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a
hope.”
Receive his forgiveness; release the
burdens that weight you down. Let the Lord our God renew, refresh and
restore your life.
THOUGHTS
FROM THE ROAD
WORLD SERIES WEEKEND CROWNS A NEW CHAMPION - It is
always encouraging when you see someone rewarded for their hard work. Sunday
saw two journeymen sit on top on the Modified Racing world holding the
crystal trophy that signified NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour Champions! Wayne
Darling and Doug Coby are two of the good guys, they work hard for
everything, they have faced set backs, they have run limited schedules,
shared resources with other teams, you name it they have tried it all for
the purpose of competing for the prize. Sunday they hoisted the prize,
popped the cork and celebrated a true working man’s dream, a championship. I
think this is good for the sport, good for racing, good for the all of us.
What Wayne, Doug and the entire team have done is a tremendous
encouragement. Join me in congratulating the 2012 WMT Championship team.
BUT THAT’S NOT ALL - While the WMT may have headlined the World
Series we also saw several other touring divisions competing, two of which
we travel with. The Valenti Modified Racing Series headlined the card on
Saturday night and saw Rowan Pennink go two for two as he closed in on front
runner Jon McKennedy. Jon followed home a close second and has a pretty
comfortable lead heading in to the season finally at Lee. Make your plans
now to head to Lee USA for the Oktoberfest!
Also in the house was the NEMA Midgets running their second to the last
race of the year. They also will crown their champion at Lee USA. Look for
some great and exciting action in New Hampshire next week.
Our Chaplain with NEMA, Tara Stoehr, had some thoughts she wanted to pass
along.
God is working in and around NEMA these days. Some of us may not
see it, but God is on the move! Even small gestures that we do with the
right motives have a large impact. Gestures such as helping someone push
their midget, lending out tools or even a racecar, someone setting up coffee
and food for all, a driver giving his trophy to a young fan. There are many
more kind gestures happening that we don't even know about, but God sees and
his name is glorified because of them! "And whatever you do, in word or
deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the
Father through him." Col 3:17
There are many people interceding for all of NEMA, not only do we
pray at the drivers meeting and when the drivers are in their cars before
the feature, but Deb Marvuglio is praying for them up in the tower and RWJM
is praying for the club on a regular basis. You see God is on the move and
our small gestures have a large impact, not only do people feel blessed, but
we also receive the blessing by helping others.
Please pray for Rachael Breault, her husband is a long time NEMA
owner/competitor. Rachael has been battling with cancer. Also, being breast
cancer awareness month, many NEMA members wore pink, the solidarity for the
cause was obvious as the field sailed by with pink ribbons streaming! Our
starter, Steve Grant wore a pink shirt and tie as he waved a pink checkered
flag that all the drivers signed. Later he presented the flag to Ed for his
wife Rachael.
God continues to show me his heart for all of NEMA. I am extremely
grateful to Him for his direction, love and guidance.
Thanks Tara.
With the season winding down we have a few more trips in store,
after a quick trip to Maine to get the boats settled for winter it is off to
South Carolina for the K&N Series make up race at Greenville/Pickens. We
follow that up with a trip to Charlotte for the World Dirt Finals. I have
been invited to bring the invocation at the WOO Sprint Car banquet this year
and am looking forward to celebrating with them.
While I am in Charlotte, Dan will be in Rockingham for the last
race for the K&N Pro Series East. This is their first visit to “The Rock”
and it will be good to go back to a track that has so much NASCAR history.
Then, if that isn’t enough, it is back to North Carolina for the
North-South Shootout at Caraway. I think I am going to need a vacation after
that stretch! Look for us on the road, stop by and say hi.
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.
See our on-line Apparel
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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***
October 17
RUSTY & TERRY WATKINS- This NASCAR KNPSE team crewman and wife have their
18th anniversary.
JIMMY & SUSAN STRUPP- The Long Islander, now turned Charlotte, North
Carolinian and wife have their 23rd.
October 18
RUSTY & ANE BALL- This Keene, NH Claremont Speedway/MRS Modified driver and
wife have their 34th anniversary.
October 19
MIKE & KRISTIN MASSARO- The former Ellington, CT/ now North Carolina
ABC/ESPN race announcer and wife share their 14th anniversary.
October 20
KRISTEN (ADAMS) AND SCOTT ROBINSON- Daugter of Thompson veteran driver Leo,
HAPPY 16 YEARS.
JOHN & CRYSTAL PASQUARELLI- This Madison, Ohio push truck driver and wife
celebrate 7 years together.
October 22
REV. PAT & BETTY EVANS- This would have been the 29th aniversary for Pat and
Betty. Please keep Betty in your prayers as this will be a difficult day.
***HAPPY BIRTHDAYS***
October 17
KEVIN PELLETIER- Owner of the #27 SK Light at Stafford Motor Speedway.
MARK BRIDGES- Durham, ME former Joe Bessey crewman.
October 18
KEN SPRING- The "Area Auto Racing News", and KNPSE photographer from
Braintree, MA.
RIT DULAC- Plantsville, CT NASCAR retired Modified and KNPSE driver.
October 19
SHAUN ROBERTS – Crew member for the #27 SK Light at Stafford Motor Speedway.
RICK FULLER- Auburn, MA NASCAR WMT/Super Late Model driver.
DANA PATTEN- Enfield, NH former NASCAR KNPSE/NNS U.S. Chrome driver.
GARY ST. AMANT- Columbus, OH late model driver.
YOLANDA SHERIDEN- Retired Riverhead Raceway lady driver.
LISA WOOD- Wife of Pelham, NH SuperModified driver Russ.
MICHELLE SAVERY- Daughter of Seekonk driver Dana and wife Laurie.
RUSS DOWD- Thompson Speedway General Manager, golden throated announcer and
friend of this ministry.
HOLLY PRINGLE- Ontario, NY 2002 Stock Microd champion at Sodus Microd Club.
CRYSTAL PASQUARELLI- Wife of push truck driver John from Madison, Ohio.
October 20
JACK WILLIAMS- Fire supervisor at Stafford Motor Speedway for over forty
years.
LARRY BROLSMA- Midland Park, NJ dirt Modified driver.
BOBBY ZUROWSKI- Riverhead Raceway LM driver.
STEVEN COLLICHO- FormerTom Baldwin NASCAR WMT team crewman.
BILL ARMOUR- Bluefield, VA writer.
October 21
MORGAN SHEPHERD- Conover, NC NNS driver and outspoken Christian.
BOB LeSIEUR- No. Easton, MA NSC photographer.
ROBERT ROSSI, JR.- Riverhead, LI, NY based Mike Ewanitsko NASCAR WMT fan.
JOHN D PASQUARELLI- A former Figure 8 driver now push truck driver from
Madison, Ohio for Thrills Unlimited at Erie Z, Raceway 7, Sharon, Lake
County and Lorain to name a few.
October 22
TONY VECCHIO- Syracuse, NY Former NASCAR KNPSE team owner and chassis
specialist.
JOHNNY UNSER- Long Beach, Ca born, Sun Valley, ID IRL driver.
MIKE SWANN- Rev. Pat's cousin from Sumneytwon, PA.
JAYE COTTER- Wife and assistant to No. Attleboro, MA racing paper/magazine
sales rep., Paul.
RUTH TAGG- Mom of Tom Tagg, Grandmom to Troy Talman, SK light driver & Brian
Tagg, T.I.S. mod driver.
October 23
TREVA MERRILL- The wife of Newton, MA based Monadnock Speedway (Keene, NH)
GM, Carl.
CATHERINE & CHRISTIAN HANKS- The twins of CT ProStock driver Roy and wife
Donna.
NATALIE BELMONT- A daughter of Pennsy based ARCA/NNS driver Andy and wife
Jennifer.
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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