Team RFC
Smooth Waters
By Jim Jack
“Don Ermshar: It’s the Dash in Your Life That Really Counts”
Drag boat racing is always a race to the finish line. It’s an incredible dash to be the fastest, the quickest, and to see who arrives at the finish line first! It’s the dash (or the rush) that really counts, or better said in racing terms; it’s the dash for cash in the world of motorsports.
Your emotions can be like a drag boat: properly understood and directed it can take you places and give you many moments of enjoyment; but out of control it can take you places you would really rather not go to.
We all knew that Don Ermshar was well known and respected for his deeds, diplomacy, and driving ability. What he did during the “dash years” [1943 – 2009] of his life is the most important part.
A birth can be great, and death is the part we hate; but hey let’s wait; so you can have a clean slate.
If we want to think about the number of years in Don’s life, we can go by what the Bible says, “With God a day is like a thousand years.” So with that in mind, God’s love for Don Ermshar was 66 years times 365 days which equals 24,090 days, plus 243 days during 2009, plus 16 days for all the leap years totals 24,349 years (not days) to God…not counting eternity! That is just a taste of God’s love for Don. And He has that same love for you too!
It’s not that the birth and or death of a human being aren’t important, but what we do during our lifetime and how we affect those around us during all those years is what we will be remembered for the most. The “dash” (in between those first and final years) is all those things that we accomplish by leaving a lasting legacy for others to remember us by.
If we live our lives to the fullest…God, family, friends, racing, working, playing and all the other things that make up a human’s lifetime, we can end with the hope of glory and know that we had a positive influence on those that loved us. I don’t know about you, but “I’ve pitched my tent in the land of hope” (Acts 2:26b MSG). Have you?
A lot of people “try to do” the right thing; Don Ermshar did do the right thing, as he set his heart on God’s wisdom…the wisest decision a man can make.
Don Ermshar was a man born into a family with a legacy of faith. A man raised in a Bible church. A man led to Christ at a young age by his parents. A man counseled by a family of Christians. A man who had a loving brother who was a Christian. A man challenged to live for Christ by God’s grace…even in a court room. A man agreeing to date a woman that resulted in a lifetime love affair…with Phyllis. A man who opened “big” doors on “small” hinges. A man who mentored colleagues, helped many others grow, and inspired many others to become good racers. A man with more friends than I’d ever deserve. A man who stayed focused on the work at hand. A man that I will always remember as hard working, loving, honest, truthful, gentle, and faithful. A man I present to you as the “Honorable Don Ermshar.”
As I’ve said many times, I could see Don’s smile through his helmet. “Ya’ll remember that smile…because he probably beat you by a mile…or when he covered your butt in a trial…now as you look out through your tears…I get to look out at Don’s peers…but please forget your fears…and just relish all those great years.”
A poet once wrote “Two men looked through prison bars; one saw mud, the other stars.” Don saw the face of Christ…Don saw the finish line of justice…Don saw the finish line of a race track…and Don saw the starting line with a beautiful gal named Phyllis.
Don was an “Icon” and a “Legend” in the life he lived in the great sport of drag boat racing and as an attorney in Southern California. He was an “Icon” as a symbol of law and order. He was an “Icon” as a model of grace. He was an “Icon” as the image of how we should live our lives. And he was an “Icon” as a representation of how to treat all others.
A Trinity of limericks for our friend Don Ermshar
By Jim Jack
Racin’…
“We all knew a veteran, who raced for Lucas Oil,
Who knew how to garner all the flattie’s spoil.
He had developed quite a technique,
At reaching drag boat racings ultimate peak.
And his wife will tell us it was worth all the toil.”
Workin’…
The California Bar lost a bright shining star,
This man of character worked for years without a mar.
He upheld the law with unbridled integrity,
This colleague was quite the man, wasn’t he?
Given his law abiding record, he always made par.
Livin’…
God at times puts all of us to the test,
And sometimes it seems like He takes the best.
But we all know that’s not always the case,
Because we must learn not to judge God’s grace.
God says all ye come to me and I will give you eternal rest.
As a witness of Don Ermshar’s life, I get to tell you the Truth, the whole Truth, and nothing but the Truth, so help me God. Our God is so gracious to put people like Don Ermshar in our lives to give us wise counsel, to uphold justice, and have a clear understanding of the law with godly instruction for our fellow man. Don as a prominent attorney gave us all wise counsel…sometimes without even speaking.
Remember, God is our counsel anytime we have the need. He helps us not be afraid of the unknown as we approach His bench with confidence, asking that His Spirit enlighten us with the truth as we present a clear case of truth and justice, with justifiable conviction, leading us to an awareness of how great His love is. God allows us to make a concerted effort to judge all of the evidence that is presented before a jury of peers…and our prayer should be that the “prosecutor of our souls” is left without a leg to stand on.
“The Final Case of Don Ermshar”
By Jim Jack
“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing,” (2 Timothy 4:7-8 (NIV)
Yes my dear friends, today it’s true;
Don left this green earth for the skies so blue.
Though he was with us for only 66 years;
He’d tell you now he’s in a place with no more tears.
He made us laugh, and he made us cry;
So with his work now completed, don’t ask why.
He won so many races and so many cases;
It’s like Don hit home runs every day as he rounded the bases.
This man had a smile that could knock out a heavyweight;
Don’s gentle character was just this man’s normal trait.
Don was the real king of the alky flats;
He took home so many trophies Phyllis had to turn them into vats.
God chose this man to serve with truth and justice;
We all believed it, because the “Mako Force” would simply dust us.
His name is forever etched reaching for the highest tops;
On the race track or in court room, he could bust your chops.
Don wasn’t too big to do something small;
And what was so cool was that he loved us all.
Don would have gladly raced anywhere for a quarter;
And thankfully he preferred drafts of God’s living water.
With credentials rivaling the greatest box office feature;
Don chose a God who gave him a bright future.
We’ll miss this man whom we all grew to love and adore;
But only time will tell who will follow him through heavens door.
So you are fortunate to have learned about Don’s eternal plan;
Today, please allow God to introduce you to His “Son of Man.”
Last but not least, please allow me to close this case with the following argument…
“Ladies and gentlemen; yes, Don Ermshar has been found guilty on three counts…yes three counts…the 1st count of loving God, the 2nd count of loving his wife, and the 3rd count of loving racing.
Now the jury has come to the decision on Don’s sentencing. He gets life…yes eternal life…with his God…and eventually with his wife Phyllis too, and with all of his friends that have also been found guilty of believing in Jesus Christ.
The evidence was clearly overwhelming having been precisely presented, and it only took the jury a “twinkling of an eye” to reach their verdict…and it was a unanimous verdict.
The jury has excused all of us from this case and Phyllis and Don would like to thank each and every one of you very much for being here in this room and agreeing with this decision. This court is now adjourned.”
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