In memory of our very good friend, Rev. Pat Evans

FAITH IN ACTION

February 6, Tolland, CT--- A day at the racetrack is full of action. There is more going on than a three-ring circus.  What do you watch, where do you go, who do you focus on? With so much going on and so much good stuff to choose from, what do you do? What we choose to do determines who we have put our trust and faith in. Greetings in the name of our Lord and Savior,

Jesus Christ.

I remember something I was taught when I was little “Actions speak louder than words.” You know the type, they shoot their mouth off, talk the big talk, they try to win the race before they get out on the track. But you know as well as I do, it is what you do on the track that matters. It is not where you start, but where you finish that counts. How have you been finishing lately?

Before we get started there are a couple of things we need to learn about how we live; first, it doesn’t matter where we come from we can act in a way that honors God. Second, all the talk in the world doesn’t mean anything until you get up and do something. People don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care. We show people we care by our actions.

Every one of us knows both types of people, some are all talk and some don’t talk they help. Who do you call when you need help? Do you call the talker or do you call the doer? You call the doer because they will help not just lecture you. Listen to what James says. 

James 2:14-26, What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him? Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to him, "Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed," but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. 

But someone will say, "You have faith; I have deeds." Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I do. You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that--and shudder. 

You foolish man, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless? Was not our ancestor Abraham considered righteous for what he did when he offered his son Isaac on the altar? You see that his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did. And the scripture was fulfilled that says, "Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness," and he was called God's friend. You see that a person is justified by what he does and not by faith alone. 

In the same way, was not even Rahab the prostitute considered righteous for what she did when she gave lodging to the spies and sent them off in a different direction? As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead.

It is not enough to claim to have faith we have to live it. We need to act in such a way that shows others that we depend on God. When we are faced with a situation that challenges us beyond our abilities, who do we turn to? We should turn to God. James speaks of Abraham and his willingness to trust God and do what God commanded him to do.

How about us? When we need to make decisions or choices whose advice do we follow? Do we try to figure it out for ourselves? Do we trust someone else? On the other hand, do we turn to God and ask for His direction? God has the right direction for us, but it will require two things. Following God requires that we rely on His power and not ours. It also requires that we do something that only God can enable us to do.

James talks about showing people who we place our faith in. He tells us that just saying we have faith is not enough, we have to do something. There are many who have the right words to say, but it is those who show up to help at 2:00 in the morning that are real friends. Jesus taught us that we need to lay down our life for our friends. Are we willing to step up to the plate and demonstrate how much we care for others?

On a race team we need everyone to pitch in and help. We count on team members being willing to sacrifice their time for the good of the team. The success of the team is dependant on the number of team members willing to give their time and talents for the good of the team.

Now what about our life? Are we willing to reach out and help others? Are we willing to set our wants and desires aside and put others first? The next characteristic of faith is action. When we act as if God will provide what we need we are free to give what we have to others. We show the faith we have by living without the fear of losing. We have confidence that whatever we give God will replace. We act with a trust and faith that God is able to provide for us no matter what we give away.

The next step in our walk of faith is learning how to give beyond what we think we can. We demonstrate our faith by our actions. Only then do we begin to see God provide for us. We cannot out give God. Try to practice a faith that acts like God can and will provide for your needs. Faith proves itself by action. God Bless, Rev. Don 

THOUGHTS FROM THE ROAD

Last weekend found me visiting the track twice. The disappointment came in that there was no racing just celebration. I was honored to be the guest of Thompson Speedway at their two banquets honoring their 2006 champions. Both nights played to a packed house as the season was relived through the memories of the teams involved. I enjoyed spending some time reminiscing and celebrating with them. Looks like eight more weeks before they throw open the gates for preseason practice.

I was thinking about the changing seasons this week and how different one year can be from another. The Grand National Division, Busch East Series has taken on a new look. Since the schedule was announced each week there has been announcements of new teams coming and old teams going. As the drivers and teams continue to change I am not sure where things will lead. This past week was no different. Mike Olsen made it official that this would be his last full season with in the series and with Little Trees as his sponsor. Mike shared with me that he is more than satisfied with what he has accomplished in his driving career. He sees life changing in the years to come. With a family needing attention and a second championship it seemed like a good time to change direction. He would like to step into a car owner/teaching position. He can see the direction the series is going and his experience can be valuable to an up and coming young driver. Mike is an asset to the series and I for one hope he will continue on in some capacity. I think we need to carry on tradition in some way shape or form. Mike is no stranger to learning the ropes from an experienced driver. His Grandfather taught him more than just how to drive, he taught him how to handle himself around the racetrack. Mike would do well to pass that along to another driver coming up.

Another change for the series came as a surprise to me this past week. Al Robinson will not be back as the media coordinator for the series in 2007. Not sure of all the particulars but I know Al didn’t mention it in Atlantic city. It is a popular opinion that Al has forgot more history than some of us have experienced. I will miss Al on the road but I am sure our paths will cross, Al isn’t one to sit around if there is a race within a few hundred miles.

The horizon is pretty quiet for the next few weeks until the resurrection of Racearama. I have heard many talking about it and looking forward to it. It will seem like old times being back in West Springfield. We’ll be there to see how things go.

It is the off season and off is the important word there. I know you have to get things ready for the race season but don’t lose site of the fact that you have to rebuild yourself for the upcoming season.

As we relax and recharge our batteries its only natural to wonder what the new season will bring. Many things have been written already and many have speculated about the changes that might take place. It always amazes me how much effort is spent debating the direction of the sport we love. One thing is for sure, things will change. There have already been some indications that two teams don’t have plans in place to run the WMT in 2007. The #3 and #4 teams have announced that unless things change they have no plans on running. I know it is difficult to imagine a tour race without the legendary Ole Blue or the Mystic Missile. It certainly will be different.

It was announced on Sunday that Eric Beers has joined with the #94 Gaydosh team to run the complete 2007 WMT. Kevin Crowley will serve as crew chief. As of this moment Jerry Marquis hasn’t announced a ride for 2007, but a driver of Jerry’s caliber won’t be on the sidelines for long. If the sponsorship can be worked out maybe Jerry and Ole Blue can be reunited. We’ll have to wait and see.

NEAR inducted their class of 2007 last week and a couple of the names brought back some memories for me, Dave Dion and Jean-Paul Cabana.

It was a hot summer night at Catamount speedway in Vermont. My Aunt lives in Mallets Bay, VT, on the shore of Lake Champlain. I was visiting her for the weekend. I was about seven or eight. I tagged along with one of my relatives to the local racetrack. I had a ball. It is funny what we remember, but it is burned in my mind like it was yesterday. We sat in turn four, the action corner. Jean-Paul dueled with Bobby Dragon for the win when coming to the checker flag one of the cars erupted in flames. The win didn’t matter at that point, the other driver took out his fire extinguisher and put the fire out. I can remember looking down the front straight in awe as they helped each other. I met Jean-Paul in the pits later that night and walked in the clouds the rest of the weekend.

Dave Dion has been synonymous with New England racing for many years. I think some of the cars that Dave drove in competition last year would qualify as antiques. A couple years ago he won with a 13 year-old chassis. I have seen Dave lead tours at NHIS and hold court just about anywhere. Dave has that contagious smile that beams with joy. You just can’t be in a bad mood around Dave, he just doesn’t allow it.

I had the opportunity to renew the vows of Tom and Carol Howard this past weekend. He is a crewmember on Matt Kobyluck’s Busch team. Rev. Pat married them 15 years ago this week and they made a vow then to recommit themselves to one another after 15 years. It was a wonderful experience to share with them and their families.

New Smynra narrowly escaped the deadly tornados that struck central Florida last week. Howie and Mary Hodge were there and escaped without incident. The track suffered minor damage and will be ready to race on February 9^th for the 41^st World Series of Asphalt Stock Car Racing. I won’t make it down this year, but I’ll get there one of these days. If you are going, have fun and help those who are rebuilding their lives when you are not at the track.

The Superbowl went to the world’s most famous racing city, Indianapolis. Tony Dungy accepted the trophy and pointed out that he was proud of the fact that he was a Christian and he proved that you could follow the Lord and still win, Amen!

Have a great week and we’ll look at the forth characteristic of faith next week.

Be a witness for our Lord with the ministry decals and apparel. See them at the Online Apparel Store at www.RWJM.org. Call us with your prayer and counseling needs and list all your prayer needs, no matter what part of our racing family you are in, with the Racing Family Prayer Request Page www.rwjm.org/page/prayers.php also send your prayer request by mail. 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***

            February 1

GREG & VICKIE SACKS- The Long Island native WC driver and wife have their 32nd anniversary.

JAMIE & PAULA AUBE- The Charlotte, VT three time BNSGN champion and wife have their anniversary.

TONY & SANDY URBINA- This Riverhead LM driver and wife have their 16th anniversary.

            February 2

JIM & GERRI RICHARDS- This former driver at the former Plainville Stadium from Ansonia, CT and wife share their 44th.

            February 3

HERMIE & ANGIE SADLER- The Emporia, VA WC/BGN driver and wife have their 11th.

            February 8

TOM & CAROL HOWARD- This Waterford Speedbowl/Kobyluck team couple have their 15th anniversary.I had the pleasure of renewing their vows for them this past week with the family in attendance.

            February 9

TERENCE & CHRISTINE FITZGERALD- From Rocky Point, Long Island, this Riverhead Raceway enduro driver and wife share their 6th.

            February 11

WENDELL & DELORIS MINTER- The Martinsville, VA WODY Gospel Music host and wife from Ridgeway, VA celebrate their 30th anniversary. Congratulations and Praise the Lord!

***HAPPY BIRTHDAYS*** 

            January 31

MIKE DILLON- Welcome, NC BGN driver, Cup Team member husband of Richard Childress' daughter Tina.

KELLY MOORE- Scarborough, ME part-time BGN/NASCAR BES driver.

JON GAMBUTI- Montville, NJ 1998 ATQMRA 3/4 Midget champion and ISMA SuperModified driver.

ROBBIE GROFF- Northridge, CA IRL driver.

RICK WILSON- Bartow, FL NNC/BGN driver.

GARY HERRIN- Spokane, WA LM driver.

GEORGE TALLAS- Las Vegas, NV LM driver.

            February 1

DAN AVERY- Somersville, CT NASCAR WMT driver.

JANICE WOLF- Riverhead Mod driver Scott's mom.

            February 2

ELIZABETH AYOTTE- Mom of Augusta, ME writer/ Track promoter Dan.

JEAN WENZEL- Mom of Riverside Park LM driver, Chris.

JACOB MALACHI JAMES- The youngest son of Scott and his wife Lisa is 12.

            February 3

BOBBY GADA- Niantic, CT Waterford Speedbowl Modified driver of the multi-time Harry Wyant championship team.

MIKE TICCO- Lancaster (NY) Speedway writer.

DAVID BACHMAN- Son of Pennsy based former ARDC scorer, Jennifer Bachman.This No. 1 fan of John Marcovic and Eric Beers is 11.

            February 4

TOM BOLLES- Vernon, CT NASCAR WMT driver, of the Bolles Motors family; sponsor of the RWJM Dodge Intrepid Pace Car.

FREDDIE QUERY- Kannapolis, NC All Pro, NASCAR Truck driver.

JOHN BARBER- Buss, NY NASCAR BES driver.

BILLY KANN- NASCAR West Series driver.

ERIC PALMER- New England Pro Four Mod driver.

SUSAN STRUPP- Wife of former Long Islander, now in Charlotte, Jimmy.

TAYLOR BRIAN CUMMINS- The daughter of New Jersey fans Brian and Lori is 14.

            February 5

DARRELL WALTRIP- Former NNC driver, turned TV race commentator, from Franklin, TN.

JUSTIN LABONTE- BGN/ARCA driving son of Kellogg's NNC driver Terry and wife Kim.

RICKY PEARSON- BGN Crew Chief, one of retired driver David's sons.

PAULA AUBE- Wife of Charlotte, VT NASCAR BES driver Jamie.

MATT DILLNER- Long Island brother to Speed's Bobby check him out on www.speed51.com.

            February 6

PAUL GENTILOZZI- Lansing, MI IMSA GTO driver.

BOBBY BROWN- Farmingdale,NJ based Dwarf Car driver/owner.

GLEN FLACK- President of AutoWorks Performance, Inc. in Sewell, NJ and Atco Raceway SuperPro drag racer.

STEVE FULLER- One of the seven brothers in the famous Auburn, MA racing family including BGN's Jeff and Rick and NASCAR WMT team owner Bobby.

PETER SNOW- Southbridge, MA NASCAR WMT Team crewman.

GRACIE RYAN- Holyoke, MA racing photographer and WMT Scorer.

            February 7

CLAY CAMPBELL- President of Martinsville, VA Speedway.

WILL HOBGOOD- Winnsboro, SC former Dash Series driver.

BOBBY GAHAN- Barrington, NH NASCAR BES/LM driver.

DICK KLUTH- Lancaster Speedway Modified driver.

DONNA SCHAFFER- Wife of Woxall, PA Sportsman Modified driver Rick, Grandview Speedway's all-time winningest Modified driver.

MICHAEL HOPKINS- Son of CT based flagman Chris.

LORI D'AMORE- New Jersey fan.

            February 8

MIKE OLSEN- No Haverhill, NH 2006 NASCAR BES Champion Little Tree Air Fresheners driver.

RON LAMELL- Essex Junction, VT NASCAR BES driver.

KYLE MICHEL- Wife of Wall Township Speedway excellent Modified driver Dave. She is also NNC driver Martin Truex' sister.

SUE MENTEN- Wife of Stony Brook, LI's Vinny.

CAROLYN BLAISDELL- Champaign, IL fan.

JUSTIN WAWRZONEK- Son of Amsterdam, NY dirt fans Ron and Gloria Hanna.

CHUCK McNEIL- RWJM CT. Track Chaplain and RWJM officer.

            February 9

BILLY PENFOLD- Yarmouth, ME NASCAR BES/LM driver.

STEVE SELLERS- Sacramento, CA NASCAR West driver.

DUNK RUDOLPH- NH based Modified driver.

LAURA SAVERY- Wife of Plymouth, MA Seekonk Speedway Street Stock driver Dana.

EARLINE WAGNER- Schwenksville, PA Leonard's wife, both Grandview Speedway and NNC fans.

            February 10

DAVID OLIVER- Riverhead Raceway's Steve Tooker LM/NASCAR BES Crew Chief.

            February 11

EDDIE BOHN- Wall Township Speedway Modified top driver, past champion.

WADE HENDRICKSON- Lawrenceville, NJ Modified driver/owner.

KEN KUHLMAN- Veteran AARN columnist/ Bridgeport, NJ Speedway scorer.

KRISTI CAMERON- Alfred, ME Jeff Gordon fan.

"DAKOTA" RAY KOHLER- Son of Micro Sprint driver Jason from Fleetwwod, PA.

            February 12

JIMMY CHESTER- Newfield, NJ Bridgeport driver.

RICK HOCTOR- D.I.R.T. Modified driver.

HARMON "BEAVER" DRAGON- Milton, VT Thunder Road based LM/BES driver.

STEVE BIRD- BGN Crew Chief from Massachusetts.

LORI BEERS- Sister/Team member of Eric Beers Northampton, PA Modified team.

            February 13

FRANK VIGLIAROLO, JR.- Medford,NY driver.

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