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

O WISE ONE

February 26, Tolland, CT--- Have you ever noticed that wise people look old? You’ve seen him, the guy at the top of the mountain with a long, grey beard who knows the meaning of life. Most of us don’t learn wisdom until we have lived a little. Take a look back on your earlier years and see if there aren’t some things you are wiser about now. Greetings in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Have you ever known someone who thinks they have an answer for everything? They know all there is to know and if they don’t it’s not worth knowing. You know the type, they are ready to tell you exactly what the right answer is whether you ask or not. Is that Wisdom?

I am reminded of the movie Days of Thunder. Remember when the crew chief, Harry Hogge, was trying to teach Cole Trickle, rookie driver, how to conserve his tires for the end of the race? He let him drive so many laps his way and then he had to drive the way Harry wanted him to. The point was to learn how to finish with enough tire left to challenge for the win. Anyone can go fast, but it takes a driver with wisdom to finish.

I think of Mike Stefanik. He knows how to finish. No matter what he has to race with, he knows how to get the most out of it and finish the race. He is a wise driver.

Sometimes we think we know what is best. The fact is many things contribute to our inability to understand things. We could lack experience. We may be blinded by what we want to see. We may not be able to see things for what they are. We just don’t know and won’t admit it to ourselves. Whatever the reason true wisdom is something we gain when we can put things in the right perspective, God’s perspective. James explains it for us. 

James 3:13-18,   Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show it by his good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. Such "wisdom" does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, of the devil. For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice. But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness. 

Let’s unpack this a little. James explains that the one who is wise will lead a good life, a life that honors God. He lives with humility and helps others with a humble heart. These are people for whom recognition is not as important as serving someone. In contrast there are those people who need to be recognized. When they enter the room everyone must stop and take notice of them. When they do something the world has to know. These are not the type of people James calls wise.

The wisdom of the world is very different than the wisdom of God. James uses four words to describe that type of wisdom; envy, selfish, boast and deny. These words ring true in my ears of what we experience when we deal with worldly people. Think about those words. Envy means wanting something someone else has. It means not being satisfied with what you have. Are we satisfied with what God has provided us? Selfish means to keep everything for yourself. That indicates a lack of generosity and a desire to keep instead of share. Are we reluctant to give to others and help those in need? Boast means to let everyone know how good we think we are. To tell everyone exactly what we did and expect to be honored for it, boasting is the opposite of humility. Are we motivated to do things for others so that someone would notice us? When they don’t, do we tell them anyway? Deny means to lie. Denying something means not taking responsibility for our actions. Many times we look for someone to blame instead of stepping up to the plate and taking responsibility. Are we looking for someone to blame? That pretty much sums up worldly wisdom; now let’s look at God’s wisdom.

James uses the words pure, peace-loving, considerate, submissive, mercy, impartial and sincere. That’s a pretty big list. If you are like me I sometimes display a few of those qualities but I am not sure I have displayed them all at once. Pure means exactly that, nothing that would tarnish, no impurities. Like metal that has been refined and the impurities burned away. Purity comes from testing under fire. We are not born pure we have to work at it. We develop purity, the absence of selfishness.

Peace-loving is another one we need to learn. Many times we feel we have been taken advantage of or we haven’t been treated fairly. When we have a peace-loving spirit it doesn’t matter. Think of Christ and the Cross. He didn’t deserve any of it but He endured it so that we could be at peace with God through Him. Are we willing to do the same for others?

The list goes on; considerate, do we consider others or just ourselves? Submissive, are we willing to follow someone or do we have to be in control? Do we have mercy on others or do we demand that they be judged and punished? Are we impartial or do we always want the advantage? Are we sincere in our actions or do we just wear the face of sincerity?

When we stop and compare the two, which one is wise? Scripture tells us that God’s ways are not our ways. I think this passage from James shows us that. Sometimes we think a person is wise when they gain financially or have a high paying job. When we look behind the curtain we see the truth. We see the lives that were cast aside on the way to the top. We see the damage that was done in the name of advancement. I think there are many times in our lives when we think we made the wise choice but forget to look back and see the damage we have done.

Take some time this week to reflect on what Life has taught you. If it resembles worldly wisdom spend some time with God and start to change that. We need to have a Godly wisdom. That will reach out to others and help them discover the blessings God has for them. God Bless, Rev. Don 

THOUGHTS FROM THE ROAD 

This week we are headed to West Springfield for Speedway Expo at The Eastern States Expo Grounds. This will be a sort of homecoming for those who enjoyed the glory days of Racearama. West Springfield holds a special place in my heart, the first church I pastored was there. It is always good to go back and see how things have changed. I don’t know about you but I need a race fix. I didn’t get to go down to New Smyrna and Motorsports seems like it was so long ago. I am glad that Area Auto Racing News is participating. We all need to support one another in this community we call racing.

Read about the bum deal Jamie Tomaino was dealt. Do you know what make us so vulnerable? The passion we have for racing. When you have a passion for something you are willing to explore every possible way to get it done. I am reminded of Jesus. Do you remember the movie, The Passion of the Christ? He was so passionate about restoring our relationship with God that he gave up His life for it. When He was in the garden He did ask if there was another way, but ultimately He did give his life for us.

I have seen the same passion from racers, many are willing to give everything they have to be able to race. Today that cost has gotten to a point where that is difficult. Think about the drivers and teams you know who have a passion to race. Remember those who have gone home? I think the Modified Tour still has some of that passion left. It is getting more difficult but there are still those who compete simply for the joy of competing. The characters that once were common place in stock car racing now seem to be only around where the tv cameras are not.

Racers have always been passionate about what they do, their life depends on it, but recently the white washed, plain vanilla answers have gone stale. That was no more evident when they did the post incident interviews with Kurt Busch and Tony Stewart; no foul words, no placing blame, no passion. Not that I need the expletive deleteds but I would like to see the passion come through. I can excuse the response if I feel the passion.

I think we need the same passion in our lives. We need to live like someone’s life depends on it. We need to be willing to sacrifice everything for Christ. I guess that is what makes racing attractive to me. I see the passion with which teams compete. Sometimes we will be taken advantage of, but to us it is worth the risk to be able to pursue something we have a passion for.

I am heading out to West Springfield this week and hope to see you there. I hope to have some interesting tidbits to share with you next week. Make your plans now to be there. 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*** 

            March 2

BILL & SUZANNE STIVASON- These fans from Kittinang, PA share their 16th anniversary.

            March 3

TIM & BRENDA STEELE- The Coopersville, MI ARCA top driver and wife share their 14th anniversary.

            March 4

VIC & SANDY KANGAS- The WC/BGN Crew Chief and wife have their 44th.

            March 6

WARREN & ROSE FRYE- "Jeep" is a well-known team owner of the Bunky Higbee No. 26. He and wife Rose share their 57th anniversay down in Delaware.

ROY & DONNA HANKS- This Somers, CT LM driver and wife share their 30th anniversary. 

***HAPPY BIRTHDAYS*** 

            February 28

MARIO ANDRETTI- This Nazareth, PA World Class retired driver really does think he's Mario Andretti.

JAY HEDGECOCK- High Point, NC WC fabricator and LMSC builder; Modified driver.

JOE GAERTE- WoO sprint driver.

BUTCH LEITZINGER- State College, PA NASCAR BES and World Class driver.

RICH GARDNER- Late Model Stock Car driver from Waterford, PA; "Eriez Speedway" 5-time Dirt Late Model champion.

LIZ STRICKLER- Susquehanna Sportsman driver Randy's wife.

JUDY MANIX- The sister of Plainville, CT drivers Ted and Mike Christopher.

            February 29

BRIAN HOAR- His day is really February 29, but we can't have this Goss Dodge Busch East Series driver miss his day.

            March 1

DAVE MARCIS- Skyland, NC Retired NNC driver/RCR research driver.

BILLY PAUCH- Frenchtown, NJ driver of the Williams Grove based Zemco Sprint.

RANDY HEDGER- Nextel Cup official from Williamson, NY.

TIM STEELE- Coopersville, MI ARCA driver.

JERRY CAMINITO- Jackson, NJ NHRA Funny Car driver.

GLENN FRYE, JR- Grandson of Warren "Jeep" Frye and 1/4 Midget driver of Blackbird, Deleware.

DONNA KOCHER- Bethlehem, PA AMRA Microstock member.

KATHY TEMCHAK- Wife of Canterbury, NH NHIS victory Lane Staff Member John.

            March 2

TAMMY SUE WOODS- The wife of New Jersey born Steve "Woody" Woods on the R&D staff at Evernham NNC racing.

LAURIE UDES- Wife of Morris Plains, NJ asphalt Modified driver John.

            March 3

FRED RAHMER- Pennsy based international Sprint car driver.

DANNY JOHNSON- Phelps,NY D.I.R.T. Modified champion.

CHARLIE SAVAGE- From Portland, CT now driving a Modified at Charlotte County Speedway in Punta Gorda, FL.

MELANIE DEWARE- From Easton, MA, the bubbly wife of Mosler Automotive/Jilbrit Wheels GT Team driver Scott.

MARY LOUISE HODGE- Racing photographer from Manchester, CT; photographer Howie's wife.

MARGARET DAVIS- Manassas, VA writer.

GREG RHEN- Sinking Spring, PA dirt catcher and fan of Kenny Brighbill.

JAY MILLER- Son of retired modified driver Ray and Sk Mod driver at SMS and Waterford.

            March 4

RICK MAST- Virginia NNC retired driver.

GARY MYERS- NC Modified driver.

BILL GREENE- Ellington, CT crewman of the Bobby Georgiades CT Modified team.

NANCY LaBONNE- East Hartford, CT wife of Stafford LM crewman Rich Caouette.

            March 5

GARY DIONNE- Former Dave Dion NASCAR BES crewman, now Acton, CA movie stunt car driver and RWJM Ass't West Coast Coordinator.

PAUL CLAPROOD- 2000 Championship NASCAR WMT Co-Crew Chief now in NC with the Ganassi/Sabco NNC team in final assembly.

RON HEDGER- NY based NSS writer.

PHIL BARIL, JR.- Son of NH LM driver, Phil, Sr.

LUKE WILLIAM BOEHLER- This future team owner is the son of BRE Racing FMS Team owner Mike and Sarah and turns 3.

            March 6

PAT WARD- NY D.I.R.T. Fonda Speedway Modified driver.

JACK ELY,JR.- NJ asphalt Mod driver.

RONNIE THOMAS- Christiansburg, VA LMSC driver.

BETTY FEARN- Spending the winter in Florida with husband Dick, the mom of ProStock driver Tom from Feeding Hills, MA.

JASLYN WILLIAMS- Wife of Carson City, NV Midget driver J.R.

LINDA TAGG- Wife of Webster, MA retired Thompson Speedway Mod driver Tom.

JACOB CHRISTOPHER MANIX- Judy's son and nephew of Plainville, CT twin drivers Ted and Mike Christopher is 10.  

*** IN THE SHOP ***

WARREN ALSTON- Our favorite chief starter underwent surgery last week and is on the mend. I talked with him before his surgery and he was in good spirits. Please keep him in your thoughts and prayers as he recovers.

J.R. HELBERG- A friend of our Wall Stadium Chaplain Bob Menschner needs prayer. He is a former Pro-stock and Modified driver at Wall. He recently lost his mom and this past Friday he lost his dad. Please lift him and his family up in prayer. Pray that God’s love, comfort and mercy be poured out on him and his family.

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