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

BEING HUMBLE

March 5, Tolland, CT--- We sometimes describe people as being born with a certain talent or gifted with a certain ability but for most of us we need to practice to get it right. Humility isn’t something we are born with, we need to practice. One of the most difficult things to do in our lives is to submit to someone else’s authority. Faith produces humility. Greetings, in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

How easy is it to let someone pass you on the track? Even when your car isn’t performing the way it should it is difficult to be passed by. It is hard to face the fact that we are not the best car out there. We want to be first, the best.

In racing, the objective is to finish first. Everything we do is focused on winning; getting to the finish line first. We practice and fine tune with one hope in mind, that when the checkered flag flies we will be first. Sometimes we want to be first at all costs. We will push and shove our way to the front. Nothing will stand in the way of getting to the front first.

This causes problems, not only for us but for others. Think about all the people that we have pushed out of the way to get to the front. How about the people we have run over? How many people have we ignored because we are focused on what we want?

Have you ever noticed when you are out on the highway and you go to pass someone they speed up so that it is harder to pass them. Do we think that we need to be first?

I see it more and more each day when I am driving down the street, someone is at a side street waiting to pull out and then it happens; they pull right out in front of me. They drive a couple hundred yards and turn. Why couldn’t they wait? Why was it necessary to make me slow down for them?

We have a desire in life to be first. We think we deserve to be in front of everyone else. We have developed into a society that wants to be served. Waiting is for someone else. Think about what goes through your mind when you come up on a delay? We start to analyze a way to get around it without waiting. We start looking for shortcuts. We do not want to be inconvenienced or delayed. Is that really what we should be thinking?

Jesus had some thoughts on being first: 

Mark 9:33-35, They came to Capernaum. When he, (Jesus), was in the house, he asked them, "What were you arguing about on the road?" But they kept quiet because on the way they had argued about who was the greatest. 

Sitting down, Jesus called the Twelve and said, "If anyone wants to be first, he must be the very last, and the servant of all." 

I suggest we might take a moment and notice what is going on around us. We should take a look around; look at what’s going on, look at the people involved and maybe we can reach out and help someone. We should take some time and put ourselves in someone else’s shoes. When we put others first we start to understand the way Jesus looked at things. Philippians 2: 5-8 tells us this; 

Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death-- even death on a cross! 

WOW! What a high standard for us. Can we even come close? Jesus did not ask us to do anything He wasn’t willing to do himself. He laid down His life for us. Considering that, makes me feel a little small when I can’t wait for someone or take time out of my agenda to consider them and the challenges they face. I catch myself but often times I have missed the opportunity to show the love that God has for them.

James, keeping to his straight forward way explains it to us:

James 4:1-12, What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don't they come from your desires that battle within you? You want something but don't get it. You kill and covet, but you cannot have what you want. You quarrel and fight. You do not have, because you do not ask God. When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures.
You adulterous people, don't you know that friendship with the world is hatred toward God? Anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God. Or do you think Scripture says without reason that the spirit he caused to live in us envies intensely? But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says:
"God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble."

Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Grieve, mourn and wail. Change your laughter to mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.

Brothers, do not slander one another. Anyone who speaks against his brother or judges him speaks against the law and judges it. When you judge the law, you are not keeping it, but sitting in judgment on it. There is only one Lawgiver and Judge, the one who is able to save and destroy. But you—who are you to judge your neighbor?

James knows the battles that go on inside our hearts. He knows the struggle we have between doing what is right and doing what we want. He knows because he struggled with them himself. We all struggle with them. The blessing comes when we get beyond that. When we fall at the foot of the throne of God and give Him control over our lives. We are blessed when we submit to His authority. Do you remember the verses we studied last winter? “God blesses those who realize their need for Him, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 5:3. Faith is demonstrated when we take ourselves off the throne and put God there. To do this requires that we bow before Him, humble ourselves and submit to His authority. We demonstrate our faith in Him by serving others. When we can look outside ourselves to the needs of other and do something about it we start to demonstrate the humility that shows our faith.

Look at the sentence in the passage, “Humble yourself before the Lord and He will lift you up.” James 4:10. When we demonstrate our faith in God He rises us up above our worries and cares. God lifts us up and our lives are full, satisfying and complete. We receive a crown that won’t fade or tarnish. We are at peace, a peace that passes all understanding.

These verses contain one of the most important things we need to learn and live as Christians. They teach us the very nature of Jesus, humility and servanthood. Take some time this week and look around, instead of trying to accomplish your agenda slow down and reach out to those in need. Show the love of God to those you meet. God Bless, Rev. Don. 

THOUGHTS FROM THE ROAD 

You can go home again. My favorite thing about being on the road is coming home. Home is that special place where you can relax and unwind. Speedway Expo felt like home. For a first year show, it felt like it had been around for years. It has really it was just called Racearama. So many times this past weekend people shared the feeling with me that they felt this was the start of the racing season. Being at the Big E surrounded by racecars and the racing family solidified it. This felt right. We were at home.

Had a chance to see lots of old friends and meet a few new ones. Many shared how much they were looking forward to the racing season. Many think of this as the start of the New England racing season.

This year marks the 27^th year that Racing with Jesus Ministries has served the racing community. In the state of Connecticut you get antique registration plates if your car is over 25 years old. With that in mind I stopped by the NEAR display and signed up. I hope that we will be able to attend a couple of events this year and pace the field with one of our pace cars.

I heard of a couple of seat changes for the coming season. Ken Barry will step out of the #21 and concentrate more on the business end of things and Richard Savory will fill the seat. Richard has experience on the Whelen Modified Tour, True Value Modified Series and SK Modifieds at the local level. I talked with him at Speedway Expo and he is excited about the opportunity and looking forward to competing in the famed Art Barry #21.

I spent much of the show with James of Design 500. James and his wife Katie not only make one of the best driver uniforms in the business, they are very supportive of what we do for the racing community. James was in need of an update when it comes to racing in the Northeast, modified racing. I did my best to get him up to speed on the who’s who in modified country. He heads back to the great Northwest newly educated.

One theme that filtered through most of my conversations was money. Every year the competition gets tougher and speed costs money. The mod tour is no exception. There are a few things you can try to reduce the cost, but as I discussed in a previous column it is difficult to save racers money. If something can be bought that promises a few extra horsepower than the cost is not a factor. A racer wants to go as fast as he can and is willing to pay what it cost to be the fastest. Money doesn’t always buy speed, but to compete on the tours these days it is taking more and more money. I think this will start to take it’s toll on some of the folks that made this sport what it is, those who turn their own wrenches.

Good to see our Mexican connection from the Busch East Series, ROTY Ruben Pardo and Rogelio Lopez in the Busch South race from Mexico City. Ruben needs a better head shot though, I almost didn’t recognize him when they went through the lineup. Ruben’s day didn’t last long as he was out early in 40^th while Rogelio did better finishing 28^th.

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 8

JAMES & KATIE STANDLEY- This dedicated Christian couple are the proprietors of Design 500 and Lady Eagle Safetywear in Seattle, WA, racing's leading uniform and team wear maker. Visit them at www.design500.com as they celebrate their 15th.

BARRY & KIM BABB- This Maine LM driver and wife have their 19th.

            March 11

JOSEPH AND ALICE FERGUSON- The proprietor of Ferguson Painting and Decorating and wife; fans from Howard, PA celebrate their 32nd anniversary. 

***HAPPY BIRTHDAYS*** 

            March 7

JEFF WITHEY- From Clifton Park, NY, Jeff writes about Fonda, NY Speedway for "Area Auto Racing News."

RYAN DALE HUNSINGER- Son of dirt late model and IMCA modified driver Ricky Hunsinger and wife Nakeisha. He is also the little brother of AJ Hunsinger mini stock driver, based in Northeastern PA, will be turning 4.

            March 8

KIRK SHELMERDINE- Welcome, NC ARCA/NASCAR driver; NNC/BGN Crew Chief.

DONALD J. WORTH- NJ loyal fan of retired Wall Township Speedway Modified great, Gil Hearn and NNC's Jeff Gordon.

            March 9

CRAIG KEEL- WoO Sprint driver.

WARREN FRYE- "Jeep" is the Delaware based owner of the Bunky Higbee No. 26, remembered for multiple feature wins.

            March 10

MIKE WALLACE- The driving middle brother of the famous racing Wallace's with Kenny and Rusty.

DEAN CHRYSTAL- Milford, ME NASCAR BES driver/ Graphics specialist.

ALFRED HILL- NC Modified driver.

MATT EMHOFF- York, Maine. He is a member of Ken and Art Barry's crew on the 21 Spearpoint Racing team.

RAQUEL RIOLO- Daughter of Stafford LM driver Joe and wife Brenda is 10.

            March 11

JOE GOSEK- NY based ISMA SuperModified driver.

HAL GOODSON- Darlington, SC All Pro driver.

BRIAN CRUNDEN- Connecticut ProStock driver.

DAVE BURNHAM- CT based LM driver.

VALARIE LeSIEUR- Daughter of former Speedway Scene Publisher, Val.

DAN BURY- Upstate NY photographer.

JOHN LANE- A son of NJ photographer Ace.

CAROL PARES- Wife of "Area Auto Racing News" NASCAR Mod Series photographer Mike of Wayne, NJ.

            March 12

BOB HABERSTICK- Wall Township Speedway driver.

TODD MASSEY- Haw River, NC LMSC driver.

            March 13

GREG COVERDALE- Milford, DE URC Sprint driver.

JEFF SPRAKER- Latham, NY NASCAR BES/ NASCAR Truck driver.

LYN ST. JAMES- Willoughby, OH born, now Daytona Beach, FL IRL driver.

SCOTT BONNEY- Lee Speedway (NH) LM driver.

RANDY KANE- Selinsgrove and Clinton County Pit Steward.

JASON KOHLER- Fleetwood, PA MicroSprint driver.

CRYSTAL SANSEVERINO- A daughter of Hillsborough, NC photographer Ed and wife Linda. 

*** IN THE SHOP ***

DEBBIE GASTELU- Received a note from Todd with an update on Debbie. She is recovering from Gall Bladder removal surgery. There was a little delay in her leaving the hospital but nothing like the complications from the back surgery two years ago. She is home resting for a week or so and a card of encouragement would speed that process along. Send them to Debbie Gastelu, 890 Anderson Road, Jackson, NJ 08527

WARREN ALSTON- Warren is on the road to mending from knee surgery. He reports that things went well and the doctors were able to clean up some arthritis they found in addition to fixing his knee. He starts therapy on 3/6 and if all goes well he’ll be in the flag stand for the New Egypt Speedway opener. Continue to keep his recovery in your prayers.

CHUCK McNEIL’S DAD- Chuck’s dad was recently diagnosed with lung cancer and is currently going through tests to determine the extent. Keep him in your prayers and as soon as I have an address I’ll include it so you can send a card.    

BILL SMITH- Bill of Wild Child Graphics, champ cart driver and TS Haulers crewmember, was recently diagnosed with a thyroid condition that will require surgery. Bill needs our prayers as he goes through this challenge. Bill is from Jonesport, NY.

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