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

WILL WE GO

April 10, Tolland, CT--- The Easter holiday has passed and spring is here. Racetracks are opening up all across the northeast. There is new life springing up everywhere. We experience it every year and it rejuvenates our soul. It gets our engine running. One question comes to mind, where are we going? Greetings, in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Did you hear they were running a race at Catamount in Milton, VT? I know it is not there anymore and Aprils Fools was last week. I was at The New Waterford Speedbowl on April Fools Day and heard the rumor many may have about Roush/Fenway had withdrawn their entire five car team from Martinsville. The point is this we are gullible. We believe things without thinking them through sometimes. We are so willing to race anywhere and everywhere that we want to believe that race is out there.

Racers are a breed that will go just about anywhere to race. If the track is good and the purse is right the racers will be there. Even last year when they were trying to get North Wilkesboro back in business the racers were lining up to run.

What about going somewhere for Christ? Are we as ready to go for Him as we are for a race? Will we go and bring the love of Christ to the world? If not us then who?

After His resurrection Christ spent forty more days on Earth. He appeared to His disciples and as many as 500 people at one time. He did so to dispel the fear that His disciples had for their lives after Christ was crucified. He gave them courage to stand up to the opposition and spread the Good News of the Gospel. Christ knew the cost that each would pay for their commitment to Him.

Christ offers us the same power He gave His disciples. Here are the words He spoke to them. 

Matthew 28:16-20, Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." 

Acts 1:7-8, He (Jesus) said to them: "It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." 

All authority was given to Jesus. Jesus commanded us to go, go and make disciples. He commanded us to teach all He taught us. What have we learned from Jesus? He taught us to trust in God’s word. He taught us to care for people regardless of who they are. He taught us to depend on God’s strength and not our own. He taught us to live a life that shows the hope we have. He promised to go with us and never leave us.

What does that mean for us? First, we need to be willing to follow Christ and go. Ask yourself, are we more willing to go race than we are to go and serve someone? If our heart is right we will want to go. We will consider it an honor to serve others. Christ laid down His life for us, we should be willing to do the same. Are we willing to go?

Second, we must show the way to God through the way we live, speak and conduct our lives. Christ came to show us how to live, how to treat others and how to sacrifice ourself for others. We will be effective teachers if we follow Christ’s example.

Thirdly, we need to walk beside those we teach and encourage them to do the same for others. The Christian life is one that means giving of ourselves for the benefit of others. We need to have the right priorities in our lives. I would encourage you to remember the command of our Lord. Remember the example He set.

Jesus said the Holy Spirit would descend on us and enable us to accomplish the will of God. Have you allowed the Spirit to fill your heart? Without Him we cannot accomplish anything of value. Don’t live without the hope that a risen savior brings. Don’t live without the Holy Spirit in your heart. With those elements in our lives we will go. We will serve. We will make a difference in the lives of those we meet. God Bless, Rev. Don 

THOUGHTS FROM THE ROAD 

Drivers, start your engines! Yes it is that time again. The Icebreaker is here and the Whelen Modified Tour is back on the track for 2007. There are a few new driver combinations. I have noticed a trend from driver led teams to drivers putting their resources behind a car owner. Donny Lia is in the #4 and brings his resources to the team. This arrangement frees Donny up from preparing the cars and spending time at the shop so that he can do other things. Zach Sylvester is another one who brought his resources to the #77. I am not sure this is new but I do know that the time and money involved to run the tour increases every year. There are still those who do it the old way. I know Tony Hirschman continues to work on his own ride and there are others. I don’t know if that will be the exception more than the rule in years to come, but it will be a sad day when the guys that turn their own wrenches disappear. That is as grassroots as it gets. I guess I long for the good ole days.

2007 is here and we will see what the future brings. 

How many saw the article in NY Newsday about WMT official Joe Larsen’s daughter Jessica? I think you can still get it on the website. She drives in the Blunderbust division at Riverhead. She talked about the challenges of driving, being a women and being only 16. Joe is proud of her and is excited about her future in racing. Next time you see him let him know. 

Wall Stadium held it’s first practice last week and our chaplain Bob Menschner sends this report. When I read your report on your last weeks first races, I was looking to go to OUR first practice. Well , it went, very well. We have a big turn-out. Lots of drivers and crews came to get their new stickers. These guys want their faith in GOD displayed and needed the stickers. I already have prayed with the people. Remember the BIG stack of stickers you gave me? Well, I need more!!! I needed MORE of both types of stickers!!! ASAP!!! The ministry is at the track and GOD is getting me to the people. I think I had better hang on for the ride GOD has planed for this track and me. S.M.S [send more stickers] GOD BLESS --brother BOB

Dan and I have made our travel arrangements for the Midwest swing for the Busch East Series. We are not sure what to expect but we wait with anticipation for the new race season. I may even take a side trip to Indianapolis. Any way you slice it there will be more travel in our plans this year. Please keep us in your prayers as we go.

We’ll be looking for you at Thompson this weekend. Dan’s wife Deb will be with us to sing at Chapel on Sunday. Make your plans now to be there. Have A great 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***

            April 11

TONY & DEBBIE VECCHIO- This NASCAR BES GRAND NATIONAL team owner couple from have their 20th anniversary.

            April 13

TED & BETH SEMINARA- The Brewster, NY, now in Mt. Holly, NC proprietor of TS Racing Photo and Nextel Cup "AARN" photographer and lively wife share their 16th anniversary.

***HAPPY BIRTHDAYS*** 

            April 11

MIKE EWANITSKO- North Babylon, NY WMT driver.

DON LaHUE- White Mountain Motorsports Park (VT) driver.

RUSSELL WOOD- Son of Pelham, MA ISma SuperModified driver Russ and wife Lisa is 13.

ED D'HONDT, JR- Son of Long Island, now in Mooresville, NC, NNC Team Manager Ed, Sr.

KARSYN JARRETT- NNC's Dale and wife Kelley's youngest is 16.

AIMEE FERREE- A daughter of Pennsylvania Motor Speedway Big Block LM driver Ed and wife Gayle. Ed is also President of Frankland Racing Supply who supplies those Frankland Racing Rears and Clincher Gears.

            April 12

MIKE CALINOFF- Charlotte, NC writer/editor, Producer of STOCK CAR CITY at www.stockcarcity.com.

JIM HAILEY- Manager of the Richard Childress Show Car Teams out of Welcome, NC.

DAVE MICHEL- Wall Township Speedway star Modified driver.

TIM DWIGGINS- NC Modified driver.

BOB STRAIT- Mokena, IL ASA/ARCA driver.

TOMMY FOX- Plainfield, CT NASCAR WMT/NASCAR BES driver and fabricator.

ELAINE FEBRIELLO- Wife of retired Waterbury, CT Modified team owner, Woody.

MARK FEBRIELLO- Elaine and Woody's son.

            April 13

RUSS HERSEY, JR.- Keene, NH NASCAR BES driver.

CHRIS AMAN- NC based, Interlaken NY Mod Series/NASCAR BES driver.

MITCH GIBBS- Norwich, NY dirt Modified driver.

DARRYL CARL- Voorheesville, NY occasional NASCAR BES driver.

JAY STUART- Preston, CT proprietor of JDM Chassis and accomplished LM driver.

KEITH WHITE- Higginsville, MO All Pro Series driver.

KEN DIPPEL- Upstate NY photographer.

MARK GEER, JR.- A son of former Waterford Mod Tech Inspector Mark and Office Manager wife Linda.

JEAN SMERIGLIO- Brookfield, CT wife of retired Danbury driver Dave.

DEAN DeBOIS- El Monte, CA dad of Pam Krause, wife of AARN's Ass't to the Editor, Earl.

            April 14

JOHNNY RUMLEY- Winston-Salem, NC BGN driver.

JEFF ANDRETTI- Bethlehem, PA Indy Car/NNC/BGN driver; Mario's youngest son.

PAUL SACKS- Son of NNC driver Greg.

DICK FEARN- Feeding Hills, MA dad of ProStock driver Tom.

            April 15 TAX FILING DEADLINE

BOBBY HUTCHENS- NC Modified driver.

JIM RAYMOND- Earlville, NY crewman on the Mitch Gobbs dirt Mod.

            April 16

JERRY HIGBIE- Orange County Fairgrounds Speedway Modified driver.

ROCKY DeMATO- Brookfield, CT Mod crewman.

            April 17

JOHN FLACH- Lebanon Valley based Mod driver.

MIKE CHASE- Concord, NC NASCAR West 1994 champion/ NASCAR Truck and LMSC driver.

RICH DeLONG- North Hills, Ca Winson West driver.

JOEY KOURAFAS- Retired Mass. NASCAR BES driver.

TONY GLOVER- Nextel Cup Crew Chief.

DANIELLE HEDGER- NY based NASCAR BES Brown Racing Crew Chief Ray's wife.

HOWARD & CAROL LARSON- This Stafford Springs, CT NASCAR WMT couple share the same birthday.

SHARE YOUR SPECIAL OCCASIONS WITH YOUR RACING FAMILY. SEND THEM TO RACING WITH JESUS MINISTRIES AT PO BOX 586, Tolland, CT  06084

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