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

THE PASSING OF THE TORCH

July 26, Tolland, CT--- Things in life change, just as the seasons change so it goes with life. Change is a constant. In New England they say “if you don’t like the weather, wait a minute.” If change is inevitable and time marches on what are we doing to insure we influence the direction of the future? We need to act in a way that will have a lasting effect on tomorrow. Greetings in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Remember the old days? I am sure we all have stories of events, races, locked in our memory forever. We can recall them like they were yesterday. What about favorite drivers? We all have certain ones that for one reason or another we remember; memories that are burned into our minds forever.

How about heroes? There are people we look up to, separate them from others in our lives, as we seek to use their lives as motivation for ours. Do you have some heroes in your life? Do you look up to someone and desire to be like them?

I think we all do in one form or another. Sometimes it can take over our lives and everything we do revolves around them. It becomes an act of worship. We need to be careful that we don’t let it get to that point, God is the only one worthy of worship.

I got on this subject because of something that happened at Thompson Speedway last Saturday. Chase Austin and I were watching the local divisions race and George Summers walked by. I introduced the two of them. They shook hands, George and I made small talk and we went back to watching the races. Then it struck me that Chase had no idea who he had just shaken hands with. I am sure that if I asked Chase the last thing he would guess is that George was one of the best modified drivers in the Northeast.

Therein lies the challenge of transferring knowledge from one generation to the next. Do we know those who made it possible for us to race today? Do we understand the development of the technology? Do we care?

Paul cared and took several young men under his wing and taught them about God and how to live a life that honors God. One of those men was Timothy. In one of his letters to Timothy he wrote about his race, life, and the fact that it was nearing the end. He charged Timothy to keep at it, follow the teachings he had been taught. Show the world the difference Christ can make in your life. 

2 Timothy 4:1-8, I solemnly urge you in the presence of God and Christ Jesus, who will someday judge the living and the dead when he appears to set up his Kingdom: Preach the word of God. Be prepared, whether the time is favorable or not. Patiently correct, rebuke, and encourage your people with good teaching.

 For a time is coming when people will no longer listen to sound and wholesome teaching. They will follow their own desires and will look for teachers who will tell them whatever their itching ears want to hear. They will reject the truth and chase after myths.

 But you should keep a clear mind in every situation. Don’t be afraid of suffering for the Lord. Work at telling others the Good News, and fully carry out the ministry God has given you.

As for me, my life has already been poured out as an offering to God. The time of my death is near. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful. And now the prize awaits me—the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me on the day of his return. And the prize is not just for me but for all who eagerly look forward to his appearing.

For me this passage holds special meaning. On the day that I was ordained to the Gospel Ministry T. Marshall Thompson read this passage to me. He was my mentor, my Paul. He spent his time helping me learn to handle God’s word correctly. He helped me learn how to be bolder for Christ. He encouraged me to run the race in such a way as to win.

A short time after he read this passage to me T. Marshall left this earth to join God in heaven. I will never forget the impression he made on me and the things he taught me. When I am faced with challenges beyond my understanding I think about T. Marshall and what he would tell me to do. He is still with me.

Let me ask a couple of questions; have you taken the time to pass along what you have learned in your life and help someone mature? Have you sought out someone with more experience than you and let them guide you? What have we done to continue the work of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ?

There is much we do not know and will not learn unless we let someone teach us. There are many challenges in life that we cannot get through without someone there to encourage us. Take some time and be an encourager. Make the effort to ask for help from someone who knows how. The experiences we endure in life are only valuable if we learn from them. Let us make every effort to help and encourage one another. God Bless, Rev. Don 

THOUGHTS FROM THE ROAD 

Music City USA! I have always wanted to go to Nashville. Growing up my Mom and Dad listened to Country Music. My Dad had a honky-tonk that had live country bands come in and perform. I remember the most famous one, Dick Curless, a tall man from Northern Maine whose most famous hit was “A Tombstone Every Mile”, a song about truck driving in Maine in the winter. He was larger than life for a young kid like me and the patch over his right eye made him all the more mysterious. I remember the names like Haggard, Jones, Twitty, Pride, Snow, Cash, Cline, Williams all the big names. I finally made it!

Dan and I headed down on Saturday to get in a little sight seeing. I wasn’t going to go to Nashville without seeing Music Row and the home of the Grand Ole Opry for so many years, Ryman Auditorium. Dan isn’t a country music fan so he put up with my desire to check all these places out. They didn’t mean too much to him but that is the definition of a friend, he was happy that I got to see them.

We had some award winning Nashville BBQ and toured the Charlie Daniels Museum. We took a ride out to Opryland and the new home of the Opry. All in all we had a full day of sight seeing in Nashville. We headed off to the track to meet with their chaplain, who is also the chaplain for the Whelen Southern Modified Tour. It was the first time we had an opportunity to meet and we are looking forward to having him join us at Martinsville this year.

First impressions were that you could race on this track. I was aware of the place it had in NASCAR history and the number of drivers who had called this place home. I am glad there are efforts underway to turn the place around. As it turned out this was a two plus groove track. The outside came in and there were cars that found a place in between.

The trio of drivers from south of the border notched their second victory in the series. This time Rogelio Lopez came home the winner and took home the Electric Guitar. Rogelio had a smile that lit up the world. Everyone seemed excited about his victory and many came over to congratulate him. For crew chief Fred Scaff this was a great win. He has moved down south and the victory was a reward for all the hard work he has put in. Great job guys.

We spent some time talking with Andy and Sue Santerre about the upcoming addition to their family. It seems they haven’t decided on a name for the little lady. Then the idea was hatched, we’ll have a baby naming contest! This is the official announcement proclaiming the Racing with Jesus Ministries Santerre Baby Naming Contest. There are no official rules and yet to be determined prizes, but there is a contest. Andy suggested the winner might have the opportunity to change some diapers but that didn’t seem like much of an incentive. We are working on it. For now this is the deal. Pick a name, email it to Sue and we’ll tally up the entries and pick a winner. Send all entries to suesanterre@yahoo.com. Remember they are having a little girl. Maybe we’ll make the winner and honorary crewchief for a day? Suggestions on prizes are also welcome.

Next week Dan is off to Adirondack. He will be joined by a racing pastor and his assistant that are from a couple of churches in the Lake George region. Pray for them as they Minister to the Busch East teams. I will be visiting my wife’s parents in Maine to celebrate my ____ birthday. We’ll see you back on track at Riverhead. Ya’ll have a great week, ya here.

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*** 

            July 31

ED & FRANCIS SPENCER- This Berwick, PA retired LM driver and wife, proud parents of the famous racing clan headed-up by TV commentator/driver Jimmy have their 53rd anniversary. 

***HAPPY BIRTHDAYS*** 

            July 25

FRANK FLEMING- Mt. Airy, NC Modified driver.

KELLY PUNCH- A son of Dennis and Pat from Newton, NC and crewman for Dale Earnhardt, Jr.

TODD STILES- Lisbon, CT Tech Inspector.

            July 26

RANDY MacDONALD- Canadian born BES,BGN,CTS owner/driver now living in NC.

RICK CRAWFORD- Mobile, AL NASCAR All Pro/CTS driver.

ALAN COATES- Connecticut Modified driver.

WILL POIGNONNEC- Kart Racer at Oakland Valley Race Park from East Brunswick, NJ.

DAVID ALIO- NNC photographer

MIKE SOVA- Windsor, NY writer.

            July 27

GLENN SULLIVAN- Westbury, LI BES driver.

PETE FIANDACA- Townsend, MA legendary LM/ProStock driver.

JACK SELLERS- Sacramento, CA NASCAR West driver.

            July 28

REGGIE RUGGIERO- Berlin, CT NASCAR WMT driver.

WAYNE CARROLL, JR.- Massachusetts ProStock driver.

SAMANTHA JARRETT- Holyoke, MA photographer Gracie Ryan's grandaughter is 18.

JESSICA LARSEN- A daughter of Linda and Joe, NASCAR Mod Series official.

            July 29

PHIL KURZE- Director of WHELEN MOTORSPORTS, sponsor of the WMT,WSMT and WAAS, a big fan of modified racing.

ROB OVERTON- Olivebridge, NY Eastern Limited Sprint Series driver.

PETE ORR- Miami, Fl BGN team owner, former driver.

REV.DON RIVERS- RWJM President and Pastor of WMT.

            July 30

MICKEY YORK- Asheboro, NC NASCAR driver.

PENNY DEGRE- Whitinsville, MA NASCAR BES writer.

            July 31

BILLY RUSSELL- Hudson, NH long-time crewman on the Dion Bros. NASCAR BeS team with driver Dave Dion.

TAMMY O'BRIEN- Boyertown, PA crewman for the Grandview Late Model X4 driven by Lou Egrie.

SONYA CLAY- The lady who heads up the Dale Jr. Pit Board Charity out in Gustine, CA. Visit the site at www.dalejrpitboardcharity.com.

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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