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

MAKE AN OFFER

January 31, Tolland, CT--- You’ve seen it before, something for sale for the price, “make an offer”. In other words, what’s it worth to you? The value of something is determined not by what we feel it is worth but what it is worth to someone else. Take a look in a pawn shop you’ll see what I mean. What do you think your life is worth? Greetings in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Race cars, parts and tools make the circuit. They change hands, reused, rebuilt, with the hope that they will yield the final piece of the victory puzzle. Racers will go to great lengths for that elusive piece that makes their car better. What is it worth? It is worth whatever someone is willing to pay. Given the right circumstances something can be of greater value because of a greater need.

Another component of worth, in racing terms, is performance, more horsepower, greater performance, better handling, anything that can give you an advantage is worth more than something that doesn’t. The world we live in is based on performance. How we perform and how the parts perform determine their worth.

Worth is so important to us. We want others to value us. One of our failings is we seek that self worth from others instead of God. What is our value to God? What are we worth to Him?

Did you know that our value to God is not performance based? Did you know that our value to God never changes? God values each one of us the same. He desires to have a personal relationship with each one of us. That relationship is so valuable to Him that Jesus gave His life so that our relationship with God could be restored.

What is it worth? What does God offer us? David helps us see some of those benefits.

Psalm 23

A psalm of David.

1 The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want.

2 He makes me lie down in green pastures,

he leads me beside quiet waters,

3 he restores my soul.

He guides me in paths of righteousness

for his name's sake.

4 Even though I walk

through the valley of the shadow of death,

I will fear no evil,

for you are with me;

your rod and your staff,

they comfort me.

5 You prepare a table before me

in the presence of my enemies.

You anoint my head with oil;

my cup overflows.

6 Surely goodness and love will follow me

all the days of my life,

and I will dwell in the house of the LORD

forever.

Do you see the value he places on a relationship with Him? He offers us; guidance, provision, rest, refreshment, restoration, direction, protection during trial, discipline, victory, abundant blessings, and eternal life. God wants each one of us to experience the relationship He offers. He desires us to know the fulfillment and security that comes from knowing Him. Life is worth nothing without the value that God provides.

The list is a great one but how much of it can we supply for ourselves? None, you see, God offers us the things that we want out of life and cannot provide for ourselves. We need to recognize our value in His eyes. Read Psalm 23 this week, spend some time reflecting on the value of a relationship with God. Know that it is available for the asking. Even when we have strayed away God waits for us to return to Him. He provides forgiveness and restores our soul.

I encourage you to take God up on His offer, let Him show you what one life is worth, your life. God Bless.

THOUGHTS FROM THE ROAD

*THE BIG 60*- A little bird whispered in my ear that Tex, AKA Mike French, turns 60 Super Bowl Sunday. Tex worked for many years with Andy Santerre until his accident in California. Alice tells me he recover is continuing. She shared, “He has gained a greater love for the Lord and a more positive attitude since his accident. He still struggles with his legs but never lets that get him down. God sends us good things in all different ways doesn't he!”

Here’s what we need to do, let’s let him know we care. Here is his email and address drop him a line or send him a card, he would love to hear from us. texx644@windstream.net. The mailing address is 174 Moorer Rd , St Matthews, SC 29135.

Motorsports is behind us, Speedway Expo ahead. We are working with the promoters of Speedway Expo to have a presence at the show. We’ll keep you up to date on the developments.

Life is short, eat dessert first. After my brush with the hazards of eating in December now more than ever I am following that advice.

Have you ever noticed things aren’t always what they seem? I direct my words to Applebees and their Micro Dessert. What was expected to be a full size dessert turned out to be a “Honey, I shrunk the dessert” moment. Things are not all they seem. We did however find one that was worth the trip. Ruby Tuesdays has a strawberry, ice cream and cream puff dessert fit for more than one. Oh well, things are not all they appear, dessert included.

I apologize if I missed you at the show, I was not myself, I was suffering from the flu and running a fever. I look forward to the show each year, but this year it was a struggle to get through it. Thanks for all you support.

Looks like local racing will retain a place on New England’s largest sports network, NESN. An agreement was reached between Stafford Motor Speedway and NESN to broadcast the in-house produced recap of the Friday night racing at Stafford. I think it is fantastic to have a presence on New England Television.

A match race of sorts took place in Atlantic City at the RC car booth located across the isle from our booth. It pitted Woddy Pitkat and Wes Price. Woody is known to most of you as the multi-champion LM and SKmod driver. Wes is a newcomer to Design 500/Lady Eagle. He is a designer that also does some RC racing. The stakes were high, for Wes, a ride in Woody’s SK, for Woody a new paint job on his helmet. Woody should be sporting the new, original airbrush look at some point this season. Wes is an accomplished airbrush artist and has painted many RC cars, helmets and full size cars. Check out his work at www.wesesdesign.com. Woody, although he won, said he would work something out if Wes made the trip east to get some seat time in the #52.

I’ll be kicking back this week waiting for the New England Patriots to finish off their quest for perfection against the New York football Giants. I hope to be proclaiming their success here next week. 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.com. 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.com/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***

January 30

JAMIE & CHERYL TOMAINO- The Howell, NJ driver for the Perth Amboy Spring NASCAR WMT Team/ RWJM Tour Rep. and his best friend wife share their 29th anniversary.

February 1

GREG & VICKIE SACKS- The Long Island native WC driver and wife have their 33rd anniversary.

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

TONY & SANDY URBINA- This Riverhead LM driver and wife have their 17th anniversary.

February 2

JIM & GERRI RICHARDS- This former driver at the former Plainville Stadium from Ansonia, CT and wife share their 45th.

February 3

HERMIE & ANGIE SADLER- The Emporia, VA NSC/NNS driver and wife have their 12th.

***HAPPY BIRTHDAYS***

January 28

KEVIN CLASS- Quarter midget drivers from Jersey turns 9.

January 30

LLOYD GILLIE- East Holden, ME LM driver.

RICK GIANNINO- LI based LM driver.

BOB McKEE- New Jersey based NASCAR CWES Crew Chief.

BUTCH KALBA- Riverhead Rusty Turbush LM crewman.

GERRY FILLIMON- Old Bridge, NJ noted photographer who along with brother John, make up the famous "Fillimon Brothers Racing Films and Videos."

January 31

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

KELLY MOORE- Scarborough, ME part-time NNS/NGWES 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 NSC/NNS 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 13.

February 3

TEX, MIKE, FRENCH- Turns the big 60, former crewmember for ASM.

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 12.

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 CWES driver.

BILLY KANN- NASCAR CWWS 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 NSC driver, turned TV race commentator, from Franklin, TN.

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

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

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

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

*** NEW BEGINNINGS ***

CARL RACKOFF- Here's an address to send cards of sympathy and condolence; Betsy Rackoff, PO Box 391, Holbrook, NY 11741

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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