REGRETTABLE ACTIONS

April 17, Tolland, CT--- Did you ever say or do something that you later regretted? Many times in life we act first and think later. Let’s take a look at how we can think before we act. Greetings in the name of our Lord and savior Jesus Christ! This is Rev. Dan giving Don a break this week.

There was a fantastic baseball player - in fact one of the best second basemen of his era. I don't want to mention his name, but many of you might be able figure out who this is. We remember him not because of his playing abilities, but for something he did in the last weekend of the 1996 season. He was upset with a decision by the home plate umpire and he argued the call and ended up spitting in his face. Immediately, he we criticized by the media and fans for what he did. He later apologized to the umpire, and in fact they became friends, but the damage was done. In one uncontrolled moment, his good name was ruined.

In the book of Numbers chapter 12 we read about Miriam, Moses' sister. In a moment of stupidness, she criticized God and his choice of Moses to be the leader of the Israelites.

Numbers 12:1 says "While they were at Hazeroth, Miriam and Aaron criticized Moses because he had married a Cushite woman".

God got a little mad at her. He told her to get to church, he wanted to talk to her and Aaron, God came down in the form of a cloud and gave her a piece of his mind. Then as he is leaving, he struck her with leprosy. In case you don't know, leprosy is a disease that eats away at your skin and limbs. Eventually your fingers, toes, arms and legs start to fall of, Not something that you want to have. Moses didn't like to see his sister like this, so he asked God if he could heal her. Eventually, God did, but not with a large amount of humiliation to Miriam. She got a second chance, but she had to pay the price. Had she taken time to consider the impact of her criticism of God, she could have spared herself a lot of pain and agony. Had this baseball player taken a moment or two before he spit in the umpires face, he probably would have thought about the consequences of his actions, and never did what he did.

How about us? Do we think before we do some of the things we do? When we are out on the track and something happens that does not go our way, what is our reaction? Does our temper flare and we say something that we shouldn't. Do we take our car and use it as a weapon against one of our competitors? Many times we take matters into our own hands. Many times we run to the pit box and grab the biggest tool we can find and chase after an enemy crewman. What happens after that? One of the officials notices and we get suspended, fined etc., then we get publically humiliated. What do we do when a race official makes a call against us. God is looking at our reaction.

Proverbs 29:11 says "A fool gives full vent to his anger, but a wise man keeps himself under control".

May I suggest before we say or do anything, how about a short 10 second prayer - something like this. Dear Lord I pray that you would help me through this time of trouble. Help what I say and my actions be pleasing and acceptable to you. Help my competitor to be gracious with his reaction as well. If the call goes against me, help me to accept what you have for me. Keep my temper in control - In Jesus name I pray, Amen.

Try saying this prayer whenever something goes wrong or not the way you had planned, We have a responsibility under God to act Christ like and to do the right thing to avoid actions that we will later regret. Every moment let's consecrate ourselves to a life of honor and respect before our living, loving God.  

THOUGHTS FROM THE ROAD

It has been a rough week for the NEMA family. Dan and I headed to Waterford this weekend to help them get through a difficult race. It took a few tries and the race ran a little longer than the last time they visited Waterford. In the end Randy Cabral won and dedicated it to his best friend, Shane Hammond. The two were inseparable and in victory lane Randy talked with Shane’s mom on the phone. It was a great victory for Randy who was followed by Joey Payne, Greg Stoehr, Adam Cantor, and, Erica Santos. 

Racing with Jesus Ministries was well received and we hope to be with them again soon. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the entire NEMA family. 

Dennis Gada brought home the victory in the SK-150 lap feature. Doug Coby sat on the pole and finished third behind Frank Rocco. Jimmy Blewett  and 207 winner Jeff Pearl rounded out the top five. 

We always enjoy visiting Waterford and miss the fact that the tours don’t stop there anymore. Some of the best racing we’ve seen has taken place on this 1/3 mile bull ring. 

This week we make a quick trip to Greenville-Pickens for the opener of the Camping World Series East schedule. We will have our favorite side-kick riding shotgun and making sure we don’t fall asleep at the wheel, Ken Spring, with us. How many of you remember 8-track tapes? I know I am going back a few years. Some of you younger folks probably have never seen one. Do you remember what made them great? They played continuously. When they finished they started over. Sometimes it took three times hearing a song over before you remembered to put a different one in. Kenny has the same quality, when he finished his story he just starts over again. It works to keep us up, but I do wish we could change the tae once in a while. 

The race season is getting into full swing and before long the weekly tracks will be racing. Many of the local divisions are loaded with talented drivers. Take the opportunity to see a race live. Support your local track. 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 19

JIM & DORIS TROMBLY- The Pit Steward and Credentials manager wife at the Hudson (NH) Speedway have their 38th anniversary.

        April 21

JAMES & IONEY WARNER- This Martinsville Speedway infield staffer and wife, both close friends of Rev. pat, celebrate their 10th anniversary.

        April 22

ROGER & MELISSA HORVATH- This NY ELS Sprint driver and wife have their 13th anniversary.

J.J. & KELLY MICHAELS- This Small Block Modified driver at Fulton and Utica-Rome Speedways in New York and his wonderful wife Kelly share their 9th anniversary. 

***HAPPY BIRTHDAYS*** 

        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 NASCAR West driver.

JOEY KOURAFAS- Retired Mass. NASCAR CWES driver.

TONY GLOVER- Sprint 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.

        April 18

JONNY DENNISON- This LI tow truck operator who hangs out at Riverhead and has been know to frequent the WMT stops in Connecticut has his special day. Rev. Pat, we’re still looking out for him.

GEOFF BODINE- The oldest of the racing Bodine brothers of Chemung, NY.

JIM HAWKEY- Wall Township Speedway Modified driver.

ROBERT TYLER LABONTE- Son of NSC driver Bobby and wife Donna is 13.

CHELSEA MARQUIS- A daughter of Enfield, CT NASCAR CWES/WMT driver Jerry and wife Karen is 11.

        April 19

JACK ROUSH- NSC/NNS/Trans-Am multi-team owner.

ROBERT YATES- Noted engine builder, NSC team owner.

BOB AILES- St. Johnsbury, VT LM driver.

        April 20

ED SPENCER III- Berwick, PA NASCAR Cup/NNS driver Jim's nephew.

RON BARFIELD, JR.- Florence, SC NASCAR CTS/ All Pro Series driver.

DON DesROCHER- Retired Riverside Park Speedway driver.

RICH PAWLICH- Rocky Hill, CT Modified fan.

FRANCIS STODDARD- NNC Crew Chief for Boris Said.

BILL BALSER- Norton, MA veteran photographer.

KELLI BIRKBECK- Pawcatuck, CT, a huge fan of Kasey Kahn and Joey Lagano.

        April 21

JIM BRODRICK- A close personal friend of Rev. Pat's from Brookfield, CT on semi-retirement from WMT and Sk mods and concentrating on son Bobba's carreer.

KEVIN GRUBB- BGN driver.

RANDY GLENSKI- NY D.I.R.T. Mod driver.

STEVE BARRICK- Flemington, NJ President of Program Dynamics which produces weekly programs for track all over the East Coast.

STEPHANIE SHAW- Wife of Center Conway, NH CWES driver Dale.

        April 22

BOB HOWARD- Colorado Springs, CO NASCAR West driver.