THE GIFT OF FREEDOM

John 15:13: Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.  

May 22, Tolland, CT--- Our country is built on the foundation of freedom and the willingness to sacrifice for the common good. God established at the foundation of creation that Christ would give His life for our freedom. This weekend we remember those who selflessly gave their lives for our freedom. Take a moment and reflect on how we are living our lives; are we willing to give it all for the benefit of someone else? Greetings in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

One of the basic concepts of life is give and take. Life is much more rewarding and fulfilling when we learn the balance of giving and taking. When our life seems out of sorts, it can be traced to this being out of balance. We are either taking too much or giving too much. You can decide which one you are prone to do.  

Think about it in racing terms, when we have a race where there is some give and take the racing is better. When someone is out there and all they are doing is taking, the racing gets heated and sloppy. The other drivers are frustrated and the results are not the best. Conversely, when all someone does is pull over and let everyone pass the racing isn’t very exciting either. When there is a balance there is better racing. 

The concept of giving one’s life for the benefit of others is not new. This is the greatest gift someone can give. The problem arises when we take it for granted. When we do not remember and say thank you we become the takers. We need to be motivated to give because of the opportunity we have been given.  

Think about times in your life when you have been given something, something of great value. If your first feeling is that you don’t deserve it, that is good. Then if you are motivated to give back that is great. It is when we have the attitude that we deserved it that we falter. Compassion has its roots in our willingness to give when we have been provided for. 

Our country is based on the right response to the gift of freedom we have been given by those who gave their lives for us. If we respond with an attitude that we deserve this we are wrong. The right response is to express a deep appreciation to those who have given so much. This appreciation should motivate us to give as we have been given to. 

God gave us the opportunity to overcome our shortcomings. He loved us and didn’t want us to live our lives in vain, separated from His guidance and wisdom. He provided a way for us to receive forgiveness. Out of love for us, He provided Jesus. 

John 3:16-18, "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God's one and only Son. 

As you read these verses you can see how the proper response is one of believing and accepting this gift. Without a proper response to the gift we have been given we condemn ourselves to living life and eternity separated from God. 

I would encourage you to develop the right spirit in your heart. Recognize the gift of freedom we have been given by those who have given their lives for us. Go out this week and drive through a cemetery, look at the American Flags that adorn the graves of the veterans who have paid the ultimate price. Take a moment to say thank you and pray for the family that lost this person. Let them know that you appreciate their sacrifice. 

Likewise, remember the gift of forgiveness that has been provided to us by God, and say thank you to Him. Let Him know how much you appreciate His sacrifice for our freedom from the consequences of sin.  

After we have said our thanks, commit to live a life that demonstrates that appreciation. Live like you have been given a tremendous gift, the gift of freedom to live. 

1Peter 3:8-12,  Finally, all of you, live in harmony with one another; be sympathetic, love as brothers, be compassionate and humble.  Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing.  For, 

  "Whoever would love life

    and see good days

  must keep his tongue from evil

    and his lips from deceitful speech. 

   He must turn from evil and do good;

    he must seek peace and pursue it. 

  For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous

    and his ears are attentive to their prayer,

  but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil." 

THOUGHTS FROM THE ROAD

CAN WE HELP- I received a letter this week and I needed to share it with you. As a racing family we all feel it when one of our own is hurting.  

I am writing to you today on the behalf of 13-year old Harli White and her family.  Harli is a beautiful little girl, active in her church in Lyndsay, Oklahoma, a cheerleader and a Mini Sprint car driver. 

On April 5, 2008, Harli was driving at I-44 Speedway in Lawton, OK and had a horrific and fiery crash.  She was trapped in her Sprint car and badly burned over 50% of her body.  She is a lucky girl today because of two other drivers that ran from the pits to pull her from her fiery car.  Harli has been in and out of Shriners Hospital in Galveston, TX in the Burn Unit.  She has had many surgeries and is doing very well, her spirit is very upbeat and determined.   

A friend set up a website for everyone to be able to keep up with her recovery at:  www.harliwhite.com 

The family is in need our encouragement and support. I am asking you to not only pray for them but to make the effort and reach out to them in some way as to let them know they are not alone and we, as a racing family, are here to help. One thing the family requests first and foremost is specific prayers for Harli's grafts to take and for her to avoid infection. This is the first step to healing. Stop by Harli’s website, drop her and her family a note of encouragement and let them know they have your support.

I SEE A TREND- I think the most popular ride next year will be the one at Iowa for the Camping World Series. This is the second race and for the second time the winner of the Sprint All-Star Challenge is scheduled to compete. Last year Kevin Harvick turned the trick, winning in Charlotte and then heading to Iowa. This year Kasey Kane, voted in by the fans, won the race and is scheduled to compete in Iowa. Next year there may be a line of Cup drivers wanting to run in Iowa.

Chuck McNeil, our resident camping expert called in with a report on the race. His only problem is finding a WIFI spot to send it. We’ll have to wait until next week to hear some of his finer points on camping in Iowa.

NEW HAMPSHIRE MOTOR SPEEDWAY- Shawn Courchesne wondered aloud recently if the Canadians can still come if the track is not International. Many things are changing in the land where things usually stay the same. A new sign is going up, infrastructure is being remodeled, new life is being breathed into an old friend. One option being floated is an open wheel weekend with the IRL joining the WMT and maybe the Silver Crown cars at NHMS. That should be an interesting time. I am sure, however it turns out, the racing that people are willing to support will be on display in New England

WMT COMES BACK TO STAFFORD- Looks like Woody Pitkat will make his return to the WMT at Stafford this week in the backup car from Don King Racing. Woody is quite familiar with the car as he works in Don’s race shop. I wonder if there will be a message on his bumper directing people to the car James Civali is driving?

Mike Stefanik will be honored before the race as NASCAR continues to remember 60 years of Modified Racing. Mike is a seven-time Modified champion and as he said, some day it will sink in how much he has accomplished. There is more racing left in him though, on his off-weeks he raced up at All-Star and came home with a win.

A PRAYER ANGEL GRADUATES- I received a call from George Seats last week, he filled me in on his granddaughter Jennifer. If you remember about eight years ago she was in a very bad accident and ended up in a coma. Well through the prayers of many she recovered fully and this past weekend graduated from IUPUI. George wanted to send along his thanks to everyone who reached out to Jennifer and her family. Congratulations Jennifer.

We are headed for Stafford Motor Speedway this week for the Whelen Modified Tour; let us hope for a break in the weather pattern that has seen rain on Friday for the past three weeks. After the race we will head out for a little R&R. Hope to see you there.

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*** 

        May 21

TODD & LINDA HENSHAW- This Thompson MiniStock driver turned crewchief and wife share their 19th anniversary.

REV. DAN & DEBBIE PETFIELD- The RWJM Vice President/BES Pastor and wife share their 26th.

        May 23

STEVE AND PATTY SMUDGE- The Easton, MA retired Mini Modified team owner and wife have their 37th anniversary.

        May 26

LLOYD & LINDA AGOR- >From Brewster, NY, this Stafford WAARS Modified 2005 champion and wife have their 15th anniversary.

        May 27

WALTER & TRUDY CHARETTE- The Linwood,MA proprietor of Son Carpentry/ Mike Stefanik and Dale Jarrett fan and wife/ Reggie Ruggiero/Ernie Irvan fan have their 12th anniversary.

RUSH & MARTA LIMBAUGH- This New York City based Indy car fan and wife share their 13th anniversary. 

***HAPPY BIRTHDAYS*** 

        May 21

RODNEY FRANKLIN- Cross Junction, VA dirt LM driver.

DANNY ONGAIS- Hawaii born, now Santa Ana, CA IRL driver.

DAN MASON- Holland and Spencer Speedways NASCAR LM driver.

DAVE NESEMANN- Crewman on George Andretta Wall Township Speedway ProStock team.

        May 22

ERNEST WINSLOW- Scotland Neck, NC LMSC driver.

RAY DANIELS- Colorado Springs, CO NASCAR LM driver.

STEVE PORTENGA- Ukiah, CA NASCAR West driver.

CLAYTON MURPHY- Plymouth, MA Regional Manager for Ferrero Candies, including Tic-Tac and a good friend to all in the camping World East Series and Modified Tour.

BILL POTTEIGER III- This Christian fan and Vintage Car enthusiast from Enola, PA has his birthday.

        May 23

WALLY DALLENBACH, JR- NNS driver and TV commentator.

CHARLES ELMS III- Bear Ridge, VT Speedway owner and dirt Modified driver.

STEVE CHOWANSKY- Stafford Speedway WAAS SK Modified team owner.

BOB BARKER- "Mad Dog," owner of the Legends 8NY driven by Paul Rochelle III.

DALE NICKEL- This Thompson Speedway photographer is Joan's brother-in-law and photographer Scott's brother.

LISA JO WORTH- South Tom's River, NJ Nextel Cup fan and wife of Don.

        May 24

RICKY CRAVEN- The Newburgh, ME NASCAR driver.

TERRY FISHER- Sandy, OR NASCAR West driver.

JOHN SPORS- Boston, NY NASCAR CWES/ Holland Speedway driver.

        May 25

MIKE MAIETTA- Beech Ridge Speedway LM driver, and occasional on the NASCAR CWES Series.

TIM DEROIN- Massachusetts based Modified Series driver and TV filim-maker.

CINDY BURDICK- Danielson, CT wife of Stafford announcing staff member Harold.

        May 26

STACY COMPTON- NNS driver.

RONALD COOPER- Statham, VA NNS team owner.

GEORGE BRUNNHOELZL- Lindenhurst, NY chassis builder.

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

        May 27

GREG GASTELU- Jackson, NJ Wall Township Speedway driver of the famous No. 69 NAPA ProStock.

JEREMY MAYFIELD- Owensboro, KY NSC driver.

RON MOON- Cumberland, ME LM driver.

MARK GARMAN- "The Shark" is a Sprint writer from Laureldale, PA and a member of the Grandview Speedway staff.

DR. DICK BERGGREN- Publisher and Editor of "Speedway Illustrated" magazine and TV Race Commentator.