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7/2/2009
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TRUST AND FAITH
by
Rev. Don Rivers |
Who do we place our trust in? Who do we have faith in? In our lives we put
our trust and faith in many things. Sometimes we are not aware of how much
we trust others. Greetings in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
In racing we put our trust in many people, our crew, other drivers,
track safety workers, officials. We sometimes trust so much we put ourselves
at risk without even knowing it. We need to take a look at the things we
trust in life and racing.
I was thinking the other day as I waited at a stop sign, does that
person look like they are going to stop or should I wait? It hit me that
everyday we put our trust in the hands of others. People we don’t even know
are entrusted with our lives. We take so much for granted. When you stop and
think about the level of trust we put in others we are overwhelmed. Whose
hands have you entrusted your life with?
Some people say that to trust in Jesus is foolish, you can’t see
him, and how do you know he exists? Some say that to trust in Jesus means
you are weak and cannot stand on your own. Others say it is silly to have
faith in something that you can’t talk to, touch or feel. Why is it that we
are willing to trust so many things in our life that will eventually fail,
but we are unwilling to trust the one person in all the world that will
never fail?
The writer of Hebrews explains the meaning of faith for us;
Hebrews 11:1, Now faith is being
sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.
God has plans for our life. He has planned out everything. David
Scott puts it this way;
From: God
To: you@earth.com
RE: today
Today may seem like an accident. But, believe it or not, I actually
know what is going on, and I have everything under control….Really. So,
don’t freak out. It was my idea. It seems crazy, I know. I’ll explain later.
Just do what you can and I’ll take care of the rest.
God
P.S. If you have any questions, I’ll
be here if you need me.
Are we ready to put our trust and faith in the only person worthy
of trust, Jesus Christ? Are we ready to take direction from God and live our
life in a way that honors Him? These are the questions we need to ask
ourselves. These are things we need to consider before we put our faith in
someone else.
What keeps us from putting our trust and faith in God? The writer
of Hebrews again helps us with some things to consider.
Hebrews 12:1, Therefore, since
we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off
everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run
with perseverance the race marked out for us.
There are three words in this verse that we need to look at,
hinder, entangle and perseverance. These three let us know that the road to
putting your faith and trust in God has some obstacles. Hindrances come from
our own mind; decisions we make that don’t honor God. They create
circumstances that we were not meant to experience. They distract us from
finding God.
Entanglements take the hindrances to there natural conclusion. This
happens when we try to fix things ourselves. We can’t. We end up sinning.
Sin separates us from God.
That leaves perseverance, we need to work through the obstacles we
face and not give up. God has a plan for us, a good plan, but that doesn’t
mean there won’t be tests and trials. Perseverance means we make it through
and we put our trust and faith in God.
Let’s make a commitment to put our faith in God through Jesus. Let
God lead us through our lives. Have a great week.
THOUGHTS FROM THE ROAD
FOUR RACES IN THREE DAYS - A busy weekend it was and for the
most part the weather cooperated. Both finishes in the supporting series had
the fans standing on there feet. The Camping World East Series featured a
last lap duel between Ryan Truex and Matt DiBenedetto. Truex took the lead
on a late race restart. Matt waited until the white flag to make his move.
There was contact down the back stretch and Ryan got loose. Matt took
advantage and made the willing pass. The contact reminiscent of the last lap
pass that Truex made to get his first win at Watkins Glen. The fans loved
it.
The Whelen Modified Tour would not be out done. Donny Lia took the
victory with a last turn pass of white flag lap leader Ted Christopher.
Actually Lia survived the four wide battle coming to the checker. Todd
Szegedy and Ed Flemke were also involved in the battle. Contact between TC
and Todd led them into the outside wall and sliding across the finish line,
both salvaging top tens. Todd had the dominate car leading the most laps but
when he tried to pas TC for the lead the whole closed up and the room ran
out. When the dust settled, everyone was alright and the race was in the
history books as another barn burner.
Doug Coby had a terrific weekend claiming Pole honors and finishing
in the sixth place. Doug drew the last attempt to qualify and it proved to
be an advantage. Doug didn’t waste it, he put it to good use.
Congratulations go out to Doug.
Camping World East alumni also had a great weekend. Joey Logano
finished second in the Nationwide event to teammate Kyle Busch and then
welcomed the rain on Sunday to win his first Sprint Cup race. Great job
Joey.
It was great to have West Coast Coordinator Gary Dionne with us to
help out. It was good to have him around to lighten the load.
Out thoughts and prayer go out to the Pardo family after the death
of Carlos in a crash on the track in Mexico. Talking with Troy Williams his
brother Rueben is taking it hard. Please keep the entire Pardo family and
the team in your prayers.
I have a few additional things to share, but I hold them for next
week. We are doing a wedding Thursday night at Thompson Speedway. Join us as
Tim and Robyn join their lives in victory lane.
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 1
RENE & ELAINE LaLUMIERE
- From Jefferson, NH, this former ACT LM driver and wife; faithful Ministry
helpers, have their 20th anniversary.
July 3
THE REV. BILL & DAWN WAUGH - Pastor of the Greesburg, PA Church of the
Brethren/ RWJM PA/Ohio Coordinator and Challenger Raceway RWJM Track
Chaplain and very supportive wife share their 26th anniversary.
GEORGE & SANDRA MARTIN - This Wernersville, PA writer and wife have
their 40th anniversary.
July 4
GARY & DEBBIE DIONNE - This RWJM West Coast Coordinator/former Dion
Bros. Racing crewman and wife from NH, now in Acton, CA and a Hollywood
stunt driver, share their 17th anniversary.
July 5
PAUL & FRANCES HINTON - The proprietor of New England Heirlooms;
supplier of many beautiful auto racing trophies and plaques and much more in
Norwich, CT and wife share their 7th.
RON & ARLEEN MILLER - These Susquehanna and Silver Spring fans from
Camp Hill, PA have their 22nd anniversary.
July 6
JERRY & JEANNE MARTEL - These Lee/Star Speedways Late Model team owners
turn their 40th lap together.
PHIL AND JOANNE KURZE - Phil dropped me a line asking me to say thank
you to his lovely wife JoAnne for sticking with him through all the long
hours and crazy travel schedule for 35 years. Phil is the face behind the
Whelen sponsorship for the Modifieds and the All-American Racing Series. Our
prayer is that you two would have many more wonderful years together.
***HAPPY BIRTHDAYS***
July 1
GREG ZYLA - Shamokin, PA Editor/writer.
JOAN NICKEL - The wife of Thompson Speedway photographer Scott.
CHRIS LOMASTRO - She is a Stafford Herb Bennett LM driver and Lebanon
Valley Billy Decker Modified fan.
SALLY CAVALLERO - This Cup and Wall Township race fan, wife of Tom,
mother of Emily, Bobby and Joey, daughter of Doris Bradley. Sally's
brother-in-law Woody works for Ray Evernham in North Carolina.
July 2
RICHARD PETTY - Randleman, NC owner of Petty Enterprises, all-time
winningest Cup driver, a founding-father of ministry in auto racing.
JOHNNY LEACH - Lumbertown, NJ dirt Modified driver.
TOM FLINN - Former Star Speedway (NH) Chief Tech Inspector.
GARY NEGRI - Danbury, CT Cup/Mod fan.
SCOTT ROBERTSON - Goodyear tire tech frequently with the CWES and a
pretty good bagpipe player.
July 3
JAMIE TOMAINO - Popular Howell, NJ NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour driver
Team #99 and Racing with Jesus Ministries supporter.
JIMMY HORTON - Whitehouse Station, NJ top dirt Modified driver.
CHARLIE DONK - NY D.I.R.T. Modified driver.
DON TIRPAK - Mt. Arlington, NJ Street Stock and Micro Stock driver.
RON JACKS - NASCAR West Series driver of Las Vegas, NV.
LINDA GEER - Waterford Speedbowl former Office Manager.
RICH PAWLICH - Rocky Hill, CT Modified fan.
July 4 *INDEPENDENCE DAY*
UNTIED STATES OF AMERICA - Our Great Nation Blessed by God turns lap
232.
BOB BARRON - Ontario, NY driver of the Spencer Speedway No. 28
asphalt Modified.
JOHN LOBO, JR. - CT based ProStock driver.
July 5
GIL TEGG, JR. - D.I.R.T. Modified driver.
MARK BURNS - NH SuperModified team owner.
ROB HODGKINS - Retired RWJM "Lieutenant," now a CT State Correctional
Officer from Canterbury.
CHERYL MORGAN - Daughter of Betty Evans.
July 6
PRESIDENT GEORGE W. BUSH - Former President of the Untied States of
America.
EDDIE MacDONALD - From Newbury, MA, this Camping World East Series
driving son of LEE USA Speedway owner Red and Judy Macdonald.
BOB POTTER - Still winning, Occum, CT multi-time Waterford Speedbowl,
Thompson Speedway and Stafford Speedway Modified champion and Waterford's
all-time winner.
GARY SMITH - Malahat, British Columbia NASCAR West driver.
RICK JOHNSON - Encinitas, CA LM driver.
MELISSA ROWE - The lovely wife of driver Ben.
SANDY URBINA - Wife of Riverhead Raceway driver Tony.
MEGHAN DILLNER - A daughter of racing TV Reporter Bobby and wife
Meredith is 15.
TYLER EDMONDS - The son of WMT crewman Tommy Edmonds and wife Sue is
9.
CARITA TWINEM - Brookfield, Wisconsin fan.
July 7
RICK FORD - BRS Modified driver at Wall township Speedway.
TOM TWINEM - Brookfield, WI fan; Carita's husband.
SHARE YOUR SPECIAL OCCASIONS WITH YOUR RACING FAMILY.
SEND THEM TO:
RACING WITH JESUS MINISTRIES
PO Box 586
Tolland, CT, 06084
TheChromeHorn RWJM Archives
Racing With Jesus Ministries Website
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Source: Rev
Don Rivers / Racing With Jesus Ministries
Posted: July
2, 2009 |
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