A day at the racetrack is full of action. There is more
going on than a three-ring circus. What do you watch, where do you go, who
do you focus on? With so much going on and so much good stuff to choose
from, what do you do? What we choose to do determines who we have put our
trust and faith in. Greetings in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus
Christ.
I remember something I was taught when I was young “Actions speak
louder than words.” You know the type, they shoot their mouth off, talk the
big talk, they try to win the race before they get out on the track. But you
know as well as I do, it is what you do on the track that matters. It is not
where you start, but where you finish that counts. How have you been
finishing lately?
Before we get started there are a couple of things we need to learn
about how we live; first, it doesn’t matter where we come from we can act in
a way that honors God. Second, all the talk in the world doesn’t mean
anything until you get up and do something. People don’t care how much you
know until they know how much you care. We show people we care by our
actions.
Every one of us knows both types of people, some are all talk and
some don’t talk they help. Who do you call when you need help? Do you call
the talker or do you call the doer? You call the doer because they will help
not just lecture you. Listen to what James says.
James 2:14-26, What good is it, my brothers, if
a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him?
Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you
says to him, "Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed," but does nothing
about his physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself,
if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.
But someone will say, "You have faith; I have deeds." Show me your faith
without deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I do. You believe that
there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that--and shudder.
You foolish man, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless?
Was not our ancestor Abraham considered righteous for what he did when he
offered his son Isaac on the altar? You see that his faith and his actions
were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did. And
the scripture was fulfilled that says, "Abraham believed God, and it was
credited to him as righteousness," and he was called God's friend. You see
that a person is justified by what he does and not by faith alone.
In the same way, was not even Rahab the prostitute considered righteous for
what she did when she gave lodging to the spies and sent them off in a
different direction? As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith
without deeds is dead.
It is not enough to claim to have faith
we have to live it. We need to act in such a way that shows others that we
depend on God. When we are faced with a situation that challenges us beyond
our abilities, who do we turn to? We should turn to God. James speaks of
Abraham and his willingness to trust God and do what God commanded him to
do.
How about us? When we need to make decisions or choices whose
advice do we follow? Do we try to figure it out for ourselves? Do we trust
someone else? On the other hand, do we turn to God and ask for His
direction? God has the right direction for us, but it will require two
things. Following God requires that we rely on His power and not ours. It
also requires that we do something that only God can enable us to do.
James talks about showing people who we place our faith in. He
tells us that just saying we have faith is not enough, we have to do
something. There are many who have the right words to say, but it is those
who show up to help at 2:00 in the morning that are real friends. Jesus
taught us that we need to lay down our life for our friends. Are we willing
to step up to the plate and demonstrate how much we care for others?
On a race team we need everyone to pitch in and help. We count on
team members being willing to sacrifice their time for the good of the team.
The success of the team is dependant on the number of team members willing
to give their time and talents for the good of the team.
Now what about our life? Are we willing to reach out and help
others? Are we willing to set our wants and desires aside and put others
first? The next characteristic of faith is action. When we act as if God
will provide what we need we are free to give what we have to others. We
show the faith we have by living without the fear of losing. We have
confidence that whatever we give God will replace. We act with a trust and
faith that God is able to provide for us no matter what we give away.
The next step in our walk of faith is learning how to give beyond
what we think we can. We demonstrate our faith by our actions. Only then do
we begin to see God provide for us. We cannot out give God. Try to practice
a faith that acts like God can and will provide for your needs. Faith proves
itself by action.
THOUGHTS
FROM THE ROAD
CHANGES AT THOMPSON - As anyone who
attended the Whelen Modified Tour race at Thompson could see there are some
major changes taking place. It was previously reported that these changes
were to start after the racing season and it would put the Icebreaker in
jeopardy. Well racing fans there is good news, the construction company
scheduled to do the work had a change in schedule and asked if they could
start three months early. The answer was yes, as long as they could work
around the remaining race schedule. This improves the likelihood of having
an Icebreaker in 2014.
I had a chance to talk with Jonathan Hoenig and received some
encouraging news. Jonathan explained the reason for the changes were
necessary to keep racing at the oval viable. When your income depends on 25
or so nights during the summer and so far this year six have been rained out
it is difficult to make ends meet. Jonathan shared the income from the road
course would help support the oval track.
As far as plans for 2014 are concerned that will depend on
construction delays. Right now the hope is to have the pit area finished and
a binder coat of asphalt down on the road course by the World Series. If
that happens we should be able to have a better idea of the 2014 schedule
around World Series time.
Jonathan shared that right now they plan to have eight or so weekly
events with the three WMT shows that are on the schedule this year. He has
been contacted by over 20 different racing groups to sign up for using the
road course and at least 4 Grand Am teams. This is all a plus for those of
us with an oval racing habit; I see a bright future for racing at Thompson.
BRISTOL AND BEYOND - As I mentioned we traveled to Tennessee
and Virginia this past week; a long road trip that kept us away from home
for almost a week. Our original plan was to bring our wives and enjoy a mini
vacation, but God had other plans. As it turned out we experienced a
tremendous, humbling blessing from God.
As many of you know we are struggling financially and the challenge
of continuing to reach out through RWJM requires faith, faith in what we do
not see. God provided two families that went above and beyond to make this
trip not only a reality but a blessing. Our deepest thanks and gratitude go
out to the Sellers and Hamilton families for their generous provisions for
us as we traveled. Your willingness to serve us and help us serve others was
humbling and encouraging. Thank you for your faith and dedication to God.
BRISTOL - There is a show on Discovery titled, Fast N’ Loud,
nothing could describe Bristol any clearer. The difficulty is that it is
almost impossible to carry on a conversation with anyone outside the few
soundproof buildings on the infield. We did our best and had a great time
catching up with some of our southern counterparts. It was great to be
together as a Modified Family.
VIR - What a contrast, from being able to see every corner
and every car to only seeing a small portion of the racing action and having
to move around to see different parts of the race course. Let me say this;
the Staff at VIR rolled out the red carpet for the K&N Family. You felt
welcome and wanted. Any questions or needs were met with a staff member that
was ready to assist in any way; True Southern Hospitality. We enjoyed our
time there and look forward to heading back there next year.
NEMA UPDATE - Recently I shared an injury report from NEMA
and I wanted to bring you up to date on their progress; Avery Stoehr
sprained his wrist but was able to race, Anthony “Bug” Marvuglio is in pain
with a puncture wound to his thigh, but was at the races and Scott Bigelow
is at home, getting around ok, no surgery needed and no physical therapy as
of yet. The Dr. told him this was the kind of break to have, great
prognosis!
VMRS CHAPLAIN EXPRESSES THANKS - Bobby Somers continues to
recover from a recent stroke and passed this along to the racing family;
“After taking the previous week off from racing and getting
some much needed rest. I know that Thank You’s will never be enough for the
ongoing prayers and thoughts we have received. It’s very humbling, but we
all know how strong the racing family is when it’s time to pull together.”
PRAYER NEEDS - We have a couple of prayer needs in the
racing family, please join with us as we lift these families up in their
time of need.
Sue Droste, K&N East Official and Husband Clem, a K&N West Official
are mourning the loss of Sue’s mom, Virginia M. Wiegers, age 91, who passed
away Friday August 16, 2013 at her residence.
Also it is with deep sadness that we join with the Jimmy Blewett in
grieving over the loss of his mom, Linda Blewett. Please lift up Jimmy and
his entire family as they deal with yet another difficult loss.
Our thoughts and prayers go out to these and any others in need in
the racing community we serve. May God’s mercy and compassion comfort you in
your time of need.
Until next time, be a witness for our Lord with the ministry decals
and apparel. See them at the Show Your Faith Apparel Store at
http://www.rwjm.com/store. Send us your prayer and counseling needs no matter
what part of our racing family you are in, or give us a call. 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.
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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
SHARE YOUR SPECIAL OCCASIONS WITH YOUR RACING FAMILY.
SEND THEM TO:
RACING WITH JESUS MINISTRIES
PO Box 586
Tolland, CT, 06084
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