Trust in Him
How many of us trust our spotters during the middle of a race? This is Rev. Dan, giving Rev. Don a much needed break this week. Greetings in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Spotters, they see things that the drivers cannot see. They usually sit high above the racetrack and can see a lot more of what is going on during the race. They tell us to go high or go low. There is trouble in turn 3; slow down. Car 5 is on the outside; keep your line. All clear, give it all you got. These are some of the ways that the spotters can help the drivers stay out of trouble and win the race. Spotters see things that we don’t see, and we have to put our full faith and trust in him or her.
Isaiah 55:9 says “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts higher than your thoughts.”
The same trusting attitude we have with our spotters, we need to have with God. He will be the best guide for our lives. He wants to teach us and direct us in the right way, but we need to trust him and put our full faith in him. We have to know that his direction is better than what we can see. The real test is that we have to listen and obey. He knows best and he knows the paths we take. If we take God’s path, it will lead to blessings. We can’t see what is ahead, but God does. If we take our own path, it will lead to trouble. When we try to handle our own situation and try our own way, we don’t see things that God does and it leads to our downfalls. Many may ask why should we put our trust in God – the answer is because he is the one who guides us. He is the one who knows all. He is the one who knows our future. Our part is trusting, his part is guiding. Let me use this illustration from a story I read recently.
A man was out jogging one day. As he passed a cliff, he got too close and fell. Grabbing hold of a branch he was stranded. No way up and certainly no way down. He began to scream, “Help, help, is there anyone up there who can hear me?” He yelled for hours and was about to give up when he heard a voice. “Can you hear me?”
Yes, Yes, I can hear you.”
“I’m down here.”
“I can see you, are you alright?”
“Yes, but …who are you and where are you?”
“I am the Lord, and I am everywhere.”
“The Lord? You mean God?”
“That’s me.”
“God, help me, I promise that if you get me down from here, I’ll stop sinning. I’ll be a really good person and serve you for the rest of my life.”
“Easy on the promises. First let’s get you down, then we can discuss those.”
“I’ll do anything, Lord, just tell me what to do, okay?”
“Okay, just let go of the branch.”
“What?”
“I said, let go of the branch, just trust me, let go.” Then there is a pause.
“Help, help, is there anybody else up there?” This jogger didn’t put his whole trust in God.
Proverbs 3:5-6 says: Trust in the LORD with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will direct your paths.
Here are three ways that will help us trust God more.
1 – We need to be confident in God’s care. It says to trust him with all of your heart – with everything you have. We all love racing and are very passionate about it. We are all dedicated to the sport no matter what. We all make sacrifices to be at the track – with our families and our work. All of our feelings and emotions are poured into it. Love God like this, and trust him with the same passion that you have for racing.
2 – We need to be committed to God’s purpose. We need to look for God’s guidance with everything, small and big. In the verse above it says to seek his will in all you do and he will direct our paths. Does that mean in racing also? Yes, in racing, in finances, in relationships etc. Trust him, he will guide you through.
3- We need to be controlled by God’s will. Did you ever see that bumper sticker “God is my co-pilot”. We need to change that and make it read, “God is my pilot.” We need to let go of our own will and let God’s will take control. When we do that, God will open and close the doors for you that he deems best.
If we do these things, we are putting our complete trust in God, and things will turn out much better than if we decided to do things ourselves. Try it and see what happens.
Jeremiah 29:11-13, For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.
God bless each of you and have a great week! Keep your trust in him. Rev. Dan
THOUGHTS FROM THE ROAD
What a weekend at Thompson, another glorious race weekend to close out the 2007 season. We were blessed to have James from Design 500 join us for the weekend. It was great to show him around the Eastern side of the country. He came bearing gifts, updated uniform shirts for RWJM. Dan and I modeled them to rave reviews. We should have the pants to complete the new uniform soon. That doesn’t mean we are walking around without pants on. We are so thankful to James and Katie for all their support and encouragement.
Racers are truly a family. At the Stafford race, Jamie Tomaino had engine trouble. He broke the crack on his primary and the back up motor was in need of some attention and only lasted a lap. Jamie was sitting seventh in points and wasn’t sure if he would get things together to compete at Thompson. He was loaned an engine and carburetor from the Blewetts. After practice he was excited about the opportunities he would have given his new powerplant. Things would take another turn.
As he crossed the finish line for his qualifying effort the throttle stuck. He tried to keep it low going into turn one and slid into the wall with all four tires locked up. The damage was repairable but what happened next was a testament to the WMT family. Five different teams offered their backup car to Jamie to use on Sunday. Teams carried spare parts over to his hauler as the track welder reattached mounting hardware. All this was a testament to the respect he had earned over the years he raced. There was such an outpouring of help you couldn’t help but be overwhelmed. Jamie decided to use the Donny Lia car that Chuck Hossfeld failed to qualify, it was most like the tour car he drove. Jamie started 28th and brought the car home 15th .
Bobby Santos capped a busy weekend taking home the win in Ole Blue. This was his first WMT win and one that was very popular. A hard charging “Reg” came home second followed by Matt Hirschman.
It was a great weekend. This week Dan and I head for the Other coast and the Fifth Toyota All-Star Showdown. We’re not sure what to expect this year with the format and qualifying format changes but we’ll see. Have a great off season and we’ll see some of you in a few weeks at the John Blewett III Memorial North-South Shootout. 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 <http://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.org/page/prayers.php <http://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 <http://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***
October 17
RUSTY & TERRY WATKINS- This NASCAR BES GRAND NATIONAL team crewman and wife have their 14th anniversary.
JIMMY & SUSAN STRUPP- The Long Islander, now turned Charlotte, North Carolinian and wife have their 19th.
October 18
STUB & CHARLOTTE FADDEN- The No. Haverhill, NH legendary NASCAR BES GRAND NATIONAL driver and wife celebrate their 56th anniversary.
RUSTY & ANE BALL- This Keene, NH Claremont Speedway/TVMS Modified driver and wife have their 30th anniversary.
October 19
MIKE & KRISTIN MASSARO- The former Ellington, CT/ now North Carolina ABC/ESPN race announcer and wife share their 10th anniversary.
October 20
KRISTEN (ADAMS) AND SCOTT ROBINSON- Daugter of Thompson veteran driver Leo, HAPPY 12 YEARS.
October 22
REV. PAT & BETTY EVANS- This would have been the 24th aniversary for Pat and Betty. Please keep Betty in your prayers as this will be a difficult day.
October 23
RON, JR. & MELISSA NARDUCCI- This crewman on the Waterford Speedbowl Jerry Pearl Modified team and wife have their 13th anniversary.
***HAPPY BIRTHDAYS***
October 17
MARK BRIDGES- Durham, ME former Joe Bessey crewman.
October 18
KEN SPRING- The “Area Auto Racing News” and Racing with Jesus Ministries Busch East Series photographer from Braintree, MA.
RIT DULAC- Plantsville, CT NASCAR retired Modified and BES driver.
October 19
STUB FADDEN- The senior NASCAR BES driver from No. Haverhill, NH.
RICK FULLER- Auburn, MA NASCAR WMT driver.
DANA PATTEN- Enfield, NH former NASCAR BES/BGN U.S. Chrome driver.
GARY ST. AMANT- Columbus, OH late model driver.
YOLANDA SHERIDEN- Retired Riverhead Raceway lady driver.
LISA WOOD- Wife of Pelham, NH SuperModified driver Russ.
MICHELLE SAVERY- Daughter of Seekonk driver Dana and wife Laurie.
RUSS DOWD- Thompson Speedway General Manager, golden throated announcer and friend of this ministry.
HOLLY PRINGLE- Ontario, NY 2002 Stock Microd champion at Sodus Microd Club.
October 20
LARRY BROLSMA- Midland Park, NJ dirt Modified driver.
BOBBY ZUROWSKI- Riverhead Raceway LM driver.
STEVEN COLLICHO- FormerTom Baldwin NASCAR WMT team crewman.
BILL ARMOUR- Bluefield, VA writer.
October 21
MORGAN SHEPHERD- Conover, NC NNC driver and outspoken Christian.
BOB LeSIEUR- No. Easton, MA NNC photographer.
ROBERT ROSSI, JR.- Riverhead, LI, NY based Mike Ewanitsko NASCAR WMT fan.
October 22
TONY VECCHIO- Syracuse, NY Former NASCAR BES team owner and chassis specialist.
JOHNNY UNSER- Long Beach, Ca born, Sun Valley, ID IRL driver.
MIKE SWANN- Rev. Pat’s cousin from Sumneytwon, PA.
JAYE COTTER- Wife and assistant to No. Attleboro, MA racing paper/magazine sales rep., Paul.
RUTH TAGG- Mom of Webster, MA CT Mod retired driver Tom.
Ocotober 23
TREVA MERRILL- The wife of Newton, MA based Monadnock Speedway (Keene, NH) GM, Carl.
CATHERINE & CHRISTIAN HANKS- The twins of CT ProStock driver Roy and wife Donna.
NATALIE BELMONT- A daughter of Pennsy based ARCA/BGN driver Andy and wife Jennifer.
HARE YOUR SPECIAL OCCASIONS WITH YOUR RACING FAMILY. SEND THEM TO RACING WITH JESUS MINISTRIES AT PO BOX 586, Tolland, CT, 06084.
Sources: Rev. Don Rivers/RWJM