Give And Take
In life there are the have and the have-nots. How we interact is the subject I wanted to talk about this week. How do we respond to those in need? How do we respond when we have a need? Greetings in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
At the track we talk about give and take, letting the car with the advantage go and having the courtesy returned to you when you have the advantage. Bugs Stevens talked about racing etiquette recently in a Speedway Illustrated article that covered the same subject, an unwritten code of ethics between drivers that showed a mutual respect.
The fact of the matter is that at any given time we may have what we need or we need something. On the track it is the right setup, in life it is the resources to live. How we respond to having too much or too little shows who our trust and faith is in. We try too many times to provide for ourselves without first turning to God and letting Him provide for us. We see things through our eyes and forget that God has promised to supply everything we need.
Do you remember Moses? He led the people out of slavery in Egypt. You would think they would be grateful, but like any leader of people, Moses faced the complaints from the nation of Israel. That doesn’t happen; does it?
They complained about not having food because they saw the desert and didn’t know how they were going to find something to eat. They wondered aloud if God had called them to the desert to die. They thought they would have been better off back in slavery in Egypt. They looked at things with their own eyes and had no idea what God had in store for them in the Promised Land. We have many similarities with them don’t we?
We rush to judgment without taking the time to step back and look at the whole situation. We think we know what is going on but we really don’t understand how God works. Do you think for one moment that God called the nation of Israel out of bondage to let them die? Sounds kind of funny when you say it that way. Of course he didn’t. He had a plan for them just like he has a plan for us.
I have been to enough driver/crew chief meetings to know that what is said there is only a fraction of what goes on behind the scenes as it relates to complaints. I am sure every race director and technical inspector could write a book.
The fact remains that we are not ready to let things play themselves out and see what God has in store for us. We would rather complain and whine about what we don’t have or what we think we need. Before you start defending yourself, let me explain.
There are times when discussions need to take place in racing about what is fair and equitable, that is not what I am saying. I am saying we get into the habit of jumping on something before we actually see how it will work out. We think we know better when most times we don’t.
God provided food for the Israelites with one simple instruction, Take only what you need. Like most of us, they didn’t have enough faith and took more than they needed thinking they would save some just in case God forgot about them tomorrow. Do you know what happened to the excess? It rotted, stunk and was filled with maggots. God provided daily for their needs and He will do the same for us.
In 2 Corinthians Paul tells us that God provides some of us with more than we need and some of us with less than we need so that we can learn to have faith in Him. Those with more should give of their excess to those with too little. Read along;
2 Corinthians 8: 9-15 (NIV), For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich.
And here is my advice about what is best for you in this matter: Last year you were the first not only to give but also to have the desire to do so. Now finish the work, so that your eager willingness to do it may be matched by your completion of it, according to your means. For if the willingness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what one has, not according to what he does not have.
Our desire is not that others might be relieved while you are hard pressed, but that there might be equality. At the present time your plenty will supply what they need, so that in turn their plenty will supply what you need. Then there will be equality, as it is written: “He who gathered much did not have too much, and he who gathered little did not have too little.”
The last sentence refers to the Israelites in the desert. They had what they needed if they only took what was needed. They learned to trust God and have faith in Him to supply their daily needs. The Lord’s Prayer that Jesus taught us to say says the same thing, “Give us this day our daily bread.” God intended for us to trust Him on a daily basis and let Him supply our daily needs.
Take a look around and see the stuff you have accumulated. Do you know someone who could use it? Give it to them, no strings attached. Trust that God will provide for you when you have a need. Don’t let your life get so burdened down with stuff that you forget to live. Learn to live in the freedom that comes with having faith in Jesus and trusting that He will meet your needs.
Remember Psalm 23:1, “The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want.” Think of it this way; the Lord is my Shepherd, I have everything I need. Trust in God to provide for your needs, give freely from what He has provided you, live in the freedom of releasing yourself from the burden of stuff. Let God supply.
THOUGHTS FROM THE ROAD
DUAL RACE WEEKEND- Dan and I headed in opposite directions, literally. Dan went from NY to CT and I went from CT to NY. I know it doesn’t make sense but it really does. The Camping World Series East joined the PASS tour at Thompson for a full fendered day at the track. The Whelen Modified Tour returned to Spencer Speedway in upstate NY for a throwback style race at the half-mile oval.
Young Trevor Bayne had a banner day visiting the 5/8 mile for the first time in his career. The 17-year old DEI driver not only won his first pole but he also won his first race after only six tries. DEI again showed its dominance placing all three cars in the top five, first, second for Jesus Hernandez and fifth for Jeffrey Earnhardt. The top two DEI finishers waged a great battle for the lead and the fans got their moneys worth from this one. Brad Leighton and Marc Davis finished third and fourth to fill out the top five.
Spencer produced another memorable battle between Matt Hirschman and Chuck Hossfeld. Through many restarts the two ran side-by side dueling for the top spot. In the end, Matt won his first WMT race and Chuck settled for third. Ronnie Silk ran a patient race that saw him come home second for his tenth top ten in a row. Others contributed to the battle; Mike Stefanik, Ted Christopher and Eric Beers before the tight confines of Spencer clamped down on them. Jimmy Blewett and Mike Stefanik rounded out the top five.
The next five include some newcomers; Glenn Reen came home in sixth for the best finish of his rookie season. Another not so newcomer, Wade Cole, was a newcomer to the top ten in eighth. Let the record show to cut back on expenses Wade drove his open trailer to the race. It was great to see Wade in the top ten. Danny Sammons also made a visit to the top ten to finish ninth. A good run for this team who has been working hard to find the right combination.
PRAYER LIST IS GROWING- I want to take some space here and ask you to include these folks in your prayers; Tinker, a Jamie Tomaino crew member, was in an auto accident with his wife and has some broken ribs. Al, a crewmember on the #9 WMT team, who is recovering from cancer treatment and chemo suffered a mild stroke. Cotton, hauler driver for Jeffery Earnhardt, found out his mom passed away as he drove to Thompson. He flew back home to be with his family. In a wonderful show of caring Andy Santerre’s driver drove the hauler back for DEI and Andy climbed back behind the wheel and drove the ASM hauler home.
There are many more folks out there who need our prayers, please lift the unspoken requests up when you go before the Lord in prayer.
LAPS OF A DIFFERENT KIND – Ron Yuhas, former WMT competitor, will run his Late-model around the bases on July 14 at Dodd Stadium on Norwich. I wonder if he has any experience on dirt? It is all part of a promotion for MetroCast, one of his sponsors. I for one think it is a novel way to introduce new fans to the sport. Get out there and run some laps around your local baseball field, but not without an invitation.
Dan and I will be headed for Nashville this week for the Camping World Series East race at the Music City Motorplex. Not much downtime in this trip but I, for one, am always excited about heading to the country music capital. I will be at Thompson Thursday night to take in the action before heading out. I’ll be looking for you.
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 16
KEITH AND DEBBIE KRODEL- These former Jan Leaty NASCAR WMT team members now living in Pensacola, FL have their 15th anniversary.
July 17
MARK & STELLA BURNS- This New Hampshire SuperModified team owners have their 24th anniversary.
July 21
JERRY & LINDA SOLOMITO- It is 22 laps together for this Long Island driver and wife.
July 22
BRAD & LYNN LEIGHTON- This Center Harbor, NH CWES Grand National driver and wife share their 17th anniversary.
PHIL & BETTY SMITH- This veteran writer and wife of Westerly, RI celebrate their special day.
***HAPPY BIRTHDAYS***
July 16
“BOOTS” TOMAINO- The mother of WMT career driver Jamie Tomaino.
MIKE FIELDS- The Publisher/Editor of www.LONGISLANDMOTORSPORTS.com from Long Beach, NY and close friend of the ministry has his day.
WAYNE ANDERSON- Wildwood, FL NASCAR Modified driver.
July 17
DOUG WOLCOTT- NJ asphalt Modified driver.
BRANDON ASH- Umpqua, OR NASCAR West driver.
ERNIE COPE- Spanaway, WA NASCAR West driver.
MICHAEL LEATY- Mod Tour Jan’s adult son.
July 18
STEPHEN LEATY- Jan’s next son.
RON CORNELL- Westport, MA AARN columnist and candle maker.
MAGGIE WOODS- The daughter of Tammy and Woody who works for Evernham Racing R&D, living in Mooresville, NC turns 8.
July 20
PETE HAMILTON- Retired Massachusetts driver for Richard Petty won the Daytona 500 in the 70’s.
DAVE WHEELER- Lisbon, CT former LM driver.
DAVE SHIPPEE- Former writing partner of New London, CT’s John Brouwer, Sr. now retired in NH.
MIKE MONNETT- Owego, NY writer.
HAROLD K. DAUNCEY- Son of NJ asphalt Mod driver Harold and wife Barbara is 15.
July 21
BOBBY WILKINS- Milford, DE Dirt Modified driver.
TIM McCAULEY- Huntington Beach, CA NASCAR West driver.
July 22
RON YOUNG- Conyers, GA NASCAR All Pro Series driver.
CHRISTOPHER SAVLUK- Son of Lisbon, CT Crew Chief Roger.
RICH YANNETTA- Bridgewater, NJ Flemington go-kart driver. JULIANNE ELIZABETH COX- The youngest of Bob and Tracy is 5.
*** REMEMBRANCES ***
July 22
ROBERT KENNETH SPRING- 10 years ago Ken Spring’s dad went home to be with the Lord. Keep Ken, his mom Lucille and the entire Spring family in your thoughts and prayers as they remember their Dad and Husband. For as much as we tease him, Ken means a lot to many of us and we know he will have a heavy heart. Drop him a note and let him know you are thinking of him
SHARE 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/Racing With Jesus Ministries