God’s Creation

As I was heading up I 395 to Thompson International Speedway for the World Series of Speedway Racing, this verse came to my mind- but as I was driving, something was different. What was it?

In Ephesians we read: Ephesians 2:10 NLT; “For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.”

How did the trees get this beautiful today from the basic blah nondescript greens they were all summer? Under stress and the changes of time, their true colors came out. We, as God’s children, are also created to become what He has planned for us and wants us to be. As we grow and mature in our walk with the Lord through the seasons of life, we too become more brilliant and glowing, so that others will see the creators hand, God, and what he made us to be. This will overshadow what we have made our lives out to be. We were created in His image so that as we use the Gifts and Talents He wired us with, we will be a blessing to those around us. Many are looking for God’s presence in this dull world. They should find it in His people.

When we trust Jesus Christ to be our Savior, He promises to fill us with His new Spirit. The old self is gone and buried. The outer beauty becomes the expression of the inner change which has taken place in our life.

Are there some areas in your life of which you know are not so pretty? Are there some habits and changes which need to be made? Ask the Lord Jesus to prune and make over those areas that you know are not so nice. He promises in His Word, that anyone who comes to Him, He will not turn away;

John 6:37, NLT; However, those the Father has given me will come to me, and I will never reject them.

So why wait? Think of the people who you will affect by giving yourself completely over to God’s re-creation. The beauty others will see will not be you, but Christ shining through you for His purposes.

The ride back home was equally beautiful with the late afternoon sun setting through the autumn cloudy skies as I looked west along the highway. But that is a message for another time. God Bless! Rev. Ray

A WONDERFUL DAY AT THE TRACK- Rev. Ray wrote; the whole day at Thompson was a huge blessing for me- the new people I met, though you know me and remembering names! A couple NEMA guys thanked me for stopping by their hauler to talk; Erica’s mom thanked me for coming back to the pits to pray for her as she was late getting out back to line up; praying over Brian Cleveland’s ankle in the ambulance with the EMT, talking with the Versus people, they wanted to know if RWJM was like MRO; I gave them a brochure and shared with them about what we do. It was a good ride home thinking about all that had gone on. I thank God for the opportunity to serve Him.

HOW’S THAT POSTAL THING GO- Neither wind, rain, snow, sleet, cold, or dark of night will keep them from their appointed rounds? Well the MRS is right up there with the Postal service although I am told some may have wanted to go postal. What was forecast to be a warm October day turned into anything but. After a four hour delay due to many of the weather conditions mentioned the MRS was finally able to complete what they started and put a cap on the 2010 season. Steve Masse won the final event of the season for his third win of the year while Jon McKennedy won his second championship in a row.

LIFTING THE RACING FAMILY UP IN PRAYER- This past week we have sent a few members home to be with the Lord and please lift their families up in prayer.

CAROL JUNE SECHRIST BODINE- Matriarch of the Bodine racing family, she was there for all the highs and lows. From the concession stand at Chemung to the souvenir trailers that followed her son’s careers around the NASCAR circuit, she was the glue that help it all together. Geoff, Brett and Todd and the entire family will miss the place mom held in their lives. Please lift the entire Bodine family up in your thoughts and prayers.

JEFF BYRD- the man who made Bristol Motor Speedway the place to be ended his battle with cancer. Exceed Expectations was the battle cry from the general manager who didn’t think it was above him to don a ticket apron, take some cash and go out into the line and help people get in quicker and have a more enjoyable Bristol Experience. Jeff’s son-in-law, Jerry Caldwell talked about the impression that was left on him, “I got to witness a life well-lived first-hand, Jeff loved to make a difference, and he loved a lot of people.” Byrd is survived by his wife of 36 years, Claudia, daughter Belton Caldwell, son Christian, and seven grandchildren.

PHYLLIS WHITE DONLAVEY- Wife of famed car owner Junie Donlavey went home to be with the Lord, she was 85. Phyllis wasn’t much for the racing thing but it grew on her. She vowed though that they would never borrow any money for the “cars” and they didn’t. They handled everything on a cash basis, to the point that if they had to write a check, they didn’t need it. That served them well. They also resisted moving South with racing, the Richmond area was home. They met when she was 14, fell in love and married when she was 17. For over five decades the Donlaveys, Virginia’s first family of racing, ran their race business in Richmond. Besides her husband, Phyllis leaves two daughters, Linda Perkins of Williamsburg and Beverly Swata of Largo, Fla.; a son, C. Richard Donlavey of Richmond; eight grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. Please lift the Donlavey family up in your prayers.

HEADED SOUTH FOR SOME ALL-STAR ACTION- We are headed south to the heart of NASCAR racing, Charlotte. We will be on both side of town as we take in the World Dirt Finals at The Dirt Track at Charlotte and the John Blewett Memorial North-South Shootout at Concord Motor Sports Park. We are always excited to be in the heart of the racing world and take some time to take in a race shop or two. Not sure who we will go see this year but I am sure it will be fun. Hope to see you on the road. Be a witness for our Lord with the ministry decals and apparel. See them at the Show Your Faith Apparel Store at www.rwjm.com. Send us your prayer and counseling needs no matter what part of our racing family you are in, or give us a call. Until next time, remember that God loves you, we love you and

***HAPPY BIRTHDAYS***
October 27
DICK TRICKLE- Fan favorite retired Wisconsin based NASCAR driver.
NEWT HARTMAN- Flagtown, NJ East Windsor Mod driver.
RAY HEDGER- Williamson, NY Bruce Driver WMT Crew Chief.
MARC OSWALD- Vineland, NJ based “Trackside” Magazine Field Sales Rep.
AMANDA PETFIELD- Thornwood, NY RWJM KNPSE Pastor & vice president Dan and wife Debbie’s youngest.
ALAN CLAFFIE- Mazda racing, Nationals promoting, Steve Park look alike.
October 28
JOE RUTTMAN- Upland, CA born, Brentwood, TN NASCAR CWTS driver.
RICK BELL- Poughkeepsie, NY NASCAR KNPSE Road Racing specialist with Merit Motorsports.
BILL BRICE, JR.- Former NASCAR WMT Chief Tech. Inspector and Wall Township Speedway Sportsman Modified champion from New Jersey.
TOM BALDWIN, JR.- Dad taught him all he knows. The son of Bellport, NY Tiger Tom, Tom is now a car owner in the NSCS.
JOAN HOFFMAN- Mom of Allentown, PA dirt Mod star, Doug.
ALEXIS MICHEL- The daughter of Wall Township Speedway star Modified driver Dave and wife Kyle.
October 29
KEN LENDA- Norwich, CT Waterford Speedbowl SS driver.
DENISE & LISA GUNNING- The twin daughters of Stafford Speedway championship Modified driver Bo.
October 30
DOUG HOFFMAN- Allentown, PA top dirt Modified threat.
MICHELLE “SHELLY” BLEWETT- Daughter of retired Modified driving great John, Jr. and wife Jessie.
DANIELLE RIVERS- Daughterof RWJM WMT Pastor and president Rev. Don & wife Lynda.
October 31
KIP CHILDRESS- K&N Pro Series East Race Director and friend of RWJM turns another lap.
LENNY SAMMONS- Character counts with people like this. He is the Publisher/Editor of Area Auto Racing News.
BUDDY LAZIER- Vail, CO IRL driver.
GARY LILECK- “Area Auto Racing News” race results reporter/writer.
RACHEL & HEATHER MARTIN- The grown-up daughters of Batesville, AK Roush Racing Valvoline team WC driver Mark and wife Arlene.
November 1
RICHARD BALSER- The grown-up son of Mass. photographer/PR Rep. Dave.
November 2
JULIE POST- The light that makes her husband shine, he says. She is the wife of Steve Post the Track Announcer for Charlotte Motor Speedway in Charlotte, NC.
LARRY PEARSON- Spartansburg, SC NNS retired driver.
STAN GREGER- Retired Modified driver famous at the now closed Riverside Park Speedway.
BILL KUZMA- Wall Township Speedway driver.
JOHN TAGG- Dad of Webster, MA CT Mod driver Tom.

SHARE YOUR SPECIAL OCCASIONS WITH YOUR RACING FAMILY. SEND THEM TO RACING WITH JESUS MINISTRIES AT PO BOX 586, Tolland, CT, 06084 .