Have you ever thought that you have “it” all under control? At times in our lives we feel that way. We feel like everything is in order. We are at peace. For some of us those times never seen to come. Who’s in control in your life? Greetings in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

The rumor mill, we all are familiar with it. Some of us even contribute to it. Why? Racing is an interesting sport. Most of the information that is available starts as rumors. It has even been said that if you want something to happen, start spreading a rumor about it. If enough people believe it, it just might become a reality.

I think one reason for it is the access that racers and teams give to the media and fans. There are very few places to hide in the garage area. Their lives are lived out in the open and many times things are revealed just by our actions.

Remember when Dale Jr. jumped into a Hendrick’s car to run some laps after Kyle Busch left the track thinking his car wouldn’t be able to be repaired. Do you remember the rumors it started? Do you remember the explanations? Now Jr. drives for Hendricks. I am not saying it was because of that instance, but it is funny how things that start out as rumors become fact.

We travel in a relatively small circle on the Whelen Modified Tour. Most of the folks have a long history and connection with Modified racing. We know each other pretty well. That doesn’t stop the rumor mill though. I think it sometimes fuels the fire.

Why is it that we spread rumors; control, dissatisfaction, jealousy, hate and pride are just a few of the reasons. I am reminded of the contrast that Paul writes about in Galatians, the contrast between the fruit of the Holy Spirit and the acts of the sinful nature;

Galatians 5:19-23: The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.

Paul contrasts the two ways we can choose to live. Moving from one way of life to the other takes practice. You have to want to. If we take a look at each of these lifestyles and the consequences of each we certainly can figure out one is better than the other. We need to follow the right direction.

Sometimes we think it looks better on the other side of the fence. We let ourselves be led into activities that are not beneficial to our lives. Paul cautions us about that:

Galations 5: 7-12, You were running a good race. Who cut in on you and kept you from obeying the truth? That kind of persuasion does not come from the one who calls you. "A little yeast works through the whole batch of dough." I am confident in the Lord that you will take no other view. The one who is throwing you into confusion will pay the penalty, whoever he may be.

Paul encourages us to live correctly

Galatians 5:13-15, You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love. The entire law is summed up in a single command: "Love your neighbor as yourself." If you keep on biting and devouring each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other.

Do you remember last week we talked about letting God have control of your life? Who is in control of your life. Have we reduced ourself to spreading rumors. Rumors can mislead and destroy. I would caution you not to get caught up in the rumor mill. It is not beneficial for you or anyone else. James wrote, let your yes be yes and your no be no. Sounds simple and we should strive to keep it that way. God Bless

THOUGHTS FROM THE ROAD

With great anticipation we headed to Thompson last weekend for the Icebreaker. We were met by cold and rain. I stopped by of Friday afternoon to find the NASCAR officials doing car inspections under the cover of many E-Z ups. They were trying to get a jump on the work ahead for the weekend as 40+ Modifieds showed up to run the first event of 2008.

Saturday started wet and the schedule was moved out some 2 hours. Qualifying was completed just after 7:00 with James Civali bringing home his first Pole for the #28 King Racing Corvette. A new decal required this year is a white strip with red letters reading “Whelen” positioned on the leading edge of the roof. It proudly proclaims the Title sponsor on the Tour. I think it is a great addition.

The SK mod feature sent Woody Pitkat to the hospital with a shoulder injury. Woody was game on Sunday despite his discomfort. As it turned out, he would not have to get back in the car. The second half of the Late Model and SK Mod features would fall victim to the weather.

Sunday’s forecast as of Thursday was sunny and warm. Again, the weather forecasters proved anything is possible. Sunday was a day out of early winter, not spring. The Icebreaker was just that, if you stood still long enough you were frozen stiff. With a steady wind out of the Northeast and mist in the air we started to race.

The day turned tragic during the NEMA feature. A lap three accident involving the car of 27 year old Shane Hammond left the track and struck a billboard structure. Shane lost his life in the accident casting an even darker cloud over the day.

Please keep the entire NEMA family and the family of Shane in your thoughts and prayers. They will need all of our support to deal with this tragedy.

After a delay the racing resumed with the WMT taking the track for their 150 lap event. Under dark clouds and a steady mist the green flag waved. After 92 laps the race was halted and Ed Flemke the winner followed by Chuck Hossfeld and Bobby Grigas III.

To be honest my heart wasn’t in this one. My heart goes out to those who lost so much this past Sunday. You do what you need to do to get through it but it doesn’t make it any easier. A couple of the drivers on the WMT knew Shane and I am sure climbing into their cars was difficult. We did our best to help them through this difficult day.

We will be down at Waterford next week for the Bud Nationals. The NEMA Midgets are on the schedule and it will surly be a difficult race for them. Keep us in your prayers as we minister. God Bless and 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. 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***

April 10
DENNIS & DARLA SETZER- The Newton, NC CTS driver and wife have their special day.
JOE & BRENDA RIOLO- This CWES driver and wife have their anniversary.

April 11
TONY & DEBBIE VECCHIO- This NASCAR CWES GRAND NATIONAL team owner couple from have their 21th anniversary.

April 13v TED & BETH SEMINARA- The Brewster, NY, now in Mt. Holly, NC proprietor of TS Racing Photo and Sprint Cup "AARN" photographer and lively wife share their 17th anniversary.

***HAPPY BIRTHDAYS***

April 9
DALE SHAW- Center Conway, NH NASCAR CWES driver/ fabricator.
ROGER HILL- Westfield, NC NASCAR WMT Hillbilly Racing Team owner.
BOBBY RUSS WOOD- Richmond, MO All Pro Series driver.
JOHN "PEACH FUZZ" JONES- This fan and son of Fuzzy Pete and Ro from Shirley, NY turns 10.

April 10
KASEY KAHNE- Enumclaw, WA NSC team driver for Evernham Motorsports Dodge.
WARREN KUHLTHAU III- Wall Township Speedway Modified driver.
PAUL McELEARNEY- Riverhead LM driver from Commack, NY
JOHN GEORGIADES- Stafford Speedway staffer and dad of the well known CT racing family.
SHIRLEY HIETALA- Enfield, CT mom of Mod driver Brad.
DEBORAH ZURAWSKI- Wife/car owner for husband Riverhead LM driver Robert.

April 11
MIKE EWANITSKO- North Babylon, NY WMT driver.
DON LaHUE- White Mountain Motorsports Park (VT) driver.
RUSSELL WOOD- Son of Pelham, MA ISMA SuperModified driver Russ and wife Lisa is 14.
ED D'HONDT, JR- Son of Long Island, now in Mooresville, NC, NSC Team Manager Ed, Sr.
KARSYN JARRETT- NSC's Dale and wife Kelley's youngest is 17.
AIMEE FERREE- A daughter of Pennsylvania Motor Speedway Big Block LM driver Ed and wife Gayle. Ed is also President of Frankland Racing Supply who supplies those Frankland Racing Rears and Clincher Gears.

April 12
MIKE CALINOFF- Charlotte, NC writer/editor, Producer of STOCK CAR CITY at www.stockcarcity.com.
JIM HAILEY- Manager of the Richard Childress Show Car Teams out of Welcome, NC.
DAVE MICHEL- Wall Township Speedway star Modified driver.
TIM DWIGGINS- NC Modified driver.
BOB STRAIT- Mokena, IL ASA/ARCA driver.
TOMMY FOX- Plainfield, CT NASCAR WMT/NASCAR CWES driver and fabricator.
ELAINE FEBRIELLO- Wife of retired Waterbury, CT Modified team owner, Woody.
MARK FEBRIELLO- Elaine and Woody's son.

April 13
RUSS HERSEY, JR.- Keene, NH NASCAR CWES driver.
CHRIS AMAN- NC based, Interlaken NY Mod Series/NASCAR CWES driver.
MITCH GIBBS- Norwich, NY dirt Modified driver.
DARRYL CARL- Voorheesville, NY occasional NASCAR CWES driver.
JAY STUART- Preston, CT proprietor of JDM Chassis and accomplished LM driver.
KEITH WHITE- Higginsville, MO All Pro Series driver.
KEN DIPPEL- Upstate NY photographer.
MARK GEER, JR.- A son of former Waterford Mod Tech Inspector Mark and Office Manager wife Linda.
JEAN SMERIGLIO- Brookfield, CT wife of retired Danbury driver Dave.
DEAN DeBOIS- El Monte, CA dad of Pam Krause, wife of AARN's Ass't to the Editor, Earl.

April 14
JOHNNY RUMLEY- Winston-Salem, NC NNS driver.
JEFF ANDRETTI- Bethlehem, PA Indy Car/NSC/NNS driver; Mario's youngest son.
PAUL SACKS- Son of NSC driver Greg.
DICK FEARN- Feeding Hills, MA dad of ProStock driver Tom.

April 15 TAX FILING DEADLINE
BOBBY HUTCHENS- NC Modified driver.
JIM RAYMOND- Earlville, NY crewman on the Mitch Gobbs dirt Mod.

*** NEW BEGINNINGS ***

MAX HELTON- Founder of Motor Racing Outreach and Worldspan Ministries went home to be with the Lord this past week. Max Helton passed away peacefully at home on Sunday evening March 30, following a heroic battle with brain cancer. The family requests that in lieu of flowers memorials contributions may be sent to: Worldspan Ministries, P.O. Box 681117, Charlotte, NC 28216

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