God Provides!

So....... just a simple suggestion by my pastor about adding the book "The Man in the Mirror" to the crew care packs turned into seeing God work in just a few short days! Last week a few e-mails were sent and three days later Kingdom Racing donated 600 books and EMI Records donated 600 CD's !!!!! WOW!!!!!! It was unbelievable!

This week was also the "last" offering during our Sunday School class. In addition to another $500 donation, the offering was $550!!!! Based on that number, WE HAVE ALL COSTS COVERED FOR THIS PROJECT!!!!

Thanks to the classes at Indian Creek Christian Church, thanks to Kingdom Racing, thanks to EMI, but most of all, thanks be to God! God provides. Let God work. Blessings!

Vision Study, Crew Care Packs, & Makin' Plans

The custom IRL Ministry backpacks arrived today! The contents of the bags are coming together! The devotionals and tool box decals are here! Arrangements have been made to pick up the water from Aqua Systems (www.ilovemywater.com). Thanks Mike! The packing party is set for 3/15/09 at 12:30PM in Atrium A at Indian Creek Christian Church (www.thecreek.org).

I have been busy making travel arrangements for the year. All my hotels are booked! I am still working with Greenwood Travel (www.greenwoodtravel.com) on all my flights! Thanks Ian!

The study at Vision went well today. We discussed how and why Jesus choose his disciples. These guys were ordinary people entrusted with the mission to spread the news of Christ. We are very similar to the disciples. As Christ followers, we are to do what Jesus commanded in Matthew 28:19Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."

Go!!!!!!!!!!!! God Bless!!

Chinese Church in Greenwood

I had to opportunity to preach today at the Chinese Church that meets at the Community Church of Greenwood (Indiana). These people are so genuine and reverent. There passion for Christ and humility are something I can learn from! Thanks for the opportunity to share Christ!

Crew Care Pack Update!!!!!!

We are up to $1750! Praise the Lord! So below is the status…….

$1500 – 600 BIBLES – PAID IN FULL!
$554 – 1000 TRI Fold Inserts – ½ PAID IN FULL!
$954 – 600 back packs – well…. not so paid… : (
$0 – 500 devotionals – PAID IN FULL - DONATED - Our Daily Bread
$0- 600 tool box decals – PAID IN FULL - DONATED - Business Art & DeSigns
...waiting to see if we can pay for the backpacks before we order any fillers like water, jerky, etc.

Thanks to ALL who have donated from Mark Miller and Steve Totten's class at "The Creek"! (www.thecreek.org)

IRL Ministry Donations

This year has been especially tough financially on everyone, including the IRL Ministry. In these tough economic times, everyone is cutting back on their spending and giving. Those cut backs have affected the IRL Ministry for 2009. We are looking at major changes to how the IRL Ministry functions if donations are not received. These changes may include selling the motorcoach an cutting back on Chaplains expenses. If we do not have a motorcoach, we will not be able to tow the trailer which contains all of our sound system for Chapel services, golf carts, and scooters for track transportation.

If God is urging you to give in this area, please follow that leading. You may contact me or Bob Hills at bhills@indyracing.com or go to the IRL Ministry website at www.irlministry.com.

Thanks for your continued support!

Bibles Ordered & Vision Study!!

The Bibles for the crew care packs have been ordered thanks to the donations of our Small Group Class at Indian Creek Christian Church! Praise God! We are still raising funds for the backpacks and other items. Our Daily Bread donated 500 devotinals which have already arrived! Pray that God will bless this project and it will work to further His kingdom!

The Vision Racing Winners Circle study is going well. Some of the topics related to Joe Gibb's book Racing to Win that have been discussed are, trials, spiritual trasnformation, God's plans for your life, prayer, and the desires of your heart. Pray that God will continue to lead the subject matter every Wednesday at 11:30!!!!

Crew Care Pack Project!!

We are moving forward with a project for next year!!! We are raising funds for a “care package” for each of the crew members for next year…. I am getting’ excited about this…. The pack would include:

New Testament, Psalms and Proverbs Bibles with the IRL Ministry logo imprinted on the front cover, drawstring backpacks with the IRL Ministry logo on it, 60 day devotionals, tool box decals, IRL Ministry 3 fold flyers, beef jerky packs, trail mix, gum, mints, a bottle of water, etc. to fill out the packs.

If you would like to be a part of this project, please let me know! We still need money to order the Bibles and bags and are looking for the rest of the supplies to pack the bags!

A bible in each IRL crew member's hand. How cool is that!!!!!!!!! God Bless!

Vision Study Update

We covered the first two chapters of the Joe Gibbs "Racing to Win" book yesterday. We had 6 guys attend and two more that showed some interest! I believe the Holy Spirit was present as we had great interaction and discussion. Please pray as we continue this study next week!

Also pray for the other studies at the IRL offices, Panther Racing, and one "in the works" at Andretti Green Racing.

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!

I hope everyone had a great Christmas season! Let's keep Christ first in our lives this year! I have been working on my schedule and budget for next year. I have submitted them to my church, Indian Creek Christian Church (http://www.thecreek.org/), who partially supports me in my involvement in the IRL Ministry. I will be attending approx. 13 races next year! I am so excited to be led by the Holy Spirit in this effort!

I will be running the Vision Racing Winner's Circle this Wednesday. We are going through the Joe Gibbs book "Racing to Win". Pray that God will be present and actually leading the study (not me).

Please pray for those who have lost their jobs in our racing community. These are difficult times for the teams and team members. Also pray for George Del Canto and his family from Kingdom Racing (http://www.kingdomracing.net/). His wife recently went home to be with the Lord. Pray that they will see God's control and direction in this difficult time.

Vision Study Going Well!

God was moving last week during our study at Vision Racing. We finished the study on Coach Dungy's book. We are researching our next study subject. Please continue to pray for the men in the study. Pray for the safety at the testing next week in Homestead. Thanks for your support!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving to everyone! Take this week to reflect a bit on just what God has done for you.... We often immediately think to "earthly blessings". Which this past year I am thankful for the opportunity to serve Him in the IRL Ministry and the ability to walk again! That is all great stuff, but stop and think about the sacrifice that God made with Jesus on the cross.... Now that is worth shouts and praise of thankgiving!!

2008 IRL Ministry Pics!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!(CLICK ON PIC then CLICK ON "SLIDESHOW BUTTON" on UPPER RIGHT CORNER of photobucket page!)

Photobucket Album

Vision Study going Great!

We continued with the Vision Racing study, that we have named "Winner's Circle", last Wednesday. We are a little more than half way through the Tony Dungy book study. There was a lot of participation from everyone in the study. We discussed "your security". Neat conversations which many opening their hearts... We want to get to where our faith in God is our security, no matter what. Based on our humanness, that is sometimes easier said than done. Pray that we keep that focus. Pray for the study this week. Pray the Holy Spirit will move mightily.

Praising God on the Recovery Road!

Yuh know, sometimes during our prayer time we spend all our time asking God for things. We ask Him to be with others, help us with this or that, what should we do in this situation, etc. I have been walking a mile a day for the past 3 weeks! 2 weeks ahead of schedule! I have spent that time (roughly 20 minutes) to pray. I ask God for nothing during that time. I use it specifically to give Him praise and glory and thank Him for all he has done for me and my family. I thank Him for healing me and allowing me to walk pain free! I thank Him for blessing me so much. I thank Him for Jesus and what He did for me on that cross.

My recovery is going well. The back and teeth pain are subsiding. My range of motion is increasing. Thank you for all your prayers and support! Take time today to pray. During your next prayer time, thank God this time..... and don't ask for a thing.....

Back to Work!!

I start back to work on a part-time basis on Monday! I am looking forward to "getting back in the groove". I know many of my coworkers have been greatly concerned about my condition and have been praying for me. Those prayers mean more that they will ever know! I started physical therapy last week and am walking a mile a day! I use that time to specifically praise God for having even the ability to walk again pain free! We take so much for granted in this life. Don't let a major event or tragedy in your life force you to thank God for every thing you have and every breath you take. Take time to thank Him right now........

Recovery Update

Well, it has been an interesting road to recovery... The teeth pain I was experiencing led me to an endodontist who discovered a cracked tooth! They did a root canal on the spot! So, I am trying to get over all that on top of the back pain. I have to have a crown installed next week. I am still experiencing teeth pain and not sure what is causing that. The pain has decreased, however, since the root canal. The back is coming along nicely. I see the surgeon today to remove the stitches and a general checkup. I walked a mile yesterday with no walker or cane!!! I was praising God the entire time for even the ability to walk!

We take so much for granted.... Take time today to thank your Lord and Savior for life, your health, and even the breath you breathe! Thanks for your prayers and support!

IRL Ministry in Australia

Pray for Bob Hills and Father Phil as they are making the trip to Surfers Paradise to represent the IRL Ministry for the race this weekend. Pray for safety and that during the long trip that new relationships will be established, existing ones enhanced and the Christ will be glorified in all that they do. Thanks!

Recovering after Second Surgery

I had to go back in last week to reopen the back incision to get it "cleaned out" and test for infection. After the cultures came back, they discovered I had a COAG negative staff infection. The good news is it is treatable by oral antibiotics. So, praise God for that. We were being coached to get ready for a 12 week, at home, IV antibiotic.... yikes....... I am back home and working hard on recovery... I am walking less with walker and more with just a cane....

Pray that God's healing touch will continue. Pray for my patience during the process....... I remain faithful and trusting God expectantly. I am excited about walking without pain..... soon.... Also pray for my angel wife that continues to care for me 24/7!! Thanks for your support and prayers!

"Winners Circle" Underway at Vision

The "Winners Circle" has had its first two meetings at Vision Racing! This is a study held at the shop during lunch. We are currently going through Coach Dungy's book as a basis for the study. So far, there have been good turnouts at the studies. Please pray for continued interest!

I am continuing to recover at home from my back surgery. Things are going well. I am walking a little with a goal to complete a mile by the 6 week mark! Please pray for a speedy recovery and patience, as this is usually a fairly long recovery. Thanks!

Home never felt sooo good!!!!

I am home from my surgery! I returned home Sunday (9/28) afternoon after a 5 day stay at Ortho Indy Hospital on the NW side. Dr. Riina and his staff did a great job and I thank God for gifting those those people! The hip pain and numbness in my right leg are gone! I obviously have lots of pain from the surgery, but I am excited about the other pain being gone!! Pray for patience and a quick healing process. Also pray for my wife as I will be her patient (or testing her patience) for the next few weeks. She has been great! I could ask God for anything more!