Don t you realize that in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize? So run to win!

Transcription

1 The final round of the 2013 motocross national series was in Walton, Ontario. Walton also hosts the Canadian amateur national during the week leading up to the Sunday pro national. Alex Jeffery (Eric s youngest brother) competed in the Junior class during the amateur week placing first in MX1, first in MX3 and second in MX2. He represented Redemption Racing and our sponsors very well during the week! On Sunday, at rider s meeting devotion I talked about 1 Corinthians 9:24-27 and how the apostle Paul makes the relation to being conditioned for racing as being a conditioned Christian. Verse 24 Don t you realize that in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize? So run to win! Many athletes enter the race but only one wins the prize. In the Christian race, we have to run to receive the prize. We must train as athletes who really want to win. We have to make the effort. Many Christians enter the race but some drop out, fall and are unable to get up. Verse 25. All athletes are disciplined in their training. They do it to win a prize that will fade away, but we do it for an eternal prize. We must be disciplined, and refrain from things that would interfere with our goal, which is to win a heavenly reward that will not fade away- that is eternal life through Christ. Verse 26. So I run with purpose in every step. I am not just shadowboxing. Run with confidence. Do 1 / 5

2 whatever you have to do to stay in the race. Persevere until the end. Jesus said in Matthew 10:22 that the person who endures until the end shall be saved. You have to fight to stay in the race. Remember, you are fighting against the enemy (the devil) who wants you to fail. He doesn't want you to finish the race. He will do whatever he can to trip you up, but you have to be determined and press on. Verse 27. I discipline my body like an athlete, training it to do what it should. Otherwise, I fear that after preaching to others I myself might be disqualified. An athlete trains their body in order to be fit for the race and they refrain from things that would interfere with their goals. As Christians, we must train our minds and bodies to practice self-denial. We must restrain and limit our own desires and interest to keep our bodies under control. Run with your goal in mind, not allowing yourself to be distracted or discouraged. Keep your eyes on the prize. If you stumble or fall, pick yourself up and continue running until you reach the finish line. Another way the enemy likes to tempt us is through our bodies As athletes we must go on a strict diet and regiment of exercise in order to qualify and be fit for the race. As Christians, we must put our bodies under subjection, meaning that we must be in control of our bodies instead of our bodies controlling US. From Gavin... Hello for the last time this season... With Walton being the last round of the series, it came at a very sensitive time. With my wife due with our first child on the 16th, it made leaving her somewhat stressful. With understanding from the doctors on the state she was in, and lots of prayer, we felt she would have our daughter later than expected. I had a feeling that I would be able to finish up the season just in time, but in the back of my mind knowing at any moment I would have to catch an urgent flight home. With a near scare in the Detroit airport on the Friday, and thinking I was going to head back south, I got word from Shena and doctors that things were stable and the time for labor had not yet come. I then proceeded on to Walton for the finish of the season. 2 / 5

3 Moto 1 Recap At the drop of the gate, I shot out with a clear track hoping for another holeshot. I ended up leaving turn one in 3rd position. I was quickly passed by 4 other riders on lap one putting me back to 7th. I would race as hard as I could until the finish. I was passed by two other riders toward the end of the moto putting me back to 9th to close out moto 1. Moto 2 Recap When the gate dropped on moto 2, I launched off the gate and quickly wheelied, which eliminated my hopes for the final holeshot of the season. I was quickly shuffled back to mid pack exiting the first turn. Finally feeling the painful roost for the first time of the weekend, I urgently made pass after pass to get as close to the front as possible. I again raced as hard as I could to the finish, only to reach 9th position once again. I would finish 8th overall on the day, and 6th overall for the entire season. It was an up and down season, in which I was hoping to get more momentum rolling earlier, but it just didn't happen this year. I am very thankful to God above for allowing the Holy Spirit and His Angels to guide me safely through the series. I am also very blessed to have been part of such great fellowship with every member of the Redemption Racing Team. Pslam 91:11 "For He will give his angels charge over you to accompany and defend and preserve you in all your ways." 1 Corinthians 1:9 "God is faithful ( reliable, trustworthy, and therefore true to his promise, and he can be depended on); by Him you were called into companionship and participation with His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord." I am thankful to have this platform to race and glorify my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. I also want to thank my Wife, my Parents, my Church, COGI Athletics, Next Level Training & 3 / 5

4 Motivation, as well as all the sponsors and supporters of Redemption Racing for their continued prayers and support! God Bless From Eric... The day at Walton didn't start off as well as I had hoped. I went down in qualifying and didn't get a good lap time in, making me qualify in 37th which gave me a horrible gate choice on the outside for moto one. I got an alright jump off of the gate, but because I was so far outside I got buried back in the pack. I rode my way up to about 18th, where I then made a stupid mistake and slipped out in a corner losing a few spots. I ended up 22nd in the first moto which was frustrating for me as I normally do great at Walton and I felt that I did not ride up to my potential in the first moto. In the second moto, I had a better gate pick a few spots outside of the box. I got a great jump and came around the corner in 5th place! I felt like I was riding the way I knew how to and stayed around 10th until I felt my back brake locking up on me. I kept kicking my brake pedal and had to pull off as my rear wheel was completely locked up and I couldn't see what the problem was. As I kept kicking the brake, eventually two rocks fell down which were jamming it. By this point I was already two laps down, I managed my way around the track until the finish ensuring I would not get a DNF, finishing 32nd. It is disappointing to end the season on a negative note, being that it was the only round where I didn't earn any points. Despite this, I accomplished many of my goals this year Getting my first pro holeshot in Nanaimo and my I had my best career finish of 10th in Calgary. This season was a definitely a step in the right direction, even if my national number doesn't show it. I am excited and can't wait until next year already! I can't thank the team enough, for sticking behind me and helping me throughout the entire season. Thanks to God for blessing me with a safe season and giving me no bike failures, to my Dad and Mom for all of their support, Dan for pushing me and for helping me train hard out west, Josh my mechanic, Lisa and Dave, Chad for all of his help this year, My Grandpa for all of his hard work on the bikes, my girlfriend Nicole and my brothers for all of their support, Redemption Racing, Jeffery Homes, Tom and Jerry at GP bikes, Jeff Fullerton at Gamma, Fly, Dragon, Lee at Hindle exhaust, SSS Suspension, Boot Trucking, Brent and the Carlson family, Mainland Sand and Gravel, Keith at LB graphics, Tisco racing, Tisco, sunstar, Dunlop, Vertex, Hotcams, Hinson and Friesen plastic products. 4 / 5

5 The 2013 season was very successful on many different levels. I think our team stepped up our efforts in every area and we have much to be proud of and thankful for Gavin lead very insightful Bible studies each weekend, Eric finished top ten in mx1 in Calgary, the Thacker family and Ronnie Dement joined us as a new addition to the team, helping us out on both racing and ministry fronts, and the Jeffery family continues to provide their utmost commitment to the ministry and team. We all have talents and abilities that we used to create a well-functioning body of Christ. Big thanks to the Thacker family, Thacker Industrial services and Tisco Racing for supporting Redemption Racing and making it a success this season. Having Roy and Michael Thacker along with Ronnie Dement has been a huge blessing to us. Also, thanks to Daniel Hutchinson for his help with the team out west and a few rounds in the east. Thanks to Robin Hutchinson as well, for representing Redemption Racing at the ladies nationals. Many thanks to Mitch Goheen, of Just Giver Productions for volunteering his time to film us and taking the time to put together the weekly recap videos! (Here is the link to the Walton Video ). Plans are already underway for next year s season. We are excited to see what God has in store for us. Please continue to pray for Redemption Racing, as we make plans and organize for the upcoming racing season of Thank you for all of the prayers and support. Our ministry and team efforts would not be possible without the help from: GP bikes, Jeffery Homes, Thacker Industrial Services, Boot Trucking, Mainland Sand and Gravel, Wild West Fencing, tiscoracing.com, Fly racing, Dragon, Sunstar, Gamma, KTM, Hot Cams, Pivot Works, Vertex, Hindle Exhaust, Dubya, Renthal, Cycra, Friesen Plastic Products, SDG, Dunlop, K&N, Renegade, Hinson, Matrix, Superior Suspension Settings, Coastal Coffee & Contact Welding Supplies. 5 / 5