The Lord Has Come

One of my favorite Christmas specials is “A Charlie Brown Christmas.” I like it because Charles Schultz chooses to quote the Scriptural story of Christmas found in the Gospel of Luke, Chapter 2. I still can see Linus reading the story and the attention of all being drawn to God’s word. I have put the story here, take time and read it this Christmas season. Sit down with your friends and family and truly embrace the gift that God sent to us. Greetings in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Luke 2: 1-20, NIV

1 In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. 2 (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) 3 And everyone went to his own town to register.

4 So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. 5 He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. 6 While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, 7 and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

8 And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. 12 This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”

13 Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,

14 “Glory to God in the highest,

and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.”

15 When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”

16 So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. 17 When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, 18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. 19 But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. 20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.

This passage helps us understand the fulfillment of the promise that God gave Israel, a Savior. So significant was the birth of Christ that it split time. We stopped counting backward and started counting forward. BC and AD separate our calendar. Not taught in the Bible but decided on by man to reflect the turning point in world history, the birth, life, ministry, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. BC means “before Christ”, AD is from the Latin phrase “anno domini” which means “ in the year of our Lord”. So significant was the birth of Christ man decided to change the way they recorded history.

Another unknown author contributed this for our consideration; One Solitary Life.

Here is a man who was born in an obscure village, the child of a peasant woman.
He grew up in another village. He worked in a carpenter shop until He was thirty.
Then for three years He was an itinerant preacher.

He never owned a home. He never wrote a book. He never held an office. He
never had a family. He never went to college. He never put His foot inside a big
city. He never traveled two hundred miles from the place He was born. He never
did one of the things that usually accompany greatness. He had no credentials but Himself.

While still a young man, the tide of popular opinion turned against him. His friends
ran away. One of them denied Him. He was turned over to His enemies. He went
through the mockery of a trial. He was nailed upon a cross between two thieves.
While He was dying, His executioners gambled for the only piece of property He
had on earth – His coat. When He was dead, He was laid in a borrowed grave
through the pity of a friend.

Nineteen long centuries have come and gone, and today He is a centerpiece of the human race and leader of the column of progress.

I am far within the mark when I say that all the armies that ever marched, all the
Navys that were ever built; all the parliaments that ever sat and all the kings that
ever reigned, put together, have not affected the life of man upon this earth as
powerfully as has that ONE SOLITARY LIFE!

Consider that one solitary life that was given to you for the salvation of your soul. Don’t let the significance of the birth of Christ pass you by. This holiday season look to the one who gave his life for you, rejoice in his love, find the hope, peace and joy that he offers. Acknowledge him in all that you do and he will guide you along the right path. God Bless and Merry Christmas.

THOUGHTS FROM THE ROAD

No Surgery! I visited the doctor this week and he said I do not need any further surgical procedures. I will need to be careful but I should be fine. I have a few more follow up appointments to keep an eye on things but I should be fine.

Motorsports 2008 is coming together. We will have an all-star lineup again this year; Donny Lia, WMT Champion; Joey Lagano, GNBES Champion; Jamie Tomaino, former WMT Champion and Woody Pitkat, Multi-time SMS and TIS Champion and Second Place Whelen All-American Series finisher, along with their cars. We also are adding the championship cart of Michael Pares Jr. from Raceway Park’s Sr. Sportsman division and Bob Menschner may have a legend car from Wall Stadium. Last but not least will be our new 2007 Ford Fusion Pace Car. Make plans to stop by and get an autograph.

This week we were on the road in Uncasville, CT at Mohegan Sun Resort for the Championship Banquets. We had a great time catching up with folks and enjoying the celebration. We were honored to bring the invocation at both events.

The WMT went the extra mile in their awards this year. With longtime owner, Bob Garbarino winning his first championship after 42 years of competition, Whelen produced a carbon copy of the driver’s trophy and presented it to Bob. Hoosier Tire also presented Bob with a championship jacket identical to the one they presented to Donny Lia.

The Championship Trophy itself came with a special presentation. Seventeen of the surviving nineteen drivers who have won a Whelen Modified Tour were present to participate in the presentation. Phil from Whelen shared with me earlier this year that he was trying to get them all there. The weather this past week proved to be the only obstacle that prevented them all from being here. The presentation was a kickoff for the 60^th year of NASCAR Modified racing in 2008. Whelen added to the future security of the tour by announcing they would be on board through at least 2016. I am excited about the connection of the past and the future. I think the future is bright for the Whelen Modified Tour.

Maybe the greatest story of the WMT championship season was that some kids from Long Island crossed the Sound and joined with some 60-something guys from Mystic, they united around a famed car owner and a car with a storied history to bring it home in first place.

The Busch East Series held their last banquet and crowned their youngest champion, Joey Lagano. With the presentation of the ring, a chapter was closed. A few minutes later a new chapter was written as Camping World was introduced as the new sponsor for the Grand National Division, both East and West. We will make the transition from beer makers to tent makers. We can identify with the tent makers.

The Camping World Series also released the 2008 Schedule that returns the series to many of the same venues as 2007 with two surprises; We will return to Watkins Glen, an all-time favorite among the drivers and the season will close out at Stafford Motor Speedway as part of the Carquest Fall Final Weekend. I think this is a great addition to the schedule. Stafford is a driver’s track and if it is here the champion is crowned they will have to earn it.

The feel good story of the night came in a report from George Bouley; back and forth to Irwindale in the Bouley Dually, one windstorm, one tornado and a tumbleweed in the grill; no breakdowns, priceless. God bless the Bouley family as they continue to demonstrate the passion of a racing family, willing to sacrifice it all for the chance to race. You guys inspire me to carry on.

The quote of the weekend goes to Mike “Magic Shoes” McLaughlin, “I would rather crash at 200mph than get up there and give a speech.”

Have a Merry Christmas and enjoy the holiday season with your friends and family.

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***

December 29

JOHN & JANET KOLKOSKI- Editor of the “Pipe Smoke” website at www.pitseries.com, www.yankeeracer.com and others, and wife share their 16th anniversary.

December 31

JAY & ANGELINA STUART- The Preston, CT LM driver and proprietor of JDM Chassis and partner wife have their 14th anniversary.

***HAPPY BIRTHDAYS***

December 19

MIKE BEAM- Hickory, NC NNC Crew Chief.

RANDY BUSSARD- Berlin, PA LM and Eric Corbett USAR Hooter’s ProCup Northern Series team member.

December 20

BEN HESS- Wooster, OH ARCA driver.

SCOTT GOODYEAR- Toronto, Canada born, Indianapolis IRL/CART driver.

ANDY BRASS- St. Charles, MO CTS driver.

DANNY SNELL- Harrison, GA NASCAR driver.

TAYLOR NICOLE EARNHARDT- Theresa’s and the late Dale’s daughter is 19.

KINSLEY RAE PARSONS- BGN/WC’s Phil and Marcia’s daughter and Benny’s neice is 20.

STELLA BURNS- Wife of Haverhill, MA SuperModified team owner Mark.

December 21

FRANCES SPENCER- The Berwick, PA mother of the famous racing family, headed up by driver Jimmy.

RENE DUPUIS- This lady drives a NASCAR WMT race car.

BRIAN CAOUETTE- Wolcott, CT LM driver.

MARK BAKER- NASCAR BES NASCAR official.

WESLEY FOOR- Son of Path Valley Micro Sprint driver Kenny and wife Lisa from Everett, PA is 13.

December 22

BRUCE VAN NORDE- Cathy’s husband is a Wall Township Speedway Demo Derby and Truck Series driver.

JOHN CERBONE- Bronx, NY NASCAR BES driver.

December 23

TOBEY BUTLER- Kirkland, WA CTS driver.

JOE HENRY THURMAN- Rocky Moutn, VA retired BGN driver.

TOMMY EDMONDS lll- Naugatuck, CT WMT crewman.

ANDY CUSACK- President of Beech Ridge Motor Speedway.

ALAN COULL- Norwich, CT race car paint graphics person and writer.

JOHN BARRY, SR.- The proud father of Jewett City, CT NASCAR BES former driver Jeff.

LEE ORTICELLI- Griswold, CT fan.

December 24

SHELBY ZUIDEMA- Daughter of N. Brookfield, MA ProStock driver Jeff and wife Jennifer is 14.

*** December 25 CHRISTMAS ***

LEO CLEARY- Retired to Florida, this former Hanover, MA Modified driver is listed among Stafford’s all-time greatest 50 drivers.

JOE PEZZA- Glen Cove, NY NASCAR BES driver.

BRUCE HALEY- Minot, ME LM/NASCAR BES driver.

KAT TEASDALE- Toronto, Ontario NASCAR BES occasional driver.

KEN KAGLE- Latham, MA LM driver.

LARRY KING- Burlington, NC Brian King driven Modified team owner.

ELAINE CALINOFF- Widow of Hauppauge, NY writer/editor Len.

STEVE STONE- St. Clairsville, OH fan and “RPM Racing News” writer.

BRYNNA NOELLE McCAUGHEY- The daughter and “Christmas Angel” of New Egypt Speedway Chief Tech Inspector John McCaughey and wife Cathi is 18.

December 26

FRITZ ROEHRIG- Owner of the famous PA high-banked third miler, Big Diamond Speedway.

BECKY SADLER- Eliot, ME fan

JASON PARES- A son of Wall Township Speedway based Mod Series photographer Michael is 17.

December 27

MIKE LAUGHLIN- Simpsonville, NC LMSC/BGN driver.

ANGELA CARUSO- This Micro Sprint driver from Phillipsburg, NJ.

WILLIAM LINK- Lexington, NC team owner with Modified driver Donald Lind.

RICH HAYES- NH photographer.

December 28

KENNY BURKS- Charlottsville, NC LMSC/BGN driver.

L.D. OTTINGER- Retired Newport, TN BGN driver.

JACK INGRAM- “The Iron Man,” retired nine time BGN champion.

CHERYL TOMAINO- Howell, NJ NASCAR WMT driver Jamie’s wife.

CATIE FERREE- A daughter of Saxonburg, PA PPMS multi-time big block LM champion Ed and wife Gayle.

December 29

J.R. WILLIAMS- Carson City, Nevada Midget driver.

DOUG WORTHING- Five Mile Point Speedway Mod driver.

LOU RETTENMEIER- Sherman, CT BES driver and head of the New England Dodge Show Car Program.

SCOTT WALKER- Torrington, CT race fan.

PATTY MOISE SAWYER- Chesapeake, VA BGN driver, Elton’s wife.

RAY “BUBBA” WILSON- NH Lee and Star Speedway fan.

KATHLEEN CHANNELL- Wife of Epping, NH Channell One Video proprietor Bill. Look for a lot of his NASCAR WMT/NASCAR BES highlights in the annual AARN Video and on the web at www.racevideo.com

December 30

RAY SWINEHART- Bechtelsville, PA dirt Modified driver.

RICHIE PRATT- Huffville, NJ long-time Bridgeport Speedway Mod driver.

CHRIS DIAMOND- Hickory, NC LMSC/BGN driver.

BURT MYERS- Walnut Cove, NC Modified driver.

MIKE DaRONCO- Yonkers, NY writer.

December 31

CHRIS ERM- NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour official.

MARTY CONLON- D.I.R.T. Modified driver.

KEITH LAMELL- Essex Junction, VT NASCAR occasional BES driver.

DOROTHY LYNN SCHRADER- NNC Ken and Ann’s oldest is 14.

RILEE CRAVEN- Daughter of Maine NASCAR driver Rick and Cathy is 12.

PAUL WARREN- Longmeadow, MA fan and long time personal friend of Rev. Pat.

January 1

KENNY GRAGG- Hickory, NC LMSC/BGN driver.

VIC KANGAS- NNC\BGN Crew Chief.

GAIL LOBO – CT ProStock driver John Jr.’s wife.

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/RWJM

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