Welcome to 2008
Wasn’t it just a few years ago when the Y2K scare had us all wondering what the New Year would bring? Now eight years later it seems just a distant memory. Time flies when you are having fun. What does the New Year have in store for you? Greetings in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Then we live through the year and respond to the events that shape and form our lives. They are different than we imagined. The twists and turn of events change our hopes and dreams. They adjust our priorities. They clarify what is truly important and what can be left undone until tomorrow.
When we entered 2007 we had expectations, dreams and plans. Who could have predicted the events that changed our lives forever? Think about the past year, think about the changes that took place in your life. Ask yourself, how did I persevere? I contend there is only one way to get through the challenges that life presents to us, through the love of others.
Look at a typical race day. We enter the track with hopes and expectations. We practice and adjust the racecar, make repairs from unforeseen on track encounters. We head to qualifying with the expectation of making the race. Some do, some don’t, some go home to work on next time. Those that make it run the race. They deal with the events as they unfold. The fact remains only one wins. What keeps them going until the next race? The hope of improvement. The desire to sit in Victory Lane.
One thing is constant, we have to run the race. Life is like a race, we prepare, we plan, we think we know the way things will work out. Then it happens, the unexpected, things that we knew could happen but hoped they wouldn’t. What happens when the storms of life come?
Let me make a suggestion on how to prepare for the challenges that 2008 has in store for us. Build your life on the solid foundation of Christ. Anchor yourself in Him. Listen to the way Jesus explains it to us in Matthew;
Matthew 7:24-27, nlt, “Anyone who listens to my teaching and follows it is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock. Though the rain comes in torrents and the floodwaters rise and the winds beat against that house, it won’t collapse because it is built on bedrock. But anyone who hears my teaching and doesn’t obey it is foolish, like a person who builds a house on sand. When the rains and floods come and the winds beat against that house, it will collapse with a mighty crash.”
There are two ways and only two ways to live. You either listen and follow Jesus, or you don’t’. We decide. Take a look at the passage. There were two men. Both wanted to build their life, a home, a legacy. They listened and knew the teaching of Jesus. They made different choices; one chose to follow, one choose to make his own decisions. They both experienced challenges, storms if you will. One was able to withstand because of who he put his trust and faith in. One’s life came crashing down because he didn’t have the ability and resources necessary to withstand the storm. Even though his life was in a pile of rubble there was still hope, he could still turn to Jesus. Listen to the offer Jesus makes;
Matthew 11:28-29,nlt, Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle, and you will find rest for your souls.
When we listen and follow the teaching and guidance of God through accepting Jesus we add to our lives the hope that we need to endure anything life can throw at us. No matter what 2008 has in store for us we can handle it through Christ. Just ask David, he endured some of the most challenging situations in his life and made it through. Remember Goliath, he faced the giant with a sling and seven smooth stones. He was victorious. We can read other stories in the Old Testament. David summed his experience of letting God control his life with these words;
Psalm 23 1-3,nlt, The Lord is my shepherd; I have everything I need. He lets me rest in green meadows; he leads me beside peaceful streams. He renews my strength.
David goes on to explain how God revealed Himself to him throughout the challenges he faced in life. We will take the next few weeks to learn how God wants to be a part of our lives now and forever. Psalm 23 is a familiar passage of Scripture and we will concentrate on it and learn what significance it has for us in our Winter Bible Study.
Learn what it means to depend on God. Learn what it means to have God a part of your life. Build your life on the rock, the foundation that is Jesus Christ.
Take the time over the next few weeks to join us and remember if you have any questions you can call or email me. Have a great week.
THOUGHTS FROM THE ROAD
I have had a wonderful time relaxing and spending time with family and friends over the holidays. I hope you also enjoyed the time off. Well its time to get back into the swing of things. Some folks got a head start up in Lake Placid, but instead of wheels, they rode on blades. Go figure the Southern Mod Champ L.W. Miller posted the fastest time but the championship went to the most experienced bobsledder, Boris Said. Rumor has it L.W. headed further south to get some training in Jamaica. Was he seen with dreadlocks? I am sure a good time was had by all and one of these days we will head up there and give it a try.
Motorsports 2008 is ahead for us, things are changing and coming together. Please plan on being there to support us and AARN. We look forward to seeing you.
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***
January 15
TONY & BRENDA HIRSCHMAN- This Northampton, PA NASCAR WMT/CWSE GRAND NATIONAL championship driver and wife share their 30th anniversary.
***HAPPY BIRTHDAYS***
FORGOT ONE
December 30
GREG NARDUCCI- WMT #9 car owner known for his smile, husband of Venetta.
January 2
ROBBY GORDON – Cerritos, CA NASCAR Cup driver.
TOM MELI- Wall Township Speedway Modified driver.
PENNY HENDRICKSON – Lawrenceville, NJ driver Wade’s mother.
January 3
FREDDY HAMM – Pennsy SMART Modified driver; Debbie’s husband.
BABE BRANSCOMBE – Northwood, NH NASCAR CWSE driver.
DANA SAVERY – Plymouth, MA Seekonk Street Stock Driver.
ROBERT DILLNER, SR. – On Long Island, proud dad of TV racing’s Bobby and Matt Dillner.
DAWN WAUGH – The wife of Rev. Bill; RWJM Chaplain at Challenger and Latrobe Speedways in PA and Western PA/ Ohio RWJM Coordinator.
January 4
ED DENSIESKI – Riverhead Modified driver.
RED MEAD – Vermont Flying Tiger driver.
TERESA MOORE – Horseshoe, NC New Asheville Speedway driver.
RODNEY CRABTREE- Brewco Motorsports BGN team member.
January 5
ED SPENCER, SR. – Retired Berwyck, PA LM/Mod driver, dad of the famous racing family.
CHRIS BROWN – Charlotte, NC driver.
TROY BEEBE – Modesto, CA NASCAR driver.
EVA LING – In NJ, wife of Seargent Donnie, Don’s son.
ANN TURNER – Wife of Maine driver Bobby.
SHARON MESERVEY – Wife of NASCAR WMT driver, Dan, Jr.
TRICIA ZYLA – A child of Shamokin, PA writer Greg.
January 6
ROBBY NIEUWENHUIS JR.- From Plainwell, MI, Crew Chief on brother Steve’s Late Model also Tammy’s husband and father to daughter Erin and three sons Colt, Carson and Kendall.
CHERYL BRODERICK – The oldest of the Brookfield, CT Mod driver Jim.
January 7
STEVE PAINE – “Hurricane”, Waterloo, NY dirt Mod driver.
MARTY HOUSTON – Hickory, NC NASCAR Truck Series driver.
LANCE WADE – Victoria, British Columbia NASCAR West driver.
LINDA LARSEN- Official at Riverhead.
January 8
BOBBY HAMILTON, JR- NASCAR NNS/CTS/CWSE driver.
JIM COURAGE – Fair Oaks, CA NASCAR West driver.
BETTY JO YARBOROUGH – Wife the NNC former great Cale.
DEBBIE HAYES – Norwich, CT Waterford Speedbowl fan
January 9
MARK MARTIN – Batesville, AK Viagra NSCS driver.
SCOTT BOULEY- Thomaston, CT NASCAR CWSE driver.
CHRIS WHITEHEAD – NY D.I.R.T. Mod driver.
ROBERT HENDRICKSON – NJ asphalt Mod driver.
MELISSA DIONNE – Street Stock driver; Daughter of RWJM’s Gary and Debbie in Acton, CA.
JANICE BRICE – Wife of Bill III.
FREDERICK, BRANDON & FRANCESCA RAHMER – The triplets of PA Sprint driver Fred and Debbie are 11.
January 10
HARRY GANT- Statesville, NC retired NSCS great.
EDDIE CHEEVER- Phoenix, AZ born, now Tampa, FL IRL driver.
PARKER BOHN – Retired Wall Township Speedway great and dad of current New Jersey aspahlt/dirt driver Eddie.
JOHN WINTER – S. Salem, NY retired to Palm Coast, FL Lebanon Valley SBM driver.
TRUDY CHARETTE – The wife of Linwood, MA carpenter fan Walter.
January 11
BRETT BODINE – Chemung, NY former cup driver now in R&D for NASCAR.
PETE SILVA – Leicester, NC LMSC driver, a former Maine hotshoe.
BOB RANDALL – Maine LM driver.
GAVIN WILLIAM STAKEY- The son of Stafford LM driver Cliff and wife Lorna is 8.
ERIC LONGACRE- Against All Odds Racing’s Tammy’s son.
January 12
BOBBY DRAGON – Milton, VT CWSE driver.
KERRY TEAGUE – Concord, NC NNC/NNS driver.
NATTHEW KOCHER- This Quarter Midget driver at Blue Mountain QMRA is Berlinsville, PA, and son of Kerri Sue and Eric Kocher, Mahoning Valley Mod driver, turns 11.
RUSH LIMBAUGH – New York, NY Indy car fan; radio host.
January 13
ERNIE IRVAN – Salinas, CA Sprint Cup retired driver.
TIM NOONER – Las Vegas, NV NASCAR Truck driver.
KEVIN ALLEN – of New Milford, Ct is a crew member on Lloyd Agor’s team at Stafford Speedway.
January 14
SCOTT DEWARE – South Easton, MA NASCAR BES and GT driver.
TONY DIAS, JR. – Son of Riverside, RI Seekonk ProStock driver, Tony, Sr.
JASON THOMAS – A grown-up son of Maine based “Racin’ Paper” Publisher and Editor, Mark.
January 15
TIM CONNOLLY- Endwell, NY Mod Series driver.
DENNIS DOYLE- Plymouth, CT former NASCAR CWSE driver.
DAVE LAMPRON- Gorham, ME driver.
***NEW BEGINNINGS***
LOUIS SEMINARA, 75, passed away Wednesday, Jan. 2, 2008, at his residence in Palm Coast, FL after a long battle with cancer. He served in the U.S. Army with the 2nd Infantry Division and was a veteran of the Korean War. He enjoyed all sports, including NASCAR, playing golf and traveling by cruise ship. He instilled his love for racing in the heart of his son Ted, taking him to his first stock car race at the Danbury Race Arena. Ted now serves as a photographer for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series.
Louis moved to Palm Coast in 1995 from Brewster, N.Y. He is survived by his loving wife of 47 years, Rose Marie Seminara, Palm Coast. He will be sadly missed by his two sons and daughters-in-law, Ted and Elizabeth Seminara, Mt. Holly, N.C., and Robert and Sara Seminara, Palm Coast; two sisters, Teresa Giglio, Mt. Vernon, and Margaret Cherry, Bronxville, N.Y.; brother, Vincent Seminara, Scarsdale, N.Y.; three beloved grandchildren, Brandon, Kyle and Rachel; and eight nieces and nephews. Cards of condolence and sympathy can be sent to Ted Seminara, PO Box 208, MT. Holly, NC 28120
SHARE YOUR SPECIAL OCCASIONS WITH YOUR RACING FAMILY. SEND THEM TO RACING WITH JESUS MINISTRIES AT PO BOX 586, Tolland, CT, 06084.
Sources: Don Rivers/RWJM