Have you ever taken the time to look back on your life and reflect on those people that had an influence on you and what you have attained? I think if we take the time to do that we would see the tremendous blessings God has provided for us. We would see that God’s hand has been on our lives. Greetings in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
I have a little test for you this week. It is of the closed book variety, no looking. The following is the philosophy of Charles Schultz, the creator of the “Peanuts” comic strip. Spend a few minutes reviewing the following questions.
Part I
1. Name the five wealthiest people in the world.
2. Name the last five Heisman trophy winners.
3. Name the last five winners of the Miss America.
4. Name ten people who have won the Nobel or Pulitzer Prize.
5. Name the last half dozen Academy Award winners for best actor and actress.
6. Name the last decade’s worth of World Series winners.
How did you do?
The point is, none of us remember the headliners of yesterday. These are no second-rate achievers. They are the best in their fields. But the applause dies. Awards tarnish. Achievements are forgotten. Accolades and certificates are buried with their owners.
Part II
1. List a few teachers who aided your journey through school.
2. Name three friends who have helped you through a difficult time.
3. Name five people who have taught you something worthwhile.
4. Think of a few people who have made you feel appreciated and special.
5. Think of those people that you enjoy sharing your time with.
Solutions
The people who make a difference in your life are not the ones with the most credentials, the most money, or the most awards. They are the ones that care.
Racing is no different; the relationships we build only count if you truly care. Think about it; look at those around you, you can identify those who truly care from those who do not. Many of the relationships that are built in racing have more to do with what others can get from you than anything else. How about you, do you have some relationships with people based only on what they can do for you?
We take a look at the 23rd Psalm and find out what it means when David realized that God truly cared for him. He knew God and struggled through many trying times in his life. He wondered out loud many times about where God was and why wasn’t He taking care of the things the way David thought he should. We all do that don’t we?
David came to a point in his life and he recorded it in many Psalms. Psalm 23 is one that is familiar to most of us. We will spend a few weeks reading it and meditating on what it means for us to have a relationship with God.
Psalm 23
A psalm of David.
1 The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want.
2 He makes me lie down in green pastures,
he leads me beside quiet waters,
3 he restores my soul.
He guides me in paths of righteousness
for his name’s sake.
4 Even though I walk
through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil,
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
they comfort me.
5 You prepare a table before me
in the presence of my enemies.
You anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
6 Surely goodness and love will follow me
all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the LORD
forever.
As you read this reflect on the comfort and mercy God provides to those who have a relationship with Him. Reflect on the lessons you have learned in your own life that come to mind when you read this. My wife and I were talking the other day and we were taking a look at the life we have lived. We came to one conclusion. We are truly blessed by God. David came to the same conclusion.
This week as we start our Winter Bible Study read Psalm 23, meditate on it. Let the Holy Spirit speak to your heart. We will break it down into smaller pieces and examine it more closely. Start with the first line, ask yourself, what does it mean “not to want.” I think as you focus on that you will see your perspective changed.
David said, God guides my life and controls what is ahead. As long as I follow Him I will not have to worry about what I need to live, He will take care of me. I will have everything I need.
Have a great week and God Bless.
THOUGHTS FROM THE ROAD
This week finds us in Atlantic City for Motorsports 2008. As of this writing plans are still up in the air as to who will be available to sign. We will have Woody Pitkat, Ct Whelen All-American Series Champion and second place National Champion. We will not have Joey Lagano as he has to be in Phoenix to test at the Toyota test track for Joe Gibbs racing. We are trying to finalize the times that Whelen Modified Tour Champion, Donny Lia will be available to sign on Saturday. Either way we are looking forward to another successful show and a chance to meet with you. Make plans to stop by. While you are planning, plan now to attend Victory Chapel Sunday morning at 10:00 in the seminar room. We will have signs posted.
Tribute To Danny Pardi
He had maybe the quickest wit I’ve ever experienced. Danny Pardi, who died Friday, (December 28, unexpectedly,) leaves behind a host of “Pardi isms.” And, nobody got to the heart of the matter quicker than Danny. His observations and decisions were direct and almost always uncomplicated. He did not tolerate excessiveness. He brought those qualities not only to his sport but to his relationships as well.
Speaking personally, he was a loyal friend; I never believed for one second that he wouldn’t once again respond to a call for help. He was always there for me and I witnessed him being there for others as well many times. And, chances are, they have “Danny Pardi stories.” His spirit, his soul, lives on in the hearts and minds of many of us. There was, however, no sugarcoating with Danny. I am convinced Danny wouldn’t want any of it in the tributes that are sure to follow his untimely passing. “Get to the point,” I can hear him saying.
One thing was apparent over the decades I knew him – nothing approached the love and the pride he had for wife Marie and daughter Melissa.
The racing community – he had been a competitor, was an official at Stafford Motor Speedway, a historian and most recently a major force in both NEAR and the NEAR Hall of Fame – will miss him terribly. He was a major contributor at all levels.
It is fair to say, racing in southern New England today would be a lot different had not Danny come around.
So long, my friend. Thanks for the stories, the help. Thanks for everything. Pete Zanardi
Thanks Pete for the memories of a friend of racing and a force behind NEAR.
NEAR will host their Hall of Fame Banquet SUNDAY, JANUARY 27, 2008 at LaRENAISSANCE BANQUET HALL, Route 5, East Windsor, Connecticut. This years inductees include; Drivers Dave Alkas, Dave Darveau, Dick Batcholder and the late Howie Brown, car owners Joe Brady and the late Mike Scrivani Sr., the multi-talented Dr. Dick Berggren and writer Pete Zanardi.
Wall to Waterford- The annual rumor mills that surround these two racing facilities continue to abound. This year there is a little twist. Wall is rumored to be closed, the phone has been disconnected and the teams are awaiting information promised to come in February.
Waterford is moving the other direction with an announcement at their banquet that a pending sale to the current operating team is close. That should put the control in the hands of those who matter most. It is our hope that this goes a long way to securing Waterford’s future.
Shedding some new light on things- If you have noticed in the last few years when the Busch East, now Camping World East, series raced at Thompson they needed to bring in additional lighting. That is all in the past now. Thompson has installed a new Musco Lighting system to give the fans and competitors a better view of things. Also there are some changes to the infield and backstretch that should make things easier to see for the fans. Take a look at the photos on the Thompson website.
We’ll be looking for you in Atlantic City, 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***
January 16
STEVE & TAMMY WOOD- This New Jerseyite, now in Mooresville, NC and wife share their 9th anniversary. Woody is with R&D at Evernham Motorsports.
January 18
WILL & JENNIFER POIGNONNEC- This Oakland Valley Race Park (Cuddebackville, NY) Kart racer and wife share 5th anniversary.
January 20
JOHN & SANDY LEGER- This CT based LM driver and wife have their 17th anniversary.
GERG & VENETTA NARDUCCI- This FL based couple fields the #9 WMT car and celebrates 30 years together.
January 21
ED & LINDA SANSEVERINO- This AARN/RWJM photographer and wife from Hillsborough, NC have their 33rd anniversary.
January 22