Let The Celebration Begin
Christmas begins the celebration for Christians. Christmas is the time we choose to celebrate the love of God manifested in the birth of Jesus. The hope, peace, joy and love of mankind presented to us in the gift of a Savior. How will we receive and celebrate this gift from God? Greetings in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Banquet time has always been a time of celebration. A time when we celebrate the accomplishments of the past season. A time when we get together and reflect on what we did as a team. We define whether or not we were successful based on the results.
God’s love is not performance based. God loves each one of us regardless of what we have done. This is what makes Christmas a celebration for all. Jesus came for everyone, not just a select few that performed well. If you remember those familiar verses from the Gospel of John it states “whoever believes in him”. God did not restrict the celebration to the top teams. God didn’t even restrict the celebration to the ones who loved Him. The celebration is for all mankind. John wrote it this way in another of his writings;
1John 4:9-12; This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us.
God loved us before we even considered loving Him. That is a true gift. God provided for us before we even knew we needed something. God wants all of us, “whoever believes in Him” to have life and have it to the full. We must first accept the gift God offers, the gift of His Son. This isn’t just any gift this is the ultimate gift. Read what the writer of Colossians says about Christ.
Colossians 1:15-20; He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy. For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.
Paul goes on to explain to us what the meaning of this gift is and how we should respond.
Colossians 1:21-23; Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior. But now he has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation– if you continue in your faith, established and firm, not moved from the hope held out in the gospel. This is the gospel that you heard and that has been proclaimed to every creature under heaven, and of which I, Paul, have become a servant.
God has made the provision that can restore our relationship with Him; the provision that will forgive our sins; the provision that will make our life complete; the provision of a Savior, Jesus Christ. He asks only that we receive the gift. Are you willing to receive the gift that God presents to you this Christmas? Are you willing to receive Jesus as your Lord and Savior?
The celebration is not only for those who are receiving this gift for the first time, the celebration is for those who know God through Jesus. They understand the difference Jesus made in their lives and are thankful that God would think so much of us that he would provide such a wonderful gift. Only after you have asked Jesus to come into your life and the Holy Spirit dwells in your soul can you begin to comprehend the magnitude of what God has done. That is why Christians all over the world celebrate each year the birth of their Savior.
Sometimes in life, when we are living in the moment, we have trouble comprehending what others have done for us. I look back on my childhood years and can now appreciate all my parents did for me. I didn’t see it or understand it so much back then but now I know what it cost them to provide for me. I can now understand what sacrifices they made to help me grow into the man I have become. Take a look around as you celebrate this season. Who has provided for you; who has sacrificed for you; who has gone above and beyond; those are the people you need to thank God for.
The fact about Christmas is we celebrate the birth of our Savior, a Savior’s whose death was necessary to bring us salvation. We cannot fathom the love it takes for someone to lay down their life for us. The celebration has its foundation in the understanding that Jesus came to sacrifice everything He had for us, His very life. We celebrate the hope made flesh to dwell among men. If you know the feeling of forgiveness don’t hold back. Celebrate; Jesus is the reason for that forgiveness. He alone made it possible for us to know that we have been forgiven. He alone made it possible for us to have that assurance.
John1:1-5,10-14; In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning.
Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it.
He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God– children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.
The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.
To me the two most important words that I reflect upon on Christmas are “HE CAME”. Jesus came to earth to dwell with man. Jesus came to earth to show us how to live. Jesus came to earth to guide and direct us. Jesus came to give his life as a sacrifice for our sin. Jesus is our hope, our salvation.
Philippians 2: 6-11; (Jesus), being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death– even death on a cross!
Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
That is why we celebrate. That is why we rejoice. That is why Christmas is one of the most holy times of the year. Jesus came. He was willing to do what was necessary so that we could have life. He himself contrasted it this way;
John 10:10; The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.
We can only have a full, satisfying, abundant life through our Savior Jesus Christ. Every other way leads to dissatisfaction and strife. Our way isn’t best; His way is the only way. I want to suggest celebrating this holiday in a special way this year. Remember the gift that God sent to you. Receive it with an open heart. Celebrate the fact that Jesus was willing to come for my sake and yours and give his life so that we might have life.
Have a wonderful Christmas celebration! Remember the best gift of all, Our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ! God’s continued blessings from Rev. Don and everyone here at Racing with Jesus Ministries.
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 17th anniversary.
***HAPPY BIRTHDAYS***
December 17
JAY FOGLEMAN- Durham, NC LMSC/ProCup driver.
DARRYL BOBZIN- Holland and Spencer Speedways LM driver.
KEN MEISENHELDER- Springfield, MA KGM Video president.
MATTHEW MARTIN- One of Mark’s children is 16.
December 18
TED MUSGRAVE- Franklin, WI CTS driver.
B.J. MACKEY- Rock Hill, SC NASCAR driver.
DENNIS VITOLO- Massapequa, NY born Golden Beach, FL IRL driver.
ANGELINA PERKINS- The neice of JDM Chassis propreitor/LM driver Jay and wife Angelina of Preston, CT is 18.
December 19
MIKE BEAM- Hickory, NC NSC 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 20.
KINSLEY RAE PARSONS- NNS/NSC’s Phil and Marcia’s daughter and Benny’s neice is 21.
STELLA BURNS- Wife of Haverhill, MA SuperModified team owner Mark.
December 21
RENE DUPUIS- This lady drives a NASCAR WMT race car.
BRIAN CAOUETTE- Wolcott, CT LM driver.
MARK BAKER- NASCAR CWES NASCAR official.
WESLEY FOOR- Son of Path Valley Micro Sprint driver Kenny and wife Lisa from Everett, PA is 14.
December 22
BRUCE VAN NORDE- Cathy’s husband is a Wall Township Speedway Demo Derby and Truck Series driver.
JOHN CERBONE- Bronx, NY NASCAR CWES driver.
December 23
TOBEY BUTLER- Kirkland, WA CTS driver.
JOE HENRY THURMAN- Rocky Moutn, VA retired NNS 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 CWES former driver Jeff.
LEE ORTICELLI- Griswold, CT fan.
December 24
SHELBY ZUIDEMA- Daughter of N. Brookfield, MA ProStock driver Jeff and wife Jennifer is 15.
*** 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 CWES driver.
BRUCE HALEY- Minot, ME LM/NASCAR CWES driver.
KAT TEASDALE- Toronto, Ontario NASCAR CWES 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 19.
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 18.
December 27
MIKE LAUGHLIN- Simpsonville, NC LMSC/NNS 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/NNS driver.
L.D. OTTINGER- Retired Newport, TN NNS driver.
JACK INGRAM- “The Iron Man,” retired nine time NNS 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 CWES 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 CWES 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.
GREG NARDUCCI- Former WMT crewcheif, known for his smile.
December 31
CHRIS ERM- NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour official.
MARTY CONLON- D.I.R.T. Modified driver.
KEITH LAMELL- Essex Junction, VT NASCAR occasional CWES driver.
DOROTHY LYNN SCHRADER- NSC Ken and Ann’s oldest is 15.
RILEE CRAVEN- Daughter of Maine NASCAR driver Rick and Cathy is 13.
PAUL WARREN- Longmeadow, MA fan and long time personal friend of Rev. Pat.
January 1
KENNY GRAGG- Hickory, NC LMSC/NNS driver.
VIC KANGAS- NSC\NNS Crew Chief.
GAIL LOBO – CT ProStock driver John Jr.’s wife.
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 CWES 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 NNS 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.
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