Relax and Enjoy
As the Christmas season gets into full swing, we are bombarded by planning and preparing. This is not unlike preparing for the racing season where the right preparation can make the difference between success and failure. What will make our Christmas season a success? What are the priorities we need to have so that we will understand the true meaning of Christmas? Greetings in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
I want to thank my wife, Lynda, for sharing her thoughts last week. I think it is always good to see things from a different perspective. This Christmas season maybe we can take a different approach; let’s try to relax and enjoy.
Preparing is something that can become obsessive. I know, I am the one of those people who has to have everything all planned out. I struggle to relax and let things happen. My wife’s column was more for me than anyone else.
Have you ever noticed that you can be so caught up in planning and preparing that you miss the enjoyment and excitement of an event? Before you realize, it’s over and you are wondering what happened. Christmas is too important to get caught up in all the trappings and miss the point; God sent His Son to come and give His life for us. He would lay down his life so that we could live.
John 3:16-17; “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.
Sacrifice is not something racers are unfamiliar with; we all make sacrifices to do what we enjoy. How about making a sacrifice for someone else’s benefit? Many times, we rationalize whether they deserve it before we give. Therein lies the gift of Christmas, while we were yet undeserving Christ came and gave his life for us. How do we prepare to receive such a gift? We don’t have to; there is so much love in this gift that we have trouble getting our hands around it. Instead we receive it, not because we deserve it but because it is offered to us.
In this gift we can find many things; we find hope, hope for tomorrow, hope for forgiveness of our shortcomings, hope for others. We find a peace that isn’t easy to understand, a confidence that we are cared for and nothing can defeat us. We receive a joy that doesn’t depend on the circumstances that surround us. We can be joyful whether we have everything or nothing at all. It all comes from the love that Jesus has for us, love that would allow him to give his life for you and me. I urge you to receive the gift that God offers, the life that comes from accepting Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior. That is the preparation that needs to be done to fully experience the true meaning of this Christmas season. Take the Christ out of Christmas and all you have left is a mess.
Let Christmas happen, sit back, relax and enjoy the Hope, Peace, Joy and Love found in the gift of Jesus Christ. Christ came so that we could have life and live it to its fullest. God Bless, Rev. Don.
THOUGHTS FROM THE ROAD
IMIS A SUCCESS- I spent a few days in Indy this past week. I enjoyed my visit for the most part; the drawback was the constant reminder that this was Colt’s country. Not a good thought for a Patriot’s fan. The main reason for being in Indy was to take part in the inaugural IMIS show. This show returned to its roots; not only in Indy but to a show that wants to reach the hardcore racer.
The feedback I heard indicated that it was a success. Before we closed out the show the plans were already in place to expand to three days next year and double the floor space. I think the tradition of an early December visit to the town that made racing famous is set for a return. As the tagline proclaimed, Indy is Racing.
OFF TO THE DUNK- From Indy to Providence for some indoor racing. I flew in Friday morning and dove in to the Dunk in the nick of time. Due to the intricacies that are driving in Providence, I was running a little behind in getting to the track. I managed to get to the infield with just two minutes to spare. Friday night proved to be a “get it out of your system” type of race.
Saturday night would see a local guy win the Cup. Mike Stefanik would find Victory Lane by being patient. He was caught up early in a couple of multicar incidents. Unlike Friday night he managed to minimize the damage. He found some grip on the outside and was able to use that line to secure the victory. It was a sweet one for the only driver from RI. Mike was thrilled to win in only his second event in a TQ Midget and keep the Cup home.
This event is building in popularity and I think we can plan on seeing it back here again next year.
OFF TO PRI- This week I will head south. Lynda and I will be joined by our daughter Danielle for a little warmth in Orlando. They will take some time to relax while I get a little business done at PRI. I hope to see you there, stop by and say hi.
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 12
ERNIE & MARILYN SAXTON- The legendary Grandview announcer, columnist, Motorsports Marketing Founder/President and Eastern Motorsports Press Association Pres. and the woman who has been by his side all the way have their 34th anniversary.
BILL & CINDY ELLIOTT- Awesome Bill from Dawsonville, GA and wife have their 16th anniversary.
JIM & PATTY MAVLOUGANES- This Wethersfield, CT ProStock driver and wife share their 11th anniversary.
***HAPPY BIRTHDAYS***
December 9
JORDYN DICKERSON- Daughter of Greg and Debbie, a mod fan in the making.
BRAD TEAGUE- Johnson City, TN NSC/NNS driver.
MICHAEL PARES- NASCAR Modified Series “Area Auto Racing News” photographer.
SHARON HEWITT- Wife of former NY Mod driver, now NSC Crew Chief, Doug.
BRIAN TAGG- Son of Webster, MA Thompson/Stafford Modified driver Tom and wife Linda.
December 10
JEFF KERTAINIS- NASCAR WMT team crewman.
ANDREA JIVANELLI- Wife of Riverhead Raceway driver Dan.
LYNN POZZUTTO- Office Manager and devoted employee of Frankland Racing Supply Racing Rears and Clincher Gears; VP Dan’s wife.
EDWARD SHELMERDINE- Son of ARCA driver/ Crew Chief Kirk.
December 11
JAROD ROBIE- Manchester, NH Robie Motorsports NASCAR CWES and All Pro driver.
STEVE “WOODY” WOOD- Former Truex Crewman, now NSC crew for Ray Evernham in Mooresville, NC, also the son-in-law of Doris Bradley.
CHRISSY DIONNE- A daughter of RWJM West Coast Coordinator Gary and Counselor wife Debbie.
December 12
ED LILLY- Retired PA/NJ asphalt Mod driver.
AMANDA & CHRISTEN WAUGH- The twin daughters of RWJM Western PA/Ohio Coordinator/ Challenger Raceway Chaplain Rev. Bill and wife Dawn.
BILL LADABOUCHE- Maine writer.
MARSHA MEANS- NSC Jimmy’s wife.
December 13
GARY SHACKFORD- Center Conway, NH Camping World East Series driver/crew cheif.
TREY TOMAINO- This Wall Township Speedway Modified driver is a son of Howell, NJ NASCAR WMT driver/RWJM Rep. Jamie and wife Cheryl and CTS crew member.
CHERIE WIBBELSMAN- Wife of Dr. Chris, son of Dunwoody, GA RWJM advisor Dick and wife Judy.
December 14
HERSHELL McGRIFF- California’s ageless driver/owner.
CRAIG ORMSBY- D.I.R.T. Modified driver.
MARK BYRD- Lebanon Valley Modified driver.
MIKE SCHANTZENBACH- Mahoning Valley driver.
JOHNY CHAPMAN- Stony Point, NC LMSC/BGN driver.
STEVE HMIEL- NSC/NNS Crew Chief.
GEORGE HARRINGTON- Lebanon Valley fan.
ALLISON BELMONT- One of ARCA driver/East Windsor Promoter Andy and wife Jennifer children.
December 15
JAN LEATY- Williamson, NY NASCAR WMT driver.
TOMMY MARKHAM- Son of Fredricksburg, VA NSC/NNS driver Curtis is 17.
DANIELLE WAUGH- RWJM Challenger/Jennerstown Chaplain Bill and wife Dawn’s youngest child.
JANAI WILSON- The daughter and fellow track crewman with her husbad and also dad RWJM Chaplain Bob Menschner at Wall Township Speedway.
BILL ROBINSON- Whiting, NJ NASCAR, Wall Township Speedway and New Egypt Speedway fan and the son-in-law of Doris Bradley, another WTS and Modified fan.
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