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 Logano, 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 60th 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 Logano. 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 niece 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 - Charlottesville, 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
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