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.
With the the change on the calendar comes the opportunity to
begin fresh. We look at the clean slate that 2008 presents and wonder
what the new year holds for us. We all have hopes and dreams, wants and
needs, desires and wishes. We want to accomplish everything. We see
unlimited potential.
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
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