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
IRA & KIMBERLY HARTOUGH, JR. - Long time fans of Bob Park, NASCAR
Modified driver, have their 8th.
***HAPPY BIRTHDAYS***
January 16
TIM ARRE - Toms River, NJ Modified Series and Wall Township Speedway
driver and past S.M.A.R.T. Modified champion.
A.J. FOYT - Houston, TX retired Indy car great turned team owner.
DAVE ROSENFIELD - Bridgewater, MA ProStock driver.
January 17
ERIC BODINE - Chemung, NY NASCAR BES driver.
LAKE SPEED - Kannapolis, NC retired NNC driver and unashamed
Christian.
ERIN VENTH - Daughter of former Harbach X90 Modified crewman
George Venth is 7.
January 18
VAL LeSIEUR - No. Easton, MA former Publisher of "Speedway Scene."
BEN DODGE - Vernon, CT Whelen Modified Tour Start/Finish Productions
Team owner and Thompson Speedway Special Advisor.
GINA FRANCIS - Wife of former Jamie Tomaino NASCAR WMT crewman Tom,
both now residing happily in Denver, NC.
NICOLE ACKERLY - Daughter of Orange County driver Ray and wife Paula
is 14.
ROBERT GEIBEL - A very special friend of Laura Dennis from Brick, NJ
and a Jamie Tomaino WMT fan and Steve Park fan.
January 19
BOB McCREADIE - Watertown, NY winningest ever NY dirt Modified
drivers.
GARRETT EVANS - Ardenvoir, WA NASCAR West driver and NASCAR Truck
team owner.
JOE HEATH - Northridge, CA NASCAR West driver.
TOM HESLIN - Plainville, CT spotter for the Ted Christopher driven
Mod/NASCAR BES teams.
JONATHAN WAWRZONEK - Son of Fonda Speedway fans, Ron and Gloria
Hanna.
January 20
KENNY BRIGHTBILL - Sinking Springs, PA legendary and active dirt Mod
driver.
DONALD SMITH - NC Modified driver.
BARRY BABB - Beech Ridge Speedway LM driver.
RICHIE GALLUP - Springfield, MA Modified driver.
TONY MARCIEL - Agawam, MA retired Modified Team owner, now in PA.
JERRY CATANIA - A son of CT Mod owner, Joe.
MIKE ADASKAVEG - "Boston Herald" photographer.
GORDY KILLIAN - Reading, PA Sprint writer/photographer.
ROSE TEETER - Wife and NNC fan with husband Paul of Ithaca, NY.
January 21
ERNIE SAXTON - Fellow AARN columnist and Motorsports Marketing
President of Langhorne, PA and president of Eastern Motorsports Press
Association.
GARY "BUGS" HAIRFIELD - Chesterfield, VA LMSC driver.
BUD KUEHNE - Clinton, CT Waterford LM driver.
HARRY SOLT - NH based NASCAR BES crewman.
BILLY SOLT - Lehigh Valley, PA NASCAR WMT crewman and Harry's twin.
BOB RUDNE - Brother of Norwich, CT race car letterer Alan Coulle.
LINDA BROWN - Riverhead Raceway fan.
January 22
DAVE STACY - Enon, OH Dash Series driver.
JACK CARUSO - Former New Jersey dirt Sportsman driver and crewman,
also proud dad of Micro sprint driver Angela Caruso.
*** IN THE SHOP ***
KAREN BUBBICO - Karen, wife of West Coast Coordinator Joe, has
been going through some challenging medical issues. She went through
some tests last week and will have received the results when you read
this. The prognosis is very challenging and she and Joe are in need of
our prayers. Please lift Karen up in prayer and ask that God would
surround her with his grace, mercy and comfort as she walks through the
days ahead. Pray that Joe would have the strength and courage to stand
by her side and support and encourage her. Pray that God would guide the
doctors and technicians as they do their jobs.
SHARE YOUR SPECIAL OCCASIONS WITH YOUR RACING FAMILY.
SEND THEM TO RACING WITH JESUS MINISTRIES AT
PO BOX 586, Tolland, CT, 06084
TheChromeHorn RWJM Archives
Racing With Jesus Ministries Website
