We celebrate Easter this week. Never was there so much hope in something
empty, the tomb. Let’s take some time this week and discover that hope
we have in a risen savior. Greetings in the name of our Lord and Savior,
Jesus Christ.
Luke 24:1-9, NIV, 1 On the first day of the
week, very early in the morning, the women took the spices they had
prepared and went to the tomb. 2 They found the stone rolled away from
the tomb, 3 but when they entered, they did not find the body of the
Lord Jesus. 4 While they were wondering about this, suddenly two men in
clothes that gleamed like lightning stood beside them. 5 In their fright
the women bowed down with their faces to the ground, but the men said to
them, "Why do you look for the living among the dead? 6 He is not here;
he has risen! Remember how he told you, while he was still with you in
Galilee : 7 `The Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful
men, be crucified and on the third day be raised again.' " 8 Then they
remembered his words.
9 When they came back from the tomb, they told all these
things to the Eleven and to all the others.
We celebrate Easter and the resurrection of our Savior, but
as we read last week, the road that Jesus walked was a difficult one. He
endured death on a cross. He endured the mockery of a trial. He endured
the ridicule. He endured the beating. He did not speak against those who
put him through the trial and crucifixion.
Like many things in life, the celebration doesn’t come
without working through some difficulties. Those are the celebrations
that we remember most, the ones with the most difficult road.
Jesus didn’t throw a big party, he didn’t have a victory
parade, he simply did what he said he would do. He told those close to
him what to expect. However, because he did something that no one had
ever seen before it was difficult for them to understand. In fact, even
his closest followers didn’t understand or believe him. Listed to their
reaction when the women returned with the news:
Luke 24:11-12, NIV, 11 But they did not believe the
women, because their words seemed to them like nonsense. 12 Peter,
however, got up and ran to the tomb. Bending over, he saw the strips of
linen lying by themselves, and he went away, wondering to himself what
had happened.
How many of us would have believed it? How many of us believe
it today? The Son of God rose from the grave and conquered death. He has
the power over the one thing we fear most in life, death. We can find a
peace in that. We can find hope.
Whom do you turn to when you need to overcome your fear? We
turn to someone who has overcome it. We seek out someone who has
experience in dealing with what we are faced with. We look for support,
comfort, mercy, encouragement, and guidance. We want to be assured that
we can get through the challenges we face.
Christ assured us that we could, if we trust in him. He
endured the most difficult death we could imagine. He rose victorious
from the grave. An empty tomb is our hope. Never has something being so
empty been more powerful and have the ability to change the direction of
our lives.
In the emptiness we can find the courage to trust that Jesus
is able to overcome whatever obstacles we face. We can find the strength
to overcome even death. I encourage you today to look into the tomb, see
the scraps of linen, realize that our Savior lives and that we can live
also.
I close with the words from an old hymn that always lifts me
up; Because He Lives
God sent His son, they called Him Jesus
He came to love, heal, and forgive.
He lived and died to buy my pardon,
An empty grave is there to prove my Savior lives.
Because He lives, I can face tomorrow.
Because He lives, All fear is gone.
Because I know He holds the future,
And life is worth the living just because He lives.
You too can face the challenges ahead because the tomb is empty; HE
LIVES!
THOUGHTS FROM THE ROAD
WALL STADIUM TAKES THE CHECKERED FLAG - It is official,
racing at the Jersey Shore will never be the same. Bob Menschner called
and said he was on his way over to post the news on the Wall Stadium
Sign. Bob could not hold back his emotions; he has lost a friend, a very
important part of his life. A few weeks ago Bob was recognized for forty
years of service at Wall, he will not have a chance to add to that.
The racing community is saddened when a track closes. All we
have left is the memories of the times we spent there, the racing we
saw, the drivers we rooted for, the cars we loved. Many of us refuse to
patronize the establishments that take the place of the racetracks we
loved.
One quick memory from Wall; at one race, after the opening
ceremonies was finished, Rev. Pat got into the pace car parked on the
banking in turn one. He put the car in gear and smoked the tires, a
class A burnout. The smoke was everywhere, the fans cheered, Rev. Dan,
in the passenger seat, didn’t know what to do. Then they discovered the
brake was set, released it and the pace car burnout went down in history
at Wall Stadium.
Our thanks go out to all those involved in the 57+ years that
we enjoyed racing at the Jersey Shore. We will never forget the drivers
that have touched our lives. Kyle McGowan, former Wall Speedway Jr.
Flagger and Trophy Boy, said it best, Rest in Peace - John Blewett III
10-25-1973 - 8-16-07; Rest in Peace - Number 76 - forever a cherished
number; RIP Wall Speedway.
THOMPSON OPENS FOR SOME PRACTICE - March 22 is
the day the gates open for 2008. Practice is on the schedule and the
track is open to all divisions and tours that will race at the track
this year. The stands won’t be open but if you are over 16 years old you
can watch from the pit area. This will be the first close up look at the
newly installed lighting system. This is the first of two practices, the
next on March 29, as we lead up to the Icebreaker on April 5 and 6.
A REPORT IN FROM THE GREAT NORTHWEST - Steve
Parrish, One of our Ministry partners from Coeur D’Alene Idaho, has just
come off a Great and rewarding racing season. Steve competes in the
INSSA series up in the Northwest. (Inland North west Super Stock Assn.)
Steve has started a racing outreach that he calls REV , (Racers for
Eternal Victory). He bases his outreach on Isaiah 45,5. His # 45 Tour
type Late model cars are raced at State Line Raceway in Post Falls ID,
also at Spokane Raceway Park in Spokane WA and Kalispell Race Park .
Steve and friends hold Chapel services at the track. At one of the last
races at State Line last year, 18 people came to the Lord. The Lord has
opened up so many doors for this team. They will be set up at the
Kootenai County Fair in late August. They have Pit Stop contests planned
for the kids, with prizes and Gifts. They will be visible to thousands
of people. Please keep them in your prayers this season; the Lord is
working in mighty ways up there.
OLE BLUE GETS A NEW SHOE - Ryan Preece
announced at Mototown Sunday that he would be behind the wheel of Ole
Blue this coming season. Ryan is a young, talented driver coming off a
great showing at NSS that included his first Tour Type Modified victory.
It should be interesting to see what this young gun can do behind the
wheel of an old school modified.
CALLING ALL VINTAGE RACERS - I received some
DVD’s in the mail the other day and they had an interesting background.
Kevin Bacik of Long Island Need for Speed is selling them to raise money
for a vintage race show this summer at Riverhead Raceway. I haven’t had
a chance to preview them yet but I am told all the proceeds from their
sale will go to support the show. I will touch base with Kevin and get
more details. If you like vintage and antique racecars watch this column
for the details.
I hope your Easter is a blessed one. Remember the length that
God went through to show His love for you. 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***
March 19
HAROLD & CINDY BURDICK - This Stafford Speedway announcing team
member and wife have thier 23rd anniversary.
March 20
DAN & LYNN POZZUTO - The VP of Operations for the Saxonburg, PA Ed
Ferree corporations including Frankland Racing Supply rears and Clincher
Gears and wife Office manager for Frankland celebrate their 30th
anniversary.
March 21
JACK & BETTY DENNIS - These Appomattax, VA Jamie Tomaino fans and
parents of JT fan Laura make it 48 years.
March 22
ALAN & JEANN COULL - The Norwich, CT race car paint graphics
designer and nurse wife celebrate their 37th.
JIM & BERNICE GOLEMBESKI - The brother of Steve, Wall Stadium's
winningest Sportsman Modified driver, and wife have their day.
March 24
DAVE & KYLE MICHEL - This Wall Stadium Modified stand-out and wife
share their 16th lap together.
March 25
J.R. & JASLYN WILLIAMS - This Carson City, NV Midget driver and wife
share their 21st anniversary.
***HAPPY BIRTHDAYS***
March 19
BILL SEDGEWICK - Acton, MA NASCAR Truck team owner, neighbor of RWJM
Counselor Gary Dionne.
TONY TOSTE - Pismo Beach, CA NASCAR West driver.
HARRY RICE - Retired Waterford Speedbowl Mod driver.
RICK CERAVOLO - Crew Chief for the Dick Ceravolo owned CT
Modified to be driven at Thompson by brother Todd.
FREIDA MAGLIO - Scranton, PA fan, Sal's wife.
ELLEN DAVIS - Girl friend/crew member of Bob "Mad Dog" Barker
Garden State Stock Car Club, Staten Islamd, NY
March 20
MARTY MEMBRINO - Waterbury, CT ProStock driver.
TOM FERN - Westport, CT LM driver; police officer.
March 21
ROBERT HUFFMAN - NC Dash Series driver.
KENNY BRACK - Karlstadt, Sweden IRL driver.
RICKY MILLER - Claremont, NH ProStock/NASCAR CWES driver.
DAVE & MIKE KIMBALL - These brothers are both Oxford Plains (ME)
Speedway drivers.
LARRY McCLURE - NSCs team owner.
March 22
EDDIE BELLINGER - ISMA SuperModified driver from NY.
MIKE CASTERLINE - Tioga/Chemung Speedway driver.
BILLY HAGAN - NSCS team owner.
JEFF GADA - Of the famous Niantic, CT racing family.
SHIRLEY DENSIESKI - Wife of Riverhead Raceway's Sonny and mom of
Riverhead Modified driver Ed.
MIKE GEER - Waterford Speedbowl announcing team member.
March 23
WILLIAM ALLEN - Crewman on the Jim Hawkes Wall Township Speedway
Mod.
March 24
MARTIN TRUEX - Mayetta, NJ NASCAR CWES former driver now biggest fan
of his son's efforts with the DEI.
SCOTT PRUETT - IMSA/IRL driver.
ROGER MEARS - Bakersfield, CA NASCAR Truck Series driver.
JIMMY MAKAR - NSCS Crew Chief.
CHRIS WOODS - Mass. native, now a driver at Concord Motorsports
Park.
KENNY VANASSE - Son of Pensacola, FL fans Keith and Debbie Krodel.
HEATHER AUBE - Daughter of Charlotte, VT NASCAR CWES driver CWWS
crew cheif Jamie and wife Paula is 13.
March 25
KEVIN CULVER - Portland, OR NASCAR West driver.
TONY SISCONE - Hammonton,NJ retired asphalt Modified driver.
DAVID TOWNS - Sportsman division Champion for 2007 at Fonda
Speedway.
KURT SCHAFFER - Son of Gradnview Modified driver Rick and wife Donna
is 15.
AMY BROWN - A daughter of Farmingdale,NJ Dwarf Car driver Bobby and
wife Carolyn.
TRACY COX - Dirt and NSCS Mark Martin fan from Boyertown, PA, wife
of Rev. Pat's cousin Bob.
*** IN THE SHOP ***
SFC BRIAN GSCHEIDLE - Stepson of NASCAR Official Joe Larsen was
injured while stationed in Iraq. Joe said he was hit in the arm &
shoulder, (from what I can ascertain), and is in CASH, (the hospital).
He should be fine. He tells us he will down for a little while after
they patch him up and then return to the field to protect and defend.
Keep Brian in your prayers for a speedy recovery and remember to lift
his family in your prayers.
GEORGE BOULEY - George is in the hospital checking out his
breathing as he was having trouble starting a week ago Sunday He went to
the hospital on Monday 3-10-08 and is still there having tests done to
find the problem. Rev. Dan checked up on him Friday and learned that a
few weeks ago his brother died from a heart attack. We need to lift the
entire Bouley Clan, George, Beverly, Scotty and Kim up in our prayers.
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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