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12/15/2009
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RELAX AND ENJOY
by
Rev. Don Rivers |
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
PO Box 586
Tolland, CT, 06084
TheChromeHorn RWJM Archives
Racing With Jesus Ministries Website
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Source: Rev
Don Rivers / Racing With Jesus Ministries
Posted: December
15, 2009 |
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