Sometimes in life we get things a little out of order. We get the cart
before the horse. Christmas is one of those times. Christmas morning is the
beginning of the celebration, not the end. Greetings in the name of our Lord
and Savior, Jesus Christ.
We all have heard the line, you can’t win if you don’t finish. Yogi
Berra might say it this way, 90% of the cars that don’t finish won’t win the
race. At the driver’s meeting the familiar refrain is, “you can’t win the
race on the first lap, be patient.” You can however loose the race on the
first lap.
Therein lies the problem, we tend to get so caught up in things
that we forget what is really important. Christmas is the celebration of the
birth of Christ. We mark that day as December 25, but we really don’t know.
Let’s try to take a different look at things this year. Let’s try to get
things straight. Let us prepare to worship the king. That means slowing down
and thinking about the priority of things.
During the year there are many significant dates. On the racing
calendar the beginning of the season comes to mind. Daytona marks the
beginning of the racing season. For Christians Christmas marks the beginning
of the life of Christ.
We race for the finish line, but how many of us race to the
starting line? The prophet Isaiah foretold the coming birth of our Savior.
Isaiah 9-6;
For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given,
and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Isaiah helps us understand the
character of our Savior, wonderful, mighty, everlasting, giver of peace. It
also helps us understand the priority he should have in our lives, God,
father, prince and counselor. Isaiah told of the Savior yet to come. On the
night of Jesus’ birth the angels proclaimed to the Shepard’s his arrival.
Luke 2:8-1; And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby,
keeping watch
over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the
glory
of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 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.
Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the
Lord.
The Shepard’s left their flocks
and went to find this Savior. When they found him they went out and
proclaimed his glory. They looked for the beginning and made it a priority.
The Savior is coming, are you focused on the true meaning of Christmas? Will
we run to his side and claim him as our own or will we be too busy chasing
after the things of the world that keep us busy.
I have often thought of what I would do if an angel of the Lord
came and visited me. Do you remember Mary and Joseph? Each one received a
visit. The angel announced what would take place with each of them, Mary
would be with child and Joseph would take Mary for his wife. Together they
would be responsible for bringing a child into the world that would be the
savior of the world.
Would I embrace the call? Would I respond as Mary did “May it be
with me as you have said, I am the Lord’s servant.”? Would I be too busy to
even notice? We all have the decision to make. Jesus himself came to
demonstrate his love for us. Will we accept it? Will we even break away from
our busyness to notice?
Luke 2:4-7; Joseph 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.
He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him
and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby
to
be born, 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.
Christmas means nothing if we
don’t have the right focus. The race doesn’t end when we get there, it is
the beginning. This Christmas season take time to begin anew, take time to
contemplate what took place 2,000 years ago for you and me. For unto us a
child is born, a gift was given, a savior was born.
THOUGHTS FROM THE ROAD
WMT RIDES STARTING TO COME TOGETHER - I heard a few things
on my recent journeys. I talked with Ryan Preece at Providence Indoor and
PRI and he shared that he will be back in Ole Blue for his run at the
championship in 2010. He is excited about the prospect of contending for the
title and looking forward to the new season. He will head down to New Smyrna
for a couple of races during Speed Weeks with his #40 ride and then begin
the preparation for his championship run. Look for Ryan to roll out some new
threads as he and I started the initial design of new driving suit, SICK!
PRI WENT WELL - Many wondered what would become of the PRI
show in Orlando now that the IMIS show has made a successful debut in
Indianapolis . Rumors of its demise were premature, I talked with a few
folks who thought business would be light and each one shared that they were
pleasantly surprised at the turnout. I know James from Design 500 was very
pleased with the turnout. Some folks visited both shows but it seemed the
attendees could be roughly grouped into two main classes. At the Indy show
we dealt with mostly sprint car drivers, dirt and asphalt. In Orlando we saw
the late model and modified group. Although it still will take some time for
each show to find its place, there may just be room for both.
POTENTIAL REPLACEMENT FOR SPEEDWAY EXPO - I talked with a
few folks in Orlando and the word is that Frank Maratta’s Auto Show has
added a Motorsports section to the show. This is good news for some of the
vendors that counted on the Springfield show to supply a large portion of
their early season sales. I talked with two specific guys who will be there
if the opportunity presents itself. Look for the show to feature local
tracks and drivers on hand to promote the racing part of the show. The show
is scheduled for February 5,-7th.
MOTORSPORTS 2010 - Are plans are coming together for a full
booth this year; I should have the final commitments nailed down this week.
We’ll have the lineup for you soon.
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 18th anniversary.
***HAPPY BIRTHDAYS***
December 16
LISA JAMES - Canterbury , CT RWJM advisor and longtime assistant to
Pat. Also the wife of RWJM advisor Scott.
TOM HAGER - West Easton, PA dirt Modified legendary driver.
TED DENSIESKI - Brother of Riverhead Raceway Mod driver Ed.
JUDY BRYANT - Wife of NC Modified driver Johnny.
LINDA VENEZIAN - Wife of Joe, Proprietor of Perth Amboy Springs.
TRAVERS CAMBRA - Former Wall Township Speedway photographer, now
Sales Rep. for Overhead Doors.
December 17
JAY FOGLEMAN - Durham, NC LMSC/ProCup driver.
DARRYL BOBZIN - Holland and Spencer Speedways LM driver.
KEN MEISENHELDER - Springfield , MA KGM Video president.
MATTHEW MARTIN - One of Mark's children is 17.
December 18
TED MUSGRAVE - Franklin, WI CTS driver.
B.J. MACKEY - Rock Hill , SC NASCAR driver.
DENNIS VITOLO - Massapequa, NY born Golden Beach , FL IRL driver.
ANGELINA PERKINS - The niece of JDM Chassis proprietor/LM driver Jay
and wife Angelina of Preston, CT is 19.
JAMES WILSON - Husband to Janai and son-in-law of Wall Chaplain Bob
Menschner.
December 19
MIKE BEAM - Hickory , NC NSC 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.
KINSLEY RAE PARSONS - NNS/NSC's Phil and Marcia's daughter and
Benny's neice.
STELLA BURNS - Wife of Haverhill , MA SuperModified team owner Mark.
December 21
RENE DUPUIS - This lady drives a NASCAR WMT race car.
BRIAN CAOUETTE - Wolcott, CT LM driver.
MARK BAKER - NASCAR CWES NASCAR official.
WESLEY FOOR - Son of Path Valley Micro Sprint driver Kenny and wife
Lisa from Everett , PA is 14.
December 22
BRUCE VAN NORDE - Cathy's husband is a Wall Township Speedway Demo
Derby and Truck Series driver.
JOHN CERBONE - Bronx , NY NASCAR CWES driver.
December 23
TOBEY BUTLER - Kirkland , WA CTS driver.
JOE HENRY THURMAN - Rocky Moutn, VA retired NNS 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 CWES
former driver Jeff.
LEE ORTICELLI - Griswold, CT fan.
December 24
SHELBY ZUIDEMA - Daughter of N. Brookfield , MA ProStock driver Jeff
and wife Jennifer is 16.
*** 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 CWES driver.
BRUCE HALEY - Minot, ME LM/NASCAR CWES driver.
KAT TEASDALE - Toronto , Ontario NASCAR CWES 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 20.
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 19.
December 27
MIKE LAUGHLIN - Simpsonville, NC LMSC/NNS 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/NNS driver.
L.D. OTTINGER - Retired Newport , TN NNS driver.
JACK INGRAM - "The Iron Man," retired nine time NNS 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 CWES 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 CWES 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.
GREG NARDUCCI - Former WMT crewchief, known for his smile.
December 31
CHRIS ERM - Former NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour official.
MARTY CONLON - D.I.R.T. Modified driver.
KEITH LAMELL - Essex Junction, VT NASCAR occasional CWES driver.
January 1
KENNY GRAGG - Hickory, NC LMSC/NNS driver.
VIC KANGAS - NSC\NNS Crew Chief.
GAIL LOBO - CT ProStock driver John Jr.'s wife.
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 CWES 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 NNS 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 Sergeant 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.
DOROTHY LYNN SCHRADER - NSC Ken and Ann's oldest is 16.
RILEE CRAVEN - Daughter of Maine NASCAR driver Rick and Cathy is 14.
PAUL WARREN - Longmeadow, MA fan and long time personal friend of
Rev. Pat.
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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