As we close out the season, celebrate our accomplishments and enjoy the
Holiday Season I wonder if we take time to see what is going on around us.
It is a very busy time of year. There are many things to do; so many that we
can be excused for getting caught up in all of it. Or can we? Does your
heart ache for those who struggle finding the joy this time of year brings?
Greetings in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
The banquet season is upon us and we have enjoyed spending time
with each series we travel with, celebrating and honoring our champions. We
gather, enjoy a meal with friends and family, life is good. There has been
good food and fun for all. For one night we are all on the same team. We
enjoy this time, let our hair down a little and relax. It is good to be
among friends.
I have been doing some teaching in the book of Acts, in Chapter 2
it talks about the day of Pentecost. Pentecost was a Jewish celebration that
took place at the end of the harvest. They celebrated God’s provision and
thanked Him for providing for their needs; sounds an awful lot like
Thanksgiving if you ask me. A time to gather and be thankful for all we are
blessed with. Something we all look forward to.
Well maybe not all. Some of us have a difficult time when holiday
season rolls around. Some of us do not see all that much to be thankful for.
My heart breaks for those who despite their best effort to put on a happy
face, inside they are crying out for something, anything that matters.
The same was true back in those days also. In Acts 2 Pentecost was
given a new meaning, God provided the Holy Spirit to His disciples and the
Christian church was born. God provided a way for His message of love to be
delivered to the world and bridge the barriers of language. Truly this was a
day to rejoice. But there were some who did not get it, who did not
understand.
Acts 2:13 Some, however, made fun of them and
said, "They have had too much wine."
When you read verse 13 what goes through your mind? How does it affect your
heart? Do you feel even a twinge of sadness for those who cannot see the
hand of God?
And as we read the first twelve verses we see the arrival of the
Holy Spirit; we see the fulfillment of God’s promise. We see the beginning
of the Christian Church. We see the promise of a new day.
But not everyone shared that Hope. Not everyone shared that Joy.
Not everyone had that Peace. Not everyone experienced that Love.
We should be thankful for the coming of the Holy Spirit; for
nothing else than the proof that God keeps His promise. But there is much
more than that. While so many heard the promise of salvation, for many
others it fell on deaf ears.
“Look at those fools it is early in the morning and they are already drunk.”
For some of us this time of year
dredges up memories of days gone by that were not so special, were not so
much fun, were not anything to celebrate. Let’s take a moment and address
something that gets swept under the rug at this time of year, broken hearts.
Some of you know my story but I am sure I have left out some of the
details. Holidays were not a time of celebration for me. I was thinking the
other day about what memories I had stored in my brain from my childhood,
Thanksgiving and Christmas are buried way down that list. In fact I have to
think long and hard to remember the details. It wasn’t until I had a family
that they were significant days. The holidays for me are a painful time; a
time when the past overtakes me and the regrets and sins of days gone by rob
me of the joy of today.
I do not think I am alone. I think many struggle with putting on a
happy face and grinding through the holiday season hoping to get through it
before it overwhelms them and they give up. Not everything is as it seems on
the surface.
I am thankful that God’s Word doesn’t hide that fact. But if we are
not careful we can gloss over it, skip right by. Forget that there are those
who don’t understand. Forget that there are those who are struggling just to
make it.
I am sure not everyone is as hopeful, joyful and loving as the
world would want us to be. There are many who are not at peace throughout
the holidays. That pressure creates many buried feelings that we tell
ourselves we need to suppress, after all look around, everyone is having
such a great time.
Our heart needs to ache for those who are lost, those who are
hurting, those whose lives did not lead them to Christ. Only in that
compassion, mercy, and understanding will we find a reason to celebrate.
As we go into the season of Advent we will talk about hope, joy,
peace and love. Will we sensitize our hearts to the hurts and pains of those
who cannot see the hope that the Holy Spirit brings? Will we ache for those
who are lost and dying, swallowed up by the world in which we live?
Romans 5:1-11; Therefore, since we have been
made right in God’s sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what
Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us. Because of our faith, Christ has
brought us into this place of undeserved privilege where we now stand, and
we confidently and joyfully look forward to sharing God’s glory.
We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know
that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of
character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. And
this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves
us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his
love.
When we were utterly helpless, Christ came at just the right time and died
for us sinners. Now, most people would not be willing to die for an upright
person, though someone might perhaps be willing to die for a person who is
especially good. But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to
die for us while we were still sinners. And since we have been made right in
God’s sight by the blood of Christ, he will certainly save us from God’s
condemnation. For since our friendship with God was restored by the death of
his Son while we were still his enemies, we will certainly be saved through
the life of his Son. So now we can rejoice in our wonderful new relationship
with God because our Lord Jesus Christ has made us friends of God.
THOUGHTS
FROM THE ROAD
TURKEY DERBY 2013 - I am thankful for dedicated
men and women that serve the Lord through this ministry. I was not able to
make the trip to Wall Stadium for the Turkey Derby this year but I know the
ministry was well represented. Thanks to Bob Menschner who does a wonderful
job at Wall every time the gates are open and when he’s not there he heads
up to Mountain Speedway and ministers there. Also, thanks to Rev.’s Dan and
Ray for making the trip on Saturday and doing a great job ministering to the
drivers and teams in attendance.
Dan shared some thoughts and Ray shared some photos, be sure to
check out the Racing with Jesus Ministries Facebook page. Thanks again guys
for a job well done.
Had a great day today - pace car was used again this year to pace
the tour modified race - a lot of extra rubber flying off the wheels on the
way home. Good crowd on hand - the ministry was received real well. Ray got
cold and needed to get a hot cup of coffee - he went into a trailer and was
in there for awhile. I was outside ministering and praying for someone. Ray
came out with a bowl of sausage and peppers for me. I finished praying and
Ray handed me an empty bowl - he said it was getting cold and he didn’t want
to waste it! I guess this was payback for me eating his subway sandwich at
Stafford. Great race won by Matt Hirschman - lead changed several times Zane
Zeiner and Jimmy Blewett also had the lead for several laps. Jimmy ended up
third – car seemed to fade at the end. Zeiner spun late - finished out of
top 5.
MOTORSPORTS 2013 - We are working to putting together our
display for the upcoming show. We hope to have some new additions and old
favorites. Please mark your calendars and plan to be there.
I was able to spend some quality time with the family over the last
week, it felt good to stay put for a few days. Lynda finished well in the
Manchester Road Race and we were there to cheer her across the finish line.
In the next week or so we get back on the road, IMIS in Indy and the NASCAR
Banquets in Charlotte. Hope to see you there.
Until next time, be a witness for our Lord with the ministry decals
and apparel. See them at the Show Your Faith Apparel Store at
http://www.rwjm.com/store. Send us your prayer and counseling needs no matter
what part of our racing family you are in, or give us a call. 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
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articles.
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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***
November 30
RICHARD & DIANE MOORE- The parents of Scarborough, ME semi-retired KNPSE
driver Kelly and Grandparents of former driver Ryan have their anniversary.
December 1
KEN & TIFFANY BARRY- The Manager of SPAFCO Chassis and wife share their 11th
anniversary.
December 4
CHRIS & LISA ERM- This New Jersey Racing family have their 12th aniversary.
***HAPPY BIRTHDAYS***
November 29
KEN WOOLEY, JR.- Howell, NJ Modified driver.
CRIS EASH- Pennsy based WoO driver.
JIM VOGT- Wall Township Speedway ProStock driver.
RICK MARTIN- Westport, MA ProStock driver.
BOBBY DILLNER- TV SpeedChannel Racing Reporter from Long Island.
CAROLYN BROWN- Wife of Farmingdale, NJ Dwarf Car owner/driver Bobby.
MATT HIRSCHMAN- The driver son of Northampton, PA NASCAR WMT driver Tony and
wife Brenda.
November 30
DAVE DION- Milton, VT Retired driver of the Berlin City Dealerships/
Continental Paving Ford and RWJM advisor.
DORIS BERGHMAN- Rehobath, MA wife of the legendary Bugs Stevens and mom of
po-stock driver Dave Berghman.
DON TOAL- Rochester, NY fan.
December 1
BENTLEY WARREN- Kennebunkport, ME SuperModified/Silver Crown great.
RUSS WOOD- NH based ISMA SuperModified driver.
MARCO GRECO- Sao Paulo, Brazil IRL driver.
DAVE SALZARULO- CT based ProStock/Mod driver.
HARRY WYANT- Brookfield, CT Waterford Speedbowl championship Modified team
owner.
ARMADEE NADEAU- Dana/Perfect Circle Executive and CWTS Team Manager.
KRISTIN ELLIOTT- A daughter of Uncasville, CT fan Jerry and wife Jusinta.
December 2
DANA THOMAS- Crew Member for Wade Cole on the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour
and longtime member of Brady Bunch Racing.
RUSS FRANTZ- PA asphalt Modified driver.
FRANK BETTENCOURT- MA based Mini Modified driver.
ANDREW BELMONT- Son of New Egypt Promoter Andy and wife Jennifer.
December 3
GREG DICKERSON- Long Island modified fan known for his roasted corn on the
cob, aka "Cheif".
BOBBY ALLISON- Hueytown,AL former NASCAR Cup great.
WALKER EVANS- Riverside, CA CTS Team owner, retired driver.
KEITH KRODEL- This long-time friend of Rev. Pat and former Jan Leaty NASCAR
WMT crewman now lives in Pensacola, FL.
December 4
RAUL BOESEL- Curtiba, Brazil born, Key Biscayne, FL IRL driver.
JOE SUKUP- Retired Midget team owner from Shodack Landing, NY
DASHIEL BOSTON CHRISTLEY- Son of NASCAR Communications Director Development
Series, Jason and his wife.
***IN THE SHOP***
SAM RIGGLEMAN - Concessions worker at Wall Stadium whose
son Scott competes there suffered a stroke during the Turkey Derby. As he
recovers please keep him in your thoughts and prayers.
RICHIE ENGELHARDT - Another member of the race family with Wall connections
is recovering from a heart attack. Please keep Richie in your prayers.
SHARE YOUR SPECIAL OCCASIONS WITH
RACING WITH JESUS MINISTRIES
PO Box 586
Tolland, CT, 06084
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