We save up for this time of year. We save so that we can have the resources
to celebrate the Holidays. You may have heard that Jesus Saves. Someone once
asked me, “What’s he saving for?” Greetings in the name of our Lord and
Savior, Jesus Christ.
Jesus came to save, to provide for us the forgiveness we need to
restore our relationship with God. Jesus came to save our lives, not only
here on earth but for all eternity. Christmas is the time we choose to
celebrate the love of God manifested in the birth of Jesus. The hope, peace,
joy and love of mankind presented to us in the gift of a Savior.
Banquet time has always been a time of celebration; a time when we
celebrate the accomplishments of the past season. A time when we get
together and reflect on what we did as a team. Our accomplishments determine
whether the season was a success or not.
One of the greatest gifts of all comes to us regardless of our
performance. God’s love for us is not performance based. He loves each one
of us regardless of what we have done. He knows the road we have walked to
get to where we are and chooses to love each one of us. This is what makes
Christmas a celebration for all. Jesus came for everyone, not just a select
few that performed well.
In the familiar verse from the Gospel of John it states “whoever
believes in him”. God did not restrict the celebration to the top teams. God
didn’t even restrict the celebration to the ones who loved Him. Jesus came
to save everyone. John wrote it this way in another of his writings;
1John 4:9-12; This is how God showed his love
among us:
He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him.
This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son
as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.
Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.
No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and
his love is made complete in us.
God loved us before we even considered loving Him. That is a true gift. God
provided for us before we even knew we needed something. God wants all of
us, “whoever believes in Him” to have life and have it to the full. We must
first accept the gift God offers, the gift of His Son. This isn’t just any
gift, this is the ultimate gift. Read what the writer of Colossians says
about Christ.
Colossians 1:15-20; He is the image of the
invisible God, the firstborn over all creation.
For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible
and invisible,
whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created
by him and for him.
He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is the
head of the body, the church;
he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in
everything he might have the supremacy.
For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, and through him
to reconcile to himself all things,
whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his
blood, shed on the cross.
Paul goes
on to explain to us what the meaning of this gift is and how we should
respond.
Colossians 1:21-23; Once you were
alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil
behavior.
But now he has reconciled you by Christ's physical body through death to
present you holy in his sight,
without blemish and free from accusation-- if you continue in your faith,
established and firm,
not moved from the hope held out in the gospel. This is the gospel that you
heard and that has been proclaimed
to every creature under heaven, and of which I, Paul, have become a servant.
God has made the provision that can restore
our relationship with Him; the provision that will forgive our sins; the
provision that will make our life complete; the provision of a Savior, Jesus
Christ. He asks only that we receive the gift. Are you willing to receive
the gift that God presents to you this Christmas? Are you willing to receive
Jesus as your Lord and Savior?
The celebration is not only for those who are receiving this gift
for the first time, the celebration is for those who know God through Jesus.
They understand the difference Jesus made in their lives and are thankful
that God would think so much of us that he would provide such a wonderful
gift. Only after you have asked Jesus to come into your life and the Holy
Spirit dwells in your soul can you begin to comprehend the magnitude of what
God has done. That is why Christians all over the world celebrate each year
the birth of their Savior.
Sometimes in life, when we are living in the moment, we have
trouble comprehending what others have done for us. I look back on my and
can now appreciate all that was done for me. I didn’t see it or understand
it so much back then but now I know what it cost others to help me get to
where I am. I can now understand the sacrifices that were made to help me
grow into the man I have become. Take a look around as you celebrate this
season. Who has provided for you; who has sacrificed for you; who has gone
above and beyond; those are the people you need to thank God for.
The fact about Christmas is we celebrate the birth of our Savior, a
Savior whose death was necessary to bring us salvation. We cannot fathom the
love it takes for someone to lay down their life for us. The celebration has
its foundation in understanding that Jesus came to sacrifice everything He
had for us. If you know the feeling of forgiveness don’t hold back.
Celebrate; Jesus is the reason for that forgiveness. He alone made it
possible for us to know that we have been forgiven. He alone made it
possible for us to have that assurance. Jesus Saves.
John1:1-5,10-14; In the beginning was the
Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
He was with God in the beginning.
Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been
made. In him was life,
and that life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, but
the darkness has not understood it.
He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world
did not recognize him.
He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. Yet to
all who received him, to those
who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God--
children born not of natural descent,
nor of human decision or a husband's will, but born of God.
The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us.We have seen his glory,
the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and
truth.
To me the two most important words that I reflect upon on
Christmas are “HE CAME”. Jesus came to earth to dwell with man. Jesus came
to earth to show us how to live. Jesus came to earth to guide and direct us.
Jesus came to give his life as a sacrifice for our sin. Jesus came to save
us, he is our hope, our salvation.
Philippians 2: 6-11; (Jesus), being in
very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped,
but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in
human likeness.
And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became
obedient to death-- even death on a cross!
Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is
above every name,
that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and
under the earth,
and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the
Father.
That is why we celebrate. That is why we
rejoice. That is why Christmas is one of the most holy times of the year.
Jesus came. He was willing to do what was necessary to save us. Salvation is
found in no one else.
John 10:10; The thief comes only to steal
and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to
the full.
We can only have a full, satisfying, abundant life through our
Savior Jesus Christ. Every other way leads to dissatisfaction and strife.
Our way isn’t best; His way is the only way. Celebrate this holiday in a
special way this year. Remember the gift that God sent to you. Receive it
with an open heart. Celebrate the fact that Jesus was willing to come and
give his life so that we might be saved.
Have a wonderful Christmas celebration! Remember the best gift of
all, Our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ! God’s continued blessings from Rev.
Don and everyone here at Racing with Jesus Ministries.
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
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
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 37th anniversary.
BILL & CINDY ELLIOTT- Awesome Bill from Dawsonville, GA and wife have their
19th anniversary.
JIM & PATTY MAVLOUGANES- This Wethersfield, CT Latemodel driver and wife
share their 14th anniversary.
December 31
ERIC & AMANDA GOODALE- This WMT driver and wife celebrate year number 1..
***HAPPY BIRTHDAYS***
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 KNPSE driver/crew cheif.
TREY TOMAINO- Son of Howell, NJ NASCAR WMT driver/RWJM Rep. Jamie and wife
Cheryl.
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/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.
DANIELLE WAUGH- RWJM Challenger/Jennerstown Chaplain Bill and wife Dawn's
youngest child.
JANAI WILSON- The daughter and fellow track crewman with her husband 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.
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.
December 18
TED MUSGRAVE- Franklin, WI CWTS driver.
B.J. MACKEY- Rock Hill, SC NASCAR driver.
DENNIS VITOLO- Massapequa, NY born Golden Beach, FL IRL driver.
ANGELINA PERKINS- The neice of JDM Chassis propreitor/LM driver Jay and wife
Angelina of Preston, CT.
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 ProCup Northern Series team
member.
December 20
BEN HESS- Wooster, OH ARCA driver.
SCOTT GOODYEAR- Toronto, Canada born, Indianapolis IRL driver.
ANDY BRASS- St. Charles, MO CWTS 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
SARAH CHILDRESS- Daughter of KIp, KNPSE Race Director and wife Jenny.
RENE DUPUIS- This lady drives a Modified.
BRIAN CAOUETTE- Wolcott, CT LM driver.
MARK BAKER- NASCAR official.
WESLEY FOOR- Son of Path Valley Micro Sprint driver Kenny and wife Lisa from
Everett, PA.
December 22
BRUCE VAN NORDE- Cathy's husband is a Wall Township Speedway Demo Derby and
Truck Series driver.
JOHN CERBONE- Bronx, NY NASCAR KNPSE driver.
December 23
TOBEY BUTLER- Kirkland, WA CWTS 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 KNPSE former
driver Jeff.
LEE ORTICELLI- Griswold, CT fan.
December 24
SHELBY ZUIDEMA- Daughter of N. Brookfield, MA ProStock driver Jeff and wife
Jennifer.
***DECEMBER 25
CHRISTMAS***
December 25
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 KNPSE driver.
BRUCE HALEY- Minot, ME LM/NASCAR KNPSE driver.
KAT TEASDALE- Toronto, Ontario NASCAR KNPSE 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.
KAREN SAVAGE, Wife of Satch Savage, a fabricator at Hendricks Motorsports.
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.
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.
TRACY CHESTER- wife of Jimmy Chester and the Late John Schuman's
granddaughter, a Lebanon Valley icon.
December 28
KENNY BURKS- Charlottsville, 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 KNPSE driver and head of the New England Dodge
Show Car Program.
SCOTT WALKER- Torrington, CT race fan.
PATTY MOISE SAWYER- Chesapeake, VA NNS driver, Elton's wife.
RAY "BUBBA" WILSON- NH Lee and Star Speedway fan.
KATHLEEN CHANNELL- Wife of Epping, NH Channell One Video proprietor Bill.
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- A Hackettstown, New Jersey Modified statistician and a crew
member for Don Wagner Mahoning Mod #22.
GREG NARDUCCI- Former WMT crewcheif, 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 KNPSE driver.
DOROTHY LYNN SCHRADER- He'll drive anything Ken and Ann's oldest.
RILEE CRAVEN- Daughter of Maine NASCAR driver Rick and Cathy.
PAUL WARREN- Longmeadow, MA fan and long time personal friend of Rev. Pat.
***HAPPY NEW YEAR***
January 1
KENNY GRAGG- Hickory, NC LMSC/NNS driver.
VIC KANGAS- NSC\NNS Crew Chief.
GAIL LOBO - CT ProStock driver John Jr.'s wife..
***IN THE SHOP***
FREDRICKSON FAMILY - Please keep Karl and his family in
your thoughts and prayers as they cope with the illness of a parent. It is
an especially difficult time for them and they could use our support and
encouragement.
CAROL PARES - Wife of Mod photographer Michael, fell on some ice and broke
her elbow. She will undergo surgery to repair it and then have a significant
recovery process. Please keep her and the family in your thoughts and
prayers.
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RACING WITH JESUS MINISTRIES
PO Box 586
Tolland, CT, 06084
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