As I do from time to time I ask my wife, Lynda, for her thoughts. She wanted
to share this with you. Enjoy her thoughts. Greetings in the name of our
Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
It’s that time of year again. The time for mistletoe and holly along with
the sound of bells ringing, carols and everyone bustling around while
feeling jolly. Feeling jolly? Truthfully, if we really admit it deep down we
feel this sense of dread about the Christmas season. Shopping to do but how
much do we have to spend, guests coming over but how will we get ready for
them and is there room in the inn?
Everywhere we look the days are being counted down for us and we feel
like we are in a race. Many of us are speeding down the road, cutting each
other off to get our errands done, stealing the space at the mall from the
guy coming down the lane across from us and grumbling to the shop clerks
that we can’t wait for it all to be over.
I wonder what it would be like if we just stepped back and let Christmas
happen? Perhaps the big retailers would not show a larger profit than last
year. Maybe we would have less stuff to try to find a use for or space to
store it in. Then we might notice the twinkle of the lights on our
neighbor’s home shining in the darkness on the long winter’s nights.
We hear about the true meaning of Christmas but we tend to shove it away
until we are ready to remember it after we have finished getting ready for
Christmas. Have we just bought into the massive gift giving part of the
holiday? By doing this we have forgotten the one gift we all can have but
haven’t used or even opened or perhaps refused to receive.
The prophet Isaiah told us,
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.”
The gift of Christ as the savior for the world was not intended to be
a burden for us. His gift of eternal salvation is not the threat that many
see it to be. Why is this gift so hard to simply accept? Quite often it is
seen as a gift with strings attached or obligations to fulfill. In reality
when we accept the gift of Christ as Lord of our life, a weight is lifted,
we feel lighter than air. The day that it happens, we wonder what we ever
questioned about it.
Jesus told us,
Matthew 11:28-30,
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.
Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in
heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
It is told that a gentle and giving man, years ago, started giving
gifts to children and became known as St. Nicholas, which led to the birth
of Santa Claus. It would seem that he had the gift in his heart of the true
meaning of Christmas and never dreamed of the “bah humbug” that would come
about from his simple gestures of love.
So how can we let Christmas happen? First, don’t try so hard to make it
the Christmas we think it has to be. What would really happen if we stopped
buying so many things, baking so many cookies, or sending so many cards?
Would we help lift some of the burden from the ones we are overwhelming with
our efforts by feeling that they need to reciprocate? They might be able to
step back and enjoy the true gift of Christmas.
I’ve noticed at the race track that it takes a team effort to have a
successful race day. Too often at holiday time we go it alone with all the
preparations and end up with resentment and tiredness. If we’re the one
doing everything try to accept the offer from others to help by letting them
do it their way. It might not get done just like we want but it will get
done. If we are the ones who tend to sit back and enjoy everyone else’s
efforts why not do something different and join the team to make the holiday
enjoyable for everyone?
Let’s try to stop counting the days left until Christmas in dread, but
count them as we did when we were children in anticipation of something
magical coming. Then we can enjoy the snowflakes falling instead of seeing
it as a mess that will keep us from getting to the mall. We can gather and
watch once again, “It’s a Wonderful Life” and realize that it really is a
wonderful life. This is the gift of Christmas that God intended for us.
Then we can truly say, “Merry Christmas to all and to all a Good Night!”
THOUGHTS FROM THE ROAD
RWJM
YEAR END CHALLENGE - As we finish another year we celebrate the new
birth of those in the racing community that have given their lives to God
through Jesus. We know that this would not be possible without your
dedication and support of Racing with Jesus Ministries. Thank You for
standing by us.
We continue to be welcomed into the lives of many in the racing community
and find many who are responding to our presence at the track. Our efforts
go further each year and we continue to add workers on the field.
Reflecting on the past year I searched for a defining moment that spoke
volumes about what we are being called to do. It occurred early in the year
in Florida. We had just welcomed a new chaplain onboard and he served at
Bubba Speedway Park in Ocala, FL. Tragedy struck as a young racer lost her
life in an accident. God had his man stationed there to walk alongside the
family and the racing community to help them in their time of grief. God
does amazing things through us if we just join Him where He is working.
As some of you know we come to the end of each year with a deficit at
RWJM. We do not deny any request for our presence and never use the cost as
a reason for not going. That does put a strain on our resources. We usually
have more month at the end of the money.
We have put a challenge out there for you to help. We would like to enter
2015 even; no debt. Every contribution will help us continue to serve the
racing community. If you have benefited from our efforts please consider
partnering with us. A one-time donation or a monthly commitment will make it
possible for us to be there for each of you in your time of need. Thank you
for considering this request.
We have touched more lives, guided more decisions and brought the Good
News to more places than at any time in our history. We are so thankful for
our many long-time supporters; both financially and prayerfully! In His
service, Rev Don and the Racing with Jesus ministries family.
Not much happening after the Turkey Derby. I’ll be back on the road this
week, headed to PRI in Indy, looking forward to seeing many friends. Keep
our efforts in your prayers. Have a great week.
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
http://www.rwjm.com 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
SHARE YOUR SPECIAL OCCASIONS WITH YOUR RACING FAMILY.
SEND THEM TO:
RACING WITH JESUS MINISTRIES
PO Box 586
Tolland, CT, 06084
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