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1/29/2009
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HARSH WORDS
by Rev. Don Rivers |
The next passage we take a look at may take us a few weeks to get our hands
around. Many times in life words have several meanings. Sometimes we think
we know what something means only to find out something was lost in the
translation. Greetings in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Have you ever lost your temper? Threatened to do something to
someone? Gone so far as to say you would take them out? We all lose it and
overreact at times. What does it mean when we say things to others? Are
words really that important?
Out on the track things happen and when they happen to us we react.
We usually do not wait and figure out what really happened before we
respond. Racers in the heat of the moment have been known to do things they
later regret.
The same applies in our life, we say things and direct them at
people without knowing all the facts. We use comments that we wouldn’t say
to their face. We direct them at them when they are not there. Why is it
easier to put someone down when they are not there?
Think about when you drive in your car. How many times do you
direct comments at other drivers? How many of those comments are
complimentary? It is a byproduct of the world we live in. We think we know
how everyone else should be doing things.
Take a look at this passage and let’s spend some time to explore
it.
Matthew 5:21-26, "You have heard that it was said to the
people long ago, `Do not murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to
judgment.' But I tell you that anyone who is angry with his brother will be
subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to his brother, `Raca, ' is
answerable to the Sanhedrin. But anyone who says, `You fool!' will be in
danger of the fire of hell.
"Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there
remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there
in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to your brother; then come
and offer your gift."
"Settle matters quickly with your adversary who is taking you to
court. Do it while you are still with him on the way, or he may hand you
over to the judge, and the judge may hand you over to the officer, and you
may be thrown into prison. I tell you the truth, you will not get out until
you have paid the last penny."
If I asked you if you committed murder you would say no. But take a
look at the passage. Jesus says if you even call someone a fool or Raca
which means worthless, you have violated this commandment. Murder is not the
same as killing. We think of killing as taking someone’s life. Jesus says
murder is killing someone’s spirit.
When we tear someone down with words we kill their spirit. We
devalue them. God values each one of us the same. In God’s eyes we all are
the same. When we do not value what God values we elevate ourselves above
Him. We do not have that right.
Jesus tells us that when we do not show others the same value that
God does we, in effect, murder them, kill their spirit. Jesus says we do not
have the right to do that.
I know this is more far reaching than we have considered when we
think about the commandment not to murder and I am sure we haven’t
considered the words we use as that harmful, but think about what Jesus is
saying. We need to value what God values. We do not have the right to cut
down what He has created.
Think about the words we use this week. Ask God for forgiveness for
the times we cut others down with words. We will explore more of this
teaching next week. For now we will stop here.
THOUGHTS FROM THE ROAD
TOYOTA ALL-STAR SHOWDOWN - The big doings this week were on the
West Coast. Moving the Showdown to January was a challenging proposition. I
remained behind on the East Coast for this one. I must admit I was feeling
left out not being there. On Thursday I checked the flights and for a moment
considered making the trip at the last minute. I figured the price would be
prohibitive and that would be the end of my left out feeling. It didn’t
work, the flights were cheap and my desire to go was just as strong.
It wasn’t until I jumped online Friday and realized that the
weather was not cooperating that I was glad I was home. I tuned in at 10:00
on Friday night to see that the day was a washout. Our West Coast contingent
let us know the weather would be a challenge as January is the wettest month
of the year and it would prove to be right. Friday’s qualifying and practice
fell victim to the weather and the program was reshuffled and would be run
on Saturday.
I want to thank Dan and Gary for being there and ministering to the
drivers and teams at Irwindale. I know it is no fun when weather interrupts
the schedule and they did a great job out there.
One of the bright spots was the number of competitors that made the
trip, 56 cars showed up for 40 spots. That is an encouraging number
considering what some prognosticators had predicted.
I tried but didn’t make it staying up on Saturday night and from
what I understand I missed a classic short-track finish. When the dust
settled the patient Matt Kobyluck came home with the victory. Matt is the
first to repeat as Showdown Champion as he followed up his Championship in
the Camping World East Series with a victory in the shootout. Matt closed
out a great year on top.
With the completion of the Showdown the horizon looks clear of
racing for us until March. Both Dan and I have a few speaking engagements
scheduled. I’ll get the dates and items to you so that if you are in the
area you can stop by and lend us some support.
We are always available to speak to your church or group, please
contact us and we can schedule a time.
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***
January 28
ROBERT & DONNA DILLNER
- On Long Island, the parents of TV's Bobby and Matt have their day.
January 30
JAMIE & CHERYL TOMAINO - The Howell, NJ driver for the Perth Amboy
Spring NASCAR WMT Team/ RWJM Tour Rep. and his best friend wife share their
30th anniversary.
February 1
GREG & VICKIE SACKS - The Long Island native WC driver and wife have
their 34th anniversary.
JAMIE & PAULA AUBE - The Charlotte, VT three time CWES champion and wife
have their anniversary.
TONY & SANDY URBINA - This Riverhead LM driver and wife have their 18th
anniversary.
February 2
JIM & GERRI RICHARDS - This former driver at the former Plainville
Stadium from Ansonia , CT and wife share their 46th.
February 3
HERMIE & ANGIE SADLER - The Emporia , VA NSC/NNS driver and wife have
their 13th.
***HAPPY BIRTHDAYS***
January 28
DAVID GREEN - Archdale, NC NSC/NNS driver.
JON CLEMENS - Pennsy Hoosier Tire dealer.
JUSTIN BOSS - Son of CT Strictly Stock/ LM driver Glen is 19.
KEVIN CLASS - Quarter midget drivers from Jersey turns 10.
January 29
SUE SANTERRE - Wife of four-time CWES Champion and now CWES Carowner
Andy and his favorite PR agent.
TOMMY HOUSTON - Hickory, NC retired NNS driver.
RICK KARPEUK - PA asphalt Mod driver.
JEFF DAVIS - Anaheim Hills, CA NASCAR West driver.
PATRICK REYNOLDS - New Milford, CR ProCup driver.
LUKE DAMIANI - One of Andy's sons of Woxall , PA and 1/4 Midget
driver is 18.
SCOTT BACHAND - Williston, VT NASCAR NCWS team owner/driver.
TOM HOWARD - Waterford Speedbowl faithful.
RICKY TODD - Captain Video of Riverhead Raceway.
NICK CAPPAZOLA - Crew Chief for the Riverhead Rusty Turbush LM team.
WALT STUBBS - Blairstwon, NJ Modified AARN columnist.
LAURIE O'DONNELL - Orrinton, ME Dave Dion fan.
January 30
LLOYD GILLIE - East Holden, ME LM driver.
RICK GIANNINO - LI based LM driver.
BOB McKEE - New Jersey based NASCAR CWES Crew Chief.
BUTCH KALBA - Riverhead Rusty Turbush LM crewman.
GERRY FILLIMON - Old Bridge , NJ noted photographer who along with
brother John, make up the famous "Fillimon Brothers Racing Films and
Videos."
January 31
MIKE DILLON - Welcome, NC NNS driver, Cup Team member husband of Richard
Childress' daughter Tina.
KELLY MOORE - Scarborough, ME part-time NNS/NCWES driver.
JON GAMBUTI - Montville, NJ 1998 ATQMRA 3/4 Midget champion and ISMA
SuperModified driver.
ROBBIE GROFF - Northridge, CA IRL driver.
RICK WILSON - Bartow, FL NSC/NNS driver.
GARY HERRIN - Spokane , WA LM driver.
GEORGE TALLAS - Las Vegas , NV LM driver.
February 1
DAN AVERY- Somersville, CT NASCAR WMT driver.
JANICE WOLF- Riverhead Mod driver Scott's mom.
February 2
ELIZABETH AYOTTE - Mom of Augusta , ME writer/ Track promoter Dan.
JEAN WENZEL - Mom of Riverside Park LM driver, Chris.
JACOB MALACHI JAMES - The youngest son of Scott and his wife Lisa is
14.
February 3
TEX , "MIKE" FRENCH - CWES former crewmember for ASM.
BOBBY GADA - Niantic, CT Waterford Speedbowl Modified driver of the
multi-time Harry Wyant championship team.
MIKE TICCO - Lancaster (NY) Speedway writer.
DAVID BACHMAN - Son of Pennsy based former ARDC scorer, Jennifer
Bachman. This No. 1 fan of John Marcovic and Eric Beers is 13.
SHARE YOUR SPECIAL OCCASIONS WITH YOUR RACING FAMILY.
SEND THEM TO:
RACING WITH JESUS MINISTRIES AT 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: January
29, 2009 |
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