Think Before Speaking
Did you ever notice how words are used as weapons? Too many times we do not think of the implications our words can have before we speak them. We can encourage or discourage with just a few simple words. Greetings in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Several years ago I chaperoned a field trip for my daughter’s school to the Bronx Zoo. After a day of walking around the zoo one of the mothers sat down and proclaimed her exhaustion. She said her orthodontist prescribed her new shoes. I responded “If your orthodontist is prescribing your shoes you must have your foot in your mouth a lot.” Obviously she misspoke and meant her orthopedist. I think we can all be guilty of opening our mouth and inserting our foot. In racing we have many opportunities to say the wrong thing.
You just were involved in a racing incident, maybe your fault, maybe not, you climb from the car and before you catch your breath it seems someone wants to know what happened. You start to speak, saying what’s on your mind. You tell your side if the story, how it looked from your perspective. You don’t have time to think it through or digest the situation. If it is not your first run in with a driver you speak from past experience. We think we know what happened and react accordingly.
Most times what actually happened is different from what we think. Wouldn’t it be great if we could look at the replay before we had to comment? Too many times we have to go back and adjust what we said. I suggest we might follow some old advice, “Put your mind in gear before you put your mouth in motion.” Did you ever wonder where that advice came from?
Proverbs 17:28; Even a fool is thought wise if he keeps silent, and discerning if he holds his tongue.
It is better for people to think you are a fool than to open your mouth and remove all doubt. Words are a double edge sword. In the racing world, we live and die by what we say. Think about this, how do you think a foul mouth driver sounds to a prospective sponsor? If you were investing your money in a race team ask yourself, “What kind of spokesman would you want?”
If it is our desire to succeed and prosper we need to tame our tongue. That is not to say we have to keep your mouth shut, but it is to say we need to think before we speak. Take into consideration what our words will mean to someone else.
It is ok to be truthful if in fact you are speaking the truth. It is ok to speak honestly if in fact you are being honest. It is ok to express your opinion if your opinion is not based on hearsay or gossip. Take the time to consider what impact your words will have on others before you speak them. Listen to the words of James as he tells us the danger of a loose tongue.
James 3:5-10; Likewise the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole person, sets the whole course of his life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell. All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and creatures of the sea are being tamed and have been tamed by man, but no man can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God’s likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers, this should not be.
I heard someone say once, “Do you kiss your mother with that mouth?” It made me realize that I needed to watch what I say. I am not just talking about curse words; I am talking about hurtful, hateful words. We say things about people behind their back that we wouldn’t say to their face.
Unfortunately the electronic age allows us to hide behind a screen name and we avoid taking responsibility for the things we say. Yes, typed words are the same as spoken words. I encourage you to consider that you are speaking directly to the person when you say or type something. When you call their motives into question why not give them the benefit of the doubt. Many times we do not have all the information that is needed to pass judgment on what someone else has said or done.
I am not saying to accept everything without question. I am saying before you condemn someone or something take the time to look at the situation from a different point of view. Think before you speak. Consider what affect your words will have. In everything you do seek to honor, praise and bring glory to God.
THOUGHTS FROM THE ROAD
REMEMBERING A FRIEND – It saddened my heart to hear of Jim Hunter’s passing this week. Jim was not only a friend, but a friend of Pat’s and this ministry. Jim had a heart for short track racing and his voice will be missed.
Jim’s was a voice of one who understood racing from many different angles and was able to explain his views in a way that would help others see things from a different perspective. He understood what was necessary to say and what did not have to be said.
I had an open invitation to play golf with Jim, to head down, go out and hit a few. I never was able to get things in order so that we could get out there and play. I regret that I didn’t take the time to build a closer relationship with him.
Please lift Jim’s family up in prayer along with the entire racing community, Jim’s is a voice that will be missed.
CAN IT BE EIGHT YEARS ALREADY – As I was getting things in order to head south it caught my attention that this is the 8th Annual John Blewett III Memorial North-South Shootout. It doesn’t seem that long. I remember Rev. Pat and Glen Davis headed down for the first event, Dan and I have been to every one since. It is always a good time to be with friends and sort of close out the season. We are looking forward to being there again this year and we hope to see you there.
YOU DRIVE WHAT – I received word this week that a photo of the pace car made it on the list of Strange, Weird, Funny, Ugly, Barley Run and Junk cars at youdrivewhat.com. It is not on the front page but on page two. I am not sure what category the car falls into but I think maybe we need to make a new one, Inspirational. It is good to see people take notice of them.
HIGHPOINT – I had the opportunity to speak to the men’s group at High Pointe Church in Thompson Connecticut on Saturday morning. They were coming together to help the single women and mothers in the church maintain their cars. They do this as a service for them and do not ask them to pay. I thought that was a great way to help. A couple of the men in the group attend the races at Thompson Speedway and invited me along. Thanks for letting me come and share.
If you have a group or church that would like us to come and speak please let us know. We would love to come out and share how God is working through RWJM to reach the racing community for Christ.
Be a witness for our Lord with the ministry decals and apparel. See them at the Show Your Faith Apparel Store at www.rwjm.com. Send us your prayer and counseling needs no matter what part of our racing family you are in, or give us a call. 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” Check our home page www.rwjm.com for past articles. Drop us a note and share your input and thoughts. 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 3
DINO & CHRIS LAWRENCE- The former Artworks proprietor in Danbury, CT, now heading up his Carolina Signworks in Rockingham, NC along with his lovely wife Chris, are friends of RWJM. They share their 19th anniversary.
BOB & LISA KLUKAS- Whelen mod tour crewman and wife celebrate 20 years
November 6
RICK & DONNA SCHAFFER- The Woxall, PA Grandview Speedway based all-time winningest Mod driver and wife celebrate their 19th anniversary.
***HAPPY BIRTHDAYS***
November 3
GREG SACKS- Mattituck, LI,NY NASCAR driver.
DERRIKE COPE- Spanaway, WA NASCAR driver.
WAYNE OKULA- Team manager for the #28 King Racing Modified and Charger Driver for #67 – Riverhead Raceway.
November 4
JAMES BROWN- Barrington, VT NASCAR KNPSE driver.
BRIAN ROSS- Retired Ballston Spa, NY Modified/NASCAR KNPSE driver.
DON DAVIES- New York “Area Auto Racing News” dirt columnist.
JERRY VENNE- Bow, NH racing media personality.
DOTTIE PARK- Wife of Bob and mom of Todd and KNPSE’s Steve.
November 5
PETE RONDEAU- No. Waterboro, ME NASCAR crew cheif.
November 6
GEGE GRAVEL- Groton, MA ProStock/KNPSE driver.
GLEN BREHIO- Templeton, MA NASCAR KNPSE driver.
ANDY HOUSTON- Hickory, NC CwTS/NNS driver.
BRUCE KLINE- OCFS dirt Mod driver.
ROY HANKS- Somers, CT ProStock driver.
DENISE BARKER- Wife of Legends 8NY team owner Bob “Mad Dog” Barker of Staten Island, NY.
CASEY LaJOIE- One of NNS Randy’s and Lisa’s children.
BARBARA SMITH- Wife of Setauket, LI,NY Marco.
November 7
KELLY YANETTA- This New Jersey Powder Puff Go-Kart Club driver.
JOE LARSEN, JR- The son of Linda and NASCAR Mod tour official Joe, SR.
November 8
ED BERRIER- Winston-Salem, NC NNS driver.
RUSS BROWN- Mannsville, NY NASCAR KNPSE driver.
KERRY ANDERSON- Scarborough, ME occasional NASCAR KNPSE driver.
HOMER KEINERT- Mahoning Valley Speedway driver.
DEDE HAYES- Wife of NH photographer Rich.
November 9
DICK DISBROW- NJ asphalt Mod driver.
TERRY MARCOVIC- PA/NJ asphalt Mod driver.
RICK CARELLI- Arvada, CO CWTS driver.
CHRISTINE STEFANIK- The second of Mike and Julie’s girls.
WILL WRIGHT- Godson of Dion Ciccarelli and son of Glidden Motorsports Marketing Dir. Gerry Wright has his 7th birthday.
DANA MAE KOST- Daughter of NSC crewman Mike.
MICHAEL “Bonzi” BOZZUTO – Head tech inspector at Oswego Speedway, former ESS sprint car driver and “wanna be” dwarf car driver
Sources: Rev. Don Rivers/RWJM