Racing is hard. I mean there are lot of challenges but like with many sports there are many life lessons to learn but we have to have the right attitude, the right view, and the right focus. Do we want to learn anything from racing that will be a life lesson or are we just looking for enjoyment and feeding self? So much of life is wrapped around communication with each other. A lack of communication (talking); too much of; note listening;

Proverbs 21:18 The wicked is a ransom for the righteous, and the traitor for the upright.
There is unexcapable punishment to those that sin with intention to harm others and the believer should see this. It should warn us also that we are to stay far from sin.
Proverbs 21:19 It is better to live in a desert land than with a quarrelsome and fretful woman.
This is speaking to the women reading this. You have the responsibly to be respectful and loving to your husband and as us men read this we should be reminded the Bible and God is very clear that we are to be loving and washing our wife in the Word. This would cure many of the marriage issues we have. Please stop and really think about this, am I being the husband, wife, child that God wants me to be or am I feeding self and ego and my wants over others.
Proverbs 21:20 Precious treasure and oil are in a wise man’s dwelling, but a foolish man devours it.
Did you think we were not going to hear “wise” or “Wisdom” again in Proverbs – Wrong, here we are back talking about it! Oh, and there will be more. What do you consider treasure? Is it God’s Word and wise? We can learn much from what we value and what price and time we put on and in it.
Proverbs 21:21 Whoever pursues righteousness and kindness will find life, righteousness, and honor.
Let us think about the word “pursues”. What do you think about when you read the read “pursue”? I think of going after something with intention, with intensity, with a desire. So do we have that passion for righteousness and kindness?
Proverbs 21:22 A wise man scales the city of the mighty and brings down the stronghold in which they trust.
We can trust in a political party or person and we can trust in a ‘brand” or we can trust in a name or in things but that is not where or who we should trust in. We should trust in the Creator of the universe. We should trust in the one that gives and takes life. We should trust in the one that is all-knowing and all-powerful. Think about people’s reaction in politics. When Mr. Obama was elected there was an attack on his person, his family origin. There were a lot of lies and attacks that were not right. Now Mr. Trump takes office and people are demonstrating with a LOT of hate in their words and actions. Instead of trusting in those two it would be much better to trust in Jesus. Who will really protect you or really provide for you?
Proverbs 21:23 Whoever keeps his mouth and his tongue keeps himself out of trouble.
Let’s skip over this verse. Okay, just kidding. This is a tough one for me. Far too often I will just say what I am thinking, or not thinking if you know what I mean, and it can cause trouble or even harm others. It is not good. I need to do more than just read this verse, more than just study and memorize this verse. I need to obey it.
Proverbs 21:24 “Scoffer” is the name of the arrogant, haughty man who acts with arrogant pride.
Pride is one of if not the “greatest” of all sin. One that is filled with pride thinks only of self. They think more of themselves and less of others. They distort truth. Their view is skewed and they puff up self and deflate others. It is so easy for us to be prideful even on a spiritual level. We have to be watchful and on the lookout.

Have a great day racin’ in the SONshine,
Todd

Do you ever pick up a call and have a hard time hearing the person if you are in a loud crowd? How about if you can’t hear your spotter? How will that go? Not well is right. If he says someone is underneath you and you can’t hear that and go for the hole what happens? That is right, there is a wreck. It is much better when the communication is clear and understood. This set of verses is clear.

Proverbs 21:9 It is better to live in a corner of the housetop than in a house shared with a quarrelsome wife.
Notice that this verse does not say go divorce. In this time that we live too many believe marriage is a try it out and see if things go my way or as long as I am happy I will stay in this. That is not how God sees marriage. He sees it as two becoming one and for life. He wants the husband to protect and love and to pour the Word over the family. He wants the wife to honor the husband and nurture the family.
Proverbs 21:10 The soul of the wicked desires evil his neighbor finds no mercy in his eyes.
The eyes really can tell a lot. When you look in to the eyes of a person you can see pain, lies, hurt, etc.. The eyes really are the insight into the soul.
Proverbs 21:11 When a scoffer is punished, the simple becomes wise; when a wise man is instructed, he gains knowledge.
Again, echo, will you receive instruction? If you will, you will gain knowledge.
Proverbs 21:12 The Righteous One observes the house of the wicked; he throws the wicked down to ruin.
We have talked about this before but it good for us to be reminded. No one and nothing escapes from God. He see and hears all, knows all.
Proverbs 21:13 Whoever closes his ear to the cry of the poor will himself call out and not be answered.
More echoes. Here we are instructed that we are to help the poor. What have you done in the last couple of weeks to help the poor? It is easy to do during the holidays. Are you intentional year-round?
Proverbs 21:14 A gift in secret averts anger, and a concealed bribe, strong wrath.
We are prone to hide or trying to hide which in itself is a lie. We cannot hide. Everything is seen by God and often by all those around us too. So look at the scenario of the second half of the verse and see all the sin there.
Proverbs 21:15 When justice is done, it is a joy to the righteous but terror to evildoers.
Powerful! Doing what is right is a joy and freedom. Lying or doing what is wrong will enslave you to sin. It will always be. Don’t miss the joy of obeying the LORD.
Proverbs 21:16 One who wanders from the way of good sense will rest in the assembly of the dead.
Hear this warning! Seriously stop and hear this. If we wander from truth, disaster and death is ahead. You may think you are getting away with something but in the end it will not turn out good. Do you really want to take that chance?
Proverbs 21:17 Whoever loves pleasure will be a poor man; he who loves wine and oil will not be rich.
It can’t get any more straight-forward or direct or clear than this. Is your first love to feed your own pleasure? Take your time and really think about that. What satisfies you? Listen to the promise to those that love alcohol. Pretty clear what God thinks of drinking.

Have a great day racin’ in the SONshine,
Todd