Chaplain's Corner!

Please bear with me as I set the tone of this article. With Christmas music in the background, looking forward to Christmas Eve church services with family time to follow, my thoughts bring mixed emotions.

First, the joy of knowing the birth of this Child impacted world history, and still does, providing peace between a falling creation and a Holy God. Then, sadness brought on when we consider those who will be suffering grief because of departed loved ones. And, lastly, because although this season brings out the best in most, it is also used by a few to deepen wounds because of bitterness and other sins. Lets thank the Lord that the message of Christmas still brings joy, comfort, forgiveness and new hope and lasts throughout the year.

Speaking of new, the new racing season is coming. With the point's season starting over, we all have hopes of winning the Championship. The up coming Kart shows and swap meets will show us the new equipment and provide information that will finally give us the advantage over our competition. Of course, some of us are hoping the Champ of 2001 will move into another class or into NASCAR. I plan on getting this thing about aerodynamics down so I can get 150 mph out of my twelve horsepower enduro kart. Then there is the new track in our new series that we are looking forward to tame Mid America. We might ask, "With all this excitement and preparation going on, how do I fit in spiritual matters?"

I suppose, if we were in the proper spiritual condition we would ask, "How could I fit in karting and allow it to bring glory to God." In Lamentations 3:22 & 23 it says, Because of the Lords great love we are not consumed, for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning. Great is your faithfulness. In other words, when we draw from Gods grace by faith, He provides anew each day what is needed to turn this old sinner into a champion, with the capability of a 150-mph lifestyle. Our prayer can start like this: "Dear Jesus, I turn from sin and turn to the forgiveness you gained for me on the cross. I believe you are Lord and that you rose from the dead. Come into my life and I will follow you daily."

Chaplain Ken