Chaplain's Corner!

In kart racing, braking to slow a kart because of an oncoming turn is a key principle in our racing performance. No more is this applicable than at Road America. Proper braking ensures the best lap times. Iıve tried to train my daughter the principle of gas or brake, no coasting. In other words, full throttle, or fully controlled braking to the speed necessary to enter a turn. Coasting costs time. To me, one of the greatest thrills of racing is at Road America coming into turn 5. Itıs where we hit the highest speed of all road courses, holding full throttle as long as we dare, then braking to about 55 mph into the hard 90 left turn.

Braking can take on three forms. We can choose not to brake, break improperly, or use our brakes fully, not locking them up. The first two will result in a crash, leaving the track, or just poor driving. The third, the controlled braking, will make racing a joy when put together with all the other driving skills.

To accomplish good braking we must start with the proper equipment. I believe in a perfectly tuned, front and rear brake system. To get to the spiritual application of this article, I believe the Bible offers the perfect guidance to the way we should live. Many people today, particularly the young, have gone to the no brake system. Anything goes, if it feels good do it, there is nothing immoral, and what I want to believe as truth is my business. This attitude has been encouraged pretty much by a godless educational system, an immoral entertainment industry, and improper role models. The underneath power to all this is the devil. There is an organized realm that is against God and all that is right. 1 John 2:15 says "Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him." Here the word "world" is in reference to this godless system. No brakes in our lives will lead us into this realm. The results will be a crash or at least an unsatisfactory life. The Word of God teaches us to deny ourselves. This is our "brakes." Jesus said in Luke 9:23, "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily, and follow me." Denying self, or "braking" in this case must be done with the right motivation. It should be done with willingness because of Godıs love for us and powered by the Holy Spirit ­ the "brake fluid" which makes Godly living easy.

Is your life in or out of control? Trust in Jesusı death on the cross in payment for our sins combined with a sincere desire to bring proper "braking" into our lives results in the beginning of the Christian life.

Chaplain Ken