Chaplain's Corner!

For those with little knowledge of the motor, "the carburetor is the device into which the gas enters." (That's according to my daughter.) For those of us with a little more knowledge, the carburetor controls the amount of the fuel-air mixture entering the motor, while also allowing adjustment as far as the richness of that mixture. The inside diameter of the carburetor has a lot to do with the power the motor will produce. The suction of the motor through the venturi area of the carburetor creates kind of a funnel effect. This stuffs the fuel mixture into the combustion or burning chamber of the motor, forcing the piston to move in the cylinder. Those of us in restrictive karting classes know the Tech man frowns on the changing of anything in regard to the carburetor because of the power we can gain. The throttle plate in the venturi area of the carburetor is attached with a cable to the, would you believe, gas pedal. If you want to go fast, push the pedal to the metal. Now, as a disclaimer please, no judgment of mechanical content.

Now let's compare the carburetor to the receiving of God's power, the Holy Spirit. The more we choose to open the throttle plate of the carburetor, the faster our karts go. The more we open ourselves to the Holy Spirit, the more power we have in the Christian life. The Bible says, in Ephesians 5:18, "Do not get drunk on wine which leads to evil decisions. Instead be filled with the Spirit." As we must take in alcohol to come under it's control and lose our clear thinking, so it is with the Spirit. Many years ago I would choose to take the bottle to my lips to drink. I would count how many it would take to make me feel good on my way to being out of control. So now likewise, as a Christian, we are obligated to do what is necessary to keep the Spirit's fullness within us. I open the throttle of the carburetor and God stuffs in his fuel.

To ignite, or start, the Christian life, trust in Christ and his work on the cross for the forgiveness of your sins. Then go on and open the throttle for maximum power. To do that, get into the habit of doing the following five things: Worship - let God know you believe he is worthy of your praise, with a special emphasis on Sunday. Prayer - an ongoing communication with God establishing dependence on him for all things. Bible Study - daily instructions on how to live. Fellowship - through church men's and women's groups, couples and youth groups, etcŠ in order to share life's experiences and find support in time of need. Expression - finding a way to serve Christ, being fulfilled, blessed, bearing much fruit. Such is my desire and manner of life.

Chaplain Ken