Chaplain's Corner - February 12, 2007

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Greetings in the wonderful name of Jesus!

I hope this finds you all well and warm. We were all blessed the first part of winter as it was so mild. Although to everything there is a season, so never fear spring will soon be here. Just think we are less than two weeks away from the DAYTONA 500 and racing season will be upon us. To quote a famous racer “boogity, boogity, boogity boys let’s go racin’!” Our family is certainly ready. Our oldest son Jacob can’t wait.

Time is truly speeding by. The stores are geared up for Valentine’s Day. Do you have your valentines ready to be given, or at least thought about it? Are you ready to receive your valentine from Jesus and more importantly share it? Share it? Sure I’ll share my candy, but I’m talking about sharing the gift of Christ. If you have received the gift, then it is your duty as a Christian to share that gift with non-believers. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying we should run out with your bible and start preaching to every person you run into, (that would be a sight to see though). I’m just merely suggesting that in our everyday activities to try and be kinder to each other and to let Christ show through us by our actions to others around us. In the book of Matthew chapter 7 verse 11 Jesus said “If ye then being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father, which is in heaven, give good things to them that ask him?”

As children hopefully someone told us about the golden rule, “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” I once saw a t-shirt that put it as, “do unto others BEFORE they can do it unto you.” What a sad attitude. I know that in today’s time and events of increased violence it is much easier to take this attitude. I find myself sometimes losing patience very 1 over the smallest things, but I do know that it is in times such as these that Jesus wants us to show kindness to each other. Matthew 7 verse 12 says “ Therefore, all things what so ever ye would that men do to you, do ye even so unto them: for this is the law and the prophets.” This is where the Golden Rule comes from folks. In other religions it is stated as “don’t do to others what you don’t want done to you.”

Jesus stated it in a more positive light hopefully, making it more significant. It is hopefully not so hard to refrain from harming others, but it is more difficult to take the first step and do something good for them. The Golden Rule is the foundation of active goodness and mercy; the kind God shows to us every day. A wise man once said, “Ask yourself, What Would Jesus Do?” And to borrow another phrase from a dear friend and brother in Christ; “If you go with God, He will always go with you.”

I want to take this opportunity to thank my wife for this message. It was a blessing to me and I hope it is for you as well.

I am always available to you by e-mail at chaplain@andersonspeedway.com.. If you have any needs feel free to ask. May God richly and abundantly bless each of you is our prayer and we can’t wait to see you at the races!

Rev. Carlos Stapleton
Anderson Speedway Chaplain