TAYLOR SWIFT! 

 

As you know, Taylor Swift rolled into Nashville this past weekend and did 3 outdoor concerts, and each lasted three and a half hours! It was an incredible show! 

 

Before the Sunday night concert, big storms rolled into Nashville and delayed the concert for 3 hours due to “lightening protocol” at Nissan Stadium! However, Swift did not disappoint her fans as she did her entire show…which ended at 1:30 AM this morning!!

 

The thing I admired most was the loyalty and endurance of her fans…they rode out the storm Sunday night! Many, if not all, were drenched to the core…but they didn’t care! They knew what they were about to experience and there was no giving up and going home!  The reward was worth waiting out the storm, no matter how strong it was. They had their eyes on something greater on the other side of that storm!

 

That event leads me to a few reflective questions to ponder:

 

• What would it be like if we were as determined as the “Swifties” when it comes to the Storms of Life?
• What would it be like if we endured the pain and problems (storms) that we face, knowing that what was on the other side was greater? 
• Where is our endurance to ride out those storms?

 

One thing about storms to remember: Storms of life, like storms in the skies, always roll in, but they also always roll out! Depending on how we handle it, we can become greater on the other side!

 

Don’t forget that there is One who stands in the middle of the storm, and at the right time, speaks “Peace” into our hearts!

 

Have a great storm enduring week! 

 

Chaplain Joel

 

 

 

THE MOST DREADED DAY IS COMING

 

Welcome to Monday Maintenance! So far, we have survived January and February of 2023, however March is a different story. I hope all of you were safe from the big windstorm! I chased outdoor furniture all over the place! One chair was about 100 yards away! Clarksville had the State record of 79 mph winds! Go Us!! LOL

 

March brings about a distinct change in weather patterns and sends us hope of a coming Spring, although Spring started in February this year…can I get an AMEN? LOL 

 

March also brings about the MOST DREADED DAY OF THE YEAR - TIME CHANGE, or as many would call it - DAYLIGHT SAVINGS TIME! It is where we “Spring Forward” one hour to give us “extended daylight!” (I don’t know about you but I wish “they” would set us on one time and leave it alone…can I get another AMEN?) 

 

Just as New Year’s Eve brings a spirit of hope, Daylight Savings Time brings a spirit of dread! We moan and groan and drag around for about a week and then we adjust - whether we want to, or not! 

 

So, how can we face “that day” without dread? By giving thanks! 

I know that sounds crazy, but if we could change our spirit of dread to a spirit of gratefulness, we can approach this day with hope! Remember what my favorite Book says, “This is the day which the LORD has made; (I will) rejoice and be glad in it!” 

 

It’s an attitude, followed by an action, that makes the difference!

 

Will you be different? 

 

Have a great “time change” week! 

 

Chaplain Joel

NEW YEAR – NEW NAME

HAPPY NEW YEAR and welcome to 2023! And with a New Year we start to look ahead and not backwards! So, I thought I would start looking ahead with a New Name for my weekly posts to you! And here it is: MONDAY MAINTENANCE! 

 

OK, it sounds a little “cheesy” but bear with me for a moment as I give you my purpose. 

 

As you well know, machinery must be maintained to continuously give peak performance. Sometimes it may need an oil change; other times it may need a new part. And sometimes it just needs a good old-fashioned cleaning! 

 

We should also maintain our machinery to make it last longer! If you neglect to change the oil in your car, or keep air in the tires, etc., sooner or later you are going to breakdown on the highway. That breakdown could have been prevented with proper maintenance. 

 

It’s the same with the human mind, body, and spirit! You must do proper maintenance to your “SELF” so you don’t experience a breakdown on the road of life! 

 

I’m here to help you avoid those breakdowns! Each week, take a few minutes to read my posts and, if applicable, make it a part of your weekly maintenance plan. Feel free to share these with whomever you wish with the hope to help them as well.

 

To start 2023 the right way, I want to encourage you to NOT do 4 things: 

 

• Don’t Fear
• Don’t Faint 
• Don’t Fret, and
• Don’t Forget 

 

Think on these things and I will give more detail in the upcoming MONDAY MAINTENANCE plan.