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. 

DON'T RUSH THIS SEASON!

The 2022 Christmas Season is here!!

Please, don’t rush the Season.

With all the hustle and bustle of traffic congestion, changes in the weather, long lines at the register, and some terrible grumpy attitudes of those around us, it would be easy to hurry it up and miss out on some inspiring things.

Pull back and focus for a moment. Ask yourself, “How can I make the most of this Christmas Season?”

Try this suggested list of things:

• Take the time to be nice – don’t be another Scrooge…there are plenty of them out there!
• Take the time to enjoy the sights and sounds of the season.
• Make the time with your family much more special (drinking hot chocolate; singing Carols by the tree; wrapping gifts together; baking Christmas goodies; watch some great Netflix Christmas shows (The Santa Clause Chronicles 1 & 2; White Christmas; etc.).
• Slow down! And maybe, if you have places to go, leave a little earlier than normal.
• Give – this is a Season of Giving – you could change someone’s life for the better! 

You’ve got this! Lead the way and others will follow!

Have a great safe non-rushed week!

Chaplain Joel

AFTER GOD'S OWN HEART

I read the story of Samuel and David this morning in 1 Samuel 16. After the disobedience of King Saul, God sent Samuel to search and anoint the next King of Israel, and the LORD directed him to the family of Jesse. (By the way, Jesse's grandparents were Ruth and Boaz!) When the sons of Jesse were brought before Samuel, the first son, Eliab, had the outward appearance of what Samuel saw as "King Material." He must have looked good and must have been taller than his brothers. Maybe he even sounded like a King in the making! But the LORD spoke to Samuel and made a great declaration: "The LORD does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart." (1 Sam. 16:7)

As you know, the story moves on and none of Jesse's sons, who were present, became King. The one who was not present was later selected - David, the youngest, whom his father didn't even think to present him to Samuel. However, the LORD knew the person He wanted. He was looking for the right fit. And the young man, who had a huge heart that sought after the things of God more than anything else, was selected.

Think on this for a moment: Sometimes we get caught up in the "outward" things of other people - height, looks, speech, ability to sway the crowd, connections, etc. I'm not saying that God doesn't use these traits...He does! However, there is one true component that reigns supreme in the eyes of God when He is looking for those to use: A Heart that desires what He desires - a Heart after God!

May the LORD find us as He found David in the field tending the family flock...those after God's own heart!

 

HAPPY VALENTINE’S DAY!

Each year on February 14 we celebrate Valentine’s Day! It’s a great day to pause and express love to the one we most adore. Yesterday was preparation day for this Day and the stores were packed out…especially Publix. I guess it was a double whammy because of the Super Bowl! The Deli was lined up with people picking up party trays and snacks in preparation for the Big Game! Along with that line was the line around the Floral Shop. Arrangements of Red Roses filled the displays and of course there was Chocolate everywhere! Oh yeah…don’t forget the Valentine Card for that special someone! 

The theme of Valentine’s Day centers around LOVE. We say phrases like: “Would you be mine?” Or “Be My Valentine!” Or give juicy, mushy cards beginning with the words: “Dear Valentine…” Oh wow, can you feel the love in the air? 

True LOVE is really incredible. Of course, LOVE originated with God. He LOVED the world so much! Why? Simple: GOD IS LOVE! 

Since God is LOVE, here’s what true LOVE looks like and what it doesn't look like. Take some time and think about each line and evaluate yourself. Is this the type of LOVE that I am expressing or experiencing? 

LOVE is patient, LOVE is kind.  

It does not envy, it does not brag, it is not proud. 

It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 

LOVE does not delight in evil, but rejoices with the truth. 

It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. 

LOVE never fails. (1 Corinthians 13: 4-8a) 

I hope you have a wonderful Valentine’s Day expressing and experiencing that type of love.

HOW BUSY ARE YOU? 

Some days it seems we just can’t get anything done! It’s like spinning plates on a pole. 

Getting them spinning may be easy, but sustaining them is another story! When one slows down we run over and give it a spin, only to see another one slowing down needing a spin, and so on. And the more plates on poles we have, the more energy and effort it takes to keep them going. Sooner or later, because we are pulled in so many directions, plates begin to fall to the floor and break leaving piles of rubble. 

Do you ever feel that way? Do you have so many things going on in your life that it’s keeping you so busy and possibly headed for a crash?

 

Then, you are too busy! Which means it is time to evaluate. Are all of those “plates” in your life really necessary, or have you allowed yourself to be piled on…or have taken on too many “plates and poles” … and have totally stressed yourself out? 

May I suggest that you allow some things to be “dropped” or handed off to others so you can focus on the truly necessary and important things. And the most important thing I would encourage you to consider is your personal time with God. 

Begin each day with Him by reading a few Scriptures from the Bible, and then pausing to whisper a prayer admitting you need Him. Jesus said this: “Come to me, all you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.”  Another place in the Bible says this: “Pile your troubles on God’s shoulders. He’ll carry your load; He’ll help you out.” 

Take the first step by praying this prayer:

“God, I need You to help me see what’s most important. I can’t see it because I have so much going on in my life. Today I give You my troubles because I know You will help me out. I’m weary and need Your rest. Thank You, God, for Your help and I gladly receive it today. Help me to start each day with You!” Amen.