Chaplain’s Corner

Back in January, I dealt with a truly challenging day because of the weather. I had to navigate my vehicle to my place of work/service during a 15-inch snow. Wow, what a day to come to work! I could have easily justified staying in that day, but just knowing that our precious elders were waiting for my encouragement made it a no brainer for me.

Fast forward to my drive to work today–it was sunny and 70 degrees! As I walked from my car today with the birds singing and a breeze blowing against the beautiful Tennessee Mountains, I thought, “Wow, what a day to come to work! Just think of all the things I could be doing outside today instead of coming in.”

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Listening Well

One of our Elders said to me the other day; “You all listen very well here.” “I mean my nurse listens, my CNA’s listen.” “Even your Administrator will stop and take her time to listen to me if I have a question!”  He went on to say   …  “If I could, I would work here myself!”

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Have You Bumped You’re Head?

 Have you ever bumped you’re head in public?

 Years ago as I was housecleaning around my machine, I rose up without looking up and I hit my head on the corner of a solid metal box. As I tried to recover, I checked my head for blood only to find a knot quickly rising. The remarkable thing about this small ingenious moment was that my first reaction wasn’t to check my head but rather it was to look around to see if anyone had witnessed my most exemplary moment of coordination. As I look back at that enlightening event I realize that I valued my pride more than my head.

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“Circling the Tree”                           

Psalm 123:1-2  1. I lift my eyes to you, O God, enthroned in heaven. 2. We keep looking to the Lord our God for his mercy, just as servants keep their eyes on their master …

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The Good Stuff

James 1:17   ^17. Whatever is good and perfect is a gift coming down to us from God our Father   …

Stop & think for just a moment, what has been the best gift that you have ever received? I recently ask this question to our Elders during Bible Study and their response would most likely surprise the modern retail businesses of today. They did not mention new homes, automobiles, diamonds or gold. No electrical gadgets or devices. They did not mention any manmade or physical objects, not even worldwide travel!

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Mark 9:41   41. For whosoever shall give you a cup of water to drink in my name, because ye belong to Christ, verily I say unto you, he shall not lose his reward.

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 “Throwing in the Towel” is a phrase that originated from the sport of boxing. Years ago boxing managers would throw the towel in the ring during a boxing match to concede the match in lieu of inevitable defeat. Hence this has become a common place phrase when someone is giving up, they are said to be “Throwing in the Towel.”

With this in mind we read in    …   John 13:4-5     ^4. He riseth from supper, and laid aside his garments; and took a towel, and girded himself.  ^5.  After that he poureth water into a bason, and began to wash the disciples’ feet, and to wipe them with the towel wherewith he was girded.

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Psalm 40:3  ^3. And he hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God: many shall see it, and fear, and shall trust in the Lord.
I’m all about good gospel music! I love it, I play it, I sing it, I record it and I even write it! I love the old hymns of the past with their flare of Old English rhyme and rhythm. I love the new songs written well that challenges & encourages my walk with Christ. I simply love good gospel music!

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“Father, may we reflect the strength of the Lord to those who are in our care.” Isaiah 35:3-4   3. Strengthen those who have tired hands, and encourage those who have weak knees.  4.  And say to those who are afraid, “Be strong, and do not fear, for your God is coming to intervene for you.”

Mike

Integrity= Has been defined as, who we are when no one else is looking! This subject reminds me of a song I heard the other day. I’m not sure who it was by, but one line of it went   …   “The Way You Live, Speaks So Loud, I Can’t Hear What You Say!” Another way of putting this thought is, “Our actions speak louder than our words!”

I have humorously thought about a similar saying “I’d rather see a sermon, than hear one any day!” (I’m not quite sure what this has to say about those of us who preach?)  But it does cause us to consider how our words & actions are being interpreted by others.

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