Here's a Thought with Jay Daniels

You may be going through a “testing time” in your life.  You may have tough decisions ahead that you simply wish you could put off. You may be experiencing strife with a dear friend or family member. You may have many questions but few answers. Beloved, in all of these things, remember these three words spoken by my mentor  Marc Tischart . “LET LOVE LEAD.”

When Mom and I were living in Beaverdam, VA, we would often go to the community's 5th Sunday Gospel Sing. Choirs from all around northwestern Hanover County would gather to join in worship through song. Those churches were packed, but we didn't care. It was such a blessing to sing the hymns of the faith with my brothers and sisters in Christ. We laughed and we cried together through the music.  That was over ten years ago... Fast forward to this weekend.  I've been battling the creeping crud of the fall season. Thankfully, I'm past the worst of the ordeal, but needless to say, it has not be a fun weekend. I had to cancel a gig in Pennsylvania yesterday that I was hoping to attend, and I barely made it to St. John's this morning.  My heart was hurting, and I just wasn't feeling like myself.  Before the sickness had set in, my dear friend and mentor  Karen Keating  had invited me come to a Community Gospel Sing in Berryville, VA, which was to be h...

Listen... The other night, I was talking about listening for the still, small voice of God. Tonight, I want us to think about how we can ourselves can be better listeners. It's no real secret that I have the gift of gab. Whether it's because of nervousness (yes, I get nervous around some folks) or an insatiable desire to say something, sometimes I just talk and talk. It's something that I have to work at on a daily basis. Several years ago, I prayed a simple prayer that went something like this, "Lord, you know my heart and the things hidden deep inside. I ask you now to help me be a better listener. Help me to listen to what others are trying to say." If you don't believe it already, believe it now. God does answer prayer. One of the greatest blessings in my life is getting to hear the stories shared by so many of my dear friends. I'm honored that many of you come to talk with me about what's affecting you in your life... some of it's ...

"O my dove, in the clefts of the rock, in the secret places of the cliff, let me see your face, let me hear your voice; for sweet is your voice, and your countenance is lovely." -Song of Solomon 2:14 How often do we take the time to listen?  I am reminded of one of my mentors at Shenandoah,  Charlene Romano . Before each aural dictation, she offers the clear instruction, "Listen." Just as simple as that... listen. Oft times, we pray to God for guidance... an answer to our question... a solution to our problem. Oft times, we remain frustrated when we don't hear a response. Dear friends, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob is still speaking today. In fact, He is often speaking the loudest in the silent moments of life. Let us seek out those moments of peace and serenity while we listen for the voice of God.  Friend, if today you are struggling with the uncertainty of tomorrow... listen. It is time for us to stop speaking and listen for the voice...

Tonight is another sentimental forming of words and sentences that we call " Closing Thoughts ." Last night, I shared the story of two seniors residing at The Village at Orchard Ridge. If you haven't read their story, I would encourage you to do so. Tonight, I want to continue on that thought of what our relationships are built upon.  It's no surprise that I'm an old-fashioned fellow. Unfortunately, that also means that my  thoughts  on some topics are not often shared by my peers. I was pleasantly surprised, however, when I was talking with a dear friend about her and her boyfriend's relationship.  I won't go mentioning names here, as they like to keep things private. I will surely respect that. My friend and I were talking about some of the struggles that she and her boyfriend have been facing over the past few weeks. Distance and busy lives keep them separated. In light of their busy schedules, however, they make a purposeful effort to speak w...

I feel as though I never have to work a single day in my life. It's true! I earn my living by sharing the gift of music. There are many times, however, that I receive a greater blessing in return.  Each month, I perform at the Long Term Care & Rehabilitation Center at The Village at Orchard Ridge here in Winchester, VA. I've been doing hour-long shows there since they opened the new facility earlier this year. Typically, it is a small group of attendees, but they are faithful to come for performance. I'm thinking of a special couple that I visit with during each performance. Even after decades of marriage, they are still madly in love with each other. He resides at the rehabilitation center, while his wife lives in the independent living portion of Orchard Ridge.  He has his good days and his bad days. You see, he is in the later stages of Parkinson's Disease. His verbal communication is limited, but he is still able to respond through facial expressions and...

How many of you remember the film "Mary Poppins?" If you do, think of that scene featuring Ed Wynn as Uncle Albert. He just could not stop laughing; in fact, there was entire song written about it - "I Love to Laugh." As a kid, I would laugh for what seemed like an eternity. Then again, I still chuckle with glee whenever I hear that song. Laughter is beautiful gift that God has given us in this life. On the worst days of life, a bit of laughter always help s make those grey skies blue once again. The side effects from laughter are almost universally positive... except for those times when your sides hurt from laughing so long and so hard. Laughter is a beautiful thing. As most of my professors at Shenandoah will tell you, it's hard to get much done in class with my frequent bursts of jokes and laughter. OK... we do some get some things done around here... some times. Not a day goes by where I don't laugh at someone or something... normally myself. ...

I do not consider myself a positive person. While I always look for the best in many situations, I always try to keep a realistic perspective on life. Tonight, I'm reminded of a perspective that Dad shared with me when I was a kid. It was the end of a warm, summer's day. Dad and I took time to go fishing down by Lake Anna's Dike 3 (one of the man-made dams that regulates water flow).  Now you have to remember that my Dad is not one of these people that is full of profound sayings. Yet out of all of my childhood memories, these words from him stick out the most. As we sat there watching the sunset, he said this to me. "Son, you see that sunset over there? There'll never be another like it. That's kind of like our lives. There'll never be another day like today. Never." Each day, we are given a fresh start. Sure, some things may carry over from the day before. But the bottom line is this. You are given a chance to begin anew each day. Don't...

As I was thinking earlier today about what I might write this evening, I  thought  about these words that someone once told me. "Jay, you are too much of a romantic. You think of love as though it were plucked out of a 1940s film. It's just not right. You need to come back down to reality." You know, there might be a little truth in that statement. Perhaps, we do get a little carried away at times. But folks, I think when it comes to romantic relationships, we've relaxed our standards a bit much. Maybe, just maybe, we could stand to learn from those examples of yesteryear. There is a reason that after 50 or 60 years of marriage, those same couples are still madly in love with each other. During my numerous visits to retirement communities, I have been able to hear so many wonderful stories from seniors and their “courting days.”  Oft times, I will ask these wise folks, “What’s your secret?” 9 times out of 10, the answer is the same, “Never go to bed angry with ...

What are some of those precious moments that you keep hidden within the depths of your mind's scrapbook? Who are those that have made life truly special?  Maybe your precious moments would be forgettable for many, but for you, they hold great meaning. One of those special moments happened to me today. It was one of those things that just made the day better. A dear friend spent some time with me during her lunch break. We never really get to see each other because of schedules, but today we had time to just enjoy each other's day. It was a musical experience that we shared that truly brightened my day and brought a positive end to a busy and tiring week. What a joy it was to just sit and sing through some of our favorite jazz standards. I never get to do that, and it was such a pleasant surprise. Dear friends, look for those special moments that God gives each us day. On the dark days, remember those precious times spent with those we love and care for. And to my ...

Tonight's  thoughts  will be brief, but I hope that they carry great meaning for you as they do for me. Earlier today, we were asked to think of one person that has made an unmistakable impact upon our lives... one person who has a lasting impression upon us. I thought of my dear friend and mentor,  Marc Tischart . He was and is truly an example of what a leader should be. During one of our many conversations at the radio station, he said these words to me, which I will never forget. "If you keep doing the right things, the wins will come." Dear friends, you may be tired... tired of fighting a losing battle against a seemingly insurmountable adversary. You may be ready to throw in the towel and give up. But remember this, beloved! God didn't promise us an easy life, but He did promise us that He would be with us through the good and bad that life deals to us.  Keep trusting. Keep working. Keep sowing. Keep doing the right things.

I've been doing a lot of listening to the famed radio announcer, Paul Harvey. He's passed on now, but I remember some of the words that he offered during his acceptance speech at the R&R Talk Radio Seminar in 2003. He said this... "Tomorrow always has been better than today, and it still will be." What does that look like in reality? For many of my colleagues at Shenandoah, this is a stressful time of year. We're in the midst of week 7, and even with Fall Break next week, the end seems so far away. For many, the light can't be seen because you are buried so deep in the mounds of homework and rehearsals. It has simply become too much to bear.  Now, let's bring this around to everyone.  We get so stressed over life. We allow the little things to creep up on us and bog us down in agony and despair. We go 'round and 'round trying to answer the questions that we haven't an answer for. We make up hypothetical worst-case scenarios and st...