FReeper Canteen ~ Guest Military Chaplain ~ September 26 2004

chaplaincare.navy.mil ^ | LCDR Diane M. Wilson, CHC, USN

[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

For the freedom you enjoyed yesterday...
Thank the Veterans who served in
The United States Armed Forces.

Looking forward to tomorrow's freedom?
Support The United States Armed Forces Today!

	AN ODD WAY TO PRAY Over the years I have heard a multitude of spoken prayers. Some flowed poetically from the speaker's tongue, some had the overtones of a sermon, and others resembled conversation. I have also heard another type of prayer, though never in a church or chapel. Its usage is universal in the English language, even being used on occasion by atheists. The prayer is most often spoken during times of anger, frustration, or used to display extreme displeasure with a given situation or individual. The vast majority of the English-speaking population would not recognize it as a form of prayer, but rather view it as a form of swearing. Some would regard the invocation as "taking God's name in vain." Both are true and credible; however, at the core of the expression is a request by the petitioner for God to damn something, someone or some place. Several years ago, while stationed on Okinawa, I joined my battalion for a "best ball" golf tournament. My foursome was composed of individuals I had played with often, so I was somewhat aware of how our day might develop. One individual, who usually played an outstanding round of golf, was having a horrendous day on the course. Nothing was going right. His whole game was off, and he knew it, and continuously reminded the rest of us about it. On our seventh hole of play, and after overshooting the green, he threw his club as far as he could hurl it and exclaimed for the umpteenth time: "God !#%! It!" I walked over to my friend and said, "You know God is just answering your prayer." He looked at me somewhat puzzled, and as if I were insane. I reminded him that since our first hole of play he asked God to damn his club, damn his ball, damn the green, and even damn his shoes. So why be upset? God was simply answering his prayer. When I concluded, he looked at me and said, "Chaplain, I like that and you're right. It hurts, but you're right." For the rest of the day, neither the others nor I heard another request for God to damn anything. (Though he did bite his lip an awful lot.) As I mentioned earlier, most individuals recognize this prayer more in line with the idea of swearing. However, I think there is a valid case to recognize it as a prayer. That being so, it is bewildering why people would pray it. Could it be that they are not aware of what they are saying or of its significance? Or do they really want God to damn the one they love, their friends, work associates, or acquaintances? As with my friend, the idea of the invocation being a prayer never occurred to him, nor does it to most. Little do we realize the spiritual dynamic that is set in motion when we invoke God with our request. It is to our advantage that God is all-knowing and understanding, and sorts through our trivialization of prayer, and does not do all that we request of Him. It would be well for each of us to remember the words of Jesus: "You do not know for what you ask." LCDR Diane M. Wilson, CHC, USN

[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

Dear God:
I ask that no Airman, Coast Guardsman,
Marine, Sailor, Soldier or National Guardsman
Feel alone or forgotten.
Please guide the people of Free Republic to
The FR Canteen Post Office
So they can e-mail a service man or woman today.
AMEN

[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

Click on the pic and I'll guide you
to the start of today's
Guest Military Chaplain Service


Please stop in and say a prayer of protection for the military. Prayers from all denominations are needed.

                                          


CLICK HERE for Troop Prayer Thread 10

Thank You TEXOKIE

Sunday Liberty starts after the Guest Military Chaplain's Service!

FR CANTEEN MISSION STATEMENT
Showing support and boosting the morale of
our military and our allies military
and the family members of the above.
Honoring those who have served before.
CLICK HERE TO FIND LATEST THREAD.

[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

FYI : Look in upper right corner of "My Comments" page.
Set it for "Brief" instead of Full.
You only will get title of thread and who pinged you.
No graphics will load.

[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

From the men in the Military and the Canteen

[NYTexan]

Ya'll find the best places to eat breakfast!

[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

*MAJOR ANNOUNCEMENT*
Beginning on Monday (27th of September), we are going to have a Hurricane Party Giveaway! The Rules: (PAY ATTENTION TO THE RULES!) The contest will run from Monday (27th Of September) through Friday (October 1st).
Each day we will have a series of questions.

We will need the answers provided in FReepmail.

(More on this in a moment...)
Here's the kicker:

All answers must be provided after 12PM (EST) on the current day thread and must be turned in no later than 4PM (EST) of the same day of the running thread. (Why? We want to give everyone from Brad's Gramma to you a chance to play!) You may only answer once per day for the contest. *CANTEENERS* - A few of you will be ineligible to play on certain days! We will FReepmail you and let you know why you are ineligible. You may NOT compete again if you've already won a contest! On two separate days, there will be 2 winners picked. We will announce the winner after 4PM daily!

FReepmail MoJo2001 with your answers!

 

CLICK HERE to FReep mail your answer.

So? Get your mouse and Googling skills ready. Just a hint at the prizes: (ALL ORIGINAL COPIES) Star Wars DVD Trilogy (donated DVD) Michael Moore Is A Big Fat Stupid White Man (book) Unfit For Command (book) Saving Private Ryan (DVD)
And some other prizes....  

[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

To every service man or woman reading this thread.
Thank You for your service to our country.
No matter where you are stationed,
No matter what your job description
Know that we are are proud of each and everyone of you.

To our military readers, we remain steadfast in keeping the Canteen doors open.
The FR Canteen is Free Republics longest running daily thread specifically designed
to provide entertainment and morale support for the military.
The doors have been open since Oct 7 2001,
the day of the start of the war in Afghanistan.
We are indebted to you for your sacrifices for our Freedom.

FR CANTEEN MISSION STATEMENT
Showing support and boosting the morale of
our military and our allies military
and the family members of the above.
Honoring those who have served before.
CLICK HERE TO FIND LATEST THREAD.

You will stay right where you are on the thread.
Please take a moment and Thank a Service Man or Woman.
Just Click on the graphic to send an e-mail.

[Soaring Feather]

[Soaring Feather]

WOO HOO 1st.

[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1227213/posts?page=5#5

[shield]

Beautiful Red Roses....THANKS!!!

[The Mayor]

September 26, 2004

A Lesson In Praise

Read: Psalm 150

Praise the Lord! —Psalm 150:1

Bible In One Year: Isaiah 1-2; Galatians 5

---

Psalm 150 is not only a beautiful expression of praise, it's also a lesson in praising the Lord. It tells us where to praise, why we're to praise, how we're to praise, and who should offer praise.

Where do we praise? In God's "sanctuary" and "mighty firmament" (v.1). Wherever we are in the world is a proper place to praise the One who created all things.

Why do we praise? First, because of what God does. He performs "mighty acts." Second, because of who God is. The psalmist praised Him for "His excellent greatness" (v.2). The all-powerful Creator is the Sustainer of the universe.

How should we praise? Loudly. Softly. Soothingly. Enthusiastically. Rhythmically. Boldly. Unexpectedly. Fearlessly. In other words, we can praise God in many ways and on many occasions (vv.3-5).

Who should praise? "Everything that has breath" (v.6). Young and old. Rich and poor. Weak and strong. Every living creature. God's will is for everyone to whom He gave the breath of life to use that breath to acknowledge His power and greatness.

Praise is our enthusiastic expression of gratitude to God for reigning in glory forever. —Julie Ackerman Link

Let every creature rise and bring
Peculiar honors to our King;
Angels descend with songs again,
And earth repeat the loud amen! —Watts

Praise is the overflow of a joyful heart.

[MoJo2001]

Thank you for posting the Chaplain's Thread Mr.Tonkin!!


Prayers for all those in Hurricane Jeanne's path. May God keep you all safe and protected.
Prayers for our Troops in harm's way. May His light shine upon each and every one of you. May He lift your spirits, give you comfort, and protect you from those that wish to do you harm.

Prayers for every member of the Canteen family posting, lurking, or away.

I realize that I'm usually a silly participant in the Canteen, but I am grateful for everyone that makes this place a truly warm, funny, and inviting place for our Troops and their families. Thank you everyone for everything you do.

God Bless everyone!

[Kathy in Alaska]

Wow!! What a beautiful bouquet of roses. Thanks men in the Military and the Canteen.

[bethelgrad]

Oorah! and Amen! from a fellow Navy Chaplain!!!!!!!!!

[Kathy in Alaska]

Prayers for our troops, veterans, families, allies, friends, and Canteeners
for a safe and peaceful week ahead.

[Kathy in Alaska]

Wishing all our Jewish troops, veterans, families, allies, friends, and Canteeners
a peaceful and prosperous week.

[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

Thank You Sir for your service to God and Country.

[MoJo2001]

Gospel Sunday!
Click for some Gospel songs:

Jubilee 4

Gaither Homecoming, Texas Style

Mercy Me

Johnny Cash & Friends

Campmeetin' Live

Sam Cooke & The Soul Stirrers





 

[MS.BEHAVIN]

Thank you too, Sir...
For yours....
God Bless and keep you...
Ms.B