FReeper Canteen ~ Pentagon Chaplains Office ~ Guest Military Chaplain ~ December 19 2004

hqda.army.mil ^ | Chaplain Pomaville

[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

 

 

 

 

WEEKLY DEVOTION

Merry Christmas!
Are you ready for the Christmas season
and holiday rush?

In the midst of the busyness, hopefully you are experiencing the joy that can come with the celebration of the birth of Jesus. Unfortunately, we all have days when we are not doing well and things occur that are disappointing. Are you joyful and happy? Do you enjoy being with your family and friends? Do you like your work? If you are not joyful this season, you are probably experiencing anger, stress, and sadness or maybe you are numb from emotional or physical overload. To help you with your holiday spirit, let’s take a look at one of the main things that steal our joy – anger.

What did the Lord say about anger?
In Matthew chapter 5:21-24 Jesus says:

‘But now I tell you: if you are angry with your brother you will be brought to trial, if you call your brother ‘you good for nothing!’ you will be brought before the Council, and if you call your brother a worthless fool you will be in danger of going to the fire of hell.’ Then Jesus spoke of the importance of ‘making peace with the person who offended you and then come back and offer your gift to God.’

There are many reasons why we get angry. It is interesting that in Matthew 5 Jesus went on to teach about adultery, divorce, broken vows or promises, and about revenge. In the revenge section of Matthew 5:38-42 He talks about some ways that people may wrong you: ‘Slap in the face, taken to court, forced to carry someone else load twice the expected distance, and borrowing things from you.’ These types of events can be very painful and inhibit our ability to experience God’s best. The solution to this pain is spiritually based.

Forgiveness is the key: With all the hurt and disappointment the world offers, what can you do to get your joy back? The Biblical answer is the spiritual tool of forgiveness. There are many good reasons why we should forgive. It is the first step in moving toward reducing your anger and bringing back inner peace and joy. It is also a step in reaching out to make peace with those who have offended you. Here are some good reasons to forgive.

First, forgiveness is for our own sake: In Matthew 6:12 Jesus said ‘and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who have trespassed against us.’ God wants a close personal relationship with you. When we harbor ill will or an unforgiving spirit, it places a barrier between God and us.

Please read Matt 6:14-15 and see that God measures forgiveness to us when we are willing to forgive others. After all, Jesus set the example for us to follow and paid a terrible price when He laid down His life for us in order to bring forgiveness of sins.

Second, forgiveness is for others sakes: It is hard for your loved ones to enjoy being around you if you’re filled with anger and bitterness.

When a grumpy/angry person comes in the room, it can be like throwing a cold wet blanket on a warm beautiful fire. For your sake and the sake of your loved ones, let go of the anger and pain. Give it to the Lord and ask for healing so your loved ones can enjoy being close to you.

Third; forgiveness removes the Offenders
ability to control your life:

People can get hurt so bad that they refuse to forgive or come to believe they cannot forgive the Offender. Here is the deal: Some Offenders do not think they did anything wrong and some will never say they are sorry. So if a person chooses to wait to forgive until the Offender admits they are wrong or to say they are sorry, it may never happen. In essence, failing to forgive a person gives them control over your life. It gives a key to the Offender that locks you in a
personal prison of anger, pain and hurt.

Fourth; forgiveness may lead to restoration and peace with the person who hurt you and within yourself: With God’s help, you have the ability to choose to forgive. As you do your best to follow the example that Jesus gave us, by showing love and forgiveness, the Offender’s life may be impacted. You may help them come
to know the Lord and find peace.

Forgiveness will also contribute to restoring your joy, peace and happiness. Jesus can heal the pain once you choose to remove the object or thing that is sticking inside the wound. The deeper the hurt, the harder it is to forgive. But the Lord can enable you to choose to forgive. The choice is yours to make. We cannot control others, but we can control ourselves. We can also choose to forgive others without condoning their bad words, actions or behavior.

Hopefully, these tips on forgiveness will prompt you to follow the Biblical principles that reduce anger and lead to joy, happiness, peace and love. The Bible says that God is love. Jesus also taught that we are to love our enemies and do good to those who persecute or treat us bad. I believe that love and forgiveness are some of the best gifts we can give our family, friends and enemies during the holidays and throughout the year!

If you choose to forgive, your anger will be reduced and the joy of the Lord can return into your heart! I hope you have a wonderful Christmas!

Chaplain Pomaville

 

 

 

 

[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 11

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.

[SevenofNine]

Whoa breaking news off Xinurea news wire report that bomb blast nail two Village market in Jakata Indoesnia
they think it is terrorist attack

YOU THINK DUDE?

[Soaring Feather]

[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.

[SevenofNine]

Well Sunday UK Times is busting both enemy of Tony Blair Iraqi plan and friend

Report from Sunday UK times claim that perhaps David Blukett threated bodly harm to his mistress who bear his child that reason he resign

Another Brit Labour MP been accused of doing NJ Governor reset by her former female secretary claim that Labour MP who been enemy of Tony Blair support on War on Iraq claim that this MP grope her breast came on to her

Actually guys both MP and secretary what you consider I saw the photos as Butch Lesbians LOL!

That pc word LOL!

[laurenmarlowe]

Thank you Tonk for our Sunday Chaplain. Thanks to all our soldiers.

[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

From the men in the Military and the Canteen

[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.

[stand watie]

GM, everyone!

free dixie,sw

[HopeandGlory]

Good morning Troops, Veterans and Canteeners . . . God Bless and keep you safe.

Prayers going up.

[Soaring Feather]

GM, sw!

free dixie, bf!!!!

[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

Good Night All

God Bless all who enter the Canteen

God Bless and Protect our Military and our Allies Military

[Soaring Feather]

LoL

Good evening seven! Thanks for the update.

[stand watie]

GM, darlin'!!!!

have you met Ariamne???

she's NEW to the Canteen crew & a NEW BUDDY of mine.

say HI to each other, ladies.

free dixie,sw

[stand watie]

GN, to you!

WELL SAID!

free dixie,sw

[Jet Jaguar]

Thanks Tonk, good night!

[Soaring Feather]

Hello friend of sw!! Nice to met you. Welcome to the Canteen!!

free dixie, sw!!

bf

[uncleshag]

Chaplain Pomaville hit that nail right on the head.

Thanks, Tonk.

Two words, a comma and a period don't seem to be enough!
But they say it all! Thanks for all you do. It was you who guided me here in my beginnings on FR.

That was a pretty good gift you gave me.
Merry Christmas, Sir.

[MS.BEHAVIN]

You still up, kiddo?
How's the cold today?
Ms.B