FReeper Canteen ~ Guest Military Chaplain ~ January 16 2005

chaplaincare.navy.mil ^ | CAPT J. David Atwater, CHC, USN

[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

 

 

 

 

A HUMBLE SPIRIT

It's always surprising to me when someone, in an honest and unguarded moment, confides that God could never use THEM. They may keep up appearances most of the time, but, down deep, they just don't feel worthy. Have you ever felt that way? If so, you're in luck; God places a high value on humility! In fact, your sincere recognition of your own need may just be the key that opens the door to a deeper, more genuine and rewarding spirituality. Isaiah wrote, "For thus says the High and Holy One Who inhabits eternity, whose name IS Holy: 'I dwell in the high and holy place, with him who has a humble and contrite spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble and to revive the spirit of the contrite.'" (57:15) And Jesus added, "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." (Matthew 5:3) For a short history lesson to reinforce those references, consider the following words by another pilgrim
who found a second chance:

"There are many reasons why God shouldn't have called you. But don't worry. You're in good company: Moses stuttered. David's armor didn't fit. John Mark was rejected by Paul. Timothy had ulcers. Hosea's wife was a prostitute. Amos' only training was in the school of fig-tree pruning. Jacob was a liar. David had an affair. Solomon was too rich. Abraham was too old. David was too young. Peter was afraid of death. Lazarus was dead. John was self-righteous. Naomi was a widow. Paul was a murderer. So was Moses. Jonah ran from God. Miriam was a gossip. Gideon and Thomas both doubted. Jeremiah was depressed and suicidal. Elijah was burned out. John the Baptist was a loudmouth. Martha was a worry-wart. Mary was lazy. Samson had long hair. Noah got drunk. "Did I mention that Moses had a short fuse? So did Peter, Paul -- well, lots of folks did. "But God doesn't require a job interview. He doesn't hire and fire like most bosses, because He's more our Father than our Boss. He doesn't look at financial gain or loss. He's not prejudiced or partial, not judging, grudging, sassy, or brassy, not deaf to our cry, not blind to our need. As much as we try, God's gifts are free. We could do wonderful things for wonderful people and still not be wonderful. Satan says, "You're not worthy." Jesus says, "So what? I AM." Satan looks back and sees our mistakes. God looks back and sees the cross. He doesn't calculate what you did in '78. It's not even on the record. Sure. There are lots of reasons why God shouldn't have called us. But if we are magically in love with Him, if we hunger for Him more than our next breath, He'll use us in spite of who we are, where we've been, or what we look like. I pray that, as believers, we will step out of our limitations into the unlimited nature of who God is. Then our passion for God and our passion to communicate Him will make short work
of our limitations."

No matter where you are in your journey today, or how you may have failed in the past, God loves you... and sees what may yet be. May you find hope, grace, a renewed vision,
and treasures that don't disappoint.

CAPT J. David Atwater, 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 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.

[Old Sarge]

Evening, Skipper!!!

[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.

[HopeandGlory]

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

Prayers going up.

[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

Evening Old Sarge!

Tell your "gang" we all said Hi!

[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

From the men in the Military and the Canteen

[SevenofNine]

Well well there is report off Sunday UK Times because of Brit prisoners caught in Camp Xray going be release to Brit authtories good possibity because they been held in prison for 3 years or more that Brits have no choice under Brit law but release on the street under Brit law you have charge somebody with crime in 14 days

He go free that raise fears that some of the dudes are going back to their miltant cells in the UK

Also Sunday UK Telegraph reporting that one of Brit MP so tick off with Conservative party leader Michael Howard he going defect on Monday to Labour party

Speaking of that one of other Brit Mp so not amused with Prince Harry right now that he urging Brit House of Lords to change succession of the throne from Prince Charley when he died go to Princess Anne?

WHATT???

[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.

[Smartass]

GOD BLESS AMERICA AND OUR GREAT MILITARY

The Attic Of Memories

Once upon a time there was a little girl.
She used to dream of when she would
grow into a beautiful woman and find a
handsome young man to marry and he
would look after her and give her the gift
of children and good memories.
Her house would be set in a large pretty
garden with roses and all sorts of lovely
plants and bushes and the house would be
large enough to fill with happy children and
great memories.

Now as she sits in her house which has grown
old and frail and is ready to be demolished to
make way for other more attractive houses, the
attic of her mind holds many treasures and many
boxes that haven't been opened for a long time.

She opens one of the boxes in the attic of her mind
and finding it painful looks at the shattered memory
of a picture she now holds. A tear drop splashes the
picture and her once slender fingers, now shriveled
with years pace tenderly across the face of a man
who went off to war to fight for righteousness and freedom.

He has stood still in time and is still handsome and young.
She, old and weary. Time has stored many attic memories
for her. She lies beside him and closes her tired eyes.
He comes to meet her and is astonished by her beauty.
He takes her slender hand and whispers in her ear. . .
My love --- let's talk.

Author unknown

[laurenmarlowe]

Thank you Tonk for our Sunday Chaplain. God Bless our Troops.

[Lady Jag]

To the men in the Military and the Canteen, Thank You!

[pelikan]

Beautiful...you really do need to start posting hanky alerts!
I'm gonna read it again (and again)

[AirForceMom]

Thank you for posting that, it's just beautiful!

[Lady Jag]

Beautiful piece of art.

[pelikan]

Good evening, Tonk--Thanks for always remembering to ping me--I love all your doggy pics--wish I could bring all of them home!

[Diva Betsy Ross]

Here are some photos of the silly kids.. Notice the little guy's attire.. a diaper and some marker! Haha! These were taken Christmas Eve and Christmas morn.

Thanks troops and God bless you!

[AirForceMom]

Thanks for the ping...and that dog looks just like mine!! :)

[windchime]

Bump!