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FReeper Canteen ~ Sunday Chapel ~ DOING WELL WHAT OTHERS MAY NOT SEE ~ July 17, 2011
Serving The Best Troops and Veterans In The World !!
| The Canteen Crew
Posted on 07/16/2011 5:15:03 PM PDT by Kathy in Alaska
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DOING WELL WHAT OTHERS MAY NOT SEE
In the New Testament scriptures, the Apostle Paul talks about the importance of striving for excellence. He writes, "Whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is gracious, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things." (Philippians 4:8) Allow me to share with you a story about striving for excellence.
On one of the arches of a magnificent cathedral in Europe is sculptured a face of great beauty. Yet it can be seen only once a year when the sun is in a certain position and its rays stream through a small window to illuminate the exquisite carving.
It seems when the structure was being built, an old man approached the builders and begged permission to work on some portion of the great cathedral. He had been a well-known artist, but now his trembling hands and failing sight caused the architect to fear he would mar the beautiful edifice and turned him down. Some days later the old man returned, and again requested permission. This time out of respect for his age and reputation, the architect reluctantly agreed to allow the man to chisel a design under the shadows of the vaulted roof thinking no one would ever see it there.
For months the old man struggled up the scaffolding and worked with hammer and chisel on his back high above the floor. Because it was such an arduous climb for a man of his age, he would stay up all day and only come down in the evening. When at last he had finished, he insisted on one last climb just to make a few finishing touches. When he failed to come down by nightfall, the workers began to worry. Fearing something might have happened, they climbed the ladder only to discover his lifeless body still lying on his back with tools in hand. As they looked up, their eyes beheld the most beautiful sculpture they had ever seen, a piece which has since been deemed a masterpiece by authorities in the field.
One sculptor wrote, "This is the most magnificent work of all, for love wrought it." Although the builders thought no one would ever see it, each year when the sun is in one particular place, its rays stream through a small, high window and illumine this beautiful piece etched in the marble just like a spotlight. However, the greater miracle rests in the man himself. Although he thought no one would ever see the fruits of his labors, this old artist, out of honest pride and a quiet faith, strove for excellence. He gave the very best he had.
"Integrity," reads a Navy poster, "is doing well what others may not see." Under the dark arches of this great European cathedral exists more than an artistic masterpiece. There stands a living tribute to the character, professionalism and integrity of one man who strove for excellence without counting the cost or looking for a reward. "Character," it has been said, "is what you do in the dark." You may do your best before an inspection or a test, because you know your efforts will be assessed and scrutinized. However, would you give your all and do your best if you knew no inspectors were going to be present? That's what integrity and professionalism are all about.
CAPT Jane F. Vieira, CHC, USN
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TOPICS: Culture/Society; Extended News; Free Republic
KEYWORDS: canteen; chaplain; military; troopsupport
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To: StarCMC; SoldierDad; spotbust1; jaycee; Poetgal26; All
41
posted on
07/16/2011 8:05:38 PM PDT
by
Kathy in Alaska
((~ RIP Brian...heaven's gain...the Coast Guard lost a good one.~))
To: yorkie; HiJinx; MozartLover
42
posted on
07/16/2011 8:17:35 PM PDT
by
Kathy in Alaska
((~ RIP Brian...heaven's gain...the Coast Guard lost a good one.~))
To: AZamericonnie
Thanks, AZ, for LeAnn’s Amazing Grace. She sure does a good job singing.
43
posted on
07/16/2011 8:21:00 PM PDT
by
Kathy in Alaska
((~ RIP Brian...heaven's gain...the Coast Guard lost a good one.~))
To: MEG33
Good evening, Meg, and a Blessed Lord’s Day to you and yours. ((HUGS))
Thank you for the prayer for the military men and women who protect us.
Do you still have visiting critters? Your kitties doing well?
44
posted on
07/16/2011 8:28:36 PM PDT
by
Kathy in Alaska
((~ RIP Brian...heaven's gain...the Coast Guard lost a good one.~))
To: SandRat
Mrs.SR comes back Tues evening.Bet you are happy about that. Are you ready/able to go back to cooking?
45
posted on
07/16/2011 8:30:47 PM PDT
by
Kathy in Alaska
((~ RIP Brian...heaven's gain...the Coast Guard lost a good one.~))
To: AZamericonnie
In dog years?
46
posted on
07/16/2011 8:32:20 PM PDT
by
yorkie
To: Kathy in Alaska
Oh, thank you, Kathy! I love Josh Groban, and thank you for pinging me each week to that beautiful voice!
47
posted on
07/16/2011 8:36:21 PM PDT
by
yorkie
To: Kathy in Alaska
(((Hugs)))
Kitties doing well..I had a momma raccoon with 5 babies visit recently but my nightly visits no longer happen.
48
posted on
07/16/2011 8:39:19 PM PDT
by
MEG33
(God Bless Our Military Men And Women)
To: Kathy in Alaska
Overjoyed that she’s coming home.
Already planning recipies ... lol
49
posted on
07/16/2011 8:55:34 PM PDT
by
SandRat
(Duty - Honor - Country! What else needs said?)
To: SandRat
50
posted on
07/16/2011 8:56:27 PM PDT
by
SandRat
(Duty - Honor - Country! What else needs said?)
To: yorkie
Good evening, yorkie, and a Blessed Lord’s Day to you and yours.
He can sing.
Hope you are having a nice weekend. Did you get involved with the windstorms?
51
posted on
07/16/2011 9:47:26 PM PDT
by
Kathy in Alaska
((~ RIP Brian...heaven's gain...the Coast Guard lost a good one.~))
To: Kathy in Alaska
Yep, a good day.
Not terribly hot. In the high 80s with lots of humidity here in nasal valley. Heat advisory starting tomorrow and going through Wednesday.
Knee is o-k. Been traveling a lot so I have been lax in my exercise. Gonna put my brace on tomorrow and get on the bike for a bit.
Thanks for the thread!
52
posted on
07/16/2011 9:48:17 PM PDT
by
2111USMC
(Not a hard man to track. Leaves dead men wherever he goes.)
To: The Mayor
A Blessed Lord’s Day to The Mayor family.
Hope you are having a relaxing weekend. And thank you for today’s sustenance for body and soul.
53
posted on
07/17/2011 12:05:30 AM PDT
by
Kathy in Alaska
((~ RIP Brian...heaven's gain...the Coast Guard lost a good one.~))
To: SandRat
Sand.....#50!!
54
posted on
07/17/2011 12:08:42 AM PDT
by
Kathy in Alaska
((~ RIP Brian...heaven's gain...the Coast Guard lost a good one.~))
To: 2111USMC
No slacking....take good care of the knee. d:o)
55
posted on
07/17/2011 12:21:41 AM PDT
by
Kathy in Alaska
((~ RIP Brian...heaven's gain...the Coast Guard lost a good one.~))
To: All
Welcome Troops, Veterans, Families, and Allies!
God Bless You and Keep You Safe.
Thanks, unique, for our troop blessing.
Glory To His Name
I'll Fly Away
56
posted on
07/17/2011 12:40:02 AM PDT
by
Kathy in Alaska
((~ RIP Brian...heaven's gain...the Coast Guard lost a good one.~))
To: All
57
posted on
07/17/2011 12:44:59 AM PDT
by
Kathy in Alaska
((~ RIP Brian...heaven's gain...the Coast Guard lost a good one.~))
To: All
58
posted on
07/17/2011 2:27:26 AM PDT
by
Kathy in Alaska
((~ RIP Brian...heaven's gain...the Coast Guard lost a good one.~))
To: All
59
posted on
07/17/2011 2:34:20 AM PDT
by
Cindy
To: All
60
posted on
07/17/2011 2:39:38 AM PDT
by
Kathy in Alaska
((~ RIP Brian...heaven's gain...the Coast Guard lost a good one.~))
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