FReeper Canteen ~ Sunday Chapel ~ LIFE CHOICES ~ 16 October 2011

Serving The Best Troops and Veterans In The World !! ^ | The Canteen Crew

[Kathy in Alaska]

 

 

 

 

LIFE CHOICES

What would you do? You make the choice. Don't look for a punch line...there isn't one. Read it anyway. My question is: Would you have made the same choice?

At a fundraising dinner for a school that serves learning-disabled children, the father of one of the students delivered a speech that would never be forgotten by all who attended. After extolling the school and its dedicated staff, he offered a question: "When not interfered with by outside influences, everything nature does is done with perfection. Yet my son, Shay, cannot learn things as other children do. He cannot understand things as other children do. Where is the natural order of things in my son?"

The audience was stilled by the query. The father continued. "I believe that when a child like Shay, physically and mentally handicapped, comes into the world, an opportunity to realize true human nature presents itself, and it comes in the way other people treat that child."

Then he told the following story:

Shay and his father had walked past a park where some boys Shay knew were playing baseball. Shay asked, "Do you think they'll let me play?" Shay's father knew that most of the boys would not want someone like Shay on their team, but the father also understood that if his son were allowed to play, it would give him a much-needed sense of belonging and some confidence to be accepted by others in spite of his handicaps.

Shay's father approached one of the boys on the field and asked (not expecting much) if Shay could play. The boy looked around for guidance and said, "We're losing by six runs and the game is in the eighth inning. I guess he can be on our team and we'll try to put him in to bat in the ninth inning."

Shay struggled over to the team's bench and, with a broad smile, put on a team shirt. His father watched with a small tear in his eye and warmth in his heart. The boys saw the father's joy at his son being accepted. In the bottom of the eighth inning, Shay's team scored a few runs but was still behind by three. In the top of the ninth inning, Shay put on a glove and played in the right field. Even though no hits came his way, he was obviously ecstatic just to be in the game and on the field, grinning from ear to ear as his father waved to him from the stands. In the bottom of the ninth inning, Shay's team scored again.

Now, with two outs and the bases loaded, the potential winning run was on base and Shay was scheduled to be next at bat. At this juncture, do they let Shay bat and give away their chance to win the game? Surprisingly, Shay was given the bat. Everyone knew that a hit was all but impossible because Shay didn't even know how to hold the bat properly, much less connect with the ball.

However, as Shay stepped up to the plate, the pitcher, recognizing that the other team was putting winning aside for this moment in Shay's life, moved in a few steps to lob the ball in softly so Shay could at least make contact. The first pitch came and Shay swung clumsily and missed. The pitcher again took a few steps forward to toss the ball softly towards Shay. As the pitch came in, Shay swung at the ball and hit a slow ground ball right back to the pitcher.

The game would now be over. The pitcher picked up the soft grounder and could have easily thrown the ball to the first baseman. Shay would have been out and that would have been the end of the game. Instead, the pitcher threw the ball right over the first baseman's head, out of reach of all team mates. Everyone from the stands and both teams started yelling, "Shay, run to first! Run to first!" Never in his life had Shay ever run that far, but he made it to first base. He scampered down the baseline, wide-eyed and startled.

Everyone yelled, "Run to second, run to second!" Catching his breath, Shay awkwardly ran towards second, gleaming and struggling to make it to the base. By the time Shay rounded towards second base, the right fielder had the ball, the smallest guy on their team who now had his first chance to be the hero for his team. He could have thrown the ball to the second-baseman for the tag, but he understood the pitcher's intentions so he, too, intentionally threw the ball high and far over the third-baseman's head. Shay ran toward third base deliriously as the runners ahead of him circled the bases toward home.

All were screaming, "Shay, Shay, Shay, all the Way Shay".

Shay reached third base because the opposing shortstop ran to help him by turning him in the direction of third base, and shouted, "Run to third! Shay, run to third!" As Shay rounded third, the boys from both teams, and the spectators, were on their feet screaming, "Shay, run home! Run home!" Shay ran to home, stepped on the plate, and was cheered as the hero who hit the grand slam and won the game for his team.

"That day," said the father softly, with tears now rolling down his face, "the boys from both teams helped bring a piece of true love and humanity into this world."

Shay didn't make it to another summer. He died that winter, having never forgotten being the hero and making his father so happy, and coming home and seeing his Mother tearfully embrace her little hero of the day!

We all have thousands of opportunities every single day to make a difference. So many seemingly trivial interactions between two people present us with a choice:

Do we pass along a little spark of love and humanity or do we pass up those opportunities? A wise man once said every society is judged by how it treats its least fortunate.

Unknown

 

[HopeandGlory]

Good morning Troops, Veterans and Canteeners.

* * * * * * * * * * * *

Our Flag Flying Proudly One Nation Under God

* * * * * * * * * * * *

Lord, Please Bless Our Troops, They're fighting for our Freedom.

* * * * * * * * * * * *

God Bless Our Republic

Prayers going up

[Kathy in Alaska]

Please join us for Sunday Chapel: LIFE CHOICES, and Liberty

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

           


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

[The Mayor]

Freep mail me to be on or off the Daily Bread ping list

The Wooden Rule
October 16, 2011

Legendary UCLA basketball coach John Wooden had an interesting rule for his teams. Whenever a player scored, he was to acknowledge the person on the team who had assisted. When he was coaching high school, one of his players asked, “Coach, won’t that take up too much time?” Wooden replied, “I’m not asking you to run over there and give him a big hug. A nod will do.”

To achieve victory on the basketball court, Wooden saw the importance of teaching his players that they were a team—not “just a bunch of independent operators.” Each person contributed to the success of everyone else.

That reminds me of the way the body of Christ should work. According to 1 Corinthians 12:19-20, each of us is a separate part of one body. “If they were all one member, where would the body be? But . . . there are many members, yet one body.” Is the success of a pastor, a Bible study, or a church program based solely on one person’s accomplishments? How many people contribute to the smooth operation of a church, a Christian organization, a family?

Coach Wooden’s rule and 1 Corinthians 12 are both rooted in the principle of seeing our need for one another. Let’s use our gifts within the body of Christ to build up, strengthen, and help to carry out God’s purposes (vv.1-11).

All Christians have been gifted
By grace from God above,
Equipped to build and strengthen
The church in faith and love. —Fitzhugh

There are no unimportant people in the body of Christ.

Read: 1 Corinthians 12:14-26

The body is not one member but many. —1 Corinthians 12:14

Bible in a year:
Isaiah 47-49; 1 Thessalonians 4

[Kathy in Alaska]

Hello Veterans, wherever you are!!

Good Lord's Day and Shavua Tov to you!

[SkyDancer]

Hi - Sunday here, lazy warm day. Yum

[SandRat]

[philly-d-kidder]

Thanks and we miss this human opportunity and living story 80% of the Time

[ConorMacNessa]

Good evening, Kathy!

*HUGS*

Thanks very much for tonight's Sunday Chapel thread! As the father of a special needs child, that narrative resonates strongly with me. Would that more children (and adults) had the kind of understanding and compassion exhibited by the children in that story!

Lamh Foistenach Abu!

[Kathy in Alaska]

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

[ConorMacNessa]

A Blessed Lord's Day to you and yours, SandRat!

Lamh Foistenach Abu!

[Kathy in Alaska]

He Who blessed our forefathers Abraham, Isaac and Jacob - may He bless the fighters of the Israel Defense Force, who stand guard over our land and the cities of our G-d from the border of the Lebanon to the desert of Egypt, and from the Great Sea unto the approach of the Aravah, on the land, in the air, and on the sea.

May HASHEM cause the enemies who rise up against us to be struck down before them. May the Holy One, Blessed is He, preserve and rescue our fighting men from every trouble and distress and from every plague and illness, and may He send blessing and success in their every endeavor.

May He lead our enemies under their sway and may He grant them salvation and crown them with victory. And may there be fulfilled for them the verse: For it is Hashem, your G-d, Who goes with you to battle your enemies for you to save you.

G-d bless and keep your children safe, Alouette.

[ConorMacNessa]

PRAYERS GOING UP FOR OUR AMERICAN HEROES AND FOR OUR BELOVED NATION!

GEORGE WASHINGTON – THE PRAYER AT VALLEY FORGE

In the coldest and darkest days of the American Revolution, General George Washington raised his prayers for the survival of his beleaguered Army and of the new Nation. The Lord answered those prayers, upheld his Army through a punishing nadir to everlasting glory and bestowed His manifold benefits upon the new Nation.

In like manner, let our prayers now rise for our heroes in the American military who seek to secure the benefits of Freedom on behalf of a people hungry for them. Father, look on our prayers for them with favor, guide their steps in righteousness and keep them in the shelter of Your healing wings. Bless and uphold them in the performance of their Mission. Through Jesus Christ, Your Son, Amen.

Lamh Foistenach Abu!

[ConorMacNessa]

GOD BLESS AND PROTECT OUR TROOPS!

---

---

Amazing Grace

by John Newton

Amazing grace! How sweet the sound
That saved a wretch like me!
I once was lost, but now am found;
Was blind, but now I see.
.
’Twas grace that taught my heart to fear, .
And grace my fears relieved;
How precious did that grace appear
The hour I first believed!
.
Through many dangers, toils and snares,
I have already come;
’Tis grace hath brought me safe thus far,
And grace will lead me home.
.
The Lord has promised good to me,
His Word my hope secures;
He will my Shield and Portion be,
As long as life endures.
.
Yea, when this flesh and heart shall fail,
And mortal life shall cease,
I shall possess, within the veil,
A life of joy and peace.
.
The earth shall soon dissolve like snow,
The sun forbear to shine;
But God, Who called me here below,
Will be forever mine.
.
When we’ve been there ten thousand years,
Bright shining as the sun,
We’ve no less days to sing God’s praise
Than when we’d first begun.

Lamh Foistenach Abu!

[ConorMacNessa]

GOD BLESS AND PROTECT OUR TROOPS!

The Lord’s Prayer – Andrea Bocelli

DEAR GOD, who suffered torment, agony,
and death upon the Cross to free our souls
from the chains of iniquity, protect and defend
our troops. Guide them in the performance of
their duties. Strengthen them to endure hard-
ship, danger and deprivation in Your service. Let
their efforts free the people of Iraq and Afghan-
istan from the chains of terror and slavery,
foster a lasting peace in the region, and bring all
to a greater share in Your Mercy.
Amen.

Lamh Foistenach Abu!

[ConorMacNessa]

THE NAVY HYMN

Eternal Father, Strong to Save

The Marine Corps Verse:

Eternal Father, grant we pray
To all Marines both night and day,
The Courage, Honor, Strength and Skill
Their Land to serve, Thy Law Fulfill.
Be Thou the Shield forevermore
From every peril to the Corps!

---

This is the day which the LORD hath made;
we will rejoice and be glad in it.
Psalms 118:24(KJV)

---

Have a Blessed Lord’s Day!

Lamh Foistenach Abu!

[Kathy in Alaska]

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

[Kathy in Alaska]

A Blessed Lord's Day to you and yours, Nana Hope, and thanks for today's Pledge. Thanks, AfghanMan and Penguin Girl, for your service to America.

[Kathy in Alaska]

To achieve victory on the basketball court, Wooden saw the importance of teaching his players that they were a team—not “just a bunch of independent operators.” Each person contributed to the success of everyone else.

Would that that was true today in sports, the office, etc..

Terrific lesson today, Mayor. Thanks for today's sustenance for body and soul.

A Blessed Lord's Day to The Mayor family.

[Kathy in Alaska]

God Bless our military men and women who have given their all.

Thanks, unique.