Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

FReeper Canteen ~ Sunday Chapel ~ MAKING ASSUMPTIONS ~ 26 February 2012
Serving The Best Troops and Veterans In The World !! | The Canteen Crew

Posted on 02/25/2012 4:59:19 PM PST by Kathy in Alaska


 


 

 

 

MAKING ASSUMPTIONS


A story making the rounds this past week told of a policeman who was heading home after a long, hard day on patrol. He had dealt with a whole succession of difficult people, and a mountain of frustrating paperwork. All he wanted at this point was to kick back, unwind, enjoy some peace and quiet, and maybe watch a few innings of baseball on TV. But, as he neared home, he was startled by a vehicle that came careening around a sharp curve and narrowly missed his squad car. As the car passed within a few inches of him, the other driver shouted "Pig!" The police officer was suddenly energized. He slammed on his brakes, all set to turn his squad car around and head off in hot pursuit. But, as he rounded the curve, he ran head-on into a large pig that was standing in the middle of the road!

It's a lesson we learn early in life if we're lucky...DON'T ASSUME! No matter how confident we are in our understanding of the issue, no matter how certain of another's reasoning or motives, no matter how obvious the point may be to US, effective communication is far more complicated and difficult than we think. With barriers like cultural differences, personal "filters", different definitions, etc., it's amazing that any of us EVER understand one another. But these aren't the most difficult obstacles. The biggest reason we aren't able to hear what another is saying to us is simply... "fear"!

Oh, we may camouflage it behind anger, self-importance or any number of other false fronts, but at the root is fear. Fear of being "found out", or of being disappointed, or of not getting what we want. It's a powerful if crippling motivator. And most of us can summon up plenty of reasons why we shouldn't take another at face value. Honest communication requires trust, and taking a risk. And we've been burned too many times. So we settle for safety, make the natural assumption, and run head-on into our own version of that pig as we journey down life's highway!

There is a better way...a way that recognizes our similarities, that sees others as a source of community and healing, that looks past our own frustration and previous disappointments to explore the possibility that even a "stranger" may have something positive to say. The Apostle Paul described it in 1 Corinthians, Chapter 13. It's the "higher way" of love. I almost hesitate to use that term these days because of the way our culture misuses it. But when you read Paul's description, try substituting "maturity". It's a perfect fit. The risks are higher for this way of living, but so are the rewards.

Another (anonymous) writer cautions:

"To laugh is to risk appearing the fool. To weep is to risk appearing sentimental. To reach out for another is to risk involvement. To expose feelings is to risk exposing your true self. To place your ideas, your dreams, before a crowd, is to risk their loss. To love is to risk not being loved in return. To live is to risk dying. To hope is to risk despair. To try is to risk failure. But risks must be taken, because the greatest hazard in life is to risk nothing. The person who risks nothing, does nothing, has nothing and is nothing. They may avoid suffering and sorrow but they cannot learn, feel, change, grow, love, live. Chained by their certitudes they are a slave, they have forfeited their freedom. Only a person who risks is free."

That doesn't mean we should be naive. It does mean we should be careful what we assume. Check it out. Give others the benefit of the doubt. And if someone shouts something unexpected at us, at least entertain the possibility that perhaps it may be more than a personal insult. Who knows, that approach could change our life.

CAPT J. David Atwater, CHC, USN



 

 



TOPICS: Culture/Society; Extended News; Free Republic
KEYWORDS: canteen; chaplain; military; troopsupport
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021-4041-6061-72 next last

1 posted on 02/25/2012 4:59:27 PM PST by Kathy in Alaska
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | View Replies]

To: Kathy in Alaska
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


2 posted on 02/25/2012 5:00:19 PM PST by HopeandGlory (Hey, Liberals . . . PC died on 9/11 . . . GET USED TO IT!!!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: xzins; bethelgrad; lightman; LiteKeeper; MoJo2001; 007; 1 FELLOW FREEPER; 11B3; 1FreeAmerican; ...
Please join us for Sunday Chapel ~ MAKING ASSUMPTIONS, 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!

3 posted on 02/25/2012 5:05:10 PM PST by Kathy in Alaska (I like(~ RIP Brian...heaven's gain...the Coast Guard lost a good one.~))
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: All

Hello Veterans, wherever you are!!

Good Lord's Day and Shavua Tov to you!


4 posted on 02/25/2012 5:11:06 PM PST by Kathy in Alaska (I like(~ RIP Brian...heaven's gain...the Coast Guard lost a good one.~))
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

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


5 posted on 02/25/2012 5:12:18 PM PST by Kathy in Alaska (I like(~ RIP Brian...heaven's gain...the Coast Guard lost a good one.~))
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: Kathy in Alaska
David said bless the Lord oh my Soul.

This country is truly blessed.

6 posted on 02/25/2012 5:33:10 PM PST by mountainlion (I am voting for Sarah after getting screwed again by the DC Thugs.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Kathy in Alaska

Hi Everybody!

(((HUGS)))


7 posted on 02/25/2012 5:42:15 PM PST by left that other site
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: MoochPooch; left that other site; DeoVindiceSicSemperTyrannis; Yehuda; Alouette; ...

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


8 posted on 02/25/2012 5:43:49 PM PST by Kathy in Alaska (I like(~ RIP Brian...heaven's gain...the Coast Guard lost a good one.~))
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Kathy in Alaska; All
Good evening, Kathy! *hugs*

Evenin' everyone! *hugs*

A Blessed Lord's Day to all!

9 posted on 02/25/2012 6:04:56 PM PST by oldteen
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: MoochPooch; left that other site; DeoVindiceSicSemperTyrannis; Yehuda; Alouette; ...

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.


10 posted on 02/25/2012 6:08:43 PM PST by Kathy in Alaska (I like(~ RIP Brian...heaven's gain...the Coast Guard lost a good one.~))
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 8 | View Replies]

To: Kathy in Alaska

God listens to people but not to whiners, a retired Army chaplain said.

Too often people want God to lift a burden off of them when the Lord is actually challenging individuals to work with him by using their abilities, retired Chaplain (Col.) Scott McChrystal said at the post’s Thursday morning annual National Prayer Breakfast.

As he has found out over the years, “God will hear me, but whining doesn’t work.”


11 posted on 02/25/2012 6:09:34 PM PST by SandRat (Duty - Honor - Country! What else needs said?)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: MoJo2001; StarCMC; HiJinx; laurenmarlowe; AZamericonnie; beachn4fun; The Mayor; Cindy; ...

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


12 posted on 02/25/2012 6:11:46 PM PST by Kathy in Alaska (I like(~ RIP Brian...heaven's gain...the Coast Guard lost a good one.~))
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: oldteen

Good evening, teen...*HUGS*...hope you are having a nice weekend. My Mom said she heard a weather report of 10 to 12 inches of snow coming. UGH! There is no place to put it.

A Blessed Lord’s Day to you and yours.

How are all your Marines?


13 posted on 02/25/2012 6:36:33 PM PST by Kathy in Alaska (I like(~ RIP Brian...heaven's gain...the Coast Guard lost a good one.~))
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 9 | View Replies]

To: mountainlion

Good evening, mountainlion.

A Blessed Lord’s Day to you and yours.


14 posted on 02/25/2012 6:39:30 PM PST by Kathy in Alaska (I like(~ RIP Brian...heaven's gain...the Coast Guard lost a good one.~))
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 6 | View Replies]

To: txradioguy; SoldierDad; mike1sg; Milo828; mystery-ak; CMS; The Sailor; Jet Jaguar; Defender2; ...
Honoring Our Heroes

2LT Rebecca USA (Daughter of U S Army EOD)
3 sons (armymarinemom and amdad)
86th Fighter Weapons Squadron "Combat Hammer" (saminfl)
AbnSarge USA
Adam USAF (Grumpybutt)
Allegra
Anoreth USCG (daughter of Tax-chick)
aviator USAF
BIGLOOK USN
Brett USN (CindyDawg)
Brother and Son-in-Law (kalee)
Cannoneer No. 4
CAPT Bryan USA (Diver Dave)
CAPT Future Snake Eater USA (RightOnline)
CAPT Jason Clendenin (friend of Frou)
Chris USA (amom)
Chuck USA (RightOnline)
CMS USA
COL Mike (gpapa)
ConorMacNessa USN USMC
CPT Carol USA, Nurse Corps (Vineyard)
David USAF (LUV W)
Defender2
Deven USA (Shimmer)
Diver Dave USN
Drumbo USN
Ethan USMC (georgiabelle)
forgotenknight13 USA (grandson of Monkey Face)
Fred (DocRock)
GulfWar1Vet USA
HiJinx USA
IS2 Brianne USN (My Hearts in London - Everett)
IS2 Heather USN (My Hearts in London - Everett)
Jade Falcon USN
James USA (Grumpybutt)
JemiansTerror USA (Jemian)
Jet Jaguar USAF
Joel (NEMDF)
Jonathan USMC (AZbushgal)
Josh USN (doug from upland)
Karen USA (fatima's granddaughter)
Kenneth (Sweetbaby/LadyPilgrim)
Kevin USMC (skimask)
Kevin and David USA (vigilante2)
KJD USAF (SuzyQue)
Laurita USA
LCpl Carter USMC
LCpl Joe USMC (Don’tMessWithTexas)
Lindsay (Sweetbaby/LadyPilgrim)
LT David (Coldwater Creek)
LTjg Gerald USN (Vineyard)
M1911A1 USMC (M0sby)
M1Tanker
Major Jennifer USA (Diver Dave)
Major joma89 USAF
MEG33's Navy Grandson
Michael USAR (RightOnline)
Mike1Sg USA (mystery-ak)
Milo828 USA (mystery-ak)
MSgt Eddie USAF ( Son of ThomasPaine2000, CMSgt USAF, Ret)
MSGT Glen Ignasiak USAF (nephew of AirForceMom)
Nate USN (sneakers)
Navy Chaplain, Lt Nathan Rice (ColdwaterCreek)
Old Sarge USA
OneLoyalAmerican USCG
PFC Jake USMC (son of Enough_Deceit)
Philetus USA
PROCON USA
Publius USA
Pvt Alex USA (son of Enough_Deceit)
Rick USAF (Doogle)
Robert, Jeremy, Daynnis USA (SoldierDad)
SandRat USA
Sat-Com Chris USA (son of KC Burke)
SGT Chris USA (son of Vineyard)
SGT Ev USA (Mozie)
SGT Gray USA (colorcountry’s son)
SGT Matt USMC (SuzyQue)
SGT Robert USMC (MarineMom613)
SGT Sean Reed (preed)
Son USCG (GodBlessUSA)
SPC Drew USA (brother-in-law Stonewall Jackson)
SPC Mike USA (AbnSarge)
SPC Ted USA (nephew of hoagy62)
SPC William Akin USA (Step-son of BlueLancer)
SPC4 Adam USA (nephew of Repeal The 17th)
SPC4 Dan USA (son of swmobuffalo)
SSG Brian USA (repubmom)
SSG Dustin USA (SIL of U S Army EOD)
SSG Dusty USA (MountainDad)
SSG Mitchel USA (tina07)
SSG Spencer USA (grame)
SSGT Adam USA (Diver Dave)
SSGT Don May Jr USMC (debm29palms)
SSGT John Linde USA (JFoxbear)
SSGT The Black Knight USAF
Stevan USA (Grumpybutt)
Terrence USN (Sweetbaby/LadyPilgrim)
The Sailor
TMSuchman USMC
tongue-tied USN/USA
Tonkin USN/USCG
TSGT Jason M Kibler USAF (son of AirForceMom)
SFC txradioguy USA
USAFSecurityForces (son of visualops & TheStickman)
Valerie USAF (Shimmer)
Victor and Tony D USMC (weldgophardline)
Vineyard USN
William USA (jackv)
WOs Bob and Michelle USA (nephew, and his wife, of BnBlFlag)

 



15 posted on 02/25/2012 6:42:03 PM PST by Kathy in Alaska (I like(~ RIP Brian...heaven's gain...the Coast Guard lost a good one.~))
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: left that other site

Good evening, ML...((HUGS))

A Blessed Lord’s Day and Shavua Tov to you.

Good lessons today? Recital planning coming along?

Linda doing well?


16 posted on 02/25/2012 6:51:28 PM PST by Kathy in Alaska (I like(~ RIP Brian...heaven's gain...the Coast Guard lost a good one.~))
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 7 | View Replies]

To: Kathy in Alaska

Ah Yes...I have the venue secured for one of them, now I just need to get the other one.

Linda and I have done our walk and had supper, and now I am ready for bed! ;-)


17 posted on 02/25/2012 7:06:57 PM PST by left that other site
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 16 | View Replies]

To: left that other site

Long day....good night and sleep well, ML and Linda.


18 posted on 02/25/2012 7:18:50 PM PST by Kathy in Alaska (I like(~ RIP Brian...heaven's gain...the Coast Guard lost a good one.~))
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 17 | View Replies]

To: Kathy in Alaska
Everyone here is doing fine, thanks!

Your accident sounds pretty scary. So glad you weren't seriously hurt. Keep an eye on any aches or bruising!

19 posted on 02/25/2012 7:27:06 PM PST by oldteen
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 13 | View Replies]

To: left that other site

Sleep well and sweet dreams, ML! *hugs*


20 posted on 02/25/2012 7:29:33 PM PST by oldteen
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 17 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021-4041-6061-72 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson