USO Canteen FReeper Style ~ Guest Military Chaplain Service and Sunday Liberty ~ November 2 2003

Guest Military Chaplain and FRiends of the Canteen

[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

Welcome to
The USO Canteen FReeper Style

Today's Spiritual Journey takes us to the

Navy Chaplain Corps

---

Click on graphic to link to the original sermon.

 

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 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., its 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 inI Corinthians, chapter 13. It's the "higher way" of love. I almost hesitate touse 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

[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

USO Canteen FReeper Style Star Date 2317

[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

USO Canteen FReeper Style Star Date 2317

[Soaring Feather]

Dear minor,

While I appreciate your kind words, I am only one person who comes to support our Troops and The Canteen.

We have a great deal of humour here and all contribute to it.

:)

Happy Happy Canteen Crew!!

[txradioguy]

Just wanted to let everyone know that I'm still alive and "lead free" so to speak! LOL! Been close to some of what is going on but not too close. Going back out tomorrow morning. Thanks for all the prayers and care packages. And most of all thank you for your undying support of my fellow troops. Talk to you soon.

John

[SevenofNine]

Good morning Canteen members

Well Newsweek is reporting upheavel of Reagan movie coming on CBS guess who might be suing or who think about it

Reagan first wife legendary actress Jane Wyman that right Angela Channing think about suing CBS

WHY wellll some lies that the CBS put in the movie

Possilty former actress might be new Prez of CBS if she win lots of jack


No word YET ON Nancy reacction if she suing

CLASSIC

CBS going get sue by Angela Channing LOL!



Also report off UK Sunday Mirror reporting that maybe Mossad might be in Iran to do undercover nuke smackdown on Plant in Iran stop Iranians get nuke tech from Russia

Speaking of Russians

UK Sunday Telegraph reporting at this hour that because recent bust of Cathoic church missionary maybe Dubya relationship cool off with KGB agent

Dubya told Vlad chill on religion persectuion

YEAH VLAD Peter the Great didn't smack down minority religion

Dude was from St. Petersburg HELLO

OH I FORGOT You are KGB AGENT SILLYYYY ME

[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

Thank You for letting us know you are ok.
Thank You for your service to our country.
SALUTE

[stand watie]

HI!

free dixie,sw

[stand watie]

stay LEADFREE!

free dixie,sw

[VOA]

Care-package mailing deadline:
NOVEMBER 13th!

[Soaring Feather]

Hi!!


free dixie,bf

[stand watie]

YEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!

free dixie,sw

[Fawnn]

Thank you for today's thread. (Great thoughts from Capt. Atwater.)

[MeekOneGOP]

Howdy ! Thanks ...

[Fawnn]

1755 Marie-Antoinette Queen of France, let them eat cake

I'm going to let you get this one Fawnn. You are so good at it.

I'm not quite sure what you meant by "get this one," but thanks for the compliment (and confidence). The only thing I have to offer thus far on this slow-startin' day is this -- modified according to your (unintentional maybe) suggestion:

[Fawnn]

tomkow6 (..................................)

Now I've seen everything!

Make that: Now I haven't heard everything, I guess. ... Whatever...

Regardless, I'm shocked and amazed to see you actually at a loss for words!!! ;)

[Fawnn]

I'm glad you like your Victorian finery!

[Fawnn]

Dissolve his sorry butt!

LOL!!! (Just as well. He didn't have anything to say today anyway.) ;)

[Fawnn]

"That's the first time I've ever seen carp-to-carp walleting."

[Fawnn]

minor49er!!! #50!!!

[Fawnn]

After last night's disaster:



...it's lucky for the rest of the crew that MoJo finally read the directions and got the "bugs" worked out:



(Although I do hope that yours, Radix's, and Ma's larger sizes are only perspective-type, optical illusions and don't mean MoJo got you too close to that toxic waste dump!)