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

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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

[Kathy in Alaska]

Thank you, 1stSgt Mike, for your service to our country in the Army National Guard! Stay safe in Balad, Iraq.

Prayers offered for "your kids" that were lost today. God bless and keep them and their families.

[Kathy in Alaska]

Hello and bye, radu. Please take care of your back. Did you have your usual Saturday night out? And pecans are wonderful things. Thank you so much!

[Fawnn]

I'm painting with words to move emotions and create mental images.

You are indeed! ... Years ago, when I'd told an artist friend that I wished I could do artwork that spoke to the world, touched hearts like his did, and he told me, "That's what you do with words; I've seen it happen with your poetry and essays." (It'd be nice if I could find more editors who think like he did! LOL)

Changing subjects without a transition:

I just saw a lady on FoodTV who makes "artistic" cakes that sell for $1200 to $25,000 EACH!!!

[Soaring Feather]

Hi radu!!

Great graphic!!

Good to see you tonight. How did the last cruise in go??

The weather in my neck of the woods is wet but not cold.

Have you done some house painting already?

[StarCMC]

Ohmigosh HiJinx -- what a babydoll! Makes you wanna reach thru that screen and ever-so-gently pinch those little cheeks!

[Fawnn]

Ain't she some kinda hot stuff?

She is indeed! I love it!!! (it = the picture, btw) ;)

Piper is an example of the best kind of creativity!

[Hondo1952]

Here's the rest of the challenge. How about hanging a name tag on all these beauties. I recognize the ones I see almost daily, but others are a mystery to me. Mysterious ladies abound in this place already without you creating mysterious phantom ladies.

[Soaring Feather]

>I just saw a lady on FoodTV who makes "artistic" cakes that sell for $1200 to $25,000 EACH!!! <

Now that's a "SWEET JOB!!" LOL Then they are eaten!! Wow some work huh???

[Hondo1952]

I believe you have yourself a keeper there Grandpa. I know from experience she will not be spoiled by her Grandpa. Just keep repeating that. It might not hurt to record it and play while you sleep.

[Radix]

I don't know, but I heard a rumor.

 

The Miami Dolphins lost today.

 

That would put my Patsies in FIRST PLACE for at least two more weeks.

 

It is so lonely at the top!

 

[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

[Kathy in Alaska]

What a beautiful "feather" graphic and poem. Cool!

[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

Gee Gramps!
What a cutie Piper, the hot chili pepper, is!

[Kathy in Alaska]

You are having entirely too much fun today. Your "graphics", and manipulations thereof, are really cool. LOL!

[Fawnn]

This is how I kept track of 'em. (The Canteen Crew picture will have a built-in "key" when it's done.)

Riverdancers:
Kathy in Alaska
bentfeather
LindaSOG
MoJo2001
Fawnn
Bethbg79
beachn4fun
LaDivaLoca
radu
fatima
StarCMC
Wild Thing
Brad's Gramma
minor49er

(Now that I've shown you the key, I've lost my "out" -- the ability to pretend that anybody I forgot is actually in there. With the finger-curl wigs, it is hard to tell, you know!) ;)

[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

"I've lost my "out" -- the ability to pretend that anybody I forgot is actually in there."

Blame it on the transporter!

[Fawnn]

Somebody else has been busy, too! LOL!!! (Neat, btw.)

[StarCMC]

Howdy ya'll! How have you been today? Me? Busy. Church, wedding shower, back to church for children's choir, home to watch Tivo'd Rams game (shouldn't have bothered) and then catching up here. This is my favorite part of the day -- checking up on my FRiends.

[Fawnn]

Blame it on the transporter!

LOL!!!

Thank you! (It's MoJo's fault again.) ;)