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

[StarCMC]

Them are some snazzy wigs we got us there! Didja pick 'em up at WalMart?

[Hondo1952]

Thank you. I think I have talked to most of them. I'm still trying to figure out a few though. I know some are really related not FReeper related and can't keep up with who's who in that respect. What can you expect from me, I'm dain bramaged.

[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

"btw"

mmm, can you make that a blt? LOL

[Soaring Feather]

ROTFLOL!!!!!!!!

Oh my gosh Tonkin, you have been busy with the "Far Our Machine!!"

I love it!! Wanna borrow my satelitte???

[Soaring Feather]

Well hello Star!

My that's a great color for you. Very nice indeed.

You certainly did have a busy day.

[StarCMC]

Fawnn got #200! You go girlFRiend!!

[Soaring Feather]

Thanks Kathy.

[Hondo1952]

Hey Miss Star. How you be?

[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

[Kathy in Alaska]

Congrats, Fawnn....better late than never. You got #100!!

[Fawnn]

#200!!!

(The Riverdance picture happened all because I was studying wigs, trying to figure out how to modify hair. Blonde and black hair are so difficult to do and get the shading okay! ... Anyhow, saw the spit curl wigs and after a bunch of trial 'n' error figuring out how to alter the colors, those wigs just begged for dancers! LOL!!!)

[radu]

Duuuuuh.....Do I feel like a dummy!!

I sent a couple of e-mails out to sailors who have been staying in touch and while doing that, it dawned on me.....I was figuring the time difference backwards! LOL!! I still have time to catch up a little bit!! Aaaawriiiight!!

That's what I get for trying to think when I'm tired. Dopey me. :-)

[Fawnn]

Didja pick 'em up at WalMart?

Do you really think I could get the Divas to buy their hair at Walmart!? (Haven't you ever heard Dolly Parton say that "it takes a lot of money to look cheap!") LOL!!!

[Hondo1952]

Silly Science Fact from the back of a 3 Musketeers's bar: In one day, your heart beats over 100,000 times. I guess I'm getting plenty of exercise in that case. If I need more I'll just ask for a "Black Dress Fashion Show"

[Soaring Feather]

I was gonna mention that, but I figured hey you knew!!

LOL

You have lots of time radu!

[Fawnn]

mmm, can you make that a blt? LOL

Nope. You'll get a BTW (Bologna, Tuna, and Wheatgrass Sandwich) and like it! LOL

[StarCMC]

WH!

You go Fawnn!!

[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

"If I need more I'll just ask for a "Black Dress Fashion Show"

Too funny Brother!

[StarCMC]

I'm good tonight. Church this morning was great. The events of the morning were prayed about, I bawled like a baby in the pew. My daughter SqeezIt GiggleLips, couldn't figure out what was wrong with me. Not to be a downer, but I just want to say that no matter what things look like to us here on earth, GOD IS IN CONTROL. I have to believe that!

[radu]

Hi Kathy.

Naw, we didn't go out last night since we went out Friday. Just worked all day then had some "family stuff" come up to deal with last night. Just one of those days we all have from time to time.

Yes, pecans are wonderful things for the holidays and such. Great for pies and to simply munch on. Enjoy!! :-)