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

[Hondo1952]

You stop that right now.

[Fawnn]

Well, I hear the fat lady singing...

...and I hadn't even cranked up my volume yet! Sorry. ;)

[Hondo1952]

That is one of the all time great movies.

[Fawnn]

Dream your good dreams!

[Soaring Feather]

Good night Hondo!

Sleep well.

[StarCMC]

Night all - now I'm really going! HUGS to you, my dear friends. Stay safe and God bless you all!

[radu]

We have PEA-CAN (TN. hillbilly pronunciation *giggle*) picker-uppers *LOL* but I can't use them very well nowadays honestly. The pecans get buried under leaves and in the grass and it's hard to spy them when standing. It's hard to spy them when on all fours! LOL!

It feels good to crawl a bit when my back's outta whack, plus the kitties really have fun running their tails along my nose to tickle it. hehe! Or jumping on my back for a piggy-back ride!

[Hondo1952]

Thank you all for all you do. Everyone have a good night. I'll talk to you tomorrow.

OBTW. I'm in the market for a lady 20sh 30sh 40sh 50sh. Likes to cook. Eats apples. Drinks cider. Likes old soldiers. Know anybody like that give them my name. (Hurry up about it too)

[Soaring Feather]

Sleep well warrior!

[Fawnn]

Moi?

[Soaring Feather]

#350

[radu]

Good night, Star*. Sweet dreams.

Would you like to borrow a butterbean to keep your feet toasty and warm?
I've got plenty of these critters to spare. LOL!

[Soaring Feather]

WOO HOO Fawnn!

[Fawnn]

Me!!! #350!!!

[Soaring Feather]

 

~The MidNight Hour~ Good Night Troops~

 

~ Dream a Little~ Love Someone a Lot~
Roberta Flak First Ever I saw Your Face
Touch ms feather's hair for the song.

Until tomorrow, save the last dance for me!

~Touch the dolls for the music~

Touch the Doves for night music!

 

 

Bentfeather

 

 

[radu]

I've learned to live with the back problem...sort of. The hard part is keeping in mind I can't do all the things I used to. I still want to go at things like I'm a 20 year-old. I get reminded how wrong I am. LOL!!

Crawling around with the kitties can be fun.....until they ALL gang up on me! ROTFLOL!!

And this isn't even half of them!!

[Kathy in Alaska]

Good night and sleep well, Star. Thank you so much for the wonderful support you provide for all our troops. God bless you good for helping make the Canteen a nice place for our troops to drop in and just hang.

[radu]

Good night, Hondo. Sleep well.

Here ya go. Chelsea is a great snuggler, guaranteed to calm ya with her soft purring in your ear.

[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

Good Night All
Thank You for your support of the military and their family members.
Thank You All for providing a safe haven for those who need it.
God Bless All who enter the Canteen.
May God Welcome our fallen heroes Home and comfort their family and friends.
See You All bright and early.

[Soaring Feather]

Good night Tonkin, thank you for your service and your steadfast support of the Canteen.

Sleep well Captain.