FReeper Canteen ~ Guest Military Chaplain ~ GIVING IT ALL YOU’VE GOT ~ JAN 11 2004

www.chaplaincare.navy.mil/ ^ | CAPT J. David Atwater, CHC, USN

[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

Welcome to
The FReeper Canteen

Today's Spiritual Journey takes us to the

Navy Chaplain Corps

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Click on graphic to link to the original sermon.

 

GIVING IT ALL YOU’VE GOT

Ever hear the expression "Giving it the whole nine yards"? Do you happen to know where it comes from? I used to think it was a sports term. "Not so" say several experts. But here seem to be at least two schools of thought on the phrase's origin. Both seem plausible. I'll let you decide.

One explanation says that it's an expression from the construction trade. A full truck load, according to this rationale, will dump nine cubic yards of sand or gravel at your work site. In such a case, I suppose the expression would imply doing a job completely or thoroughly.

A second explanation claims that the term came from World War II fighter pilots in the South Pacific. When arming their planes on the ground, the .50 caliber machine gun ammunition belts measured exactly 27 feet. Thus, if a pilot fired all his ammo at a target, it got "the whole nine yards." In that context, the expression would mean using every resource at our disposal.

Either way, giving something "the whole nine yards" effectively means "giving it all you've got" or "stretching to reach a goal." But what's the motivation? Why expend that much effort or resources? Sure, we can easily understand how that might apply to special projects or circumstances. But to a daily routine? As a way of life? What's the payoff?

Well, according to Philip Reed, former chairman of the board for General Electric, it's satisfaction and a sense of making a difference. In his observation, those people who seem both to give and to get the most out of life have two things in common. First, they do whatever they're doing "all out." Whether it's work or play, dull or boring, little or big. They aren't necessarily flashy or compulsive about it. They've just made a habit of being satisfied only with their best effort.

The second thing he says such people have in common is "the rather special satisfaction, the deep-down joy" they get out of being able to help other people. Just to be able to do a little something extra for a friend, client, patient, or even a complete stranger. For these people, it's a most rewarding experience.

Such behavior, in my opinion, is far more than just a habit. It's personal growth and maturity. When I was young, for example, I used to think of holidays, birthdays, and such as the opportunity to GET things. Now, I get far more pleasure out of giving, especially to my children and those I love. I think that's what the Apostle Paul was talking about in chapter 13 of his first letter to the Corinthians -- the "love chapter" of the Bible. The King James version translates the word as "charity." But, no matter how you translate it, Paul gives us a pretty accurate description of maturity.

If "giving it all you've got" or "giving it the whole nine yards" is based simply on greed, anger, a drive for control, or even a lack of self-esteem, it can burn us out and leave us dispirited or empty. How much better to go through our day giving thanks and looking for ways to make life better.

The REAL secret of "giving it all you've got," it would appear, is doing it out of a sense of "delight." A matter of attitude... and maturity. Something to which all of us might aspire. something that might enrich our lives in ways we never expected. ... And something to consider.

CAPT J. David Atwater, CHC, USN

[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

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[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

Click on the pic and I'll guide you
to the start of today's
Guest Military Chaplain Service


Please stop in and say a prayer of protection for the military. Prayers from all denominations are needed.

                                          




Dear God:
I ask that no Airman, Coast Guardsman,
Marine, Sailor, Soldier or National Guardsman
Feel alone or forgotten.
Please guide the people of Free Republic to
The FR Canteen Post Office
So they can e-mail a service man or woman today.
AMEN

CLICK HERE for Troop Prayer Thread 9

Thank You TEXOKIE

Sunday Liberty starts after the Guest Military Chaplain's Service!
FR CANTEEN MISSION STATEMENT
Showing support and boosting the morale of
our military and our allies military
and the family members of the above.
Honoring those who have served before.
CLICK HERE TO FIND LATEST THREAD.

[Soaring Feather]

[Soaring Feather]

[Kathy in Alaska]

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

[Kathy in Alaska]

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

[fatima]

Bump for prayers for our troops now.

[Soaring Feather]

bumping prayers for our troops

[StarCMC]

BLEAK, DAVID B.

Rank and organization: Sergeant, U.S. Army, Medical Company 223d Infantry Regiment, 40th Infantry Division.

Place and date: Vicinity of Minari-gol, Korea, 14 June 1952.

Entered service at: Shelley, Idaho.

Born: 27 February 1932, Idaho Falls, Idaho.

G.O. No.: 83, 2 November 1953.

Citation: Sgt. Bleak, a member of the medical company, distinguished himself by conspicuous gallantry and indomitable courage above and beyond the call of duty in action against the enemy.

As a medical aidman, he volunteered to accompany a reconnaissance patrol committed to engage the enemy and capture a prisoner for interrogation. Forging up the rugged slope of the key terrain, the group was subjected to intense automatic weapons and small arms fire and suffered several casualties. After administering to the wounded, he continued to advance with the patrol. Nearing the military crest of the hill, while attempting to cross the fire-swept area to attend the wounded, he came under hostile fire from a small group of the enemy concealed in a trench. Entering the trench he closed with the enemy, killed 2 with bare hands and a third with his trench knife. Moving from the emplacement, he saw a concussion grenade fall in front of a companion and, quickly shifting his position, shielded the man from the impact of the blast. Later, while ministering to the wounded, he was struck by a hostile bullet but, despite the wound, he undertook to evacuate a wounded comrade. As he moved down the hill with his heavy burden, he was attacked by 2 enemy soldiers with fixed bayonets. Closing with the aggressors, he grabbed them and smacked their heads together, then carried his helpless comrade down the hill to safety. Sgt. Bleak's dauntless courage and intrepid actions reflect utmost credit upon himself and are in keeping with the honored traditions of the military service.

*BRITTIN, NELSON V.

Rank and organization: Sergeant First Class, U.S. Army, Company I, 19th Infantry Regiment.

Place and date: Vicinity of Yonggong-ni, Korea, 7 March 1951.

Entered service at: Audubon, N.J.

Birth: Audubon, N.J.

G.O. No.: 12, 1 February 1952.

Citation: Sfc. Brittin, a member of Company I, distinguished himself by conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty in action.

Volunteering to lead his squad up a hill, with meager cover against murderous fire from the enemy, he ordered his squad to give him support and, in the face of withering fire and bursting shells, he tossed a grenade at the nearest enemy position. On returning to his squad, he was knocked down and wounded by an enemy grenade. Refusing medical attention, he replenished his supply of grenades and returned, hurling grenades into hostile positions and shooting the enemy as they fled. When his weapon jammed, he leaped without hesitation into a foxhole and killed the occupants with his bayonet and the butt of his rifle. He continued to wipe out foxholes and, noting that his squad had been pinned down, he rushed to the rear of a machine gun position, threw a grenade into the nest, and ran around to its front, where he killed all 3 occupants with his rifle. Less than 100 yards up the hill, his squad again came under vicious fire from another camouflaged, sandbagged, machine gun nest well-flanked by supporting riflemen. Sfc. Brittin again charged this new position in an aggressive endeavor to silence this remaining obstacle and ran direct into a burst of automatic fire which killed him instantly. In his sustained and driving action, he had killed 20 enemy soldiers and destroyed 4 automatic weapons. The conspicuous courage, consummate valor, and noble self-sacrifice displayed by Sfc. Brittin enabled his inspired company to attain its objective and reflect the highest glory on himself and the heroic traditions of the military service.

If there be any glory in war, let it rest on the shoulders of men like these" -- Audie Murphy

Thank you to all the soldiers, sailors, coast guardsmen, marines and airmen just "doing their duty" today.  You are my heroes and I pray for God's blessings on you today.

[fatima]

bentfeather,A young man gave me a drawing tonight of a Happy Birthday for my daughter Mary-she is 18-he is 20 and it took me forever to find Mary's name in this art,His name is Fred and is a skater boarder.

[Kathy in Alaska]

Thanks, Star, for today's MOH recipients. God bless them for their sacrifice.

[Soaring Feather]

That sounds like a good artist to me. This type of work takes a great deal of skill.

[SevenofNine]

Well if you been keep track on Diana letter game
There is report off Sunday UK Telgraph that it was trial copy of letter that Diana wrote where she really reveal it wasn't Charley try kill her but maybe MI-5

OH OH

Also another report off Sunday UK Telegraph report about Russians sell arms to Saddam in 1990s but did you know French did little sell of their own in 1990s too

With Chiac signature on document

BUSTED ITTT

[Kathy in Alaska]

How Great Thou Art

radu

[redrock]

Sunday Morning BUMP!!!

redrock

[Aeronaut]

Good blessed Sunday Tonk.

[SevenofNine]

Well report off Sunday UK Observer has it rocking with report about danes busting Checmial cahce and reveal mustard gas in that goody

Also Sunday UK observer also report some wacky Bishop want get rid of Brit Royal family and sancity of marriage WHAT

Saying that Royals should be dump

YEAH HELLO what to offer in the UK

NOTHING

You know the Royal family Bishop SHUT UP that what American tourist go for

And hey you just tick off that average Person think that maybe Adam and Steve shouldn't get that marriage licenes

SHUT UP

And another report off Sunday UK Obsever maybe Al is looking for Brit Muslum do their dirty work to hijack plane

White Brit Muslum

NOT GOOD IDEA

And Sunday UK Obsever also report that dubya advisors are looking into miltary action aganist Syria

There is country name Israel may want piece of that action doing that action before we decided

OKAY Israel you stay out of Iraqi conflict

FINEEE you take care of Syria

[MeekOneGOP]

Mornin', everybody ! Happy Sunday !

Have a cup while you Freep !

For those who prefer hot chocolate.....

[E.G.C.]

A very pleasant good morning to everyone at the Canteen and to all of our military at home and abroad. Thanks for your continued service to our country.