FReeper Canteen ~ Guest Military Chaplain ~ FEB 22 2004

Welcome to
The FReeper Canteen

Today's Spiritual Journey takes us to the

Navy Chaplain Corps

Click on graphic to link to the original sermon.

A GREAT MARINE

Several years ago as the H & S Battalion Chaplain at MCB, Camp Lejeune, I visited the people in the different work spaces, including the rather large main post office. One day a little conversation took place with young Marine Lance Corporal. This unplanned encounter has remained with me, and it seems worth passing on...

The Lance Corporal was standing by a very large sack of mail. His job, every day, six days a week for many hours was to sort the mail from that large sack and place the letters into smaller sacks, depending upon their destination. He explained his job, and I asked him if he ever gets bored. "Chaplain," he said," this is all I do. Just sort all these endless piles of letters. Sometimes I can't take it anymore." I was drawn into the young Marine's lament and his life's drama started to sound interesting. He continued, "Then, just as it gets to be overwhelming, I'm holding a letter in my hand and I begin to think: Maybe this letter is going from a Marine wife in Jacksonville all the way to her husband on deployment in the Med. He's really misses her and is homesick on that big ship. Then he gets the letter and suddenly he feels much better. The next letter in my hand, I think: Maybe it's from a little boy to his Daddy in Somalia. He drew a picture with crayons to cheer his Dad and put it in the envelope. Each letter makes me wonder because this one may change a life for the better, or at least bring a smile to a lonely Marine or Sailor."

I was shaken by the majesty this young Lance Corporal displayed and said this to him: "Young man, you possess a wisdom rarely found in people who are triple your years. You have more than wisdom, though, you have character and maturity. Indeed you have found the secret to happiness in life. Whatever you wish to achieve, it will undoubtedly one day be yours...it would be a great honor if you would allow me to shake you hand..."

Whenever we face frustrating moments or disappointments in our work day, let's all remember that young Lance Corporal and follow his heroic and inspiring example!

"Give thy servant, therefore, an understanding heart."

-King Solomon's prayer in First Kings

Chaplain Mitch Schranz

To: xzins; LiteKeeper; streetpreacher; Kathy in Alaska; MoJo2001; LindaSOG; LaDivaLoca; Fawnn; ...

2 posted on 02/21/2004 8:38:02 PM PST by 68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub (Thank You Troops, Past and Present)

To: 68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub; All

3 posted on 02/21/2004 8:41:19 PM PST by Soaring Feather (~ I do Poetry and party among the stars~)

To: Long Cut; Old Sarge; USAF_TSgt; davidosborne; where's_the_Outrage?; Warrior Nurse; GATOR NAVY; ...

4 posted on 02/21/2004 8:41:29 PM PST by 68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub (Thank You Troops, Past and Present)

To: Kathy in Alaska; MoJo2001; LindaSOG; LaDivaLoca; bentfeather; beachn4fun; Ragtime Cowgirl; ...

From the men in the Military and the Canteen

5 posted on 02/21/2004 8:45:01 PM PST by 68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub (Good Morning Ladies!)

To: 68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub

Lord God, You are the Almighty, the Ancient of Days, and You are the Creator of this day. There are many ways we could spend this day, but it is our prayer that we be strengthened to spend it in ways that worship You and please You.

Guide us to prayer, to praise, to study, and to reflection. And as we exercise this freedom in the comfort of our churches and homes, enable us to remember our military friends on the battlefields and the battleships.

If you but give us an image of them kneeling in a foxhole, gathering in worship on shipdeck, reflecting while flying, or being served communion from the hood of a Hummer, then we will rejoice in You.

And we will rejoice that in every place we can praise You.

And we will rejoice that You have granted us in this blessed land the security to worship you in the peace of our churches.

And we will rejoice that our vigilant warriors are keeping guard over our precious freedom.

In Jesus' name we pray; Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Amen.

Xzins
Chaplain, US Army (Ret)

6 posted on 02/21/2004 8:52:35 PM PST by xzins (Retired Army and Proud of it!!)

Thank You Chaplain
God Bless You

7 posted on 02/21/2004 8:56:40 PM PST by 68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub (Thank You Troops, Past and Present)

To: 68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub; All

Thank you to God for the many blessings we have in this country.

Thank you for the courage, bravery, and sacrifice of men and women whom I will never meet.

Please let them know that their country is very grateful for what they are doing.

Please let them know that we back them 110 percent.

Thank you for the wonderful country for which I was born.

Good night everyone!

8 posted on 02/21/2004 9:05:46 PM PST by MoJo2001 (Register To Vote -- Your Voice! Your Vote! Stand Up and Be Counted!)

Good Night
God Bless the Sailor, you and your sons.

9 posted on 02/21/2004 9:09:56 PM PST by 68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub (Thank You Troops, Past and Present)

To: 68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub

10 posted on 02/21/2004 9:27:43 PM PST by windchime (Podesta about Bush: "He's got four years to try to undo all the stuff we've done." (TIME-1/22/01))

Well Sunday UK Observer reporting that story about Russia soldier who fought in Agharn war in 1980 now he never went back to Russia he living in Agharn mountain as farmer raising family

ONe of those weird stories you hear on Brit site

Report off Sunday UK Observer also report that MI-5 going have new power under new versinon of Brit version of patriot act

While Reuters breaking that Tony Blair when current term is up

Going run for another term

11 posted on 02/21/2004 9:40:31 PM PST by SevenofNine (Not everybody in it for truth, justice, and the American way=Det Lennie Briscoe)

OH MAN there is report off SKY news wire that Iranian hardliners are leading in polls at this time in today electuion in Iran

NOT GOOD

Also guess who run smack chat on US treatment of Saddam Mick Jagger ex-wife NOOOO NOT Jerry Hall Bianca Jagger claim that Saddam should be treated better than after getting spider hhole

OF COURSE Saddam was getting proded

Bianca you want catch some fleas from Saddam be my guest

12 posted on 02/21/2004 10:43:35 PM PST by SevenofNine (Not everybody in it for truth, justice, and the American way=Det Lennie Briscoe)

Breaking news off Sky news report that bomb blast nail Jersrelum bus injuring 30 people so far

Developing....

13 posted on 02/21/2004 11:03:55 PM PST by SevenofNine (Not everybody in it for truth, justice, and the American way=Det Lennie Briscoe)

To: LindaSOG; 68-69TonkinGulfYatchClub; Kathy in Alaska; Fawnn; MoJo2001; All

Good Morning Canteen FReepers. God bless and thanks for the support.

14 posted on 02/21/2004 11:31:30 PM PST by darkwing104 (Let's get dangerous)

To: 68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub

Sunday Morning BUMP!!!

redrock

15 posted on 02/21/2004 11:49:18 PM PST by redrock ("One man with courage....makes a majority"---Andrew Jackson)

Good morning, darkwing. Hope your weekend is progressing nicely. Thanks for helping protect this great country of ours.

Just in case you need a snack.....

16 posted on 02/21/2004 11:56:07 PM PST by Kathy in Alaska (God Bless America and Our Military Who Protect Her)

To: 68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub

17 posted on 02/22/2004 12:31:30 AM PST by Aeronaut (Peace: in international affairs, a period of cheating between two periods of fighting.)

Good Sunday to you, redrock. Thanks for stopping in and thanks for your service to America.

18 posted on 02/22/2004 12:35:18 AM PST by Kathy in Alaska (God Bless America and Our Military Who Protect Her)

To: 68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub

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

19 posted on 02/22/2004 12:36:45 AM PST by Kathy in Alaska (God Bless America and Our Military Who Protect Her)

To: LindaSOG; USAF_TSgt; American Preservative; Alouette; Yehuda; yonif; Nix 2; knighthawk; SJackson; ..

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

20 posted on 02/22/2004 12:37:49 AM PST by Kathy in Alaska (God Bless America and Our Military Who Protect Her)

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794