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FReeper Canteen ~ Guest Military Chaplain ~ September 26 2004
chaplaincare.navy.mil ^
| LCDR Diane M. Wilson, CHC, USN
Posted on 09/25/2004 7:59:48 PM PDT by 68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub
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For the freedom you enjoyed yesterday... Thank the Veterans who served in The United States Armed Forces. |
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AN ODD WAY TO PRAY Over the years I have heard a multitude of spoken prayers. Some flowed poetically from the speaker's tongue, some had the overtones of a sermon, and others resembled conversation. I have also heard another type of prayer, though never in a church or chapel. Its usage is universal in the English language, even being used on occasion by atheists. The prayer is most often spoken during times of anger, frustration, or used to display extreme displeasure with a given situation or individual. The vast majority of the English-speaking population would not recognize it as a form of prayer, but rather view it as a form of swearing. Some would regard the invocation as "taking God's name in vain." Both are true and credible; however, at the core of the expression is a request by the petitioner for God to damn something, someone or some place. Several years ago, while stationed on Okinawa, I joined my battalion for a "best ball" golf tournament. My foursome was composed of individuals I had played with often, so I was somewhat aware of how our day might develop. One individual, who usually played an outstanding round of golf, was having a horrendous day on the course. Nothing was going right. His whole game was off, and he knew it, and continuously reminded the rest of us about it. On our seventh hole of play, and after overshooting the green, he threw his club as far as he could hurl it and exclaimed for the umpteenth time: "God !#%! It!" I walked over to my friend and said, "You know God is just answering your prayer." He looked at me somewhat puzzled, and as if I were insane. I reminded him that since our first hole of play he asked God to damn his club, damn his ball, damn the green, and even damn his shoes. So why be upset? God was simply answering his prayer. When I concluded, he looked at me and said, "Chaplain, I like that and you're right. It hurts, but you're right." For the rest of the day, neither the others nor I heard another request for God to damn anything. (Though he did bite his lip an awful lot.) As I mentioned earlier, most individuals recognize this prayer more in line with the idea of swearing. However, I think there is a valid case to recognize it as a prayer. That being so, it is bewildering why people would pray it. Could it be that they are not aware of what they are saying or of its significance? Or do they really want God to damn the one they love, their friends, work associates, or acquaintances? As with my friend, the idea of the invocation being a prayer never occurred to him, nor does it to most. Little do we realize the spiritual dynamic that is set in motion when we invoke God with our request. It is to our advantage that God is all-knowing and understanding, and sorts through our trivialization of prayer, and does not do all that we request of Him. It would be well for each of us to remember the words of Jesus: "You do not know for what you ask." LCDR Diane M. Wilson, CHC, USN |
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TOPICS: Free Republic
KEYWORDS: chaplain
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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
To: xzins; bethelgrad; lightman; Katy Deacon; Kathy in Alaska; MoJo2001; LaDivaLoca; Fawnn; Bethbg79; ..
2
posted on
09/25/2004 8:03:03 PM PDT
by
68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub
(God Bless and Protect our Military and our Allies Military)
To: ActiveDutyUSMC; dakine; bkwells; chookter; Hacksaw434; thumperusn; Hostel; The Sailor; grace522; ...
FYI : Look in upper right corner of "My Comments" page.
Set it for "Brief" instead of Full.
You only will get title of thread and who pinged you.
No graphics will load.
3
posted on
09/25/2004 8:05:54 PM PDT
by
68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub
(God Bless and Protect our Military and our Allies Military)
To: Kathy in Alaska; MoJo2001; LaDivaLoca; bentfeather; beachn4fun; Fawnn; Ragtime Cowgirl; StarCMC; ...
From the men in the Military and the Canteen
4
posted on
09/25/2004 8:07:43 PM PDT
by
68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub
(God Bless and Protect our Military and our Allies Military)
To: 68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub; Kathy in Alaska
Ya'll find the best places to eat breakfast!
5
posted on
09/25/2004 8:08:30 PM PDT
by
NYTexan
To: All
*MAJOR ANNOUNCEMENT*
Beginning on Monday (27th of September), we are going to have a Hurricane Party Giveaway! The Rules: (PAY ATTENTION TO THE RULES!) The contest will run from Monday (27th Of September) through Friday (October 1st).
Each day we will have a series of questions.
We will need the answers provided in FReepmail.
(More on this in a moment...)
Here's the kicker:
All answers must be provided after 12PM (EST) on the current day thread and must be turned in no later than 4PM (EST) of the same day of the running thread. (Why? We want to give everyone from Brad's Gramma to you a chance to play!) You may only answer once per day for the contest. *CANTEENERS* - A few of you will be ineligible to play on certain days! We will FReepmail you and let you know why you are ineligible. You may NOT compete again if you've already won a contest! On two separate days, there will be 2 winners picked. We will announce the winner after 4PM daily!
FReepmail MoJo2001 with your answers!
CLICK HERE to FReep mail your answer.
So? Get your mouse and Googling skills ready. Just a hint at the prizes: (ALL ORIGINAL COPIES) Star Wars DVD Trilogy (donated DVD) Michael Moore Is A Big Fat Stupid White Man (book) Unfit For Command (book) Saving Private Ryan (DVD)
And some other prizes....
To: All
To: 68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub
To: Kathy in Alaska
To: bentfeather; NYTexan
To: 68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub
Beautiful Red Roses....THANKS!!!
11
posted on
09/25/2004 8:21:22 PM PDT
by
shield
(The Greatest Scientific Discoveries of the Century Reveal God!!!! by Dr. H. Ross, Astrophysicist)
To: 68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub; All
September 26, 2004
A Lesson In Praise
Read: Psalm 150
Praise the Lord! Psalm 150:1
Bible In One Year: Isaiah 1-2; Galatians 5
Psalm 150 is not only a beautiful expression of praise, it's also a lesson in praising the Lord. It tells us where to praise, why we're to praise, how we're to praise, and who should offer praise.
Where do we praise? In God's "sanctuary" and "mighty firmament" (v.1). Wherever we are in the world is a proper place to praise the One who created all things.
Why do we praise? First, because of what God does. He performs "mighty acts." Second, because of who God is. The psalmist praised Him for "His excellent greatness" (v.2). The all-powerful Creator is the Sustainer of the universe.
How should we praise? Loudly. Softly. Soothingly. Enthusiastically. Rhythmically. Boldly. Unexpectedly. Fearlessly. In other words, we can praise God in many ways and on many occasions (vv.3-5).
Who should praise? "Everything that has breath" (v.6). Young and old. Rich and poor. Weak and strong. Every living creature. God's will is for everyone to whom He gave the breath of life to use that breath to acknowledge His power and greatness.
Praise is our enthusiastic expression of gratitude to God for reigning in glory forever. Julie Ackerman Link
Let every creature rise and bring
Peculiar honors to our King;
Angels descend with songs again,
And earth repeat the loud amen! Watts
Praise is the overflow of a joyful heart.
12
posted on
09/25/2004 8:24:58 PM PDT
by
The Mayor
(The stops of a good man are ordered by the Lord as well as his steps. —Müller)
To: 68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub; All
Thank you for posting the Chaplain's Thread Mr.Tonkin!!
Prayers for all those in Hurricane Jeanne's path. May God keep you all safe and protected.
Prayers for our Troops in harm's way. May His light shine upon each and every one of you. May He lift your spirits, give you comfort, and protect you from those that wish to do you harm.
Prayers for every member of the Canteen family posting, lurking, or away.
I realize that I'm usually a silly participant in the Canteen, but I am grateful for everyone that makes this place a truly warm, funny, and inviting place for our Troops and their families. Thank you everyone for everything you do.
God Bless everyone!
13
posted on
09/25/2004 8:28:01 PM PDT
by
MoJo2001
(I never add to the confusion, I just enhance it.)
To: 68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub
Wow!! What a beautiful bouquet of roses. Thanks men in the Military and the Canteen.
14
posted on
09/25/2004 8:32:53 PM PDT
by
Kathy in Alaska
(God Bless America and Our Troops Who Protect Her)
To: 68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub
Oorah! and Amen! from a fellow Navy Chaplain!!!!!!!!!
15
posted on
09/25/2004 8:37:37 PM PDT
by
bethelgrad
(for God, country, the Marine Corps, and now the Navy Chaplain Corps OOH RAH!)
To: 68-69TonkinGulfYatchClub; tomkow6; MoJo2001; Old Sarge; StarCMC; HiJinx; Aeronaut; beachn4fun; ...
Prayers for our troops, veterans, families, allies, friends, and Canteeners
for a safe and peaceful week ahead.
16
posted on
09/25/2004 8:37:38 PM PDT
by
Kathy in Alaska
(God Bless America and Our Troops Who Protect Her)
To: USAF_TSgt; American Preservative; Alouette; Yehuda; yonif; Nix 2; knighthawk; SJackson; Israeli; ...
Wishing all our Jewish troops, veterans, families, allies, friends, and Canteeners
a peaceful and prosperous week.
17
posted on
09/25/2004 8:38:44 PM PDT
by
Kathy in Alaska
(God Bless America and Our Troops Who Protect Her)
To: bethelgrad
Thank You Sir for your service to God and Country.
To: Kathy in Alaska; 68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub; bentfeather; Fawnn; Jet Jaguar; Spotsy; fatima; ...
19
posted on
09/25/2004 8:55:31 PM PDT
by
MoJo2001
(I never add to the confusion, I just enhance it.)
To: 68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub
Thank you too, Sir...
For yours....
God Bless and keep you...
Ms.B
20
posted on
09/25/2004 9:10:59 PM PDT
by
MS.BEHAVIN
(Great spirits have always encountered violent opposition from mediocre minds. Re-elect G.W.Bush)
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