FReeper Canteen ~ Guest Military Chaplain ~ November 14 2004

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

[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

 

 

 

 

RESPONSES TO LIFE'S PROBLEMS

"Times are tough." "Man is born crying, and, when he has cried enough, he dies." "Life is hard, and then you die." You've heard the complaints. Probably even felt that way from time to time. But focusing on the negative and the unpleasant
is a tough way to live.

P.J. O'Rourke wrote a few years ago that, whenever he heard people begin to complain that times were bad, he thought of his grandfather: Born into a pretty awful world back in 1877. When the average wage was little more than a dollar a day. When women couldn't vote, and violence often kept minorities away from the polls. When there was little health care, not much health, and no health care reform. Back in those "good old days," he pointed out, men often married several times -- not because of easy divorce laws, but because their wives had died in childbirth. Back then, epidemics of one sort or another carried away many in the prime of life... or even before it really began. A walk through an old graveyard, he said, would remind us that many of our ancestors had more dead children
than we have live ones.

In contrast, he contended, "Luxuries known only to the ridiculously wealthy a few generations ago would hardly do on a modern white-water rafting trip. Our clothing is more comfortable; our abodes are warmer, better smelling and vermin free. Our food is fresh. Our lights are bright. Travel is swift and communication sure." The threat of global war has diminished, and life is generally pretty sweet. But, instead of giving thanks, or simply enjoying it, there seem to be more complaints than ever.
"I hear America whining," he says.

But why? One reason is that it works so well. "Tragedy is better than comedy for self-dramatization, as every teenager knows." Talk shows and book publishers will reward you handsomely if your complaints are pitiful enough. Politicians have always traded on discontent with promises of easy solutions. And, finally -- complaining is easier than work!

Maybe somewhere in the process, we have forgotten an important truth. Richard Cabot may have said it best: "To find one's work is to find one's place in the world." Even the most menial work can be rewarding if we focus on our opportunities to perform well, to interact with others, and perhaps in some small way to make a difference.

Even people of faith sometimes miss the importance. Carl Henry once said that when man loses the sacred significance of work and of himself as worker, he soon loses the sacred meaning of time and life. Matthew Fox even went so far as to write in his classic work, CONFESSIONS, that:

"It is at work more than at church that the real moral -- and immoral -- decisions are being rendered about the health of our planet, our bodies, our children, our very souls. Work is the adult arena for spiritual decision making.... It is in our work... that the moral issues of our lives play out. And... that spirituality itself will be redeemed."

Whatever you're doing, you can make a difference in some project, some organization, some other individual's day. As Mother Teresa once said, "You may feel that what you are doing is just a drop in the ocean. But the ocean would be less because of that missing drop." We see proof of that in her work... and her legacy. She had discovered the wisdom of John Donne's classic prayer: "Keep us Lord so awake in the duties of our callings that we may sleep in peace and awake in thy glory." May we too discover meaning and an "attitude of gratitude"
... even for our work.

CAPT J. David Atwater, CHC, USN

 

 

 

 

[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

Attention Veterans & Active Duty!!
Golden Corral’s Fourth Annual
2004 Military Appreciation Monday
Free dinner to our nation’s military, past and present
To show our thanks
Monday Night November 15, 2004 from 5-9PM

Click to find out more about their celebration and locations!

[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.

                                          


CLICK HERE for Troop Prayer Thread 10

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.

[HopeandGlory]

Good morning Troops, Veterans and Canteeners . . .

. . . God Bless this day and keep it Holy.

. . . and God Bless our Wonderful Victorious President.

[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

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.

[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

Great Pledge of Allegiance!
Thank You!

[writer33]

Thanks for the ping and thread, Tonk.

[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

From the men in the Military and the Canteen

[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

Your Welcome

[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

CLICK BELOW!

[AmericanMade1776]

You are always so good to me, with the pics of flowers, coffee, breakfast, nice cozy fires...thought I should return the favor... This one is for you Tonkin Gulf Yacht Club :-)

This photograph released by the Brooklyn Museum of Art, titled 'Marilyn on the Beach, 1949,' is part of a show opening at the museum Friday, Nov. 12, 2004. The picture by an unknown photographer is one of more than 200 Marilyn Monroe pictures from 39 photographers - including luminaries such as Richard Avedon, Gordon Parks, Robert Frank and Andy Warhol - in the museum's new exhibit, 'I Want to Be Loved by You: Photographs of Marilyn Monroe.' (AP Photo/Brooklyn Museum of Art

[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

Thank You

[writer33]

I was going to say I better get a your welcome. I don't want to have to line you out tonight. :)

[HopeandGlory]

Thank you Tonk and thank you for opening the door every day.

[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

To every service man or woman reading this thread.
Thank You for your service to our country.
No matter where you are stationed,
No matter what your job description
Know that we are are proud of each and everyone of you.

To our military readers, we remain steadfast in keeping the Canteen doors open.
The FR Canteen is Free Republics longest running daily thread specifically designed
to provide entertainment and morale support for the military.
The doors have been open since Oct 7 2001,
the day of the start of the war in Afghanistan.
We are indebted to you for your sacrifices for our Freedom.

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.

Click on a service emblem to send an online
Thank You to a service man or woman in any branch.

Army	Navy	Marines	Air Force	Coast Guard

[laurenmarlowe]

Thank you Mr. Tonkin for our Sunday thread. Thanks to the men in the Military and the Canteen.

[AmericanMade1776]

When I posted that pic, I did not realize it was the Chaplins, Sunday thread :-)

[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

I'm sure God is not offended.

[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

Your Welcome

[The Mayor]

November 14, 2004

More Than Socializing

Read: Hebrews 10:19-25

Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love. —Romans 12:10

Bible In One Year: Lamentations 3-5; Hebrews 10:19-39

---

Church can be a great place to get caught up on the latest football games, golf scores, family news, health concerns, or just to visit with friends. A cup of coffee together, a warm handshake, a friendly pat on the back are all part of the social interaction we need as human beings.

All of this is good, but New Testament fellowship goes much deeper than merely socializing when we get together at church. It takes place when we consider how we can lift up, build up, and brighten up our brothers and sisters in Christ.

The Bible clearly says that we are to "serve one another" (Galatians 5:13), forgive as we are forgiven (Ephesians 4:32), and "bear one another's burdens" (Galatians 6:2). From the first century, believers have gathered in Jesus' name to "consider one another in order to stir up love and good works" and to exhort one another (Hebrews 10:24-25).

Christian fellowship takes place when we offer encouragement to our friends, pray for them, and confess our sins and weaknesses to one another. These are the elements that make fellowship genuine.

What about your church? Are you merely socializing? Or are you practicing true Christian fellowship? —Dave Egner

We Christians have a kinship with
All others who believe,
And from that bond of faith and love
A mutual strength receive. —Hess

Christian fellowship builds us up and binds us together.

[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

Thank You Brother