FReeper Canteen ~ Pentagon Chaplains Office ~ Guest Military Chaplain ~ December 19 2004

hqda.army.mil ^ | Chaplain Pomaville

[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

 

 

 

 

WEEKLY DEVOTION

Merry Christmas!
Are you ready for the Christmas season
and holiday rush?

In the midst of the busyness, hopefully you are experiencing the joy that can come with the celebration of the birth of Jesus. Unfortunately, we all have days when we are not doing well and things occur that are disappointing. Are you joyful and happy? Do you enjoy being with your family and friends? Do you like your work? If you are not joyful this season, you are probably experiencing anger, stress, and sadness or maybe you are numb from emotional or physical overload. To help you with your holiday spirit, let’s take a look at one of the main things that steal our joy – anger.

What did the Lord say about anger?
In Matthew chapter 5:21-24 Jesus says:

‘But now I tell you: if you are angry with your brother you will be brought to trial, if you call your brother ‘you good for nothing!’ you will be brought before the Council, and if you call your brother a worthless fool you will be in danger of going to the fire of hell.’ Then Jesus spoke of the importance of ‘making peace with the person who offended you and then come back and offer your gift to God.’

There are many reasons why we get angry. It is interesting that in Matthew 5 Jesus went on to teach about adultery, divorce, broken vows or promises, and about revenge. In the revenge section of Matthew 5:38-42 He talks about some ways that people may wrong you: ‘Slap in the face, taken to court, forced to carry someone else load twice the expected distance, and borrowing things from you.’ These types of events can be very painful and inhibit our ability to experience God’s best. The solution to this pain is spiritually based.

Forgiveness is the key: With all the hurt and disappointment the world offers, what can you do to get your joy back? The Biblical answer is the spiritual tool of forgiveness. There are many good reasons why we should forgive. It is the first step in moving toward reducing your anger and bringing back inner peace and joy. It is also a step in reaching out to make peace with those who have offended you. Here are some good reasons to forgive.

First, forgiveness is for our own sake: In Matthew 6:12 Jesus said ‘and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who have trespassed against us.’ God wants a close personal relationship with you. When we harbor ill will or an unforgiving spirit, it places a barrier between God and us.

Please read Matt 6:14-15 and see that God measures forgiveness to us when we are willing to forgive others. After all, Jesus set the example for us to follow and paid a terrible price when He laid down His life for us in order to bring forgiveness of sins.

Second, forgiveness is for others sakes: It is hard for your loved ones to enjoy being around you if you’re filled with anger and bitterness.

When a grumpy/angry person comes in the room, it can be like throwing a cold wet blanket on a warm beautiful fire. For your sake and the sake of your loved ones, let go of the anger and pain. Give it to the Lord and ask for healing so your loved ones can enjoy being close to you.

Third; forgiveness removes the Offenders
ability to control your life:

People can get hurt so bad that they refuse to forgive or come to believe they cannot forgive the Offender. Here is the deal: Some Offenders do not think they did anything wrong and some will never say they are sorry. So if a person chooses to wait to forgive until the Offender admits they are wrong or to say they are sorry, it may never happen. In essence, failing to forgive a person gives them control over your life. It gives a key to the Offender that locks you in a
personal prison of anger, pain and hurt.

Fourth; forgiveness may lead to restoration and peace with the person who hurt you and within yourself: With God’s help, you have the ability to choose to forgive. As you do your best to follow the example that Jesus gave us, by showing love and forgiveness, the Offender’s life may be impacted. You may help them come
to know the Lord and find peace.

Forgiveness will also contribute to restoring your joy, peace and happiness. Jesus can heal the pain once you choose to remove the object or thing that is sticking inside the wound. The deeper the hurt, the harder it is to forgive. But the Lord can enable you to choose to forgive. The choice is yours to make. We cannot control others, but we can control ourselves. We can also choose to forgive others without condoning their bad words, actions or behavior.

Hopefully, these tips on forgiveness will prompt you to follow the Biblical principles that reduce anger and lead to joy, happiness, peace and love. The Bible says that God is love. Jesus also taught that we are to love our enemies and do good to those who persecute or treat us bad. I believe that love and forgiveness are some of the best gifts we can give our family, friends and enemies during the holidays and throughout the year!

If you choose to forgive, your anger will be reduced and the joy of the Lord can return into your heart! I hope you have a wonderful Christmas!

Chaplain Pomaville

 

 

 

 

[MeekMom]

Dear Lord Jesus please keep safe all of our military and our allies. Help them with each task and bring them all home safe and sound. Help this war come to an end as soon as our mission is accomplished. Make our enemies Your enemies. Help us to win this war. Bless all of the families who have suffered loss. Give them peace in their hearts this Christmas and always. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

[luvie]

Also another report off Hareetz wire IDF did Trading space reset on PLO miltants by "decorating nice" house with bulldozer killing also 11 miltants throw rock at nice bulldozers

[GOPJ]

Thanks for the ping.

[AZamericonnie]

I'm still wrapping for Christmas. I think this is great fun! I watch Christmas shows & decorate my little masterpieces. I believe the presentation of the present is as important as the present itself! It's just fun! How have you been?

[Soaring Feather]

Oh my gosh! Bidladen.


All before 9/11.

[luvie]

AMEN! DEAR LORD, WRAP THEM IN YOUR LOVE AS WE HAVE WRAPPED THEM IN OUR HEARTS!

[Diva Betsy Ross]

I agree about the wrapping. I used to take hours making bows and coordinating them with the ribbon and packaging. My kids are very young (2 and 6) and these days I wrap most as quickly as I can. I do take the time to wrap a handful in a special way still. I am glad to hear you are enjoying what I know is good fun! Take some pictures and post them. I would love to see them!

[Diva Betsy Ross]

Amen MeekMom.

[GummyIII]

I love the picture!! Did you see the pics of my newest little one and her adopted momma? She was abandoned at my folk's house, so Rita (my other cat) and I took her in.

[SevenofNine]

I see some of our Canteen members are Trading spaces fans from Learning channel

Well I don't know if Learning channel going pick up that LOLOL!

Yup it before Sept 11 perhaps they think 2000 or around 1999 during under Clinton watch
We all know Bill was too busy getting his groove on with certain WH Skank name Monica

Well another report off Sunday UK Observer you know those hoods they put on Iraqi and Ahgarn POW well now Brits are going stop that with their prisoners when new report by Home secretary urging them not do it after report from Brit official claim that Iraqi POW was clausphtobic he choke in his vomit
YUK THE BON SCOTT reset

Now I hearing they going stop with Brit Iraqi and Aghaarn POW because some MP want stop

[luvie]

Wow, JJ--I just looked on your about page and I LOVE that red/blue map! It is the coolest one I have seen!

[Jet Jaguar]

Feel free to steal it. (I did) LOL!

[82Marine89]

I just want to say that GySgt. Obleas-Pena was buried this past Tuesday at Arlington National Cemetary. He is survived by his wife Kim and an 18 month old daughter. Upon hearing of her husbands death, Kim suffered a miscarraige.

I also want to thank Southwest Airlines for flying his entire family to Washington D.C. for his services.

Thank you everyone for the prayers.

[Kathy in Alaska]

Thanks, Marine, for the update.

RIP GySgt Obleas-Pena

Amazing Grace

Prayers sent up for his wife and daughter

[Kathy in Alaska]

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

[Kathy in Alaska]

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

[Kathy in Alaska]

These idiot terrorists are so brave.....bombing market places. NOT!

[Kathy in Alaska]

Elvis

[Kathy in Alaska]

Thanks, ms feather, for the Canteen Blessing for the Troops.

[Cindy]

PRAYER IS POWERFUL. PLEASE PRAY NOW. AMEN.

Today's Bible Verse: Jesus said, "A good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good things: and an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth evil things." -From THE BIBLE: Matthew 12:35

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