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FReeper Canteen ~ Pentagon Chaplains Office ~ Guest Military Chaplain ~ December 19 2004
hqda.army.mil ^
| Chaplain Pomaville
Posted on 12/18/2004 7:59:44 PM PST by 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, lets 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 Gods 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 youre 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 Gods 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 Offenders 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 |
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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; armyman; Arrowhead1952; darkwing104; txradioguy; ...
2
posted on
12/18/2004 8:02:41 PM PST
by
68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub
(God Bless and Protect our Military and our Allies Military)
To: All
Whoa breaking news off Xinurea news wire report that bomb blast nail two Village market in Jakata Indoesnia
they think it is terrorist attack
YOU THINK DUDE?
3
posted on
12/18/2004 8:02:48 PM PST
by
SevenofNine
("Not everybody , in it, for truth, justice, and the American way,"=Det Lennie Briscoe)
To: 68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub
To: armyman; Arrowhead1952; darkwing104; txradioguy; Long Cut; Jet Jaguar; SFC Chromey; spiderman9; ...
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.
To: bentfeather; tomkow6; All
Well Sunday UK Times is busting both enemy of Tony Blair Iraqi plan and friend
Report from Sunday UK times claim that perhaps David Blukett threated bodly harm to his mistress who bear his child that reason he resign
Another Brit Labour MP been accused of doing NJ Governor reset by her former female secretary claim that Labour MP who been enemy of Tony Blair support on War on Iraq claim that this MP grope her breast came on to her
Actually guys both MP and secretary what you consider I saw the photos as Butch Lesbians LOL!
That pc word LOL!
6
posted on
12/18/2004 8:06:53 PM PST
by
SevenofNine
("Not everybody , in it, for truth, justice, and the American way,"=Det Lennie Briscoe)
To: 68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub
Thank you Tonk for our Sunday Chaplain. Thanks to all our soldiers.
To: Kathy in Alaska; MoJo2001; LaDivaLoca; bentfeather; beachn4fun; Fawnn; Ragtime Cowgirl; StarCMC; ...
From the men in the Military and the Canteen
To: All
To: bentfeather; All
GM, everyone!
free dixie,sw
10
posted on
12/18/2004 8:13:07 PM PST
by
stand watie
( being a damnyankee is no better than being a racist. it is a LEARNED prejudice against dixie.)
To: 68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub; All
Good morning Troops, Veterans and Canteeners . . . God Bless and keep you safe.Prayers going up.
11
posted on
12/18/2004 8:14:18 PM PST
by
HopeandGlory
(Hey, Liberals . . . PC died on 9/11 . . . GET USED TO IT!!!)
To: stand watie
GM, sw!
free dixie, bf!!!!
To: All
Good Night All
God Bless all who enter the Canteen
God Bless and Protect our Military and our Allies Military
To: SevenofNine
LoL
Good evening seven! Thanks for the update.
To: bentfeather; ariamne
GM, darlin'!!!!
have you met Ariamne???
she's NEW to the Canteen crew & a NEW BUDDY of mine.
say HI to each other, ladies.
free dixie,sw
15
posted on
12/18/2004 8:24:18 PM PST
by
stand watie
( being a damnyankee is no better than being a racist. it is a LEARNED prejudice against dixie.)
To: 68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub
GN, to you!
WELL SAID!
free dixie,sw
16
posted on
12/18/2004 8:26:04 PM PST
by
stand watie
( being a damnyankee is no better than being a racist. it is a LEARNED prejudice against dixie.)
To: 68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub
To: ariamne
Hello friend of sw!! Nice to met you. Welcome to the Canteen!!
free dixie, sw!!
bf
To: 68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub
Chaplain Pomaville hit that nail right on the head.
Thanks, Tonk.
Two words, a comma and a period don't seem to be enough!
But they say it all! Thanks for all you do. It was you who guided me here in my beginnings on FR.
That was a pretty good gift you gave me.
Merry Christmas, Sir.
To: Jet Jaguar
You still up, kiddo?
How's the cold today?
Ms.B
20
posted on
12/18/2004 8:36:38 PM PST
by
MS.BEHAVIN
(If it is not right, do not do it; if it is not true, do not say it. Marcus Aurelius)
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