FReeper Canteen ~ Pentagon Chaplains Office ~ Guest Military Chaplain ~ January 09 2005

www.hqda.army.mil ^ | Chaplain Alan Pomaville

[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

 

 

 

 

Chaplain's Corner

Each year, most people like to celebrate New Years Day. We are happy we made it through this one and look forward to what the new-year will bring! Making a New Year's Resolution is a noble effort to try to improve some area of our life. It is a good time for personal reflection. A good question to ask is 'Am I making the most of what God has given me?' Or, 'am I living well and making a difference to God and other people?' Let's take a look at Stephen, a person who lived well and died well. He was a man who lived life to the fullest and died while extending grace, forgiveness, and mercy.

Full of Faith and the Holy Spirit: Acts 6:5 '... so they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit.' Stephen was full of life and made a huge impact on many people. His inner spirit directly impacted his outward actions. His trust in God and fullness of spirit led to his selection as one of the first Deacons in the Church. Maybe we should ask the Lord for more faith this year. Or we could ask for a fresh filling of the Holy Spirit of God! Is your life full of faith and the Holy Spirit?

Blessed by God and Full of Power: Acts 6:8: "Stephen, a man richly blessed by God and full of power, performed great miracles and wonders among the people.' If you want to do great things for God in the next year, it will not be in your own strength. The early Church Fathers understood that their strength and power came from the Lord. Their power came from the Holy Spirit and was in correlation to the Lord's calling on their life and the amount of their faith, trust and love for God. The Lord has a variety of gifts that he gives to people to fulfill His plans and purposes. We may not do great miracles like Stephen, but we can use our gifts and abilities to love and help other people. Loving the Lord and loving others is the best way to make a difference for the Kingdom of God. Are you living life to the fullest? Is your life blessed and full of power? In the midst of our weakness, God's Spirit can make us strong! If you want blessings and power this year; focus on your vertical and horizontal relationships. Your relationship with God and People!

Full of Courage and Mercy: Acts 7:59-60: 'They kept stoning Stephen as he called out to the Lord. "Lord Jesus, receive my Spirit" He knelt down and cried with a loud voice. "Lord! Do not hold this sin against them!" He said this and he died.' How in the world do you forgive people who are literally killing you? That does not come naturally; it is a super-natural work of the Holy Spirit of God. Stephen lived his life to the fullest and while facing death; he displayed courage, mercy and grace.

Live like you were dying: Stephen followed the example of his personal Lord and Savior at his point of death. If you recall, Jesus extended forgiveness while he hung on the cross. It amazes me when I see people who live and die well! That takes grace, courage, tremendous love and deep character! Jesus knew that one day he would die on the cross for our sins. Yet, He lived life to the fullest for 33 years. Jesus lived like he was dying! He made the most of every minute of his precious life! Are you making the most of your valuable time/life?

Tim McGraw has a great country song called 'Live like you were dying.' The song pays tribute to Tim's father, Tug McGraw. Tim never met his father until he was about 17 years old. At first, Tug did not want anything to do with having a son. But then they connected and starting having a great Father and Son relationship. Tug was later diagnosed with terminal cancer and eventually passed away. Tim McGraw's song asks the question - 'how would you live if you knew you were going to die?' The lyrics of the song say 'I would go sky diving, rocky mountain climbing, I would ride 6.2 seconds on a bull name Fu Man Chu. I would talk sweeter and love deeper... (Later in the song) ... I read the Good Book and took a hard look at my life and asked the question, what did I do with what I've been given?

For a New Years reflection we can all ask ourselves - what are we doing with what we've been given? I hope you will consider living like you were dying. The Bible says that it is appointed unto man once to die and then the Judgment. The Bible also says that the average span of a person's life is 70 years. We are not guaranteed 70 years, that is just the average. Our life on this earth is a perishable commodity. The reality check is that all of us are terminal; some people just have the luxury of knowing when it is going to happen. Therefore, let's choose make the most of the precious time we have been given by God and don't waste the gift of life! Our life here is temporary, but life with God is for eternity!

I hope your New Year is Safe and Successful!


Chaplain Alan Pomaville

 

 

 

 

[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

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

[The Mayor]

January 9, 2005

An Easy Yoke

Read: Matthew 11:25-30

Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me. —Matthew 11:29

Bible In One Year: Genesis 27-29

---

A Sunday school teacher read Matthew 11:30 to the children in her class, and then asked: "Jesus said, 'My yoke is easy.' Who can tell me what a yoke is?" A boy raised his hand and replied, "A yoke is something they put on the necks of animals so they can help each other."

Then the teacher asked, "What is the yoke Jesus puts on us?" A quiet little girl raised her hand and said, "It is God putting His arm around us."

When Jesus came, He offered an "easy" and "lighter" yoke compared to the yoke of the religious leaders (Matthew 11:30). They had placed "heavy burdens" of laws on the people (Matthew 23:4; Acts 15:10), which no one could possibly keep.

God knew we would never be able to measure up to His standards (Romans 3:23), so He sent Jesus to this earth. Jesus obeyed His Father's commands perfectly and bore the punishment of death for our sins. As we humble ourselves and recognize our need for forgiveness, Jesus comes alongside us. He places His yoke on us, freeing us from guilt and giving us His power to live a life that's pleasing to God.

Are you in need of Jesus' help? He says, "Come to Me . . . . Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me" (Matthew 11:28-29). He longs to put His arm around you. —Anne Cetas

Heavy is the load of guilt
That sinners have to bear;
Light and easy is the yoke
That Jesus wants to share. —D. De Haan

God's easy yoke does not fit on a stiff neck.

[HopeandGlory]

Good morning Troops, Veterans and Canteeners . . . God Bless all who Serve!!!

I pledge allegiance to the Flag
of the United States of America,
and to the Republic, for which it stands;
one nation UNDER GOD,
indivisible,
with liberty and justice for all.

Prayers going up.

[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 11

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.

[Soaring Feather]

[MeekOneGOP]

Mornin', everybody ! Happy Sunday!

Have a cup while you Freep !

For those who prefer hot chocolate.....

[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]

From the men in the Military and the Canteen

[AZamericonnie]

God bless all who serve

[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.

You will stay right where you are on the thread.
Please take a moment and Thank a Service Man or Woman.
Just Click on the graphic to send an e-mail.

[AZamericonnie]

Well, the Chaplain managed to put tears in my eyes tonight. Thanks for tonight's thread Tonk & the Chaplian's words. Hugs to you.
C~

[txradioguy]

To the Guest Chaplin today I ask that Psalm 23 please be read today.

Thank you.

And please bless my fellow soldiers where ever they are today.

Thank you.

[AZamericonnie]

"What is the yoke Jesus puts on us?" A quiet little girl raised her hand and said, "It is God putting His arm around us."

How precious...Thank you Mayor.

[trussell]

Three views of the cake I just finished decorating for Crys' birthday party today (Sunday)!

[TASMANIANRED]

Thanks for the invitation. Beautiful spread as usual.

Salute with a grin

[international american]

Hey, its cold down thar in Texas!

[AZamericonnie]

And please bless my fellow soldiers where ever they are today.

Prayers sent to all who serve, your brothers in arms, and you TX. *H*

[AZamericonnie]

WoW Trussell! You are a pastry chef extrodinare! Happy birthday Dear Crys! How many years old now?

[txradioguy]

Thanks AZ.

[HopeandGlory]

That's a very nicely decorated cake Tracy . . .I'll bet the Crystal will love it.