FReeper Canteen ~ Guest Military Chaplain ~ October 2 2005

ChaplainsCorner ^ | Chaplain Molina, LT, CHC, USNR

[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

 

 

 

MREs for the Soul
(Motivational, Relevant, and Ecumenical words of hope and inspiration)

WORDS THAT COUNT
I think I'm safe in making the following observation: Most people have an interest in a person's last words before dying. Please, don't get me wrong! I don't mean a morbid or gossipy curiosity. In fact, it's very possible that we may experience a sense of reverence when witnessing or listening to a dying person's last words. When doing so, we want to capture a sense of significance in those words. After all, we'll never hear that person's voice again and we want to capture what final thoughts those words express. To be sure, last words are a reflection of a person's first priorities. History has taught us that. Let me show you by sharing with you some famous last words:

Alisa Bonaparte: She was Napoleon's sister. As she lay dying, a grieving friend said to her, "Nothing is as certain as death." Alisa then added, "Except taxes." She then died. This made her last words among the most widely quoted.

Voltaire: Promised half of his possessions to his doctor for six months more of life. The doctor refused the offer based on the impossibility of the request. Outraged, Voltaire said, "Then I shall go to hell"…obviously an expression of utter desperation.

Famous churchman Charles Wesley simply said, "Satisfied."

Adonirum Judson: This incomparable missionary and statesman said as follows: "When the Lord calls, I shall go home with the gladness of a boy bounding away from school!"

Indeed, words have not only steered the course of history but have been used either to uplift or undermine individual lives. Let's face it; words are important whether they are spoken or written. The words that come out of our mouths are a mirror image of what we're thinking. If I may quote an old adage: "Out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks." This is a sobering reality because whether we believe it or not, the words we speak can enhance life or undermine it. Our words determine outcomes of events and identify who we are. We simply cannot ignore this. Knowing this, how do we individually measure up? Consider the following questions:

1. Do our words generally help or hurt others?
2. Do our words reveal or hide who you are?
3. Do our words manipulate or seek to entrap?
4. Do our words empower others to live good lives?
5. Do our words express encouragement or do our words reflect emptiness?
6. Are our words the same whether the person we are talking about is absent or present?

These are difficult questions but of critical importance in measuring who we are as persons. With our mouths (or with our pens) we can speak words of life or words of discouragement

Some of the most famous last words in history were uttered by a young Palestinian Jew while being executed on a Roman cross some 2000 years ago. His words revolutionized the world's perspective of God and created a new hope for eternity. While hanging on that cross Jesus of Nazareth uttered seven statements. Among those statements were declarations of forgiveness (we all need to experience forgiveness) and words of eternal hope (we all need hope, especially of the eternal variety).
He made a choice to speak words of life.

We, my friends, can choose to speak words of life.
Speak words of life and watch for the results!

SEMPER FI
Chaplain Molina, LT, CHC, USNR

[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

[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

Click on the pic and I'll guide you
to the start of today's
Guest Military Chaplain Service



Graphic tribute by our own Lady Jag

Please stop in and say a prayer of protection for the military.
Prayers from all denominations are needed.

                                          


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.

[EsmeraldaA]

Thanks for the thread.Sr.

[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.

[Raffus]

[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

From the men in the Military and the Canteen

[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.

[SandRat]

2Ki 20:6 And I will add unto thy days fifteen years; and I will deliver thee and this city out of the hand of the king of Assyria; and I will defend this city for mine own sake, and for my servant David's sake.

Zec 12:8 In that day shall the LORD defend the inhabitants of Jerusalem; and he that is feeble among them at that day shall be as David; and the house of David [shall be] as God, as the angel of the LORD before them.

[HopeandGlory]

Good morning Troops, Veterans and Canteeners.

* * * * * * * * * * * *

Our Flag Flying Proudly One Nation Under God

* * * * * * * * * * * *

Lord, Please Bless Our Troops, they're fighting for our Freedom.

Prayers going up.

[SandRat]

We're few on this thead for now but then it's still early.

[luvie]

I love FaithMouse....and I love the pledge!

[luvie]

Amen!

[TASMANIANRED]

Very nice...

[The Mayor]

October 2, 2005

When We Speak Foolishly

Read:
Psalm 39

Remove Your gaze from me, that I may regain strength, before I go away and am no more. —Psalm 39:13

Bible In One Year: Esther 8-10

When former law professor Phillip E. Johnson had a stroke, he was so afraid of being mentally and physically impaired that he wished the doctor would give him a painless death. He said, "That was a foolish thought, of course, but not the last foolish thought I was to have."

In my own pastoral ministry, I've heard some of God's children express thoughts worse than Johnson's—even rebellious words against God.

Psalm 39 offers comfort to people who regret the thoughtless things they've said in times of despair. David was gravely ill and desperate when he wrote the psalm. At first he kept silent lest he speak foolishly (vv.1-3). But when he could contain himself no longer, he prayed a wonderful prayer (vv.4-9).

But in verses 10 and 11 his tone began to change. According to the British scholar Derek Kidner, David spoke foolishly when he said, "Remove Your gaze from me, . . . before I go away and am no more" (v.13). David expressed a hopeless attitude toward death, and said to God, in effect, "Leave me alone." Kidner comments that God included this prayer in the Bible to reassure us that when we say things out of desperation He understands. And when we tell Him how sorry we are, He graciously forgives. —Herb Vander Lugt

Sometimes our pain becomes so great
That we despair in deep distress;
We cry to God with foolish words
That later we to Him confess. —D. De Haan

Our tongue can be our own worst enemy.

FOR FURTHER STUDY
Knowing God Through Job

[Gucho]

Bump - Thanks for the ping Tonk.

[AZamericonnie]

LeeAnn Rimes~Amazing Grace

[EsmeraldaA]

Hello!
I'm still posting music (the kind you don't like) on the other thread.
Your Scout meeting. How was it?

[Aeronaut]

Hey Tonk.

[Raffus]

God Bless all service man and woman that serve our great country.

We love you all!

[TASMANIANRED]

Amen.