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FReeper Canteen ~ Guest Military Chaplain ~ A GREAT MARINE ~ Oct 1 2006
chaplaincare.navy.mil ^
| Chaplain Mitch Schranz
Posted on 09/30/2006 4:43:03 PM PDT by 68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub
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A GREAT MARINE
Several years ago as the H & S Battalion Chaplain at MCB, Camp Lejeune, I visited the people in the different work spaces, including the rather large main post office. One day a little conversation took place with young Marine Lance Corporal. This unplanned encounter has remained with me, and it seems worth passing on...
The Lance Corporal was standing by a very large sack of mail. His job, every day, six days a week for many hours was to sort the mail from that large sack and place the letters into smaller sacks, depending upon their destination. He explained his job, and I asked him if he ever gets bored. "Chaplain," he said," this is all I do. Just sort all these endless piles of letters. Sometimes I can't take it anymore." I was drawn into the young Marine's lament and his life's drama started to sound interesting. He continued, "Then, just as it gets to be overwhelming, I'm holding a letter in my hand and I begin to think: Maybe this letter is going from a Marine wife in Jacksonville all the way to her husband on deployment in the Med. He's really misses her and is homesick on that big ship. Then he gets the letter and suddenly he feels much better. The next letter in my hand, I think: Maybe it's from a little boy to his Daddy in Somalia. He drew a picture with crayons to cheer his Dad and put it in the envelope. Each letter makes me wonder because this one may change a life for the better, or at least bring a smile to a lonely Marine or Sailor."
I was shaken by the majesty this young Lance Corporal displayed and said this to him: "Young man, you possess a wisdom rarely found in people who are triple your years. You have more than wisdom, though, you have character and maturity. Indeed you have found the secret to happiness in life. Whatever you wish to achieve, it will undoubtedly one day be yours...it would be a great honor if you would allow me to shake you hand..."
Whenever we face frustrating moments or disappointments in our work day, let's all remember that young Lance Corporal and follow his heroic and inspiring example!
"Give thy servant, therefore, an understanding heart."
King Solomon's prayer in First Kings
Chaplain Mitch Schranz
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TOPICS: Culture/Society; Free Republic
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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: 68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub; All
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.
2
posted on
09/30/2006 4:44:06 PM PDT
by
HopeandGlory
(Hey, Liberals . . . PC died on 9/11 . . . GET USED TO IT!!!)
To: 68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub
Good evening and thanks for the thread Tonk.
3
posted on
09/30/2006 4:44:54 PM PDT
by
tongue-tied
(Go Cubs!)
To: xzins; CMS; The Sailor; txradioguy; Jet Jaguar; Defender2; OneLoyalAmerican; bkwells; blacklions; ..
To: 68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub
What a great little story!
B T T T
5
posted on
09/30/2006 4:46:33 PM PDT
by
stephenjohnbanker
(Our troops will send all of the worlds terrorists to hell in a handbasket with no virgins!)
To: 68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub
Thanks for opening the chapel Tonk
6
posted on
09/30/2006 4:46:39 PM PDT
by
trussell
(Work for God...the retirement benefits are eternal!)
To: 68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub
Bump to the top for our troops!!!
7
posted on
09/30/2006 4:51:03 PM PDT
by
fanfan
("We don't start fights my friends, but we finish them, and never leave until our work is done."PMSH)
To: 68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub
GOD BLESS AND PROTECT OUR TROOPS!
Amazing Grace
by John Newton
Amazing grace! How sweet the sound
That saved a wretch like me!
I once was lost, but now am found;
Was blind, but now I see.
.
Twas grace that taught my heart to fear, .
And grace my fears relieved;
How precious did that grace appear
The hour I first believed!
.
Through many dangers, toils and snares,
I have already come;
Tis grace hath brought me safe thus far,
And grace will lead me home.
.
The Lord has promised good to me,
His Word my hope secures;
He will my Shield and Portion be,
As long as life endures.
.
Yea, when this flesh and heart shall fail,
And mortal life shall cease,
I shall possess, within the veil,
A life of joy and peace.
.
The earth shall soon dissolve like snow,
The sun forbear to shine;
But God, Who called me here below,
Will be forever mine.
.
When weve been there ten thousand years,
Bright shining as the sun,
Weve no less days to sing Gods praise
Than when wed first begun.
8
posted on
09/30/2006 4:54:25 PM PDT
by
ConorMacNessa
(HM/2 USN, 3rd Bn. 5th Marines, RVN 1969. St. Michael the Archangel defend us in battle!)
To: ConorMacNessa
GOD BLESS AND PROTECT OUR TROOPS!
Dear God, who suffered
torment, agony and death upon the Cross
to free our souls from the chains of iniquity;
protect and defend our troops. Guide them in the
performance of their duties. Strengthen them to endure
hardship, danger and deprivation in Your service.
Let their efforts free the people of Iraq from the
chains of terror and slavery, foster a lasting peace in the region,
and bring all to a greater share in Your mercy. Amen.
9
posted on
09/30/2006 4:55:44 PM PDT
by
ConorMacNessa
(HM/2 USN, 3rd Bn. 5th Marines, RVN 1969. St. Michael the Archangel defend us in battle!)
To: 68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub
10
posted on
09/30/2006 5:01:14 PM PDT
by
AZamericonnie
("Patriotism, I now believe, isn't some sentimental, old conceit. It's self-preservation.")
To: 68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub
Hi Fellow Nam Vet:
When seeing the USO honoring some of our heroes yesterday, I thought that this organization is due some recognition.
Perhaps that has been in the recent past and I just missed it?
If not, hope someone will consider doing this.
Can remember as a young Airmen in Japan in 63 (WOW, 43 years ago?) when me and some friends used to frequent the USO on a weekly basis--in between our other less than "wholesome haunts"--and can remember to this day, how well they treated us, especially on Sunday, which we rarely missed.
Just a thought and suggestion.
To: seasoned traditionalist
To: All
To: 68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub
October 1, 2006
''Measure Me''
READ: Ephesians 4:11-16
Jesus increased in wisdom and stature. Luke 2:52
"Can you measure me today?" Caleb, our paperboy, asked.
It was not the first time he had made that request. A few years ago I had mentioned to him how tall he was getting. Since then, we've often measured his height on the siding of our house. After all this time, he still wants me to measure him.
Measurements can be indicators of growth. And it's a good idea to measure our spiritual growth. For instance: Do I spend time reading God's Word and talking with Him each day? Do I look forward to fellowshiping with the Lord? What "fruit of the Spirit" is apparent in my life? Do I talk about Jesus with people who don't know Him? How am I using my spiritual gift or gifts? Do I have a generous and giving spirit? How much better do I know God today than I did a year ago? These questions are good indicators of spiritual growth.
A child seems to grow up all of a sudden, but it's actually a continual process. Just as Jesus grew in both wisdom and stature, we as believers are to continue to "grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ" (2 Peter 3:18). We are no longer to be children, but to "grow up in all things into Him who is the headChrist" (Eph. 4:14-15). Have you measured yourself lately? Cindy Hess Kasper
The child of God who reads the Word
And heeds the messages he's heard
Will grow in grace from day to day
And share with others on life's way. Hess
Salvation is the miracle of a moment; growth is the labor of a lifetime.
Bible in One Year: Bible in One Year; Isaiah 11-13; Ephesians 4
14
posted on
09/30/2006 6:08:37 PM PDT
by
The Mayor
( http://albanysinsanity.com/)
To: 68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub; Kathy in Alaska; SandRat
15
posted on
09/30/2006 6:36:43 PM PDT
by
weldgophardline
(GOD BLESS OUR TROOPS and President BUSH)
To: weldgophardline
16
posted on
09/30/2006 6:39:12 PM PDT
by
weldgophardline
(GOD BLESS OUR TROOPS and President BUSH)
To: weldgophardline
Welcome home to the 1/7 Baker Co! I can only imagine your joy at having your son home weldgophardline. May God bless him & all who serve!
17
posted on
09/30/2006 6:44:54 PM PDT
by
AZamericonnie
("Patriotism, I now believe, isn't some sentimental, old conceit. It's self-preservation.")
To: weldgophardline; 68-69TonkinGulfYatchClub; MoJo2001; StarCMC; HiJinx; tomkow6; beachn4fun; Fawnn; ..
18
posted on
09/30/2006 6:45:39 PM PDT
by
Kathy in Alaska
(~ God Bless and Protect Our Brave Protectors of Freedom~)
To: weldgophardline
19
posted on
09/30/2006 7:02:46 PM PDT
by
SandRat
(Duty, Honor, Country. What else needs to be said?)
To: Kathy in Alaska
Thanks Kathy, The Patriot Guard led them into Victory Field and it was a very moving site to see. We also saw the 3rd LAR come in on Thursday and greeted them also.
I'am glad all the people there had a good time, we sure did.
We just wish the Veitnam Vets would have had this kind of welcome instead of what they got.
I guess that is why we freep so much just so that will never happen again.
20
posted on
09/30/2006 7:08:42 PM PDT
by
weldgophardline
(GOD BLESS OUR TROOPS and President BUSH)
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