FReeper Canteen ~ Guest Military Chaplain ~ Conflicting Loyalties ~ 22Oct06

http://www.chaplaincare.navy.mil/ ^ | CAPT J. David Atwater, CHC, USN

[MoJo2001]

 

 

 

 
CONFLICTING LOYALTIES

An interviewer once asked the late Senator Sam Ervin, Jr. how he had developed such insight into human behavior. "I had a good teacher, Henry Horace Williams," replied Ervin. "He said the things that try people's souls do not consist of choosing between good and evil. The thing that tries a person's soul is having to choose between conflicting loyalties."

Ervin went on to say that understanding that concept had not only helped him to make better decisions, but to judge other people more fairly as well. Sometimes unwise choices were simply the result of misplaced loyalty. "A lot of times I just couldn't support measures advocated by Democratic presidents," he said. "I felt that my controlling interest was for my country, and I voted for what I thought was best for my country."

That sentiment is reflected in a poem written by Josiah Gilbert Holland back in the 1800's. Entitled "God, Give Us Men," it was dusted off and "updated" 1993 by Fr. Brian Cavanaugh of St. Francis College in Loretto, PA (by changing "men" to "leaders"). Then, as the new administration took office, Fr. Cavanaugh sent them copies:

"God give us leaders! A time like this demands
Strong minds, great hearts, true faith, and ready hands;
Leaders whom the lust of office does not kill;
Leaders whom the spoils of office cannot buy;
Leaders who possess opinions and a will;
Leaders who have honor; Leaders who will not lie;
Leaders who can stand before a demagogue
And damn the treacherous flatteries without winking!
Tall leaders, sun crowned, who live above the fog
In public duty and private thinking.
For while the rabble, with their thumb-worn creeds,
Their large professions and their little deeds,
Mingle in selfish strife, lo! Freedom weeps,
Wrong rules the land, and waiting justice sleeps."

Strong words. Idealistic. And powerful if heeded. But not just for our elected officials. For ALL of us! Because our leaders tend to reflect, and pursue, the kind of loyalties that voters and opinion polls tell them we think are important. What we value, and exemplify, and tolerate, does much to set the course for our communities. It's one thing to say we want strong families, better schools, safer neighborhoods, and more caring communities. But those things don't just happen because of legislation or new programs. They happen because someone cares enough to become the kind of leader Holland so clearly described.

Each of us will have some opportunity, some small part, today in setting the tone and the agenda which will invariably affect the quality of our life -- both shared and individual. What values will guide us? Where will we place our highest loyalty? The prophet Jeremiah assured his people, "For I know the thoughts I think toward you says the Lord, thoughts of peace... to give you a future and a hope. And you will seek me, and find me, when you search for me with all your heart." (Jeremiah 29: 11-13) Jesus advised a similar focus: "Seek first the Kingdom of God, and His righteousness," he said, "and all these things shall be added to you." (Matthew 6:33) May God guide our priorities, helping each of us to demonstrate the right kind of leadership.

CAPT J. David Atwater, CHC, USN


 

 

  

[MoJo2001]

Good evening!

The Guest Military Chaplain thread is up and running!!

Have a wonderful Sunday everyone!!

 

[SevenofNine]

MINEEEE

[Soaring Feather]

[Soaring Feather]

WOO HOO! Seven of Nine is #1.

[Soaring Feather]

Hi Little Diva, thanks for Sunday Chapel.

*HUGS*

[Kathy in Alaska]

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.

                                          


Sunday Liberty starts after the Guest Military Chaplain's Service!

[The Mayor]

October 22, 2006

Done!

READ: John 19:25-30

When Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, "It is finished!" —John 19:30 So many of our hopes and dreams remain unfulfilled. Composer Franz Schubert departed this world leaving behind his "Unfinished Symphony." Similarly, prolific author Charles Dickens was unable to fully develop the plot of his novel The Mystery of Edwin Drood.

We too undoubtedly have aspirations that we will be unable to fulfill. But what a blessing to know that the work of our redemption was totally and perfectly accomplished by Jesus on the cross.

The last words of Jesus, "It is finished," are actually a single word in the original language (John 19:30). But that word holds oceans of meaning. What Jesus gasped was "Completed!" or "Ended!" That cry from the cross announced that not only had His suffering come to an end but also His redemptive work was eternally accomplished. All that He had come to achieve in His human life was finished. Done!

We can do nothing to add to His sacrifice. Christ's self-giving death was all-sufficient. We stretch out the empty hand of faith, and God in grace puts into it the gift of eternal life.

Have you stretched out your hand of faith to receive this gift? —Vernon C Grounds

"It is finished," Jesus cried,
Then on Calvary's cross He died;
Christ the Lord atonement made,
And sin's debt was fully paid.  —Hess

Christ's sacrifice was what God desired and what our sin required.

Bible in One Year: Bible in One Year:   Isaiah 65-66; 1 Timothy 2

[stephenjohnbanker]

BUMP!

[SevenofNine]

Yeah where our fav Burka man right now probably watching Tigers getting kill against Red Birds

[Kathy in Alaska]

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

[Kathy in Alaska]

He Who blessed our forefathers Abraham, Isaac and Jacob - may He bless the fighters of the Israel Defense Force, who stand guard over our land and the cities of our G-d from the border of the Lebanon to the desert of Egypt, and from the Great Sea unto the approach of the Aravah, on the land, in the air, and on the sea.

May HASHEM cause the enemies who rise up against us to be struck down before them. May the Holy One, Blessed is He, preserve and rescue our fighting men from every trouble and distress and from every plague and illness, and may He send blessing and success in their every endeavor.

May He lead our enemies under their sway and may He grant them salvation and crown them with victory. And may there be fulfilled for them the verse: For it is Hashem, your G-d, Who goes with you to battle your enemies for you to save you.

G-d bless and keep safe your children, Alouette.

[Kathy in Alaska]

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

[Kathy in Alaska]

Good evening, sjb. Are you bumping from London?

[SandRat]

Mat 6:24 No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.

Jhn 12:27 Now is my soul troubled; and what shall I say? Father, save me from this hour: but for this cause came I unto this hour.

[Soaring Feather]

We know burka market is slow this time of year, and you're probably right - he is watching baseball.

[jackv]

God Bless our wonderful troops. I am so proud to be an American. They make me proud!!

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE AND GOD BLESS YOU ALWAYS!!

jackv

[smoothsailing]

OK, I'm in early, before the bandwidth blows up my webtv.

God Bless.

[Soaring Feather]

Psalm 121

I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help.
My help cometh from the LORD, which made heaven and earth.
He will not suffer thy foot to be moved: he that keepeth thee will not slumber.
Behold, he that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep.
The LORD is thy keeper: the LORD is thy shade upon thy right hand.
The sun shall not smite thee by day, nor the moon by night.
The LORD shall preserve thee from all evil: he shall preserve thy soul.
The LORD shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in from this time forth, and even for evermore.

King James Version

[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.

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.