[The Mayor]

April 25, 2008

It's Not A Game

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READ: Mark 8:31-38

Whoever desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. —Mark 8:34

My former neighbor often talked about "the game of life," and I can understand why he did. It's part of human nature to approach life as one big game made up of a lot of little games. Competing can be fun, exciting, and stimulating.

But life is a whole lot more than a game—especially for a follower of Jesus Christ. When a believer needs to own the biggest house, drive the largest SUV, get the promotion first, and win every argument, something's terribly wrong from God's point of view. It's not right to run over people's feelings, bend or break the rules, and gloat over victories.

To approach life as one big game that you always have to win is to live in hopeless delusion and fantasy. While material possessions, professional success, and personal victories are enjoyable, they last only for this life. Then they're all left behind.

Jesus instructed His disciples to deny themselves, identify with His cross, and follow Him in self-denial, and for some that even meant death (Mark 8:34-35). He made it clear to His disciples that artificial victories in "the game of life" don't count for much. What really counts is what's done for the Lord.

If I have but Jesus, only Jesus—
Nothing else in all the world beside—
O then everything is mine in Jesus;
For my needs and more He will provide. —Olander
© 1950 Baptist Conference Press

Those who live for God are the real winners in life.

Bible in One Year: 1 Samuel 10–12; Proverbs 9:10-18

[Tanniker Smith]

IN

[BIGLOOK]

[PROCON]

Evening Connie, thanks for tonight’s thread!!

[Kathy in Alaska]

Come join in the celebration of ANZAC Day

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

CLICK FOR Current local times around the world

CLICK FOR local times in Seoul, Baghdad, Kabul,
New York, Chicago, Denver, Los Angeles, Anchorage

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 Republic's longest running daily thread
specifically designed to provide entertainment and moral 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.

NOTE: CANTEEN MUSIC
Posted daily and on the Music Thread
for the enjoyment of our troops and visitors.

[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.

[laurenmarlowe]

United States Marine Corps Band~National Anthem

[laurenmarlowe]

Awesome thread MA, thank you! *HUGS*

[Randy Larsen]

I’m Here Too!

[PROCON]

LOL!!

Sorry Ma, thank YOU For tonight's thread!!

[Tanniker Smith]

Good evening, everybody?

Question: How many people signed the Declaration of Independence?
Are YOU Smarter Than a Fifth Grader?

I don't know about you, but I didn't learn that ... even as a numbers guy, I never counted, either.

[Kathy in Alaska]

Advance Australia Fair

Australians all let us rejoice,
For we are young and free;
We’ve golden soil and wealth for toil;
Our home is girt by sea;
Our land abounds in nature’s gifts
Of beauty rich and rare;
In history’s page, let every stage
Advance Australia Fair.

In joyful strains then let us sing,
Advance Australia Fair.

Beneath our radiant Southern Cross
We’ll toil with hearts and hands;
To make this Commonwealth of ours
Renowned of all the lands;
For those who’ve come across the seas
We’ve boundless plains to share;
With courage let us all combine
To Advance Australia Fair.

In joyful strains then let us sing,
Advance Australia Fair.

God Defend New Zealand

MAORI LYRICS

E Ihowä Atua,
O ngä iwi mätou rä
Äta whakarongona;
Me aroha noa
Kia hua ko te pai;
Kia tau tö atawhai;
Manaakitia mai
Aotearoa

ENGLISH LYRICS

God of Nations at Thy feet,
In the bonds of love we meet,
Hear our voices, we entreat,
God defend our free land.
Guard Pacific's triple star
From the shafts of strife and war,
Make her praises heard afar,
God defend New Zealand.

[laurenmarlowe]

Airmen from the 586th Expeditionary Logistics Readiness Squadron, 70th Medium Truck Detachment, perform preventive maintenance checks and services on M915A3 tractor-trailer trucks prior to departing on a recent convoy from an Army camp in the Southwest Asia. The Airmen of the 70th and 424th MTDs assigned to the 586th ELRS are in-lieu-of forces supporting the Army support line-haul convoy movements in and out of Iraq. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Patrick Dixon)

Airman 1st Class Joseph Miller wipes down the inside of an F-16 Fighting Falcon at Balad Air Base, Iraq, April 19. Aircraft maintainers work around the clock performing scheduled maintenance and inspections on aircraft and making necessary repairs to keep the jets in top flying condition. Airman Miller is a 332nd Aircraft Maintenance Squadron F-16 Fighting Falcon crew chief. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Mareshah Haynes)

Senior Airman Anson Pryde, 506th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron at Kirkuk Regional Air Base, Iraq, pays close attention to his surroundings from one of the base's many guard towers. While typical perceptions associated with the Air Force in combat might involve aircraft dropping bombs on targets, the several hundred security forces Airmen deployed here are proving these stereotypes outdated. (U.S. Air Force photo/Master Sgt. Dale Canofari)

[Kathy in Alaska]

Honoring Our Heroes

AbnSarge USA
Allegra
3 sons (armymarinemom and amdad)
Brett USN (CindyDawg)
Brother and Son-in-Law (kalee)
Cannoneer No. 4
Capt Jason Clendenin (friend of Frou)
Chris USA (amom)
Clarinet_King USAF (NerdDad/CDBear)
Col Mike (gpapa)
CMS USA
David USAF (LUV W)
Defender2
Deven USA (Shimmer)
Ethan USMC (georgiabelle)
Ev USA (Mozie)
Fred (DocRock)
Future Snake Eater USA (RightOnline)
GulfWar1Vet USA
Jade Falcon USN
JemiansTerror USA (Jemian)
Jet Jaguar USAF
Joel (NEMDF)
Jonathan USMC (AZbushgal)
Josh USN (doug from upland)
Karen USA (fatima's granddaughter)
KB4W USAF (arbee4bush)
Kenneth (Sweetbaby/LadyPilgrim)
Kevin USMC (skimask)
Kevin and David USA (vigilante2)
Laurita USA
LCpl Carter USMC
Lindsay (Sweetbaby/LadyPilgrim)
Lt David (Coldwater Creek)
M1911A1 USMC (M0sby)
M1Tanker
MEG33's Navy Grandson
Mike1Sg USA (mystery-ak)
Milo828 USA (mystery-ak)
Nate USN (sneakers)
Old Sarge USA
OneLoyalAmerican USCG
PFC Dan USA (son of swmobuffalo)
Robert, Jeremy, Daynnis USA (SoldierDad)
Sat-Com Chris USA (son of KC Burke)
Sgt Dusty USA (MountainDad)
Sgt Sean Reed (preed)
Sgt Spencer USA (grame)
Son USCG (GodBlessUSA)
SPC Mike USA (AbnSarge)
SSGT John Linde USA (JFoxbear)
Terrence USN (Sweetbaby/LadyPilgrim)
The Sailor
tongue-tied USN/USA
Tonkin USN/USCG
txradioguy USA
Valerie USAF (Shimmer)
Victor and Tony D USMC (weldgophardline)
William USA (jackv)

 

[mylife]

ANZAC?!!

[trussell]

 

EGPWS
Would you care to share a dance?

Music ping!
If you would like to be added to / removed from the Canteen Music Ping List,
please FReepmail Kathy In Alaska.

WARNING: This is an EXTREMELY HIGH-VOLUME PING LIST!!
You could get 100 or more pings on Friday and Saturday.

 

Engelbert Humperdink ~ The Last Waltz

 

Music provided for the entertainment of the troops, past and present, and their families.

 

Music may not be appropriate for all listeners.
If you think you may be offended, please don't click.
 

[EGPWS]

Thank You Kathy for your devotion to those who serve via the Canteen.

Your dedication is greatly appreciated by more than just our gallant soldiers doing their duty to maintain our freedoms.

The Canteen deserves a round of patriotic applause!

[AZamericonnie]

Supporting our Soldiers, Sailors, Marines, Airmen, and Coast Guardsmen
at more than 1,000 places across the U. S. and around the world.

~Tribute to Our Troops~

[alarm rider]

Last Post. Haunting, and beautiful.

My best salute to the men and women who fought and still fight for freedom past and present.

To our brothers and sisters in New Zealand and Australia, thank you for your service, and to all canteeners, veterans and presently serving troops, thank you for yours.

[mylife]

ANZAC Day