Freeper Canteen ~ Sunday Chapel Thread ~ NEVER ENOUGH TIME ~ July 20, 2008

The Canteen Crew ^ | July 19, 2008 | Serving the Best Troops and Vets in the WORLD!

[Brad’s Gramma]

 

 

 

 

 

NEVER ENOUGH TIME

While I have only been an occasional visitor to Washington, I was struck by one scene so strongly that it remains as somewhat of a reference. My first view "up close and personal" of the Pentagon was neither awe-inspiring nor intimidating. To be sure, I was impressed with the size of the building, but that was about it. What came upon me, and has stayed with me, is the image of an ant farm. An enormous one, surely, but an ant farm nonetheless.

So may passageways with so many ants constantly traveling them. Seeming endless streams of countless ants going and coming through the entrances. Since this view came on a grey, cold March morning, with barren trees and lingering winter, it seemed all the more depressing. I vowed then never to become one of those ants. I would not let myself be lost as one of the faceless, powerless, unknown minions of the "head ant" in the great farm. Not to mention the echo in my mind, that which is often considered a sarcastic oxymoron: "I'm from Washington, and I'm here to help."

Yet something else echoes in my mind. From the Christian Scriptures, the words of the Apostle Paul to the people of Colossae, chapter 4, verse 23: "Whatever you do, do from the heart, as for the Lord . . ." For it is then I remember that no matter how small or insignificant my work may seem to me or even to others, I am powerful and effective. My faith reminds me that I am known and loved by my God. More than that, as I do the work, I allow His love to flow through me. And then the work, the worker, and the workplace are transformed into something sacred and beautiful because God is there. No longer dark, dreary, and cold, but bright, cheerful, and warm is the workplace because God's work is being done. No longer nameless, faceless, and powerless, but known, loved, and empowered is the worker doing God's work. The work itself then, too, is transformed into an opportunity to share God's love and joy with others as we struggle to bring peace to His world.

CDR Brian Simpson, CHC, USN

 

[Brad’s Gramma]

Happy Lord’s Day to two wonderful people!!!

[luvie]

INNOCENCE IS PRICELESS

One Sunday morning, the preacher noticed little Alex
standing in the foyer of the church, staring up at a large
plaque. It was covered with names with small American
flags mounted on either side of it.

The seven year old had been staring at the plaque for some
time, so the preacher walked up, stood beside the little
boy, and said quietly, "Good morning Alex."
"Good morning Preacher," he replied, still focused on the plaque.

"Preacher, what is this?" he asked.

The preacher said, "Well, son, it's a memorial to all the
young men and women who died in the service."

Soberly, they just stood together, staring at the large plaque.

Finally, little Alex's voice, barely audible and trembling
with fear, asked,

"Which service, the 9:45 or the 11:15 ?"

[Kathy in Alaska]

Mahalia Jackson ~ The 23rd Psalm

[Kathy in Alaska]

Shorty GiggleLips & the Canteen Kids

[Brad’s Gramma]

Awwwwwwwwwww........now THAT is precious!!!!

[luvie]

Thanks! Thought ya might like it! (((hugs)))

[AZamericonnie]

Hahahaha! Poor Lil Alex!

Too cute Luvie...*Hugs*

[luvie]

Thanks, (((Connie)))

[luvie]

Now?

[luvie]

Now?

[Tanniker Smith]

When I read things like this, I think back to when I was an altar boy in the mid-70s. I don't know how many funerals I served at before I discovered that they didn't always put an American flag on the casket.

I think that the first time I didn't see one was when I finally asked someone about it afterward.

[luvie]

Oh, my! There must have been a lot of deaths due to the
VietNam war where you lived. How very sad.......

[AZamericonnie]

A blessed Lords Day to you Ma *Hugs*

[Kathy in Alaska]

Amazing Grace ~ Cherokee

Elvis ~ In The Garden

Jim Ed Brown ~ Chapel Bells Are Ringing

John Berry ~ Old Rugged Cross

Kitty Wells ~ Dust On the Bible

Red Sovine ~ Deck of Cards

The Statler Brothers ~ Church in the Wildwood

Tennessee Ernie Ford ~ Faith of Our Fathers

The Gaithers ~ What A Friend We Have in Jesus

Elvis ~ Precious Lord

Ray Cornelius ~ One Set of Footprints

How Great Thou Art ~ Choctaw

Amazing Grace ~ Cherokee

Elvis ~ In The Garden

Jim Ed Brown ~ Chapel Bells Are Ringing

John Berry ~ Old Rugged Cross

Kitty Wells ~ Dust On the Bible

Red Sovine ~ Deck of Cards

The Statler Brothers ~ Church in the Wildwood

Tennessee Ernie Ford ~ Faith of Our Fathers

The Gaithers ~ What A Friend We Have in Jesus

Elvis ~ Precious Lord

Ray Cornelius ~ One Set of Footprints

How Great Thou Art ~ Choctaw

[SandRat]

Being attacked by the Lazy-Boy

[Brad’s Gramma]

Who’s the little girl??

[Kathy in Alaska]

I hear you.....my chair has tried several times to snag my attention.

[Kathy in Alaska]

Out of the mouths of babes.....cute, Luv.

[SandRat]

HARD HARD Rain.

Just had a power blip. Long enough to need to reset all the clocks and to totally restart the computer.

Jinx you get the same??

[SandRat]

Still coming down pretty good even now but letting up some.