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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!
Posted on 07/19/2008 5:10:53 PM PDT by Brad’s Gramma
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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
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TOPICS: Culture/Society; Extended News; Free Republic
KEYWORDS: canteen; chaplain; freepercanteen; military
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To: Tanniker Smith; ConorMacNessa
Happy Lord’s Day to two wonderful people!!!
41
posted on
07/19/2008 7:47:23 PM PDT
by
Brad’s Gramma
(Typical Whitey Gramma just like Obamies!)
To: Brad's Gramma; laurenmarlowe; The Mayor; Kathy in Alaska; Colonel_Flagg; GodBlessUSA; ...
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 ?"
42
posted on
07/19/2008 7:55:38 PM PDT
by
luvie
(Rest in Peace, Tony Snow...fellow FReeper and FRiend....woof......)
To: txradioguy; sxytxredhead73
43
posted on
07/19/2008 7:57:43 PM PDT
by
Kathy in Alaska
(~ RIP Brian...heaven's gain...the Coast Guard lost a good one.~)
To: StarCMC; SoldierDad; spotbust1; jaycee; Poetgal26; All
44
posted on
07/19/2008 8:01:28 PM PDT
by
Kathy in Alaska
(~ RIP Brian...heaven's gain...the Coast Guard lost a good one.~)
To: LUV W
Awwwwwwwwwww........now THAT is precious!!!!
45
posted on
07/19/2008 8:10:26 PM PDT
by
Brad’s Gramma
(Typical Whitey Gramma just like Obamies!)
To: Brad's Gramma
Thanks! Thought ya might like it! (((hugs)))
46
posted on
07/19/2008 8:21:50 PM PDT
by
luvie
(Rest in Peace, Tony Snow...fellow FReeper and FRiend....woof......)
To: LUV W
Hahahaha! Poor Lil Alex!
Too cute Luvie...*Hugs*
To: AZamericonnie
48
posted on
07/19/2008 8:27:16 PM PDT
by
luvie
(Rest in Peace, Tony Snow...fellow FReeper and FRiend....woof......)
To: LUV W
49
posted on
07/19/2008 8:29:13 PM PDT
by
luvie
(Rest in Peace, Tony Snow...fellow FReeper and FRiend....woof......)
To: LUV W
50
posted on
07/19/2008 8:29:13 PM PDT
by
luvie
(Rest in Peace, Tony Snow...fellow FReeper and FRiend....woof......)
To: LUV W
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.
51
posted on
07/19/2008 8:31:09 PM PDT
by
Tanniker Smith
(Teachers open the door. It's up to you to enter.)
To: Tanniker Smith
Oh, my! There must have been a lot of deaths due to the
VietNam war where you lived. How very sad.......
52
posted on
07/19/2008 8:37:04 PM PDT
by
luvie
(Rest in Peace, Tony Snow...fellow FReeper and FRiend....woof......)
To: Kathy in Alaska
A blessed Lords Day to you Ma *Hugs*
To: All
54
posted on
07/19/2008 9:15:17 PM PDT
by
Kathy in Alaska
(~ RIP Brian...heaven's gain...the Coast Guard lost a good one.~)
To: Kathy in Alaska
Being attacked by the Lazy-Boy
55
posted on
07/19/2008 9:18:47 PM PDT
by
SandRat
(Duty, Honor, Country! What else needs to said?)
To: LUV W
56
posted on
07/19/2008 9:30:05 PM PDT
by
Brad’s Gramma
(Typical Whitey Gramma just like Obamies!)
To: SandRat
I hear you.....my chair has tried several times to snag my attention.
57
posted on
07/19/2008 9:31:31 PM PDT
by
Kathy in Alaska
(~ RIP Brian...heaven's gain...the Coast Guard lost a good one.~)
To: LUV W
Out of the mouths of babes.....cute, Luv.
58
posted on
07/19/2008 10:06:25 PM PDT
by
Kathy in Alaska
(~ RIP Brian...heaven's gain...the Coast Guard lost a good one.~)
To: Kathy in Alaska; HiJinx
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??
59
posted on
07/19/2008 10:17:16 PM PDT
by
SandRat
(Duty, Honor, Country! What else needs to said?)
To: Kathy in Alaska; HiJinx
Still coming down pretty good even now but letting up some.
60
posted on
07/19/2008 10:22:54 PM PDT
by
SandRat
(Duty, Honor, Country! What else needs to said?)
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