Freeper Canteen ~ Sunday Chapel Thread ~ YOU ARE SPECIAL ~ December 19, 2009

The Canteen Crew ^ | December 20, 2009 | Serving the Best Troops in the Universe!

[Brad’s Gramma]

 

 

 

 

YOU ARE SPECIAL!

"I don't know why I was even born," the young sailor confided! "I'm ugly. I'm not talented. I've never been what you would call smart. I don't really have any friends. And I can't seem to do anything right. I feel like I've spent my whole life letting people down. Sometimes I wonder if even God could love me!"

That conversation took place more than a decade ago, but I still remember it as if it were yesterday. That one and a lot of others over the years with the same message: "I'm no good; I'm just another loser."

Unfortunately, our society places a great premium on looking good, being popular, and being the best -- or at least being "special." Those who don't quite measure up often feel like that young sailor. Sometimes a person can spend his or her whole life trying to earn acceptance, and still end up an outsider. ... Sometimes even when others really DO care for them and want them to be part of the group! Maybe you have felt that way at times. If not, it's probable that someone you know has... or does.."

Nearly two thousand years ago, the Apostle Paul described how God has made each of us special, given each person a unique combination of "gifts". It was an important message. It must have been. His letters preserve three different variations on that theme, written to three different communities. (You can read his comments in Romans 12, I Corinthians 12 and Ephesians 4.) A more recent author phrased it this way: ."

"You Have A Special Message To Deliver"

There is an old Jewish-Christian tradition which says:
God sends each person into this world
With a special message to deliver,
With a special song to sing for others,
With an act of love to bestow.

No one else can speak my message,
Or sing my song, or offer my act of love,
These are entrusted only to me.
According to this tradition,
The message may be spoken,
The song sung, the act of love delivered
Only to a few, or to all the folk in a small town,
Or to all the people in a large city,
Or even to all those in the whole world.

It all depends on God's unique plan for each person.
To which we might add:
The greatest gift of God, one would think,
Is the gift of life.
The greatest sin of humans, it would seem,
Would be to return that gift,
Ungrateful and unopened. Anonymous

If you're feeling down and discouraged today, there's good news. No matter what your appearance, background or position, you're one of God's unique gifts to the rest of us. God loves you, has a special purpose for you, and believes in who you can become. Lift up your heart. Despite all you may have been told, despite all you may have felt, you ARE special after all!

CAPT J. David Atwater, CHC, USN

 

[Brad’s Gramma]

Dear God:
I ask that no Airman, Coast Guardsman,
Marine, Sailor, Soldier or National Guardsman
Feel alone or forgotten.
In Your Holy Name, Amen!

O Lord, each of us has fears that betray; worries that capture and shake
out our joy. We find ourselves in limbo because we are neither here nor
there. We are in a time of transition, of getting ready. Change and
chance surround us. Help us, O Lord, to return to your presence. Cause
us to find the point and purpose of each day. All we ask is that you keep
us on our feet so that we might walk with you. Bless us this night and
grant us rest. Amen.

Have a Very Merry CHRISTmas from the Grammie house to anyone reading this....AND, a VERY Blessed Hanukkah to my wonderful Jewish friends!!

Dear God:
I ask that no Airman, Coast Guardsman,
Marine, Sailor, Soldier or National Guardsman
Feel alone or forgotten.
In Your Holy Name, Amen!

O Lord, each of us has fears that betray; worries that capture and shake
out our joy. We find ourselves in limbo because we are neither here nor
there. We are in a time of transition, of getting ready. Change and
chance surround us. Help us, O Lord, to return to your presence. Cause
us to find the point and purpose of each day. All we ask is that you keep
us on our feet so that we might walk with you. Bless us this night and
grant us rest. Amen.

Have a Very Merry CHRISTmas from the Grammie house to anyone reading this....AND, a VERY Blessed Hanukkah to my wonderful Jewish friends!!

[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.

* * * * * * * * * * * *

God Bless Our Republic

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

[Brad’s Gramma]

Oh Hai! Oh Hai! Oh HAI!

[Brad’s Gramma]

My goodness, Girl...YOU were waiting! :)

Have a blessed Lord’s Day...!!!

[SandRat]

and a glorious day to you.

[Brad’s Gramma]

To you too, SandRat...and your family!

[Jet Jaguar]

[Brad’s Gramma]

LOL!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Happy Lord’s Day, JJ....

[The Mayor]

Freep mail me to be on or off the Daily Bread ping list

December 20, 2009

Make A Joyful Shout

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READ: Psalm 100

Make a joyful shout to the Lord, all you lands! —Psalm 100:1

Duke University’s basketball fans are known as “Cameron Crazies.” When Duke plays archrival North Carolina, the Crazies are given these instructions: “This is the game you’ve been waiting for. No excuses. Give everything you’ve got. Cameron [Stadium] should never be less than painfully loud tonight.” Clearly, Duke fans take allegiance seriously.

The songwriter of Psalm 100 took his allegiance to the Lord seriously and wanted others to do the same. “Make a joyful shout to the Lord!” he exclaimed (v.1). His people were to freely express their praise to Him because He was the covenant God of Israel, the God over all other so-called gods. They were called to focus all their energies on Him and His goodness.

God’s goodness and grace should motivate us to freely express our love and allegiance to Him with shouts of joy. This may mean that those who are more reserved must push back the boundaries of restraint and learn what it means to be expressive in their praise to God. Those who are so expressive that they miss the beauty of silence may need to learn from those whose style is more reflective.

Worship is a time to focus on our Creator, Redeemer, and Shepherd, and celebrate what He has done.

Shout to the Lord, all the earth, let us sing
Power and majesty, praise to the King;
Mountains bow down and the seas will roar
At the sound of Your name. —Zschech

Our thoughts about God should lead us to joyful praise.

Bible in One Year: Micah 1-3; Revelation 11

[Kathy in Alaska]

Please join us for Sunday Chapel and Liberty

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!

[Brad’s Gramma]

Ping to a REALLY cool thread! I know you’re new and all...and may need an arrow pointing in the right direction.

I, on the other hand, must leave now. Please everyone, be nice to the N00b.

:)

[HopeandGlory]

Dittos Gramma . . . smile.

[Kathy in Alaska]

Third time is a charm....kept timing out. Finally!

[AZamericonnie]

LeAnn Rimes~Amazing Grace

[AZamericonnie]

Thank you Grammie for Chapel & a blessed Lords day to you & yours! *hugs*

[Kathy in Alaska]

Thanks, Grammie, for today's Sunday Chapel

[Jet Jaguar]

Thank you for the good words.

A blessed day to you.

[amom]

Prayers up.

And hugs to all you hearty folks who keep the lamp light burning here at the Canteen.

[FreeperFlirt]

God bless you and Merry Christmas