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FReeper Canteen ~ Sunday Chapel ~ THE MAN IN THE GLASS ~ 06 November 2011
Serving The Best Troops and Veterans In The World !!
| The Canteen Crew
Posted on 11/05/2011 5:07:53 PM PDT by Kathy in Alaska
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THE MAN IN THE GLASS
I first heard the poem some years ago as a song performed by a former pop musician turned Christian entertainer. Its words had a powerful impact. They were a challenge to self-examination, and a warning about the consequences of life lived without integrity. They were a reminder that each of us must live with his or her self. And that we KNOW what's behind our image, no matter how carefully crafted, or how convincing it may be to others. I wonder if it might also speak to you. It's entitled "The Man in the Glass."
"When you get what you want in your struggle for self, and the world makes you king for a day, Just go to the mirror and look at yourself, And see what THAT man has to say. For it isn't your father or mother or wife whose judgment upon you must pass. The fellow whose verdict counts most in your life is the one staring back from the glass. Some people might think you're a straight-shootin' chum and call you a wonderful guy, but the man in the glass says you're only a bum if you can't look him straight in the eye. He's the fellow to please, never mind all the rest, for he's with you clear up to the end. And you've passed your most dangerous, difficult test if the guy in the glass is your friend. You may fool the whole world down the pathway of years, and get pats on the back as you pass, But your final reward will be heartaches and tears If you've cheated on the man in the glass."
Was this poem written by a pastor to caution his congregation, or by an educator seeking to energize our conscience and encourage some set of core values? No. But I didn't know that, didn't know the REST of the story until this week. It seems that newspaper columnist Ann Landers received it some years ago from a young woman in Louisiana. In her letter, the young woman requested that the author's name be kept anonymous. He had died a few weeks earlier, you see, after years of struggling with a drug habit. He was only twenty-four years old. Hopefully, we can learn the lessons he discovered without repeating his mistakes. As a quote from a Farmer's Almanac of the late 1700s phrased it, "Eny dern fool kin learn from experience...; it takes a smart feller to learn from someone else's experience!"
In the end, our ability to learn from that man or woman in the glass depends on the power of our conscience. But sometimes a conscience can be an untrustworthy guide. We may feel guilty about the wrong kinds of things. Or we may not feel guilty about ANYTHING. The Bible speaks of people whose consciences have been "seared" as with a hot iron. (I Timothy 4:2) The modern term for such a person is "sociopathic." Such a person, it is said, may even be able to pass a lie detector test while lying because they feel no guilt, shame or remorse. Their conscience is clear only because it is nonexistent. Better we should DEVELOP our conscience, and inform it through a study of the timeless truth in God's word. James warned, "If anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man observing his natural face in a mirror; for he observes himself, goes away and immediately forgets what kind of man he was." (1:23-24)
Here's to hoping that all of us will take a good look, and learn from that man or woman in the glass.
CAPT J. David Atwater, CHC, USN
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TOPICS: Culture/Society; Extended News; Free Republic
KEYWORDS: canteen; chaplain; military; troopsupport
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To: Kathy in Alaska
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
2
posted on
11/05/2011 5:08:41 PM PDT
by
HopeandGlory
(Hey, Liberals . . . PC died on 9/11 . . . GET USED TO IT!!!)
To: Kathy in Alaska
Good evening, Kathy!
*HUGS*
A Blessed Lord's Day to you!
Lamh Foistenach Abu!
3
posted on
11/05/2011 5:09:08 PM PDT
by
ConorMacNessa
(HM/2 USN, 3/5 Marines RVN 1969 - St. Michael the Archangel defend us in Battle!)
To: Kathy in Alaska
Blessed Lords Day.....((hugs))
4
posted on
11/05/2011 5:09:23 PM PDT
by
ColdOne
(I miss my poochie... Tasha 2000~3/14/11)
To: xzins; bethelgrad; lightman; LiteKeeper; MoJo2001; 007; 1 FELLOW FREEPER; 11B3; 1FreeAmerican; ...
5
posted on
11/05/2011 5:13:07 PM PDT
by
Kathy in Alaska
((~ RIP Brian...heaven's gain...the Coast Guard lost a good one.~))
To: All
6
posted on
11/05/2011 5:16:01 PM PDT
by
Kathy in Alaska
((~ RIP Brian...heaven's gain...the Coast Guard lost a good one.~))
To: txradioguy; tongue-tied; SoldierDad; mike1sg; Milo828; mystery-ak; CMS; The Sailor; Jet Jaguar; ...
Honoring Our Heroes 1LT Carol USA, Nurse Corp (Vineyard) 2LT Rebecca USA (Daughter of U S Army EOD) 3 sons (armymarinemom and amdad) 86th Fighter Weapons Squadron "Combat Hammer" (saminfl) AbnSarge USA Adam USAF (Grumpybutt) Allegra Anoreth USCG (daughter of Tax-chick) aviator USAF BIGLOOK USN Brett USN (CindyDawg) Brother and Son-in-Law (kalee) Cannoneer No. 4 CAPT Bryan USA (Diver Dave) CAPT Future Snake Eater USA (RightOnline) CAPT Jason Clendenin (friend of Frou) Chris USA (amom) Chuck USA (RightOnline) COL Mike (gpapa) CMS USA ConorMacNessa USN USMC David USAF (LUV W) Defender2 Deven USA (Shimmer) Diver Dave USN Drumbo USN Ethan USMC (georgiabelle) forgotenknight13 USA (grandson of Monkey Face) Fred (DocRock) GulfWar1Vet USA HiJinx USA IS2 Brianne USN (My Hearts in London - Everett) IS2 Heather USN (My Hearts in London - Everett) Jade Falcon USN James USA (Grumpybutt) JemiansTerror USA (Jemian) Jet Jaguar USAF Joel (NEMDF) Jonathan USMC (AZbushgal) Josh USN (doug from upland) Karen USA (fatima's granddaughter) Kenneth (Sweetbaby/LadyPilgrim) Kevin USMC (skimask) Kevin and David USA (vigilante2) KJD USAF (SuzyQue) Laurita USA LCpl Carter USMC LCpl Joe USMC (DontMessWithTexas) Lindsay (Sweetbaby/LadyPilgrim) LT David (Coldwater Creek) LTjg Gerald USN (Vineyard) M1911A1 USMC (M0sby) M1Tanker Major Jennifer USA (Diver Dave) Major joma89 USAF MEG33's Navy Grandson Michael USAR (RightOnline) Mike1Sg USA (mystery-ak) Milo828 USA (mystery-ak) MSgt Eddie USAF ( Son of ThomasPaine2000, CMSgt USAF, Ret) MSGT Glen Ignasiak USAF (nephew of AirForceMom) Nate USN (sneakers) Old Sarge USA OneLoyalAmerican USCG PFC Jake USMC (son of Enough_Deceit) Philetus USA PROCON USA Pvt Alex USA (son of Enough_Deceit) Rick USAF (Doogle) Robert, Jeremy, Daynnis USA (SoldierDad) SandRat USA Sat-Com Chris USA (son of KC Burke) SGT Chris USA (son of Vineyard) SGT Ev USA (Mozie) SGT Gray USA (colorcountrys son) SGT Matt USMC (SuzyQue) SGT Robert USMC (MarineMom613) SGT Sean Reed (preed) Son USCG (GodBlessUSA) SPC Drew USA (brother-in-law Stonewall Jackson) SPC Mike USA (AbnSarge) SPC Ted USA (nephew of hoagy62) SPC William Akin USA (Step-son of BlueLancer) SPC4 Adam USA (nephew of Repeal The 17th) SPC4 Dan USA (son of swmobuffalo) SSG Brian USA (repubmom) SSG Dustin USA (SIL of U S Army EOD) SSG Dusty USA (MountainDad) SSG Mitchel USA (tina07) SSG Spencer USA (grame) SSGT Adam USA (Diver Dave) SSGT Don May Jr USMC (debm29palms) SSGT John Linde USA (JFoxbear) SSGT The Black Knight USAF Stevan USA (Grumpybutt) Terrence USN (Sweetbaby/LadyPilgrim) The Sailor TMSuchman USMC tongue-tied USN/USA Tonkin USN/USCG TSGT Jason M Kibler USAF (son of AirForceMom) SFC txradioguy USA USAFSecurityForces (son of visualops & TheStickman) Valerie USAF (Shimmer) Victor and Tony D USMC (weldgophardline) Vineyard USN William USA (jackv) WOs Bob and Michelle USA (nephew, and his wife, of BnBlFlag)
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7
posted on
11/05/2011 5:17:34 PM PDT
by
Kathy in Alaska
((~ RIP Brian...heaven's gain...the Coast Guard lost a good one.~))
To: Kathy in Alaska; laurenmarlowe; BIGLOOK; alfa6; EsmeraldaA; SandRat; mylife; TMSuchman; PROCON; ...
PRAYERS GOING UP FOR OUR AMERICAN HEROES AND FOR OUR BELOVED NATION!
GEORGE WASHINGTON THE PRAYER AT VALLEY FORGE
In the coldest and darkest days of the American Revolution, General George Washington raised his prayers for the survival of his beleaguered Army and of the new Nation. The Lord answered those prayers, upheld his Army through a punishing nadir to everlasting glory and bestowed His manifold benefits upon the new Nation.
In like manner, let our prayers now rise for our heroes in the American military who seek to secure the benefits of Freedom on behalf of a people hungry for them. Father, look on our prayers for them with favor, guide their steps in righteousness and keep them in the shelter of Your healing wings. Bless and uphold them in the performance of their Mission. Through Jesus Christ, Your Son, Amen.
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Lamh Foistenach Abu!
8
posted on
11/05/2011 5:22:08 PM PDT
by
ConorMacNessa
(HM/2 USN, 3/5 Marines RVN 1969 - St. Michael the Archangel defend us in Battle!)
To: Kathy in Alaska
Evening, Kathy!
Thanks for posting Chapel...
9
posted on
11/05/2011 5:24:14 PM PDT
by
HiJinx
("Family values don't stop at the Gulf of Aden." ~ Flag_This)
To: Kathy in Alaska; laurenmarlowe; BIGLOOK; alfa6; EsmeraldaA; SandRat; mylife; TMSuchman; PROCON; ...
GOD BLESS AND PROTECT OUR TROOPS!
Amazing Grace
by John Newton
Amazing grace! How sweet the sound That saved a wretch like me! I once was lost, but now am found; Was blind, but now I see. . Twas grace that taught my heart to fear, . And grace my fears relieved; How precious did that grace appear The hour I first believed! . Through many dangers, toils and snares, I have already come; Tis grace hath brought me safe thus far, And grace will lead me home. . The Lord has promised good to me, His Word my hope secures; He will my Shield and Portion be, As long as life endures. . Yea, when this flesh and heart shall fail, And mortal life shall cease, I shall possess, within the veil, A life of joy and peace. . The earth shall soon dissolve like snow, The sun forbear to shine; But God, Who called me here below, Will be forever mine. . When weve been there ten thousand years, Bright shining as the sun, Weve no less days to sing Gods praise Than when wed first begun.
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Lamh Foistenach Abu!
10
posted on
11/05/2011 5:26:33 PM PDT
by
ConorMacNessa
(HM/2 USN, 3/5 Marines RVN 1969 - St. Michael the Archangel defend us in Battle!)
To: Kathy in Alaska; laurenmarlowe; BIGLOOK; alfa6; EsmeraldaA; SandRat; mylife; TMSuchman; PROCON; ...
11
posted on
11/05/2011 5:28:02 PM PDT
by
ConorMacNessa
(HM/2 USN, 3/5 Marines RVN 1969 - St. Michael the Archangel defend us in Battle!)
To: Kathy in Alaska
Good evening, Kathy. *hugs*
A Blessed Lord's Day to you and the folks!
Thank you for tonights Chapel. This is a lesson everyone needs to learn!
12
posted on
11/05/2011 5:28:07 PM PDT
by
oldteen
To: Kathy in Alaska; laurenmarlowe; BIGLOOK; alfa6; EsmeraldaA; SandRat; mylife; TMSuchman; PROCON; ...
13
posted on
11/05/2011 5:29:22 PM PDT
by
ConorMacNessa
(HM/2 USN, 3/5 Marines RVN 1969 - St. Michael the Archangel defend us in Battle!)
To: MoochPooch; left that other site; DeoVindiceSicSemperTyrannis; Yehuda; Alouette; ...
Shavua Tov.
Wishing all our Jewish troops, veterans, families, allies, friends, and Canteeners
a peaceful and prosperous week.
14
posted on
11/05/2011 5:36:01 PM PDT
by
Kathy in Alaska
((~ RIP Brian...heaven's gain...the Coast Guard lost a good one.~))
To: Kathy in Alaska
today, we see as through a glass, darkly, but then face to face
15
posted on
11/05/2011 5:38:03 PM PDT
by
HiTech RedNeck
(ya don't tug on Superman's cape/ya don't spit into the wind--and ya don't speak well of Mitt to Jim!)
To: xzins; bethelgrad; lightman; LiteKeeper; MoJo2001; 007; 1 FELLOW FREEPER; 11B3; 1FreeAmerican; ...
Fall back before you go to bed tonight....
16
posted on
11/05/2011 5:49:25 PM PDT
by
Kathy in Alaska
((~ RIP Brian...heaven's gain...the Coast Guard lost a good one.~))
To: HopeandGlory
17
posted on
11/05/2011 5:57:15 PM PDT
by
Kathy in Alaska
((~ RIP Brian...heaven's gain...the Coast Guard lost a good one.~))
To: ConorMacNessa
And a good evening to you, Mac...*HUGS*...it has warmed up to 25 from 16 earlier.
Hope your day went well. How is Sir Winston doing? Did he get good stuff for Halloween? He had a cool costume.
A Blessed Lord’s Day to you and yours.
18
posted on
11/05/2011 6:05:41 PM PDT
by
Kathy in Alaska
((~ RIP Brian...heaven's gain...the Coast Guard lost a good one.~))
To: Kathy in Alaska
I get another hour added to my life? I think I’ll use it to bake some cookies.
19
posted on
11/05/2011 6:09:56 PM PDT
by
BykrBayb
(Somewhere, my flower is there. ~ Þ)
To: HopeandGlory
Good evening and thank you, Hope, for our nations pledge.
Enjoy a Blessed Sunday! *hugs*
20
posted on
11/05/2011 6:13:03 PM PDT
by
oldteen
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