FReeper Canteen ~ Sunday Chapel ~ THE MAN IN THE GLASS ~ 06 November 2011

Serving The Best Troops and Veterans In The World !! | The Canteen Crew

[Kathy in Alaska]

 

 

 

 

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

 

[Kathy in Alaska]

We’ve gotten less than 2 inches so far, but more is due this weekend. I’ll believe it when I see it.

[Kathy in Alaska]

Well...since this is a found hour, you can start start making little changes tonight. d:o)

I like mine before cooking.

[Kathy in Alaska]

The Lord's Prayer

[Kathy in Alaska]

Prayers for our troops, veterans, families, allies, friends, and Canteeners
for a safe and peaceful week ahead.

[Kathy in Alaska]

He Who blessed our forefathers Abraham, Isaac and Jacob - may He bless the fighters of the Israel Defense Force, who stand guard over our land and the cities of our G-d from the border of the Lebanon to the desert of Egypt, and from the Great Sea unto the approach of the Aravah, on the land, in the air, and on the sea.

May HASHEM cause the enemies who rise up against us to be struck down before them. May the Holy One, Blessed is He, preserve and rescue our fighting men from every trouble and distress and from every plague and illness, and may He send blessing and success in their every endeavor.

May He lead our enemies under their sway and may He grant them salvation and crown them with victory. And may there be fulfilled for them the verse: For it is Hashem, your G-d, Who goes with you to battle your enemies for you to save you.

G-d bless and keep your children safe, Alouette.

[HiJinx]

Boy, am I late getting back to you! So sorry...dinnerbell pulled me away!

We’re doing very well, thank you! That storm that moved through the state yesterday has left us cool and windblown but it’ll pass, eventually.

Other than that, we’re just taking life one day at a time and enjoying the blessings we share.

[Kathy in Alaska]

A Blessed Lord's Day to you and your family.

The 23rd Psalm

[HiTech RedNeck]

Thank you.

Sabbath observation technicality discussions aside, Sunday is remembered by almost all Christians as the Lord’s Day — the “weekiversity” of when He underwent resurrection after dying for our sins. Every Sunday is, in a sense, a miniature Easter.

[Kathy in Alaska]

A Blessed Lord’s Day to you and yours, Sand. Love the country church.

[Cindy]

"And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell." -from THE BIBLE: Matthew 10: 28

Let's Read The Bible: Matthew Chapter 10 (Read More...)

PERSECUTION.org - INTERNATIONAL CHRISTIAN CONCERN" (Read More...)

OmniChristianVids - Videos (Watch Here.)

[Kathy in Alaska]

Good morning, Cindy, and a Blessed Lord’s Day to you and yours. Thank you for the links.

Any snow for you yet? I didn’t see it coming down, but there is about an inch or so on the driveway now.

[Cindy]

A blessed Lord’s Day to you Kathy.

We’ve had those snow showers and getting more this week.

The mountains around us are showing white, but I don’t think it’s skiable yet.

It’s 29 degrees right now and should be around 25 degrees in the early a.m.

[Kathy in Alaska]

Shorty GiggleLips & the Canteen Kids – click

[Kathy in Alaska]

Thanks, Troops and Vets, for your service to our country.

Josh Groban ~ You Raise Me Up

Thanks, unique, for the logo.

[Kathy in Alaska]

Welcome Troops, Veterans, Families, and Allies!
God Bless You and Keep You Safe.

Thanks, unique, for our troop blessing.

This Is My Father's World

Softly and Tenderly

[Kathy in Alaska]

Welcome Troops, Veterans, Families, and Allies!
God Bless You and Keep You Safe.

Thanks, unique, for our troop blessing.

Marching To Zion

Fairest Lord Jesus

[Kathy in Alaska]

Welcome Troops, Veterans, Families, and Allies!
God Bless You and Keep You Safe.

Thanks, unique, for our troop blessing.

Do You Remember The Time

Holy, Holy, Holy

[Kathy in Alaska]

Welcome Troops, Veterans, Families, and Allies!
God Bless You and Keep You Safe.

Thanks, unique, for our troop blessing.

I Need Thee Every Hour ~ Nothing But The Blood

What A Friend We Have In Jesus ~ Old Rugged Cross

[E.G.C.]

A very pleasant good morning to everyone at the Canteen and to all our military at home and abroad. Thanks for your service to our country.

((HUGS))Good morning, Kathy. How's it going?

[E.G.C.]

BTTT