FReeper Canteen ~ Sunday Chapel ~ MAKING ASSUMPTIONS ~ 26 February 2012

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

[Kathy in Alaska]

 

 

 

 

MAKING ASSUMPTIONS

A story making the rounds this past week told of a policeman who was heading home after a long, hard day on patrol. He had dealt with a whole succession of difficult people, and a mountain of frustrating paperwork. All he wanted at this point was to kick back, unwind, enjoy some peace and quiet, and maybe watch a few innings of baseball on TV. But, as he neared home, he was startled by a vehicle that came careening around a sharp curve and narrowly missed his squad car. As the car passed within a few inches of him, the other driver shouted "Pig!" The police officer was suddenly energized. He slammed on his brakes, all set to turn his squad car around and head off in hot pursuit. But, as he rounded the curve, he ran head-on into a large pig that was standing in the middle of the road!

It's a lesson we learn early in life if we're lucky...DON'T ASSUME! No matter how confident we are in our understanding of the issue, no matter how certain of another's reasoning or motives, no matter how obvious the point may be to US, effective communication is far more complicated and difficult than we think. With barriers like cultural differences, personal "filters", different definitions, etc., it's amazing that any of us EVER understand one another. But these aren't the most difficult obstacles. The biggest reason we aren't able to hear what another is saying to us is simply... "fear"!

Oh, we may camouflage it behind anger, self-importance or any number of other false fronts, but at the root is fear. Fear of being "found out", or of being disappointed, or of not getting what we want. It's a powerful if crippling motivator. And most of us can summon up plenty of reasons why we shouldn't take another at face value. Honest communication requires trust, and taking a risk. And we've been burned too many times. So we settle for safety, make the natural assumption, and run head-on into our own version of that pig as we journey down life's highway!

There is a better way...a way that recognizes our similarities, that sees others as a source of community and healing, that looks past our own frustration and previous disappointments to explore the possibility that even a "stranger" may have something positive to say. The Apostle Paul described it in 1 Corinthians, Chapter 13. It's the "higher way" of love. I almost hesitate to use that term these days because of the way our culture misuses it. But when you read Paul's description, try substituting "maturity". It's a perfect fit. The risks are higher for this way of living, but so are the rewards.

Another (anonymous) writer cautions:

"To laugh is to risk appearing the fool. To weep is to risk appearing sentimental. To reach out for another is to risk involvement. To expose feelings is to risk exposing your true self. To place your ideas, your dreams, before a crowd, is to risk their loss. To love is to risk not being loved in return. To live is to risk dying. To hope is to risk despair. To try is to risk failure. But risks must be taken, because the greatest hazard in life is to risk nothing. The person who risks nothing, does nothing, has nothing and is nothing. They may avoid suffering and sorrow but they cannot learn, feel, change, grow, love, live. Chained by their certitudes they are a slave, they have forfeited their freedom. Only a person who risks is free."

That doesn't mean we should be naive. It does mean we should be careful what we assume. Check it out. Give others the benefit of the doubt. And if someone shouts something unexpected at us, at least entertain the possibility that perhaps it may be more than a personal insult. Who knows, that approach could change our life.

CAPT J. David Atwater, CHC, USN

 

[Kathy in Alaska]

Thanks, Military Families, for your service to our country.

John Conlee ~ They Also Serve

[The Mayor]

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

The Devil In Court
February 26, 2012

The Devil and Daniel Webster” is a short story by Stephen Vincent Benet. In it, Jabez Stone, a New England farmer, has such “bad luck” that he sells his soul to the devil to become prosperous. Eventually, the devil comes to collect Jabez’s debt. But the eminent lawyer Daniel Webster is called in to defend him. Through a skillful series of arguments, Webster wins the case against the devil, and Jabez is saved from perdition.

Of course, this tale is only fiction. But the Bible records a vision in which Satan accuses a believer before the Divine Judge. Joshua, a high priest, stands before God. As a picture of his personal sin and guilt, the priest is dressed in filthy clothing. Nearby, Satan accuses Joshua. But the Angel of the Lord rebukes him and says to Joshua: “See, I have removed your iniquity from you, and I will clothe you with rich robes” (Zech. 3:4).

Only God can make a sinner acceptable to Him. And the New Testament tells us how: “If anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous” (1 John 2:1).

Do you feel unworthy to enter the presence of God? Remember, as Christians, our Savior’s blood has cleansed us, and Christ Himself represents us.

The power of God can turn a heart From evil and the power of sin; The love of God can change a life And make it new and cleansed within. —Fasick

Justification means our guilt gone, Christ’s righteousness given.

Read: Zechariah 3:1-5

I have removed your iniquity from you. —Zechariah 3:4

Bible in a Year:
Deuteronomy 32-34

[Kathy in Alaska]

Thanks...first accident I’ve had. I didn’t like knowing that there was nothing I could do to avoid it. I knew I was going to hit him. If I was going to have an accident, I guess that was as good a place as any. We were on a side street, and both going very slow, and no other traffic involved. The guy behind me had room to get around and not involved.

I’m hoping that the next few days will turn up all the aches, and that they are few. And I’m already starting on a seat belt bruise...very sore, but thankful that it did its job.

[Kathy in Alaska]

Too often people want God to lift a burden off of them when the Lord is actually challenging individuals to work with him by using their abilities, retired Chaplain (Col.) Scott McChrystal said.

Very interesting.

A Blessed Lord's Day to you and yours.

Nate still not happy with cereal? Hope #1 daughter is one day better.

[Kathy in Alaska]

To our Military -

Thank you for protecting us. Sleep well and safe.
May you be protected. May your families' hearts be at ease.

Thank you to our Allies.

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

To those of our Military and Allies who gave their all,
- May your souls rest in peace. May your families be comforted.
May your/our country always remember.

[oldteen]

Better a bruise than something broken.

[Kathy in Alaska]

Good evening, Mayor, and thank you for today’s sustenance for body and soul.

A Blessed Lord’s Day to The Mayor family.

Hope your weekend is going well.

[Kathy in Alaska]

So true!

[Kathy in Alaska]

The Lord's Prayer

[Kathy in Alaska]

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

The 23rd Psalm

[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

[Kathy in Alaska]

Shorty GiggleLips & the Canteen Kids – click

[Cindy]

"For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus' sake. For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ." -from THE BIBLE: II Corinthians 4:5-6

Let's Read The Bible: II Corinthians Chapter 4 (Read More...)

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

OmniChristianVids - Videos (Watch Here.)

[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.

Because He Lives

No Not One

[Kathy in Alaska]

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

Thanks, unique, for our troop blessing.

Take My Life and Let It Be

The Solid Rock

[Kathy in Alaska]

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

Thanks, unique, for our troop blessing.

Here Is Love Vast As The Ocean

Amazing Grace

[Kathy in Alaska]

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

Thanks, unique, for our troop blessing.

The Love of God

Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus

[Kathy in Alaska]

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

Thanks, unique, for our troop blessing.

Prayer For A Friend

There Is A Fountain

[Kathy in Alaska]