FReeper Canteen ~ Sunday Chapel ~ TRANSITIONS ~ 26 August 2012

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

[Kathy in Alaska]

 

 

 

 

TRANSITIONS

It's a "red letter" day at our household today...(and maybe a time for some "red eyes" as well). It is a time of real adjustment...so much so that my daughter asked to stay home from school. And my wife has been dreading the inevitable battle with emotions...one which she will probably lose. There were phone calls from family and friends, and parties over the weekend. Old scrapbooks were dusted off and passed around. Memories of other times and events were recalled and relived. There was some good-natured "ribbing" and some nervous laughter, all leaning inexorably toward the change that today would most certainly bring. And no matter how the scenario plays itself out, things will never be the same for our family again. It's a time for closing one chapter of life and beginning another. Today, you see, is the day my son leaves for "boot camp"! It's one of those times we call a "transition".

Transitions come in all shapes and sizes, but they all require us to change. And that's usually painful. Sooner or later, however, everything changes. We move from one place to another…or from one job to another...or even from one relationship to another. Sometimes we think that staying in one place will give us the stability we crave. And sometimes it does, but only for a while, because that's the way life is. Time moves on. And even if our geography stays the same, each of us will still face life's inevitable "passages"...from one age to another, from one responsibility to another, from one stage of life to another...each requiring a new way of relating, a new set of skills, and a new perspective.

There is a spiritual issue in dealing with such change, according to author and professor Bill Ratliff. It's hearing and responding to the will of God. "The scriptures and the lives of religious persons throughout history, have given witness to God's calling persons into new places", he says. "As God called Abraham, God calls us, 'Leave your country, your kindred, and your father's house for a country which I will show you' (Genesis 12:1)". It's a familiar quest, but the pilgrimage must be individually discerned and is always unique for each of us.

Ratliff also reminds us that to refuse this pilgrimage, to refuse to "enter the wilderness", to "play it safe" rather than following God out into the unknown, is (to some extent) to choose death, to abandon our "growing edge", to give up the destiny of who we are called to become. Better then we should go THROUGH the valley of the shadow, even when it is uncharted and scary. Because more often than not, the loneliness of the wilderness is where God has chosen to speak most clearly, where things are out of our control, where we have no choice but to depend on God's grace.

In one sense this transition is an easy one for my family. It's part of the process of growing up. Something every family expects to face. And we have every reason to expect positive results as this "fledgling" learns to fly (quite literally since he has committed to the Army Airborne). Still, it is comforting to know that whether we "take the wings of the morning" ... or "dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, even there (God's) hand shall lead" us and His "right hand shall hold" us. That He comprehends our path, and our lying down; and is acquainted with all our ways. The Psalmist was right: "Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high, I cannot attain it." His responses are equally valid. First, to praise God and second to pray: "Search me, O God, and know my heart; try me and know my anxieties; and see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in thy way everlasting".

Can any of us afford to do any less?

CAPT J. David Atwater, CHC, USN

 

[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.

[Diver Dave]

Great message you presented Conor.
May your leadership provide great counsel to your family and others here at FReeRepublic.
Salute!

[Diver Dave]

Having a GREAT weekend with our family. Feeling pretty good these days. Took quite a while to heal from the cancer surgery in March but we are back in our normal routine with family and friends.

[ConorMacNessa]

And a Hand Salute to you as well, Brother! Finally turning in for the night - will talk with you on the morrow!



Genuflectimus non ad principem sed ad Principem Pacis!

Listen, O isles, unto me; and hearken, ye people, from far; The LORD hath called me from the womb; from the bowels of my mother hath he made mention of my name. (Isaiah 49:1 KJV)

[mylife]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eswQl-hcvU0

[mylife]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ly9GR0vV1kg&feature=related

[mylife]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DlUJXfix5gQ&feature=related

[Kathy in Alaska]

EXCELLENT news!!

Glad your normal routine has been resumed.

[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]

God Bless you good, Mac. Good night and rest well. Thanks for helping honor our troops, past and present. Thank you for your service to our country.

[Kathy in Alaska]

Good morning, my, and a Blessed Lord’s Day to you and yours.

[Cindy]

"Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand. Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things." -from THE BIBLE: Philippians 4: 5-8

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

[Kathy in Alaska]

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

Thanks, unique, for our troop blessing.

An Evening Prayer

Why Me Lord?

[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

[Kathy in Alaska]

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

Thanks, unique, for our troop blessing.

He Touched Me

I've Got Confidence

[Kathy in Alaska]

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

Thanks, unique, for our troop blessing.

Reach Out To Jesus

He Is My Everything

[MEG33]

Wishing You A Blessed Lord's Day

Grand Tetons

“The heavens declare the glory of God and the firmament sheweth His handywork.
Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night sheweth knowledge...
Their line is gone out through all the earth, and their words to the ends of the world.”
Psalms 19:1-4

May God Keep Safe All Who Serve Our Country

[Kathy in Alaska]

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

Thanks, unique, for our troop blessing.

Put Your Hand In The Hand

There Is No God But God