FReeper Canteen ~ Sunday Chapel ~ A MESSAGE FROM MOM ~ 29 June 2014

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

[Kathy in Alaska]

 

 

 

A MESSAGE FROM MOM

I gave you life, but cannot live it for you.
I can teach you things, but I cannot make you learn.
I can give you directions, but I cannot be there to lead you.
I can allow you freedom, but I cannot account for it.
I can take you to church, but I cannot make you believe.
I can teach you right from wrong, but I cannot always decide for you.
I can buy you beautiful clothes, but I cannot make you beautiful inside.
I can offer you advice, but I cannot accept it for you.
I can give you love, but I cannot force it upon you.
I can teach you to share, but I cannot make you unselfish.
I can teach you respect, but I cannot force you to show honor.
I can advise you about friends, but cannot choose them for you.
I can advise you about sex, but I cannot keep you pure.
I can tell you the facts of life, but I can't build your reputation.
I can tell you about drink, but I can't say "no" for you.
I can warn you about drugs but I can't prevent you from using them.
I can tell you about lofty goals, but I can't achieve them for you.
I can teach you about kindness, but I can't force you to be gracious.
I can warn you about sins, but I cannot make you moral
I can love you as a child, but I cannot place you in God's family.
I can pray for you, but I cannot make you walk with God.
I can teach you about Jesus, but I cannot make Jesus your Lord.
I can tell you how to live, but I cannot give you eternal life.
I can love you with unconditional love all of my life...and I will!!! -- Mom

The author of this little piece is listed as "anonymous" on the copy I have before me. The author's background, circumstances, intended audience and motive are unknown -- at least to me. It's powerfully written, but I suspect it will impact each of us differently, depending on our own PERSONAL history and circumstances. One thing I do know from many years as a pastor and chaplain. Many of you who read this won't be able to identify with such lofty words. You didn't have a mom like that. And you may not be that sort of parent yourself. Still, there is a message here for all of us. Even in spite of human frailty.

The good news from scripture (at least in the Christian tradition) is that ALL of us already have that kind of loving parent... though some of us may not know or accept it yet. We have God as our Father! And I even remember hearing at least one sermon on "The Motherhood of God!" It wasn't delivered by some radical feminist trying to rewrite Christian theology, but by a very conservative seminary professor. And he based it on a passage from Deuteronomy 32:11 which describes an eagle "hovering" over its young. The professor's point was that God has all the attributes of a good mother as well as of a good father. The psalmist affirmed that as he wrote, "When my father and my mother forsake me, then God will take care of me." (Psalm 27:11)

God doesn't force belief, but, like the mom in that message, gives us the freedom to choose. Even when we reject faith, blame Him for everything wrong in our lives, and hurt His other children, He never gives up on us. And His letters to us are pretty extensive. Hopefully, we will all get THAT message, even if we never have an earthly mom (or dad) like the one in the letter above.

CAPT J. David Atwater, CHC, USN

 

[xzins]

And also to you.

This nation will win by prayer or it will not win at all.

[The Mayor]

Introducing our grandson Micah Thompson.
He weighed 7 lbs 11ozs and was 21 inches long.
He is doing great and is a really cute baby.

[Kathy in Alaska]

Good evening, Mac...*HUGS*...a Blessed Lord’s Day to you and the MacNessa family.

Did you get your new flower in the dirt yet? A dent in your list?

I got a lot of smaller stuff done. More to do, but a good start.

[ConorMacNessa]

I was getting ready to FReep-mail you to get your take on on the question of the name of the Washington football team, as some now refer to it.

I posted my opinion on the question last night:

Army vets blast PC police for attacking Apache, Chinook helicopters as racist

Post #44.



"Dia shábháil ar fad anseo!"

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)

[Kathy in Alaska]

Happy BIRTHday, Micah!!

Click

[ConorMacNessa]

I got a small dent in the list, Kathy - thanks very much!

We had a great day and evening - our wedding anniversary was last Wednesday - we went out to dinner this evening. We went to a restaurant up in Columbia new to us, "Luna Bella." The best dinner we have had in many a year.

Molto Bene!!

Before that, we trekked up to BestBuy Mobile and got Mrs. MacNessa a new cell phone - an LG 2G - with my upgrade. My gift to her. They threw in a Samsung Tablet because we changed our plan to include shared data. We also got a Wi-fi Hotspot in the deal gratis.

What an evening!

Twenty-six GLORIOUS years - and they said it wouldn't last!



"Dia shábháil ar fad anseo!"

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)

[The Mayor]

Mrs Mayor bought him a couple dinosaurs today.... Thanks Kathy!

[BykrBayb]

Owy, owy, OWY!
Prayers up.

[Kathy in Alaska]

I almost asked you if it was wallaby, or just a young kangaroo.

Glad he was rescued.

[Kathy in Alaska]

LOL! But so comforting to know that she has a nice, safe place to stay when Mom is on the road.

What a fitting way to say goodbye...and a beautiful setting.

[Kathy in Alaska]

I may have to stamp my little foot.

That should do the trick!

[MEG33]

A Blessed Lord's Day To The Canteen

***
Psalm 91.
1. He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest.
in the shadow of the Almighty..
2. I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress,.
my God, in whom I trust.

*May God Bless, Guide And Protect Our Troops*

[Kathy in Alaska]

Thanks, Luv, for the hymns.....one of my favorites: The Lighthouse.

[PROCON]

Hiya Kathy!

Hanging out with sister and BIL in Washington. Just finished playing cards and I was the big loser :-)

Nice thread about Moms. I lost my mom to a train-car accident when I was 8, dad did a great job of raising me and my sister. Dad's are great too :-)

How's the Anchorage summer treating you?

[Kathy in Alaska]

Well, hello there, Pro....what work did you help with on their new house?

Yes, Dad’s are good, too.

A Blessed Lord’s Day to you and yours. ((HUGS))

[PROCON]

My Sis Nancy had me install a new surveillance system in and out of the house, (since I’m an electrician). And just various odds and ends remodel stuff. Hey, she feeds me well :-)

[ConorMacNessa]

GOD BLESS AND PROTECT OUR TROOPS AND OUR BELOVED NATION!



TATTOO
(Click)

Must retire for the evening – an early Mass Call
awaits me in the morning!

For Every Morning Brings A Noble Chance,
And Every Chance Brings Forth A Noble Knight!

The Bugler, his grim visage replete with an evil sneer,
already mounts the parapet.

Soldiers of the Greatest Generation
Stand The Watch Tonight!





Standing With Them:
The Four Chaplains Of The USAT Dorchester!



TAPS
U.S. Marine Band
(Click)

"Do poor Tom some charity, whom the foul fiend vexes!"

(King Lear, Act III, Scene iv)



All Gave Some – Some Gave All!!!
(Click)

Good night, God bless you, and God bless the United States of America!

Godspeed our Troops around the Globe – especially those in harm’s way – by virtue of their service and sacrifice we continue to live in Freedom!

Genuflectimus non ad principem sed ad Principem Pacis!

" Dia shábháil ar fad anseo!"

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)

[Kathy in Alaska]

Can’t beat that trade off.

I forgot...after 3 days of wonderful rain, today was beautiful sun and blue sky.

[Kathy in Alaska]

GOD BLESS AMERICA!!

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

[luvie]

LOL! Very good choice, ML!