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FReeper Canteen ~ Sunday Chapel ~ A MESSAGE FROM MOM ~ 29 June 2014
Serving The Best Troops and Veterans In The World !! | The Canteen Crew

Posted on 06/28/2014 4:59:56 PM PDT by 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


 

 



TOPICS: Culture/Society; Extended News; Free Republic
KEYWORDS: canteen; chapel; military; praisethelord; troopsupport
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To: Kathy in Alaska

I lovedcthat one, too, Kathy!


61 posted on 06/28/2014 10:42:17 PM PDT by luvie (All my heroes wear camos! Thank you David, Michael, Chris Txradioguy, JJ, CMS, & ALL Vets, too!l go)
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To: Kathy in Alaska



Kathy, for this wonderful Message From Mom
and for all you do.
(((HUGS))) .

62 posted on 06/28/2014 11:10:59 PM PDT by MEG33 (God Bless And Protect Our Troops)
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To: The Mayor

He is cute and seems very alert.

Dinosaurs are fun.


63 posted on 06/28/2014 11:18:50 PM PDT by Kathy in Alaska ((~RIP Brian...the Coast Guard lost a good one.~))
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To: MEG33

Good evening/morning, Meg, and a Blessed Lord’s Day to you and yours. ((HUGS))

And you’re welcome.

How are you and The Kitties doing? Did you get in on the Texas storms and some rain?

We just had 3 days of lovely rain.


64 posted on 06/28/2014 11:26:56 PM PDT by Kathy in Alaska ((~RIP Brian...the Coast Guard lost a good one.~))
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To: Kathy in Alaska

Last Sunday evening we had 4.3 inches of lovely rain...2 more days of light rain brought the total to 5 inches+.
It was wonderful relief!
I am happy you had rain, too.
Kitties and I are fine, thank (((you))).


65 posted on 06/28/2014 11:38:34 PM PDT by MEG33 (God Bless And Protect Our Troops)
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To: left that other site
Sweet “Buell-a Land”!

LOL!!

66 posted on 06/28/2014 11:40:33 PM PDT by Kathy in Alaska ((~RIP Brian...the Coast Guard lost a good one.~))
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To: Jet Jaguar; txradioguy; Laurita; CMS; OneLoyalAmerican; Defender2; JemiansTerror; Beagle8U; ...
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.


67 posted on 06/29/2014 12:30:08 AM PDT by Kathy in Alaska ((~RIP Brian...the Coast Guard lost a good one.~))
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To: All

The Lord's Prayer

68 posted on 06/29/2014 12:33:00 AM PDT by Kathy in Alaska ((~RIP Brian...the Coast Guard lost a good one.~))
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To: ConorMacNessa
Happy Belated 26th Anniversary, Mr & Mrs MacNessa!!


Click

69 posted on 06/29/2014 12:54:19 AM PDT by Kathy in Alaska ((~RIP Brian...the Coast Guard lost a good one.~))
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To: MEG33

WOW! 5+ inches of rain. Hope your lakes and water table got good benefit.


70 posted on 06/29/2014 1:14:02 AM PDT by Kathy in Alaska ((~RIP Brian...the Coast Guard lost a good one.~))
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To: MEG33

Beautiful Psalm....beautiful picture of one of God’s wonders.


71 posted on 06/29/2014 1:25:31 AM PDT by Kathy in Alaska ((~RIP Brian...the Coast Guard lost a good one.~))
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To: txradioguy; sxytxredhead73
A Blessed Lord's Day to you and your family.


The 23rd Psalm


72 posted on 06/29/2014 1:32:28 AM PDT by Kathy in Alaska ((~RIP Brian...the Coast Guard lost a good one.~))
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To: StarCMC; SoldierDad; spotbust1; jaycee; Poetgal26; All

Shorty GiggleLips & the Canteen Kids – click

73 posted on 06/29/2014 1:35:57 AM PDT by Kathy in Alaska ((~RIP Brian...the Coast Guard lost a good one.~))
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To: Kathy in Alaska

BTTT


74 posted on 06/29/2014 1:37:14 AM PDT by E.G.C.
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To: LUV W
A very pleasant good Sunday 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, LUV W. How's it going?

75 posted on 06/29/2014 1:38:21 AM PDT by E.G.C.
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To: Kathy in Alaska

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


76 posted on 06/29/2014 1:38:43 AM PDT by E.G.C.
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To: Kathy in Alaska

BTTT


77 posted on 06/29/2014 1:38:57 AM PDT by E.G.C.
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To: yorkie; HiJinx; MozartLover; Diver Dave
Thanks, Troops and Vets, for your service to our country.



Josh Groban ~ You Raise Me Up

Thanks, unique, for the logo.


78 posted on 06/29/2014 1:41:35 AM PDT by Kathy in Alaska ((~RIP Brian...the Coast Guard lost a good one.~))
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To: E.G.C.

Good morning, E...((HUGS))...and a Blessed Lord’s Day to you and yours.

You and Bo enjoying the lake?


79 posted on 06/29/2014 1:52:39 AM PDT by Kathy in Alaska ((~RIP Brian...the Coast Guard lost a good one.~))
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To: All

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

Thanks, unique, for our troop blessing.

Don't Overlook Salvation

Walking My Lord Up Calvary's Hill


80 posted on 06/29/2014 2:01:49 AM PDT by Kathy in Alaska ((~RIP Brian...the Coast Guard lost a good one.~))
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