FReeper Canteen ~ Sunday Chapel ~ EXAMINING THE FOUNDATION ~ 05 July 2015

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

[Kathy in Alaska]

 

 

 

EXAMINING THE FOUNDATION

It was back in 1962, I'm told, when cracks began to appear in the 42nd story of a very expensive high-rise in Hong Kong. It had already withstood numerous typhoons. And there was no ready explanation for the cracks' sudden appearance. Yet there they were. Obviously, there had to be a problem somewhere. So a team of architects and structural engineers was called in to ferret out the cause.

Finally, one determined engineer stumbled upon the reason as he was prowling around the foundations deep in the basement. When he tapped the plaster, he noticed that some parts sounded strangely hollow. So he began systematically chipping away at the covering layer. And soon he had his explanation -- a large number of bricks had been removed from the building's foundation! But, why? Further investigation eventually led to a surprising revelation. It seems that, some years earlier, a night watchman had been building an addition to his house. To save on costs, he had loosened the mortar around a few bricks each night, removed them from the wall, wrapped them in old newspaper, and smuggled them out of the building at the end of his shift. He only took a few at a time. And no one had ever noticed. He didn't think it would make a difference. After all, he had been very careful to fill the breach with plaster. But an engineer could have told him differently. Though it might take years for such cracks to appear, the end result was inevitable once the foundation had been weakened. The building APPEARED sound, but, as is so often the case, an attractive exterior hid a potentially fatal flaw.

As Dr. Harold Sala commented, "...the cracks... don't always appear overnight, but when the foundation is tampered with, inevitably the superstructure will feel the effect." He was talking about family life, but you could just as easily apply those comments to our spiritual development... or to life in the wider community. The Psalmist asked, "If the foundations be destroyed, what can the righteous do?" (Psalm 11:3) And who could forget the story Jesus told about the importance of foundations? (Matthew 7:24)

This weekend offers another perspective on the topic of "foundations" as millions of Americans celebrate Independence Day. And for those of us who are committed, from a FAITH perspective, to the pursuit of truth and justice, it offers an opportunity to reflect on the healthy ways that faith has often influenced our citizenship. I remember that Earl Warren, who later became chief justice of the Supreme Court, once admitted, "I believe the entire Bill of Rights came into being because of the knowledge our forefathers had of the Bible and their belief in it." Our nation still has many flaws, and has frequently failed to live up to its lofty ideals. But, time and again, it has been our founders' vision of "freedom and justice for all" that has enabled us to overcome divisions and make a "course correction" without anarchy.

This holiday weekend offers the opportunity to celebrate that vision, perhaps even to rediscover its religious roots. It was faith, not greed, that led the founders to "...hold these truths to be self evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their creator with certain unalienable rights." It's a time for reflection and recommitment. A time to (as Isaiah says) "look to the rock from which you were hewn, and to the hole of the pit from which you were dug." (51:1)

CAPT J. David Atwater, CHC, USN

 

[E.G.C.]

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, Kathy. How's it going?

[E.G.C.]

BTTT

[mylife]

Tishamingo~Mitchell

[EXCH54FE]

No “bad” weather at this location. Just Rain, about 0.50 of an inch each day.

About as perfect as can be!!!!

[luvie]

Hey! That’s great that you made something! I think the worst thing about making stuff is having to clean up afterward. LOL!

How is your mom doing? Is she staying put in the chair now or does she still try to do things that are now not possible? I guess it’s hard to give up on even tiny bits of your independence. That’s why my MIL wants to stay in her house....alone....when hubby leaves next week.

I’m not comfortable with that, but we’ll see.

[ConorMacNessa]

Good afternoon, Kathy!

*HUGS*

Happy Independence Day! We barbecued Friday evening. Had my daughter, Meghan, my daughter Mary and her boyfriend, Trevor and my sister and brother-in-law over. We had a quiet fourth.

[ConorMacNessa]

GOD BLESS AND PROTECT OUR TROOPS AND OUR BELOVED NATION!



Amazing Grace
(Click)
By John Newton

Amazing grace! How sweet the sound
That saved a wretch like me!
I once was lost, but now am found;
Was blind, but now I see.
.
’Twas grace that taught my heart to fear,
And grace my fears relieved;
How precious did that grace appear
The hour I first believed!
.
Through many dangers, toils and snares,
I have already come;
’Tis grace hath brought me safe thus far,
And grace will lead me home.
.
The Lord has promised good to me,
His Word my hope secures;
He will my Shield and Portion be,
As long as life endures.
.
Yea, when this flesh and heart shall fail,
And mortal life shall cease,
I shall possess, within the veil,
A life of joy and peace.
.
The earth shall soon dissolve like snow,
The sun forbear to shine;
But God, Who called me here below,
Will be forever mine.
.
When we’ve been there ten thousand years,
Bright shining as the sun,
We’ve no less days to sing God’s praise
Than when we’d first begun.

[ConorMacNessa]

GOD BLESS AND PROTECT OUR TROOPS AND
OUR BELOVED NATION!

"Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest."

(Joshua 1:9 KJV)

The Lord’s Prayer
Mormon Tabernacle Choir
The U.S. Air Force Band
And Singing Sergeants
(Click)

DEAR LORD, who suffered torment, agony, and death upon the Cross to free our souls from the chains of iniquity, protect and defend our troops. Guide them in the performance of their duties. Strengthen them to endure hardship, danger and deprivation in Your service. Let their efforts free the people of Iraq and Afghanistan from the chains of terror and slavery, foster a lasting peace in the region, and bring all to a greater share in Your Mercy. Amen.

[ConorMacNessa]

GOD BLESS AND PROTECT OUR
TROOPS AND
OUR BELOVED NATION!

THE NAVY HYMN
"Eternal Father, Strong to Save"
United States Marine Corps Band and Choir
(Click)



The Marine Corps Verse:





A Blessed Lord’s Day To You And Yours!

[Kathy in Alaska]

Good afternoon, E...((HUGS))...any fireworks in your area wake you up?

I am shocked that I didn’t hear a single one in my area. They are illegal, but that never stopped some.

[Kathy in Alaska]

A Blessed Lord's Day to the MacNessa family.

The 4th of July with lots of family...nice.

Happy Independence Day!

Yesterday a C-17 (per the guys here taking down my Dad's radio tower) flew directly overhead and LOW!
It was low, loud, huge, and spectacular. Today another one flew over, but not quite so low.
The sound of freedom!!

[mylife]

My foundation seems to be shifting sands, I find myself in the oddest places but Jesus gives me solace.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=505467HYo4I

I was here when Gaddafi was blowing up American service men.

It Seems surreal now.

[mylife]

Graffiti was tagged all over Toulon France of a cartoon chicken with a cartoon and it said killing an Arab.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SdbLqOXmJ04

surreal

I was just trying to kiss French and Italian girls

[mylife]

Fire in Cairo

[mylife]

Just because this is dear to me.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TlpYUJutTTk

[mylife]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l7Je131KuyE

[mylife]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=50geZZiFqtc