FReeper Canteen ~ Sunday Chapel ~ A HUMBLE SPIRIT ~ 24 January 2016

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

[Kathy in Alaska]

 

 

 

 

A HUMBLE SPIRIT

It's always surprising to me when someone, in an honest and unguarded moment, confides that God could never use THEM. They may keep up appearances most of the time, but, down deep, they just don't feel worthy. Have you ever felt that way? If so, you're in luck; God places a high value on humility! In fact, your sincere recognition of your own need may just be the key that opens the door to a deeper, more genuine and rewarding spirituality. Isaiah wrote, "For thus says the High and Holy One Who inhabits eternity, whose name IS Holy: 'I dwell in the high and holy place, with him who has a humble and contrite spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble and to revive the spirit of the contrite.'" (57:15) And Jesus added, "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." (Matthew 5:3)

For a short history lesson to reinforce those references, consider the following words by another pilgrim who found a second chance:

"There are many reasons why God shouldn't have called you. But don't worry. You're in good company: Moses stuttered. David's armor didn't fit. John Mark was rejected by Paul. Timothy had ulcers. Hosea's wife was a prostitute. Amos' only training was in the school of fig-tree pruning. Jacob was a liar. David had an affair. Solomon was too rich. Abraham was too old. David was too young. Peter was afraid of death. Lazarus was dead. John was self-righteous. Naomi was a widow. Paul was a murderer. So was Moses. Jonah ran from God. Miriam was a gossip. Gideon and Thomas both doubted. Jeremiah was depressed and suicidal. Elijah was burned out. John the Baptist was a loudmouth. Martha was a worry-wart. Mary was lazy. Samson had long hair. Noah got drunk. "Did I mention that Moses had a short fuse? So did Peter, Paul -- well, lots of folks did. "But God doesn't require a job interview. He doesn't hire and fire like most bosses because He's more our Father than our Boss. He doesn't look at financial gain or loss. He's not prejudiced or partial, not judging, grudging, sassy, or brassy, not deaf to our cry, not blind to our need.

As much as we try, God's gifts are free. We could do wonderful things for wonderful people and still not be wonderful. Satan says, "You're not worthy." Jesus says, "So what? I AM." Satan looks back and sees our mistakes. God looks back and sees the cross. He doesn't calculate what you did in '78. It's not even on the record. Sure. There are lots of reasons why God shouldn't have called us. But if we are magically in love with Him, if we hunger for Him more than our next breath, He'll use us in spite of who we are, where we've been, or what we look like. I pray that, as believers, we will step out of our limitations into the unlimited nature of who God is. Then our passion for God and our passion to communicate Him will make short work of our limitations."

No matter where you are in your journey today, or how you may have failed in the past, God loves you... and sees what may yet be. May you find hope, grace, a renewed vision, and treasures that don't disappoint.

CAPT J. David Atwater, CHC, USN

 

[left that other site]

That was really lovely, ConorMacNessa!

[5thGenTexan]

While thinking of all our service men and women, let’s also take a moment to think about those who served this country with honor, both during their military service and after.

We recently lost our own JRandomFreeper. Johnny, you will be missed.

[ConorMacNessa]

Thanks very much, Kathy!

The electricity has stayed on up to now, and the snow and wind has picked up over the last several hours. We're at about 30" - hard to get an accurate measure because of high winds and drifting snow. John Man has done a good job on the shoveling.

[SandRat]

Mrs.SR got home at 1645. We boys are HAPPY!

[ConorMacNessa]

Thanks very much, ML!

*HUGS*

A Blessed Lord's Day to you and yours!

[Kathy in Alaska]

Thanks, Pro, and a Blessed Lord’s Day to you and yours.

A lazy day?

My sister made it home to so California, but is VERY tired.

[Kathy in Alaska]

Good evening, Mayor, and a Blessed Lord’s Day to The Mayor family.

Are you effected by the left coast storm?

[The Mayor]

Thanks Kathy.
No storm here, all south and east of us.
We caught a break on this one.

[Kathy in Alaska]

Hello Veterans, wherever you are!!

A Blessed Lord's Day and Shavua Tov to you.

[ConorMacNessa]

"TAKE UP THY CROSS
AND FOLLOW ME"



"I Vow To Thee My Country"
Choir Of King's College, Cambridge
(Click)

"I VOW TO THEE, my country, all earthly things above,
Entire and whole and perfect, the service of my love;
The love that asks no question, the love that stands the test,
That lays upon the altar the dearest and the best;
The love that never falters, the love that pays the price,
The love that makes undaunted the final sacrifice.

And there's another country, I've heard of long ago,
Most dear to them that love her, most great to them that know;
We may not count her armies, we may not see her King;
Her fortress is a faithful heart, her pride is suffering;
And soul by soul and silently her shining bounds increase,
And her ways are ways of gentleness, and all her paths are peace."

[Kathy in Alaska]

Good for you...

And thank you for today’s sustenance for body and soul.

[radu]

30 inches??!!! OUCH!! My lil straw farm hat’s off to John Man if he’s been able to keep up with that kind of snow.

That storm just doesn’t seem to want to move off, does it?

[PROCON]

A lazy day on my end, just relaxing.

Glad you had a good visit.

[radu]

Glad to see your sister made it home safely.
It’s probably going to take a few days to recuperate. LOL! That was a busy 10 days.

[Kathy in Alaska]

Good evening, Sand...((HUGS))...glad MrsSR is home and the family is whole.

A Blessed Lord’s Day to you and yours.

[Kathy in Alaska]

Good evening, Janey...((HUGS))...Shavua Tov and a Blessed Lord’s Day to you and yours.

Having a fun weekend at home with family?

[Kathy in Alaska]

Sometimes "fear" is a good thing!

Good girl! Glad you retreated to safety. Hope your sister has provisions for being stuck.

[left that other site]

She has the two-year-old twin grandsons with her too. So, it’s sleeping bags for four!

[ConorMacNessa]

I'm following the NWS Enhanced Data Display website, which has reported depths from NWS employees and trained spotters. A spotter in Fairland - about 5 miles southwest of us - reported 29.5" at 5:05 this afternoon. Another spotter in Savage - about 5 miles northeast of us, reported 21" at 7:00 p.m. My son went out into the front yard late this afternoon and sank a yardstick into the snow up to 31". I don't know how accurate that reading was, but we have more snow this evening that at any time I can recall since my youth - 1966, to be exact.

[SandRat]

A blessed warm hearted SUNDAY to you.