FReeper Canteen ~ Sunday Chapel ~ CONFLICTING LOYALTIES ~ 10 July 2016

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

[Kathy in Alaska]

 

 

 

 

CONFLICTING LOYALTIES

An interviewer once asked the late Senator Sam Ervin, Jr. how he had developed such insight into human behavior. "I had a good teacher, Henry Horace Williams," replied Ervin. "He said the things that try people's souls do not consist of choosing between good and evil. The thing that tries a person's soul is having to choose between conflicting loyalties."

Ervin went on to say that understanding that concept had not only helped him make better decisions, but to judge other people more fairly as well. Sometimes unwise choices were simply the result of misplaced loyalty. "A lot of times I just couldn't support measures advocated by Democratic presidents," he said. "I felt that my controlling interest was for my country, and I voted for what I thought was best for my country."

That sentiment is reflected in a poem written by Josiah Gilbert Holland back in the 1800's. Entitled "God, Give Us Men," it was dusted off and "updated" 1993 by Fr. Brian Cavanaugh of St. Francis College in Loretto, PA (by changing "men" to "leaders"). Then, as the new administration took office, Fr. Cavanaugh sent them copies:

"God give us leaders! A time like this demands
Strong minds, great hearts, true faith, and ready hands;
Leaders whom the lust of office does not kill;
Leaders whom the spoils of office cannot buy;
Leaders who possess opinions and a will;
Leaders who have honor; Leaders who will not lie;
Leaders who can stand before a demagogue
And damn the treacherous flatteries without winking!
Tall leaders, sun crowned, who live above the fog
In public duty and private thinking.
For while the rabble, with their thumb-worn creeds,
Their large professions and their little deeds,
Mingle in selfish strife, lo! Freedom weeps,
Wrong rules the land, and waiting justice sleeps."

Strong words...idealistic...and powerful if heeded . But not just for our elected officials, for ALL of us! Because our leaders tend to reflect, and pursue, the kind of loyalties that voters and opinion polls tell them we think are important. What we value, and exemplify, and tolerate, does much to set the course for our communities. It's one thing to say we want strong families, better schools, safer neighborhoods, and more caring communities. But those things don't just happen because of legislation or new programs. They happen because someone cares enough to become the kind of leader Holland so clearly described.

Each of us will have some opportunity, some small part, today in setting the tone and the agenda which will invariably affect the quality of our life -- both shared and individual. What values will guide us? Where will we place our highest loyalty? The prophet Jeremiah assured his people, "For I know the thoughts I think toward you says the Lord, thoughts of peace... to give you a future and a hope. And you will seek me, and find me, when you search for me with all your heart." (Jeremiah 29: 11-13) Jesus advised a similar focus: "Seek first the Kingdom of God, and His righteousness," he said, "and all these things shall be added to you." (Matthew 6:33) May God guide our priorities, helping each of us to demonstrate the right kind of leadership.

CAPT J. David Atwater, CHC, USN

 

[luvie]

Daniel O'Donnel~Church In The Wildwood

Glad~Before the Throne Of God Above

Cathedrals~Wonderful Grace of Jesus

Glad~Arise My Soul, Arise

Gaither Vocal Band~Heaven's Joy Awaits

Ray Walker~Master The Tempest Is Raging

Vocal Majority~Deep River

Have a blessed Sunday
God bless our troops!

[PROCON]

If dinner included a Blizzard, then it was a feast!

Does hubby like Blizzards?

[radu]

It WAS a feast. LOL!

Yes, Hubby likes them too. We both like the Salted Caramel Truffle best.

[Kathy in Alaska]

He Who blessed our forefathers Abraham, Isaac and Jacob - may He bless the fighters of the Israel Defense Force, who stand guard over our land and the cities of our G-d from the border of the Lebanon to the desert of Egypt, and from the Great Sea unto the approach of the Aravah, on the land, in the air, and on the sea.

May HASHEM cause the enemies who rise up against us to be struck down before them. May the Holy One, Blessed is He, preserve and rescue our fighting men from every trouble and distress and from every plague and illness, and may He send blessing and success in their every endeavor.

May He lead our enemies under their sway and may He grant them salvation and crown them with victory. And may there be fulfilled for them the verse: For it is Hashem, your G-d, Who goes with you to battle your enemies for you to save you.

G-d bless and keep your children safe, Alouette.

[Kathy in Alaska]

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

It’s HOT!! 75 right now, but a breeze is coming up....nice!

Son time this weekend?

[PROCON]

Yup, son and I are hanging out tomorrow afternoon.

75? Whew, does it ever get much hotter?

[Kathy in Alaska]

God Bless our military men and women who have given their all.

Thanks, unique.

[left that other site]

It was quite nice!
Sis did a terrific job!

It was in a very cool pub in Plymouth...a very historic city! :-)

[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, LUV W. How's it going?

[E.G.C.]

((HUGS))Good morning, Kathy. Was wondering where you were yesterday. How’s it going?

[E.G.C.]

BTTT

[SandRat]

[SandRat]

[SandRat]

[luvie]

Yeehaw! :)

[SandRat]

[Kathy in Alaska]

Never got posted last night.....

Good evening, radu, and a Blessed Lord’s Day to you and yours.

Another Mom day started with her not being able to get down the second of 2 4” steps at the bottom of the stair lift. Had to call Karma next door. He got her up and stayed until she was up both lifts and back in her wheelchair. Then I went and got my hair cut. Just got finished cutting her hair...a hairdresser would be appalled, but it will do.

Now some ice cream...chocolate already on her shirt. Her eyesight and hearing are getting worse, as is her short term memory.

.....She fell again this morning. Got her on a blanket, pulled with a little pushing help from her, and got her to the stairs. Finally got her up. *sigh*

[Kathy in Alaska]

Darn...I didn’t get it. Please resend it...pretty please.

[Kathy in Alaska]

Thanks, Military Families, for your service to our country.

John Conlee ~ They Also Serve

[radu]

Hasn’t been one of your better weekends, has it? :-(

It’s so nice of Karma to help when things get beyond the point you can handle alone. He’s a wonderful neighbor and friend to have.