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FReeper Canteen ~ Sunday Chapel ~ THE MAN IN THE GLASS ~ 16 August 2020
Serving The Best Troops and Veterans In The World !! | The Canteen Crew

Posted on 08/15/2020 5:00:51 PM PDT by Kathy in Alaska


 


 

 

THE MAN IN THE GLASS


I first heard the poem some years ago as a song performed by a former pop musician turned Christian entertainer. Its words had a powerful impact. They were a challenge to self-examination, and a warning about the consequences of life lived without integrity. They were a reminder that each of us must live with his or her self. And that we KNOW what's behind our image, no matter how carefully crafted, or how convincing it may be to others. I wonder if it might also speak to you. It's entitled "The Man in the Glass".

"When you get what you want in your struggle for self, and the world makes you king for a day, Just go to the mirror and look at yourself, And see what THAT man has to say. For it isn't your father or mother or wife whose judgment upon you must pass. The fellow whose verdict counts most in your life is the one staring back from the glass. Some people might think you're a straight-shootin' chum and call you a wonderful guy, but the man in the glass says you're only a bum if you can't look him straight in the eye. He's the fellow to please, never mind all the rest, for he's with you clear up to the end. And you've passed your most dangerous, difficult test if the guy in the glass is your friend. You may fool the whole world down the pathway of years, and get pats on the back as you pass, But your final reward will be heartaches and tears If you've cheated on the man in the glass."

Was this poem written by a pastor to caution his congregation, or by an educator seeking to energize our conscience and encourage some set of core values? No. But I didn't know that, didn't know the REST of the story until this week. It seems that newspaper columnist Ann Landers received it some years ago from a young woman in Louisiana. In her letter, the young woman requested that the author's name be kept anonymous. He had died a few weeks earlier, you see, after years of struggling with a drug habit. He was only twenty-four years old. Hopefully, we can learn the lessons he discovered without repeating his mistakes. As a quote from a Farmer's Almanac of the late 1700s phrased it, "Eny dern fool kin learn from experience...; it takes a smart feller to learn from someone else's experience"!

In the end, our ability to learn from that man or woman in the glass depends on the power of our conscience. But sometimes a conscience can be an untrustworthy guide. We may feel guilty about the wrong kinds of things. Or we may not feel guilty about ANYTHING. The Bible speaks of people whose consciences have been "seared" as with a hot iron. (I Timothy 4:2) The modern term for such a person is "sociopathic". Such a person, it is said, may even be able to pass a lie detector test while lying because they feel no guilt, shame or remorse. Their conscience is clear only because it is nonexistent. Better we should DEVELOP our conscience, and inform it through a study of the timeless truth in God's word. James warned, "If anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man observing his natural face in a mirror; for he observes himself, goes away and immediately forgets what kind of man he was". (1:23-24)

Here's to hoping that all of us will take a good look, and learn from that man or woman in the glass.


CAPT J. David Atwater, CHC, USN


 

 



TOPICS: Culture/Society; Extended News; Free Republic
KEYWORDS: canteen; chapel; military; troopsupport
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1 posted on 08/15/2020 5:00:51 PM PDT by Kathy in Alaska
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To: Kathy in Alaska

I’m usually at work until a couple hours after you post these, but I’m off tonight. So here I am. 8~)


2 posted on 08/15/2020 5:04:02 PM PDT by real saxophonist (Masks are not about controlling a virus. Masks are about controlling people.)
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To: Kathy in Alaska

Hi Everybody!

(((HUGS)))


3 posted on 08/15/2020 5:06:00 PM PDT by left that other site (If you do not stand firm in your faith, you will not stand at all. (Isaiah 7:9))
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To: Kathy in Alaska

Freep mail me to be on or off the Daily Bread ping list


August 16

Big Enough

Bible in a Year:

Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.

Luke 18:16

My grandson ran to the roller coaster line and stood with his back against the height-requirement sign to see if he was big enough to ride. He squealed with joy when his head exceeded the mark.

So much of life is about being “big” enough, isn’t it? To move from car seat to seatbelt and from the back seat to the front. To take a driver’s test. To vote. To get married. Like my grandson, we can spend our lives longing to grow up.

In New Testament times, children were loved but not highly valued in society until they “became of age” and could contribute to the home and enter the synagogue with adult privileges. Jesus shattered the standards of His day by welcoming the impoverished, the diseased, and even children. Three gospels (Matthew, Mark, and Luke) tell of parents bringing little children to Jesus so that He might lay hands on them and pray for them (Matthew 19:13; Mark 10:16).

The disciples rebuked the adults for what they saw as an inconvenience. At this, Jesus was “indignant” (Mark 10:14) and opened His arms to the little ones. He elevated their value in His kingdom and challenged all to become like children themselves—to embrace their vulnerability and need for Him in order to know Him (Luke 18:17). It’s our childlike need that makes us “big” enough to receive His love.

By:  Elisa Morgan Reflect & Pray

How might you need to remain small in order to know God? What does His love, the love of a heavenly Father, mean to you?

Dear God, help me embrace my need for You today that You might draw me closer, like a child, to Your heart.

To learn more about Jesus and His life, visit christianuniversity.org/courses/life-of-christ/.


4 posted on 08/15/2020 5:06:54 PM PDT by The Mayor (I am outraged at your outrage toward the outrage!)
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To: lightman; xzins; bethelgrad; LiteKeeper; MoJo2001; 007; 1 FELLOW FREEPER; 11B3; 1FreeAmerican; ...
Please join us for Sunday Chapel ~ THE MAN IN THE GLASS, and Liberty

Lt. Charles F. Suver, CHC, USN, 28th Marine Regiment, 5th Marine Division
"Mass at Iwo Jima"


Please stop in and say a prayer of protection for the military.
Prayers from all denominations are needed.





Sunday Liberty starts after the Guest Military Chaplain's Service!


5 posted on 08/15/2020 5:12:58 PM PDT by Kathy in Alaska (((~RIP Brian...the Coast Guard lost a good one.~)))
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To: real saxophonist

And a wonderful good evening to you, real saxophonist, and a Blessed Lord’s Day to you and yours.

Hope you are enjoying your time off.


6 posted on 08/15/2020 5:16:42 PM PDT by Kathy in Alaska (((~RIP Brian...the Coast Guard lost a good one.~)))
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To: The Mayor; PROCON; mylife; mountainlion; Publius; Jet Jaguar; ConorMacNessa; ...

Hello Veterans, wherever you are!!

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



7 posted on 08/15/2020 5:18:29 PM PDT by Kathy in Alaska (((~RIP Brian...the Coast Guard lost a good one.~)))
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To: Kathy in Alaska
It's been 95 degrees and no rain in northern Colorado, but enjoying it the best I can.

Got a Ghost Pepper plant growing in a Home Depot bucket that looks like it's actually going to live.

8 posted on 08/15/2020 5:20:50 PM PDT by real saxophonist (Masks are not about controlling a virus. Masks are about controlling people.)
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To: MoochPooch; left that other site; SkyDancer; BTerclinger; DeoVindiceSicSemperTyrannis; BluesDuke; ..

Shavua Tov.
Wishing all our Jewish troops, veterans, families, allies, friends, and Canteeners
a peaceful and prosperous week.


9 posted on 08/15/2020 5:24:14 PM PDT by Kathy in Alaska (((~RIP Brian...the Coast Guard lost a good one.~)))
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To: left that other site

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

Hope you and Blue had a great day. You and Penny get in a hike?

It’s 75 here today, but the wind is really blowing so it’s not too bad.


10 posted on 08/15/2020 5:31:38 PM PDT by Kathy in Alaska (((~RIP Brian...the Coast Guard lost a good one.~)))
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To: Kathy in Alaska

Cold and Rainy today, so no bike, no hike.

But we had a lovely time together anyway. :-)


11 posted on 08/15/2020 5:35:19 PM PDT by left that other site (If you do not stand firm in your faith, you will not stand at all. (Isaiah 7:9))
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To: MoJo2001; The Mayor; PROCON; left that other site; mountainlion; lightman; LUV W; ConorMacNessa; ...

Prayers for our troops, veterans, families, allies, friends, and Canteeners
for a safe and peaceful week ahead.



12 posted on 08/15/2020 5:35:52 PM PDT by Kathy in Alaska (((~RIP Brian...the Coast Guard lost a good one.~)))
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To: The Mayor

Good evening, Mayor, and thank you for today’s sustenance for body and soul.

A Blessed Lord’s Day to you and yours.

How are your mixers coming along? The new welder?

Don’t forget to rest!


13 posted on 08/15/2020 5:44:42 PM PDT by Kathy in Alaska (((~RIP Brian...the Coast Guard lost a good one.~)))
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To: MoochPooch; left that other site; SkyDancer; BTerclinger; DeoVindiceSicSemperTyrannis; BluesDuke; ..

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.


14 posted on 08/15/2020 5:51:43 PM PDT by Kathy in Alaska (((~RIP Brian...the Coast Guard lost a good one.~)))
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To: All


Dear God:
I ask that no Airman, Coast Guardsman,
Marine, Sailor, Soldier, Reservist, National Guardsman, or Merchant Marine
feel alone or forgotten.

O Israel, hope in the Lord;
For with the Lord there is loving kindness,
And with Him is abundant redemption.
And He will redeem Israel
From all his iniquities.

Psalm 130:7 & 8



15 posted on 08/15/2020 6:10:06 PM PDT by Kathy in Alaska (((~RIP Brian...the Coast Guard lost a good one.~)))
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To: real saxophonist

95? Yikes...take good care of you and your Ghost Pepper plant.


16 posted on 08/15/2020 6:19:44 PM PDT by Kathy in Alaska (((~RIP Brian...the Coast Guard lost a good one.~)))
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To: unique1; USMCPOP; JFoxbear; Dad of Chris Mason; debm29palms

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

Thanks, unique.


17 posted on 08/15/2020 6:22:04 PM PDT by Kathy in Alaska (((~RIP Brian...the Coast Guard lost a good one.~)))
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To: Kathy in Alaska; acad1228; AirForceMom; Colonel_Flagg; AliVeritas; aomagrat; ariamne; ...


Ray Walker~Master The Tempest Is Raging
Congregational Singing

Cynthia Clawson & Others~Church In The Wildwood

The Trevecca Madragalians~It Is Well With My Soul

Statler Brothers~How Great Thou Art

St. Olaf Choir~When Peace Like A River

Providence~Farther Along

Vocal Majority~Deep River

Have a blessed Sunday
God bless our troops!


18 posted on 08/15/2020 6:54:14 PM PDT by luvie (The bravery and dedication of our troops in keeping us safe & free make me proud to be an American!)
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To: real saxophonist

Same here but without pepper plant, lots of smoke.


19 posted on 08/15/2020 7:10:18 PM PDT by mountainlion (Live well for those that did not make it back.)
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To: Kathy in Alaska; luvie; HiJinx; AZamericonnie; Jet Jaguar; beachn4fun; SandRat; laurenmarlowe; ...

Greetings to all at the Canteen!

To all our military men and women, past and present,

THANK YOU
for your service!


20 posted on 08/15/2020 7:26:58 PM PDT by radu (God bless our military men and women, past and present)
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