Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

FReeper Canteen ~ Sunday Chapel ~ YOU ARE SPECIAL ~ 02 May 2021
Serving The Best Troops and Veterans In The World !! | The Canteen Crew

Posted on 05/01/2021 5:06:10 PM PDT by Kathy in Alaska


 


 

 

YOU ARE SPECIAL

"I don't know why I was even born," the young sailor confided! "I'm ugly. I'm not talented. I've never been what you would call smart. I don't really have any friends. And I can't seem to do anything right. I feel like I've spent my whole life letting people down. Sometimes I wonder if even God could love me!"

That conversation took place more than a decade ago, but I still remember it as if it were yesterday. That one and a lot of others over the years with the same message: "I'm no good; I'm just another loser."

Unfortunately, our society places a great premium on looking good, being popular, and being the best -- or at least being "special." Those who don't quite measure up often feel like that young sailor. Sometimes a person can spend his or her whole life trying to earn acceptance, and still end up an outsider. ... Sometimes even when others really DO care for them and want them to be part of the group! Maybe you have felt that way at times. If not, it's probable that someone you know has... or does.

Nearly two thousand years ago, the Apostle Paul described how God has made each of us special, given each person a unique combination of "gifts". It was an important message. It must have been. His letters preserve three different variations on that theme, written to three different communities. (You can read his comments in Romans 12, I Corinthians 12 and Ephesians 4.) A more recent author phrased it this way:

"You Have A Special Message To Deliver"

There is an old Jewish-Christian tradition which says:
God sends each person into this world
With a special message to deliver,
With a special song to sing for others,
With an act of love to bestow.

No one else can speak my message,
Or sing my song, or offer my act of love,
These are entrusted only to me.
According to this tradition,
The message may be spoken,
The song sung, the act of love delivered
Only to a few, or to all the folk in a small town,
Or to all the people in a large city,
Or even to all those in the whole world.

It all depends on God's unique plan for each person.
To which we might add:
The greatest gift of God, one would think,
Is the gift of life.
The greatest sin of humans, it would seem,
Would be to return that gift,
Ungrateful and unopened. Anonymous

If you're feeling down and discouraged today, there's good news. No matter what your appearance, background or position, you're one of God's unique gifts to the rest of us. God loves you, has a special purpose for you, and believes in who you can become. Lift up your heart. Despite all you may have been told, despite all you may have felt, you ARE special after all!

CAPT J. David Atwater, CHC, USN


 

 



TOPICS: Culture/Society; Extended News; Free Republic
KEYWORDS: canteen; chapel; military; troopsupport
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-36 last
To: unique1; USMCPOP; JFoxbear; Dad of Chris Mason; debm29palms

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

Thanks, unique.


21 posted on 05/01/2021 8:02:05 PM PDT by Kathy in Alaska ((~RIP Brian...the Coast Guard lost a good one.~))
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 8 | View Replies]

To: mountainlion

On my goodness...mountainlion, you are on quite the roller coaster of weather!!

A Blessed Lord’s Day to you and yours. And stay safe!


22 posted on 05/01/2021 9:15:46 PM PDT by Kathy in Alaska ((~RIP Brian...the Coast Guard lost a good one.~))
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 13 | View Replies]

To: Kathy in Alaska

Thank you Kathy!
Got caught up watching TV. Back is doing better everyday.
I got another 30 day ban on facebook. Can’t tell truth there


23 posted on 05/01/2021 9:18:18 PM PDT by The Mayor (I am outraged at your outrage toward the outrage!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 8 | View Replies]

To: luvie

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

Beautiful hymns...thank you.


24 posted on 05/01/2021 9:20:33 PM PDT by Kathy in Alaska ((~RIP Brian...the Coast Guard lost a good one.~))
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 16 | View Replies]

To: Kathy in Alaska; radu; luvie; beachn4fun; All
A very pleasant good Sunday morning and ((HUGS)) to everyone at the Canteen and to all our military at home and abroad. Thanks for your service to our country.

How's everyone doing this morning?

25 posted on 05/01/2021 11:51:42 PM PDT by E.G.C.
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: The Mayor

You were a bad boy again? You know the truth will not be tolerated! 😎

So happy that the back is doing better.


26 posted on 05/01/2021 11:57:44 PM PDT by Kathy in Alaska ((~RIP Brian...the Coast Guard lost a good one.~))
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 23 | View Replies]

To: radu

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

Did you warm up? Rain for the corn?

Beautiful day here, but chilly outside.


27 posted on 05/02/2021 12:10:10 AM PDT by Kathy in Alaska ((~RIP Brian...the Coast Guard lost a good one.~))
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 19 | View Replies]

To: Mark17; Excellence; TADSLOS; Tax-chick; RightOnline; luvie; GodBlessUSA; KC Burke; ...
Thanks, Military Families, for your service to our country.


John Conlee ~ They Also Serve


28 posted on 05/02/2021 12:32:58 AM PDT by Kathy in Alaska ((~RIP Brian...the Coast Guard lost a good one.~))
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 27 | View Replies]

To: Jet Jaguar; txradioguy; Excellence; TADSLOS; JemiansTerror; Tax-chick; DocRock; CMS; ...
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.


29 posted on 05/02/2021 12:34:05 AM PDT by Kathy in Alaska ((~RIP Brian...the Coast Guard lost a good one.~))
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 28 | View Replies]

To: E.G.C.

Good morning, E...((HUGS))...you and Gizmo ready for a good adventure today?

A Blessed Lord’s Day to you and yours.

You boys enjoy your Sunday.


30 posted on 05/02/2021 12:37:38 AM PDT by Kathy in Alaska ((~RIP Brian...the Coast Guard lost a good one.~))
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 25 | View Replies]

To: E.G.C.

Howdy, E.G.C. ((HUGZ))

I hope you had another gorgeous day for your romp with Gizmo yesterday, though I imagine it drew out the crowds again.


31 posted on 05/02/2021 12:41:16 AM PDT by radu (God bless our military men and women, past and present)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 25 | View Replies]

To: Kathy in Alaska
Hey there, Kathy.

No rain today but it's on its way from TX. We have several wet days ahead. Today was sunny and warm.

It might be chilly up there but it's warm enough the lake ice is melting fast. Open water in many spots now. They had a thin ice rescue training session on Lake Hood this morning that was fun to watch.

Did you see/hear the C-17 that flew around for a little while this afternoon?


32 posted on 05/02/2021 12:53:53 AM PDT by radu (God bless our military men and women, past and present)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 27 | View Replies]

To: radu; Kathy in Alaska; luvie; beachn4fun; All
Well, I had to reset my Chrome browser yesterday evening because it was going haywire on me with the adware links popping up every now and then. Hopefully today will be a little more smoother in that regard.

But, yep we had fun at Comanche Lake yesterday. Gizmo got to do some rock walking. There were some people out there also.

Pics from yesterday.

We did have ribs for supper yesterday:


33 posted on 05/02/2021 3:03:00 AM PDT by E.G.C.
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 31 | View Replies]

To: Kathy in Alaska

We had a great ride, the weather was lovely, but not a Yard Sale in sight. Very weird for new England.


34 posted on 05/02/2021 3:52:59 AM PDT by left that other site (If you do not stand firm in your faith, you will not stand at all. (Isaiah 7:9))
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 20 | View Replies]

To: radu; bitt; SkyDancer; DarthVader; Jet Jaguar; fieldmarshaldj; Jane Long; LS; knarf; rodguy911; ...

I highly recommend this video to anyone who really is interested in World War II history!

D-DAY TO GERMANY, 1944; EDITED PRIVATE FOOTAGE WITH NARRATION OF NORMANDY INVASION

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8dXDl60fLdo


35 posted on 05/02/2021 2:37:14 PM PDT by ExTexasRedhead
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 19 | View Replies]

To: ExTexasRedhead

Good link, ETR...thanks!


36 posted on 05/05/2021 10:08:21 PM PDT by Kathy in Alaska ((~RIP Brian...the Coast Guard lost a good one.~))
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 35 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-36 last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson