USO Canteen FReeper Style Pray for the Troops and President Bush....October 20,2002

FRiends of the USO Canteen FReeper Style ~Coteblanche & Snow Bunny~

[Snow Bunny]

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Although we are always aware
that the Canteen is operating
in Cyberspace, we want the troops
and anyone who is on the receiving end
of prayers at the Canteen,
to know that these prayers are very real.

I hope the troops and Canteeners
alike, will view this Canteen Chapel,
as a place where you might go in times of
trouble or times of joy to be with your God.

"Come unto me all ye who are weary and
burdened,and I shall give you rest." (Matt: 11:28).

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George W. Bush: A President of Faith

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A Man of Prayer

A reporter on CNN was asked

"What did George W. Bush do
on his first morning as president-elect?"

This was Tony Clark's answer:

"He attended a prayer service with family,
friends and staff members."

George W Bush's priorities were established
on the first day of his Presidency.

The President Takes His Faith to Work

President George W. Bush looks over to Thomas Martello, 6,
during the signing ceremony of the Victims of Terrorism
Tax Relief Act in the East Room Jan. 23.
"We're joined today by families who have lost loved ones
in the great acts of evil," said the President.
"As you draw on faith and personal strength to cope with your grief,
I hope you'll also find comfort in the knowledge that
your nation stands with you and prays for you.
We mourn those whom we've lost, and we face the future together."

The President Lives his Faith

President Bush says he prays every day
in all kinds of situations,
and has been seen to quietly bow his head and pray
before news conferences and important meetings.
"I pray for guidance. I do not pray for earthly things
but for heavenly things, for wisdom
and patience and understanding."

"For strength and support, Bush turns to
the same things that have sustained
him for two decades: his faith and his family . . .
Bush prays and reads the Bible every day.
These days, aides say, they often spot
a Bible on his desk in the Oval Office.
In conversation or meetings, he often refers to
passages of Scripture that he has just read."

"There are prayers that help us last
through the day, or endure the night.
There are prayers of friends and strangers
that give us strength for the journey.
And there are prayers that yield
our will to a will greater than our own."

George W. Bush September 14, 2001
National Day of Prayer and Remembrance.

Listen to President George W Bush
in an Inspiring Song by Russ Lee

Don't miss this.

I'm Going To Live What I Believe

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Music for a Sunday

How Great Thou Art (Elvis Presley) ......A Mighty Fortress

Amazing Grace (Statler Brothers).....Praise Adonai (Steve Israel)

The Lord's Prayer.....Ave Maria

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Hymns of the Military

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Army Hymn: "God of Our Fathers"

Navy Hymn: "Eternal Father Strong to Save"

Air Force Hymn: "Lord Guard and Guide the Men Who Fly"

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We, at the Canteen, offer these prayers 
to those serving their country 
today. God Bless you all.

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Psalm 59:1,16&17
(Patti Vaillant)

"Deliver me from mine enemies,O my God:
Defend me from them that rise up against me.
But I will sing of thy power;yes I will sing
aloud of thy mercy in the morning; for thou
hast been my defence and refuge in the day
of my trouble. Unto thee, O my strength will
I sing: for God is my defence, and the God of 
my mercy."

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Our Prayer
(Celine Dion/Andrea Bocelli)

I pray you'll be our eyes, 
And watch us where we go.
And help us to be wise 
In times when we don't know.

Let this be our prayer, 
When we lose our way.
Lead us to a place, 
Guide us with your grace
To a place where we'll be safe. 

I pray we'll find your light,
And hold it in our hearts
When stars go out each night,
Remind us where you are.. 

Let this be our prayer
When shadows fill our day
Lead us to a place
Guide us with your grace 
Give us faith so we'll be safe.

We ask that life be kind
And watch us from above.
We hope each soul will find
Another soul to love.

Let this be our prayer,
Just like every child,
Needs to find a place, 
Guide us with your grace
Give us faith so we'll be safe.

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Introducing .....

Today we are introducing a new feature to the 
Sunday Canteen - The Chaplain's Corner - with our 
very own FReeper chaplain, Grant Swank. 

Grant has been a regular contributor at the Poetry 
Branch, and we have come to know and appreciate his 
talent and his sincerity. Besides that - he is a 
genuinely nice guy :-).

Let me introduce you to Grant:

Grant Swank is pastor of the New Hope Church. 
He has pastored for 40+ years, 
ministering in Calgary, Alberta; Indianapolis; 
Kansas City; Manchester CT; Akron OH; Fishkill NY; 
Walpole MA and presently in Maine. 

Grant also finds ministry in writing for various 
Protestant and Catholic publications, including 
CHRISTIANITY TODAY, DECISION and THE PRIEST. 

Presently, Grant is providing columns for websites 
such as CHALCEDON, INTELLECTUAL.CONSERVATIVE, 
MENSNEWSDAILY, MICHNEWS and WOUNDEDSHEPHERDS. 

He also writes a weekly column, "Lakes Religion," 
for the PORTLAND PRESS HERALD newspaper, Portland ME. 

He and his wife, Priscilla, have traveled extensively, 
including the Middle East, Europe and South America. 
The Swanks have three adult children: Crystal, Jay and 
Heidi Jo.

We are very fortunate that Grant has agreed to give 
us a brief message every Sunday at the Canteen. We 
hope it will be a comfort to you, and to every serviceman 
and servicewoman joining us.

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The Chaplain's Corner

J. Grant Swank, Jr.,
Pastor, New Hope Church

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WHEN NOTHING WORKS, GOD IS

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How many times in life do you sit yourself down and say, "Nothing is happening. Maybe even God forgot to punch in today."

Oh really?

Go figure, as the teens say today. Go figure what happened with Joe seated in Egypt's jailhouse cell. Nothing was going on. Nothing. Rats ran across the floor. Water gathered flies in the corner bowl. But God had failed to punch in.

Go figure what was going on with Job seated on an ash heap. Nothing was moving but his squirrelly wife who wound his ear drums up tight. "Curse God and die!" Nice woman. Really one sweety pie of a gal. In other words, from all appearances, nothing at all was happening in that man's life but the worst of times.

Go figure with Dan being led to the den. Hands tied with rope. Burly soldiers tossing him about the footpath. An empire breathing down his slender throat. And lions salivating all over the cave floor. Obviously, God had forgotten to punch in.

Go figure with Noah and Mom Noah and three sons with daughters-in-law. Nothing really was happening but more sweat pounded into a backyard boat. And for what? For a "rain" that had never been? For "drops from above" that were mere fiction? Noah had ringing in his ears night and day due to the clamor of neighbors' pans clanging ridicule till dawn. Evidently God had forgotten to punch in.

Go figure with Paul, stoned and left for dead. For doing what? For preaching love, joy and peace. For showing a village how to find their ways to heaven. For befriending Jews and Gentiles alike for Jesus' sake. The end of it all was a ministry of stones pounded into his flesh. God--why don't you remember to show up for work when Paul needs you?

Go figure with you--vacuum, nobody loves you, nothing is going right, friends have betrayed you, enemies are screwing up their ammunition fire for another round, skies are loaded with rain clouds, and a dentist appointment stares you in the face for l o'clock this afternoon!

Do you not believe that when nothing works, God is? Have you not committed yourself to blind faith in His doings, whether you can understand them or not, whether you feel anything religious or not, whether anyone else cares about your mission or not?

Do you not reckon that the journey can be a lonely one? The way of the cross? The pilgrimage of an alien here below?

Then look back particularly on one who--go figure--had all the reasons to conclude that Father had forgotten to clock in on that particular Thursday night, moving into Friday's bloodletting as well.

There He hung--messed up, unsightly, belly bellowing to the Calvary winds, flies buzzing about his crusted brow, arms sagging beneath nails punched into his skin, an army of cowardly disciples hiding out in nighttime's shelters. Nothing was going on. Nothing.

Go figure.

[grantswank]

you are most welcome.

good to meet you via cyberspace.

blessings,

chap grant

[SAMWolf]

Letters to a pastor

Dear Pastor,
I know God loves everybody but He never met my sister. Yours sincerely, Arnold. Age 8, Nashville.

Dear Pastor,
Please say in your sermon that Peter Peterson has been a good boy all week. I am Peter Peterson. Sincerely, Pete. Age 9, Phoenix

Dear Pastor,
My father should be a minister. Every day he gives us a sermon about something. Robert, Page 11, Anderson

Dear Pastor,
I’m sorry I can’t leave more money in the plate, but my father didn’t give me a raise in my allowance. Could you have a sermon about a raise in my allowance? Love, Patty. Age 10, New Haven

Dear Pastor,
My mother is very religious. She goes to play bingo at church every week even if she has a cold. Yours truly, Annette. Age 9, Albany

Dear Pastor,
I would like to go to heaven someday because I know my brother won’t be there. Stephen. Age 8, Chicago

Dear Pastor,
I think a lot more people would come to your church if you moved it to Disneyland. Loreen. Age 9. Tacoma

Dear Pastor,
I liked your sermon where you said that good health is more important than money but I still want a raise in my allowance. Sincerely, Eleanor. Age 12, Sarasota

Dear Pastor,
Please pray for all the airline pilots. I am flying to California tomorrow. Laurie. Age 10, New York City

Dear Pastor,
I hope to go to heaven some day but later than sooner. Love, Ellen, age 9. Athens

Dear Pastor,
Please say a prayer for our Little League team. We need God’s help or a new pitcher. Thank you. Alexander. Age 10, Raleigh

Dear Pastor,
My father says I should learn the Ten Commandments. But I don’t think I want to because we have enough rules already in my house. Joshua. Age 10, South Pasadena

Dear Pastor,
Who does God pray to? Is there a God for God? Sincerely, Christopher. Age 9, Titusville

Dear Pastor,
Are there any devils on earth? I think there may be one in my class. Carla. Age 10, Salina

Dear Pastor,
I liked your sermon on Sunday. Especially when it was finished. Ralph, Age 11, Akron

Dear Pastor,
How does God know the good people from the bad people? Do you tell Him or does He read about it in the newspapers? Sincerely, Marie. Age 9, Lewiston

[grantswank]

so good to see you in today's chapel.

blessings,

chaplain grant

[Kathy in Alaska]

Welcome Pastor Swank to the USO Canteen FReeper Style. It is indeed a pleasure to meet you Sir. Thank you for your words this Sunday morning. I look forward to seeing you each Sunday.

[SAMWolf]

Coteblanche speaks highly of you. Reading your words this morning, I can see why.

I hope you have a long and pleasant relation with the Canteen

[DaughterOfAnIwoJimaVet]

LOL - those are hilarious (and adorable)!

[grantswank]

it's an honor to be in the chapel.

wonderful to see so many kind faces there today.

our prayers are always with them all. . .

blessings,

chaplain grant

[grantswank]

thank you thank you thank you so very very much for posting that inspiring prayer today.

blessings,

chaplain grant

[grantswank]

much appreciation to you for the gracious welcome extended.

be assured of my intercessions on your behalf.

blessings to you and yours. . .

chaplain grant

sunday oct 20 02

[grantswank]

thanks so much for your kind words regarding today's chaplain's corner message.

i prayed that it would strike home with hope and increased faith.

blessings to you and yours always. . .

chaplain grant

the lord's day / october 20 02

[grantswank]

hello ms. bentfeather,

what a pleasure to meet you in the chapel today.

heaven's best be upon you and yours.

blessings,

chap grant

psalms 23 and 37

[grantswank]

you are most kind with your greetings to me, chap grant, the first sunday of having the honor of meeting you all in the chapel.

may the good lord watch over each of you.

thank you once again for taking the time to note me today.

chap grant

psalm 91

[SAMWolf]

Aren't kids just so innocent?

[desertcry]

W is a man who thinks of himself last. God is 1st, his fellow Americans 2nd, his Country 3rd, ................, and lastly George W. Bush, as perhaps an after thought.

[grantswank]

hello kathy. . .

you are very kind in your welcome to me today.

i count it a privilege to meet you all in the chapel each sunday. may the lord bless us as we seek to serve the eternal.

blessings,

chaplain grant

romans 8:28

[desertcry]

W is a man who thinks of himself last. God is 1st, his fellow Americans 2nd, his Country 3rd, ................, and lastly George W. Bush, as perhaps an after thought.

[tomkow6]

At a wedding ceremony that I was performing,
I raised my hand to give the final blessing.
The bride misunderstood my gesture and
surprised me with a high-five.
Not wanting to exclude the groom, I offered
him a high-five, too.
I was finally able to get my blessing in,
amid the laughter of the guests.

[tomkow6]

Welcome to the Canteen!

Sometimes I look like this:

Most times I look feel like this:

Have you seen my "kitty-katz"?

[SAMWolf]

How Can I Get To Heaven?

"If I sold my house and my car, had a big garage sale and gave all my money to the church, would that get me into Heaven?" I asked the children in my Sunday School class.

"NO!" the children all answered.

"If I cleaned the church every day, mowed the yard, and kept every thing neat and tidy, would that get me into Heaven?"

Again, the answer was, "NO!"

"Well, then, if I was kind to animals and gave candy to all the children, and loved my wife, would that get me into Heaven?", I asked them again.

Again, they all answered, "NO!"

"Well, I continued, "then how can I get into Heaven?"

A five-year-old boy shouted out, "YOU GOTTA BE DEAD!"