USO Canteen FReeper Style....Pray for the Troops and President Bush....November 3,2002

FRiends of the USO Canteen FReeper Style ~ Coteblanche ~ Grantswank~ and 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

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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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The Chaplain's Corner

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

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A DIVINE INVITATION

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It was my first year at our church college, and I was homesick. Half the student body was laid low with the flu, and I was one of the sick--weak, confused, worried.

God seemed far away. Exams pressed in. My life was out of focus. I would have gone home and quit studies if I had had the physical strength to pull it off.

Then it was that God invited me to commit the entire situation to him. He welcomed me to spend one hour in prayer each day at the dormitory prayer room so that I could come to know him better.

"But I am not well enough," I pleaded. Nevertheless, the divine invitation stood fast.

I struggled out of bed with Bible in hand, making my wobbly way to the quietness of that prayer room. As I sat there, I opened the Word. I timed myself; I was determined to find help.

Day after day I stole away to the prayer place. On some days the entire hour was total boredom. Then it was that a dark whisper would come to my soul, saying, "See, this is not working. You are foolish. Why are you wasting such time with this project that is going nowhere? You could be using this hour more profitably."

I told that sinister voice to "get behind me" (Matthew l6:23). I was going to be closer to God. He was the One who could help me through the maze.

I set forty days for my prayer time frame. At the close of that time it would be Easter morning. As day folded into day, I sense God's presence more and more. Conscientiously I kept my daily prayer watch with the Lord.

The closer that I came to Easter, the more that peace took over my spirit. In fact, God's presence became so real to me that I became overcome with his joy. I wanted to tell the entire campus about the closeness to God that I had discovered.

It was wonder-filled.

I had never envisioned that with such a depressing start my prayer vigils could have brought such intimacy with Christ. In surrendering to him, I had come to experience utter freedom.

Finally, when it came to the day of resurrection, I sat in worship with tears streaming down my face. I thanked God again and again for such freedom in him.

All of this happened many years ago, yet I remember it as if it were just moments ago. And my prayer watches continue to this day.

With each day's challenges I need to relearn submission.Yet yielding to God has become easier as the years have passed.

Now I try, when the Lord directs, to tell friends about the surrender that I learned through my daily prayer watch: Such rich fellowship. Such blind faith in following the Good Shepherd. Such reckless abandonment to God's will!

Servicewoman and serviceman: Remember: God is only a prayer away. Easter time, any time, draw near to God where you are. God will draw near to you where you are. Blessings to you from your chaplain and praying friends all over the world.

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Click on the banner above to listen to this beautiful song.

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Our Canteen Chaplain,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.

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[DaughterOfAnIwoJimaVet]

WHOA, a 7.5!! You're serious about your earthquakes up there, aren't you!? (Worst one I've ever been in was a good shake - 6.8.)

Hold on tight, Kathy!!

[Kathy in Alaska]

Live earthquake reports

Ham radio reports from the area: continual slow rolling aftershocks. A couple aftershocks here in Anchorage. Nothing fell down here, but anything that can sway, was swaying.

[Dubya]

Glad you are OK

[Aeronaut]

Thank you Linda. That was very profound. I'm just coming off a high after watching the W campaign rally for Norm Coleman. Much more class than the Wellstone memorial pep rally. Norm will win! The Senate will have an "R" after it. Much work will get done. God bless America!

[MoJo2001]

Chaplain Grant

Thank you so much for your words of wisdom. There are many people in pain right now and I'm hoping that they will read those words and start taking great comfort. We all have times in our lives when we feel like giving up, but it is important to remember that God made no junk whatsoever. Each human being is created to be an individual. Whether you choose to be one, it's up to you. It is amazing that we find great comfort in the little irrelevant things in life. Yet, many do not take great comfort in the most relevant things in life such as family, country, and neighbors. When a Nation begins to turn away from what God wants, then the Nation will struggle until it is set right again. I'd like to believe that we are headed in the right direction. For that, I thank you for your joining us on Sundays. A place that is home to the troops should also be a home to prayer and hope!

[MoJo2001]

My beloved Bengals won their first game this year. Woohoo!! Of course, it was at my husband and his Houston Texans expense. Double Woohoo!!! LOL!

[MoJo2001]

Good evening, Goddess!! I've been praying for your withdrawal syndrome and I think that God will finally help you out soon. (Well, MoJo's hoping..LOL)

[MoJo2001]

Oh! Ma, you shouldn't be on the computer. (Um, I'm not sure what you are supposed to do during an earthquake, but I'm so darned worried)

Lord, I pray a protective shield around everyone in Alaska. I'm praying that this earthquake will "shake" what it needs to, but will leave your people alone. Thank you!

[MoJo2001]

I'm so uncreative. So? Good luck to whoever wins it!! Although, I have a free copy and all you'd have to do is Freepmail me for it!!LOL!

Please don't do it! My neighbor is a Liberal and I think he needs to read it. What do you think??LOL!

[Kathy in Alaska]

Upgraded to 7.9 and folks on the ham radio are saying they are reminded of the Good Friday quake in 1964. Local is reporting continual aftershocks. WalMart shopper, just beyond my work, reports fishing poles falling down. No problems at my house, just very dizzy feeling.

[Radix]

Discovery Channel

Right now, this moment here.


Meet Sargent Airborne!

[Kathy in Alaska]

Good afternoon, Aeronaut and Otto, thank you for today's flyover of protection for the Canteen. And thanks for the shuttle ride to Rhode Island for liberty yesterday.

[Long Cut]

Wonderful music on that one, Duchess! Mrs. Cut and I have spent quite some time lately listening to Latin music...it seems to "fit" quite well here in Florida.

In fact, the very first CD we bought for the new car is Laundry Service, by the very talented and very stunning Latina beauty, Shakira.

Her song, "Objection!" has one of the best modern Tangos I've ever heard on a popular album, and her Spanish-language versions of her songs are simply excellent. Mrs. Cut loves her stuff.

[radu]

A pleasant and peaceful 'Good Sunday Evening' everyone.

Hello troops, veterans, and allies. Thank You! from my heart for all you do or have done in the service to our country. May God watch over and protect our troops in the trials ahead, and bring them all home safely to their loved ones. God bless our troops, our veterans, and the Canteeners.

Cote, Chaplain Swank, Snow Bunny, thank you for this beautiful Sunday thread.

[Kathy in Alaska]

Thank you for the prayer. Everything seems to have settled down and folks on the ham radio are quiet now. From them, at least, no reports of much in the way of real damage. Lots of stuff falling on the floor, but nothing major. Nothing fell down at my house.

FWI.....if stuff falling gets to be too much, go outside and stay away from windows. If it's a big one and you can't get out, stand in a door way. But all is well now.

[Soaring Feather]

Hey MoJo, How you doing today girl? Great rant today! You go girl!

[radu]

Oh my, Kathy! Lots of fun up your way, huh? I hope things simmer down soon. Quakes are no fun.

[Long Cut]

And of course, for the troops watching from overseas, a photo of ANY famous female is required:

[radu]

"Cold Winter?" has me LOL! Thanks for the guffaw, Larry.