USO Canteen FReeper Style ~ Sunday Chapel, Prayers for the Military ~ March 30 2003

USO Canteen Chaplin grantswank, coteblanche and FRiends of the Canteen

[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

Dear Lord,

There's a young man far from home,
called to serve his nation in time of war;
sent to defend our freedom
on some distant foreign shore.

We pray You keep him safe,
we pray You keep him strong,
we pray You send him safely home ...
for he's been away so long.

There's a young woman far from home,
serving her nation with pride.
Her step is strong, her step is sure,
there is courage in every stride.
We pray You keep her safe,
we pray You keep her strong,
we pray You send her safely home ...
for she's been away too long.

Bless those who await their safe return.
Bless those who mourn the lost.
Bless those who serve this country well,
no matter what the cost.

Author Unknown

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FReepers from the USO Canteen, The Foxhole, and The Poetry Branch
join in prayer for all those serving their country at this time.

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Welcome to The Canteen Chapel

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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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The Chaplain's Corner

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

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REST IN GOD'S POWER

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Since God Himself is the source of Truth, then Almighty present tense will work out His future tense resurrection dawn miracle in your life.

Wait. Be patient. Do not chide God. Be kind to yourself. Let God be God. Fold into His mystery. Refrain from ordering deity to do anything.

And the last thing you want to do--in fact, not do--is to pray a prayer of directives. That is, you do not want to phrase your own solution to your problem inside a prayer and then ask God to baptize it as a prayer. It is not a prayer at all; it is you playing deity. That cannot be for you cannot eat the forbidden fruit (that is, playing God) and live.

Therefore, right now rest in the Almighty's scheme of things, determined to become less and less strained about the end result.

But what to do with your energy while waiting upon the Almighty's way and time!

Direct your energy toward thanksgiving, refining your mustard seed faith, looking at the cross as your supreme blessing. In time, it surely will show you that it is more than wood stained; it is but the foreshadowing of resurrection dawn.

That is according to the law of life.

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In Time of War or Time of Peace

In time of war or time of peace 
In Christ I find my soul's release, 
To lean upon His strongest arms 
Would guard against this earth's alarm. 

I keep my faith eyes on God's care 
That's seen me through the trials here. 
I keep my hand within His grasp 
To lead me home to heaven at last. 

I'll thank Him, praise Him, tell the world 
That God can keep through fiercest swirl, 
That He knows how to brighten here 
The darkest corner, calm our fear. 

It is a trust that's proven fast 
Because His promises will last 
From earth to all eternity. 
They're guaranteed at Calvary. 

Chap Grant March 27, 2003

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Click on banner above to listen to this 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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A Charge to Keep

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W.H.D. Koerner

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A charge to keep I have,
A God to glorify,
A never dying soul to save,
And fit it for the sky.

To serve the present age,
My calling to fulfill;
O may it all my powers engage
To do my Master's will!

Charles Wesley

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President Bush speaks about the painting and hymn
that have inspired him.

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"Hanging in my office is a beautiful oil painting by W.H.D. Koerner entitled "A Charge to Keep". The painting, inspired by the hymn, pictures a horseman determinedly charging up what appears to be a steep & rough trail.

The painting and hymn have been an inspiration for me & for members of my staff. "A Charge to Keep" calls us to our highest and best. What adds complete life to the painting for me is the message of Charles Wesley that we serve One greater than ourselves. It speaks of purpose and direction. In many hymnals, it is associated with a Bible verse, 1 Corinthians 4:2: "Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful."

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A Prayer for the United States

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Translation:

He who gives victory to kings and dominion to
princes, whose reign is a reign for all eternity,
who saved David, his Servant, from the evil sword,
who made a road through the sea and a path through
mighty waters, may He bless, guard, protect,
aid, exalt, make great and raise on high
The President of the United States George W. Bush

May the King of all Kings in his mercy, keep him
alive and guard him from every distress, grief and
trouble.May he lead nations beneath his feet and
cause his enemies to fall down before him, and may
he have success in all that he shall undertake. May
the King of all kings in his mercy, place compassion
into his heart and into the hearts of all his
advisers and ministers, to deal kindly with us and
with all of Israel. In his days and in our days may
Judah be redeemed and Israel dwell securely, and may
the redeemer come to Zion, may this be His will, and
let us say, Amen.

Thank you Alouette

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Music from Israel

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A Sabbath Song..........May the Temple Be Built

Shalom Medley .........He That Keeps Israel

On The Sabbath Day ...........They Will Rejoice in Thy Kingdom

(You will need Windows Media Player for these songs)

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Songs of Israel
(over an hour of music)

Listen Here

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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

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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.

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"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

During his presidential campaign, George W. Bush said he'd been 'called'
to seek higher office and talked openly about 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

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Eternal Father (organ)....Joyful We Adore Thee (organ)

The Hallelujah Chorus ...... Ave Maria (Kiri Te Kawana)

How Great Thou Art (Elvis).....Just A Closer Walk (Anne Murray)......

Church in the Wildwood (Charlie Pride).....Faith Like That (Anchormen)

In The Garden (Loretta Lynn).......Our God is an Awesome God (Carman)

Take My Hand (Mahalia Jackson).....We Shall Behold Him (The Ruppes)

Where Were You? (Alan Jackson).....The Old Rugged Cross (The Statler Brothers)

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The Children's Corner

Click on child in prayer, to hear Veggie Tunes
(this is over half an hour of music)

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Jesus Loves Me

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Hymns of the Military

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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Click on graphic below to join in
as Kate Smith sings......

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[Kathy in Alaska]

Our military, wherever they are worldwide, our MIA and POW, and those who have given their very lives, can NEVER have too many prayers.

[grantswank]

o, now i get your drift on that point.

yes yes yes.

you are very much historically right re: political this-n-that related to the evangelical community.

thanks, ms. cote.

i can see that the wear-and-tear of yesterday's 24 hour duty keeping has not affected your logic sense one iota. as if it would. NOT!

:-)

chap grant

<//><

[grantswank]

thank heaven for hannah and those in her line!!

chap grant

<//><

[Kathy in Alaska]

Thank you, happygrl, for stopping in the Canteen, this day of prayer for our troops and our President, and offering your prayer.

[Radix]

The Trap

A brigade of Iraqi soldiers are moving down a road when they hear a
voice call from behind a sand dune. "One man from Texas is better
than ten Iraqis."

The Iraqi commander quickly orders 10 of his best men over the dune
where upon a gun-battle breaks out and continues for a few minutes and
then, silence.

The voice once again calls out "One man from Texas is better
than one hundred Iraqi."

Furious, the Iraqi commander sends his next best 100 troops over the
dune and instantly a huge gun fight commences. After 10 minutes of battle,
again, silence.

The Rebel voice calls out again "One man from Texas is better
than one thousand Iraqi."

The enraged Iraqi commander musters 1000 fighters and sends them to
the other side of the dune. Rifle fire, machine guns, grenades, rockets
and cannon fire ring out as a terrible battle is fought.... Then silence.

Eventually one badly wounded Iraqi fighter crawls back over the dune
and with his dying words tells his commander, "Don't send any more
men...... it's a trap. It's two Texas Rangers.

[Kathy in Alaska]

Welcome to the Canteen, FBD, this day of prayer for our troops. Thank you for helping to honor our military.

[Pippin]

AMEN!

[Long Cut]

Good evening, everyone! It's been a while since I've posted, but I've been lurking regularly. How's everybody doing?

[Kathy in Alaska]

Good evening, Beth.

Hi Connor!

[Kathy in Alaska]

Even better than fine, now that you've checked in. Good day to you and Mrs Cut and Mini cut.

[snippy_about_it]

Radix, I'm shocked. LOL.

[snippy_about_it]

Hi LC, how are you and how's MRS. LC? Haven't seen you here in quite awhile (at least as freeper days count).

All good news I hope.

[Long Cut]

Thanks, Kathy. Both Mrs. and Mini are doing quite well...although Mini likes to kick about a bit, especially when Daddy gets home. I still can't get over feeling little arms and legs move under Mrs. Cut's belly.

I've been pretty busy lately...for all obvious reasons, AND there's still things to take care of at home, now that deployment looms even SOONER. I still do not know exactly where I'll be going, but the scuttlebutt is that it's to the OBVIOUS place, one way or another. I leave August first, now.

[FBD]

Thank you, for your hard work with the Canteen! It's very enjoyable to visit.

FReeGards

[Long Cut]

Hi, Snip. Actually, the news from Cut-world has been somewhat mixed of late...while Mrs. Cut and Mini Cut are fine and healthy, unfortunately my mother has been ill of late. She's in her 70's, has diabetes, and is paralyzed as a result of a stroke. NOW, as if that weren't enough, the doc says her kidneys are beginning to fail. She's stubborn, however, and vows to see her grandchild, kidneys or no kidneys!

Also, something...ODD happened today. About 1000 this morning, we heard a loud CRACK outside the house. We found that our house had been paintballed! In broad daylight, in a residential neighborhood, how about that?

No other houses were hit, just ours, and fortunately with soluble paint. The only thing different about ours is the American Flag flying out front. Old Glory was missed by inches, so it apparently was a target.

What times we live in, eh?

[Long Cut]

BTW, thanks for all the continued pings! I read them all, in the hour or so I have to myself lately, before I hit the rack at night.

[Minty]

Father we come before You to ask for those deployed in the land of Iraq. May Your eyes be upon them to deliver and protect them.

Let hope rise in the hearts of those who are imprisioned, send your angels to camp around them . Deliver them from the evil one. Protect their lives, may faith arise in them at this hour to focus all hope and trust in You. You are our hope and strenght. You are our high tower of refuge and safety. Extend Your wings and shelter them. Let them know at this hour that they are not alone.

Let every man and woman deployed in there know that there are more those who stand with them at this hour than those who stand against them. Deliver them safely home.

Whom have I in heaven [but thee]? and [there is] none upon earth [that] I desire beside thee.
My flesh and my heart faileth: [but] God [is] the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever.
Psalm 73:25-26

[tomkow6]

My fat cat is telling me it's time for bed; soooooooo:

  Morticha, the Mistress of Mischief!

 

Good night, all!

May God bless all who come to the Canteen.

May God bless & keep safe all our troops & their famlies!

Dear Lord,
There's a young man far from home,
called to serve his nation in time of war;
sent to defend our freedom
on some distant foreign shore.

We pray You keep him safe,
we pray You keep him strong,
we pray You send him safely home ...
for he's been away so long.

There's a young woman far from home,
serving her nation with pride.
Her step is strong, her step is sure,
there is courage in every stride.

We pray You keep her safe,
we pray You keep her strong,
we pray You send her safely home ...
for she's been away too long.

Bless those who await their safe return.
Bless those who mourn the lost.
Bless those who serve this country well,
no matter what the cost.

God, Bless America!

[snippy_about_it]

I am sorry to hear about your mother. I will say a prayer for her.

You must have great patience. When my I thought someone stole our Support our Troops yard sign my husband was ready to lock and load and go hunting. LOL.

It was there but the wind twisted it and at its new angle I couldn't see it at first.

I hope you don't have anymore trouble.