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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[cherry_bomb88]

'scuse me...sorry about that....think my cold's getting worse not better

I'm off for the afternoon fellow FReepers & Canteeners...God Bless you all and GOD BLESS OUR TROOPS!!!!

BBL

[cherry_bomb88]

Thanks, Cote...just pouring out what I feel...some say I am blessed with the gift of expression...or perhaps cursed with the gift of gab!

[Mudboy Slim]

"...the sky was so blue and I wished I could just have a lazy day...then all of the sudden I remembered we were at war, and I thought about our service members across the world and what THEY have to face today and I felt guilty for wanting to just laze around..."

Not a whole lotta lazin' around these parts nowadays, but yer right to enjoy yer day as YOU please is why them folks are over there fightin' right now...they'll be back soon enough!!

My prayers are with 'em, too...MUD

[cherry_bomb88]

they'll be back soon enough!!

Yes, that's my biggest prayer....get the job done and get home safely. GOD BLESS THEM ALL

[SAMWolf]

Current Military News
Prayers and Rallies

Roman Catholic Priest. Ken Medve of Allentown, Pa., offers Holy Communion during a Mass for the U.S. Marines of the15th Expeditionary Unit at a Marine camp in southern Iraq Saturday, March, 29, 2003. (AP Photo/Itsuo Inouye)


A U.S. Marine prays during a Mass said by Roman Catholic Priest Ken Medve of Allentown, Pa., not seen, during a Mass for the15th Expeditionary Unit at a Marine camp in southern Iraq Saturday, March, 29, 2003. (AP Photo/Itsuo Inouye)


Soldiers of the British 1st Batallion Parachute Regiment listen to Padre Kevin Mentzel during a religious service, at Camp Eagle 2 in the Kuwaiti desert, in this Friday March 21 photo made available, Saturday March 29, 2003. As some units on the field have been ordered an operational pause for a chance to resupply, U.S. and British aircraft and missile strikes continue to try to wear down the fighters protecting the approaches to Baghdad: Saddam Hussein's Republican guard. (AP Photo/Chris Ison/POOL)


A Roman Catholic chaplain gives the holy blessing to U.S. Marines in a desert base in northern Kuwait, March 19, 2003 after what may be the last mass the men will hear before they go into combat.


Steve Busico, 5, son of U.S. Army Spec. Stefano Busico of the 101st Airborne Division, kneels down and looks at his small American flag as his family holds a larger flag adorned with family photographs, during a rally in support of the troops in Iraq on Fort Campbell Blvd. in Clarksville, Tenn., Saturday, March 29, 2003. More than 500 supporters lined both sides of the street for about a quarter mile amidst news that the 101st Airborne Division has had an increased role in the war against Iraq. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)


Corbin Butler, 5, left, and Curtis McFarland, 3, right, play with their American flags as they attend a rally for their fathers, and other members of the 101st Airborne Division, on Fort Campbell Blvd. in Clarksville, Tenn., Saturday, March 29, 2003.


Families and friends of soldiers with the 101st Airborne Division take part in a support rally on Fort Campbell Blvd. in Clarksville, Tenn., Saturday, March 29, 2003.

[SAMWolf]

Thanks for the Sermon, afraid I'm guilty as charged.

[snippy_about_it]

Well, I miss at least one or two of you. :)

[Mudboy Slim]

SHEEEEESH...that third to last one was like a punch in the gut..."Steve Busico, 5, son of U.S. Army Spec. Stefano Busico of the 101st Airborne Division, kneels down and looks at his small American flag as his family holds a larger flag adorned with family photographs, during a rally in support of the troops in Iraq on Fort Campbell Blvd. in Clarksville, Tenn., Saturday, March 29, 2003."

My boy turns 5 on the 20th of April...MUD

[MeekOneGOP]

should be "all y'all" ...at least according to Mud...lol

LOL! I can do "All" "Yall" too ! . . .

[SAMWolf]

Rain can't halt pro-U.S. rally on the Hill
4,000 gather to support Iraq operation

Paula McCooey
The Ottawa Citizen

Sunday, March 30, 2003

Raymond Robinson was one of thousands who gathered on Parliament Hill yesterday despite the rain. Before dispersing, those gathered sang God Save the Queen, accompanied by the blaring of car horns.

Nearly 4,000 people gathered yesterday on Parliament Hill to express their support for the U.S. and its partners in Iraq. Organizers urged the crowd to sign a petition to be delivered to the prime minister.

Supporters of the war in Iraq grabbed their opportunity yesterday to voice their approval of the U.S.-led coalition forces' efforts to remove Saddam Hussein from office and liberate the Iraqi people, while a smaller crowd rallied for peace outside the U.S. Embassy.

Nearly 4,000 supporters of the U.S. and coalition forces weathered the rain to relay their opposition to Prime Minister Jean Chrétien's decision to exclude Canada from the 45 nations listed as allies.

Signs piercing the sea of red, white, and blue read "God Bless America" and "Shame to Chrétien."

The ralliers, many of them more senior than their "peace" opponents, stood before the Peace Tower to hear words that validate their convictions.

"We have to stand by the people of operation Iraqi Freedom," Debbie Jodoin told the crowd.

Ms. Jodoin, a member of an anti-Liberal group "Free Dominion," organized the rally. Strong backers of Free Dominion and the pro-war rally included members of the Canadian Alliance and Progressive Conservative parties, as well as personalities such as CFRA talk show host Lowell Green.

Mr. Green stood with his hand on a boy's shoulder in front of the soaked crowd.

"I want to introduce to you to Ahmed," he said, as the crowd cheered.

"Ahmed is an Iraqi who had to flee his own country. And with God's will and the allies of the coalition, Ahmed may soon be able to go back to his own land and live in freedom."

The ralliers responded by yelling "free Ahmed."

Ontario Conservative Ottawa-West Nepean MPP Gary Guzzo said speakers and citizens alike were standing on the parliamentary lawn to differentiate "what is right and what is wrong in this world."

"Our thoughts and prayers are with the coalition forces who are today in danger, protecting our freedom, and our thoughts and prayers are more importantly with the captured soldiers and we hope and pray for their safe return," Mr. Guzzo said, emphasizing his approval of Ontario Premier Ernie Eves' and Alberta Premier Ralph Klein's support of the war.

Bernard Phipps, 72, a Vietnam war veteran sporting military medals, stood waving a U.S. and an Ontario flag.

He said the road U.S. President George W. Bush is taking is the only path to free the Iraqi people. This, he says, is because the U.S. and British forces know Mr. Saddam's game.

"I feel that there's no other way to get rid of Saddam and his party," said Mr. Phipps.

"The way the organization is set up, no one else can get to him, only the U.S., British forces and the allied coalition."

Mr. Phipps said he believed the peace ralliers who criticize the U.S. for going to Iraq without proof that the country has weapons of mass destruction and chemical and biological weapons were "uninformed."

Mr. Phipps said he believes Mr. Saddam had hidden the weapons below his 47 palaces, confounding the UN weapons inspectors charged with uncovering them.

In a brief appearance before the crowd, Canadian Alliance leader Stephen Harper repeated the message he has been hammering home to the Chrétien government since the conflict began.

"We should support the military personnel we already have in the theatre," Mr. Harper said.

Before summing up, Ms. Jodoin urged the crowd to sign a petition posted on a Canadian Alliance Web site.

She said she plans to personally present the signatures to Mr. Chrétien on Parliament Hill.

As ralliers dispersed, they sang God Save the Queen. Cars with U.S. flags flapping out windows honked horns along Wellington Street.

Meanwhile, close to 100 anti-war demonstrators stood in front of the U.S. Embassy on Sussex Drive. One protester burned a U.S. flag, while demonstrators gathered.

"I am here to protest this immoral, illegal war," said Amira Maaruf, 31, in front of the embassy.

"The U.S. is serving its own interest, as always," Ms. Maaruf said.

"It wants control, it wants oil, it wants domination of the region, the Middle East, the world. It has nothing to do with democracy, and it has nothing to do the with the people.

"Brainwashed," was how Ms. Maaruf characterized those rallying on the Hill.

"So far there is no evidence of any mass destruction weapons in Iraq. There is no imminent threat from him (Mr. Saddam). There is more of a threat from North Korea. I just don't think they have the full picture."

Ottawa police said they made no arrests at either rally.

[happygrl]

Dear Lord, Thank you, thank you, thank you for this country, this people, for our President and for the brave soldiers who are serving us and offering their lives for our safety and security. Help us to be worthy of their sacrifice and to honor them always. Encourage and comfort their families, those who are experiencing the loss of their dear one, and those who are living with the fear of their capture. Bless all these families for the gift of their child, husband, father, mother, wife, brother or sister and give them your peace.

Continue to give our president your wisdom and peace, Oh Father of us all, and protect his family.

We know that we battle not merely flesh and blood, but powers and principalities and we pray that the spiritual battle is won over the evil that infests the land of Iraq.

We pray also for the soldiers of our allies, and for their families. Protect them and guide them and their nations.

May we always remember that you have redeemed us and paid a great price. And we ask all this in the name of our Savior Jesus.

[Mudboy Slim]

SHEEESH...y'all gotta accent...LOL!!

FReegards...MUD

[SAMWolf]

Current Military News
82nd Airborne

A member of the 2nd Brigade Combat Team 82nd Airborne Division takes a nap March 28, 2003, after his convoy arrived at a forward deployed location in southern Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. (AP Photo/Staff Sgt. Shane A. Cuomo)


A U.S. Army paratrooper from the 82nd Airborne Division moves to a suspected weapons cache near Khowri Khorah village in the Kohe Safi region, 20 kilometers (12 miles) east of Kabul, Afghanistan, Tuesday, March 25, 2003. The cache, is one of the largest found in Afghanistan. (AP Photo/U.S. Army, Pfc. Charles D. Meseke)


A U.S. Army paratrooper of 82nd Airborne Division overlooks a valley where a suspected weapons cache is hidden near Khowri Khorah village in the Kohe Safi region, 20 kilometers (12 miles) east of Kabul, Afghanistan), Thursday, March 27, 2003.


A U.S. Army paratrooper of 82nd Airborne Division secures a perimeter as his company moves to a suspected weapons cache near Khowri Khorah village in the Kohe Safi region, 20 kilometers (12 miles) east of Kabul, Afghanistan, Thursday, March 27, 2003.


U.S. Army paratroopers of 82nd Airborne Division move to a suspected weapons cache near Khowri Khorah village in the Kohe Safi region, 20 kilometers (12 miles) east of Kabul, Afghanistan, Thursday, March 27, 2003.


U.S. Army paratroopers of 82nd Airborne Division overlook a valley where a suspected weapons cache was hidden near Khowri Khorah village in the Kohe Safi region, 20 kilometers (12 miles) east of Kabul, Afghanistan, Thursday, March 27, 2003.

[Soaring Feather]

"Brainwashed," was how Ms. Maaruf characterized those rallying on the Hill.

"So far there is no evidence of any mass destruction weapons in Iraq. There is no imminent threat from him (Mr. Saddam). There is more of a threat from North Korea. I just don't think they have the full picture."

Thank You SAM for posting this article!

Those people who cling to the BS there is no evidence of weapons of mass destruction just boil my blood.

[FBD]

Late mornin to you, Meek!
nice and WARM, up here in Oregon, today - 65 degrees!
cherry trees are in full bloom.

FREEgards

[FBD]

Beautiful poems, graphics, and prayers!
Thanks!

[FBD]

mornin' Mud,
Thanks for pinging me to the Canteen.

[Bethbg79]

Hello Troops!!

Hello Canteen crew!!