USO Canteen FReeper Style ~ Sunday Chapel, Prayers for the Military ~ April 06 2003

USO Canteen Chaplin grantswank and coteblanche

[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

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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Courage to Kneel

Within the columns and squads
My soul lays bare to God.
My body, wrapped in battle dress
Is hard, yet wearied by the stress.
And I wonder?
What portion of people are driven so
With detailed diligence?
I do not know.

My body is made worthy of its country.
My mind worthy of its God.
Will to do.
Skill to hear.
Strength to move.
Courage to kneel.

Within the columns and squads
The souls, lay bare with anticipation.
The soldiers wrapped in battle dress,
To aid the hurting and the stressed.
And you wonder?
What sort of servants are driven so;
Chaplains assistants.
Do you not know?

SPC Gary Carter

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The Chaplain's Corner

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

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CLIMBING CALVARY

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It was that stark bony look. Calvary was smitten. Its face was just as we had been told in Scripture: rocky and dented with eye sockets, protruded with a nose-shape and vacant as a stare of death.

Along with other tourists, we trudged up the mountain, cameras in hand.

Three scrubby trees were at the very top. There Priscilla sat on some twisted tall grass spikes as I focused her in direct center of the photo. I imagined that that is where the crosses would have been punched in God's otherwise good earth.

It was a hot day.

It was time to leave the Place of the Skull--Golgotha.

In the valley was the Garden Tomb. We meandered toward it, in no hurry, sensing a reverential cast to all of nature. Greenery was everywhere. Bundles of flowering buds peered up to greet us. Sunshine filled all the gaps.

Slowly I made my way to Joseph of Arimathea's empty gravesite. It was carved out of the hillside. A trough had been dug in front of its beautifully crude stone door. Inside that trough the weighty rock slab would have been rolled to seal shut the entrance. No entrance. No exit. Tight. Any corpse inside was there for good, or whatever.

Robbers would have stolen from the tombs if the stone had not been secured.

I walked inside. There was no rock slab now to prohibit. The morning air welcomed my back to keep me moving till inside that resting-place. My eyes adjusted to see the remains of shelves where bodies would have been positioned.

There I pictured His young frame wrapped in clothes, spices tucked in about the sorry piece. A separate cloth would have been wound about his head.

I suppose there were others making the same interior pilgrimage as I. But I don't recall any shadows but my own.

Timeless. It seemed as if I had left time and had no desire to return.

But time called out its practicality. With that, I was in the sun again, milling about the many as we hunkered down on rocks and patches of grass to receive the sacrament.

There was no reason to chat. No one wanted to chat. There was too much going on inside--not so much noise but voices from another time and friends from another culture than ours.

There was simply no way around it. One could not get to the dawn of the first day without going through the trudge up Skull's Mount, then making it into the valley where an empty borrowed tomb stood awaiting the gaping and the saved.

Sometimes in spring when I walk about the Lakes Region, I get that same feeling from the sun, especially when near a garden.

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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]

Bless This House sung along with this afternoon,
twice because I love this song for our troops USO Canteen, and
Prayer of Protection said for all who enter the USO Canteen Freeper Style,
including our troops, our veterans, their families and our allies.
Welcome to all who come to honor our troops and veterans,
for whom this USO Canteen was created.

A PRAYER OF PROTECTION

The light of God surround you
The love of God enfold you
The power of God protect you
The presence of God watch over you
Wherever you are, God is,
And all is well.
Amen.

Wherever you are, God is, and all is well!

[LaDivaLoca]

Long read but good

Europe's Anti-Christian Attitude

Now I know the anti-Christian attitude of the ungrateful Europeans would not dare connect the answer to these questions to the influence of the prevailing Christian faith of the majority of Americans. But whether they like it or not, that is the basis of why we were willing to spill our blood and consume our resources in the pursuit of righting the aggressions that nearly destroyed and enslaved all of Europe.

It was the willingness to sacrifice in order to do the right thing – the determination to set people free and stamp out the forces of tyranny. Those actions did not come out of the natural selfishness of human nature, but from the influences of the teachings of Jesus Christ and the Bible.

And now the majority of the Europeans we set free are upset by President Bush’s frequent references to God and faith – the very factors that motivated us to save them.

Just look at what was reported by Reuters, “The religious overtones in President Bush’s speeches increasingly grate on many ears in Europe, where leaders invoking God in times of war are widely suspect of misusing faith for political purposes. No less than the German president, French prime minister and Belgian foreign minister have joined religious leaders in expressing concern about Bush's beliefs and the place of religion in U.S. politics.”
It is my opinion that one of the reasons God allowed such terrible judgments to fall upon Europe is because of their perversion and rejection of true Christianity. The Theologians of Europe in the 18th century are the ones who began a sophisticated rejection of the Bible’s authenticity and authority.

They are the source of the so-called Liberal and Neo-Orthodox Theological movement. This God-cursed movement is based upon the rejection of the Bible as the literal and infallible Word of God. It is interesting that German Theologians began this insidious movement. I believe that this is the reason most Germans fell for the Godless teachings of Adolf Hitler and National Socialism. These teachings were based upon many occultic concepts, which a Bible believing Christian would have immediately recognized and rejected.

It is these apostate Protestant Religious leaders who are the source of the thinking expressed in this quote from Reuters, “Media commentators, especially in northern European countries with Protestant heritages, have branded Bush's evangelical views as Christian fundamentalism, with some even comparing them to the Islamic fundamentalism of Osama bin Laden.”

Christian Fundamentalism believes that the Bible is the infallible Word of God and should be believed literally, unless the context clearly indicates it is a parable or an allegory. Now if a Christian does that, he believes that we are to proclaim the good news of God’s salvation and forgiveness, purchased by Christ’s death for our sins. He believes that this is a gift and tries to get people to receive it – but not through violence. He believes that in inter-personal relationships, we should treat others, as we would have them treat us; that we should not represent the Gospel with violence.

But Christian Fundamentalist also believe Romans 13:1-10. This passage recognizes that there will always be those who are violent and seek to take the life, liberty and property of others. This applies to both person-to-person and nation-to-nation crimes. God tells us that He has established duly formed government to keep peace, security and order. To those who violate the law, the Bible warns, “For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and he will commend you. For he is God's servant to do you good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, FOR HE DOES NOT BEAR THE SWORD FOR NOTHING. HE IS GOD'S SERVANT, AN AGENT OF WRATH TO BRING PUNISHMENT ON THE WRONGDOER. Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also because of conscience.” (Romans 13:3-5 NIV)

Many of the first believers in Jesus Christ in the New Testament were Roman military officers and soldiers. They were never told to quit the military, but simply urged to do their duty honestly and justly. In the passage quoted above, it says that government agents such as policemen and soldiers do not bear the sword for nothing. Now you don’t spank people with swords. It is a symbol of deadly force.

This is why Christians have often been the best soldiers and policemen. They carry out their duty with faith and justice. King David was one of the greatest warriors to strap on a sword. David writes in the Psalms that it was God who taught his hands how to fight. God called him a man after His own heart. This is because David sought to fight in the will and purpose of God.

On the other hand, a Muslim Fundamentalist literally follows the Koran and the example of Mohammad. This teaches him to spread Islam with the sword. They are commanded to kill the infidel because he does not believe the Prophet Mohammad and the Koran. It teaches Muslims to have no tolerance for any other religion. It teaches ‘Holy War’ or Jihad to spread Islam over other nations. Here are a few quotes from the Koran to illustrate this:

“Those who disbelieve in our communications [i.e. from the Koran], we shall make them enter fire; so oft as their skins are thoroughly burned, we will change them for other skins, that they may taste the chastisement; surely Allah is Mighty and Wise.” (Surah 4:56)

“So when the sacred months have passed away, then slay the idolaters wherever you find them, and take them captive and besiege them and lie in wait for them in every kind of ambush …” (Surah 9:5)

“O you who believe! Do not take the Jews and the Christians for friends; they are friends of each other; and whoever amongst you takes them for a friend, then surely he is one of them; surely Allah does not guide these unjust people.” (Surah 5:51)

The very least we can say is that the more Fundamental a Christian becomes, the more just and loving he will become; but the more Fundamental a Muslim becomes, the more violent and intolerant he will become.

This is the reason why Islamic Fundamentalism is almost synonymous with terrorism. Not all Muslims are terrorists, but almost all terrorist today are Muslim.

From the foundation of the United States of America, our leaders have invoked the guidance and blessing of God, especially in the wars we have fought. George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, Theodore Roosevelt, Woodrow Wilson, Franklin Delano Roosevelt, Harry Truman, to name a few, all sought God’s protection, guidance and blessings as they sent our soldiers into war. They did this because this country was founded on faith in God and the Lord Jesus Christ by the majority. They also did this because we only went to war when the majority of Americans believed it was a just war.

It was our faith in God that motivated us to come to the aid of Europe – particularly France and Belgium – in World Wars 1 and 2. So President George W. Bush is not acting in aberrant way from our history when he seeks God’s guidance and blessings. No, he is following the very essence of what made this country what it is. We have fought with fury against aggressors, but been merciful to the vanquished. We have not kept any of the lands we liberated. We helped even our enemies to rebuild. This behavior is rooted in our faith in the Bible. If we drift from this faith, we too will be destroyed.

So you ungrateful Europeans who criticize public appeals to God for His help – just shut up! You may need our help again.

Email Author: Hal Lindsey

[MeekOneGOP]

I like this photo that will live for a while too . . .

In Umm Qasr, heroes AND Iraqis remove portraits of Saddam.

[E.G.C.]

BTTT!!!!!

[E.G.C.]

BTTT!!!!!

[E.G.C.]

BTTT!!!!!!

[Kathy in Alaska]

Good morning Troops, families, veterans, Canadian, Israeli, Great Britain, Australian, Poland, New Zealand, and Taiwanese allies (and everybody else). Thank you for taking such good care of the USA.

Today in Anchorage, Alaska:

Sunrise 7:05am
Sunset 8:59pm

Hi 38F
Lo 22F

Clearing

Actual yesterday in Anchorage:

Hi 37F
Lo 17F

State Hi 50F Port Alexander
State Lo -20F Port Clarence

[Kathy in Alaska]

Thank you, Meekie, for my cup of hot chocolate each day, and with marshmallows too.

[Kathy in Alaska]

Good morning, E.G.C. Thanks for bumping by.

[Soaring Feather]

Beautiful prayer Diva.

[Soaring Feather]

Duty ~ Honor ~ Country

[Kathy in Alaska]

I like the sun playing games. Thanks.

[grantswank]

hello, kathy. . .

we are surely into some big time breathing space since a couple or three weeks ago.

recall when there were so many posts requesting prayer for this and that related to the iraqi situation--all surely warranted.

that was a grand display of super dependence upon the divine. and the divine has thereby comforted us in the meantime.

what a day to give him offerings of praise.

thank you for noting with another sained glass gospel message.

blessings,

chap grant

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[grantswank]

sorry for misspelling. . .

'sained' = 'stained'

g

[grantswank]

you are most welcome.

thank you for your encouragement. . .
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The winds would blow and skies grow dark
Above my head with clappings dread
Yet I have learned that in the blast
My God holds sway o'er living, dead.

So to His arm I yield my frame
To find the strength that's heaven born
And so ride through the roughest storms
In Father's care, in Father's calm

chap grant

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[grantswank]

THANK YOU
THANK YOU
THANK YOU. . .

it all needs to be said, read, and heeded.

THANK YOU
THANK YOU
THANK YOU for posting this important message from Hal.

chap grant

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[grantswank]

i appreciate those links so so very very much.

chap grant

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[Kathy in Alaska]

Less than 20 miles south of Baghdad, a U.S. Marine with India Company, 3rd Battalion, 5th Regiment, guards prisoners following a firefight. AP

[Kathy in Alaska]

Sgt. Robert Gardner (left) and Lance Cpl. Jeromy Pilon, both with the Marines' India Company, ready an explosive that will be placed inside the captured Iraqi tank behind them. Marines also destroyed a new Mercedes truck containing high-tech communications gear, which they found parked under an overpass. (Sun photo by John Makely)

A Marine with India Company, 3rd Battalion, 5th Regiment, keeps his weapon trained on a truck in Iraq.(Sun photo by John Makely)

[firewalk]

Good afternoon Diva...nice to 'see' you (-: