FReeper Canteen ~ Pentagon Chaplains Office ~ Guest Military Chaplain ~ January 09 2005

www.hqda.army.mil ^ | Chaplain Alan Pomaville

[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

 

 

 

 

Chaplain's Corner

Each year, most people like to celebrate New Years Day. We are happy we made it through this one and look forward to what the new-year will bring! Making a New Year's Resolution is a noble effort to try to improve some area of our life. It is a good time for personal reflection. A good question to ask is 'Am I making the most of what God has given me?' Or, 'am I living well and making a difference to God and other people?' Let's take a look at Stephen, a person who lived well and died well. He was a man who lived life to the fullest and died while extending grace, forgiveness, and mercy.

Full of Faith and the Holy Spirit: Acts 6:5 '... so they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit.' Stephen was full of life and made a huge impact on many people. His inner spirit directly impacted his outward actions. His trust in God and fullness of spirit led to his selection as one of the first Deacons in the Church. Maybe we should ask the Lord for more faith this year. Or we could ask for a fresh filling of the Holy Spirit of God! Is your life full of faith and the Holy Spirit?

Blessed by God and Full of Power: Acts 6:8: "Stephen, a man richly blessed by God and full of power, performed great miracles and wonders among the people.' If you want to do great things for God in the next year, it will not be in your own strength. The early Church Fathers understood that their strength and power came from the Lord. Their power came from the Holy Spirit and was in correlation to the Lord's calling on their life and the amount of their faith, trust and love for God. The Lord has a variety of gifts that he gives to people to fulfill His plans and purposes. We may not do great miracles like Stephen, but we can use our gifts and abilities to love and help other people. Loving the Lord and loving others is the best way to make a difference for the Kingdom of God. Are you living life to the fullest? Is your life blessed and full of power? In the midst of our weakness, God's Spirit can make us strong! If you want blessings and power this year; focus on your vertical and horizontal relationships. Your relationship with God and People!

Full of Courage and Mercy: Acts 7:59-60: 'They kept stoning Stephen as he called out to the Lord. "Lord Jesus, receive my Spirit" He knelt down and cried with a loud voice. "Lord! Do not hold this sin against them!" He said this and he died.' How in the world do you forgive people who are literally killing you? That does not come naturally; it is a super-natural work of the Holy Spirit of God. Stephen lived his life to the fullest and while facing death; he displayed courage, mercy and grace.

Live like you were dying: Stephen followed the example of his personal Lord and Savior at his point of death. If you recall, Jesus extended forgiveness while he hung on the cross. It amazes me when I see people who live and die well! That takes grace, courage, tremendous love and deep character! Jesus knew that one day he would die on the cross for our sins. Yet, He lived life to the fullest for 33 years. Jesus lived like he was dying! He made the most of every minute of his precious life! Are you making the most of your valuable time/life?

Tim McGraw has a great country song called 'Live like you were dying.' The song pays tribute to Tim's father, Tug McGraw. Tim never met his father until he was about 17 years old. At first, Tug did not want anything to do with having a son. But then they connected and starting having a great Father and Son relationship. Tug was later diagnosed with terminal cancer and eventually passed away. Tim McGraw's song asks the question - 'how would you live if you knew you were going to die?' The lyrics of the song say 'I would go sky diving, rocky mountain climbing, I would ride 6.2 seconds on a bull name Fu Man Chu. I would talk sweeter and love deeper... (Later in the song) ... I read the Good Book and took a hard look at my life and asked the question, what did I do with what I've been given?

For a New Years reflection we can all ask ourselves - what are we doing with what we've been given? I hope you will consider living like you were dying. The Bible says that it is appointed unto man once to die and then the Judgment. The Bible also says that the average span of a person's life is 70 years. We are not guaranteed 70 years, that is just the average. Our life on this earth is a perishable commodity. The reality check is that all of us are terminal; some people just have the luxury of knowing when it is going to happen. Therefore, let's choose make the most of the precious time we have been given by God and don't waste the gift of life! Our life here is temporary, but life with God is for eternity!

I hope your New Year is Safe and Successful!


Chaplain Alan Pomaville

 

 

 

 

[uncleshag]

Just when I was going to post to you' too.

Go ahead, it'll wait!

[uncleshag]

I missed the thread last night.
So, Happy Birthday, Elvis!
You still rock on Earth
while living in Heaven
in Eternal Peace with
The Rock.

click the pic
The King Is Gone
Ronnie McDowell

[Lady Jag]

Where'd everybody go?

At the moment I can't even tell you where I am. I'm here but lack focus. Be patient while our technicians address the problem.

[uncleshag]

Cattingham Palace.

[Lady Jag]

Good afternoon! How are you this afternoon?

I was just reminiscing about summer.

[Lady Jag]

Cattingham Palace.

Yep, and that's Dalek Bridge...and Hickory Dickory Dock Clock, one does not mock.

[StarCMC]

Ok - I'm back for a while - Children's Choir starts back tonight and I'll have to head out in 40 minutes or so...!

[GummyIII]

Awww...wouldn't I love some summer! Of course, our temps have been high 60's to low 70's most of the past week, so I can't complain. I love spring, and it's been reminiscent of spring! Purty, purty car!!

[AZamericonnie]

Ok, let's see if this works.....

[AZamericonnie]

I guess I also have to set the font size!

[GummyIII]

It worked!

[uncleshag]

Coming and going.

I used to be like that till
I got as old as tomkow.

I still try to ride the
bull for 6.2 seconds daily.

[GummyIII]

It worked!

[GummyIII]

Yours is prettier!

[AZamericonnie]

LOL I'm playing today....

[Lady Jag]

High 60ºs to low 70ºs is my all-time favorite temperature span, particularly if it's dry air. I could live at those temps. year 'round.

[GummyIII]

Yep, me, too...love those temps.

[Lady Jag]

Is this some sort of rainbow coalition?

[TASMANIANRED]

At least you are here today, You hunka, hunka, burning love.:-}

[mylife]

Hullo! Who Dat?

Hey Lady, I told you I picked up a Makarov last week..

L0L Now I want a CZ 52 ;^)