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FReeper Canteen ~ Sunday Chapel and Veterans Day ~ 11 November 07
Serving The Best Troops and Veterans In The World
| The Canteen Crew
Posted on 11/10/2007 6:14:27 PM PST by Kathy in Alaska
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NEVER ENOUGH TIME
While I have only been an occasional visitor to Washington, I was struck by one scene so strongly that it remains as somewhat of a reference. My first view "up close and personal" of the Pentagon was neither awe-inspiring nor intimidating. To be sure, I was impressed with the size of the building, but that was about it. What came upon me, and has stayed with me, is the image of an ant farm. An enormous one, surely, but an ant farm nonetheless.
So may passageways with so many ants constantly traveling them. Seeming endless streams of countless ants going and coming through the entrances. Since this view came on a grey, cold March morning, with barren trees and lingering winter, it seemed all the more depressing. I vowed then never to become one of those ants. I would not let myself be lost as one of the faceless, powerless, unknown minions of the "head ant" in the great farm. Not to mention the echo in my mind, that which is often considered a sarcastic oxymoron: "I'm from Washington, and I'm here to help."
Yet something else echoes in my mind. From the Christian Scriptures, the words of the Apostle Paul to the people of Colossae, chapter 4, verse 23: "Whatever you do, do from the heart, as for the Lord . . ." For it is then I remember that no matter how small or insignificant my work may seem to me or even to others, I am powerful and effective. My faith reminds me that I am known and loved by my God. More than that, as I do the work, I allow His love to flow through me. And then the work, the worker, and the workplace are transformed into something sacred and beautiful because God is there. No longer dark, dreary, and cold, but bright, cheerful, and warm is the workplace because God's work is being done. No longer nameless, faceless, and powerless, but known, loved, and empowered is the worker doing God's work. The work itself then, too, is transformed into an opportunity to share God's love and joy with others as we struggle to bring peace to His world.
CDR Brian Simpson, CHC, USN
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TOPICS: Culture/Society; Extended News; Free Republic
KEYWORDS: canteen; chaplain; freepercanteen; military; troopsupport; veteransday
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To: SheLion
Good Veterans Day, Maine Rebel and SheLion, and thank you for your service to our country.
221
posted on
11/12/2007 4:10:12 AM PST
by
Kathy in Alaska
(~ RIP Brian...heaven's gain...the Coast Guard lost a good one.~)
To: larryjohnson
A day late, but first snow here too. Happy Veterans Day, larry, and thank you for your service to our country.
222
posted on
11/12/2007 4:17:29 AM PST
by
Kathy in Alaska
(~ RIP Brian...heaven's gain...the Coast Guard lost a good one.~)
To: HiJinx
223
posted on
11/12/2007 4:19:51 AM PST
by
Kathy in Alaska
(~ RIP Brian...heaven's gain...the Coast Guard lost a good one.~)
To: Ciexyz
Catching up....
Happy Veterans Day, Cie, and thank you for your service to our country.
224
posted on
11/12/2007 4:25:49 AM PST
by
Kathy in Alaska
(~ RIP Brian...heaven's gain...the Coast Guard lost a good one.~)
To: Kathy in Alaska
225
posted on
11/12/2007 4:49:35 AM PST
by
StarCMC
(http://cannoneerno4.wordpress.com/2007/08/11/school-of-the-counterpropagandist/)
To: StarCMC
*sniff* Thanks, Star, for this video. God bless and keep all of our Military men and women.
226
posted on
11/12/2007 7:39:09 AM PST
by
Kathy in Alaska
(~ RIP Brian...heaven's gain...the Coast Guard lost a good one.~)
To: Tanniker Smith
WHAT IS A VET?Thanks, TS, for the repost.
227
posted on
11/12/2007 7:41:56 AM PST
by
Kathy in Alaska
(~ RIP Brian...heaven's gain...the Coast Guard lost a good one.~)
To: TASMANIANRED
Catching up.....
Thanks, Taz, for the prayer of safety for the soldiers.
228
posted on
11/12/2007 7:43:46 AM PST
by
Kathy in Alaska
(~ RIP Brian...heaven's gain...the Coast Guard lost a good one.~)
To: ConorMacNessa
Catching up.....
Happy Veterans Day, Mac, and thanks for your service to our country.
229
posted on
11/12/2007 7:48:09 AM PST
by
Kathy in Alaska
(~ RIP Brian...heaven's gain...the Coast Guard lost a good one.~)
To: Randy Larsen
Catching up.....
Happy Veterans Day, Randy, and thanks for your service to our country.
230
posted on
11/12/2007 7:49:02 AM PST
by
Kathy in Alaska
(~ RIP Brian...heaven's gain...the Coast Guard lost a good one.~)
To: SoldierDad
Catching up.....
Happy Veterans Day, SD, and thanks for your service to our country.
231
posted on
11/12/2007 7:49:40 AM PST
by
Kathy in Alaska
(~ RIP Brian...heaven's gain...the Coast Guard lost a good one.~)
To: Kathy in Alaska
232
posted on
11/12/2007 7:51:07 AM PST
by
ConorMacNessa
(HM/2 USN, 3rd Bn. 5th Marines, RVN 1969. St. Michael the Archangel defend us in battle!)
To: Kathy in Alaska
233
posted on
11/12/2007 7:57:02 AM PST
by
StarCMC
(http://cannoneerno4.wordpress.com/2007/08/11/school-of-the-counterpropagandist/)
To: tongue-tied
TT!!
*HUG*
Thank you for checking in!
Awww..
Still sick?
Wish I could send you some of my chicken soup!
Get some rest and be well!
Ms.B
234
posted on
11/12/2007 9:31:32 AM PST
by
MS.BEHAVIN
(Women who behave rarely make history)
To: All
235
posted on
11/12/2007 11:10:56 AM PST
by
Kathy in Alaska
(~ RIP Brian...heaven's gain...the Coast Guard lost a good one.~)
To: Kathy in Alaska
Thanks Ma.
I am honored to be able to serve.
236
posted on
11/12/2007 3:24:55 PM PST
by
Jet Jaguar
(Who would the terrorists vote for?)
To: Kathy in Alaska
Thank you Kathy and all who put this thread together :)
237
posted on
11/12/2007 3:46:12 PM PST
by
GulfWar1Vet
(Democrats=Cowards, traitors and wannabe Muslims)
To: JFoxbear
Still catching up...
Thank you, Sir, for your service, also, to our country, as well as all of your family members.
238
posted on
11/12/2007 4:06:29 PM PST
by
Kathy in Alaska
(~ RIP Brian...heaven's gain...the Coast Guard lost a good one.~)
To: Squantos
Still catching up...
Happy Veterans Day, Squantos, and thank you for your service to our country.
239
posted on
11/12/2007 4:07:42 PM PST
by
Kathy in Alaska
(~ RIP Brian...heaven's gain...the Coast Guard lost a good one.~)
To: bannie
Still catching up...
Happy Veterans Day, bannie, and thank you for your service to our country.
240
posted on
11/12/2007 4:09:04 PM PST
by
Kathy in Alaska
(~ RIP Brian...heaven's gain...the Coast Guard lost a good one.~)
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