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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: yorkie
Good Lord's Day, yorkie.
And on this Veterans Day, thank you, Marine, for your service to our country.
61
posted on
11/11/2007 1:37:53 AM PST
by
Kathy in Alaska
(~ RIP Brian...heaven's gain...the Coast Guard lost a good one.~)
To: Cindy
We got some overnight, last night, and til about noon. Alas, it warmed up and is mostly mush and ice as the temps cooled into evening.
62
posted on
11/11/2007 1:46:07 AM PST
by
Kathy in Alaska
(~ RIP Brian...heaven's gain...the Coast Guard lost a good one.~)
To: blackie; Jet Jaguar; Jack Deth; txradioguy; tongue-tied; E.G.C.; Laurita; SoldierDad; Allegra; ...
63
posted on
11/11/2007 1:47:31 AM PST
by
Kathy in Alaska
(~ RIP Brian...heaven's gain...the Coast Guard lost a good one.~)
To: Kathy in Alaska
Good Sunday morning Kathy.
64
posted on
11/11/2007 1:48:39 AM PST
by
Pusterfuss
(Proud member: Minnesotans for Global Warming)
To: Kathy in Alaska
Mush and ice...sure not looking forward to that.
Well the good news in all this is that it’s not weeding weather.
65
posted on
11/11/2007 1:49:27 AM PST
by
Cindy
To: SoldierDad; vigilante2; jackv; Jemian; sneakers; arbee4bush; Azbushgal; LUV W; mystery-ak; ...
66
posted on
11/11/2007 1:52:14 AM PST
by
Kathy in Alaska
(~ RIP Brian...heaven's gain...the Coast Guard lost a good one.~)
To: All
67
posted on
11/11/2007 2:01:19 AM PST
by
Kathy in Alaska
(~ RIP Brian...heaven's gain...the Coast Guard lost a good one.~)
To: Kathy in Alaska
A very pleasant good morning to everyone at the Canteen and to all our military at home and abroad. To all our veterans ast and present, thanks for your service to our country on this Veterans Day.
((HUGS))Morning, Kathy. How's it going?
68
posted on
11/11/2007 2:54:25 AM PST
by
E.G.C.
To: Kathy in Alaska
69
posted on
11/11/2007 2:55:10 AM PST
by
E.G.C.
To: Kathy in Alaska
70
posted on
11/11/2007 2:58:45 AM PST
by
E.G.C.
To: E.G.C.
Good Lord’s Day, E...((HUGS))...we had a little snow pver night. Lot of it melted, and now we have ice. Don’t think it will last unless it gets colder. How did your teams do?
71
posted on
11/11/2007 3:19:18 AM PST
by
Kathy in Alaska
(~ RIP Brian...heaven's gain...the Coast Guard lost a good one.~)
To: txradioguy; sxytxredhead73
72
posted on
11/11/2007 3:24:12 AM PST
by
Kathy in Alaska
(~ RIP Brian...heaven's gain...the Coast Guard lost a good one.~)
To: All
73
posted on
11/11/2007 3:37:34 AM PST
by
Kathy in Alaska
(~ RIP Brian...heaven's gain...the Coast Guard lost a good one.~)
To: Jet Jaguar; Laurita; CMS; OneLoyalAmerican; tongue-tied; Defender2; txradioguy; MEG33; ...
74
posted on
11/11/2007 3:46:49 AM PST
by
Kathy in Alaska
(~ RIP Brian...heaven's gain...the Coast Guard lost a good one.~)
To: PROCON
I think you might be in the elite top 20. d:o)
75
posted on
11/11/2007 3:52:54 AM PST
by
Kathy in Alaska
(~ RIP Brian...heaven's gain...the Coast Guard lost a good one.~)
To: Kathy in Alaska
Well, OU won over Baylor 52-21. OSU lost to Kansas 45-23.
76
posted on
11/11/2007 4:08:45 AM PST
by
E.G.C.
To: SandRat
To: Kathy in Alaska
Hello from ME.First snow.
To: yorkie
Do you mind if I sit here and cry with you...for a minute, or two?
God Bless you, yorkie.
79
posted on
11/11/2007 6:16:59 AM PST
by
HiJinx
(~ Support our Troops ~ www.americasupportsyou.mil ~)
To: larryjohnson
Hey, Larry, good morning to you. Long time no see, my FRiend. I noticed on the TV today that Maine was cold this morning - I hadn’t heard about the snow. I guess it’s that time of year, eh?
80
posted on
11/11/2007 6:18:52 AM PST
by
HiJinx
(~ Support our Troops ~ www.americasupportsyou.mil ~)
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