FReeper Canteen ~ Sunday Chapel ~ MAKING ASSUMPTIONS ~ 24 August 2014

Serving The Best Troops and Veterans In The World !! | The Canteen Crew

[Kathy in Alaska]

 

 

 

MAKING ASSUMPTIONS

A story making the rounds this past week told of a policeman who was heading home after a long, hard day on patrol. He had dealt with a whole succession of difficult people, and a mountain of frustrating paperwork. All he wanted at this point was to kick back, unwind, enjoy some peace and quiet, and maybe watch a few innings of baseball on TV. But, as he neared home, he was startled by a vehicle that came careening around a sharp curve and narrowly missed his squad car. As the car passed within a few inches of him, the other driver shouted "Pig!" The police officer was suddenly energized. He slammed on his brakes, all set to turn his squad car around and head off in hot pursuit. But, as he rounded the curve, he ran head-on into a large pig that was standing in the middle of the road!

It's a lesson we learn early in life if we're lucky...DON'T ASSUME! No matter how confident we are in our understanding of the issue, no matter how certain of another's reasoning or motives, no matter how obvious the point may be to US, effective communication is far more complicated and difficult than we think. With barriers like cultural differences, personal "filters", different definitions, etc., it's amazing that any of us EVER understand one another. But these aren't the most difficult obstacles. The biggest reason we aren't able to hear what another is saying to us is simply... "fear"!

Oh, we may camouflage it behind anger, self-importance or any number of other false fronts, but at the root is fear. Fear of being "found out", or of being disappointed, or of not getting what we want. It's a powerful if crippling motivator. And most of us can summon up plenty of reasons why we shouldn't take another at face value. Honest communication requires trust, and taking a risk. And we've been burned too many times. So we settle for safety, make the natural assumption, and run head-on into our own version of that pig as we journey down life's highway!

There is a better way...a way that recognizes our similarities, that sees others as a source of community and healing, that looks past our own frustration and previous disappointments to explore the possibility that even a "stranger" may have something positive to say. The Apostle Paul described it in 1 Corinthians, Chapter 13. It's the "higher way" of love. I almost hesitate to use that term these days because of the way our culture misuses it. But when you read Paul's description, try substituting "maturity". It's a perfect fit. The risks are higher for this way of living, but so are the rewards.

Another (anonymous) writer cautions:

"To laugh is to risk appearing the fool. To weep is to risk appearing sentimental. To reach out for another is to risk involvement. To expose feelings is to risk exposing your true self. To place your ideas, your dreams, before a crowd, is to risk their loss. To love is to risk not being loved in return. To live is to risk dying. To hope is to risk despair. To try is to risk failure. But risks must be taken, because the greatest hazard in life is to risk nothing. The person who risks nothing, does nothing, has nothing and is nothing. They may avoid suffering and sorrow but they cannot learn, feel, change, grow, love, live. Chained by their certitudes they are a slave, they have forfeited their freedom. Only a person who risks is free."

That doesn't mean we should be naive. It does mean we should be careful what we assume. Check it out. Give others the benefit of the doubt. And if someone shouts something unexpected at us, at least entertain the possibility that perhaps it may be more than a personal insult. Who knows, that approach could change our life.

CAPT J. David Atwater, CHC, USN

 

[ConorMacNessa]

Outstanding, SandRat! Happy Anniversary to you and Mrs. SR!

And a Blessed Lord's Day to you and yours!


"Dia shábháil ar fad anseo!"

Genuflectimus non ad principem sed ad Principem Pacis!

Listen, O isles, unto me; and hearken, ye people, from far; The LORD hath called me from the womb; from the bowels of my mother hath he made mention of my name. (Isaiah 49:1 KJV)

[SandRat]

THANK YOU Conner. May you and yours have a BLESSED Lord’s Day Too.

[ConorMacNessa]

GOD BLESS AND PROTECT OUR TROOPS AND OUR BELOVED NATION!



"Blazhen Muzh"
("Blessed Be The Man")
Rachmaninoff "Vespers" (Op. 37)
The National Academic Choir Of Ukraine
(Click)

Blazhen muzh, izhe ne ___ ide na sovet nechestivykh. ___ Alliluyia. Yako vest’ Gospod’ put’ pravednykh, ___ i put’ nechestivykh ___ pogibnet. Alliluyia. Rabotayte Gospodevi so strakhom, ___ i raduytesya Yemu ___ strepetom. Alliluyia. Blazheni vsi nade ___ yushchiisya nan’. Alliluyia. Voskresni Gospodi, spas ___ i mya, Bozhe moy. Alliluyia. Gospodne yest spaseniye, ___ i na lyudekh Tvoikh blagosloveniye ___ Tvoye. Alliluyia. Slava Otsu, i Synu, i Svyatomu Dukhu, ___ i nyne i prisno i vo veki vekov, ___ amin’. Alliluyia. Slava Tebe, Bozhe. Alliluyia.

Blessed is the man that hath not ___ walked in the counsel of the ___ ungodly. Alleluia! For the Lord knoweth the way of the ___ righteous, but the way of the ungodly ___ shall perish. Alleluia! Serve the Lord with fear, and rejoice ___ unto him with reverence. Alleluia! Blessed are all they that put their trust ___ in him. Alleluia! Arise, O Lord; save me, O Lord ___ my God. Alleluia! Salvation belongeth unto the Lord, and ___ thy blessing is upon thy people. Alleluia! Glory be to the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, ___ both now and ever and to ages ___ and ages, amen. Alleluia! Glory be to thee O God. Alleluia!

Please let me know by FReepmail if you would like
to be admitted to or released from my music pinglist.

"Dia shábháil ar fad anseo!"

Genuflectimus non ad principem sed ad Principem Pacis!

Listen, O isles, unto me; and hearken, ye people, from far; The LORD hath called me from the womb; from the bowels of my mother hath he made mention of my name. (Isaiah 49:1 KJV)

[left that other site]

Ooooo..... NICE! :-)

[ConorMacNessa]

Good evening, ML!

*HUGS*

A Blessed Lord's Day to you!

I remember that movie well - have not seen it in several decades. As I recall, the scene depicting his dispatch of the suitors on his return to Ithaca was intense - particularly in the light of the standards of the day - now - not so much.


"Dia shábháil ar fad anseo!"

Genuflectimus non ad principem sed ad Principem Pacis!

Listen, O isles, unto me; and hearken, ye people, from far; The LORD hath called me from the womb; from the bowels of my mother hath he made mention of my name. (Isaiah 49:1 KJV)

[Kathy in Alaska]

He Who blessed our forefathers Abraham, Isaac and Jacob - may He bless the fighters of the Israel Defense Force, who stand guard over our land and the cities of our G-d from the border of the Lebanon to the desert of Egypt, and from the Great Sea unto the approach of the Aravah, on the land, in the air, and on the sea.

May HASHEM cause the enemies who rise up against us to be struck down before them. May the Holy One, Blessed is He, preserve and rescue our fighting men from every trouble and distress and from every plague and illness, and may He send blessing and success in their every endeavor.

May He lead our enemies under their sway and may He grant them salvation and crown them with victory. And may there be fulfilled for them the verse: For it is Hashem, your G-d, Who goes with you to battle your enemies for you to save you.

G-d bless and keep your children safe, Alouette.

[left that other site]

It was kind of like “Kill Bill” in Tunics and sandals! LOL.

The technicolor has faded somewhat, but the scene where the old dog Argos recognizes Ulysses actually brought a tear to my eye!

[Kathy in Alaska]

Wise words, mountainlion, very wise words indeed.

A Blessed Lord’s Day to you and yours.

Your summer going well?

[Kathy in Alaska]

Thanks, Military Families, for your service to our country.

John Conlee ~ They Also Serve

[luvie]

Happy Anniversary
Mr and Mrs Sandrat!

[ConorMacNessa]

Isn't it amazing how a three thousand year old poem resounds so tellingly in the modern day. The scene with Argos may seem trite to some, but not to me. Argos endured abuse and privation standing watch against the return of his master. Having seen his master, he recognized him immediately despite the lowly state in which Odysseus presented himself. The suitors, or course, did not recognize him, to their extreme detriment.

Argos is a favorite of mine.




"Dia shábháil ar fad anseo!"

Genuflectimus non ad principem sed ad Principem Pacis!

Listen, O isles, unto me; and hearken, ye people, from far; The LORD hath called me from the womb; from the bowels of my mother hath he made mention of my name. (Isaiah 49:1 KJV)

[Kathy in Alaska]

Rain is good for helping all the things already planted. d:o)

[left that other site]

Me Too!

I absolutely loved that scene.

[left that other site]

kirk Douglas was terrific. I just saw him in “lust For Life” in which he played Van Gogh. Such a different character than Ulysses!

And Spartacus! I haven’t seen that movie in some months...need to order it again.

[ConorMacNessa]

It's hard to believe that "Spartacus" is over a half-century old - it seems like just yesterday. Jean Simmons was just 30 years old then - Douglas was in his 40's.


"Dia shábháil ar fad anseo!"

Genuflectimus non ad principem sed ad Principem Pacis!

Listen, O isles, unto me; and hearken, ye people, from far; The LORD hath called me from the womb; from the bowels of my mother hath he made mention of my name. (Isaiah 49:1 KJV)

[SandRat]

Thank You

[luvie]

Nathaniel Ladies Ensemble~Thanks To God

Statler Brothers~Sweet Beulah Land

Casting Crowns~Praise You In The Storm

Providence~O Come Angel Band.wma

Bill Gaither/Velstal Goodman~The Lighthouse

The Trevecca Madrigalians~It Is Well With My Soul

Jeff Beck~Amazing Grace

Have a blessed Sunday

[ConorMacNessa]

GOD BLESS AND PROTECT OUR TROOPS AND OUR BELOVED NATION!



TATTOO
(Click)

Must retire for the evening – an early Mass Call
awaits me in the morning!



The Bugler, his grim visage replete with an evil sneer,
already mounts the parapet.

Soldiers of the Greatest Generation
Stand The Watch Tonight!





Standing With Them:
The Four Chaplains Of The USAT Dorchester!



TAPS
U.S. Marine Band
(Click)

"Do poor Tom some charity, whom the foul fiend vexes!"

(King Lear, Act III, Scene iv)



All Gave Some – Some Gave All!!!
(Click)

Good night, God bless you, and God bless the United States of America!

Godspeed our Troops around the Globe – especially those in harm’s way – by virtue of their service and sacrifice we continue to live in Freedom!

Genuflectimus non ad principem sed ad Principem Pacis!

" Dia shábháil ar fad anseo!"

Listen, O isles, unto me; and hearken, ye people, from far; The LORD hath called me from the womb; from the bowels of my mother hath he made mention of my name. (Isaiah 49:1 KJV)

[left that other site]

Tony Curtis was in that too!

“I’m Spartacus! No, I’m Spartacus!”

[The Mayor]

Freep mail me to be on or off the Daily Bread ping list

Memory Loss

August 24, 2014

Read: Psalm 118:1-14

Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever. —Psalm 118:1

Bible in a Year:
Psalms 116-118; 1 Corinthians 7:1-19

Sometimes when we face times of trouble, we may get spiritual amnesia and forget the grace of God. But a good way of reestablishing a thankful heart is to set aside undistracted time and deliberately remember God’s past provisions for us and give thanks.

When the children of Israel found themselves in a barren, hot desert, they developed memory loss about the grace of God. They began to wish they were back in Egypt, enjoying all its foods (Ex. 16:2-3) and later complained about their water supply (17:2). They had forgotten the mighty acts of God in their deliverance and how He had showered them with wealth (12:36). They were dwelling on their current circumstances and forgetting God’s gracious past provision.

The psalmist challenges us: “Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever” (Ps. 118:1). The word mercy means “steadfast love.” It refers to God’s faithfulness. He has promised to be present always to care for His children.

By remembering specific ways God has provided for us in the past, we can change our perspective for the better. God’s steadfast love endures forever!

Wait on the Lord from day to day,
Strength He provides in His own way;
There’s no need for worry, no need to fear,
He is our God who is always near. —Fortna

Remembering God’s provision for yesterday gives hope and strength for today.

Insight

Psalms 113–118, collectively known as psalms of praise or the “Egyptian Hallel,” are used in the Passover celebration commemorating the Israelites’ deliverance from slavery in Egypt (Ex. 12–13). Psalms 113–114 are recited before and Psalms 115–118 after the Passover meal. The emphatic refrain “His mercy endures forever” (Ps. 118:1-4) reminds the Jews of God’s faithfulness. In response, the psalmist calls for renewed trust in God (vv.8-9).