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

 

[MEG33]

That looks like great fun! Must be wonderful country.

[mylife]

There is a creek off the youghiogheny river in Ohioplyle called meadow run, that is a natural water slide.

It’s a hoot.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zb_W8zsYd2Q

[Arrowhead1952]

Good morning to everyone at the Canteen. 95º here already. I wanted to mow the grass, but it is too hot. Have a Blessed Lord's Day.

[mylife]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ElOQeIoAtFQ

[mylife]

Dimple Rock rapid ate my lunch LOL as an aside that rapid is formed where the confluence of the river that flows through Frank LLoyd Wrights home :Falling Waters and the Youhioghenny meet.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mrRUbbEGNpE

[mylife]

Dimple Rock Rapid~So named for the aluminum canoe dubbed "dimplels" that was found crushed below the rock

It is really a combo of things.
the confluence of streams drags yo into "pinball Rock" or Ricochet rock", That sends you careening to dimple rock which has a massive under cut and can suck yo under. Great fun!

[MEG33]

I’d lose my lunch rafting like this!
Beautiful country.

[mylife]

Very beautiful in autumn.

[MEG33]

I had a yard guy here Saturday taming the area beyond the patio that abuts the steeper drop to the ravine and woods below..My HOA mows the front but I must see to the back.
I love having the view and privacy but can no longer tackle it myself. I told the young man not to get overheated and stop if he needs to!

I love how it looks!

Stay cool!

[mylife]

Very beautiful in autumn.

http://www.fay-west.com/ohiopyle/pictures/

[MEG33]

I was already downloading autumn Ohiopyle pictures for posting this fall! I think some of my old favorites must be from here also.
Thanks for the links..I will be sure and ping you when I post one.

[mylife]

It is one of my favorite places in the world. ☺

[mylife]

It is one of my favorite places in the world. ☺

Train

The River

[Arrowhead1952]

I do my lawn plus the one next door. But there is no way I am heading out in this heat.

I think I’ll clean out my closet and stay in the AC. I need to do that anyway.

[mylife]

I dread the heat but in my 23 years of Tx this is the gentlest august ever..

Its the humidity that really eats my lunch.

[mylife]

BTW, yer breakfast always looks good.
Breakfast is great on a Sunday afternoon or evening.

[MEG33]

My closet needs a big clean up, too!

[ConorMacNessa]

GOD BLESS AND PROTECT OUR TROOPS AND OUR BELOVED NATION!



Amazing Grace
(Click)
By John Newton

Amazing grace! How sweet the sound
That saved a wretch like me!
I once was lost, but now am found;
Was blind, but now I see.
.
’Twas grace that taught my heart to fear,
And grace my fears relieved;
How precious did that grace appear
The hour I first believed!
.
Through many dangers, toils and snares,
I have already come;
’Tis grace hath brought me safe thus far,
And grace will lead me home.
.
The Lord has promised good to me,
His Word my hope secures;
He will my Shield and Portion be,
As long as life endures.
.
Yea, when this flesh and heart shall fail,
And mortal life shall cease,
I shall possess, within the veil,
A life of joy and peace.
.
The earth shall soon dissolve like snow,
The sun forbear to shine;
But God, Who called me here below,
Will be forever mine.
.
When we’ve been there ten thousand years,
Bright shining as the sun,
We’ve no less days to sing God’s praise
Than when we’d first begun.

"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)

[ConorMacNessa]

GOD BLESS AND PROTECT OUR TROOPS AND
OUR BELOVED NATION!

"Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest."

(Joshua 1:9 KJV)

The Lord’s Prayer
Mormon Tabernacle Choir
The U.S. Air Force Band
And Singing Sergeants
(Click)

DEAR LORD, who suffered torment, agony, and death upon the Cross to free our souls from the chains of iniquity, protect and defend our troops. Guide them in the performance of their duties. Strengthen them to endure hardship, danger and deprivation in Your service. Let their efforts free the people of Iraq and Afghanistan from the chains of terror and slavery, foster a lasting peace in the region, and bring all to a greater share in Your Mercy. Amen.

"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)

[ConorMacNessa]

GOD BLESS AND PROTECT OUR TROOPS
AND OUR BELOVED NATION!

THE NAVY HYMN
"Eternal Father, Strong to Save"
United States Marine Corps Band and Choir
(Click)



The Marine Corps Verse:






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)