USO Canteen FReeper Style~ Sunday Chapel, Prayers for The Military - February 16 2003

USO Canteen Chaplin grantswank

[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

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Welcome to The Canteen Chapel

Although we are always aware
that the Canteen is operating
in Cyberspace, we want the troops
and anyone who is on the receiving end
of prayers at the Canteen,
to know that these prayers are very real.

I hope the troops and Canteeners
alike, will view this Canteen Chapel,
as a place where you might go in times of
trouble or times of joy to be with your God.

"Come unto me all ye who are weary and
burdened,and I shall give you rest." (Matt: 11:28).

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The Chaplain's Corner

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J. Grant Swank, Jr.,
Pastor, New Hope Church

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THE GIFT OF LONELINESS

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I live in Maine’s Lakes Region neighborhood where some neighbors come and go. There are those here in the summers; then they disappear for the winters.

There are others who are in small dwellings for a few months--summer or winter--and then they are gone.

My wife and I take welcome gifts to these new people. But sometimes we are not there to give them farewell gifts for they slip away without notice.

Then there are some steady neighbors whom we know to be lonely in that they have no one close to them. An elderly gentleman, for instance, rarely leaves his home because his life has practically imploded with aloneness. A younger woman leaves her home only to go to the store because she has no close relatives.

I have often wondered about the lonely hearts around me in this strikingly beautiful Lakes Region environs. Do these people find any solace in the God who has painted our outdoors? In their loneliness, can they ever discover God crafting a gift of loneliness?

If you think about it in the light of God's Word, loneliness can be one of the most precious and yet misunderstood gifts from heaven.

When one is lonely, one often cries out for fellowship--connection--somebody to care. Where is everybody? Why am I left here all alone? Who can hear me?

Where am I going to end up? Why doesn't anyone out there answer me?

Asking all those questions is normal and all right.

But one must go on beyond that questioning if one is to discover loneliness as a divine gift.

So. . .the obvious question is this: How can I understand loneliness as a present from God? Is this attempt neurotic thinking or wishful musing? Or is this truth yet to be experienced?

Hopefully for you it is truth yet to be experienced.

Loneliness is a divine opportunity when one considers the reverse situation, that is, surrounded daily--every moment--by all kinds of peoples and voices and noises and clamors. That would be suffocating.

However, to come upon pockets of loneliness is the chance to contemplate God. If one were elbowed on every hand by others, then one could become used to such an environs to the extent that that environs would become one's deity. Such would be most unfortunate.

However, when loneliness comes to sit alongside us, then we can choose to think on God. He waits in the silence. Scripture reminds us: "Be still and know that I am God." (Psalm 46:10)

But we do not like the quiet. (There were other ages that did in fact honor life's quiet; but today's noise infested sphere proclaims quiet to be sickness). We have sounds to the right and left of us, even when we are dropping off to sleep as well as when we awaken. Sounds must be there or we cry out that we have been robbed.

Yet quiet is one of the pleasant rooms in which God rests. He is there. He waits for you there. The Psalmist knew that and so he wrote: "When my father and my mother forsake me, then the Lord will take me up." (Psalm 27:10)

God has promised His own: "I will never leave thee nor forsake thee." (Hebrews 13:5)

Consequently, when you come upon the loneliness, you come upon the chance to open a door to God. Move then beyond the lonely emotion to the holy communication with God. He will talk with you once you wind down, quiet your soul and wait upon His Spirit.

In the Lakes Region area, we have invited various persons into our home in order to introduce them to God’s quiet. In this, we have discovered that their loneliness has become realized as a divine gift.

Yet realistically though these friends have found companionship in our home fellowship, they still must deal with their own pockets of loneliness. Such is one of life’s givens. However, these friends have shared that discovering pockets of loneliness as divine presents has become personal reality. For this they are grateful.

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Click on banner above to listen to this song.

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Our Canteen Chaplain,Grant Swank,is pastor 
of the New Hope Church. He has pastored for 
40+ years, ministering in Calgary, Alberta;
Indianapolis; Kansas City; Manchester CT; 
Akron OH; Fishkill NY; Walpole MA and presently 
in Maine. 

Grant also finds ministry in writing for various 
Protestant and Catholic publications, including 
CHRISTIANITY TODAY, DECISION and THE PRIEST. 

Presently, Grant is providing columns for 
websites such as CHALCEDON, INTELLECTUAL.
CONSERVATIVE, 
MENSNEWSDAILY, MICHNEWS and WOUNDEDSHEPHERDS. 

He also writes a weekly column, "Lakes 
Religion," for the PORTLAND PRESS HERALD 
newspaper, Portland ME. 

He and his wife, Priscilla, have traveled 
extensively, including the Middle East, Europe 
and South America. The Swanks have three adult 
children: Crystal, Jay and 
Heidi Jo.

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Touch the photo to hear Michael Anthony sing:
"The Lord's Prayer"

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A Prayer for the United States

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Translation:

He who gives victory to kings and dominion to
princes, whose reign is a reign for all eternity,
who saved David, his Servant, from the evil sword,
who made a road through the sea and a path through
mighty waters, may He bless, guard, protect,
aid, exalt, make great and raise on high
The President of the United States George W. Bush

May the King of all Kings in his mercy, keep him
alive and guard him from every distress, grief and
trouble.May he lead nations beneath his feet and
cause his enemies to fall down before him, and may
he have success in all that he shall undertake. May
the King of all kings in his mercy, place compassion
into his heart and into the hearts of all his
advisers and ministers, to deal kindly with us and
with all of Israel. In his days and in our days may
Judah be redeemed and Israel dwell securely, and may
the redeemer come to Zion, may this be His will, and
let us say, Amen.

Thank you Alouette

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Music from Israel

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A Sabbath Song..........May the Temple Be Built

Shalom Medley .........He That Keeps Israel

On The Sabbath Day ...........They Will Rejoice in Thy Kingdom

(You will need Windows Media Player for these songs)

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George W. Bush: A President of Faith

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A Man of Prayer

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A reporter on CNN was asked

"What did George W. Bush do
on his first morning as president-elect?"

This was Tony Clark's answer:

"He attended a prayer service with family,
friends and staff members."

George W Bush's priorities were established
on the first day of his Presidency.

The President Takes His Faith to Work

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President George W. Bush looks over to Thomas Martello, 6,
during the signing ceremony of the Victims of Terrorism
Tax Relief Act in the East Room Jan. 23.

"We're joined today by families who have lost loved ones
in the great acts of evil," said the President.
"As you draw on faith and personal strength to cope with your grief,
I hope you'll also find comfort in the knowledge that
your nation stands with you and prays for you.
We mourn those whom we've lost, and we face the future together."

The President Lives his Faith

President Bush says he prays every day
in all kinds of situations,
and has been seen to quietly bow his head and pray
before news conferences and important meetings.
"I pray for guidance. I do not pray for earthly things
but for heavenly things, for wisdom
and patience and understanding."

"For strength and support, Bush turns to
the same things that have sustained
him for two decades: his faith and his family . . .
Bush prays and reads the Bible every day.
These days, aides say, they often spot
a Bible on his desk in the Oval Office.
In conversation or meetings, he often refers to
passages of Scripture that he has just read."

"There are prayers that help us last
through the day, or endure the night.
There are prayers of friends and strangers
that give us strength for the journey.
And there are prayers that yield
our will to a will greater than our own."

George W. Bush September 14, 2001
National Day of Prayer and Remembrance.

Listen to President George W Bush
in an Inspiring Song by Russ Lee

Don't miss this.

I'm Going To Live What I Believe

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Music for a Sunday

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Eternal Father (organ)....Joyful We Adore Thee (organ)

The Hallelujah Chorus ...... Ave Maria (Kiri Te Kawana)

How Great Thou Art (Elvis).....Just A Closer Walk (Anne Murray)......

Church in the Wildwood (Charlie Pride).....Faith Like That (Anchormen)

In The Garden (Loretta Lynn).......Our God is an Awesome God (Carman)

Take My Hand (Mahalia Jackson).....We Shall Behold Him (The Ruppes)

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The Children's Corner

Click on child in prayer, to hear Veggie Tunes
(this is over half an hour of music)

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Jesus Loves Me

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Hymns of the Military

Army Hymn: "God of Our Fathers"

Navy Hymn: "Eternal Father Strong to Save"

Air Force Hymn: "Lord Guard and Guide the Men Who Fly"

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We, at the Canteen, offer these prayers 
to those serving their country 
today. God Bless you all.

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Psalm 59:1,16&17
(Patti Vaillant)

"Deliver me from mine enemies,O my God:
Defend me from them that rise up against me.
But I will sing of thy power;yes I will sing
aloud of thy mercy in the morning; for thou
hast been my defence and refuge in the day
of my trouble. Unto thee, O my strength will
I sing: for God is my defence, and the God of 
my mercy."

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Our Prayer
(Celine Dion/Andrea Bocelli)

I pray you'll be our eyes, 
And watch us where we go.
And help us to be wise 
In times when we don't know.

Let this be our prayer, 
When we lose our way.
Lead us to a place, 
Guide us with your grace
To a place where we'll be safe. 

I pray we'll find your light,
And hold it in our hearts
When stars go out each night,
Remind us where you are.. 

Let this be our prayer
When shadows fill our day
Lead us to a place
Guide us with your grace 
Give us faith so we'll be safe.

We ask that life be kind
And watch us from above.
We hope each soul will find
Another soul to love.

Let this be our prayer,
Just like every child,
Needs to find a place, 
Guide us with your grace
Give us faith so we'll be safe.

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[fatima]

God bless all who serve our country,we are so proud of you.

[Radix]

Hey, that is pretty cool!

I did not know that you were a lefty!

You do throw pretty good for a girl with such skinny legs!

[MoJo2001]

It Must Be Stated:

Yesterday, millions around the world marched in protest against America.
They may have called it "anti-war" or some other silly coined term. Have no doubt,
my friends: It was purely and simply Anti-American and her steadfast allies.
It was a bitter reminder that our fight against terrorists should begin at home.
It's a reminder that many of our allied countries must deal with large populations
of Muslim extremists. It is also a reminder that Anti-Americanism is suitable
for people whose very freedom were secured because we were willing to fight.
Perhaps, they feel that being Anti-Israel somehow makes their support for Islam
signed, sealed, and delivered. It doesn't. They'll come for you next!

My friends, if Islam is such a peaceful religion then why do we have to fight
to secure freedom for citizens in their region? Why do we have 33 conflicts in the
world and all but 2 of them are dealing with Muslim terrorists? Why and how can
a religion of such peace bring forth such hatred? Why should we play by the
rules to ensure the safety of their future when they seek to destroy ours?

I do not have the answers, but I will tell you this. Things had better change.
Not just for the future of the Middle East, but for the entire world.

We are seeing betrayal by "supposed" allies. We are seeing unwavering
support from former Soviet Eastern bloc countries. These people understand
better than most the pain of being held hostage to tyranny. Yet, these two
groups of people have one thing in common: AMERICA!

You can find every single country, nationality, and culture somewhere
in this vast and great land. You will find every religion of the world in
this country. You will find that many nationalized Americans have
a better appreciation for freedom than a lot that were born here. You
will also find a tolerance of all the above mentioned higher among
this country than in most others. We represent the world. We
take in all the worlds best and worst. We also take in people
who hate America and those that geniunely want to become a part
of the land of opportunity. We are just that opened. For this,
we are ridiculed, hated, and despised around the world.

While I think prayer is a powerful and wonderful tool. It can't be the only
thing. We must all do more. We must keep supporting our troops and allies.
We must also learn to put our money where our mouth is. If we really believe
in the cause for freedom, we will learn to stop supporting countries that hate us.
We will begin writing to Congress, the White House, and anyone else to show
that we are tired of being used as an ATM machine. Stop buying French and German
products. Stop supporting the FORD Motor Company. (The Ford Foundation
gave money yesterday to one of the groups that protested against America). Stop
buying movie theater tickets to stars that continually speak and condemn America.
They aren't just condeming the President. They are condemning all of us. Stop buying
music cd's of people that think Saddam Hussein is better than George W. Bush.
Any person with a sane and kindergarten ability of intelligence could tell you GWB
is a million times better than Saddam Hussein. If you don't believe me, volunteer
to be a "human shield" and then don't complain when we start bombing. Well,
if you make it past being an experiment on Hussein's behalf.

Also, we must open the blinders to what is going on in the world. Islam is only peaceful
for fanatics that march to the tune of the likes of Osama Bin Laden and Saddam Hussein.
Even Hussein isn't as religiously fanatical as Bin Laden. However, you are merely
choosing between which poison you'd like to die with when dealing with these two.
Bin Laden and Hussein have merely replaced the likes of Hitler and Stalin. After all,
our country found a way to work with Stalin. Only to be screwed in the end by his
murder and slaughter of millions of his citizens. Iraq was no different.

Which brings me back to the Anti-America, Anti-Israeli, Anti-Peace marchers yesterday.
These people have the right to march and protest. Why? Because someone you know
or have known helped secure it for their behalf. Someone's brother, father, sister,daughter,
grandfather, aunt, uncle, grandmother, or neighbor died to secure their peace and freedom.
The least these jackasses could do is get out of the way while a new generation tries
to do the same for the people of Iraq, Iran, and many other places in the world.

So? Protest all you want. Someone died for it. You aren't worthy, but neither am I. The
least I can do is call your sorry butt on it and to thank those that sacrificed.

That is the end of my rant. Sorry, but it had to be stated. Mess with Freedom At Your Own Peril!
You'll be left outside looking in. When the Iraqi people are liberated, I wonder what they
will think about all these "anti-war" demonstrators. I wonder if they will be marching
after the liberation of Iraq? We all know the answer to that, huh?

God Bless Our Troops, Allies, and the Canteeners!

[MoJo2001]

Good morning, Goddess! How are you?? Missed ya! Hope all is well. Love your dollz as usual. You have such unique dollz. What a great talent you are! *HUGS*

[Radix]

From the Radixionary:


One entry found for mojo.


Main Entry: mo·jo
Pronunciation: 'mO-(")jO
Function: noun
Inflected Form(s): plural mojoes or mojos
Etymology: probably of African origin; akin to Fulani moco'o medicine man
Date: 1926
: a magic spell, hex, or charm; broadly : magical power

[Radix]

Here is some transportation for the Dudes!

[Radix]

1698 Pierre Bouguer French mathematician (heliometer)

Here is look at the only Heliometer in North America!

[Radix]

1774 Pierre Rode composer

Composer finished last in the race!

[Radix]

1903 Edgar Bergen Chicago IL, ventriloquist (Charlie McCarthy)

[Radix]

1957 LeVar Burton Landstuhl Germany, (Roots, Star Trek Next Generation)

He was blind, but now he can see in the new movies.

[Radix]

1970 Saskia Linssen Venlo Holland, playmate (June 1991)

I could not post the image that I found of her, ( this is a family oriented Canteen)so I substituted an ad from Victoria's Secrets!

[Light Speed]

[MoJo2001]

I'm in tears. Stop making me cry. I love it Goddess! You are such a true friend. Thank God that you walk this Earth with the rest of us. You are second to no one!! *HUGS*