FReeper Canteen ~ Guest Military Chaplain ~ THE MAN IN THE GLASS ~ 10 February 08

The Canteen Crew ^ | February 9, 2008 | Serving the Bestest Troops in the WORLD!

[Brad’s Gramma]

 

 

 

 

 

THE MAN IN THE GLASS

I first heard the poem some years ago as a song performed by a former pop musician turned Christian entertainer. Its words had a powerful impact. They were a challenge to self-examination, and a warning about the consequences of life lived without integrity. A reminder that each of us must live with his or her self. And that we KNOW what's behind our image, no matter how carefully crafted, or how convincing it may be to others. I wonder if it might also speak to you. It's entitled "The Man in the Glass."

"When you get what you want in your struggle for self, And the world makes you king for a day, Just go to the mirror and look at yourself, And see what THAT man has to say. For it isn't your father or mother or wife Whose judgment upon you must pass. The fellow whose verdict counts most in your life Is the one staring back from the glass. Some people might think you're a straight-shootin' chum And call you a wonderful guy, But the man in the glass says you're only a bum If you can't look him straight in the eye. He's the fellow to please, never mind all the rest, For he's with you clear up to the end. And you've passed your most dangerous, difficult test If the guy in the glass is your friend. You may fool the whole world down the pathway of years, And get pats on the back as you pass, But your final reward will be heartaches and tears If you've cheated on the man in the glass."

Was this poem written by a pastor to caution his congregation, or by an educator seeking to energize our conscience and encourage some set of core values? No. But I didn't know that, didn't know the REST of the story until this week. It seems that newspaper columnist Ann Landers received it some years ago from a young woman in Louisiana. In her letter, the young woman requested that the author's name be kept anonymous. He had died a few weeks earlier, you see, after years of struggling with a drug habit. He was only twenty-four years old. Hopefully, we can learn the lessons he discovered without repeating his mistakes. As a quote from a Farmer's Almanac of the late 1700s phrased it, "Eny dern fool kin learn from experience...; it takes a smart feller to learn from someone else's experience!"

In the end, our ability to learn from that man or woman in the glass depends on the power of our conscience. But sometimes a conscience can be an untrustworthy guide. We may feel guilty about the wrong kinds of things. Or we may not feel guilty about ANYTHING. The Bible speaks of people whose consciences have been "seared" as with a hot iron. (I Timothy 4:2) The modern term for such a person is "sociopathic." Such a person, it is said, may even be able to pass a lie detector test while lying because they feel no guilt, shame or remorse. Their conscience is clear only because it is nonexistent. Better we should DEVELOP our conscience, and inform it through a study of the timeless truth in God's word. James warned, "If anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man observing his natural face in a mirror; for he observes himself, goes away and immediately forgets what kind of man he was." (1:23-24)

Here's to hoping that all of us will take a good look, and learn from that man or woman in the glass.

CAPT J. David Atwater, CHC, USN

 

[Brad’s Gramma]

Dear God:
I ask that no Airman, Coast Guardsman,
Marine, Sailor, Soldier or National Guardsman
Feel alone or forgotten.
Please guide the people of Free Republic to
The FR Canteen Post Office
So they can e-mail a service man or woman today.
AMEN

Some of these links are broken. I’m using this post out of respect to Mr. Tonkin as he used this for his first post. My apologies, I’d change the broken links if I could.


Equip me today, O God, with
the humility which will keep me from pride and deceit;
the graciousness and gentleness which will make me
both easy to live with and a joy to meet;
the diligence and perseverance, and the reliability
which will make me a good worker;
the kindness which will give me a quick eye to see
what I can do for others and a ready hand to do it;
the constant awareness of your presence,
which will make me do everything as unto you.
So grant that today others may see in me a glimpse of You. Amen.

Dear God:
I ask that no Airman, Coast Guardsman,
Marine, Sailor, Soldier or National Guardsman
Feel alone or forgotten.
Please guide the people of Free Republic to
The FR Canteen Post Office
So they can e-mail a service man or woman today.
AMEN

[SandRat]

In.

[Brad’s Gramma]

To err is human......I sorta kinda messed up on the date up there at the top.

To forgive, Divine. :)

Happy Lord’s Day to all who enter the Canteen!!!

[SandRat]

Job 19:27 Whom I shall see for myself, and mine eyes shall behold, and not another; [though] my reins be consumed within me.

[Poetgal26]

Good evening/morning/afternoon to all

[Kathy in Alaska]

Click on the pic and I'll guide you
to the start of today's
Guest Military Chaplain Service





Please stop in and say a prayer of protection for the military.
Prayers from all denominations are needed.

                                          


Sunday Liberty starts after the Guest Military Chaplain's Service!

[Arm_Bears]

We posted this poem on the mirror in our boy’s bathroom around the time they started reading, and it has been there for over 15 years now.

Our oldest has taken it to heart, and even used it for a poetry project in high school. It’s been a little tougher sell with the younger one, but he’s coming around too.

[laurenmarlowe]

United States Marine Corps Band~National Anthem

[Kathy in Alaska]

Honoring Our Heroes

AbnSarge USA
Allegra
3 sons (armymarinemom and amdad)
Brett USN (CindyDawg)
Brother and Son-in-Law (kalee)
Cannoneer No. 4
Chris USA (amom)
Clarinet_King USAF (NerdDad/CDBear)
Col Mike (gpapa)
CMS USA
David USAF (LUV W)
Defender2
Deven USA (Shimmer)
Ethan USMC (georgiabelle)
Future Snake Eater USA (RightOnline)
Jade Falcon USN
JemiansTerror USA (Jemian)
Jet Jaguar USAF
Joel (NEMDF)
Jonathan USMC (AZbushgal)
Josh USN (doug from upland)
Karen USA (fatima's granddaughter)
KB4W USAF (arbee4bush)
Kenneth (Sweetbaby/LadyPilgrim)
Kevin (skimask)
Kevin and David USA (vigilante2)
Laurita USA
LCpl Carter USMC
Lindsay (Sweetbaby/LadyPilgrim)
Lt David USN (Coldwater Creek)
Capt Jason Clendenin (friend of Frou)
M1Tanker
MEG33's Navy Grandson
M1911A1 USMC (M0sby)
Mike1Sg USA (mystery-ak)
Milo828 USA (mystery-ak)
Nate USN (sneakers)
Old Sarge USA
OneLoyalAmerican USCG
PFC Dan USA (son of swmobuffalo)
Robert, Jeremy & Daynnis USA (SoldierDad)
Sat-Com Chris (son of KC Burke)
Sgt Sean Reed (preed)
Sgt Dusty USA (MountainDad)
Son USCG (GodBlessUSA)
SPC Mike USA (AbnSarge)
SSGT John Linde USA (JFoxbear)
Terrence USN (Sweetbaby/LadyPilgrim)
The Sailor
tongue-tied USN/USA
Tonkin USN/USCG
txradioguy USA
Valerie USAF (Shimmer)
Victor and Tony D USMC (weldgophardline)
William USA (jackv)

 

[Kathy in Alaska]

Honoring Our Heroes

AbnSarge USA
Allegra
3 sons (armymarinemom and amdad)
Brett USN (CindyDawg)
Brother and Son-in-Law (kalee)
Cannoneer No. 4
Chris USA (amom)
Clarinet_King USAF (NerdDad/CDBear)
Col Mike (gpapa)
CMS USA
David USAF (LUV W)
Defender2
Deven USA (Shimmer)
Ethan USMC (georgiabelle)
Future Snake Eater USA (RightOnline)
Jade Falcon USN
JemiansTerror USA (Jemian)
Jet Jaguar USAF
Joel (NEMDF)
Jonathan USMC (AZbushgal)
Josh USN (doug from upland)
Karen USA (fatima's granddaughter)
KB4W USAF (arbee4bush)
Kenneth (Sweetbaby/LadyPilgrim)
Kevin (skimask)
Kevin and David USA (vigilante2)
Laurita USA
LCpl Carter USMC
Lindsay (Sweetbaby/LadyPilgrim)
Lt David USN (Coldwater Creek)
Capt Jason Clendenin (friend of Frou)
M1Tanker
MEG33's Navy Grandson
M1911A1 USMC (M0sby)
Mike1Sg USA (mystery-ak)
Milo828 USA (mystery-ak)
Nate USN (sneakers)
Old Sarge USA
OneLoyalAmerican USCG
PFC Dan USA (son of swmobuffalo)
Robert, Jeremy & Daynnis USA (SoldierDad)
Sat-Com Chris (son of KC Burke)
Sgt Sean Reed (preed)
Sgt Dusty USA (MountainDad)
Son USCG (GodBlessUSA)
SPC Mike USA (AbnSarge)
SSGT John Linde USA (JFoxbear)
Terrence USN (Sweetbaby/LadyPilgrim)
The Sailor
tongue-tied USN/USA
Tonkin USN/USCG
txradioguy USA
Valerie USAF (Shimmer)
Victor and Tony D USMC (weldgophardline)
William USA (jackv)

 

[laurenmarlowe]

 

 

 

Andrea Bocelli ~ Sancta Maria

Eden's Bridge ~ For Thou O Lord

Libera ~ Ave Maria

Sandi Patti ~ The Lord's Prayer

Casting Crowns ~ Father, Spirit, Jesus

Boys Air Choir ~ Agnus Dei

 

[Kathy in Alaska]

A PRAYER OF PROTECTION

The light of God surround you
The love of God enfold you
The power of God protect you
The presence of God watch over you
Wherever you are, God is,
And all is well.
Amen.

BLESS THIS HOUSE

 Bless this house O Lord we pray; Make it safe by night and day; 
Bless these walls so firm and stout, Keeping want and trouble out:
Bless the roof and chimneys tall, Let thy peace lie over all;
Bless this door, that it may prove ever open to joy and love.
Bless these windows shining bright, Letting in God's heav'nly light;
Bless the hearth a'blazing there, with smoke ascending like a prayer;
Bless the folk who dwell within, keep them pure and free from sin;
Bless us all that we may be Fit O Lord to dwell with thee;
Bless us all that one day we May dwell O Lord with thee. 

(Click on graphics for music)

[Kathy in Alaska]

OOPS...double post.

[AZamericonnie]

LeAnn Rimes~Amazing Grace

[Kathy in Alaska]

Good afternoon/evening, Poetgal. Good Lord’s Day to you. Have you had a good weekend so far?

[laurenmarlowe]

Evening MA! *HUGS*

Hehehehe, that just happens sometimes, huh!

[Poetgal26]

Hey Kathy, good to see you today my friend...
It is ok weekend here, thank you....

[Kathy in Alaska]

Good Lord’s Day to you, Sand. Thank you for today’s verse.

[laurenmarlowe]

Good evening Sand, I hope you have a blessed Sunday.