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FReeper Canteen ~ Sunday Chapel ~ THE LOSER WHO NEVER GAVE UP ~ November 7, 2010
Serving The Best Troops and Veterans In The World !! | Brad's Gramma

Posted on 11/06/2010 5:12:12 PM PDT by Kathy in Alaska


 
 

 

 


 


THE LOSER WHO NEVER GAVE UP

For "Sparky", school was all but impossible. He failed every subject in the eighth grade. He flunked physics in high school, getting a grade of zero. He also flunked Latin, algebra and English. And his record in sports wasn't any better. Though he did manage to make the school's golf team, he promptly lost the only important match of the season. Oh, there was a consolation match; he lost that too.

Throughout his youth, Sparky was awkward socially. It wasn't that the other students disliked him; it's just that no one really cared all that much. In fact, Sparky was astonished if a classmate ever said hello to him outside of school hours. There's no way to tell how he might have done at dating. He never once asked a girl out in high school. He was too afraid of being turned down... or perhaps laughed at. Sparky was a loser. He, his classmates... everyone knew it. So he learned to live with it. He made up his mind early that if things were meant to work out, they would. Otherwise he would content himself with what appeared to be his inevitable mediocrity.

One thing WAS important to Sparky, however -- drawing. He was proud of his artwork. No one else appreciated it. But that didn't seem to matter to him. In his senior year of high school, he submitted some cartoons to the the yearbook. The editors rejected the concept. Despite this brush-off, Sparky was convinced of his ability. He even decided to become an artist.

So, after completing high school, Sparky wrote Walt Disney Studios. They asked for samples of his artwork. Despite careful preparation, it too was rejected. One more confirmation that he was a loser.

But Sparky still didn't give up. Instead, he decided to tell his own life's story in cartoons. The main character would be a little boy who symbolized the perpetual loser and chronic underachiever. You know him well. Because Sparky's cartoon character went on to become a cultural phenomenon of sorts. People readily identified with this "lovable loser." He reminded people of the painful and embarrassing moments from their own past, of their pain and their shared humanity. The character soon became famous worldwide: "Charlie Brown." And Sparky, the boy whose many failures never kept him from trying, whose work was rejected again and again,... is the highly successful cartoonist Charles Schultz. His cartoon strip, "Peanuts," continues to inspire books, T-shirts and Christmas specials, reminding us, as someone once commented, that life somehow finds a way for all of us, even the losers.

If you follow the comic strip for a while, you will begin to notice one other thing as well. It isn't anger, resentment or in-your-face sarcasm which fuels Schultz's creativity and resilience. It's his faith. In fact, one study of the comic strip, published several years ago, made precisely that point. It eventually became a popular book entitled, "The Gospel According To Peanuts."

Sparky's story reminds us of a very important principle in life. We all face difficulty and discouragement from time to time. We also have a choice in how we handle it. If we're persistent, if we hold fast to our faith, if we continue to develop the unique talents God has given us, who knows what can happen? We may end up with an insight and an ability to inspire that comes only through hardship. (Read Jeremiah 29:11 and Romans 8:28.) In the end, there are no "losers" with God. Some winners just take longer to develop!

CAPT J. David Atwater, CHC, USN

 

 


TOPICS: Culture/Society; Extended News; Free Republic
KEYWORDS: canteen; military; troopsupport
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To: Kathy in Alaska
Soldiers Prayer Dear Lord, There's a young man far from home, called to serve his nation in time of war; sent to defend our freedom on some distant foreign shore. We pray You keep him safe, we pray You keep him strong, we pray You send him safely home ... for he's been away so long. There's a young woman far from home, serving her nation with pride. Her step is strong, her step is sure, we pray You keep her strong, we pray You send her safely home ... for she's been away too long. Bless those who await their safe return. Bless those who mourn the lost. Bless those who serve this country well, no matter what the cost.

21 posted on 11/06/2010 6:04:39 PM PDT by Dubya (JESUS SAVES)
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To: Kathy in Alaska; laurenmarlowe; BIGLOOK; alfa6; EsmeraldaA; SandRat; mylife; TMSuchman; PROCON; ...


GOD BLESS AND PROTECT OUR TROOPS!





Amazing Grace

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.



Lamh Foistenach Abu!
22 posted on 11/06/2010 6:05:50 PM PDT by ConorMacNessa (HM/2 USN, 3/5 Marines, RVN '69 - St. Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle!)
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To: Kathy in Alaska; laurenmarlowe; BIGLOOK; alfa6; EsmeraldaA; SandRat; mylife; TMSuchman; PROCON; ...


GOD BLESS AND PROTECT OUR TROOPS!



The Lord’s Prayer – Andrea Bocelli

DEAR GOD, 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 hard-
ship,danger and deprivation in Your service. Let
their efforts free the people of Iraq and Afghan-
istan 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.







Lamh Foistenach Abu!
23 posted on 11/06/2010 6:07:50 PM PDT by ConorMacNessa (HM/2 USN, 3/5 Marines, RVN '69 - St. Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle!)
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To: Kathy in Alaska; laurenmarlowe; BIGLOOK; alfa6; EsmeraldaA; SandRat; mylife; TMSuchman; PROCON; ...


THE NAVY HYMN

Eternal Father, Strong to Save



The Marine Corps Verse:

Eternal Father, grant we pray
To all Marines both night and day,
The Courage, Honor, Strength and Skill
Their Land to serve, Thy Law Fulfill.
Be Thou the Shield forevermore
From every peril to the Corps!


This is the day which the LORD hath made;
we will rejoice and be glad in it.
Psalms 118:24(KJV)



Have a Blessed Lord’s Day!







Lamh Foistenach Abu!
24 posted on 11/06/2010 6:09:12 PM PDT by ConorMacNessa (HM/2 USN, 3/5 Marines, RVN '69 - St. Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle!)
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To: LUV W

You are most welcome...I’ve been thinking about it all week, and almost forgot today. LOL!

A Blessed Lord’s Day to you and yours.


25 posted on 11/06/2010 6:09:50 PM PDT by Kathy in Alaska (~ RIP Brian...heaven's gain...the Coast Guard lost a good one.~)
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To: unique; USMCPOP; JFoxbear; Dad of Chris Mason; debm29palms

God Bless our military men and women who have given their all.

Thanks, unique.


26 posted on 11/06/2010 6:11:08 PM PDT by Kathy in Alaska (~ RIP Brian...heaven's gain...the Coast Guard lost a good one.~)
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To: Kathy in Alaska

Same to you Blessed Lord’s Day to you and yours **hugs**


27 posted on 11/06/2010 6:13:13 PM PDT by ColdOne (Who Knew? MSNBC has ethics? Fired Keif!!!!!!)
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To: SoldierDad; vigilante2; PERKY2004; jackv; Jemian; Azbushgal; LUV W; mystery-ak; armymarinemom; ...
Thanks, Military Families, for your service to our country.


John Conlee ~ They Also Serve


28 posted on 11/06/2010 6:14:40 PM PDT by Kathy in Alaska (~ RIP Brian...heaven's gain...the Coast Guard lost a good one.~)
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To: xrmusn

LOL!! You have a point about the idiots. They just might like to control this aspect of our lives too. They already are dictating our lightbulbs.

A good Lord’s Day to you and yours.


29 posted on 11/06/2010 6:21:11 PM PDT by Kathy in Alaska (~ RIP Brian...heaven's gain...the Coast Guard lost a good one.~)
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To: Kathy in Alaska

...and a blessed Sunday to you and your family, too, Kathy!

((hugs))


30 posted on 11/06/2010 6:23:45 PM PDT by luvie (Thank God)
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To: Jet Jaguar; txradioguy; Laurita; CMS; OneLoyalAmerican; tongue-tied; Defender2; Beagle8U; ...
To our Military -

Thank you for protecting us. Sleep well and safe.
May you be protected. May your families' hearts be at ease.

Thank you to our Allies.

**********************************

To those of our Military and Allies who gave their all,
- May your souls rest in peace. May your families be comforted.
May your/our country always remember.


31 posted on 11/06/2010 6:24:02 PM PDT by Kathy in Alaska (~ RIP Brian...heaven's gain...the Coast Guard lost a good one.~)
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To: Kathy in Alaska; Brad's Gramma
Good evening, Ladies! *hugs*

Thank you for our Sunday Chapel!

A wonderful Lords Day to you both!

32 posted on 11/06/2010 6:25:00 PM PDT by oldteen
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To: ColdOne
Hi there, ColdOne! *hugs*

God Bless Our Military!

Amen!

33 posted on 11/06/2010 6:27:03 PM PDT by oldteen
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To: LUV W
Hiya LUVVY! *hugs*

A Blessed Sunday to you and yours!

34 posted on 11/06/2010 6:28:57 PM PDT by oldteen
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To: ConorMacNessa
Good evening, Sir Conor! *hugs*

A Blessed Lords Day to you and the family!

35 posted on 11/06/2010 6:30:16 PM PDT by oldteen
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To: oldteen
Thank you, Teenie!

*HUGS*

And a Blessed Lord's Day to you!

Lamh Foistenach Abu!
36 posted on 11/06/2010 6:32:46 PM PDT by ConorMacNessa (HM/2 USN, 3/5 Marines, RVN '69 - St. Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle!)
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To: All

Breaking news look one of Chia Pet top general and dude going help his son Chia Chub HAS DIED

mpoppel Michael van Poppel
N. Korean military leader Jo Myong-rok dies of heart disease
26 minutes ago Favorite Retweet Reply


37 posted on 11/06/2010 6:33:28 PM PDT by SevenofNine ("We are Freepers, all your media belong to us ,resistance is futile")
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To: Kathy in Alaska

Good Evening!







Setting the Clock Back an Hour...on every clock in the house! Yikes! That's a LOT of Clocks, Coffeemakers, Microwave Ovens, Recording Devices, Alarm Clocks, Car Radios, Watches and Stereos!



Blessings To All!



ML/LTOS
(El Kabong)

38 posted on 11/06/2010 6:36:13 PM PDT by left that other site (Your MiQ-MaQ Paddy Wacky Bass-Playing Biker Buddy(El Kabong))
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To: All

Yeah my parents who been marry for 50 years want kill each other sometime ROFL

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-1327178/Whats-secret-Britains-longest-married-couple.html


39 posted on 11/06/2010 6:36:59 PM PDT by SevenofNine ("We are Freepers, all your media belong to us ,resistance is futile")
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To: All

Yeah my parents who been marry for 50 years want kill each other sometime ROFL

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-1327178/Whats-secret-Britains-longest-married-couple.html


40 posted on 11/06/2010 6:37:03 PM PDT by SevenofNine ("We are Freepers, all your media belong to us ,resistance is futile")
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