USO Canteen FReeper Style ~ Sunday Chapel, Prayers for the Military ~ April 06 2003

USO Canteen Chaplin grantswank and coteblanche

[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

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,
there is courage in every stride.
We pray You keep her safe,
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.

Author Unknown

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FReepers from the USO Canteen, The Foxhole, and The Poetry Branch
join in prayer for all those serving their country at this time.

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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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Courage to Kneel

Within the columns and squads
My soul lays bare to God.
My body, wrapped in battle dress
Is hard, yet wearied by the stress.
And I wonder?
What portion of people are driven so
With detailed diligence?
I do not know.

My body is made worthy of its country.
My mind worthy of its God.
Will to do.
Skill to hear.
Strength to move.
Courage to kneel.

Within the columns and squads
The souls, lay bare with anticipation.
The soldiers wrapped in battle dress,
To aid the hurting and the stressed.
And you wonder?
What sort of servants are driven so;
Chaplains assistants.
Do you not know?

SPC Gary Carter

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The Chaplain's Corner

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

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CLIMBING CALVARY

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It was that stark bony look. Calvary was smitten. Its face was just as we had been told in Scripture: rocky and dented with eye sockets, protruded with a nose-shape and vacant as a stare of death.

Along with other tourists, we trudged up the mountain, cameras in hand.

Three scrubby trees were at the very top. There Priscilla sat on some twisted tall grass spikes as I focused her in direct center of the photo. I imagined that that is where the crosses would have been punched in God's otherwise good earth.

It was a hot day.

It was time to leave the Place of the Skull--Golgotha.

In the valley was the Garden Tomb. We meandered toward it, in no hurry, sensing a reverential cast to all of nature. Greenery was everywhere. Bundles of flowering buds peered up to greet us. Sunshine filled all the gaps.

Slowly I made my way to Joseph of Arimathea's empty gravesite. It was carved out of the hillside. A trough had been dug in front of its beautifully crude stone door. Inside that trough the weighty rock slab would have been rolled to seal shut the entrance. No entrance. No exit. Tight. Any corpse inside was there for good, or whatever.

Robbers would have stolen from the tombs if the stone had not been secured.

I walked inside. There was no rock slab now to prohibit. The morning air welcomed my back to keep me moving till inside that resting-place. My eyes adjusted to see the remains of shelves where bodies would have been positioned.

There I pictured His young frame wrapped in clothes, spices tucked in about the sorry piece. A separate cloth would have been wound about his head.

I suppose there were others making the same interior pilgrimage as I. But I don't recall any shadows but my own.

Timeless. It seemed as if I had left time and had no desire to return.

But time called out its practicality. With that, I was in the sun again, milling about the many as we hunkered down on rocks and patches of grass to receive the sacrament.

There was no reason to chat. No one wanted to chat. There was too much going on inside--not so much noise but voices from another time and friends from another culture than ours.

There was simply no way around it. One could not get to the dawn of the first day without going through the trudge up Skull's Mount, then making it into the valley where an empty borrowed tomb stood awaiting the gaping and the saved.

Sometimes in spring when I walk about the Lakes Region, I get that same feeling from the sun, especially when near a garden.

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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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A Charge to Keep

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W.H.D. Koerner

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A charge to keep I have,
A God to glorify,
A never dying soul to save,
And fit it for the sky.

To serve the present age,
My calling to fulfill;
O may it all my powers engage
To do my Master's will!

Charles Wesley

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President Bush speaks about the painting and hymn
that have inspired him.

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"Hanging in my office is a beautiful oil painting by W.H.D. Koerner entitled "A Charge to Keep". The painting, inspired by the hymn, pictures a horseman determinedly charging up what appears to be a steep & rough trail.

The painting and hymn have been an inspiration for me & for members of my staff. "A Charge to Keep" calls us to our highest and best. What adds complete life to the painting for me is the message of Charles Wesley that we serve One greater than ourselves. It speaks of purpose and direction. In many hymnals, it is associated with a Bible verse, 1 Corinthians 4:2: "Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful."

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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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Songs of Israel
(over an hour of music)

Listen Here

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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.

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"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

During his presidential campaign, George W. Bush said he'd been 'called'
to seek higher office and talked openly about 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)

Where Were You? (Alan Jackson).....The Old Rugged Cross (The Statler Brothers)

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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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Click on graphic below to join in
as Kate Smith sings......

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[Kathy in Alaska]

Members of India Company of the 3rd Battalion, 5th Marines watch from a distance as U.S. artillery rounds are fired at Iraqi bunkers. Marines captured the city of Numaniyah with little resistance. (Sun photo by John Makely)

U.S. Marines with India Company, 3rd Battalion, 5th Regiment, attack An Numniyah. (Sun photo by John Makely)

[Kathy in Alaska]

Great links, Diva, to great photos of our military at work. Thanks.

[Kathy in Alaska]

Afternoon, BIS!

[snippy_about_it]

WooHoo, thanks Kathy for posting these photos, my boxes should be arriving soon. I heard the Post Office chartered two 747's to help get mail to the troops! Of course we know what the weekend means, more shopping, more packing. Besides the Marines, I packed up another for Karl and of course a few for the Tarawa. Fun, fun, fun!

It's wonderful to hear that the post office is overwhelmed because it means our troops are going to get lots of mail.

[fatima]

ONE As the soot and dirt and ash rained down, We became one color. As we carried each other down the stairs of the burning building, We became one class. As we lit candles of waiting and hope, We became one generation. As the firefighters and police officers fought their way into the inferno, We became one gender. As we fell to our knees in prayer for strength, We became one faith. As we whispered or shouted words of encouragement, We spoke one language. As we gave our blood in lines a mile long, We became one body. As we mourned together the great loss, We became one family. As we cried tears of grief and loss, We became one soul. As we retell with pride of the sacrifice of heroes, We become one people. We are One color One class One generation One gender One faith One language One body One family One soul One people We are The Power of One. We are United. We are America.

[snippy_about_it]

Oh, I almost forgot. I heard from two more freepers who wanted contacts. I sent them Karl's and Alex's address. I think they were our newest and both have plenty around them to share if they get a lot of stuff.

[firewalk]

(-:

[snippy_about_it]

See post 98,99 and 101 for our Marines.

[snippy_about_it]

Matthew 28:5-7

The angel said to the women, "Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified.

He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay.

Then go quickly and tell his disciples: 'He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.' Now I have told you."

[Kathy in Alaska]

Yippee!! That is excellent news about the snail mail office finally getting it. Charter those planes and get this support stuff to our troops!! I still haven't heard that any of my incountry packages got there, but seeing as how they are moving so fast, I am not surprised, and the only reason I care is to find out if I'm sending the right stuff. The very thought of sending stuff that they can't use, or really don't care for is depressing. I want them to get what THEY WANT, not what I thought was a good idea.

[Kathy in Alaska]

Beautiful, fatima, simply beautiful.

We are The Power of One. We are United. We are America.

Now if the democrats and peaceniks would just get onboard.

[cherry_bomb88]

ALEX!!!!!

Thanks for the pics, Kathy!!!!!

[weldgophardline]

Good Sunday Afternoon May GOD BLESS OUR TROOPS AND THIS GREAT COUNTRY.

[Kathy in Alaska]

Thank you, aomagrat, for today's history of the USS Boxer. 8 battle stars and a lot of different lives.

Stay safe and have a good week. See ya upon your return.

[marsh2]

Today I gave a short speech to about 300 people gathered at a support our troops rally in Yreka, CA (pop. about 10,000). Text as follows:

I am here today to stand with you to express support for our troops.

These soldiers, sailors, airmen and marines are our sons and daughters; our husbands and wives and our neighbors. All of us are touched by their lives and sacrifice.

As I watch the young faces on television speak of their loved ones, I am reminded that “back home” is right here. We are called to “watch their six.” We must remember to reach out to the families of our service people and make sure that their needs are met. Those on front lines should never have to worry about the welfare of their families back home

Folks in the military now have a job to do in the service of our country. And they are doing that job exceedingly well. We are so proud that they bring to this task the very highest standards of morality and unparalleled respect for humanity.

Anyone who has watched the current war on tv appreciates the remarkable efforts our service has taken to precisely focus its impressive strength of force upon enemy targets and away from innocent civilians. Our country holds life as precious and believes that every man should be treated with dignity and compassion. This contrasts sharply with the actions and beliefs shown by Saddam’s brutal forces.

We now fight a war in a country oppressed in brutal tyranny. A country that provides sanctuary for terrorism and proliferates weapons of mass destruction intended for innocent civilians.

Following 9 eleven we have tasted what living in the shadow of fear is like. Fear and freedom are incompatible.

Those in the service of the United States of America understand this. We have taught our children to stand tall – that there are precious things worth fighting and dying for.

Let it be known that those who have given the ultimate sacrifice have done so to secure freedom from fear for every America. We honor them today and we give our heartfelt thanks for the sacrifices they are making for every one of us.

[Kathy in Alaska]

A Pricipled President! I love it. Great piece, grant.

[Radix]

1874 Harry Houdini famous magician/escape artist

 

 

[Kathy in Alaska]

Wow, marsh2, what a great speech! Thank you for dropping by the Canteen and helping to honor our troops by sharing your offering at a "Support Our Troops" rally.

[Radix]

1976 Candace H Cameron actress (DJ Tanner-Full House)

 

 

[American Preservative]

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.

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: ( To those of our Military and Allies who have lost their lives in this past week -

May your souls rest in peace. May your families be comforted. May your/our country remember.