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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[grantswank]

LOVE UNFATHOMABLE

To know that God
Does love me still
In spite of my
Contrary mold

Is more than I
Can fathom, yet
'Tis true for by
His Word I'm told.

Calais, ME
3/20/87

chap grant

<//><

[cherry_bomb88]

THE BRICK

A young and successful executive was traveling down a neighborhood street, going a bit too fast in his new Jaguar.

He was watching for kids darting out from between parked cars and slowed down when he thought he saw something.

As his car passed, no children appeared.

Instead, a brick smashed into the Jag's side door!

He slammed on the brakes and backed the Jag back to the spot where the brick had been thrown.

The angry driver then jumped out of the car, grabbed the nearest kid and pushed him up against a parked car shouting, "What was that all about and who are you? Just what the heck are you doing? That's a new car and that brick you threw is going to cost a lot of money. Why did you do it?"

The young boy was apologetic. "Please, mister...please, I'm sorry but I didn't know what else to do," He pleaded. "I threw the brick because no one else would stop..."

With tears dripping down his face and off his chin, the youth pointed to a spot just around a parked car.

"It's my brother," he said. "He rolled off the curb and fell out of his wheelchair and I can't lift him up."

Now sobbing, the boy asked the stunned executive, "Would you please help me get him back into his wheelchair? He's hurt and he's too heavy for me."

Moved beyond words, the driver tried to swallow the rapidly swelling lump in his throat.

He hurriedly lifted the handicapped boy back into the wheelchair, then took out a linen handkerchief and dabbed at the fresh scrapes and cuts.

A quick look told him everything was going to be okay.

"Thank you and may God bless you," the grateful child told the stranger.

Too shook up for words, the man simply watched the boy push his wheelchair-bound brother down the sidewalk toward their home.

It was a long, slow walk back to the Jaguar. The damage was very noticeable, but the driver never bothered to repair the dented side door. He kept the dent there to remind him of this message "Don't go through life so fast that someone has to throw a brick at you to get your attention!"

God whispers in our souls and speaks to our hearts. Sometimes when we don't have time to listen, He has to throw a brick at us.

It's our choice to listen or not.

[WaterDragon]

Prayers for our precious heroes, and their loved ones back home. And for our President.

[DoughtyOne]

 

[TaxRelief]

Afternoon, All!
How was church?

Heard a great sermon:

A young man prays everyday for the same thing. He asks God day in and day out to help him to win the lottery. He begs and he pleads and finally resorts to making deals with God. "Lord," he says, "if you let me win the lottery, I will donate 90% of the money to the poor and to the church. All I need Lord, is enough to solve my little problems."

But he doesn't win and this goes on for three years.

Finally, one day, the young man says to God, "Lord, I have begged and pleaded, I have reasoned and I have negotiated, and above all I have followed all of the commandments that you have given us. Why, oh why, haven't you let me win the lottery?"

[Minty]

That is going to be famous for years to come!

[firewalk]

nice graphics

[firewalk]

Good afternoon

[TaxRelief]

The Lottery Sermon, continued.

Suddenly, there was a rumbling of thunder,
and a loud, booming voice called out from the heavens,
"Buy a ticket!"

[yankeedame]

RAIDER OF THE COPPER HILL Page 30

[Kathy in Alaska]

"A Call to Prayer"

Thanks, Linda, I really love reading this prayer.

Through G-d we shall do valiantly: for He it is that shall tread down our enemies. Psalms 60:12

[Kathy in Alaska]

Canteen Blessing for the Troops. Thanks, ms feather.

[SAMWolf]

Current Military News

Iraqi children welcome British Royal Marines from 42 Commando as they drive into the heart of Basra, Iraq, Sunday, April 6, 2003.


Iraqi children ask for food from U.S. Marines in the city of Nassiriya, April 6, 2003. U.S. Forces appear to be strengthening their grip over the city after quelling small pockets of resistance by supporters loyal to Iraqi President Saddam Hussein. Photo by Desmond Boylan/Reuters


Iraqis line the streets of Basra, Iraq (news - web sites), to welcome British Royal Marines from 42 Commando as they drive into the heart of the city Sunday, April 6, 2003.


A young boy gives a thumb-up the Royal Marines from 42 Commando as they drive into the heart of the city, Sunday April 6 2003. (AP Photo/Jon Mills/Pool


Locals line the streets of Basra to welcome Royal Marines from 42 Commando as they drive into the heart of the city, Sunday April 6, 2003. The Marines had been expecting enemy forces as they drove into Iraqs second city but were only met with cheers and smiles. (AP Photo/Jon Mills/Pool)


Young Iraqis welcome British Royal Marines from 42 Commando as they drive into the heart of Basra, southern Iraq, Sunday, April 6, 2003. (AP Photo/Jon Mills, Western Daily Press, POOL)


An Iraqi girl, Sian, is given water at the compound of British 40 Commando Royal Marines after she was brought there by her father having swallowed a cup of petrol in the Abu Al Khasib suburb of Basra in southern Iraq, April 6, 2003. U.S. troops have strong control of Baghdad airport and will expand from there in all directions, Jim Wilkinson, a spokesman for U.S. Commander General Tommy Franks, said on Sunday. REUTERS/Terry Richards/POOL

[Kathy in Alaska]

Thank you, Chap Grant, for this day's message.

[fatima]

grantswank,Thank you Chaplain Grant for you thoughts and prayers and meditation.

[Kathy in Alaska]

[Kathy in Alaska]

Duty ~ Honor ~ Country

Click above to visit "A Day in the Life of President Bush"

[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.

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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.

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(Click on praying hands above,
or on banner at the top to hear the music)

[Kathy in Alaska]

Wishing all our Jewish troops, veterans, families, allies and friends, a peaceful and prosperous week.

[LaDivaLoca]

Hello, everyone. Here are some links to pictures of our heroes dated 4/5/03 from another site:

Link 1

Link 2

Link 3

Link 4

Link 5

Link 6

Link 7

I Said a Prayer

for our Troops and Allies

I said a prayer for you today,
And know God must have heard.
I felt the answer in my heart,
although He spoke no word.

I didn't ask for wealth or fame,
I knew you wouldn't mind,
I asked Him to send treasures,
Of a far more lasting kind.

I asked that He'd be near you,
At the start of each new day.
To grant you health and blessings,
And friends to share your way.

I asked for happiness for you,
In all things great and small.
But it was His loving care,
I prayed for most of all.