[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

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 USO Canteen Post Office
So they can e-mail a service man or woman today.
AMEN

[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

Prayer originally posted by Kathy in Alaska

God Bless our troops, families, and Canteeners. God Bless our Canadian, Israeli, British, Kiwi, and Aussie
Brothers and Sisters in arms. And for our other Allies that I didn't mention as well.

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

                                          

Troop Prayer Thread 4
Posted by TEXOKIE

Fasting and Prayers for our Military
and the suffering People of Iraq
Posted by patriciaruth

USO CANTEEN FREEPER STYLE MISSION STATEMENT
Showing support and boosting the morale of
our military and our allies military
and the family members of the above.
Honoring those who have served before.

[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

Please pray for them.

[Aeronaut]

Good morning to all. Thank you for your weekly message Chaplain. I truly appreciate your faith. God bless you.

[grantswank]

+



Good Lord's Day Morning, Tonk.

We have much to praise heaven about!!!

May we come to the good Lord with hearts full of joy, also souls filled with intercession for those in grief due to coalition members who paid the supreme sacrifice.

chap grant

<//><


+

[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

Know that your work each week in providing us with the Chapel is appreciated by many.
It is important that at least once a week we "speak" with THE Spiritual Commander in Chief.
For it is HIM that hears us all.

[Soaring Feather]

Good Morning, Chap Grant.

Thank you for the wonderful message of promise this day.

Blessings on you and your house.

[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

From the men in the Military and the Canteen

[firewalk]

Good morning everyone

[aomagrat]

Today's classic warship, USS Boxer (CV-21)

Ticonderoga class aircraft carrier
Displacement. 27,100 t.
Lenght. 888'
Beam. 147'6"
Draft. 28'7"
Speed. 33 k.
Complement. 3448
Armament. 12 5"; 32 40mm; 46 20mm; 82 Aircraft

The USS Boxer (CV-21) was launched 14 December 1944 by Newport News Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Co. Newport News, Va.; sponsored by Miss Ruth D. Overton daughter of the Senator from Louisiana and commissioned 16 April 1945, Captain D. F. Smith in command.

Completed too late to take part in World War II, Boxer joined the Pacific Fleet at San Diego in August 1945. From September 1945 to 23 August 1946 she operated out of Guam as flagship of TF 77 in the Western Pacific. During this tour she visited Japan, Okinawa, the Philippines and China. She returned to San Francisco 10 September 1946 and operated off the west coast engaged in normal peacetime duty until departing for the Far East 11 January 1950. After service with the 7th Fleet in the Far East during the first half of 1950, she returned to San Diego, arriving 25 June.

With the outbreak of the Korean conflict she was pressed into service to carry planes to the fighting. During 14-22 July 1950 she made a record crossing of the Pacific, 8 1/2 days, with 150 Air Force and Navy planes and a thousand troops. On her return trip (27 July-4 August), she cut the record to 7 days, 10 hours, and 36 minutes. After fast repairs she departed for the Far East 24 August, this time to join TF 77 in giving air support to the troops. Her planes supported the landing at Inchon (15 September 1950) and other ground action until November, when she departed for the west coast and overhaul.

Boxer departed San Diego for her second Korean tour 2 March 1951. Again she operated with TF 77 supporting the ground troops. She returned to San Francisco 24 October 1951. Sailing 8 February 1952 for her third tour in Korea, Boxer again served with TF 77. During 23-24 June her planes took part in the heavy strikes against the North Korean hydro-electric complex and on 5 August she had nine men killed and two seriously injured in a fire which swept the hangar deck. After emergency repairs at Yokosuka, Japan (11-23 August), Boxer returned to duty off Korea. She arrived at San Francisco 25 September and underwent repairs until March 1953.

The carrier departed for the Far East 30 March 1953 and went into action a month later. She took part in the final actions of the Korean conflict and remained in Asiatic waters until November.

Following her last Korean War deployment, which extended into the post-Armistice period, Boxer served as a Seventh Fleet attack carrier (CVA) on two more cruises, in 1954 and in 1955-56. Converted to an anti-submarine warfare aircraft carrier (CVS) in early 1956, she made a final Western Pacific tour in that role during 1956-57.

Later in 1957, Boxer operated briefly as an experimental assault helicopter aircraft carrier, an indication of things to come for her, the Navy and the Marine Corps. In 1958, she was flagship for Operation "Hardtack", a nuclear weapons test program in the Central Pacific. Late in that year, she was transferred to the Atlantic Fleet as an "interim amphibious assault ship" and was formally redesignated LPH-4 on 30 January 1959.

For the next decade, Boxer and her "main battery" of Marines and transport helicopters were vital components of the United States' amphibious warfare capabilities. She mainly operated in the Caribbean area, including participation in the 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis and the 1965 Dominican Republic intervention. She deployed to European waters in late 1964 to participate in Operation "Steel Pike". In mid-1965, Boxer served as an aircraft transport, carrying more than two-hundred Army helicopters and airplanes to Vietnam as part of the deployment of the First Cavalry Division (Air Mobile). After serving as a spacecraft recovery vessel in early 1966, she made a second trip to Vietnam, this time carrying Marine Corps aircraft.

Boxer decommissioned in December 1969 and was sold for scrapping in February 1971.

Boxer received eight battle stars for her service off Korea.

USS Boxer was named for HMS Boxer, captured off Maine by USS Enterprise during the War of 1812.

---

On a personal note, I will be out of town on business for about a week. (no April Fools this time) Please try to get along with out me.

[zip]

GOOD MORNING ALL. I recieved this in my email this week and had to share it with my FRiends.

Subject: THE FINAL INSPECTION

> The soldier stood and faced God
> Which must always come to pass
> He hoped his shoes were shining
> Just as brightly as his brass.

> > "Step forward now, you soldier,
> How shall I deal with you?
> Have you always turned the other cheek?
> To My Church have you been true?"

> > The soldier squared his shoulders and
> said, "No, Lord, I guess I ain't
> Because those of us who carry guns
> Can't always be a saint.

> > I've had to work most Sundays
> And at times my talk was tough,
> And sometimes I've been violent,
> Because the world is awfully rough.

> > But, I never took a penny
> That wasn't mine to keep...
> Though I worked a lot of overtime
> When the bills got just too steep,

> > And I never passed a cry for help,
> Though at times I shook with fear,
> And sometimes, God forgive me,
> I've wept unmanly tears.

> > I know I don't deserve a place
> Among the people here,
> They never wanted me around
> Except to calm their fears.

> > If you've a place for me here, Lord,
> It needn't be so grand,
> I never expected or had too much,
> But if you don't, I'll understand."

> > There was a silence all around the throne
> Where the saints had often trod
> As the soldier waited quietly,
> For the judgment of his God,

> > "Step forward now, you soldier,
> You've borne your burdens well,
> Walk peacefully on Heaven's streets,
> You've done your time in Hell."

> > > To all that serve or have served

[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

See you All tonight after work.
Thank You for stopping in the USO Canteen.
God Bless You

[grantswank]

AUNTIE MARTHA HATES BUSH



Sharp, eh? Right on. Truth? Yes. Fact? Unfortunately positive; I mean negative. Well, whatever, whichever way you take it.

Back to Martha Burk. Remember? The golf thing—“Augusta National” and “The Masters”. In other words, MEN—yuck! Men. They muck it.

But abortion. Nice. Go for it. Women’s privilege. Freedom to the womb, not for the baby, of course, but the human carriage holding the baby. Choice choice choice, except for the unborn. Burk is abortion pro to the max.

Ms B, 61, and holed up in a tiny office the size of a large closet, is still kickin’, though she claims she only came to real fame via the golf thingy. Before that, no one from the major news agencies knew her number; but now — whoopee.

She just flew back to her nest from Estonia’s World of Women for World Peace gab-about. She, of course, was one of the gabbers. This-n-that about women’s things, you know.

But when it came to women giving conception to real live human beings, not a word. Natch. When it came to protecting the child in the womb, nix. Not a word, tragic. Not a word, disaster. But not a word, nonetheless. Mum, not as in “mother,” but as in closed mouth on killing babies daily.

Breakfast with the gals? Sure thing. Ms B was right there tilting her coffee cup. After all, she was chair of the National Council of Women’s Organizations. She was one special flare. Couldn’tyatell?

So with that, Ms B rose to her protesting stature to slam-dunk the United States President George W. Bush — right in the political kisser, as only a Ms B can slam it. She ranted against the social agendas of the Bush and Team. She yapped and yelped against the war, that is, against freeing the Iraqi Hussein the Horrible 20-years-plus captives. She, with her doctorate in experimental psych, stomped and spat against all things Oval Office.

But when it came to babies being sliced up in mother’s wombs, scalded out of existence, thrown into dumpsters: Mum. Nary a peep.

Sad, isn’t it, that formal education (doctorate in experimental psych: experimental what? “Experimental” as related to avant garde abortion techniques? “Experimental” what?) doesn’t always mean a darn thing — especially in the compassion-wisdom department?

Such is our spiritually damaged world. Time for prayer, wouldn’t you say?

[Valin]

On This Day In History


Birthdates which occurred on April 06:
1483 Raphael [Raffaello Sanzio], Neth, painter (Sistine Madonna)
1671 Jean-Baptiste Rousseau French poet (Sacred Odes & Songs)
1773 James Mill Scotland, philosopher/historian (Hist of British India)
1810 Philip Gosse intentor of institutional aquarium, writer (Omphalos)
1823 Joseph Medill St John NB Canada, newspaper editor (Chicago Tribune)
1830 James Augustine Healy Macon Ga, 1st black Roman Catholic bishop
1866 Butch Cassidy outlaw
1866 Joseph Lincoln Steffens muckraker/journalist (Shame of the Cities)
1874 Harry Houdini famous magician/escape artist
1884 Walter Huston actor (Maltese Falcon, Treasure of Sierra Madre)
1890 Anthony Herman Gerard Fokker Holland, aircraft pioneer
1892 Donald Wills Douglas US, aircraft pioneer
1892 Lowell Thomas Woodington Ohio, newscaster (High Adventure)
19-- Judith McConnell actress (Sophia-Santa Barbara)
1903 Harold Edgerton foremost high-speed photographer
1903 Mickey Cochrane baseball hall of fame catcher (.320 avg)
1904 Kurt Kiesinger diplomat (Wherever They May Be)
1906 John Betjeman English Poet Laureate 1972-1984 (Mount Zion)
1914 George Reeves Ashland Ky, actor (Superman, Gone With the Wind)
1928 James Watson codiscovered structure of DNA
1928 Joi Lansing Salt Lake City Utah, actress (Bob Cummings Show)
1929 "Crazy" Joe Gallo mobster
1929 Andr‚ Previn Berlin Germany, conductor/composer/pianist
1931 Ivan Dixon NYC, actor (Car Wash, Hogan's Heroes)
1934 Antonius Geesink Holland, judo (Olympic-gold-1964)
1937 Billy Dee Williams Harlem NYC, actor (Chiefs, Double Dare)
1937 Merle Haggard Bakersfield Calif, country singer (Death Valley Days)
1938 Billy Dee Williams actor (Lady Sings the Blues, Empire Strikes Back)
1938 Roy Thinnes Chicago Ill, actor (Invaders, Falcon Crest)
1942 Phil Austin comedian (Firesign Theater)
1943 Susan Tolsky Houston, actress (Madame's Place, Here Comes the Brides)
1944 John Stax rocker (Pretty Things-Don't Bring Me Down)
1944 Michele Phillips Long Beach Calif, singer/actress (Mama & Papas)
1947 John Ratzenberger actor (Cliff-Cheers)
1947 Tony Cooner drummer (Hot Chocolate-You Sexy Thing)
1949 Jane Actman NYC, actress (Barbara-Paul Lynde Show)
1951 Ralph Cooper drummer (Air Supply-All Out of Love)
1952 Marilu Henner Chicago, actress (Taxi, Man Who Loved Women)
1952 Udo Dirkshneider heavy metal rocker (Accept-Balls to the Wall, Udo)
1953 Janet Lynn ice skater (Olympics-bronze-1972)
1954 Judi Bowker Shawford England, actress (Clash of the Titans)
1959 Dianne Brill Tampa, fashion designer/party girl (Queen of the Night)
1962 Stan Cullimore bassist (Housemartins-Happy Hour, Over There)
1964 Johnny Dee heavy metal drummer (Britny Fox-Boys in Heat, King Kobra)
1965 Rica Reinisch German DR, 100m/200m backstroke (Olympic-gold-1980)
1966 Kymberly Paige Newport Beach Ca, playmate (May, 1987)
1967 John Ratzenberger Bridgeport Ct, actor (Cliff Clavin-Cheers)
1969 Ari Meyers San Juan PR, actress (Emma McArdle-Kate & Allie)
1972 Jason Hervey actor (Wayne Arnold-Wonder Years)
1975 Damon Pampolina drummer (The Party)
1975 Dannon Phillip Pampolina rapper (The Party)
1976 Candace H Cameron actress (DJ Tanner-Full House)
1976 Soleil Moon Frye Glendora Calif, actress (Punky Brewster)

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Deaths which occurred on April 06:
1199 Richard I the Lion-hearted, King of England (1189-99), dies at 41
1348 Petrarch's Laura dies of plague
1520 Raphael artist dies on his 37th birthday
1528 Albrecht Drer artist, dies in Nrnberg Germany
1854 William Strickland US architect, dies
1975 Chiang Kai-Shek Nationalist Chinese leader, dies at 87
1990 Lady Nancy Hawkes (1946 best dress woman) dies at 73
1992 Isaac Asimov science fiction writer (I Robot), dies at 72
1992 Molly Picon yiddish actress (Milk & Honey) dies of Alzheimers at 94

---

Reported: MISSING in ACTION
( Expanded with full Bios, history, & MIA report )

1966 COOK DENNIS P. SANTA BARBARA CA.
1966 GATES JAMES W. MER ROUGE LA.
ON GROUND RADIO CONTACT LOST
1966 LAFAYETTE JOHN W. WATERBURY VT.
ON GROUND RADIO CONTACT LOST
1967 HEGDAHL DOUGLAS B. CLARK SD.
08/05/69 RELEASED ALIVE AND WELL 98
1968 KUSTIGAN MICHAEL T. WORCHESTER MA.
40 MI OFF COAST // LISTED AS UA IN 1973 REFNO 2054 1968
PEPPER ANTHONY JOHN RICHMOND VA.
1968 TRIMBLE JAMES M. EUREKA CA.
1970 ARPIN CLAUDE FRANCE NOT ON OFFICIAL LISTS
1970 BRASSFIELD ANDREW T. SYLVANIA OH.
1970 FLYNN SEAN L. DEAD BRITISH TV CREW FOUND REMAINS 05/91
1970 KLINGNER MICHAEL LEE MC COOK NE.
1970 STONE DANA DEAD
BRITISH TV CREW FOUND REMAINS 05/91
1970 TAKAGI YUJIRO JAPAN NOT ON OFFICIAL LISTS 1972 ALLEY JAMES H. PLANTATION FL.
"CRASH, FIRE, SAR NEG" REMAINS IDENTIFIED 25 SEPT 1997 1972 AVERY ALLEN J. AUBURN MA.
"CRASH, FIRE, SAR NEG" REMAINS RETURNED 10/01/97
1972 CALL JOHN H. III POTOMAC MD.
"CRASH, FIRE, SAR NEG" REMAINS RETURNED 10/01/97
1972 CHAPMAN PETER H. II CENTERBURG OH.
"CRASH, FIRE, SAR NEG" REMAINS RETURNED 10/01/97
1972 DUNLOP THOMAS E. NEPTUNE BEACH FL.
1972 PEARSON WILLIAM R. WARNER NH.
"CRASH, FIRE, SAR NEG" REMAINS RETURNED 10/01/97
1972 PRATER ROY DEWITT TIFFIN OH.
"CRASH, FIRE, SAR NEG" REMAINS RETURNED 10/01/97

POW / MIA Data & Bios supplied by the P.O.W. NETWORK. Skidmore, MO. USA.
.

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On this day...
610 Lailat-ul Qadar, the night the koran descended to Earth
648 -BC- Earliest total solar eclipse; chronicled by Greeks
1327 Italian poet Petrarch 1st sets eyes on his beloved Laura
1663 King Charles II signs Carolina Charter
1712 Slave revolt in New York
1789 1st US Congress begins regular sessions, Federal Hall, NYC
1830 Joseph Smith & 5 others organizes Mormon church in Seneca Co, NY
1841 Cornerstone laid for 2nd Mormon temple, Nauvoo, Missouri
1848 Jews of Prussia granted equality
1853 Asteroid 25, Phocaea discovered
1853 J Chacornac discovers asteroid #25 Phocaea
1855 J Chacornac discovers asteroid #34 Circe
1859 US recognizes Liberal government in M‚xico's War of the Reform
1862 Battle of Shiloh, Union defeats Confederacy in SW Tennessee
1865 Battle of Sayler's Creek, 1/3rd of Lee's army cut off
1866 G.A.R. established
1868 Brigham Young marries his 27th & final wife
1878 Prosper Henry discovers asteroid #186 Celuta
1883 Start of Sherlock Holmes "Adventure of the Speckled Band" (BG)
1886 City of Vancouver, BC incorporated
1886 Declaration of Berlin neutralizes Tonga
1891 J Palisa discovers asteroid #309 Fraternitas
1893 Andy Bowen & Jack Burke box 7 hrs 19 mins to no decision (111 rounds)
1893 Longest bout in boxing history ends after 7 hrs in St Louis
1893 Mormon temple in Salt Lake City dedicated
1896 1st modern Olympic games begin in Athens (3/25 OS)
American, James Connolly, wins 1st Olympic gold medal in mod history
1900 Jim Jeffries KO's Jack Finnegan in 55 seconds
1905 P Gotz discovers asteroid #563 Suleika
1906 1st animated cartoon copyrighted
1908 J H Metcalf discovers asteroid #755 Quintilla
1909 1st credit union established in US
1909 Matthew Henson, explorer, leads a party of 6 to North Pole
1909 North Pole reached by Americans Robert Peary & Matthew Henson
1916 S Belyavskij discovers asteroid #857 Glasenappia
1917 US declares war on Germany, enters World War I
1922 B Jekhovsky discovers asteroid #977 Philippa
1924 4 planes leave Seattle on 1st successful around-the-world flight
1926 Montreal Maroons beat Victoria Cougars 3 games to 1 for Stanley Cup
1930 1st transcontinental glider tow completed
1931 1st Scottsboro (Ala) trial begins - 9 blacks accused of rape
1935 H Levitt sinks 499 basketball free throws, misses & sinks 371 more
1936 Tornado, kills 203 & injuring 1,800 in Gainesville Georgia
1939 US & UK agree on joint control of Canton & Enderbury Is (Pacific)
1941 Italian-held Addis Ababa capitulates to British & Ethiopian forces
1942 K Reinmuth discovers asteroid #2249 Yamamoto
1943 British & US army link up in Africa during WW II
1947 Jimmy Demaret wins his 2nd Masters golf tournament
1952 Sam Snead wins his 2nd Masters golf tournament
1954 Mont Canadiens score 3 goals in 56 sec in playoff game against Det
1957 NYC ends trolley car service
1958 Arnold Palmer wins 1st major golf tournament-the Masters
1965 Intelsat 1 ("Early Bird") 1st coml geosynchronous comm satellite
1966 Mihir Sen swims the Palk Strait between Sri Lanka & India
1967 T Smirnova discovers asteroid #1804 Chebotarev
1968 94.5% of East German voters approve new socialist constitution
1968 Gunpowder stocks at a sporting-goods store explode, killing 43 (Va)
1968 HemisFair 1968 opens in San Antonio, Texas
1973 Pioneer 11 launched toward Jupiter & Saturn
1973 Yankee Ron Blomberg becomes 1st designated hitter, he walks
1974 200,000 attend rock concert "California Jam"
1974 Yankees 1st home game at Shea Stadium, beat Indians 6-1
1975 Bundy victim Denise Oliverson disappears from Grand Junction, Colo
1975 Fastest hat trick by a Wash Cap 3 mins 26 secs (Stan Gilbertson)
1976 1st quadrophonic movie track: "Ladies & Gentlemen the Rolling Stones"
1977 Judge rules the Beatles 1962 Hamburg album can be released
1977 The Kingdome in Seattle opens
1979 Rod Stewart & Alana Collins wed
1980 Gordie Howe completes a record 26th season
1982 Columbia returns to Kennedy Space Center from White Sands
1983 Caps 2-Isles 5-Patrick Div Semifinals- Isles hold 1-0 lead
1984 11th Space Shuttle Mission (41-C)-Challenger 5 is launched
1985 Atlantis (OV-104) rollout at Palmdale
1986 Soccer ball juggled non-stop for 14:14 hrs
1987 Sugar Ray Leonard upsets Marvelous Marvin Hagler
Al Campanis appears on Niteline saying blacks may not be equiped
to be in baseball management, sparking a racial controversy
1988 NJ Devils' 1st playoff game; lose to Isles 4-3 (OT) in 1st round
1991 Former child actor Adam Rich arrested for breaking into a pharmacy
1991 NY-NJ Knights 1st home game (Giant Stad) lose to Frankfurt 27-17
1992 1st game at Camden Field, Balt-Orioles beat Indians 2-0
1992 Britain Radio Authority licenses Virgin & TV-AM radio licenses
1992 Duke beats Michigan 71-51 for NCCA basketball championship
1992 Voting begins on choice of Elvis postage stamps

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Holidays
Note: Some Holidays are only applicable on a given "day of the week"

Ethiopia : Victory Day
South Africa : Van Riebeeck Day-founding of Capetown
Thailand : Chakri Day
Switzerland : Glarius Festival (1388) - - - - - ( Thursday )
Mass : Student Government Day - - - - - ( Friday )

---

Religious Observances
Unification Church : Parents Day
Luth : Commemoration of Albrecht Drer, artists
Luth : Commemoration of Michelangelo, artists
Christian : Low (Quasimodo) Sunday, the Octave Day of Easter

---

Religious History
6 BC This day is believed by some Biblical scholars to be the actual date of the historical birth of Jesus Christ.
1735 The first Moravians from Europe arrived in America. Invited by colonial governor James Oglethorpe, ten males of the "Unitas Fratrum" landed in Savannah, Georgia after sailing from England in February.
1830 James Augustine Healy, the first black Roman Catholic bishop in America, was born to an Irish planter and a slave on a plantation near Macon, Georgia.
1868 Mormon church leader Brigham Young, 67, married his 27th and last wife. (In all, Brigham Young's wives bore him 47 children.)
1952 American missionary and Auca Indian martyr Jim Elliot wrote in his journal: 'Faith makes life so even, gives one such confidence, that the words of men are as wind.'

---

Thought for the day :
" Even the smallest candle burns brighter in the dark. "

[SAMWolf]

Current Military News

A member of the engineer brigade of the U.S. Army's 3rd Infantry division takes a moment in prayer for a fallen comrade during a service near the Euphrates river outside Baghdad, April 5, 2003.


Father Devine, a Chaplain of the Seventh Marine regiment, blesses a U.S. Marine from 7 Battalion during a Catholic mass in the camp, in the desert some 150 km north of the town of Nassiriya, March 30, 2003.


President Bush and first lady Laura Bush join in an opening prayer before delivering remarks to a crowd of Marines and their families at Camp Lejeune, N.C., Thursday April 3, 2003. Bush will meet with families of Marines killed in action during a private visit at Chapel Annex.


David Marto, 2, holds his mother Debra Marto's hand as they pray at a pro-war rally in Albuquerque's Civic Plaza, Friday, March 28, 2003, in Albuquerque, N.M. Debra Marto has a cousin serving in the Air Force in the Middle East. Several hundred people turned out at the rally to show their support for the military and President Bush

[cherry_bomb88]

GOOD MORNING TROOPS & FELLOW CANTEENERS & GOD BLESS YOU ALL

[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

<//><

[WaterDragon]

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

[LaDivaLoca]

Long read but good

Europe's Anti-Christian Attitude

Now I know the anti-Christian attitude of the ungrateful Europeans would not dare connect the answer to these questions to the influence of the prevailing Christian faith of the majority of Americans. But whether they like it or not, that is the basis of why we were willing to spill our blood and consume our resources in the pursuit of righting the aggressions that nearly destroyed and enslaved all of Europe.

It was the willingness to sacrifice in order to do the right thing – the determination to set people free and stamp out the forces of tyranny. Those actions did not come out of the natural selfishness of human nature, but from the influences of the teachings of Jesus Christ and the Bible.

And now the majority of the Europeans we set free are upset by President Bush’s frequent references to God and faith – the very factors that motivated us to save them.

Just look at what was reported by Reuters, “The religious overtones in President Bush’s speeches increasingly grate on many ears in Europe, where leaders invoking God in times of war are widely suspect of misusing faith for political purposes. No less than the German president, French prime minister and Belgian foreign minister have joined religious leaders in expressing concern about Bush's beliefs and the place of religion in U.S. politics.”
It is my opinion that one of the reasons God allowed such terrible judgments to fall upon Europe is because of their perversion and rejection of true Christianity. The Theologians of Europe in the 18th century are the ones who began a sophisticated rejection of the Bible’s authenticity and authority.

They are the source of the so-called Liberal and Neo-Orthodox Theological movement. This God-cursed movement is based upon the rejection of the Bible as the literal and infallible Word of God. It is interesting that German Theologians began this insidious movement. I believe that this is the reason most Germans fell for the Godless teachings of Adolf Hitler and National Socialism. These teachings were based upon many occultic concepts, which a Bible believing Christian would have immediately recognized and rejected.

It is these apostate Protestant Religious leaders who are the source of the thinking expressed in this quote from Reuters, “Media commentators, especially in northern European countries with Protestant heritages, have branded Bush's evangelical views as Christian fundamentalism, with some even comparing them to the Islamic fundamentalism of Osama bin Laden.”

Christian Fundamentalism believes that the Bible is the infallible Word of God and should be believed literally, unless the context clearly indicates it is a parable or an allegory. Now if a Christian does that, he believes that we are to proclaim the good news of God’s salvation and forgiveness, purchased by Christ’s death for our sins. He believes that this is a gift and tries to get people to receive it – but not through violence. He believes that in inter-personal relationships, we should treat others, as we would have them treat us; that we should not represent the Gospel with violence.

But Christian Fundamentalist also believe Romans 13:1-10. This passage recognizes that there will always be those who are violent and seek to take the life, liberty and property of others. This applies to both person-to-person and nation-to-nation crimes. God tells us that He has established duly formed government to keep peace, security and order. To those who violate the law, the Bible warns, “For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and he will commend you. For he is God's servant to do you good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, FOR HE DOES NOT BEAR THE SWORD FOR NOTHING. HE IS GOD'S SERVANT, AN AGENT OF WRATH TO BRING PUNISHMENT ON THE WRONGDOER. Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also because of conscience.” (Romans 13:3-5 NIV)

Many of the first believers in Jesus Christ in the New Testament were Roman military officers and soldiers. They were never told to quit the military, but simply urged to do their duty honestly and justly. In the passage quoted above, it says that government agents such as policemen and soldiers do not bear the sword for nothing. Now you don’t spank people with swords. It is a symbol of deadly force.

This is why Christians have often been the best soldiers and policemen. They carry out their duty with faith and justice. King David was one of the greatest warriors to strap on a sword. David writes in the Psalms that it was God who taught his hands how to fight. God called him a man after His own heart. This is because David sought to fight in the will and purpose of God.

On the other hand, a Muslim Fundamentalist literally follows the Koran and the example of Mohammad. This teaches him to spread Islam with the sword. They are commanded to kill the infidel because he does not believe the Prophet Mohammad and the Koran. It teaches Muslims to have no tolerance for any other religion. It teaches ‘Holy War’ or Jihad to spread Islam over other nations. Here are a few quotes from the Koran to illustrate this:

“Those who disbelieve in our communications [i.e. from the Koran], we shall make them enter fire; so oft as their skins are thoroughly burned, we will change them for other skins, that they may taste the chastisement; surely Allah is Mighty and Wise.” (Surah 4:56)

“So when the sacred months have passed away, then slay the idolaters wherever you find them, and take them captive and besiege them and lie in wait for them in every kind of ambush …” (Surah 9:5)

“O you who believe! Do not take the Jews and the Christians for friends; they are friends of each other; and whoever amongst you takes them for a friend, then surely he is one of them; surely Allah does not guide these unjust people.” (Surah 5:51)

The very least we can say is that the more Fundamental a Christian becomes, the more just and loving he will become; but the more Fundamental a Muslim becomes, the more violent and intolerant he will become.

This is the reason why Islamic Fundamentalism is almost synonymous with terrorism. Not all Muslims are terrorists, but almost all terrorist today are Muslim.

From the foundation of the United States of America, our leaders have invoked the guidance and blessing of God, especially in the wars we have fought. George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, Theodore Roosevelt, Woodrow Wilson, Franklin Delano Roosevelt, Harry Truman, to name a few, all sought God’s protection, guidance and blessings as they sent our soldiers into war. They did this because this country was founded on faith in God and the Lord Jesus Christ by the majority. They also did this because we only went to war when the majority of Americans believed it was a just war.

It was our faith in God that motivated us to come to the aid of Europe – particularly France and Belgium – in World Wars 1 and 2. So President George W. Bush is not acting in aberrant way from our history when he seeks God’s guidance and blessings. No, he is following the very essence of what made this country what it is. We have fought with fury against aggressors, but been merciful to the vanquished. We have not kept any of the lands we liberated. We helped even our enemies to rebuild. This behavior is rooted in our faith in the Bible. If we drift from this faith, we too will be destroyed.

So you ungrateful Europeans who criticize public appeals to God for His help – just shut up! You may need our help again.

Email Author: Hal Lindsey

[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."

[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.