FReeper Canteen ~ Guest Military Chaplain Thread ~ You Are Special ~ 26 Nov 2006

Serving The Best Troops In The World ^ | CAPT J. David Atwater, CHC, USN

[MoJo2001]

 

 

 

 
YOU ARE SPECIAL

"I don't know why I was even born," the young sailor confided! "I'm ugly. I'm not talented. I've never been what you would call smart. I don't really have any friends. And I can't seem to do anything right. I feel like I've spent my whole life letting people down. Sometimes I wonder if even God could love me!"

That conversation took place more than a decade ago, but I still remember it as if it were yesterday. That one and a lot of others over the years with the same message: "I'm no good; I'm just another loser."

Unfortunately, our society places a great premium on looking good, being popular, and being the best -- or at least being "special." Those who don't quite measure up often feel like that young sailor. Sometimes a person can spend his or her whole life trying to earn acceptance, and still end up an outsider. ... Sometimes even when others really DO care for them and want them to be part of the group! Maybe you have felt that way at times. If not, it's probable that someone you know has... or does.

Nearly two thousand years ago, the Apostle Paul described how God has made each of us special, given each person a unique combination of "gifts". It was an important message. It must have been. His letters preserve three different variations on that theme, written to three different communities. (You can read his comments in Romans 12, I Corinthians 12 and Ephesians 4.) A more recent author phrased it this way:

"You Have A Special Message To Deliver"

There is an old Jewish-Christian tradition which says:
God sends each person into this world
With a special message to deliver,
With a special song to sing for others,
With an act of love to bestow.

No one else can speak my message,
Or sing my song, or offer my act of love,
These are entrusted only to me.
According to this tradition,
The message may be spoken,
The song sung, the act of love delivered
Only to a few, or to all the folk in a small town,
Or to all the people in a large city,
Or even to all those in the whole world.

It all depends on God's unique plan for each person.
To which we might add:
The greatest gift of God, one would think,
Is the gift of life.
The greatest sin of humans, it would seem,
Would be to return that gift,
Ungrateful and unopened. Anonymous

If you're feeling down and discouraged today, there's good news. No matter what your appearance, background or position, you're one of God's unique gifts to the rest of us. God loves you, has a special purpose for you, and believes in who you can become. Lift up your heart. Despite all you may have been told, despite all you may have felt, you ARE special after all!

CAPT J. David Atwater, CHC, USN



 

 

  

 

[MoJo2001]

The Guest Military Chaplain thread is up and running whenever you are ready to come over for a visit.

Thank you to all of our Troops, Veterans, Allies, and family members for your sacrifices.

 

[Brad’s Gramma]

First!


????

[Allegra]

Fourth or fifth or something like that? I NEVER get to be in the Top Ten!

[HiJinx]

Yes, as a matter of fact, you're first.
Hello, MoJo, thanks for posting the Chaplain's thread.

Ummm...is Chaplain Atwater trying to tell you something? What we've been trying to say all along? That you really are someone special?

Trust me, all the troops whose lives you've touched agree with me and the Chaplain - and of course, that goes for Grammy as well.

[HiJinx]

Would you believe second?

Good evening, Allegra.

I hope all is well with you.

[SandRat]

Hag 1:13 Then spake Haggai the LORD'S messenger in the LORD'S message unto the people, saying, I [am] with you, saith the LORD.

1Jo 1:5 This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.

1Jo 3:11 For this is the message that ye heard from the beginning, that we should love one another.

[Kathy in Alaska]

[Kathy in Alaska]

[Kathy in Alaska]

[EsmeraldaA]

Amen and thank you SR.

[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!

[SevenofNine]

Wow nice and early today only 3pm here in SO CAL LOL!
breaking news off Hareetz wire Israeli are claim they keep cease fire in Gaza FOR NOW that could break if PLO don't stop their crap with Hamas

[Kathy in Alaska]

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

[Kathy in Alaska]

He Who blessed our forefathers Abraham, Isaac and Jacob - may He bless the fighters of the Israel Defense Force, who stand guard over our land and the cities of our G-d from the border of the Lebanon to the desert of Egypt, and from the Great Sea unto the approach of the Aravah, on the land, in the air, and on the sea.

May HASHEM cause the enemies who rise up against us to be struck down before them. May the Holy One, Blessed is He, preserve and rescue our fighting men from every trouble and distress and from every plague and illness, and may He send blessing and success in their every endeavor.

May He lead our enemies under their sway and may He grant them salvation and crown them with victory. And may there be fulfilled for them the verse: For it is Hashem, your G-d, Who goes with you to battle your enemies for you to save you.

G-d bless and keep your children safe, Alouette.

[Kathy in Alaska]

Prayers for our troops, veterans, families, allies, friends, and Canteeners
for a safe and peaceful week ahead.

[Kathy in Alaska]

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 lost their lives in
this past week - May your souls rest in peace. May your families be comforted.
May your/our country remember.

[fanfan]

Hi Ma!

18?

[fanfan]

Wow MoJo.

That was beautiful.

Thank you for posting it.

[fanfan]

Knock Knock.....is this thing working?

Am I logged in?

Hello, Free Republic, are you there?

;-)