Freeper Canteen ~ Sunday Chapel Thread ~ MAKING ASSUMPTIONS ~ November 16, 2008

The Canteen Crew ^ | November 15, 2008 | Serving the Best Troops and Vets in the WORLD!

[Brad’s Gramma]

 

 

 

 

 

MAKING ASSUMPTIONS

A story making the rounds this past week told of a policeman who was heading home after a long, hard day on patrol. He had dealt with a whole succession of difficult people, and a mountain of frustrating paperwork. All he wanted at this point was to kick back, unwind, enjoy some peace and quiet, and maybe watch a few innings of baseball on TV. But, as he neared home, he was startled by a vehicle that came careening around a sharp curve and narrowly missed his squad car. As the car passed within a few inches of him, the other driver shouted "Pig!" The police officer was suddenly energized. He slammed on brakes, all set to turn his squad car around and head off in hot pursuit. But as he rounded the curve, ... he ran head-on into a large pig that was standing in the middle of the road!

It's a lesson we learn early in life if we're lucky: DON'T ASSUME! No matter how confident we are in our understanding of the issue. No matter how certain of another's reasoning or motives. No matter how obvious the point may be to US. Effective communication is far more complicated and difficult than we think. With barriers like cultural differences, personal "filters," different definitions, etc., its amazing that any of us EVER understand one another. But these aren't the most difficult obstacles. The biggest reason we aren't able to hear what another is saying to us is simply... "fear!"

Oh, we may camouflage it behind anger, self-importance or any number of other false fronts, but at the root is fear. Fear of being "found out," or of being disappointed, or of not getting what we want. It's a powerful if crippling motivator. And most of us can summon up plenty of reasons why we shouldn't take another at face value. Honest communication requires trust, and taking a risk. And we've been burned too many times. So we settle for safety, make the natural assumption, and run head-on into our own version of that pig as we journey down life's highway!

There is a better way. A way that recognizes our similarities. That sees others as a source of community and healing. That looks past our own frustration and previous disappointments to explore the possibility that even a "stranger" may have something positive to say. The Apostle Paul described it inI Corinthians, chapter 13. It's the "higher way" of love. I almost hesitate touse that term these days because of the way our culture misuses it. But when you read Paul's description, try substituting "maturity." It's a perfect fit. The risks are higher for this way of living, but so are the rewards.

Another (anonymous) writer cautions:

"To laugh is to risk appearing the fool. To weep is to risk appearing sentimental. To reach out for another is to risk involvement. To expose feelings is to risk exposing your true self. To place your ideas, your dreams before a crowd is to risk their loss. To love is to risk not being loved in return. To live is to risk dying. To hope is to risk despair. To try is to risk failure. But risks must be taken, because the greatest hazard in life is to risk nothing. The person who risks nothing, does nothing, has nothing and is nothing. They may avoid suffering and sorrow but they cannot learn, feel, change, grow, love, live. Chained by their certitudes they are a slave, they have forfeited their freedom. Only a person who risks is free."

That doesn't mean we should be naive. It does mean we should be careful what we assume. Check it out. Give others the benefit of the doubt. And if someone shouts something unexpected at us, at least entertain the possibility that perhaps it may be more than a personal insult. Who knows, that approach could change our life.

CAPT J. David Atwater, CHC, USN

 

[Brad’s Gramma]

Dear God:
I ask that no Airman, Coast Guardsman,
Marine, Sailor, Soldier or National Guardsman
Feel alone or forgotten.



Lord, a wise man once said:
Watch your thoughts, they become words; watch your words,
they become actions; watch your actions, they become habits; watch your
habits, they become character; watch your character, and for it becomes
your destiny. Help me watch more closely. Amen.

Dear God:
I ask that no Airman, Coast Guardsman,
Marine, Sailor, Soldier or National Guardsman
Feel alone or forgotten.



Lord, a wise man once said:
Watch your thoughts, they become words; watch your words,
they become actions; watch your actions, they become habits; watch your
habits, they become character; watch your character, and for it becomes
your destiny. Help me watch more closely. Amen.

[The Mayor]

Freep mail me to be on or off the Daily Bread ping list

November 16, 2008

“I Did Not Know It”

ODB RADIO: Listen Now |  Download
READ: Genesis 28:10-16

Jacob awoke from his sleep and said, “Surely the Lord is in this place, and I did not know it.” —Genesis 28:16

As Jacob did in Genesis 28, I like to remind myself each morning when I awaken that God is here, “in this place,” present with me (v.16). As I spend time with Him each morning, reading His Word and responding in prayer, it reinforces my sense of His presence—that He is near. Although we do not see Him, Peter reminds us that we can love Him and rejoice in His love for us with “inexpressible,” glorious joy (1 Peter 1:8).

We take the Lord’s presence with us all through the day, blending work and play with prayer. He is our teacher, our philosopher, our companion—our gentle, kind, and very best friend.

God is with us wherever we go. He is in the commonplace, whether we know it or not. “Surely the Lord is in this place,” Jacob said of a most unlikely spot, “and I did not know it” (Gen. 28:16). We may not realize He is close by. We may feel lonely and sad. Our day may seem bleak and dreary without a visible ray of hope—yet He is present.

Amid all the clamor and din of this visible and audible world, listen carefully for God’s quiet voice. Listen to Him in the Bible. Talk to Him frequently in prayer. Look for Him in your circumstances. Seek Him. He is with you wherever you go!

Oh, how oft I wake and find
I have been forgetting Thee!
I am never from Thy mind;
Thou it is that wakest me. —MacDonald

Our greatest privilege is to enjoy God’s presence.

Bible in One Year: Psalms 131–133

[HopeandGlory]

Good morning Troops, Veterans and Canteeners.

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

Our Flag Flying Proudly One Nation Under God

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

Lord, Please Bless Our Troops, They're fighting for our Freedom.

I pledge allegiance to the Flag
of the United States of America,
and to the Republic, for which it stands;
one nation UNDER GOD,
indivisible,
with liberty and justice for all.

Prayers going up.

[SandRat]

One assumption that is 100% Fact - God Love Us All.

[PERKY2004]

In!

[Kathy in Alaska]

Please join us for Sunday Chapel and Liberty

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!

[Kathy in Alaska]

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

[laurenmarlowe]

United States Marine Corps Band~National Anthem

[laurenmarlowe]

Christ Church Cathedral ~ Missa Sanctae Caeceillae

Liverpool Cathedral Choir ~ Festival Of Praise

St. Paul's Cathedral Choir ~ Rejoice

Westminster Cathedral Choir ~ Exultate Deo

The Mormon Tabernacle Choir ~ Favorites

Libera ~ Angel Voices

Michael W. Smith ~ Healing Rain

Casting Crowns ~ The Altar And The Door

Mercy Me ~ Spoken For

Hillsong United ~ More Than Life

[PERKY2004]

Roadtrip with Perky! On our trip to the coast we stopped off for a brief and peaceful visit to Mission San Juan Bautista ... one of the California Missions. Mission San Juan Bautista ("St. John the Baptist") was founded June 24, 1797 and was the 15th of 21 Missions. Here are a few photos ...

[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.

[GulfWar1Vet]

IN!

[Kathy in Alaska]

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

[Kathy in Alaska]

Thanks, Military Families, for your service to our country.

John Conlee ~ They Also Serve

[Cindy]

"Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you." -from THE BIBLE: Ephesians 4:31-32

Read THE BIBLE Online (Click Here.)

SPURGEON.org - "SPURGEON'S DAILY MEDITATIONS" (Read More...)

BILLY GRAHAM.org: "DAILY DEVOTION with Billy Graham" (Read More...)

PERSECUTION.org (Read More...)

Video: "OUR GOD IS AN AWESOME GOD" (Watch Here.)

Video: "HOW GREAT IS OUR GOD" (Watch Here.)

Video: "THE BATTLE BELONGS TO THE LORD." (Watch Here.)

[MeekMom]

Evening Perky dear.
Lovely lovely flowers!
That sight will put anyone in a good mood! :))

((hugs))

[LadyPilgrim]

Wow! Thanks everybody. I started church early! ;-)) I love it!!!

Thank you Cindy for the songs and Perky for the flowers!!!
And Kathy for your faithfulness.

[Jet Jaguar]

A very restful and happy Sunday to you!

[LadyPilgrim]

Thank you dear one for posting this tonight.
You’re a blessing.