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FReeper Canteen ~ Sunday Chapel ~ NEVER ENOUGH TIME ~ 20 July 2014
Serving The Best Troops and Veterans In The World !!
| The Canteen Crew
Posted on 07/19/2014 4:59:56 PM PDT by Kathy in Alaska
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NEVER ENOUGH TIME
While I have only been an occasional visitor to Washington, I was struck by one scene so strongly that it remains as somewhat of a reference. My first view "up close and personal" of the Pentagon was neither awe-inspiring nor intimidating. To be sure, I was impressed with the size of the building, but that was about it. What came upon me, and has stayed with me, is the image of an ant farm. An enormous one, surely, but an ant farm nonetheless. So many passageways with so many ants constantly traveling them...seemingly endless streams of countless ants going and coming through the entrances. Since this view came on a grey, cold March morning, with barren trees and lingering winter, it seemed all the more depressing. I vowed then never to become one of those ants. I would not let myself be lost as one of the faceless, powerless, unknown minions of the "head ant" in the great farm. Not to mention the echo in my mind, that which is often considered a sarcastic oxymoron: "I'm from Washington, and I'm here to help." Yet something else echoes in my mind. From the Christian Scriptures, the words of the Apostle Paul to the people of Colossae, chapter 4, verse 23: "Whatever you do, do from the heart, as for the Lord . . ." For it is then I remember that no matter how small or insignificant my work may seem to me or even to others, I am powerful and effective. My faith reminds me that I am known and loved by my God. More than that, as I do the work, I allow His love to flow through me. And then the work, the worker, and the workplace are transformed into something sacred and beautiful because God is there. No longer dark, dreary, and cold, but bright, cheerful, and warm is the workplace because God's work is being done. No longer nameless, faceless, and powerless, but known, loved, and empowered is the worker doing God's work. The work itself then, too, is transformed into an opportunity to share God's love and joy with others as we struggle to bring peace to His world.
CDR Brian Simpson, CHC, USN
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TOPICS: Culture/Society; Extended News; Free Republic
KEYWORDS: canteen; chapel; military; troopsupport
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To: Kathy in Alaska
Hai and Thanks! Ya, staying in Brisbane with friends. Plane leaves from here to LAX then Alaska Air to Seattle. Arrive around midnight and then a three hour ride home which includes a ferry ride. Probably get home around 3am - then with settling in maybe beddie by 5am where I intend to pull the covers over my head and stay there until Tuesday - about tea time ....
21
posted on
07/19/2014 6:05:32 PM PDT
by
SkyDancer
(If you don't read the newspaper you are uninformed. If you do read the newspaper you are misinformed)
To: unique1; USMCPOP; JFoxbear; Dad of Chris Mason; debm29palms
God Bless our military men and women who have given their all.
Thanks, unique.
22
posted on
07/19/2014 6:10:49 PM PDT
by
Kathy in Alaska
((~RIP Brian...the Coast Guard lost a good one.~))
To: SoldierDad; vigilante2; PERKY2004; LUV W; GodBlessUSA; Tax-chick; Vineyard; jackv; Jemian; ...
23
posted on
07/19/2014 6:23:43 PM PDT
by
Kathy in Alaska
((~RIP Brian...the Coast Guard lost a good one.~))
To: TMSuchman
Good evening, Mike, and thank you for sharing with others.
A Blessed Lord’s Day to you and yours.
Prayers for peace as you prepare for your move.
How are Lance’s work outs coming along?
24
posted on
07/19/2014 6:27:05 PM PDT
by
Kathy in Alaska
((~RIP Brian...the Coast Guard lost a good one.~))
To: Kathy in Alaska
All of the sports seasons are over for him for now. Next week I have to contact the new school dist. & get info from them about their program/s & the Special Olympics in that area.
25
posted on
07/19/2014 6:34:09 PM PDT
by
TMSuchman
(John 15;13 & Exodus 21:22-25 Pacem Bello Pastoribus Canes [shepard of peace,dogs of war])
To: Kathy in Alaska
Blessed Lord’s Day, Kathy and all.
To: ConorMacNessa
Things are much better on the “Mom’s email” issues.
And she found an old cassette with info she is really happy to have found. AND...we found 2, 2 mind you, cassette players that work! She is enjoying the find.
Today we did the weeding along one side of the railroad ties lining the driveway. I found Weed B Gon, but the spray thingy doesn’t work, so I need to replace it so I can spray what we finished.
Did you get any dirt time? How are the legs and the walking regimen?
27
posted on
07/19/2014 6:44:29 PM PDT
by
Kathy in Alaska
((~RIP Brian...the Coast Guard lost a good one.~))
To: Jet Jaguar; txradioguy; Laurita; CMS; OneLoyalAmerican; Defender2; JemiansTerror; Beagle8U; ...
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 gave their all,
- May your souls rest in peace. May your families be comforted.
May your/our country always remember.
28
posted on
07/19/2014 6:45:00 PM PDT
by
Kathy in Alaska
((~RIP Brian...the Coast Guard lost a good one.~))
To: ConorMacNessa
29
posted on
07/19/2014 6:48:57 PM PDT
by
Kathy in Alaska
((~RIP Brian...the Coast Guard lost a good one.~))
To: All
30
posted on
07/19/2014 7:03:21 PM PDT
by
Kathy in Alaska
((~RIP Brian...the Coast Guard lost a good one.~))
To: SandRat
The Lord has Given You all the Time In His Universe.He has indeed, Sand.
A Blessed Lord's Day to you and yours.
31
posted on
07/19/2014 7:18:34 PM PDT
by
Kathy in Alaska
((~RIP Brian...the Coast Guard lost a good one.~))
To: SkyDancer
Sleeping a couple days after that trip home sounds like a good plan. After those LONG plane rides, facing several more hours to get home is rough.
32
posted on
07/19/2014 7:23:19 PM PDT
by
Kathy in Alaska
((~RIP Brian...the Coast Guard lost a good one.~))
To: Kathy in Alaska
Unfortunately, I didn't get anything done today - except for cooking dinner. I've been under the weather since yesterday afternoon. Rested today - have to change the plugs on Mrs. MacNessa's carriage tomorrow.
"Dia shábháil ar fad anseo!"
Genuflectimus non ad principem sed ad Principem Pacis!
Listen, O isles, unto me; and hearken, ye people, from far; The LORD hath called me from the womb; from the bowels of my mother hath he made mention of my name. (Isaiah 49:1 KJV)
33
posted on
07/19/2014 7:25:51 PM PDT
by
ConorMacNessa
(HM/2 USN, 3/5 Marines RVN 1969 - St. Michael the Archangel, defend us in Battle!)
To: All
34
posted on
07/19/2014 7:26:30 PM PDT
by
Kathy in Alaska
((~RIP Brian...the Coast Guard lost a good one.~))
To: Soaring Feather
Good evening, ms feather....a Blessed Lord’s Day to you and yours.
35
posted on
07/19/2014 7:29:14 PM PDT
by
Kathy in Alaska
((~RIP Brian...the Coast Guard lost a good one.~))
To: txradioguy; sxytxredhead73
36
posted on
07/19/2014 7:32:13 PM PDT
by
Kathy in Alaska
((~RIP Brian...the Coast Guard lost a good one.~))
To: ConorMacNessa
Mrs MacNessa will appreciate the new plugs in her carriage.
Is her leg all healed and cast off?
37
posted on
07/19/2014 7:38:32 PM PDT
by
Kathy in Alaska
((~RIP Brian...the Coast Guard lost a good one.~))
To: Kathy in Alaska
Freep mail me to be on or off the Daily Bread ping list
Small Ways In Small Places
July 20, 2014
Read: Isaiah 49:1-6
Often I meet with people who serve in what they think are seemingly small ways in small places. They are frequently discouraged by loneliness, feeling that their acts of service are insignificant. When I hear them speak, I think of one of the angels in C. S. Lewis book Out of the Silent Planet. He said: My people have a law never to speak of sizes or numbers to you. . . . It makes you do reverence to nothings and pass by what is really great.
Sometimes culture says bigger is betterthat size is the truest measure of success. It takes a strong person to resist that trend, especially if he or she is laboring in a small place. But we must not pass by what is really great.
Its not that numbers arent important (after all, the apostles counted their converts; see Acts 2:41). Numbers represent living people with eternal needs. We should all work and pray for large numbers of people to enter the kingdom, but numbers mustnt be the basis for self-esteem.
God doesnt call us to find fulfillment in the amount of work we do for Him, or the number of people who are a part of that work, but in faithfully doing our work for His sake. Serving our great God with His strength in a small way is not a stepping-stone to greatnessit is greatness.
Lord, help me remember that there are no
small places or small people. All are precious
in Your sight. May I see the value of my work
and cherish it as You do.
Anyone doing Gods work in Gods way is important in His sight.
Isaiah prophesied under Kings Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, meaning that his ministry may have continued for more than 64 years. He was the son of Amoz (Isa.1:1), was married (his wife was referred to as the prophetess, 8:3), and had two sons, whose names symbolized the turbulent times in which Isaiah served his God. His first sons name, Shear-Jashub (7:3), means a remnant shall return and his second sons name, Maher-Shalal-Hash-Baz (8:3), means spoil quickly, plunder speedily.
38
posted on
07/19/2014 7:40:27 PM PDT
by
The Mayor
(Honesty means never having to look over your shoulder.)
To: StarCMC; SoldierDad; spotbust1; jaycee; Poetgal26; All
39
posted on
07/19/2014 7:40:58 PM PDT
by
Kathy in Alaska
((~RIP Brian...the Coast Guard lost a good one.~))
To: Kathy in Alaska
The cast has been off for a while now - she's still having a lot of pain.
The carriage is not an optional exercise - it's running poorly.
"Dia shábháil ar fad anseo!"
Genuflectimus non ad principem sed ad Principem Pacis!
Listen, O isles, unto me; and hearken, ye people, from far; The LORD hath called me from the womb; from the bowels of my mother hath he made mention of my name. (Isaiah 49:1 KJV)
40
posted on
07/19/2014 7:45:11 PM PDT
by
ConorMacNessa
(HM/2 USN, 3/5 Marines RVN 1969 - St. Michael the Archangel, defend us in Battle!)
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