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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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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
 
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.
"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."
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The President Lives 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.
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Music for a Sunday
How Great Thou Art (Elvis Presley) ......A Mighty Fortress
Amazing Grace (Statler Brothers).....Praise Adonai (Steve Israel)
The Lord's Prayer........Ave Maria.........Whispering Hope (Jim Reeves)
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Hymns of the Military
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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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The Chaplain's Corner
J. Grant Swank, Jr.,
Pastor, New Hope Church
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I CAN'T KEEP UP
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When teaching fourth grade in the Lakes Region, I glanced over to my right. There was Jason hiding his face from me.
"What is that kid doing now?" I asked myself.
Upon closer examination, I noted that Jason was not misbehaving. Instead, as a little girl seated alongside him whispered to me, "Jason is crying, teacher."
Jason? Crying?
Sure enough, the little fellow was crouched over his desk, his head cupped inside his arms and his shoulders sobbing. I thought of all the bios seated in front of me. They were young ones. Some of them told of divorced parents, others of abused children, still others of hopelessness.
So when I looked at that tiny frame called "Jason," I concluded that he no doubt was overcome with some domestic trauma. How then could I help him?
I knelt down close to his head, whispering into his ear, "Jason, what is it? What is wrong?" He still would not look up. He hid his face all the more, embarrassed beyond words that he now had been found out.
"Jason, please tell me. I want to help you." Then I paused, waiting. "Please. . ."
In a short while, Jason tilted his head in my direction, then whispered, haltingly, "I. . .can't. . .keep. . .up."
He couldn't keep up? That's right. Jason could not keep up with the work we had just done in spelling. With that, he broke into tears. How relieved I was! Far easier to handle that one than to have to delve into divorced parents, child abuse or bewilderment about life's meaning.
I spoke softly: "Jason, then we will slow down. All right? What do you think of that?"
His weary head lifted. He wiped away those hot tears to look cautiously in my direction.
"Yeah," he muttered, sighing relief.
Whew! Another victory.
Then I thought of many people I know--myself included.
How many of us cry inside because we look up to heaven to plead, "I can't keep up." I can't keep up with God's expectations, His commandments, holy principles, all the stipulations set forth in Scripture. I have a messed up past. My life is confusing. I am not what I would like to be. I am out of sorts. I have been less than my best.
We just can't keep up. We want to cry. We want to hide our heads in our arms so as not to see others making joyous sounds in their souls. Sometimes we even want to give up so we can leave the class altogether.
Have you ever thought that? No doubt you have, for we are all rather fragile and undone.
Do you then realize something quite precious? It is that there is a heavenly Teacher who is crouched down alongside you--at heart level. He cares about you. He really does. He knows how frail you are. The Bible says so.
You see, that Word shares that God is love. That means that Teacher whispers into your ears right now: "Tell me all about it. I understand. Let me help you keep up. In fact, we will slow down a bit so you can find your pace with the rest of the class. Really, you are loved, very much, very very much."
Do you believe that? It really is true. Listen. Listen closely. Now do you hear the Teacher? He is at heart level--now. You can hear Him if you will listen very closely. He says to you, "I will help you catch up. In the meantime, I love you anyway."
Really.
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Click on the banner above to listen to this beautiful 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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