Printer Friendly
The Free Library
5,668,201 articles and books
Member login
User name  
Password 
 
Join us Forgot password?

Making a difference. (Chaplain's Corner).


As I stood on the tarmac and watched the body bags taken off the aircraft and saw some of the women mourn mourn  
v. mourned, mourn·ing, mourns

v.intr.
1. To feel or express grief or sorrow. See Synonyms at grieve.

2.
 over the bodies of their husbands or sons I realized that these men are probably no older than 3 5 years at the most. I also realized that except for the memories in the hearts of their loved ones loved ones nplseres mpl queridos

loved ones nplproches mpl et amis chers

loved ones love npl
; this world would never know that they walked on this earth, breathed its air and consumed con·sume  
v. con·sumed, con·sum·ing, con·sumes

v.tr.
1. To take in as food; eat or drink up. See Synonyms at eat.

2.
a.
 its resources. My question to myself was, "Did their life make a difference?" Then I had to ask myself the same question: If I were to die today, and outside of my family, would this world be any better because I walk here, breathed its air and consumed its resources? The answer to that question stunned stun  
tr.v. stunned, stun·ning, stuns
1. To daze or render senseless, by or as if by a blow.

2. To overwhelm or daze with a loud noise.

3.
 me to the bottom of my soul. At that time I didn't know God, but I remember praying in my mind, "Oh God, please make my life count for something, may this world be better because I have walked upon its soil. God help me to make a difference with my life." Not very long after that I invited God into my heart and life. I have been trying to follow his guidance ever since.

My mission as your National Chaplain CHAPLAIN. A clergyman appointed to say prayers and perform divine service. Each house of congress usually appoints it own chaplain.  is just part of his plan for us. Many disabled veterans everywhere are likewise making a difference in so many lives. As we enter this New Year I wish to move the question on to you. If you were to die today would your world be better off because you lived here? You can make a difference and if you want your difference to be an eternal difference, start with God in your life. However, if you and I put it off until tomorrow; then we will find ourselves here in this same position this time next year with nothing changed.

The Chaplain who died in the World Trade Center attack is credited with always saying to his men, "If you want to make God laugh, then tell Him what you are going to do tomorrow." His point was that today is the time of action; we don't have any control over tomorrow because tomorrow hasn't been given to us yet.

My prayer for you is that you start by inviting God into your heart (call on me or your local clergy person if you need help). Then purpose in your heart to make a difference for good in someone's life. Making your life count. Making a difference in 2002.

For The Glory of God;

Rev. Gerald V. Stump stump (stump) the distal end of a limb left after amputation.

stump
n.
1. The extremity of a limb left after amputation.

2.
 DAV See WebDAV.  National Chaplain
COPYRIGHT 2002 Disabled American Veterans
No portion of this article can be reproduced without the express written permission from the copyright holder.
Copyright 2002, Gale Group. All rights reserved. Gale Group is a Thomson Corporation Company.

 Reader Opinion

Title:

Comment:



 

Article Details
Printer friendly Cite/link Email Feedback
Author:Stump, Gerald V.
Publication:DAV Magazine
Date:Jan 1, 2002
Words:436
Previous Article:2nd annual Saturday Salute benefits homeless veterans.(Brief Article)
Next Article:Auxiliary Service Fund Donors.(funding for disabled veterans)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)



Related Articles
Tell it to the chaplain. (includes related article)
Amazing spirit arisen from devastation.
Faith-Based Funding Fiascos.
SPIRITUAL HEALING; FULL-TIME CHAPLAIN COUNSELS PATIENTS, FAMILIES, CO-WORKERS.(NEWS)
RELIGION PART OF EVERYDAY AIR FORCE LIFE.(NEWS)
'HE'S GOT A GOOD EAR ... A CARING EAR'.(News)
Addressing the spiritual concerns of patients in the non-intensive care setting. (Letters to the Editor).(Letter to the Editor)
A prayer for Congress. (Religion).
Tom Johnstone. The Cross of ANZAC: Australian Catholic Service Chaplains.(Book Review)
Chaplains corner.(Disabled American Veterans )

Terms of use | Copyright © 2009 Farlex, Inc. | Feedback | For webmasters | Submit articles