Topic: prayer

Unlit Eternal Flame dishonors all veterans

By Bill Larson | March 16, 2008 |

Saturday was the fifth anniversary of the launch of the invasion of Iraq. Since the 2003 invasion America has suffered the grievous loss of some of it’s best, brightest, and most patriotic citizens. As I noted just a few days ago, the casualties of this war had reached 3987; 84 of those were from Tennessee, 4 from Clarksville.

As many of you know, I have in the past written articles strongly disagreeing with the Iraq war. I still oppose it and will continue to protest until it is finally ended, and the last American soldier has safely returned home. Now that we have made that clear, I must make something else clear.

 I have nothing but the highest respect for the dedication and the totality of the sacrifices that the soldiers serving our country make. As someone who has served in the military I understand that those who serve in our military are not granted the privilege of being able to cast a moral judgment about the legitimacy of the wars they are ordered to fight, and they share none of the blame so richly deserved by those who intentionally lied us into this conflict.

So on Saturday around dusk I went to Public Square in downtown Clarksville Tennessee in order to conduct what amounted to a one person vigil honoring those lives which have been lost in this unjust and immoral war in Iraq. I said my silent prayers for the souls of those no longer with us, and my continuing prayer for the safe return of those who are still in harms way.

After I was finished, I went for my camera. It is frequently said that a picture speaks a thousand words, so I will let the picture I took speak loud and clear, “Someone has a lot to answer for!” Fuel the flame; honor our soldiers.

Sections: Issues, Opinion, Politics | 1 Comment »

Three cheers for Peanut Butter

By Rev. Charles Moreland | November 4, 2007 |

Loaves and Fishes is seeking donations of peanut butter and large cans of vegetables to help sustain their efforts to provide meals to the needy in our community.

As a child, peanut butter mixed with honey was a much anticipated treat. Even now my mouth waters as I think of that delicious treat. Today, peanut butter is found in ice cream and candy, and remains a popular snack.

Our granddaughter, Madeline, invited us to be her guests at a grandparents day rally at her school in Evansville, IN. Our visit included a lunch of peanut butter and jelly sandwiches with a red apple.

In a food basket prepared for some friends in need, I made sure there was an abundant supply of peanut butter; apart from being just plain good, it’s nutritional, economical and healthy. Packets of this “foods of the gods” is even found in the MREs (meals ready to eat) provided to our soldiers. «Read the rest of this article»

Sections: Issues, News, Opinion | No Comments

‘The Upper Room:’ a spiritual vitamin

By Rev. Charles Moreland | October 21, 2007 |

Our spirituality requires nourishment to bloom and to be an asset or resource for our daily lives. The nutrients, the “vitamins and minerals” that enable our spiritual resources to radiate, are at hand.

On such vitamin for me is the devotional book The Upper Room. Over the miles of my spiritual journey it has been a steady companion, strengthening me wherever I went. In Vietnam, Korea, and Germany, stateside in Fort Bliss and Fort Hood, and now here in Clarksville, The Upper Room provided me with the sustenance required to develop and sustain spiritual stamina.

Some of the titles and prayers I favor are listed for September, but favored and appropriate for any time. Each devotional is listed with the following components: date, title, scripture narrative, prayer, thought for the day and “prayer focus.” «Read the rest of this article»

Sections: Opinion, Spirituality | No Comments