A Few of FR's Finest....Every Day....04-12-05...."He's Free" (Pippin's tribute to Pope John Paul II)

Billie; Pippin | Pippin

[Billie]

A Few of FR's Finest....Every Day

Free Republic made its debut in September, 1996, and the forum was added in early 1997.   Over 100,000 people have registered for posting privileges on Free Republic, and the forum is read daily by tens of thousands of concerned citizens and patriots from all around the country and the world.

A Few of FR's Finest....Every Day was introduced on June 24, 2002. It's only a small room in JimRob's house where we can get to know one another a little better; salute and support our military and our leaders; pray for those in need; and congratulate those deserving. We strive to keep our threads entertaining, fun, and pleasing to look at, and often have guest writers contribute an essay, or a profile of another FReeper.

On Mondays please visit us to see photos of A FEW OF FR'S VETERANS AND ACTIVE MILITARY

If you have a suggestion, or an idea, or if there's a FReeper you would like to see featured, please drop one of us a note in FR mail.

We're having fun and hope you are!
~ Billie, Mama_Bear, Dutchess, Aquamarine, DollyCali ~

~ ~ He’s Free ~ ~
~ by Pippin ~

     On Saturday, April 2, 2005 Pope John Paul II was set free.

Free to be with God, free of suffering and pain. No longer trapped in a mortal body that was failing and worn out in the service of God and the people.

He was an inspiration to me, though I knew it not for a long time. I took for granted his continued strong presence and his kindness and love for all God’s people, not only Roman Catholics, but Protestants and people of other religions and creeds.

His faith sustained him in hard times as well as the joyful ones. It was his faith that moved him to forgive and to pray for the one who tried to take his life back in 1981.

God had plans for John Paul II and He was not to be put off!

No, not by a crazed would-be assassin or a world gone mad.

He was a man of peace, a man of faith and courage and an inner strength.

What touched me most about the Pope is the way he reached out to all the people, especially the young people, and they in turn, responded in kind.

I've prayed that God would grant me that kind of faith; it has been waning ever since 09/11/01, much to my dismay and fear.

I’ve prayed and cried.

But watching what Pope John Paul II has gone through these past several years has taught me that there is no shame in suffering as long as it’s done with dignity.

So instead of complaining about my own infirmities and short comings, I’ll think of him and remember, as he’s always done, that God is in charge and He will never abandon us. After all, God did not abandon John Paul II, He freed him! ~ Marie (Pippin)

THIS WEEK'S THREADS 04-11-05 Military Monday

Opinions by our own 'King of Ping' The guy's good, folks!

Click on the photo to view the album. To
submit your photo, please contact dansangel or .45Man
at
danbh59@yahoo.com
and include Freeper Photo Album in subject line.

03-29-05 ~ Hall of Fame #11

[Billie]

[Billie]

[Conspiracy Guy]

Very touching! Even to a Southern Baptist!

[Billie]

[Flyer]

Good job, Pippin!

[Billie]

Good morning, CG. I was touched by her words. She's been our guest writer a few times before, but to me, this is her best one yet.

[Billie]

A bright and early Good Morning, Flyer.

[ST.LOUIE1]

Just beautiful, ((((((Pip))))))

Thank you. : )

[ST.LOUIE1]

Morning, doll. : )

You and Pip are quite the pair. : )

Excellent graphics.

[Flyer]

Early? I'm 3/4 done with my pot of coffee!

53° in Houston this morning. A beautiful spring day.

[Conspiracy Guy]

Yes it was very well said.

[Billie]

You and Pip are quite the pair. : )

Excellent graphics.

Good morning to you. Thank you, sweet wolfie. Glad you like the graphics. :)

[Billie]

Early? I'm 3/4 done with my pot of coffee!

Early for me then! I just poured my first cup.

Sounds like the start of a beautiful day at 53^o already. :)

[The Mayor]

April 12, 2005

Paneled Houses

Read:
Haggai 2:1-9

Is it time for you yourselves to dwell in your paneled houses, and this temple to lie in ruins? -Haggai 1:4

Bible In One Year: Psalm 4-6

The prophecy of Haggai is often overlooked in Scripture, but it holds much for us. This brief book consists of four messages from God to the Jewish exiles who had returned from Babylon. Their mission was to rebuild the temple in Jerusalem.

They started well, but then their enthusiasm waned and they turned to building houses for themselves. In his first message, Haggai asked, "Is it time for you yourselves to dwell in your paneled houses, and this temple to lie in ruins?" (1:4).

In message two (2:1-9), Haggai asked if anyone remembered the temple Solomon had built, and that King Nebuchadnezzar destroyed. A few elderly exiles could recall the former glory. By comparison, the abandoned work looked pitiful.

Let's think for a moment about our work of building the church. For us, the church is the body of Christ-the believers themselves (1 Corinthians 12:27). Our mission as followers of Jesus is to become a strong, dedicated, growing, witnessing church.

How is your local congregation doing? Is it busy doing the work of God? Are you personally involved? Or have you become distracted with the work of building your own "paneled houses"? -Dave Egner

God gives us talents to be used for Him.
Should then His work for lack of zeal decline?
His kingdom first! Our light must not grow dim-
Through faithful servants may His glory shine! -Mollon

Commitment to Christ goes hand in hand with commitment to His church.

FOR FURTHER STUDY
The Church We Need
Developing The Art Of Gracious Disagreement

[Billie]

God gives us talents to be used for Him.

Good morning, Rus. I believe God would be pleased with Pippin's talent for expressing herself today. :)

[ST.LOUIE1]

Good morning, Mayor! : )

[Billie]

Below are names of some of our FReepers' loved ones who are serving our country. If you have someone you would like to add, please address a post to Billie; Mama_Bear; Dutchess; Aquamarine; The Mayor; DollyCali, and we will add their name to this list. As we pray for them, we pray also for all our nation’s leaders, and military personnel, and their families and friends. May God hold them close to His heart.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Maigrey...................cousin OhioWfan........................son mystery-ak..........son, husband Gogrammy................grandson Inspectorette...................son Blessed American..........nephew Slip18..........................nephew anniegetyourgun...........nephew Diver Dave.......niece, nephew ConspiracyGuy........2 nephews Pippin.......niece's husband sneakers..........................son weldgophardline.....brotherinlaw jamaly.................brotherinlaw Future Snake Eater..........cousin WaterDragon.............grandson WaterDragon...........son-in-law BeforeISleep...................son kimmie7......................brother Armymarinemom............3 sons american_ranger.............son LadyX.........................grandson fawn796.......................nephew Dubya............................nephew ValerieUSA..................2 sons Lakeside......................2 sons LakeLady.....................nephew Spruce.....................daughter Philman_36..............2 nephews bjcintennessee.......son, niece eaglesiniowa.....................son auboy.............................cousin Ladysmith..nephew, friend's son tina07......soninlaw & his friend Katydidnt..........................son MontanaCowgirlCop.......brother Colorado Slim................nephew Tapatio.........................2 nephews Alouette................................son Warrior Nurse...........active duty SK1 Thurman...........active duty David Osborne.........active duty fc2tomschermuly......active duty bkwells..................active duty LongCut..................active duty cjk..........................active duty Trish.......................active duty ODC-GIRL.................active duty AF_Blue..................active duty Notwithstanding.....active duty thumperusn.............active duty Q6-God.....................active duty Q6-God...................twin brother Veloxherc.................active duty Don Simmons...........active duty wingnutx..................active duty Old Sarge................active duty CGblue........................active duty bigghurtt ................active duty frankiep...................active duty

scubachick.........................husband ladtx................................2 sons Its_me_K.E.T...........................son gator girl.........................husband severa...............husband, brother Hostel.................................cousin MozartLover..............son, nephew LBGA........................................son katykelly................................son cookcounty............................son SpookBrat..............nephew, cousin Doug from Upland...........son-in-law Himyar....................................son boxerblues........................2 sons the piper....................................son sheeza................................husband kemathen7.........................husband Tiffee4Bob..........................boyfriend deadhead.............................cousin JimRobinson..................2 nephews TexKat.......................son, step-son StarCMC.............................brother Consort.......2 daughters,son-in-law Darheel...............................niece Donaeus...........................nephew dixie sass........................nephew BeAllYouCanBe........................son Repubmommy........................brother AgThorn................................2 sons homeschoolmama.................nephew kneezles.................................son Rose inRoseBear......cousin's hubby Atomic Conspiracy.........half-brother Atomic Conspiracy................nephew Atomic Conspiracy....................niece Sunflowergal.........................grandson visualops..............................cousin mrstank..............................husband MrsMike31........................husband spotbust1............................husband Leofl...........................................son chena............................................son campfollower............................fiance LUV W............................................son painter...................................nephew ProudAFDad...................................son TheMayor...........................friends'son mhking.....................................cousin Misty4jc................................husband Bykrbayb........................................son Hope and Glory.............................son ak_daddoo..................................nephew SilentServiceCPOWife...............husband Walkenfree.....2 grandsons, 3 nephews Walkenfree...................1 granddaughter ariamne...............................2 cousins Zechariah_8_13......brother-in-law, cousin DirtyHarryY2K............daughter, son-in-law nelibeli......................................nephew Skimask........................................son

[GailA]

Good morning All. Beautiful and moving tribute to his Holiness, Pippin.

[The Mayor]

God is in charge and He will never abandon us

Amen....

Excellent work both of you, Thank you!

[The Mayor]

Mornin Louie!