A Few of FR's Finest....Every Day....04-28,29,30-06....T.G.I.F. at the Finest

Billie

[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, Dutchess, Dolly Cali, GodBlessUSA, JustAmy ~

Welcome to TGIF at the Finest!   We hope you've been having as much fun as we have with our essays and/or spotlight on various FReepers. From the beginning, we've been kicking back on Saturdays and Sundays and simply reviewing the features of the week; our weekend threads now start on Friday and continue through Sunday. If you missed seeing any of this week's threads and want to say hello there now, just click on the link for that particular day. If you'd like to drop in and out of this thread today through Sunday, please feel free to do that also. One of us will try to be around to see the welcome mat is still out, put the coffee pot on, and maybe even bring fresh flowers for the table. : )

~ Billie, Dutchess, Dolly Cali, GodBlessUSA, JustAmy ~



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"Getting to Know You"

THIS WEEK'S THREADS


04-24-06 ~ Military Monday
By Billie
Presented by The Mayor

04-25-06 ~ Laughter at the Finest
By JustAmy

04-26-06 ~ Warm Fuzzy Wednesday
By Billie

04-27-06 ~ Report: Public expects Booming Economy
to get even worse
By JohnHuang2
Presented by Dutchess

Have a wonderful weekend!

03-28-06 ~ Hall of Fame #15

Opinions by our own 'King of Ping' Every Thursday at the Finest The guy's good, folks!

"Wear Red" Friday

You will soon see a lot of people wearing Red on Fridays. Here's why..... The Americans, who support our troops, are the silent majority. We are not "organized" to reflect who we are, or to reflect what our opinions are. Many Americans, like yourself, and all their friends, simply want to recognize that Americans support our troops. Our idea of showing our solidarity and support for our troops is starting Friday and continuing on each and every Friday, until this is over, that every red-blooded American who supports our young men and women, WEAR SOMETHING RED.

Word of mouth, press, TV -- let's see if we can make the United States, on any given Friday, a sea of red much like a home football game at a University. If every one of our memberships share this with other acquaintances, fellow workers, friends, and neighbors, I guarantee that it will not be long before the USA will be covered in RED - and make our troops know there are many people thinking of their well-being. You will feel better all day Friday when you wear Red! So let's get the word out and lead by example; wear RED on Fridays.

SUPPORT OUR TROOPS! WE LIVE IN THE LAND OF THE FREE, BECAUSE OF THE BRAVE. FOR US, THEIR BLOOD RUNS RED!! GOD BLESS AMERICA.

received this in my email June 10th, the author is unknown.
I am wearing red today and every Friday ~ Billie

[Billie]

[Billie]

Good morning, Finest Friends. My friends
and I are wearing red - how about you? :)

[The Mayor]

April 28, 2006

Tramps And Pilgrims

LISTEN TO ODB RADIO: Real | MP3 | WMA

READ: Hebrews 11:13-16

They were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. —Hebrews 11:13

During the Great Depression of the early 1930s, many men became tramps. They hopped freight trains to travel from place to place, slept in empty boxcars, and earned a little money by doing seasonal jobs. When they couldn’t find a job, they resorted to begging. My mother was a "soft touch" for any such drifters who came to our door for food. They had lost the comfortable security of a home.

Like the tramp, a pilgrim may be without the comfort and protection of a home, but he knows where he is going. His hopes and aspirations are set upon a goal.

The Christian is to be that kind of pilgrim. In Hebrews we read about the heroes of the faith, who "confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth" (11:13). They were able to live godly lives of faith because they looked forward to "a better, that is, a heavenly country" (v.16).

The Lord is preparing you and me for eternity, and everything we do is full of significance. Though this earth is not our permanent place of habitation, we are not aimless vagabonds. We are to be sojourners who live responsibly as we travel to our prepared destination. We have a heavenly Father who loves us and will welcome us into that home made ready by our Savior. —Herbert Vander Lugt

A few more watches keeping,
A few more foes to down,
As pilgrims brave we journey
To win the victor’s crown!  —Bosch

Don’t drive your stakes too deep; we’re moving in the morning!

April 28, 2006

Tramps And Pilgrims

LISTEN TO ODB RADIO: Real | MP3 | WMA

READ: Hebrews 11:13-16

They were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. —Hebrews 11:13

[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; Dutchess; DollyCali; The Mayor; GodBlessUSA; JustAmy,
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.

gator girl........................husband severa............husband, brother Maigrey.........................cousin mystery-ak...........son, husband Gogrammy.................grandson Inspectorette.......................son deadhead.......................cousin Blessed American..........nephew Slip18..........................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 ValerieUSA..................2 sons Lakeside......................2 sons LakeLady....................nephew Spruce......................daughter Bykrbayb..........................son Leofl.................................son chena...............................son Hope and Glory..................son Philman_36.............2 nephews bjcintennessee........son, niece TheMayor...............friends'son Doug from Upland.......soninlaw homeschoolmama........nephew ariamne...................2 cousins mhking.........................cousin gonzo...................friend's son visualops......................cousin auboy..........................cousin LoneRedRanger...brother-in-law Ladysmith.nephew, friend's son tina07......soninlaw & his friend MontanaCowgirlCop......brother nelibeli........................nephew Misty4jc.....................husband Colorado Slim..............nephew Tapatio....................2 nephews ProudAFDad......................son Alouette.............................son Katydidnt...........................son Zechariah_8_13....brother-in-law Zechariah_8_13.............cousin PreviouslyA-Lurker........brother sheeza.......................husband kemathen7..................husband Q6-God..................twin brother Q6-God....................active duty 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 Veloxherc.................active duty Don Simmons...........active duty wingnutx...................active duty Old Sarge.................active duty CGblue.....................active duty bigghurtt...................active duty frankiep....................active duty veeceeque................active duty JRios1968................active duty NoLongerFreeState...active duty CMS........................active duty

OhioWfan................................son ladtx..................................2 sons Its_me_K.E.T.........................son Hostel............................cousin MozartLover...........son, nephew ak_daddoo........................nephew Dubya............................nephew LBGA (RIP)..........................son katykelly..............................son cookcounty.............................son Himyar....................................son SpookBrat........................nephew SpookBrat........................cousin boxerblues........................2 sons the piper..............................son Tiffee4Bob......................boyfriend JimRobinson...............2 nephews TexKat.......................son, step-son StarCMC.............................brother Consort........................2 daughters Consort.......................son-in-law Darheel...............................niece Donaeus...........................nephew BeAllYouCanBe........................son Repubmommy........................brother AgThorn................................2 sons kneezles.................................son RoseinRoseBear.....cousin's hubby Atomic Conspiracy......half-brother Atomic Conspiracy...........nephew Atomic Conspiracy..............niece Sunflowergal....................grandson mrstank..............................husband MrsMike31........................husband spotbust1............................husband campfollower............................fiance LUV W........................................son painter...................................nephew SilentServiceCPOWife........husband Walkenfree................2 grandsons Walkenfree.................. 3 nephews Walkenfree..................granddaughter DirtyHarryY2K......................daughter DirtyHarryY2K................son-in-law Skimask.....................................son Palladin...............................grandson MississippyMuddy...................sister MississippyMuddy.....2 nephews Kramster...............................stepson Socratic.............................nephew Jemian...................................son freema.......................nephew, son Azbushgal..............................son kimmykay.................................son right2parent..............................son NavySEAL F-16........................son Ike..........................................son repubmom...............................son wolfcreek..........................daughter JesseJane ...........................cousin Roses0508..............................son pmmd81..................................son GodBlessUSA......................cousin SoldiersPrayingMom.................son WakeUpandVote..................brother Skyraider.................................son CyberAnt...........................nephew mrs tiggywinkle...................cousin Jen's Mom........................daughter Meg33.............................grandson 911angelady........................2 sons Nadine...............................nephew U S Army EOD.................daughter weldgophardline.......................son jrushing....................................son thehumanlynx...........brother-in-law JFC..................................nephew Earthdweller......................nephew Scubachick.......................husband ChairmanDec19thSociety ..brotherinlaw Anthem............................2 cousins meanie monster .........family friend PragmaticWarrior..........2 nephews

[Majie Purple]

This cutie pie & I are wearing red today! Yea Troops! Yea Pres. Bush! Thanks & Hugs to All Y'all!

[MEG33]

Good Morning To The Finest!

Wear Red on Friday
***
*Support Our Troops!*

[dutchess]

Checking in to show my support for our troops. Have a great weekend all!!!!

[MEG33]

To All Who Serve Our Country Thank You!

[LadyX]

"The Lord is preparing you and me for eternity, and everything we do is full of significance. Though this earth is not our permanent place of habitation, we are not aimless vagabonds. We are to be sojourners who live responsibly as we travel to our prepared destination. We have a heavenly Father who loves us and will welcome us into that home made ready by our Savior. —Herbert Vander Lugt

The Perfect Word for an amazingly Perfect Day!!

Going to Augusta, Georgia for my appointment at the VA Medical Center this morning, it proved to be totally guided by a loving Father.
Arriving at 0815 for my 0900 appointment, the black male clerk at the clinic desk was a familiar person. When I inquired how he had been, his one-word reply was "Blessed!" What a joy that was to hear, and we 'shared' for a few minutes.
Sitting down in the waiting area, my neighbor was another pleasant black male, and right out of the starting gate, the conversation took the same direction. He is a veteran of Desert Storm, and we covered a lot of (heavenly) ground before his doctor came to get him.

Soon after, the nurse took me to get my vitals, etc. She was in her 40's, and from Puerto Rico, and most pleasant and positive, and again, God was the center of the wonderful conversation!
After about 10 more minutes, my fantastic "Dr. D." came for me, and we headed for his examination room. Ours is a special, really neat relationship of 2 1/2 years, and he is in the process of getting the "Unobtainable" - a prescription they no longer will write because it is so costly - one I must have.
Treading within the behemoth of the VA System, he is working on getting at least a one year prescription. It, by the way, is one of the insulins upon which the VA placed me 4 years ago, and can *only* be written through their Endocrinology Department. It had lapsed last summer before my last renewal.
(*Outside* the cost is $76 for each vial)

He will be finishing his time there at the end of June, and will become Chief Resident at the Medical College of Georgia, and later go into Nephrology there (with my wonderful woman one at MCG I had since 1995), and he gave me his personal email address in case I needed his assistance at any time.
Since I must be seen there at least once a year to keep my prescriptions going, he asked if I would like him to recommend the doctor I will see in the Clinic next April, and gave me his name and assured me he is especially bright and personable - someone I would like..:))
And yes - the Lord was very much at work throughout the 45 minutes....

There was more of the same afterward with the scheduling nurse, and the Laboratory Technician who drew the blood.

Perfect cool weather - unhurried traffic for the 50 miles each way - even my bank statement for the month in the mailbox when I reached home, that balanced to the penny..:))

Thank You, Lord, for the many blessings that flowed so strongly among Your Children this day...Amen.

[MEG33]

What a wonderful report! God Bless you. My daughter has to have a pharmcist make her pain medication ..seems the formula has been sold to a new pharmacutical co not finding it profitable enough to make..It took years to find the right one for her..one that did not make her sleepy,sick or cuckoo..It is so imperative she have it that her husband was going to make a 300 mile round trip to an old pharmacist,who had moved away, to make up the prescription..Luckily she found a pharmacist in a nearby town to do it.
Nothing about chronic disease or illness is easy but you manage to find the blessings, LadyX,(((Hugs)))

[MEG33]

Oh my.! The letter thief is pickin on me! ;)

[snugs]

Hey you have nicked my top LOL

[MEG33]

I was thinkin' about doing it,too!..LOL

[PreviouslyA-Lurker]

Thank you Mayor.

[PreviouslyA-Lurker]

Hi Billie! Hey, I'll be leaving till Monday any minute now, I hope everyone enjoys the weekend! Sorry I got here so late!

PAL

[luvie]

[Diver Dave]

Beautiful weather here in the valley, but I'm "under it." Migraines suck!
But, it doesn't interfere with supporting our troops! Another Red shirt day.

[The Mayor]

April 29, 2006

Lifted From The Depths

READ: Psalm 40:1-5

I waited patiently for the Lord; and He inclined to me, and heard my cry. He also brought me up out of a horrible pit. —Psalm 40:1-2

About this cover

A British submarine lay disabled on the ocean floor. Several days passed and the crew lost hope of being rescued. The prospect was especially dim because they had not been able to communicate their exact position to ships on the surface. The commanding officer explained to the men that they didn’t have much longer to live, and he suggested that they sing a hymn. So together, they sang these words: "The darkness deepens—Lord, with me abide."

As the oxygen supply began to run out, the men gradually weakened. One sailor was affected more quickly than the others and lurched forward, crashing against the vessel’s surfacing equipment. Suddenly the faulty mechanism began to operate, and the vessel slowly rose from the ocean floor. They all made it back to port safely.

Greater than any deliverance from a literal sea is God’s provision for those who are trapped in the ocean of unbelief. Only a miracle of grace can bring us out of the pit of sin and degradation.

If you are caught in the grip of sin, Jesus alone can give you a new start. If you put your trust in the Savior, you will be lifted out of the waters of judgment and into the sunlight of God’s forgiveness. —Henry G. Bosch

From sinking sand He lifted me,
With tender hand He lifted me;
From shades of night to plains of light,
O praise His name, He lifted me!  —Gabriel

God’s grace can lift you from the plight of sin into the light of salvation.

April 29, 2006

Lifted From The Depths

READ: Psalm 40:1-5

I waited patiently for the Lord; and He inclined to me, and heard my cry. He also brought me up out of a horrible pit. —Psalm 40:1-2

[LadyX]

"Oh my.! The letter thief is pickin on me! ;)"

Thank goodness you left that clue as to why the room remained empty so many hours, Meggsie!!
I suspect the Letter Thief is also responsible
for this disaster in the Finest kitchen--

It took me all night to straighten it our so the morning buffet could be prepared to entice lurkers to enter The Finest Room!

The Mayor showed up, though, I see, and took control.
His first important endeavor, of course, was to serve our vital Daily Bread.....

Thank you, Your Honor, starting our Saturday off right!!

[The Mayor]

Whew, what a mess that kitchen is..

Glad you got it cleaned up..
Good to see you Maggie!