[DollyCali]

Sunday .

Another VERY early Ping as I have another intense day & will be gone for most of it. Will check in later

THanks to Victoria, Max, Phil & others for stepping in & keeping the ball rolling for me.

Welcome to my very special friend, an intelligent & personable guy with a great sense of humor.. and a TRUE gentleman, I might Add. AFPhys works with a "name brand" college & adds thoughtful discussion wherever he visits at FR. I hope you will come back often as your time permits AFP!!!.

Snugs, My mother had me on one of thse leashes/harnesses when I was little. I guess I was a handful. She said people gave her dirty looks & snide remarks (remember this was a LONG time ago.. not PC today). Parents are wise to understand that you kids will be settled down more easily if you provide for them ample opportunities to burn off energy..Daily heavy duty exercise. I did it with my son & do it now with my pets. Makes for a much more settled household

All, in reading through the posts, I would have to say this is the "deepest" thread we have had re: your commentary & sharing of deep things. Many are out of town this weeeknd & so we are visiting with our core folks & a few guests along the way.

I hope all will feel that they are a visitor before thier first post. After that they can be family

This is one of those cozy living room threads. We all sit around a virtual family room in Jim rob's house. We sip our favorite beverages & visit here & elsehwere around FR.

thanks all for your insight, ideas & soul searching. It has been great!

see you later and remember to let me know if you are interested in co-hosting a thread

The Best day of my Life

Today, when I awoke, I suddenly realized that this is the best day of my life, ever

There were times when I wondered if I would make it to today; but I did!


And because I did I'm going to celebrate!

Today, I'm going to celebrate what an unbelievable life I have had so far: the accomplishments, the many blessings, and, yes, even the hardships because they have served to make me stronger.

I will go through this day with my head held high and a happy heart.

I will marvel at God's seemingly simple gifts:

the morning dew,

the sun,

the clouds,

the trees,

the flowers,

the birds.

Today, none of these miraculous creations will escape my notice

Today, I will share my excitement for life with other people.

I'll make someone smile.

I'll go out of my way to perform an unexpected act of kindness for someone I don't even know. Today, I'll give a sincere compliment to someone who seems down. I'll tell a child how special he is, and I'll tell someone I love just how deeply I care for them and how much they mean to me.

Today is the day I quit worrying about what I don't have and start being grateful for all the wonderful things God has already given me. I'll remember that to worry is just a waste of time because my faith in God and his Divine Plan ensures everything will be just fine.

And tonight, before I go to bed, I'll go outside and raise my eyes to the heavens. I will stand in awe at the beauty of the stars and the moon, and I will praise God for these magnificent treasures.

As the day ends and I lay my head down on my pillow,

I will thank the Almighty for the best day of my life.

And I will sleep the sleep of a contented child,

excited with expectation because I know tomorrow is going to be the best day of my life, ever!


(thank you to FReeper FReena)

[The Mayor]

June 4, 2006

An Expensive Gospel

READ: Philippians 1:19-30

To you it has been granted on behalf of Christ, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake. —Philippians 1:29

On a teaching trip at a Bible institute in another country, my colleague and I were saddened to hear of legislation before the parliament that sought to outlaw the evangelical church. We shared our fears with our students that though we had come to train a generation of pastors, we might instead witness a new wave of persecution. We then joined with the students in prayer and worship to God about the matter.

After we concluded, one of the students said to me, “Thanks for being concerned for us, but don’t worry. We’ve learned that it’s not enough for us to preach the gospel or live for the gospel. It is necessary that we suffer for the gospel.” His words were not flippant but honest. Living for Christ often exacts a price.

Paul, writing from prison, said, “To you it has been granted on behalf of Christ, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake” (Philippians 1:29). His statement is daily lived out by believers around the world who experience hardship and persecution for no greater crime than living openly for the name of Jesus.

Let’s pray for God’s blessing and provision for our brothers and sisters in Christ who are paying an expensive price for embracing a salvation that is free. —Bill Crowder

O for a faith that will not shrink
Though pressed by many a foe,
That will not tremble on the brink
Of any earthly woe.  —Bathurst

Those who live for God can expect trouble in the world.

Bible in One Year: Bible in One Year:   2 Chronicles 21-22; John 14

[freema]

And Indian thanksgiving theme?! How pretty ! )

[Ladysmith]

I took a quick look last night to some of the posts around your last ping - you aren't kidding about the depth of discussion.

Can't contribute much myself right now, knee-deep in priorities right now while other committments haven't been attended to. Summer school officially starts tomorrow, trying to get ready for an interview for an internship, and STILL getting this house cleaned up after being ignored all of last semester. These few weeks off went by WAY too fast.

Gorgeous weather around here and I can't even take time to go camping. sob!

[boxerblues]

Thanks for the ping(s)...havent had too much time to post this weekend hopefully this afternoon I can settle down and watch it rain and join everyone

[RockinRight]

Evening everyone!