[The Mayor]

Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. —Matthew 5:3

Happiness depends on what you are, not on what you have.

[Byron_the_Aussie]

It's nearly midnight here, Billie. So I'll have a nightcap. :)

All the best to you and yours, Byron

[The Mayor]

December 29, 2003

The Pursuit Of Happiness

Read: Matthew 5:1-10

Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. —Matthew 5:3

Bible In One Year: Revelation 13-15

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Everyone is looking for happiness, and people follow many avenues trying to find it. They look for it in money, parties, self-improvement programs, fancy cars, luxurious homes, or promoting a cause.

That's the wrong list. The right one is found in Matthew 5. Jesus taught us that deep and lasting happiness comes from being right with God. He said we are blessed, or happy, when we are:

• Poor in spirit—recognizing our desperate need for God.
  
• Mourning—realizing the awfulness of sin and being genuinely sorry for it.
  
• Meek—demonstrating self-control, even when we are mistreated.
  
• Hungry and thirsty for righteousness—longing to be holy and pure.
  
• Merciful—showing mercy to others, just as God shows mercy to us.
  
• Pure in heart—being singleminded and sincere in our devotion to Christ.
  
• Peacemakers—sharing the peace Christ offers, and promoting peace with one another.
  
• Persecuted—being willing to suffer for Jesus' sake.

Looking for happiness? Follow Jesus' way. —Dave Branon

Happy are they who love the Lord,
Whose hearts have Christ confessed,
Who by His cross have found their life,
Beneath His yoke their rest. —Bridges

Happiness depends on what you are, not on what you have.

[MeekOneGOP]

Mornin', everybody ! Happy Monday !

[LadyX]

The last Monday of 2003, and what a wonderful job our military has done this year!
In the general populace, many Americans after the initial action leaned back and tend to take their efforts for granted, civilians resuming a normal life.

Those who have served and/or have loved ones in service, know there is no rest when it comes to the defense of our nation and securing the freedom of others from oppression and abuse.

Lord, we ask Your Everpresence with these valiant men and women wherever they are, and with their families and loved ones. Let them know we will never take for granted the price they are paying for us all, whether in combat or in supporting roles around the world.
Grant them strength of purpose, peace of mind and bring them safely home.

Guide our President and all our leaders, giving them wisdom and strength to do what is necessary, no matter how many dissenters yap and nip at them, proclaiming 'peace.'
Peace never comes through wishful thinking, but through determination and effort, often with a terrible cost.

If I were to single out one military leader whose name should be engraved on our roll of those to whom we owe the successes of the past year, I would lift up General Tommy Franks, who worked tirelessly more than a year planning the campaign and any possible glitches in Iraq.
What a brilliant campaign was directed under his leadership, with the least number of casualties among our forces, and of the civilian populace of Iraq!

Lord bless them all, bless our continuing efforts, and bless our beloved America.

[knighthawk]

Hello everybody, Hope ya'll had a great time during Christmas!

[Billie]

Good morning, Rus, and how nice it was knowing that today's thread would be posted early (for those who don't like to wait 'til I get here!)

Thank you more than you know for doing this; it's also great seeing some new names here.

God Bless and Protect our Military as they continue to be leaders for peace in this world. Thank you to all of FR's men and women in uniform, both past and present. You have our admiration and our love.

[deadhead]

From my home to yours :-)

[dansangel]

(((((((((Rus)))))))))

Thank you for bringing us Military Monday. Seems I'm dragging myself here to the Finest awfully late, but I am still recuperating from our 9 and a half hour drive back from FL yesterday.

Please, Dear Father, protect our brave military members, the way that they protect us with their selfless acts. Hold all of our military members, past and present, in Your loving embrace. Teach us to show our gratitude to all of the military for all that they have done and continue to do to guarantee our freedoms.

We ask these things as Your humble and contrite servants in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, Amen.

[Mama_Bear]

Thank you, Rus, for posting our Monday tribute to our military. You've been a member of our Finest family from the beginning, but you have now agreed to join our posting "team" as well, and we all appreciate this so much!

Hello to all. Have a wonderful day!

[Victoria Delsoul]

Nice thread, Mayor. Thanks. :-)