[The Mayor]

[The Mayor]

September 13, 2004

A Life-Long Issue

Read: Psalm 90

The days of our lives are seventy years; and if . . . they are eighty years, yet their boast is only labor and sorrow. —Psalm 90:10

Bible In One Year: Proverbs 16-18; 2 Corinthians 6

---

Scientists predict that the average lifespan in the United States may reach 100 by the end of the 21st century. They say the genetics that control aging could be altered to extend life beyond the 70 to 80 years referred to in Psalm 90:10. Life's final chapter, however, will still read, "It is soon cut off, and we fly away."

Moses, who wrote those words, likened our existence to grass that flourishes in the morning and is cut down and withers in the evening (vv.5-6). Although he lived to be 120 (Deuteronomy 34:7), life's brevity was never far from his mind. That's why he prayed, "Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom (Psalm 90:12).

D. J. De Pree, a longtime member of the RBC Board of Directors, took those words literally. He calculated the number of days from the date of his birth until he would turn 70. At the end of each day he'd reduce his total by one. To see that figure decline reminded him to make each day count for the Lord.

We are all part of a rapidly passing scene. That should sober us, but not discourage us. Moses affirmed God as his "dwelling place" (v.1). That's the way to face the life-long issue of our fleeting earthly existence. —Dennis De Haan

To gain a heart of wisdom takes a lifetime,
And we are told to seek it all our days;
But whether life is long or too soon ended,
God's lovingkindness fills our heart with praise. —Hess

A life lived for God will count for eternity.

[GailA]

Good morning

[LadyX]

Spc. Adam Wiltsey with the 185th Armor Regiment, 81st Armor Brigade, talks with local Iraqi children near Balad, Iraq, on Sept. 6, 2004.

Talking with locals helps project a positive influence and assists with intelligence gathering.

DoD photo by Staff Sgt. Shane A. Cuomo, U.S. Air Force (Released)

=============================================

God bless America's sons and daughters
who stand in the gap for us,
and for those who yearn to be free and prosper - -

[LadyX]

An Iraqi trainee K-9 landmine detection team exhibits their skills and capabilities for U.S. Ambassador John Negroponte during a tour of the Iraqi Mine Clearance Organization Training Facility in Baghdad, Iraq, a critical U.S./Iraqi component of the ongoing reconstruction efforts in Iraq.

(U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. R. Nick Siers) (Released)

[Billie]

Good afternoon, Rus, Finest Family, and Finest Military. Thank you for serving our country then, and thank you for supporting it now. God Bless our troops today, and remember in prayers our POW/MIA.

[Billie]

Good news is that we have removed lula's son-in-law from the prayer list because he is home from Iraq after being there since February! Our thanks to him for his service.

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, 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.

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

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, loved one Pippin...nephew & his fiancee 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 StarCMC......................brother ValerieUSA..................2 sons Lakeside......................2 sons Spruce.....................daughter Philman_36..............2 nephews Warrior Nurse...........active duty SK1 Thurman...........active duty David Osborne.........active duty fc2tomschermuly......active duty Rose inRoseBear...cousin's hubby 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

Maigrey................cousin WVNan..............friend's son ladtx....................2 sons Mama_Bear.........2 nephews 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 Consort..2 daughters,son-in-law Darheel.....................niece Donaeus...................nephew dixie sass...............nephew BeAllYouCanBe............son Repubmommy...............brother AgThorn...................2 sons homeschoolmama.......nephew kneezles......................son Redhead....step-granddaughter Redhead..step-grdaughter fiance Atomic Conspiracy..half-brother Atomic Conspiracy...nephew Atomic Conspiracy...niece Sunflowergal.........grandson visualops.................cousin Alouette.......................son mrstank.......................husband MrsMike31..................husband eaglesiniowa.................son auboy.........................cousin spotbus1....................husband

[jwfiv]

Good afternoon, Mr. Mayor, and to all the Finest on this beautiful Monday.

[Excuse_My_Bellicosity]

040911-N-5902H-002 Pacific Ocean (Sept. 11, 2004) - Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) approaches the first channel marker on her way into port at Naval Station North Island, San Diego. Vinson is transiting to operating areas off the Southern California coast to join Carrier Air Wing Nine (CVW-9) and other forces from the Carl Vinson Carrier Strike Group (CSG) for the start of their Composite Training Unit Exercise (COMPTUEX). U.S. Navy photo by Lt. Doug Houser (RELEASED)

040911-N-0989T-066 Atlantic Ocean (Sept. 11, 2004) - A NATO Sea Sparrow missile is launched during a live fire Missile Exercise aboard the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75). Truman and embarked Carrier Air Wing Eight (CVW-8) are currently participating in carrier qualifications. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate 2nd Class Jason P. Taylor (RELEASED)