"But I remember when you two divas were opining with an elegance and moxie on regular FR political threads."

**LadyX sighs, remembering those wonderful, wacky Whitewater Daze**

That's when Billie and I bonded big time, wading through all the Gates and Scandals and General Perfidy during the Bill and Hill Shew ---

You might remember that during the Susan MacDiugak trial in California, she was accused of misusing a credit card that belonged to Nancy Mehta, her employer.

In September of 1998, I suggested since that card was not in use, so why should I not 'appropriate' it and take Billie to lunch?
Of course a few other Freepers came along with us while the getting was good..:))

There just aren't the same kinds of challenges now, with Kerry sailing into the sunset on his snowboard/water skis/sailboat/Ski-Doo??, and GWB steady at the helm of the nation.

Are you portraying us as now being just two too sedate oldies?!
Perish the thought!

Every now and then we manage to kick up our heels -- like this:

December 18, 2004

Caretakers, Not Owners

Read: Psalm 95

All things come from You, and of Your own we have given You. —1 Chronicles 29:14

Bible In One Year: Obadiah; Revelation 9

John Hauberg and his wife live in a stunning home in Seattle. It is built mostly of glass inside and out. Hundreds of glass artifacts decorate the light-flooded rooms, and even the sinks, shelves, and mantelpieces are made of glass. You might think that the Haubergs would be in constant fear that something would break. On the contrary, they invite visitors to roam freely throughout their entire home.

John is also a connoisseur of Native American crafts, but he has donated his entire collection to the Seattle Art Museum. His motive is not to hoard but to share. "I'm not an owner," he says. "I am a caretaker."

John Hauberg's comment expresses a basic biblical principle that applies to all our possessions: We aren't owners; we are caretakers. Legally, of course, we own our possessions. But as Christians, we gladly acknowledge with David that "the earth is the Lord's, and all its fullness, the world and those who dwell therein" (Psalm 24:1).

By right of creation, God holds the deed to all that exists, including what we possess. He allows us to use the resources of His world for a time. But in the end it all reverts to Him.

Are we being wise and generous caretakers of what belongs to God? —Vernon Grounds

Naught that I have my own I call,
I hold it for the Giver;
My heart, my strength, my life, my all
Are His, and His forever. —Small

All we own is on loan from God.

Long ago, before dinosaurs roamed the earth, and before there was a star in the sky, a great king issued a decree that shook the realms of darkness.

The king spoke and the universe exploded into existence. He said, "Let there be light," and the darkness ran from him. By the power of his words he created high mountains and deep valleys. With endless imagination and attention to detail, the king filled the land, waters, and sky with living creatures of every shape, color, and size.

Then, as evil eyes watched from a distance, the king reached down, picked up a handful of loose soil, and breathed into it his own likeness. From the dust the king made a man to share his happiness. Motioning to the surrounding paradise the great One said, "All of this I am entrusting to you. Care for it, and you will see how much I have cared for you."

For a while the new caretaker was too absorbed in his work to recognize the emptiness within. The king, however, knew that it was not good for the man to be alone. So he put his likeness to sleep, and from a rib that protected the man's heart, gave the man a helper and friend he called woman.

One of the gifts the king entrusted to the couple was the freedom of choice. In the center of their garden home the king had planted two trees. One he called the "tree of life" and the other, "the tree of the knowledge of good and evil." Pointing to the second tree, the king said, "Eat freely from everything except this one. Don't eat from this tree or you will die."

The caretakers took the king's counsel and shared his happiness. Life was good for them. Planet earth was at peace.

Hiding in the shadows, a rebel watched the caretakers and envied their happiness. In another time and place, he too had known the king's favor.

Disguised as a friend, the rebel engaged the woman in conversation. He asked her about the rules of the garden. Suggesting that he knew a side of the king the couple hadn't seen, he raised questions they had never thought about. What was the king withholding? What didn't he want them to know?

Curiosity got the best of them. Tasting the forbidden fruit was like taking a mind-altering drug. With a rush of lost innocence, the caretakers suddenly felt afraid and vulnerable. Grabbing leaves to cover themselves, they ran to hide from the king.

When the king found the couple, they admitted what they had done, but tried to make excuses for themselves.

Even though the king showed his willingness to forgive, life would never be the same. Unfriendly thoughts and inclinations began to show up everywhere, even in their children. In a fit of jealousy their first son killed his younger brother. Seeds of rebellion continued to grow until the whole earth was filled with conflict and violence.

Saddened by a world spinning out of control, the king sent a killer storm that wiped out everyone except for the small family of one man who was true to the king.

A new beginning seemed full of promise. But a disrespectful son and drunken father showed once again that human nature had not changed. The enemy was within. Seeds of self-rule continued to fill the earth with trouble and pain.

The king intervened again. This time he appeared to an old childless couple and told them he was going to give them a son in their old age. He promised that through their family he would offer peace and happiness to the whole world.

The seasons changed. Generations passed. Yet even though the king gave the old couple their miracle family most things remained the same. Caretakers continued to seek self-rule and happiness at one another's expense. They took for granted all that had been entrusted to them. Yet the king kept promising his chosen people that through them the world would be blessed with a son who would be called, "Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace."

The promise, however, usually fell on deaf ears. Even though the king gave his "chosen people" a homeland at the crossroads of the world, and even though he introduced them to their neighbors as a miracle family, they tested his patience until he stopped talking to them.

After 400 long years the silence was broken by the cry of a baby. A young unmarried woman conceived a child whose name meant "Savior." Local shepherds and wise men from the East took turns worshiping the child whose birth was announced by angels in the night and a star in the sky.

Thirty years later this son of promise turned water to wine at a wedding party and then traveled from town to town doing good and giving hope to the poorest and most troubled of people. Crowds of excited people followed him until religious leaders became envious of His influence. Instead of using His power to overthrow His enemies, the teacher said He had not come to condemn, but to be the servant of all.

In a stunning turn of events, family leaders spread false rumors about the teacher. They accused him of trying to overthrow the government and called for his death. On a holiday that celebrated their national freedom, an angry mob unknowingly subjected the son they had been waiting for to a public execution.

For 3 days the teacher's friends were afraid and confused. Then a group of women found his grave empty, and for the next 40 days the Lord of life let hundreds of his followers see that he had overcome the power of death in their behalf.

Now, the whole story can be told. To share his happiness the great king became the Servant of servants. After giving us life to share his joy, he was born into our world to bear our pain.

He left with a promise to return. His story must be told. Time is running out for all who side with the forces of darkness. Everlasting happiness is waiting for all who will welcome into their hearts the Servant of servants, the Lord of lords, and the King of kings.

"Even so, come, Lord Jesus" (Revelation 22:20).

Notice: Santa Claus
Notice Parents from Santa Claus
THE NORTH POLE
Notice to All Parents in Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia,Louisiana, Mississippi, North and South Carolina, Tennessee, and Texas: I regret to inform you that, effective immediately, I will no longer serve the States of Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia,
Louisiana, Mississippi, North and South Carolina, Tennessee, and Texas on Christmas Eve. Due to the overwhelming current and increasing
population of the earth, my contract has been renegotiated by North
American Fairies and Elves Local 209. [As part of the new and better contract I also get longer breaks for milk and cookies, so keep that
in mind.]
However, I'm certain that your children will be in good hands with your local replacement, who happens to be my third cousin, Bubba
Claus. His side of the family is from the South Pole. He shares my
goal of delivering toys to all the good boys and girls; however, there
are a few differences between us.
Differences such as:
[1] There is no danger of the Grinch stealing your kids presents from Bubba Claus - he has a gun rack on his sleigh and a bumper sticker that reads: "These toys insured by Smith & Wesson".
[2] Instead of milk and cookies, Bubba Claus prefers that children leave an RC Cola and pork rinds (or a moon pie) on the fireplace. And Bubba doesn't smoke a pipe. He dips a little snuff though, so please have an empty spit can handy.
[3] Bubba Claus' sleigh is pulled by eight floppy-eared flyin' coon dogs instead of reindeer. I made the mistake of loaning him a couple of reindeer one time, and Blitzen's head now hangs over Bubba's fireplace

[4] You won't hear "On Comet, on Cupid, on Donner and Blitzen" when Bubba Claus arrives. Instead, you'll hear, "On Petty, on Earnhardt, on Elliott, on Waltrip, on Gordon, on LaBonte!"
[5] "Ho, Ho, Ho!" has been replaced by "Yee Haw!" And you are also likely to hear Bubba's elves respond, "I her'd dat!"
[6] As required by southern highway safety regulations, Bubba Claus'
sleigh does have a Yosemite Sam safety triangle on the back with the words "Back Off!"
[7] The usual Christmas movie classics such as "Miracle on 34th Street" and "It's a Wonderful Life" will not be shown in your viewing area. Instead, you'll see "Boss Hogg Saves Christmas" and "Smokey and the Bandit IV" featuring Burt Reynolds as Bubba Claus and dozens of
state patrol cars crashing into each other.
[8] And finall a warning about my third cousin, Bubba Claus: He doesn't wear a belt, so if I were you, I'd make sure you, your wife, and the kids turn the other way when he bends over to put the presents under your tree!
Sincerely Yours and have a VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS, SANTA CLAUS
Member of Northern American Fairies and Elves, Local 209 Missing Link Ho Ho Ho

A pastor once stated, "I always noticed that its was the adults who chose the children's hymn 'Jesus Loves Me' (for the children of course) during a hymn sing, and it was the adults who sang the loudest because I could see they knew it the best."

Here is a new version just for us who have white hair, or no hair at all.
For us over 40 (or even those almost there) and all you others...Check out this newest version of "Jesus Loves Me". It is quite cute, so read, sing and enjoy:"

JESUS LOVES ME

Jesus loves me, this I know,
Though my hair is white as snow.
Though my sight is growing dim,
Still He bids me trust in Him.

(CHORUS)

YES, JESUS LOVES ME... YES, JESUS LOVES ME...
YES, JESUS LOVES ME FOR THE BIBLE TELLS ME SO.

Though my steps are oh, so slow,
With my hand in His I'll go.
On through life, let come what may,
He'll be there to lead the way.

(CHORUS)

Though I am no longer young,
I have much which He's begun.
Let me serve Christ with a smile,
Go with others the extra mile.

&nb! sp; (CHORUS)

When the nights are dark and long,
In my heart He puts a song.
Telling me in words so clear,
"Have no fear, for I am near."

(CHORUS)

When my work on earth is done,
And life's victories have been won.
He will take me home above,
Then I'll understand His love.

(CHORUS)

I love Jesus, does he know?
Have I ever told Him so?
Jesus loves to hear me say,
That I love Him every day.

If you think this is neat, please pass it on to all of your friends.
If you do not pass it on, nothing bad will happen, but you will have
missed an opportunity to "Reach out and Touch" a friend or a loved one.

God Bless Us All !!!

In humid conditions, an aircraft flying on the whisker's edge of Mach 1 will compress water vapor in the air and the trans-sonic shockwave becomes visible:

020426-N-8029P-001 At sea aboard USS George Washington (CVN 73) Apr. 26, 2002 -- An F-14B “Tomcat” assigned to the “Jolly Rogers” of Fighter Squadron One Zero Three (VF-103) assigned to Carrier Air Wing Seventeen (CVW-17) attached to USS George Washington battle group performs a high-speed pass while conducting integrated training exercises in the Caribbean. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate 3rd Class Ramon Preciado. (RELEASED)

020926-N-2781V-170 At sea aboard USS George Washington (CVN 73) Sep. 26, 2002 -- An F-14 "Tomcat" assigned to the "Jolly Rogers" of Fighter Squadron One Zero Three (VF 103) conducts a high-speed "fly-by" above the ship. VF 103 is part of Carrier Air Wing Seventeen (CVW 17), embarked onboard George Washington on a six-month deployment conducting combat missions in support of Operations Enduring Freedom and Southern Watch. U.S. Navy photo by Journalist 2nd Class David Valdez. (RELEASED)

Subject: JOHN 3:16
A little boy was selling newspapers on the corner, the people were in
and out of the cold. The little boy was so cold that he wasn't trying to
sell many papers. He walked up to a policeman and said, "Mister, you
wouldn't happen to know where a poor boy could find a warm place to
sleep tonight would you? You see, I sleep in a box up around the corner
there and down the alley and it's awful cold in there for tonight. Sure
would be nice to have a warm place to stay."
The policeman looked down at the little boy and said, "you go down the
street to that big white house and you knock on the door. When they come
out the door you just say John 3:16, and they will let you in."
So he did. He walked up the steps and knocked on the door, and a lady
answered. He looked up and said, "John 3:16." The lady said, "Come on
in, Son." She took him in and she sat him down in a split bottom rocker
in front of a great big fireplace, and she went off. The boy sat there
for a while and thought to himself: John 3:16...I don't understand it,
but it sure makes a cold boy warm.
Later she came back and asked him "Are you hungry?" He said, "Well,
just a little. I haven't eaten in a couple of days, and I guess I could
stand a little bit of food," The lady took him in the kitchen and sat
him down to a table full of wonderful food. He ate and ate until he
couldn't eat any more. Then he thought to himself: John 3:16...Boy, I
sure don't understand it but it sure makes a hungry boy full.
She took him upstairs to a bathroom to a huge bathtub filled with warm
water, and he sat there and soaked for a while. As he soaked, he thought
to himself: John 3:16... I sure don't understand it, but it sure makes a
dirty boy clean. You know, I've not had a bath, a real bath, in my whole
life. The only bath I ever had was when I stood in front of that big
fire hydrant as they flushed it out.The lady came in and got him.
She took him to a room, tucked him into a big old feather bed, pulled
the covers up around his neck, kissed him goodnightand turned out the
lights. As he lay in the darkness and looked out the window at the snow
coming down on that cold night, he thought to himself: John 3:16...I
don't understand it but it sure makes a tired boy rested. The next
morning the lady came back up and took him down again to that same big
table full of food. After he ate, she took him back to that same big old
split bottom rocker in front of the fireplace and picked up a big Bible.

She sat down in front of him and looked into his young face. "Do you
understand John 3:16?" she asked gently. He replied, "No, Ma'am, I
don't. The first time I ever heard it was last night when the policeman
told me to use it,"
She opened the Bible to John 3:16 and began to explain to him about
Jesus. Right there, in front of that big old fireplace, he gave his
heart and life to Jesus. He sat there and thought: John 3:16....don't
understand it, but it sure makes a lost boy feel safe.
You know, I have to confess I don't understand it either, how God was
willing to send His Son to die for me, and how Jesus would agree to do
such a thing. I don't understand the agony of the Father and every angel
in heaven as they watched Jesus suffer and die. I don't understand the
intense love for ME that kept Jesus on the cross till the end. I don't
understand it, but it sure does make life worth living.
John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten
Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have
everlasting life.

If you aren't ashamed to do this, please follow the directions. Jesus
said, "If you are ashamed of me, I will be ashamed of you before my
Father." Pass this on only if you mean it.
I do Love God. He is my source of existence. He keeps me functioning
each and every day. Phil 4:13 If you love God and are not ashamed of all
the marvelous things he has done for you, send this on.

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.