A Few of FR's Finest....Every Day....04-25-05....Military Monday

Billie, The Mayor

[The Mayor]

[The Mayor]

April 25, 2005

The Power Of Our Limits

Read:
Exodus 4:10-17

Now therefore, go, and I will be with your mouth and teach you what you shall say. —Exodus 4:12

Bible In One Year: Psalm 43-45

Moses, on the occasion of his call by God, made excuses. "O my Lord, I am not eloquent, neither before nor since You have spoken to Your servant; but I am slow of speech and slow of tongue" (Exodus 4:10).

The wording suggests that Moses had a speech impediment—perhaps he stuttered. But the Lord said to him, "Who has made man's mouth? Or who makes the mute, the deaf, the seeing, or the blind? Have not I, the Lord?" (v.11).

Our impairments, our disabilities, our handicaps are not accidents; they are God-designed. He uses every one of our flaws for His own glory. God's way of dealing with what we call "limitations" is not to remove them but to endow them with strength and use them for good.

In the New Testament, Paul the apostle referred to an unspecified "thorn in the flesh" that he repeatedly asked the Lord to take from him (2 Corinthians 12:7-8). But God said, "My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness" (v.9).

Paul even learned to "take pleasure" in his troubles. "Most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me," he said (v.9). "For when I am weak, then I am strong" (v.10). —David Roper

All faithful saints who walk with God
Through weakness learn to trust His Word;
They're not immune to pain or tears,
But learn to rise above their fears. —D. De Haan

God's strength is best seen in our weakness.

FOR FURTHER STUDY
Surviving The Storms Of Stress
When Disappointment Deceives

[The Mayor]

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; Dansangel; 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.

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

Maigrey...................cousin 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 LakeLady.....................nephew Spruce.....................daughter Philman_36..............2 nephews bjcintennessee.......son, niece Ladysmith..nephew, friend's son tina07......soninlaw & his friend Katydidnt..........................son MontanaCowgirlCop.......brother 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 Q6-God.....................active duty Q6-God...................twin brother Veloxherc.................active duty Don Simmons...........active duty wingnutx..................active duty Old Sarge................active duty Bykrbayb.........................son Hope and Glory................son Walkenfree............2 grandsons, 3 nephews, 1 granddaughter ariamne...............................2 cousins Zechariah_8_13......brother-in-law, cousin

scubachick...............husband ladtx........................2 sons Its_me_K.E.T...................son 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 Rose inRoseBear...cousin's hubby Skimask.......................Son Atomic Conspiracy..half-brother Atomic Conspiracy...nephew Atomic Conspiracy..........niece Sunflowergal..............grandson visualops.......................cousin Alouette..............................son mrstank.......................husband MrsMike31..................husband eaglesiniowa.........................son auboy..................................cousin spotbust1.......................husband Leofl......................................son chena......................................son campfollower.......................fiance LUV W.........................................son painter................................nephew ProudAFDad.................................son TheMayor...........friends'son & nephew mhking.....................................cousin Misty4jc................................husband Colorado Slim........................ nephew Tapatio..............................2 nephews CGblue............................active duty ak_daddoo.........................nephew DirtyHarryY2K............daughter, son-in-law nelibeli......................................nephew bigghurtt...............................Active duty frankiep................................Active duty

[The Mayor]

Rus, PLEASE post this and the fantastic pictures for me
on your Monday Military Thread!!
It is perfectly safe to open the attachments to get to the original,
and you will LOVE IT!!!
I PROMISE!!
It was sent by a high school friend of Bernie's in Centerville, Ohio (outside Dayton) -
their group very conservative.
Do, though, issue a "Triple Tissue Alert"..... guaranteed to touch every reader.
Still dripping tears of appreciation and awe here...
Margaret
(and so impressed with your political campaign's flow!)
Hugs ---


Here you go Ma'am next post..!

[The Mayor]

SOLDIER'S FUNERAL, TEXAS STYLE

People can talk about Texas all they want, but this has renewed my faith in mankind. God bless America. At least they give some respect for a soldier who has died. God bless them. Take a look at these pictures.

What follows is a message from Vicki Pierce about her nephew James' funeral (he was serving our country in Iraq): "I'm back, it was certainly a quick trip, but I have to also say it was one of the most amazing experiences of my life. There is a lot to be said for growing up in a small town in Texas. The service itself was impressive with wonderful flowers and sprays, a portrait of James, his uniform and boots, his awards and ribbons. There was lots of military brass and an eloquent (though inappropriately longwinded) Baptist preacher.

There were easily 1000 people at the service, filling the church sanctuary as well as the fellowship hall and spilling out into the parking lot. However, the most incredible thing was what happened following the service on the way to the cemetery. We went to our cars and drove to the cemetery escorted by at least 10 police cars with lights flashing and some other emergency vehicles, with Texas Rangers handling traffic.

Everyone on the road who was not in the procession, pulled over, got out of their cars, and stood silently and respectfully, some put their hands over their hearts, some had small flags. Shop keepers came outside with their customers and did the same thing. Construction workers stopped their work, got off their equipment and put their hands over their hearts, too. There was no noise whatsoever except a few birds and the quiet hum of cars going slowly up the road.

When we turned off the highway suddenly there were teenage boys along both sides of the street about every 20 feet or so, all holding large American flags on long flag poles, and again with their hands on their hearts. We thought at first it was the Boy Scouts or 4H club or something, but it continued .... for two and a half miles. Hundreds of young people, standing silently on the side of the road with flags. At one point we passed an elementary school, and all the children were outside, shoulder to shoulder holding flags ... kindergartners, handicapped, teachers, staff, everyone. Some held signs of love and support.

Then came teenage girls and younger boys, all holding flags. Then adults. Then families. All standing silently on the side of the road. No one spoke, not even the very young children. The last few turns found people crowded together holding flags or with their hands on their hearts. Some were on horseback.

The military presence...at least two generals, a fist full of colonels, and representatives from every branch of the service, plus the color guard which attended James, and some who served with him ... was very impressive and respectful, but the love and pride from this community who had lost one of their own was the most amazing thing I've ever been privileged to witness. I've attached some pictures, some are blurry (we were moving), but you can get a small idea of what this was like. Thanks so much for all the prayers and support."

These photos are awesome!!

Are you crying yet? I am, and unshamedly. God Bless our soldiers!!!!!!!!!!

Thank You Lady X

[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

And now a word from our Sponsors of Free Speech Click on a service emblem to send an online
Thank You to a service man or woman in any branch.

Army	Navy	Marines	Air Force	Coast Guard

[tomkow6]

Morning, Mayor!

[MEG33]

Those pictures are in my favorites under tributes..I will never forget this..Thank you for posting it.

AMERICA.... HOME OF THE FREE BECAUSE OF THE BRAVE..

My gratitude to all who serve our country.

[Soaring Feather]

Good morning, Mayor, everyone.

[LadyX]

Please, please look at #5 for a thrilling account (with her photographs of the grand tributes) of a funeral by an aunt of a 'Fallen Hero' in Iraq, and how their small Texas town showed their respect!!!

It is TOTALLY AWESOME!!

Be Proud, all you wonderful Texans --

It was sent by a high school friend of my husband's in Centerville, Ohio (outside Dayton) - their group very conservative.
Do, though, be aware a "Triple Tissue Alert" is in order..guaranteed to touch every reader.

[tuliptree76]

God's strength is best seen in our weakness.

Happy Monday, Mayor. I know I haven't said it much lately, but thank you for the Our Daily Bread posts. I've been reading them even if I don't get a chance to ping back.

[luvie]

Thank you, Mayor, and thank you Lady, for giving us this tribute! Makes me very proud to be a Texan and an American!

I don't know how it is elsewhere, but we in Texas always pull over to the side of the road and stop when a funeral procession goes by. But this........I'm speechless (well, almost! LOL)

[CounterCounterCulture]

Is it my birthday yet? ;-)

[Brad’s Gramma]

I'm speechless....what a WONDERFUL tribute to our country. Wow.

[Brad’s Gramma]

Sure. Why not.

Happy Birthday!!!!

[Chong]

Good morning Your Honor.
As Tuliptree said, I also thank you for our Daily Bread, although I don't ping you back often. God bless you for all you do.

[LadyX]

"I don't know how it is elsewhere, but we in Texas always pull over to the side of the road and stop when a funeral procession goes by."

We do in South Carolina, too, and all over the South.

(Don't think I'd try it on a California Freeway, though..:))

[luvie]

I'm glad to hear that! I don't get out much! LOL!

[Brad’s Gramma]

(Don't think I'd try it on a California Freeway, though..:))

VERY wise choice...Although, I will say, watching the freeway shut down for President Reagan WAS a sight to behold....something I NEVER thought I'd see.

[CounterCounterCulture]

Another 2 and a half hours until it's official for me on the left coast.

Close enough for government work. ;-)