[The Mayor]

[The Mayor]

July 18, 2005

A Brilliant Idea

Read:
2 Chronicles 16:1-13

Help us, O Lord our God, for we rest on You. —2 Chronicles 14:11

Bible In One Year: Isaiah 34-36

An ancient Indonesian fable tells of a turtle that could fly. He would hold on to a stick with his mouth as it was carried by geese. When the turtle heard the onlookers on the ground saying, "Aren't those geese brilliant!" his pride was so hurt that he shouted, "It was my idea!" Of course he lost his grip. His pride became his downfall.

For 41 years, Asa was a strong and humble king. He brought peace and prosperity to the kingdom of Judah. During the early years of Asa's reign he prayed, "Lord, it is nothing for You to help, whether with many or with those who have no power; help us, O Lord our God, for we rest on You" (2 Chronicles 14:11).

But toward the end of his reign, when the army of the northern kingdom of Israel confronted him, Asa sought help from the king of Syria instead of from God. Because of his foolishness, his rule weakened and his nation experienced wars. What went wrong? Proud of past achievements, Asa had forgotten to depend on the Lord, so the Lord was no longer showing "Himself strong" on Asa's behalf (16:9).

God is still looking for those who will allow Him to show Himself strong in their lives. Living a humble, God-dependent life is truly a brilliant idea! —Albert Lee

We must depend upon our God
With deep humility,
Lest pride should rob us of His strength
And bring futility. —D. De Haan

No one is stronger than the one who depends on God.

FOR FURTHER STUDY
God Our Father

[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 El Gato.....................nephew MississippyMuddy.............sister MississippyMuddy.....2 nephews Kramster......................stepson veeceeque................active duty

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 Palladin...............................grandson Gonzo...............................friend's son jkphoto............................nephew JRios1968..........Active Duty sneakers……….son

[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

[Mrs.Nooseman]

Good Morning FR Finest.

Always remember that.......

It is the SOLDIER, not the preacher, who has given us freedom of religion. It is the SOLDIER, not the courts who has given us the right to keep and bear arms It is the SOLDIER, not the reporter, who has given us freedom of the press. It is the SOLDIER, not the poet, who has given us freedom of speech. It is the SOLDIER, not the campus organizer, who has given us freedom to assemble. It is the SOLDIER, not the lawyer, who has given us the right to a fair trial. It is the SOLDIER, not the politician, who has given us the right to vote. It is the SOLDIER, who salutes the Flag, and serves under the flag.

God Bless our Troops!

[LadyX]

*LadyX edges in door, muttering "S'cuse me for being away this weekend..."

Peeked in the door a few times, but was feverishly trying to catch up on yard and house chores.
One of those "Make hay while the sun shines" kinda things...

Hafta say I am in awe of all the fledglings who now are proficient after your tables/borders classes, Miss Billie.
Your students are cranking out such beautiful and complicated work.

snugs, all of your posts are so lovely and heartwarming, and evoke from us a genuine desire to have you for a Best Friend!
You are an extraordinary human being, and it would be wonderful to sit down with you one day and share a cuppa tea and conversation.

Several of my forebears came to America from England (and Scotland and Ireland) in the 1600's and 1700's and 1800's, and imprinted in my memory as a child are our joint efforts during WWII.

Coming aboard now,Your Honor, after admiring your political activities - and your plans for the house addition.
May both endeavors go well...

[LadyX]

Here is an interesting exchange between a poor 'disturbed' civilian
and Luke Air Force Base:

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

The Complaint:

Quote:

A wake-up call from Luke’s jets
Jun. 23, 2005 12:00 AM

“Question of the day for Luke Air Force Base: Whom do we thank for the morning air show?

Last Wednesday, at precisely 9:11 a.m., a tight formation of four F-16 jets made a low pass over Arrowhead Mall, continuing west over Bell Road at approximately 500 feet. Imagine our good fortune!

Do the Tom Cruise-wannabes feel we need this wake-up call, or were they trying to impress the cashiers at Mervyns’ early-bird special?

Any response would be appreciated. - Tom MacRae, Peoria”

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

The Reply......

“Regarding “A wake-up call from Luke’s jets” (Letters, Thursday): On June 15, at precisely 9:12 a.m., a perfectly timed four-ship of F-16s from the 63rd Fighter Squadron at Luke Air Force Base flew over the grave of Capt Jeremy Fresques. Capt. Fresques was an Air Force officer who was previously stationed at Luke Air Force Base and was killed in Iraq on May 30, Memorial Day.

At 9 a.m. on June 15, his family and friends gathered at Sunland Memorial Park in Sun City to mourn the loss of a husband, son and friend.

Based on the letter writer’s recount of the flyby, and because of the jet noise, I’m sure you didn’t hear the 21-gun salute, the playing of taps, or my words to the widow and parents of Capt. Fresques as I gave them their son’s flag on behalf of the president of the United States and all those veterans and servicemen and women who understand the sacrifices they have endured.

A four-ship flyby is a display of respect the Air Force pays to those who give their lives in defense of freedom. We are professional aviators and take our jobs seriously, and on June 15 what the letter writer witnessed was four officers lining up to pay their ultimate respects.

The letter writer asks, “Whom do we thank for the morning air show?”

The 56th Fighter Wing will call for you, and forward your thanks to the widow and parents of Capt. Fresques, and thank them for you, for it was in their honor that my pilots flew the most honorable formation of their lives.

Lt. Col. Scott Pleus
CO 63rd Fighter Squadron
Luke Air Force Base

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

I kindly point out the self-absorbed populace who cannot see beyond
their own little corner of the world, steeped in "ME - ME - ME."

Heaven help them if they had to depend upon themselves or one another
if a real threat were at their door...

Their first thought would be to CALL FOR HELP - - from the military...

(Of course with a tacked on "Make 'em earn their government pay!")

~ LadyX

[OESY]

A Celebration In Honor of Military Mums

The chrysanthemum, also known as the mum, is a flowering perennial plant of the genus Chrysanthemum in the daisy family (Asteraceae). Chrysanthemums can be yellow, white, or even bright red, as shown above.

Chrysanthemums were cultivated in China as a flowering herb as far back as the 15th century BC. An ancient Chinese city was named Chu-Hsien, meaning "chrysanthemum city". The Chu-Hsien flower was picked for introduction into Japan probably in the 8th century BC, where it was adopted by the Emperor as his official seal, and was brought to the Western World in the 17th century. It was named by Carolus Linnaeus from the Greek prefix chrys-, which means golden (the color of the original flowers), and -anthemon, meaning flower. (Did you know the Greeks also invented the name for Windex?)

[Mama_Bear]

Good Morning everyone.

It's going to be another sizzler here in the central valley. Can't complain though, not when I think about the horrendous conditions our military men and women are enduring in Iraq in order to serve their country and protect our freedoms.

And proud to support our military!

[OESY]

A lady in a faded gingham dress and her husband, dressed in a
homespun threadbare suit, stepped off the train in Boston, and
walked timidly without an appointment into the Harvard University
President's outer office.

The secretary could tell in a moment that such backwoods, country
hicks had no business at Harvard and probably didn't even deserve to
be in Cambridge.
"We'd like to see the president," the man said softly.
"He'll be busy all day," the secretary snapped.
"We'll wait," the lady replied.

For hours the secretary ignored them, hoping that the couple would
finally become discouraged and go away. They didn't, and the
secretary greatly frustrated and finally decided to disturb the
president, even though it was a chore she always regretted.
"Maybe if you see them for a few minutes, they'll leave," she said
to him! He sighed in exasperation and nodded. Someone of his
importance obviously didn't have the time to spend with them, and he
detested gingham dresses and homespun suits cluttering up his outer
office.

The president, stern faced and with dignity, strutted toward the
couple. The lady told him, "We had a son who attended Harvard for
one year. He loved Harvard. He was happy here. But about a year ago,
he was killed.

My husband and I would like to erect a memorial to him, somewhere on
campus." The president wasn't touched. He was shocked. "Madam," he
said, gruffly, "we can't put up a statue for every person who
attended Harvard and died. If we did, this place would look like a
cemetery." Oh, no," the lady explained quickly. "We don't want to
erect a statue. We thought we would like to give a building to
Harvard." The president rolled his eyes. He glanced at the gingham
dress and homespun suit, then exclaimed, "A building! Do you have
any earthly idea how much a building costs? We have over seven and a
half million dollars in the physical buildings here at Harvard." For
a moment the lady was silent. The president was pleased. Maybe he
could get rid of them now.

The lady turned to her husband and said quietly, "Is that all it
costs to start a university? Why don't we just start our own? "

Her husband nodded. The president's face wilted in confusion and
bewilderment.

Mr. and Mrs. Leland Stanford got up and walked away, traveling to
Palo Alto, California where they established the university that
bears their name, Stanford University, a memorial to a son that
Harvard no longer cared about.


NOTE: I just received this story via e-mail and do not know if it is true.

[Aquamarine]