A Few of FR's Finest....Every Day....09-28-05...Poetry and Potpourri at the Finest

9-28-05 | JustAmy

[JustAmy]

A Few of FR's Finest....Every Day

Free Republic made its debut in September, 1996, and the forum was added in early 1997.   Over 100,000 people have registered for posting privileges on Free Republic, and the forum is read daily by tens of thousands of concerned citizens and patriots from all around the country and the world.

A Few of FR's Finest....Every Day was introduced on June 24, 2002. It's only a small room in JimRob's house where we can get to know one another a little better; salute and support our military and our leaders; pray for those in need; and congratulate those deserving. We strive to keep our threads entertaining, fun, and pleasing to look at, and often have guest writers contribute an essay, or a profile of another FReeper.

On Mondays please visit us to see photos of A FEW OF FR'S VETERANS AND ACTIVE MILITARY

If you have a suggestion, or an idea, or if there's a FReeper you would like to see featured, please drop one of us a note in FR mail.

We're having fun and hope you are!
~ Billie, Dutchess, DollyCali, Mama_Bear ~

Welcome To...


...at The Finest!

'Amy's Place' is more than just about poetry.
Come in, relax, and share with fellow FReepers
your thoughts about any of the things on the *Menu*.

Enjoy! :)








Graphic by Billie

Reflections

God sets a mirror down for us,
To bounce back sunny days,
He does it when the rain has passed,
To help us see the rays.

The reflection that we see in it,
Is not of hair and skin.
What we see is an image of,
The gloried state we’re in.

Light pink, and brighter orange,
And yellow brighter still.
I sit and look at glory’s frame,
Upon my favorite hill.

The others call it rainbow,
But I know what it is,
A magic mirror in the sky,
That lets us know we’re His.

The body that we occupy down here,
Is nothing like its start,
For one, the most attractive thing,
Has always been the heart.

God looks into our heart and then,
Just for His own amusement.
He gives a glimpse of what He sees,
And laughs at our confusement.

“That doesn’t look at all like me!”
I hear your protests start,
But when you look at other folks,
How can you see their heart?

If you admit there’s beauty,
Reflecting from some source,
Just think how glorious it will be,
When He’s revealed full force.

And you and I are with Him,
And joining in the glow.
Next time you see a rainbow,
I thought you ought to know.

NicknamedBob April 5, 2004
© 2004






Graphic by MamaBear

The Corner

That cupboard in the corner was where brother put his gun,
Right up top to keep it safe while he was having fun.
He made a good policeman. I always knew he could.
His stony face when he played war could scare me pretty good!

Yes, we played cops and robbers, and games like kick the can.
I know those games were helpful as I learned to be a man.
When brother came to visit, his gun went way up top,
He couldn’t win an argument just ‘cause he was a cop!

We liked to play our card games, with Dad and all the boys.
And all of us knew guns were something different from toys.
My brother used his in his work, just like the badge he had.
Although he never really used it, and for that, he was glad.

The rest of us all knew what guns were really for,
The government even gave me one when I went off to war,
Although I never used it, just like my brother cop,
The very fact that I was there, just caused that war to stop.

I have a picture of the guys, with cards all strewn about,
You’d get the notion all the rules had somehow been tossed out!
With cards in hatbands, cards in sleeves, and chips piled way up high,
But all of that was just to show for that nosy camera eye!

NicknamedBob . . . . . . . . . . . June 8, 2005





Graphic by MamaBear

THE OLD HOUSE REMEMBERS

The old ranch house is alone with its past,
The windows are closed and the doors are fast;
The windmills are hushed, a desolate pall
Of silence and heartbreak broods over all.
Only the wind in the cottonwood trees
Tells off its rosary of memories.
Once around the wells were cattle that milled
And cooled themselves in the water which spilled
From the brimming tanks and trickled away
To a wet weather stream which trees betray;
There the willows dip their long lacy plumes
Over low marsh grass where the smartweed blooms.

Now the cottonwoods murmur, the willows weep,
And all else is silent, the place asleep,
But above the stillness when soft winds blow
Are the phantom voices of long ago ...
A lone cowboy as he rides down the trail
And yodels to drown out the coyote's wail.
While the walls reecho with rhythmic beat
To the merry tunes and to dancing feet.
So the old house lives again in its past,
Lives in the joys that the years have amassed.
And the full rich life that it’s loved ones knew
Is wafted back when it comes into view.

By Laressa Cox McBurney (my great-aunt)
Published in Prairie Panorama in 1938



Many thanks for stopping by. : )

09-27-05 ~ Hall of Fame #13

THIS WEEK'S THREADS 09-26-05 Military Monday 09-27-05 Hall of Fame #13

Opinions by our own 'King of Ping' Every Thursday at the Finest The guy's good, folks!

[Spruce]

Here's my kid.


I wanted a pic of her in flightsuit. She grudgingly oblidged.

Kickin ass for America!

[Mama_Bear]

Your story made me cry, because I know how badly you feel. Bless your kind, gentle heart, Dolly. You did what you could and that is all anyone can do.

I am so sorry this story didn't end differently, for Wahoo and for you.

[The Mayor]

September 29, 2005

A Winner Either Way

Read:
Philippians 1:15-26

For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain. —Philippians 1:21

Bible In One Year: Daniel 10-12

Lois had just undergone cancer surgery and was alone with her thoughts. She had faced death before, but it had always been the death of people she had loved—not her own.

Suddenly she realized that losing someone she loved was more threatening to her than the possibility of losing her own life. She wondered why. She remembered that she had asked herself before her operation, "Am I ready to die?" Her immediate answer had been, and still was, "Yes, I am. Christ is my Lord and Savior."

With her readiness for death assured, she now needed to concentrate on living. Would it be in fear or in faith? Then God seemed to say, "I have saved you from eternal death. I want to save you from living in fear." Isaiah 43:1 came to mind: "Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name; you are Mine."

Now Lois testifies, "Yes, I am His! That reality is more important than doctors telling me I have cancer." And then she adds, "I win either way!"

Lois' insight is a convinced echo of Paul's words in today's text, "For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain." Let's pray that those words will resonate in our heart. That confidence makes us a winner either way. —Joanie Yoder

Safe in the Lord, without a doubt,
By virtue of the blood;
For nothing can destroy the life
That's hid with Christ in God. —Anon.

We can really live if we are ready to die.

FOR FURTHER STUDY
Is There Life After Death?
Our Eternal Home

[prairiebreeze]

What a beautiful animal. He didn't start out as a rough dog and the previous owners are despicable.

You did your best and that's all anybody can do.

[alwaysconservative]

Thanks for the ping, although with a heavy heart. Dolly, you really did your best, and you will meet up again with Wahoo at the Rainbow Bridge.

[FreeTheHostages]

Aw, thanks for the hug, it's wonderful!

[Billie]

When I got home I had the email messages that Wahoo had been euthanized a day earlier...

Part of me feels a relief, it is for the best.. part of me feels a lot of anger (yes, i am a grief counselor & know all about the stages/grief) towards the abusive owners, & also guilt..If I had chanced bringing him with me last night, he would still be alive

Dolly, that breaks my heart for you, and for Wahoo that he had to live in a 'prison' for 10 years. It is no wonder his behavior was confusing. People that mistreat animals (and he *was* mistreated) have absolutely no business owning one.

You tried so hard, Dolly, please don't beat yourself up over circumstances beyond your control.

Weinie and Codee and Mits and Bear and all our others will see he never has an unhappy day again.

[GodBlessUSA]

Great thread JustAmy!! ;) Good Morning Everyone!

[TweetyinOhio]

Dolly, you do have such a big heart, I know that if the situation was different you would have worked it out. I'm sorry things didn't go just right. Hang in there, the boxer is in a good place with The Lord.

[ST.LOUIE1]

Sorry I didn't return as promised, (((((Sis)))))

I was playing with Mimsie and pulled a muscle in my lower back. Put a heating pad on it and it's much better this morning.

Good morning, cutie!

[PreviouslyA-Lurker]

Did I do something wrong in posting? It showed up on my computer, but not all the time.

[Pippin]

I saw that ad and I find it disgusting too.

[Pippin]

((((LOUIE)))!

[GodBlessUSA]

Ut oh. What ad? Did I post something bad not realizing it?

[Pippin]

No No No!

You were talking about the ad were a woman is mixing a drink in a trash compacter and giving it to her husband to drink.

I was agreeing with you that it was disgusting.

[GodBlessUSA]

Whew, ;)

[PreviouslyA-Lurker]

I'm glad to know you, DollyCali. You are a very conscientious person, the world is a better place for your efforts. The Mayor is right, do take care of your ear tho.

[lysie]

*Crying*

Oh, Dolly you have such a kind heart.

I understand all the emotions you are going through. ((Dolly))

I'm a believer that dogs have little concept of time, so the good loving moments Wahoo got from you were like a lifetime of tender care to him. ((Wahoo))

Now, I'm off to hug my pets.

[GodBlessUSA]

Pippin, what ad? Thanks.

[PreviouslyA-Lurker]

Thank you for those 2 songs, Frank and Nat.