A Few of FR's Finest....Every Day....11-10-05....Smithsonian Bling Blings

Aquamarine

[Aquamarine]

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.

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~ Billie, Mama_Bear, Dutchess, DollyCali ~

Today we take an up close look at some of the rare and historic jewelry collection that's on display at the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History.

Let's face it, none of us will ever have a jewelry collection as striking and large as this one but it's always fun to look!

The pictures and descriptions were taken from
the Smithsonian Gem & Mineral Collection Website.

06-28-05 ~ Hall of Fame #12

THIS WEEK'S THREADS 11-07-05....Military Monday 11-08,09-05....A "Left" Fantasy ~ Kerry Won!

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

[Aquamarine]

[Aquamarine]

Good Morning everyone, I'll be filling in as hostess today. JohnHuang2 should be back with us next week (fingers crossed), in the meantime we can gawk at the Bling Blings. :)

[Aeronaut]

Good morning Aqua.

[Aquamarine]

Hi Aeronaut. It's good to see you here today, haven't seen you in a while.

[Aeronaut]

It's good to see you here today...

Thanks, it's good to be here. I wish I could participate more often, but alas...

[Eaker]

Cool theme!!

We visited the Smithsonian a few years ago. We only scheduled a full day.

Not enough time!

[Aquamarine]

I would love to visit the Smithsonian. Have been to DC before and did alot of sightseeing but that's one of the places I missed.

[Billie]

OHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!
Daddy, can I have this one?

Aqua, today's post is absolutely OUTSTANDING!! You have outdone yourself - more threads please!

[The Mayor]

November 10, 2005

Golden Gods

Read:
Exodus 12:29-42

You shall have no other gods before Me. —Exodus 20:3

Bible In One Year: Acts 1-2

God had seized the attention of Pharaoh and the Egyptians with a series of plagues. Now they were dying to be rid of their Hebrew slaves. But God didn't want the Israelites to leave Egypt empty-handed. After all, they had 400 years of wages due them. So they asked their former masters for articles of silver, gold, and clothing, and they got them. Exodus 12:36 says that the Israelites "plundered the Egyptians."

It wasn't long, however, until God's people fell into idolatry. They used their gold to make a golden calf, which they worshiped while Moses was on Mount Sinai receiving God's law (32:1-4).

This tragic experience highlights the tension that Christians are required to maintain regarding their possessions. There is much in our society that we enjoy, but material things also pose grave dangers when we use them thoughtlessly. Os Guinness says that we are "free to utilize" but "forbidden to idolize." We are "strangers and pilgrims on the earth" (Hebrews 11:13), and we must not become so enamored with "the riches of Egypt" that we grow complacent and forget our true calling.

Are we using our material blessings to serve the Lord? Or have we become slaves to them? —Haddon Robinson

I have an old nature that noisily clamors
To satisfy empty desire;
But God in His goodness has sent me a Helper
Who whispers, "Your calling is higher." —Gustafson

Gold can be a helpful servant but a cruel master.

FOR FURTHER STUDY
Jesus' Parables About Money

[DollyCali]

Woo Hoo! Lovely presentation Aqua! and a topic that I REALLY love. I have a pretty extensive collections of stones & minerals but mine are of the "pauper" variety.

The Smithsonian is a place I love to hang out & the "historic museum" with the gemstone & dinosouar exhibits is one of my favorite buildings. I think I have been to the Smithsonian about a dozen times. I poor weather I do museums in DC, in good weather I do the monuments.

Funny that over the years I have NEVER been to the White House. I always say: Next trip.. but it never happens.

and how can I NOT mention:

Happy Birthday
US Marine Corp!





Semper Fi!

[The Mayor]

The Edmund Fitzgerald is about to be launched at the Great
Lakes Engineering Shipyard in River Rouge just prior to her
launching in June 1958.

The legend lives on from the Chippewa on down
of the big lake they call Gitche Gumee
The lake it is said never gives up her dead
when the skies of November turn gloomy
With a load of iron ore 26,000 tons more
than the Edmund Fitzgerald weighed empty
that good ship and true was a bone to be chewed
when the gales of November came early

30 years ago today the Edmund Fitzgerald sank in Lake Erie.

[The Mayor]

Oops, here's the link to that story.
http://info.detnews.com/history/story/index.cfm?id=114&category=events

[Aquamarine]

LOL, you only want the biggest cut emerald in the world? I was sort of fond of the Napoleon I diamond necklace. :)

Thanks for the nice words, think I can come up with a fresh thread every now and then.

[Aquamarine]

Great message today and it relates so well to the Post.

[Hoodlum91]

BTW - there is a notice at the Smithsonian that these jewels belong to the citizens of the USA...and yet, they won't let me take one home.

[Billie]

Yoo Hoo, Guys, Christmas is coming up - what to get the little lady......remember...diamonds are a girl's best friend. :)

[Aquamarine]

Would love to see your collection of stones & minerals. I have a small collection mostly made up of geodes, a personal favorite which has the rough exterior with the dazzling crystals inside.

Hope you enjoy your day off!

[GodBlessUSA]

Excellent thread. Your pledge is so very lovely!

Diamonds are a girls best friend ;)

[Billie]

That cat's not pampered, not at all. :)

[GodBlessUSA]

I just read about this today for the first time. I was surprised I didn't know of this. I usually know the stories of ship accidents. Hubby former, Coastie.:) This is such a sorrowful story.