A Few of FR's Finest....Every Day....11-24 to-27-05...Thanksgiving is GIVING Thanks!

DollyCali | November 24, 2005 | DollyCali

[DollyCali]

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

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

THE FIRST THANKSGIVING DAY PROCLAMATION
President Abraham Lincoln, 1863

The year that is drawing towards its close, has been filled with the blessings of fruitful fields and healthful skies.

To these bounties, which are so constantly enjoyed that we are prone to forget the source from which they come, others have been added, which are of so extraordinary a nature that they cannot fail to penetrate and soften even the heart which is habitually insensible to the ever watchful providence of Almighty God.

In the midst of a civil war of unequalled magnitude and severity, which has sometimes seemed to foreign States to invite and to provoke their aggression, peace has been preserved with all nations, order has been maintained, the laws have been respected and obeyed, and harmony has prevailed everywhere except in the theatre of military conflict; while that theatre has been greatly contracted by the advancing armies and navies of the Union.

Needful diversions of wealth and of strength from the fields of peaceful industry to the national defense have not arrested the plough, the shuttle, or the ship; the axe had enlarged the borders of our settlements, and the mines, as well of iron and coal as of the precious metals, have yielded even more abundantly than heretofore.

Population has steadily increased, notwithstanding the waste that has been made in the camp, the siege and the battle-field; and the country, rejoicing in the consciousness of augmented strength and vigor, is permitted to expect continuance of years with large increase of freedom.

No human counsel hath devised nor hath any mortal hand worked out these great things. They are the gracious gifts of the Most High God, who, while dealing with us in anger for our sins, hath nevertheless remembered mercy. It has seemed to me fit and proper that they should be solemnly, reverently and gratefully acknowledged as with one heart and voice by the whole American People.

I do therefore invite my fellow citizens in every part of the United States, and also those who are at sea and those who are sojourning in foreign lands, to set apart and observe the last Thursday of November next, as a day of Thanksgiving and Praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the Heavens.

And I recommend to them that while offering up the ascriptions justly due to Him for such singular deliverances and blessings, they do also, with humble penitence for our national perverseness and disobedience, commend to his tender care all those who have become widows, orphans, mourners or sufferers in the lamentable civil strife in which we are unavoidably engaged, and fervently implore the interposition of the Almighty Hand to heal the wounds of the nation and to restore it as soon as may be consistent with the Divine purposes to the full enjoyment of peace, harmony, tranquility and Union.

Give Thanks
Music Here

Give thanks with a grateful heart
Give thanks to the Holy One
Give thanks because He's given
Jesus Christ, His Son

(Repeat twice)

And now, Let the weak say "I am strong"
Let the poor say "I am rich"
Because of what the Lord has done for us

(Repeat twice)

Give thanks !







Count Your Blessings
Words by Johnson Oatman, 1897
Music Here

Chorus:

Count your blessings
Name them one by one
Count your blessings
See what God has done
Count your blessings
Name them one by one
Count your many blessings
See what God has done

When upon life's billows
You are tempest tossed
When you are discouraged
Thinking all is lost
Count your many blessings
Name them one by one
And it will surprise you
What the Lord has done

Chorus

Are you ever burdened
With a load of care
Does the cross seem heavy
You are called to bear
Count your many blessings
Every doubt will fly
And you will be singing
As the days go by

Chorus

When you look at others
With their lands and gold
Think that Christ has promised
You His wealth untold
Count your many blessings
Money cannot buy
Your reward in heaven
Nor your home on high

chorus

So, amid the conflict
Whether great or small
Do not be discouraged
God is over all
Count your many blessings
Angels will attend
Help and comfort give you
To your journey's end

chorus

"Enter His gates with thanksgiving, and His courts with praise.
Give thanks to Him and praise His name.
For the LORD is good and His love endures forever;
His faithfulness continues through all generations."
(Psalm 100:4-5)

"I do not think of all the misery,
but of the glory that remains.
Go outside into the fields, nature and the sun,
go out and seek happiness in yourself and in God.
Think of the beauty that again and again discharges itself
within and without you and be happy. Anne Frank

"Let us remember that, as much has been given us, much will be expected from us, and that true homage comes from the heart as well as from the lips, and shows itself in deeds."—1901 Theodore Roosevelt

"As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them."
John Fitzgerald Kennedy

"It is the duty of all Nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey his will, to be grateful for his benefits, and humbly to implore his protection and favor." George Washington October 3, 1789 in his first Presidential Proclamation.

Thanksgiving Links

Thanksgiving Timeline

Jackie Lawsons 2005 offering

Turkey Singin the blues

Pumpkin Pie (Jackie Lawson)

11 Commandments of a THANKSGIVING DINNER

Thanksgiving Dinner Family Debate: Liberals vs. Conservatives

09-27-05 ~ Hall of Fame #13

THIS WEEK'S THREADS 11-21-05 Military Monday 11-21-05 Giving Thanks 11-23-05 “Animals are People Too”

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

[Mrs.Nooseman]

:)

[Alberta's Child]

Happy Thanksgiving to you too, Victoria. Thanks for the beautiful graphic and poem!

[Victoria Delsoul]

Happy Thanksgiving to you as well, AC. Hope you have a terrific day.

[Alberta's Child]

Thanks -- I hope so, too. There's a mix of rain and snow here, and I'll be leaving for my folks' place in a few minutes.

Look forward to "seeing" you over the long weekend!

AC

[Mrs.Nooseman]

to you and yours!

[Aquamarine]

Beautiful Post today Dolly. The music section turned out well, am enjoying listening to it now.

Going to the in-laws in a few minutes but wanted to stop by to wish the Finest family (including the newest member Pee Wee) a blessed Thanksgiving.

[Victoria Delsoul]

Hope to see you too, AC. Enjoy your weekend.

[LadyX]

Today, and every day - -

[luvie]

Amen, Lady!

[luvie]

Very beautiful, Aqua!
HAPPY THANKSGIVING TO YOU AND YOURS!!!

[LadyX]

Thank you, Noosie!
Received a call a few minutes ago from son, Kevin, and family in Florida.
Every Thanksgiving, they do it (kinda) Pilgrim style, camping out with old friends and their family - this year in a state park west of Lake Okeechobee.

While in earlier years it was in a tent, they have graduated to a camper pulled by their SUV with all amenities..:))
It has cooking and bathroom facilities, eliminating those middle of the light flashlight trips to a common structure..:))

Their two sons are 17 and 13, and the other couple's children longtime friends of comparable age.

Reminds me of being 10 through 13 when we carried our Thanksgiving feast to the Big Canal bank on our Florida acres to celebrate!

[Mrs.Nooseman]

You are welcome.:)

Wow that is a great way to celebrate Thanksgiving.:)

[snugs]

Thank you Dolly

[snugs]

Thanks for the holidays I will see what I can sort out for some of them.

[LadyX]

Bernie talked with him, too, and said they next all are going canoeing!
The women cooked ahead, and only have to heat dinner when they return.:))

My three children appreciate all our outdoors experiences and camping in various states, and perpetuate it with their children...no better place than seeing His Creations firsthand to give true thanks...

With Thanksgiving dinner already behind me, I just constructed on a sesame seed bun a roast beef/tomato and bacon sandwich!
Then I'm going to read a book I began yesterday -- by the way, it is over 70 degrees here, with plenty of sunshine..:))

[Mrs.Nooseman]

That is so wonderful and you are right.

Enjoy your sandwich and book.:)

[LadyX]

Eleanor, I didn't get back last night to tell you that when I saw the photograph of your lovely greyhound, her "carbon copy" resides with my older son and his wife in Florida!

Years ago they had adopted a rescued male greyhound named Waldo, who when they lived in Colorado Sandy trained to be a Nursing Home Pet Visitor.

He died eventually of old age, and in South Florida, they acquired another "reject" - a sweet one just like yours, they named Jenny!
Now that they are in their new home and a tall fence installed in the backyard, they're going to get a companion for her...

Blessings to you and your Mum amd Dad, dear friend in England...

[LadyX]

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[The Mayor]

Hi M...

Happy Thanksgiving to you and all.
Going out to the inlaws shortly, have a great day!
God Bless!

[daisyscarlett]

What a lovely Thanksgiving thread. I love your border and the pledge graphic. On my screen, the colors all blend in very pleasingly (is that a word, lol) And I especially enjoyed reading the Thanksgiving proclamations.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING TO YOU ALL...