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

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, 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!

[Victoria Delsoul]

Hope you're feeling OK, lol.

[Victoria Delsoul]

You have a nice site, Mayor. Thanks.

[Victoria Delsoul]

Thanks so much for your kind words, Dolly.

Now we can both post music. :-)

[Victoria Delsoul]

I guess I have always measured the joy of a holiday or how one's holiday is by what you give...not what you get (and I don't mean gifts/present wise)

I agree with you, Dolly. No matter how big or small our holiday is, what we all share this time of the year is the true spirit of giving.

[DollyCali]

Thank you Jack! Funny & true! No stores for me today!

but I need to get my dogs out. Getting late start.

My noon deliver of washer & dryer is JUST GOING on now.. 4 hours late! the drivers had a good excuse.. their truck was shot at & window shattered. They neeed to have another truck ocme & all things transferred.

[lonestar]

I was called over to a friend's for coffee this morning. She had waited until after Thanksgiving to tell me she was told last week that she has a mass at the top of her right lung.

The doctors have told her it has to come out whether malignant or benign. She has a bronchial (sp?) scope next Monday.

She has asked for your prayers. Her name is Marilyn.

lonestar

I would appreciate your prayers for Aunt Marilyn, too, because she found me and took lonestar to meet me. The rest is history.

Weinie

[deadhead]

lonestar, I am sorry to read that your friend is having health issues.

lonestar and Weinie,

Please know that my thoughts and prayers are with Marilyn / Aunt Marilyn and all of Marilyn's family and friends as she goes through a difficult time. Prayers for the Doc's too, hope Marilyn has the best medical care.

[LadyX]

Dear ,

Lonestar informs us your friend Marilyn is in need of angelic assistance.
Could you please see that she is surrounded with love and comfort, and undergoes the test with confidence, relying on our Heavenly Father?

By the way, we understand a beloved little Yorkie named Sir Lancelot hurried to the bridge last week to greet his earthly master - TexasCowboy!
We can just imagine what a joyous time it was..:))

To show you El Roy's first threads on Free Republic, here is a link to the index of them:

- Go Here for the Reminiscence Threads!! -
The original one was in February of 2001...and was when my friendship with him began....

~ LadyX

[luvie]

Wonderful memories of a larger-than-life man! I didn't even know him, but I can't read his posts without tears forming in my eyes! I wish I had known him.......

God rest his soul!

Also, prayers for Marilyn. God be with her in her situation.

[luvie]

Great poem...and I am one of those on the other side of the counter! And I survived Black Friday! Yipppeeeeee!

[MEG33]

Prayers for your good friend Marilyn.

[deadhead]

"We can just imagine what a joyous time it was..:))"

I am sure it is a joyous time for TexasCowboy aka Cob1, as I knew him best.

Always sadness in the hearts of the loved ones left behind, they will miss him so very much.
Prayers for El Roy's family and friends.

Hope your Thanksgiving was great, Maggie.
We has a wonderful day....still full :-)

[LadyX]

"I survived Black Friday!"

Hey, Luvvy - you and I should go into a partnership next year and mass produce and sell t-shirts, sweatshirts, buttons, caps, etc., that say that, to wear as they shop!!
LOL

I ventured forth at 2 p.m., thinking the first madding crowds would probably have receded, having gone to lunch to fortify for another round, and guessed just right.
Went to Wal-Mart for some essentials (okay - and a few "not so essentials"..:) and it was fairly normal.

They usually have the lowest prices in town on grocery staple items, and merchandise in general..even got windshield washer fluid for 94 cents..:))

I LUV WAL-MART - and could not exist as well without it - so there!!

They also have secure jobs for those who might not have an income at all, unskilled for technical/manufacturing jobs, etc...

I grew up in the Era of Mom & Pop stores, and their necessarily quite high prices...old Sam Walton had a wonderful idea of warehousing and distribution of goods so more could afford better items....no old-fashioned fogy here!!

[LadyX]

I can imagine how grand was your Thanksgiving get-together, Colleen!
Yes, it is hard to be without loved ones in the physical sense,
but comforting to know where they are, without pain or challenges.

I assume you took a few scraps of turkey home to Miss Lucy..:))

[Billie]

So sorry, lonestar, for the news from your friend. Will say a prayer for Marilyn that the lump is benign, and the rest of the weekend she will feel comfort from our prayers.

Do hope you had a good Thanksgiving Day with family and friends.

[deadhead]

We had a wonderful day. Yes, Lucy enjoyed turkey from our day, my sister made sure of that. Lots of leftovers, my sis cooks like my Mom did...for an army.

[MEG33]

Wonderful links..Thanks, Maggie..

[LadyX]

You can appreciate all those things, too, MEG -
it was "Our Time!" and memories.....

[MEG33]

Indeed!(((((((Maggie))))))))))

[Aquamarine]

Said a prayer for Marilyn and will continue to pray for her.