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!

[DollyCali]

Hi PrissyMissy... that sure is A PURTY table.. did you do it yourself or did grandma Amy give you a "little" help?

dutchess doesn't seem to be around, so I will eat her chocolate cake!!!

Wonder if Mr. dutchess swept her away on a surprise get away?

I am recalling a surprise birthday party I had for my hubby one year.

We were stationed in the Canal zone. He was on the admiral's staff there & I planned a pretty big shin dig. Lots of gourmet food & top shelf drinks.

About 60 folks (INCLUDING THE ADMIRAL) were there.. waiting... and waiting... and waiting for the guest of honor.

Bob was supposed to be home at 8 from handling some things the admiral gave him to do. Well Bob figured things out apparently. He showed up at 11. Went to the base movie. Everyone waited including the admiral. Needless to say, all were pretty "happy" by the time B got there.

When he came they all broke out in "Every party has a pooper, that's why we invited you....".

He thought he was clever. Most people involved thought he was a bad sport. I did too & later divorced him! (much, later)

:-)

Now, I don't think our dutchess is doing this.. just passing on the story.

Oh, just to let everyone know that THEY ARE SAFE FROM MURHPY... he is still here. My furnace died sometime in middle of last night. House is getting chilly. Our man is out of town until Tuesday & I will wait as a repair on holiday weekend will be pretty expensive to call someone from phone book. The sewer or septic is still not working & one of the circuits in the house went out. Man this is SUCH fun!

I just took a nice hot bath.. felt good & wont drain the water.. will just let it naturally seep down (as it has always done).. Fortunately it is to be in 50's & 60's the next few days.

Going out later to dinner & to see Harry Potter. after dog walk at nearby cemetery (also contiguous to national park where they can run freely)

will check in later to see if birthday girl has arrived for her PAR-TAY.

[DollyCali]

[Kitty Mittens]

Happy Birthday Dutchess!

[dutchess]

Oh my Dolly. Finally just getting here today. Slept in then had a 3 hour "exhausting" flight lesson! LOVE the card! Thanks sistah! You just brightened my day! ((((dolly)))))

[dutchess]

Thanks weinie and lonestar. And prayers for your friend.

[dutchess]

Hi LUV. Thanks for the birthday wishes....LOVE the sparkley card!

[dutchess]

Awe...very sweet card GeeBee. THANKS :0)

[dutchess]

Thanks Rus. LOVE the party "animal" LOL!

[dutchess]

Hi snugs. Thanks for your colorful birthday wishes. Feel like I stepped into a surprise party!!!!

[dutchess]

Hi Amy. Thanks for your lovely card and birthday wishes! And so glad to hear the you're on the mend. Keep up those exercises sistah!

[dutchess]

Oh...and now the Beatles... It really is a party :o)!!!!!

[dutchess]

Thanks Jack and Bailey. Maybe I'll have to put a birthday hat on Giz and Rusty (NOT!!!...rusty would have it eaten up in about two seconds LOL!)

[dutchess]

Oh what a cute card billie. What a surprise! And I did just return from flying LOL!!! Thanks sistah. (didn't see you freepmail until now :o) )

[dutchess]

Hi Colleen. Thanks for the birthday wishes. Also, got back to the pet thread late the other day. JUST LOVE your shower curtain with Lucy. That is WAY TOO COOL!!!!!!!

[luvie]

Thanks, Dutchess....hope it has been a great birthday! (((hugs)))

[dutchess]

Well, darlin', another year older and you're still as pretty as ever.

Aren't you the sweeting wolfie in these parts. Thanks for the cute card sweet brotha

((((((wolfie))))))

[dutchess]

YUM....chocolate cake. Would love to share some with you. (also can't wait to see pictures of you in your dance recital!!!!) ((((prissy))))

[dutchess]

Oh...thanks for the beautiful flowers kitty!!! Hope you had a wonderful holiday weekend.

[dutchess]

Oh sweet maggie. Thanks for the adorable birthday greetings. You are such a special part of the finest. ((((maggie))))))

[EsmeraldaA]