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!

[LadyX]

Was just circling One More Time, hoping for good news before going to bed!
Thank you, Amy, for letting us know The Wanderer is home, safe and sound.

Dolly - may your Sunday be truly tranquil, with no more challenges....

[DollyCali]

FReeper FRiends..

cannot tell you what a spiritual experience this was..

Truly

I had no plans on leaving the area despite the cold, snow etc.

outside from 5 until 11:30.. it was a roller coaster of emotions. I spent prolly 5 of those hours in the woods. HEAVY, deep, rugged woods. Because of the heavy snow it was bright. once your eyes acclimate, it is almost like day. The last 2 hours I had Toby on Leash & he was tracking Oliver. We went up & down slippery/snow covered steep 200' slopes. I noted he was heading sourth towards Brandywine falls.. . took me about 45 min to return to car where patient friend was waiting. My back was aching & my groin injury although healing had mega stress.

But the last 3 hours I became immersed in glorious peace. I knew Oliver was OK.. not alive.. but OK.

Man, what power that is.

I got to the car & asked my friend to drive a few miles south into another section of the national park..He was very dubious. I got out & called at a bridge(over the river where I was just hiking further up stream).. got back into car & asked him to turn into another area & in a few minutes O was circling the car.

Does prayer work? Does linking with the divine work?

Home now.. (to cold house w/o working furnace, no sewer & half power in house out) but very happy. Oliver is limping strongly. Was hungry & thirsty

I know a lot of people say that shouldn't let him run like that.. he will stay safe. They also tell me I should not do excessive hiking, road biking for 75 mile or cross country ski for 15 miles.. I " might get hurt" and my feeling are that I would MUCH rather die doing an activity I love EARLY than have a major illness to wither away.

FRiends.. I cannot tell you how much I felt the power of prayer & peace.. Thank you. I had only Dutchess & Amy's phone number in my cell phone. didn't want to bother D on her b'day so did call Amy. thanks for relaying the message. I knew my Christian animal lovers would pray for my strength & O's journey. Oliver is very bonded to me & I knew that only death or severe injury would keep him from connecting w/me & vice versa.

I have one other piece of good ... NO GREAT news. My niece, FReeper Tweety in Ohio is married to a wonderful Jewish man. Tomorrow he will become a Christian & will be baptized.

Lots of PTL today. who needs plumbing, heat & power?

love dolly

[luvie]

Praise the Lord...for the return of Oliver and for this new Christian! I know you were just worried sick. I'm glad he was okay! (((hug)))

[snugs]

Thank God Dolly that Oliver is safe hope his limp improves overnight.

Also hope you are no worse for wear from being out in the snow and cold for 6 hours.

[snugs]

Great news about Tweety's husband God Bless them both

[DollyCali]

Ha ve a wonderful Lord's Day everyone~

[Peach]

You have a wonderful day too, Dolly. The weekend after Thanksgiving is one of my favorites.

[The Mayor]

Great News Dolly! What an incredible ordeal..

November 27, 2005

Amazing Grace

Read:
Ephesians 2:1-10

Where sin abounded, grace abounded much more. —Romans 5:20

Bible In One Year: 2 Corinthians 4-6

In the 1700s, John Newton went to sea with his father on a merchant ship. Soon after his father retired, Newton was pressed into service on a warship. Facing intolerable conditions, he deserted and later requested a transfer to a slave ship that was soon to set sail for Africa.

Newton hardened himself to the trafficking of human beings, and eventually he became captain of his own slave ship. On May 10, 1748, however, his life was changed forever. His ship encountered a terrifying, violent storm. Just as it seemed that the vessel would sink, Newton cried aloud, "Lord, have mercy upon us!"

That night in his cabin, he began to reflect upon God's mercy. Through faith in Christ's sacrifice for him, John Newton experienced God's amazing grace in a personal way. In time, he left the slave trade and entered Christian ministry. Although he became a preacher of the gospel, he is most remembered for his much-loved hymn "Amazing Grace." It's an amazing testimony of his own experience.

God's Spirit convicts us of sin and gives us the power to forsake it. When we receive Christ as our Savior, He does for us what we are powerless to do in our own strength. That's amazing grace. —Dennis Fisher

Amazing grace—how sweet the sound—
That saved a wretch like me!
I once was lost but now am found,
Was blind but now I see. —Newton

God claims by grace those who have no claim to grace.

FOR FURTHER STUDY
Accepted By God

[apackof2]

Well I am outta the loop!

I didn't know "Oliver" was lost but I am glad he is found and what's with no "working furnace, no sewer & half power in house out" and why didn't your "friend" help you look?

[luvie]

Good morning, Rus. Thank you for breaking the bread of life for us. Amazing really is what the grace is that He has offered to us if we'll but take it.

Hope you have a blessed Sunday...sing out in Church this morning.

[Fierce Allegiance]

Thank you very much for your thoughts and prayers.

[luvie]

[click on picture]
~~~~~~~~~
"Heaven Opened Up Its Doors"
by Jeff Russell
aka Texas Songwriter

[LadyX]

Ah, yes, Rus - Amazing Grace!!

Dolly, your ordeal with Oliver is a lovely illustration of God's beneficence!
You obviously reached that state where all your efforts had not been productive, and you utterly 'rested' in Him, willing to let go of *you* having to 'do it all' - and **yielding** to HIS will for the situation, even if it were the loss of your beloved pet.

Such momemnts of realization of His moving when we step aside and truly trust Him show how God can operate when we are in sync with Him, rather than self.

The more we operate with confidence in that, the more we learn of what is *essential* in this life..:))
God led Oliver to find you the first time - and Oliver will never be truly lost again...

[dutchess]

Dolly....what wonderful news that your beloved Oliver found you. I was so afraid to open up the finest as I know how devastated I would be if Rusty or Giz were lost. The power of prayer indeed!

esmeralda, tuliptree, Victoria, Aqua, LuvW...thanks so much for your lovely birthday wishes. Headed to bed early and missed them until today. Thanks for making the Finest place so special all of you!!! Have a blessed Sunday!

[Billie]

Good morning, sistahs. Hope your dinner last night was the best, dutchess.

Dolly, I am so happy Oliver is okay! My gosh, what a harrowing experience you had yesterday; am so sorry I didn't get here last night and realize what you were going through, not knowing for so many hours where he was and if he was okay or not. As pet owners, most of us *feel* the anguish you were experiencing. Those who are not animal lovers have no idea how much our animals mean to us and what it's like to worry about them when they're missing. You probably squeezed him to pieces when he showed up! I would have. :)

[EsmeraldaA]

I'm so happy that you have your oliver back!

Have a great Sunday everyone.

[Gucho]

Oliver has been found and he seems none the worse for wear


Bump - Good news :)

[lonestar]

I sent word to Oliver that if he even had thoughts about coming to the Bridge as a result of being a runaway, he was going to be emptying the kitty litter boxes for a very long time!

That got his attention!

Glad to be of service.

Weinie

[indcons]

Thanks for another great thread....BUMP.

God bless the heroes who are in harm's way EVERYDAY in Iraq and Afghanistan.

[STARWISE]

Praises that Oliver is home safe where he belongs ... I know the warmth of finding him makes the other discomfort so bearable. Thank God for answered prayers. Enjoy your cuddling today ;).