A Few of FR's Finest...Every Day...12/16-18/05 ....Christmas In The Heart

Sgt. Rodney Murray, Freema & GodBlessUSA

[GodBlessUSA]

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, Dolly Cali, Mama_Bear, GodBlessUSA ~

We received the following in FR mail from freema last week and wanted to share it with you today.

"The following poem was written by a local soldier, Sgt. Rodney A. Murray on December 16, 2003. He collected toys for Iraqi children, and taught at our high school for two days before getting called up. His wife is one of the sweetest women I've ever had the pleasure to meet.

Rodney was killed on Mother’s Day, 2004, in a vehicle accident between Baghdad and Scania when his Humvee was sideswiped by a passing tank.

Rodney joined the Army Reserves in July of 2000 and was called to Iraq on February 11, 2003. Rodney left on February 14. Ten months later he was able be with his wife on

December 16, just in time to celebrate their three-year wedding anniversary and wrote the following poem. Rodney left again on December 30."

In Memory Of Sgt. Rodney A. Murray


All I want for Christmas is to see my wife,
Friends and family, be at home, that's all.
The young soldier really meant it.
And a bit of guilt he did feel
Of having his miracle come true;
Though not enough to change his plan;
With no kids to play Santa to, yet,
Some with such would have to stay.
Of all such days, Holiest of Holy,
Every soldier, every national, every vulnerable Citizen of this ravaged land
We claim to help should be able to celebrate.
But cold mornings in a lonely guard shack,
Riding lonely desolate supply routes
Tries to deny the celebratory mood.
And chaos and beastly acts alike
Try to rid others of a celebration of sorts.
A ruthless dictator captured
Becomes a festive celebration to some.
While others will avoid, hopefully,
Festive ending fiasco
In loss of life and will.
That's how they'll spend Christmas
If only that reason to celebrate.
Others cling to hope as their Yule Tide;
Hope for home soon from a foreign land,
Hope for a home,
Civilization in a lack luster land,
Hope for a difference one made
Or hope just to make it out alive, another day.
But it's guaranteed, the soldiers who
Have to stay in an Unsilent Night,
A non Holy Night,
Will instinctively glance at their watches,
When subtracting eight equals twenty-fifth at home.
And they'll silently utter Merry Christmas
From the heart to spouses and brothers,
Friends, loved ones, fathers and mothers.
But there's the rub. Like you at home,
All nestled and nice, calm and comfy,
They'll have Christmas in the Middle East.
For it will be in the heart, in grateful
Honor and remembrance of that Holy Night,
When the world received the greatest gift,
Wrapped in Hope, Grace, Mercy, In Love,
For all mankind.
Such will have Christmas
In their hearts, where it should be.
While others in that land,
The one promised to Abraham's seed
Will know nothing of it.
For they must of followed Ischmael's seed
Instead of Issac's.
No Christmas for them.
Can they even tell you their "Messiah's" birthday?
Death date would probably be easier,
But they'll claim to tell you what he wants
You to do to get to Heaven, maybe even
Doing away with ones that follow
That First Noel-
Cause in it you do nothing to get to Heaven,
Save receive the gift,
The Christ in Christmas.
So, you don't take for granted this Holy Season,
And grumble for lack of parking spaces.
Don't let crowds confound you
Or busy bustle bring a frown to you.
Love the busy schedule of family and friends,
Give in honor of the birth of Him who gave
You All.
Remember, some won't have Christmas,
And some will have it merely in their hearts.
Merry Christmas Rodney Murray ~ 12-16-2003

09-27-05 ~ Hall of Fame #13

THIS WEEK'S THREADS 12-12-05 Military Monday 12-13-05 Finest Christmas Tables, Part II 12-14-05 Finest Christmas Tables, Part II, cont'd 12-15-05 Dems to U.S. Troops: It's not too late to lose! But time's running out.

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

[dixie sass]

The "5 & 10 cent store" or Woolworths went out of business years ago. I think K-Martt absorbed them. What a shame. There lunch counters were always packed. They would always have the best burgers and grilled cheese sandwiches and fries around.

When we were kids, we would go there to buy presents with our carefully hoarded nickels and dimes at Christmas time.

Does anyone remember Evening in Paris? How about Tangee lipstick. Oh, what fun we had...

[snugs]

Thanks for the link in UK I cannot remember Woolworth's selling food to eat their some stores did sell food but mainly nowadays it is just sweets (candy).

[snugs]

What I lovely tree. I love the way you have decorated up the stairs as well. I went with dad to his hospital appointments yesterday; at one hospital they were advertising a Christmas Service and prayer meeting in the chapel and at the other they had a tree and stairs decoration very similar to yours.

I tried to take a picture of the tree but the lighting was all wrong I did however manage a photo of advertising for the Christmas Service at the first hospital.

This sign was placed where everyone would see just outside the hospital shop; where you can get a mixture of items that one might like or need when you are in hospital. It does a great service and is run by volunteers, though prices are fairly high I try to support it because for some people without family it is a lifeline whilst in hospital.

Here is another photo of some Christmas decorations at the same hospital placed on the windowsills

[GodBlessUSA]

I forgot to say and wanted to say, that is such a cute graphic! :)

[snugs]

Here are some of the navity scences I promised from our local State Primary Schools (I think you call them public schools). I will sort some others out later today but must go and finish my shopping first.

Larger Version

[Mama_Bear]

"Does anyone remember Evening in Paris?

LOL! Oh, what memories that brings back! Yes, I remember "Evening in Paris". To me, as a little girl, I thought it had the most beautiful blue bottle - nevermind that the stuff smelled absolutely horrible. I thought it was a great gift....because I could afford it (with a little help from my dad). My mom got several bottles from me over the years, LOL, and she always acted thrilled.

I also remember the lunch counter at Woolworths. It was such a treat when Mom and I would go and have an ice cream sundae. It was a REALLY big deal if we actually had lunch there! T'was a simpler time then. I was on the top of the world if I left Woolworths with a nickle roll of Necco Wafers. :-)

[Mama_Bear]

Beautiful decorations, Earthdweller. I think I can smell your Christmas tree. :-)

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!

[Mama_Bear]

Thanks for sharing your photos with us, snugs. I am enjoying the sights of Christmas in snugs' world. :-)

[LadyX]

Well, Cuzzin Dixie - - although we *might feel* like we're 453, we don't look a day over 167, 166 or 132, respectively..:))

"The "5 & 10 cent store" or Woolworths went out of business years ago. I think K-Mart absorbed them. What a shame. There lunch counters were always packed. They would always have the best burgers and grilled cheese sandwiches and fries around.

When we were kids, we would go there to buy presents with our carefully hoarded nickels and dimes at Christmas time.

Does anyone remember Evening in Paris? How about Tangee lipstick. Oh, what fun we had..."

As I posted earlier, in Greensboro, my husband's store was literally right next door to the Woolworth's store that was the site of the Sit-In in 1960.

It was a block from the Courthouse, and of course all the small stores downtown had greatly reduced customer traffic by the 80's, and competition because of the many malls that were subsequently built. It was almost impossible to find a parking place anywhere near the downtown stores.

I several times ate at the lunch counter there, and yes!! - the grilled cheese sandwiches and hamburgers were exceptionally good!!
Of course I frequented many other Woolworth stores throughout my life, and remember vividly still one being the cause of GREAT EMBARRASSMENT for me as a mere child of 5...:(
My sister, Carolyn, and I were given a 25 cents allowance if we cleaned our bedroom on Saturday mornings, and we'd go to the Matinee at one of two theaters in Coral Gables, Florida. It cost a nickel to get in, and the rest went for goodies; usually the little wax bottle of sweet liquid and Milk Duds for me.

Afterward, we often cruised through the nearby Woolworth's to see things we might desire, and one day I picked up a small red ball and begged Carolyn to get it for me...she said NO, but always teased me, and I truly thought she had relented and paid for it...when I got home and was bouncing it on the sidewalk, she was aghast, and told Mom I had taken it without paying for it...oh me oh my!!

Little Miss Margaret was made to walk back to the store with Big Sister, approach the Manager and confess I had taken it without paying for it.
He wisely accepted it back without a lecture, and did NOT reward me for the 'honesty' and apology by giving it to me...I'd have picked up a handful of red hot lava before I'd touch it again, anyway!!

Oh, yes - in those simpler days, when little, we'd agonize over what to get for Mom for Christmas or birthdays - Evening in Paris perfume was so pretty a bottle, as you said, Lori - and I remember being 9 and selecting a set of small juice glasses with red roses on them for her - we had a citrus grove by the house and they would be useful as well as ornamental..:))
They were still in use when I last left home at age 27...

Tangee lipstick?!! The first kind I sneaked and tried at 15!! Very waxy orangey color, it was. I was not allowed to wear lipstick until 16.

In Greensboro, they opened a Woolworth store in a large mall after downtown closed, and for $5 I bought a pretty teakettle I still use to this day - white enamel with flowers on it. That store, too, closed sometime around 1993?

[McCrory's was another similar dime store chain]

[luvie]

Lovely memories, Lady...and very similar to some of mine. I just love your stories. You should write a book...if you haven't already!

[Excuse_My_Bellicosity]

Here's one for Diver Dave, not sure what's happening here:

051214-N-1577S-001 Pacific Ocean (Dec. 14, 2005) - Electronics Technician 2nd Class David Tynes, and Machinist’s Mate 2nd Class John Garcia conduct top side pilot checks before the Deep Submergence Rescue Vehicle Mystic (DSRV-1) dives off the coast of southern California. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate 3rd Class Timothy F. Sosa (RELEASED)

051215-N-2103B-002 Atlantic Ocean (Dec. 15, 2005) – The guided missile destroyer USS Ramage (DDG 61) breaks away from the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) after a replenishment at sea operation. Eisenhower is currently underway in the Atlantic Ocean conducting routine operations. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate Airman Christopher Molinari (RELEASED)

051214-N-4565G-001 Atlantic Ocean (Dec. 14, 2005) - The conventionally-powered aircraft carrier USS John F Kennedy (CV 67) returns home to Mayport, Fla. after completing carrier qualifications at sea. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate 3rd Class Tommy Gilligan (RELEASED)

051214-N-0490C-001 Atlantic Ocean (Dec. 14, 2005) - A RIM-116 Rolling Airframe Missile (RAM) launches off the port side of the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69), during an exercise designed to demonstrate the ship’s self-defense combat system. The RIM-116 RAM is designed as an all-weather, high-firepower, low-cost, self-defense system against anti-ship cruise missiles and other asymmetric threats. Eisenhower is underway conducting routine operations. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate Second Class Miguel A. Contreras (RELEASED)

[The Mayor]

December 17, 2005

Unopened Gifts

Read:
John 14:12-31

I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever. —John 14:16

Bible In One Year: 2 Peter 1-3

Can you imagine a child on Christmas morning leaving his presents unopened? Yet, millions of people are doing something like that by ignoring or rejecting Jesus Christ as their Savior. Everyone has a gift with a tag that reads: TO: (your name) FROM: God. But it can be opened only by repentance and faith.

God hasn't given us just one gift, however. He singled out a second gift-giving occasion. At Christmastime, we celebrate God's gift of His Son to the world. But on the Day of Pentecost, He and His Son together gave to believers another gift—the Holy Spirit (John 14:16; 16:7).

Again, imagine a child at Christmas who opens just one package but leaves all the others tightly wrapped. Today the Holy Spirit indwells every believer, yet we often fail to make full use of all that He has given to us. If we ask Him, the Holy Spirit will lead us into a better understanding of God's Word, give us the assurance of God's care and keeping power, and transform us into Christ's likeness.

This Christmas, let's consider the significance of the Holy Spirit's coming and ask the Lord to help us experience all of His benefits more fully.

Don't leave any of God's gifts unopened. —Dennis De Haan

Let the fullness of Your Spirit
Fall upon us here this hour;
How we need a new anointing
Of the Holy Ghost and power. —Jarvis

The Father gave us the Spirit to make us like His Son.

FOR FURTHER STUDY
How Can I Be Filled With The Holy Spirit?

[luvie]

Good Saturday morning, to you Mayor! Hope you're having a nice lazy weekend!

Thanks for our lesson from God's Word. We have the gift of everlasting life if we are His!

[ST.LOUIE1]

A pretty thread by a pretty lady, (((((*GeeBee*)))))

And a wonderful poem by a special guy.

And loaded with music. Your thread has it all. A real treat. : )

[ST.LOUIE1]

AhhhhhRoooooo!

: )

[luvie]

Well, lookey who is in the room! How are you this fine weekend? Stayin' warm?

[ST.LOUIE1]

Here's a heartwarming story

Very nice indeed.

Hi, ((((Meggsie)))))

[ST.LOUIE1]

Yoo Hoo! Wolfie.....over here - lots of little red riding hoods. :)

WOWEEE! AhhhhhhRoooooo!!!!!

Afternoon, sweet (((((BillieBlue)))))

[ST.LOUIE1]

Yep, stayin' warm and checkin' out all the pretty ladies at the Finest. : )

Do you need warmin' up?

[ST.LOUIE1]

Hi, Rus! Hope you're having a good day. : )