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!

[alwaysconservative]

Blessings to you and yours, Dolly. My heart is with you today.

[Peach]

You gave Oliver a great life, Dolly. May the comfort of friends help you right now. Love, Peach

[Jemian]

I can't attend in person, but you know my spirit will be with you as you give Oliver this tribute of love.

[freema]

Do that. This is one of the candies that tastes just as good now as it did then!

[freema]

Nearly choked on my coffee...darling story!

[freema]

I am sorry to hear about Oliver.

[snugs]

God Bless you Dolly hope you get to the service as I am sure it will do you good.

Though I am certain it will be upsetting to you I hope that the service for Oliver will be of comfort to you.

Love
Eleanor

[apackof2]

Beautiful picture

Oliver was a special gift that the Lord lend to a special owner

Oliver now resides (and waits for you) in the "mansion" the Lord has prepared for you

[The Mayor]

December 18, 2005

Born In Us

Read:
Micah 5:1-5

Bethlehem Ephrathah, . . . out of you shall come forth to Me the One to be Ruler in Israel. —Micah 5:2

Bible In One Year: 1 Timothy 1-3

During a visit to England's picturesque Stratford-upon-Avon, I was struck by how a town's identity and future can be affected just because someone was born there. Every year, half a million people come to visit the birthplace of William Shakespeare, whom some consider the most influential playwright in the English language.

And what about Bethlehem? With the birth of Jesus, Micah's prophecy of significance was fulfilled: "But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of you shall come forth to Me the One to be Ruler in Israel, whose goings forth are from of old, from everlasting" (Micah 5:2). Bethlehem is defined by Jesus' birth.

Isn't the same true for us? When Christ comes to live in us, we are changed. No longer just ordinary human beings, we become the dwelling place of the Holy Spirit. Our identity and destiny are marked by Him, just as surely as a town becomes known for the significant person who was born there.

Christmas is a wonderful time to celebrate the presence of Christ in us, and the change He brings to all who invite Him in. —David McCasland

O holy Child of Bethlehem,
Descend to us, we pray;
Cast out our sin and enter in—
Be born in us today. —Brooks

God came to live with us so we could live with Him.

FOR FURTHER STUDY
Religion Or Christ: What's The Difference?

[GodBlessUSA]

Good Morning Dolly,
That's a beautiful picture of Oliver. I'm thinking of you. I'll say a prayer at 4 today.

[freema]

Was this choice of post a "coincidence'?

[The Mayor]

Would have to be, I post them as they are in their website..
http://www.rbc.org/odb/index-12-05.html

[Billie]

We are thinking of you today and our hearts will be with you as
you place little Oliver in the ground where he loved to run and play.

[freema]

Well then, a much deserved "WHOAAAAAAAAAAAAAA" is in order, my standard response for things of this nature +

[luvie]

THE REASON FOR THE SEASON

The Christmas Story

So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee
To Bethlehem the town of David,
He went there to register with Mary,
who was pledged to be married to him
and was expecting a child.
While they were there, the time came
for the baby to be born,
and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son.
She wrapped him in cloths
and placed him in a manger
because there was no room for them in the inn.
An angel of the Lord appeared to them,
and the glory of the Lord shown around them,
and they were terrified.
But the angel said to them,
"Do not be afraid.
I bring you good news of great joy
that will be for all the people.
Today in the town of David
a Savior has been born to you;
He is Christ the Lord.
This will be a sign to you:
You will find a baby wrapped in cloths
and lying in a manger."
Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host
appeared with the angel,
praising God and saying,

"Glory to God in the highest,
and on earth peace to men
on whom his favor rests."

Luke 2:1-7, 9-14

[luvie]

[click on picture]


~~~~~~~~~
"Heaven Opened Up Its Doors"
by Jeff Russell
aka Texas Songwriter

[GodBlessUSA]

This is sooo incredibly beautiful Luv! I just showed and read it to my daughter and she started singing, Hark! The Herald Angels Sing :)

[luvie]

Thank you so much! Give her a big hug from LUV!!!

God bless the children...they get it.

I have to go now. See ya this evening some time! ((((hugs))))

[GodBlessUSA]

Have a great day!
HUGS!

[GodBlessUSA]

We always love to see this beautiful table and listen to Txsongwriters songs. :)

See you later :)