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!

[GodBlessUSA]

Good Morning The Mayor
As always, I enjoyed your post this morning. Have a nice Sunday. :)

[anonymoussierra]

Thank you

[anonymoussierra]

Outstanding. Thank you

[Just A Nobody]

Thank you snugs! I really appreciate these photos!

[LadyX]

Your 4 p.m. service will be quite crowded with many of us *there* -
we will celebrate his life of devotion with you, Dolly.
God is with us all, and Oliver surely in His Kingdom.

Love and hugs,

M

[LadyX]

To merely worship God alone is to deny his marvelous gift for everyday life!

"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."

Acknowledging The Holy Spirit within us and interacting with Him enables us to trust and lean upon Him and follow His direct direction...effectively guiding us through the quicksands and quagmires of living.

[The Mayor]

Amen M. Amen..

[LadyX]

Whie we had steady rain yesterday and last night, it remained above freezing, and is in the 50s by day.

We had none of the earlier ice storm that went well above us, and were so glad we 10 years ago moved here from North Carolina.
Our very beautiful woods (hardwoods) and house there were 20 miles from Greensboro and medical help, and we realized our physical limitations would make it impossible to chop wood, or even carry it into the house to use in the fireplace for warmth, should the power be off. There were numerous times when ice and/or snow made driving treacherous, and we no longer have to shovel our way out to civilization.
The nearest loaf of bread was 6 1/2 miles away...

God directed us first to a beautiful house by the lake here to rest in Him for 2 1/2 years - and then when it was becoming beyond me to maintain the wonderful but sloping yard down to it, He led us to this house near everything - a corner lot with lots of trees, and level ground.

He knows our needs and meets them when we let go of the reins and willingly follow Him day by day.

[LadyX]

In light of the fact some churches will not have services this Christmas Sunday, "interfering" with morning opening of gifts, Santa or midday dinners, mine here has the following:

** Christmas Eve Carol & Candlelight Service Saturday at 6 p.m. **
** Joint Christmas Worship Service at 10:30 a.m. **
(instead of Contemporary one at 8:30 and Conventional One at 11)

God rightly comes first.....

[The Mayor]

We will be attending Church on Christmas day, talk about the best way to celebrate His Birth...

[Darksheare]

Afternoon!

Nothing much going on my way.

[deadhead]

Saying prayers for Oliver and for you now.

[deadhead]

"In light of the fact some churches will not have services this Christmas Sunday"

I was reading about this last week, unbelievable. Sitting here shaking my head.

[doug from upland]

You may enjoy this, particularly the first question and response.

[The Mayor]

Please join us here for Military Monday

[tuliptree76]

Good evening, everyone. GBUSA, you did a lovely job with the thread this weekend. I'm sorry it took me a while to get here. I hope you all had a good weekend. I've been so busy lately with getting ready for Christmas, as I'm sure you all have. I finally got a chance to decorate, but I still haven't gotten a chance to make this year's ornament wreath. I have a few days left, so I should be able to squeeze in it's assembly during the next few days.

[tuliptree76]

That is a beautiful picture of Oliver, Dolly. I hope all went well at the funeral, considering. Praying for you and Oliver.

[GodBlessUSA]

Hi tuliptree :)
This week I have so much to do for Christmas. I procrastinated a bit. LOL so I'll pay for that in the next few days.

I wanted to make your wreath too. I would love to do that still. I would like my daughter to make them too and give one to Grandma and my sisters. I hope I can fit it in. It is such a great idea. :)

Have a great day!

[PreviouslyA-Lurker]

I hope it is a Merry Christmas for you and your family.

PAL