[Billie]

Good Morning, Finest FReepers!

A treat today! essay is written by Diver Dave .... it's not the first one he's written for us and I sure hope it's not his last, because *these* are my favorite kinds of threads to do: where someone else does the writing, and I get to do all the pictures and tables and decide how to put it together!

~ Billie

[Choose Ye This Day]

If I may, everyone should start their day reading over at Michael Yon's blog (if they haven't already), one of our soldier's own firsthand account of the good that our troops are doing in Iraq.

Here's the FR thread:

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/1612440/posts

[Billie]

Thank you again for today's thread - it's so easy and so much fun to *do* your essays. You practically paint the pictures by yourself, so there's no question, really, what to look for in graphics! :)

I am tired and going to call it a day. Will be back later in the morning. :)

[MEG33]

Applause! What a treat to read this before retiring..Thank you for a peek into your family. You are loved, Diver Dave!
It is so true that we should share these good memories and love with the living person..not wait for the eulogy.

Beautiful presentation and pledge, Billie. Thank You!

[MHGinTN]

Thank you for the ping, Artist Lady. DD's essay renews my desire to write a biography of my beloved Grandfather for the reading pleasure of the nineteen grandchildren who loved him so.

[.30Carbine]

I'm with Billie:

Thank you, Dave, for an outstanding essay and proof of why you are part of the Finest team!

[GodBlessUSA]

This is absolutely wonderful. What a priceless birthday gift! I'd love to create a book like this for family.
Gorgeous Billie :)

[The Mayor]

April 11, 2006

The Glorious Sunset

Read:
Psalm 71:9-18

At evening time it shall happen that it will be light. —Zechariah 14:7

Bible In One Year: 1 Samuel 17-18; Luke 11:1-28

It is wonderful to be young, with clear sight, acute hearing, elastic step, pulses drumming to the march of exhilarating health. But old age has glories that youth cannot know. It is a blessed old age indeed if it ends brightly at evening time.

Old age celebrates the harvest—youth the sowing. Like fruit in the fall, the harvest of old age will either dry up and wither, or grow mellow and sweeter as it ripens.

You cannot escape the advancing years. Youth stays long enough only to strengthen our shoulders for the burdens ahead. Life leads inevitably to the evening time. But the best things are the oldest things—things that have endured and stood the test of time. God Himself—though not bound by time—is called the Ancient of Days (Daniel 7:9).

So don't be ashamed to own your age. Everything that abides must become old: mountains, rivers, oceans, stars.

But the evening time of life can be bright only if we have the One who is the Light as our evening Sun. Nothing is sadder than an aging person facing eternity without Jesus. And nothing is sweeter than a gently mellowing Christian, still growing and resting in Christ as he faces God's tomorrow with confidence. —M. R. De Haan, M.D.

So I journey with rejoicing
Toward the city of God's light,
While each day my joy is deeper,
And the pathway grows more bright. —Hoffman

It is a strange thing that, while all would live long, none would be old. —Benjamin Franklin

FOR FURTHER STUDY
Finishing Well

April 11, 2006

The Glorious Sunset

Read:
Psalm 71:9-18

At evening time it shall happen that it will be light. —Zechariah 14:7

Bible In One Year: 1 Samuel 17-18; Luke 11:1-28

It is wonderful to be young, with clear sight, acute hearing, elastic step, pulses drumming to the march of exhilarating health. But old age has glories that youth cannot know. It is a blessed old age indeed if it ends brightly at evening time.

Old age celebrates the harvest—youth the sowing. Like fruit in the fall, the harvest of old age will either dry up and wither, or grow mellow and sweeter as it ripens.

You cannot escape the advancing years. Youth stays long enough only to strengthen our shoulders for the burdens ahead. Life leads inevitably to the evening time. But the best things are the oldest things—things that have endured and stood the test of time. God Himself—though not bound by time—is called the Ancient of Days (Daniel 7:9).

So don't be ashamed to own your age. Everything that abides must become old: mountains, rivers, oceans, stars.

But the evening time of life can be bright only if we have the One who is the Light as our evening Sun. Nothing is sadder than an aging person facing eternity without Jesus. And nothing is sweeter than a gently mellowing Christian, still growing and resting in Christ as he faces God's tomorrow with confidence. —M. R. De Haan, M.D.

So I journey with rejoicing
Toward the city of God's light,
While each day my joy is deeper,
And the pathway grows more bright. —Hoffman

It is a strange thing that, while all would live long, none would be old. —Benjamin Franklin

FOR FURTHER STUDY
Finishing Well

[EsmeraldaA]

Thank you DiverDave!

[Mama_Bear]

Thank you, Diver Dave and Billie. A beautifully presented essay from one of FR's Finest contributors. I could feel the love woven through your words, Dave. It made me smile. Encore!! :-)

[PreviouslyA-Lurker]

Thank you for the ping, Billie.