[Aquamarine]

Welcome to The Finest!

Come read the latest edition of
JohnHuang2's best essay - ever!

[ThreeYearLurker]

Thank you John Huang 2. Let me be the first to wish a very Happy Birthday, to the greatest First Lady ever, Laura Bush!

[LadyX]

Your presentation is topnotch, Miss Aqua!
It is a time of jubilation in America, and the glow will linger for a long time.

Our fervent petitions were heard by a merciful Father, and we every day must proceed with praise and thanks to Him, and a renewed determination and effort to take back our America from those who have been destroying it.

~~~ His Light has shone upon us ~~~

[Diver Dave]

Kudos for the excellent essay and graphic presentation.

'fraid I've picked up a contagious disease...GLOATING.

I called the dr and he said it will wear off eventually, no definite time table, could last days, weeks, or even up to 4 years. It just has to run its course. No known cure so I guess I'm stuck with it.

Be careful everyone -- It spreads like wildfire.

[Aeronaut]

Good morning Aqua.

[Pippin]

HAPPY BIRTHDAY LAURA BUSH!!!!!!!

[The Mayor]

November 4, 2004

"Retronyms"

Read: John 3:1-17

Do not marvel that I said to you, "You must be born again." —John 3:7

Bible In One Year: Jeremiah 32-33; Hebrews 1

---

What do regular coffee, acoustic guitars, and black-and-white television have in common? All are what journalist Frank Mankiewicz calls "retronyms"—words or phrases created because a familiar word needs to be distinguished from a term that refers to a new development or invention.

Once, all coffee was regular, all guitars were acoustic, and all TVs were black and white. Not so today, thus the need for a growing list of retronyms, including decaf mocha java, electric guitar, and high-def television.

It could be said that Jesus turned the phrase physical birth into a retronym when He told an inquiring man named Nicodemus, "Unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God" (John 3:3).

Nicodemus was a religious person who didn't grasp the idea of second birth. "How can a man be born when he is old?" he asked Jesus. "Can he enter a second time into his mother's womb and be born?" (v.4). Jesus further explained the difference between being born of the flesh and being born of the Spirit, then concluded, "Do not marvel that I said to you, 'You must be born again'" (v.7).

Our Christian life begins when we invite Jesus to live within us. It's a miracle! We're born again. —David McCasland

Rejoice, O soul, the debt is paid,
For all our sins on Christ were laid;
We've been redeemed, we're justified—
And all because the Savior died. —D. De Haan

Natural life came by God's breath; eternal life comes by Christ's death.

[GailA]

Good morning FInest..GLOAT, GLOAT, GLOAT. Praise GOD for this victory.

I'm functioning..just barely. Kid brought in a 'bug' on top of all else and it bite me hard.

Thank you all for your prayers they helped me get thorough the second worse time in my life.

[deadhead]

Gloating here in New York!!

[dansangel]

((((((Aqua))))) and (((((JH2)))))))

I was offline yesterday because Adelphia, once again, chose to go down. It was extremely frustrating to *not* be able to join in the festivities - in fact, .45MAN and I weren't even sure of the election results until late morning because the cable TV was down as well.

At any rate, I am *not* gloating, exactly the way JH2 chose not to gloat - LOL:

((((((HUGS)))))) to all at the Finest!

[Issaquahking]

Gloat? Why would I want to do that? Just because the nation is going in the right direction, and that we are getting bigger and stronger than ever, you would think that I might gloat? Dancing in the streets -YES! Shouting Four more Years, YES!! but gloat....naw,never!!!

[Texagirl4W]

I'm trying so hard not to gloat !!!

(not)

[tuliptree76]

Excellent essay! Thank you.

[Billie]

No Gloating, Please!

Ha! "It's My Party and I'll Gloat If I Want To!"

YIPPPPPPPPEEEEEEEE!! WHOO HOOOOOOO!!! HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!

[ST.LOUIE1]

Morning, doll! Excellent graphics. : )

King, as King you must issue a proclamation, ( for those who are timid about gloating)...

'Gloat or lose your head! : )

Of course Queen Billie will come along and rescind your order.....she can't stand the sight of blood. : )

[Kitty Mittens]

Thank you, Aqua and JohnHuang for this fabulous essay! : )