A Few of FR's Finest....Every Day....04-01,02,03-05....T.G.I.F. at the Finest

Billie, Mama_Bear

[Billie]

Beo!! Gosh, where have you been?! Good to see your name in "My Comments" today. Thanks for stopping in to say hi on April Fool's Day. How many pranks have you pulled today? :)

[The Mayor]

April 2, 2005

The Children's Friend

Read:
Matthew 19:13-15

Jesus said, "Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of heaven." -Matthew 19:14

Bible In One Year: 1 Samuel 25-28

Today, people around the globe will observe the 200th anniversary of the birth of the great storyteller Hans Christian Andersen. The lessons and encouragement contained in his tales of The Ugly Duckling, The Little Mermaid, and The Emperor's New Clothes are still considered a great gift to children everywhere.

I'm reminded, however, that Jesus Christ is the greatest friend of children the world has ever known. No one has done more for them than Jesus.

When Jesus' disciples reprimanded people for bringing little ones to Him, the Lord said, "Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of heaven" (Matthew 19:14).

Jesus valued children as persons of worth. After His triumphal entry into Jerusalem, the Lord accepted the praise of children and reminded those who criticized them that God has ordained praise even "out of the mouths of babes and nursing infants" (Matthew 21:16; Psalm 8:2).

Companionship with the Savior is the privilege of everyone who trusts Him with the simple faith of a child. His loving arms and tender heart are ready to embrace every child who accepts Him. He willingly receives all who open their hearts to Him. He is the children's Friend. -David McCasland

O Jesus, You who once did say
To little children at their play,
"Come to Me, you will be blessed,"
So come to us and be our Guest. -Anon.

The Creator hides secrets from sages, yet He can be known by children.

FOR FURTHER STUDY
God Our Father

[lonestar]

Why don't you just fly down here for our air show today and tomorrow!

[Gabz]

Beautiful words, Mayor.

One of the continuing themes in the reflections upon the life of John Paul II, is how he relates to young people. Not just throughout his Papacy, but throughout his entire priesthood the young people were very important, and he did much to bring many either into, or back into the fold.

[Aeronaut]

Why don't you just fly down here for our air show today and tomorrow!

I'm on the way...!

[LadyX]

Thank you for our daily feast, Your Honor.

"Companionship with the Savior is the privilege of everyone who trusts Him with the simple faith of a child. His loving arms and tender heart are ready to embrace every child who accepts Him. He willingly receives all who open their hearts to Him."

There is such joy in that!!
In His eyes each of us is "worthy," and welcome to approach Him and receive His boundless love and grace.

It has nothing to do with a particular time or setting -- upon a place or structure.
He hears us equally in the middle of a desert, upon the sea, or in a quiet forest of towering trees -- even in an "asphalt jungle"..:))

Wherever you are you can praise and thank Him and commune to your heart's content -- He never regards us as tireless children, and is eager to hold us close to Him.

The saying is "Hope Springs Eternal."
That is so because HE is Eternal, and extends to us hope and peace and joy....

[luvie]

Thanks for your words, Lady--we always have hope where we have God! Walk with him and He walks with you.

[LadyX]

I imagine you, as I do, laugh about the many who caution us to beware of "those you meet over the Internet!"

It is so obvious we who congregate in The Finest Room have been carefully gathered and joined by God to share and enjoy His Words and Goodness!

[luvie]

THE TROUBLE TREE

I hired a plumber to help me restore an old farmhouse, and after he had just finished a rough first day on the job: a flat tire made him lose an hour of work, his electric drill quit and his ancient one ton truck refused to start.

While I drove him home, he sat in stony silence. On arriving, he invited me in to meet his family. As we walked toward the front door, he paused briefly at a small tree, touching the tips of the branches with both hands.

When opening the door he underwent an amazing transformation. His tanned face was wreathed in smiles and he hugged his two small children and gave his wife a kiss.

Afterward he walked me to the car. We passed the tree and my curiosity got the better of me. I asked him about what I had seen him do earlier.

"Oh, that's my trouble tree," he replied. "I know I can't help having troubles on the job, but one thing's for sure, those troubles don't belong in the house with my wife and the children. So I just hang them up on the tree every night when I come home and ask God to take care of them. Then in the morning I pick them up again."

"Funny thing is," he smiled," when I come out in the morning to pick 'em up, there aren't nearly as many as I remember hanging up the night before."

"Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives, do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, not let it be fearful.~~John 14:27

[DollyCali]

Hi everyone,

Well after weather in high 70s this week we now are having snow & expect an accumulation (might mess up "hot date" plans tonight).. sigh.. but I know much of NE is also plagued with the last (hopefully) assault of winter.

Billie..I am upgrading my computer (the primary on-line one); added memory, will be upgrading 98SE to XP home & really should add the extra hard drive (110 gig) .. this silly one only has 3 gig.. (I use primarily external), but I cannot add Window's office because I have no room for any more programs.

Also trying to juggle a Pretoria of domestic things..If I don't go out tonight I will do a good job of catching up on the weekend thread thus far... hugs all

[luvie]

Snow!! It is April! Hope all that ends in your corner of the world before the 4th of July! LOL! Have a good weekend anyway!

[LadyX]

Wonderful story, Luvvy!
Yes - our 'norm' is to struggle under the weight of our woes.
What overwhelms us is all in a day's work for Him,
and trusting Him is the key to resolutions of all the knots of life.

[LadyX]

In this time of Easter and the examination of life and death issues in front of us, I marvel at how the earth honors Christ.
Growing up in Florida, the pine trees *always* put forth crosses on their tips - and all over the Southern states, the dogwood trees bloom to proclaim Him!
In North Carolina in the woods where we built our house, they grew wild throughout the area.

Right on time, everywhere I look in this very moderate climate belt of the middle western edge of South Carolina, it is glorious to have the wondrous sight of the dogwoods abloom.

In case you live where they do not proliferate, or do not know the Story of The Dogwood, here is one version:

The Story Of The Dogwood Tree

As a child I heard this tale, Long ago during the days that Jesus was here on earth in the form of man there were many dogwood trees. The dogwood was comparable in size to the oak tree and other monarchs of the forest. Because of its firmness and strength it was selected as the timber for the cross, but to be put to such a cruel use greatly distressed the tree.

Sensing this, the crucified Jesus in his gentle pity for the sorrow and suffering of all said to it: "Because of your sorrow and pity for My sufferings, never again will the dogwood tree grow large enough to be used as a cross. Henceforth it will be slender, bent and twisted and its blossoms will be in the form of a cross two long and two short petals.

In the center of the outer edge of each petal there will be nail prints brown with rust and stained with red and in the center of the flower will be a crown of thorns, and all who see this will remember."

Author Unknown

==============================================

Glory be to The God Who gives such gifts!

[MEG33]

Lovely ,Maggie...I have a pink dogwood in my backyard..

[snugs]

I imagine you, as I do, laugh about the many who caution us to beware of "those you meet over the Internet!"

As in all things discernment is the key and God gives us this descernment need I say more. Happy weekend all on the finest

[lonestar]

Our dogwoods are in bloom but the azeleas have 'bout had it.

[LadyX]

The pink ones are so beautiful!

Most are white, whether wild or deliberately planted, and I am fortunate to have two huge ones flanking my house, planted decades ago by the builders of the house, no doubt -- and one in the back and one on the other back side of the yard.

The azaleas are coming into bloom, too --

The Masters Golf Tournament in Augusta, Georgia (50 miles west of me) next weekend usually has them in profuse bloom for the event.

[LadyX]

"Our dogwoods are in bloom but the azeleas have 'bout had it."

Of course, Weinie, we know you have all kinds of flowers
blooming the year around up there at Rainbow Bridge --

Is it really true you gals and guys are the ones who
determine when to shower us with them?!

[Diver Dave]

I hired a plumber to help me ...

Now this is a story to which I can relate.

After spending 25+ years in the plumbing/pipefitting industy, I had to take an early retirement, but experienced many of those "trouble days."

I didn't have a trouble tree, but the experience of walking in the back door and hearing the words "Daddy's Home!!!" echo throughout that big ol' house would melt away any troubles that may have arisen during the day. Sounds of six small feet running across the hardwood floor accompanied by shouts of "Daddy!" and lots of hugs and kisses.

This would be followed by a struggle between our little ladies as to who got to pull off Daddy's boots.

No matter how much trouble occured that day or how tired the body was, "Daddy's Home!" meant it's time to play octopus. Daddy assumes his position on the living room floor, flat on his back. Our babies would run back and forth dodging the outstretched arms trying to grab them.

Thanks LUV W for sparking the memories. Methinks I'll engage them in a game of octopus the next time they come over.

[deadhead]

God Bless Pope John Paul II