[The Mayor]

February 20, 2006

My Staff

Read:
Psalm 73:23-28

By faith Jacob . . . worshiped, leaning on the top of his staff. —Hebrews 11:21

Bible In One Year: Leviticus 26-27; Mark 2

An antique rack in the entryway to our home holds the canes and walking-sticks of several generations of our family. My favorite is a slender staff with a gold-plated knob engraved with the initials "DHR." It belonged to my wife Carolyn's great-grandfather, Daniel Henry Rankin. Curiously, his initials are the same as mine.

In my study is another collection: my father's peeled, apple-wood walking stick, among others. And in a barrel in our garage there's an assortment of cross-country ski poles, wading wands, and trekking sticks I've gathered over the years. One of these days, I'll trade them all in for a walker. I'll always need something or someone to lean on.

I'm reminded of the old patriarch Jacob, once strong, now humbled and utterly dependent on God. When he was dying, by faith he "worshiped, leaning on the top of his staff" (Hebrews 11:21).

As I grow older, I'm learning to lean more on God and His faithfulness. Over the years, He has "held me by my right hand." He is guiding me with His counsel, and afterward He will "receive me to glory" (Psalm 73:23-24).

Shakespeare said it well: God is "the very staff of my age, my very prop." —David Roper

Our vigor is fleeting, our best years are brief,
Our youth passes quickly—time's ever a thief;
But hope yet becomes us—death's sting holds no power;
We have a Redeemer—an unfailing Tower. —Gustafson

Learning of our weakness teaches us to lean on God's strength.

FOR FURTHER STUDY
God Our Father

[MoJo2001]

BTTT for The Finest's Military Monday!!

Have a fabulous week Mayor and to the rest of the Finest Crew!

[Temple Owl]

Have a happy Monday everybody

[The Mayor]

Below are names of some of our FReepers' loved ones who are serving our country. If you have someone you would like to add, please address a post to Billie; Dutchess; dollycali;The Mayor; GodBlessUSA , and we will add their name to this list. As we pray for them, we pray also for all our nation’s leaders, and military personnel, and their families and friends. May God hold them close to His heart.

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Maigrey...................cousin OhioWfan........................son mystery-ak..........son, husband Gogrammy................grandson Inspectorette...................son Blessed American..........nephew Slip18..........................nephew anniegetyourgun...........nephew Diver Dave.......niece, nephew ConspiracyGuy........2 nephews Pippin..........niece, loved one Pippin...nephew & his fiancee weldgophardline.....brotherinlaw jamaly.................brotherinlaw Future Snake Eater..........cousin WaterDragon.............grandson WaterDragon...........son-in-law BeforeISleep...................son kimmie7......................brother Armymarinemom............3 sons american_ranger.............son LadyX.........................grandson fawn796.......................nephew Dubya............................nephew StarCMC......................brother ValerieUSA..................2 sons Lakeside......................2 sons LakeLady.....................nephew Spruce.....................daughter Philman_36..............2 nephews bjcintennessee.......son, niece Ladysmith..nephew, friend's son tina07......soninlaw & his friend Katydidnt..........................son MontanaCowgirlCop.......brother Warrior Nurse...........active duty SK1 Thurman...........active duty David Osborne.........active duty fc2tomschermuly......active duty bkwells..................active duty LongCut..................active duty cjk..........................active duty Trish.......................active duty ODC-GIRL.................active duty AF_Blue..................active duty Notwithstanding.....active duty thumperusn.............active duty Q6-God.....................active duty Q6-God...................twin brother Veloxherc.................active duty Don Simmons...........active duty wingnutx..................active duty Old Sarge................active duty Bykrbayb.........................son Hope and Glory................son Walkenfree............2 grandsons, 3 nephews, 1 granddaughter ariamne.....................2 cousins Zechariah_8_13..brother-in-law, cousin El Gato.....................nephew MississippyMuddy.............sister MississippyMuddy.....2 nephews Kramster......................stepson veeceeque................active duty freema.............. nephew and son Jemian............................ son Lone Red Ranger...Brother in law No Longer Free State ..... active duty right2parent.................son Ike..................................son repubmom......................son Skyraider........................ son CMS................... active duty CyberAnt.................nephew Jen's mom.............daughter 911angelady...........2 sons ninergold3.............nephew weldgophardline........son Earthdweller....nephew

scubachick...............husband ladtx........................2 sons Its_me_K.E.T...................son gator girl.................husband severa.......husband, brother Hostel......................cousin MozartLover......son, nephew LBGA...............................son katykelly......................son cookcounty.....................son SpookBrat...nephew, cousin Doug from Upland...son-in-law Himyar..........................son boxerblues................2 sons the piper.........................son sheeza.......................husband kemathen7.................husband Tiffee4Bob.................boyfriend deadhead......................cousin JimRobinson.........2 nephews TexKat..............son, step-son Consort..2 daughters,son-in-law Darheel.........................niece Donaeus......................nephew dixie sass...................nephew BeAllYouCanBe...................son Repubmommy...............brother AgThorn.........................2 sons homeschoolmama.......nephew kneezles.............................son Rose inRoseBear...cousin's hubby Skimask.......................Son Atomic Conspiracy..half-brother Atomic Conspiracy...nephew Atomic Conspiracy..........niece Sunflowergal..............grandson visualops.......................cousin Alouette..............................son mrstank.......................husband MrsMike31..................husband eaglesiniowa......................son auboy............................cousin spotbust1...................husband Leofl.................................son chena................................son campfollower...................fiance LUV W..............................son painter.........................nephew ProudAFDad......................son TheMayor....friends'son & nephew mhking........................cousin Misty4jc......................husband Colorado Slim................ nephew Tapatio.....................2 nephews CGblue....................active duty ak_daddoo.....................nephew DirtyHarryY2K.......daughter,son-in-law nelibeli.........................nephew bigghurtt...................Active duty frankiep....................Active duty Palladin.......................grandson Gonzo......................friend's son jkphoto.........................nephew JRios1968..................Active Duty Azbushgal..........................son rahbert............................son Kimmykay...........................son sneakers……….son NavySEAL F-16 .................son wolfcreek................daughter JesseJane ............ cousin. Roses0508..................son SoldiersPrayingMom.........son WakeUpandVote..........brother mrs tiggywinkle............cousin MEG33..................grandson U S Army EOD.......daughter thehumanlynx....BrotherinLaw JFC...nephew Micah

[MEG33]

To Our Veterans, Our Servicemen and Women and Their Families *We Thank You*

[MEG33]

02/12/06 - U.S. Navy Photographer's Mate 2nd Class Brad Sapp plays a hand game with an Iraqi girl near Taji, Iraq, Feb. 12, 2006. Sapp accompanied the U.S. Army 490th Civil Affairs Unit during a site survey to identify potential humanitarian projects in Taji. (U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate 1st Class Michael Larson) (Released)
May God Keep Safe Those Who Serve Our Country

[deadhead]

[Billie]

God Bless Our Military BUMP!!!

[PreviouslyA-Lurker]

Thank you, Mayor.

[MEG33]

A favorite of mine
In Good Hands