A Few of FR's Finest....Every Day....01-12 to 14-07...T.G.I.F. at the Finest

January 12, 2007 | billie

[DollyCali]

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, DollyCali, GodBlessUSA, Aquamarine~

Welcome to TGIF at the Finest!   We hope you've been having as much fun as we have with our essays and/or spotlight on various FReepers. From the beginning, we've been kicking back on Saturdays and Sundays and simply reviewing the features of the week; our weekend threads now start on Friday and continue through Sunday. If you missed seeing any of this week's threads and want to say hello there now, just click on the link for that particular day. If you'd like to drop in and out of this thread today through Sunday, please feel free to do that also. One of us will try to be around to see the welcome mat is still out, put the coffee pot on, and maybe even bring fresh flowers for the table. : )

~ Billie, Dutchess, Dolly Cali, GodBlessUSA, Aquamarine ~



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"Getting to Know You"

THIS WEEK'S THREADS


1-08-07 ~ Military Monday
By Billie
Presented by The Mayor

1-09-07 ~ Hall of Fame #18
By Billie
Presented by Billie

1-10-07 ~ Warm Fuzzy Wednesday
By Billie
Presented by DollyCali

1-11-07 ~ JH2 – Liberals Hung Up on Saddam
By Aquamarine

Have a wonderful weekend!

1-09-07 ~ Hall of Fame #18

Opinions by our own 'King of Ping' Every Thursday at the Finest The guy's good, folks!

"Wear Red" Friday

You will soon see a lot of people wearing Red on Fridays. Here's why..... The Americans, who support our troops, are the silent majority. We are not "organized" to reflect who we are, or to reflect what our opinions are. Many Americans, like yourself, and all their friends, simply want to recognize that Americans support our troops. Our idea of showing our solidarity and support for our troops is starting Friday and continuing on each and every Friday, until this is over, that every red-blooded American who supports our young men and women, WEAR SOMETHING RED.

Word of mouth, press, TV -- let's see if we can make the United States, on any given Friday, a sea of red much like a home football game at a University. If every one of our memberships share this with other acquaintances, fellow workers, friends, and neighbors, I guarantee that it will not be long before the USA will be covered in RED - and make our troops know there are many people thinking of their well-being. You will feel better all day Friday when you wear Red! So let's get the word out and lead by example; wear RED on Fridays.

SUPPORT OUR TROOPS! WE LIVE IN THE LAND OF THE FREE, BECAUSE OF THE BRAVE. FOR US, THEIR BLOOD RUNS RED!! GOD BLESS AMERICA.

I received this in my email June 10th, the author is unknown.
I am wearing red today and every Friday ~ Billie

[stopem]

oh we went out and bought a space heater, guess what? It's electric....good grief LOL

You can tell we don't go camping.This sort of thing that is going on may happen, what, once a lifetime? Well at least here in Dallas Texas.

[Aquamarine]

oh we went out and bought a space heater, guess what? It's electric....good grief LOL

Now you need a generator. lol

It may be impossible to find a kerosene heater by now but you may want to try.

[MEG33]

I would like to have a kerosene heater.

[MEG33]

I heard St Louis mentioned in the ice storm news..
Hope you have heat!(((Wolfie)))

[MEG33]

Oops..#64

[The Mayor]

January 13, 2007

Echoes Of Paradise

READ: Revelation 21:1-7

Behold, I make all things new. —Revelation 21:5

“Come to paradise,” says an ad featuring white sands, turquoise water, and waving palm trees. It’s as if we are being given a glimpse of Eden rediscovered.

Not long ago, my wife and I took a trip to the Bahamas. Those marvelous coral-reef islands have a unique beauty. Yet, for us the environment alone did not seem like paradise. Something was missing.

Then on Sunday we found what we had been looking for. We attended a church off the beaten path. The service was 3 hours long, but it was filled with vibrant worship. With beautiful Bahamian accents the pastor and his congregation took turns quoting Scripture throughout the sermon. My wife and I left the service energized in our faith.

I was reminded of Revelation’s witness to the future chorus: “They sang as it were a new song before the throne” (Rev. 14:3). One day “God will wipe away every tear from [our] eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying” (21:4). What a day of rejoicing that will be!

Our worship here is a mere prelude to the great praise service in the future when we stand in God’s presence. But sometimes when we join with others in vibrant worship, we experience an echo of paradise on this earth.

If God has made this world so fair,
Where sin and death abound,
How beautiful beyond compare
Will paradise be found!  —Montgomery

When God wipes our tears, sorrow gives way to eternal song.

Bible in One Year:   Genesis 31-32; Matthew 9:18-38

[ConorMacNessa]

A day late, but the sentiment is still there:

HAPPY FRIDAY TO THE FINEST!

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Wearing Red to support our troops on the ground in Iraq and Afghanistan!

[La Enchiladita]

Good afternoon, stopem. I'm trying like heck to stay warm and this is southern California! Whose idea was it to provide minimal insulation and LOUVRED WINDOWS in this building? Perhaps it was meant only for summer residency?

Even with the gas furnace on.... pffftt!!

I'm sure others will have more effective suggestions for you than I if your power goes out, but I would suggest bundling yourself up in a down comforter or sleeping bag and singing all the songs you know. At least you have some candles and battery operated lanterns for light, don't you?

Of course, you know not to use propane indoors....

[DollyCali]

Quick check in..was up all night working on computer (adding new toys) but as usual Murphy helped me~

Slept from 7 to 10 this morning...

Stopem,,,good luck with the storm, You seem prepared, hopefully it will be gentle on you all

Need to get out & walk my dogs .. shop a little & sleep maybe some more... will post the "details" tonight

[DollyCali]

May God protect your precious ones...

Our Dear Father, creator and Lord of great love - we ask that you keep the men and women of our military in Your protective care. May the families be immersed with peace and comfort as they proudly know their loved ones are serving for the things that are dear to all of us. AMEN



Following 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; Aquamarine,

jackv...............................Son gator girl........................husband severa............husband, brother Maigrey.........................cousin mystery-ak...........son, husband Inspectorette.......................son Blessed American..........nephew Slip18..........................nephew Diver Dave........niece, nephew ConspiracyGuy........2 nephews Pippin............niece's husband sneakers..........................son weldgophardline.................son weldgophardline.....brotherinlaw jamaly.................brotherinlaw Future Snake Eater.......cousin WaterDragon............grandson WaterDragon...........son-in-law kimmie7......................brother LadyX (RIP)..............grandson fawn796......................nephew ValerieUSA..................2 sons Lakeside......................2 sons LakeLady....................nephew Spruce......................daughter Bykrbayb..........................son Leofl.................................son chena...............................son Hope and Glory..................son TheMayor...............friends'son Doug from Upland.......soninlaw homeschoolmama........nephew ariamne...................2 cousins mhking.........................cousin 911angelady.................2 sons Consort.................2 daughters Consort...................son-in-law gonzo...................friend's son Jen's Mom.................daughter Meg33......................grandson cookcounty......................son JFC............................nephew visualops......................cousin auboy..........................cousin painter........................nephew jrushing.............................son LoneRedRanger...brother-in-law Ladysmith.nephew, friend's son tina07......soninlaw & his friend MontanaCowgirlCop......brother nelibeli........................nephew Misty4jc.....................husband Colorado Slim..............nephew Tapatio....................2 nephews ProudAFDad......................son Alouette.............................son Katydidnt...........................son Zechariah_8_13....brother-in-law Zechariah_8_13.............cousin PreviouslyA-Lurker........brother sheeza.......................husband kemathen7..................husband Q6-God..................twin brother Q6-God....................active duty 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 thumperusn..............active duty Veloxherc.................active duty Don Simmons...........active duty wingnutx...................active duty CGblue.....................active duty bigghurtt...................active duty frankiep....................active duty veeceeque................active duty JRios1968................active duty NoLongerFreeState...active duty CMS........................active duty AlaskaErik...............active duty JemiansTerror...........active duty tongue-tied ..............active duty txradioguy................active duty

OhioWfan................................son ladtx..................................2 sons Its_me_K.E.T.........................son Hostel............................cousin MozartLover...........son, nephew ak_daddoo........................nephew Dubya............................nephew LBGA (RIP)..........................son katykelly..............................son Armymarinemom................3 sons american_ranger.....................son Himyar....................................son SpookBrat........................nephew SpookBrat........................cousin boxerblues........................2 sons the piper..............................son Tiffee4Bob......................boyfriend TexKat.......................son, step-son StarCMC.............................brother Darheel...............................niece Donaeus...........................nephew BeAllYouCanBe........................son Repubmommy........................brother AgThorn................................2 sons kneezles.................................son RoseinRoseBear.....cousin's hubby Atomic Conspiracy......half-brother Atomic Conspiracy...........nephew Atomic Conspiracy..............niece Sunflowergal....................grandson mrstank..............................husband MrsMike31........................husband spotbust1............................husband campfollower............................fiance LUV W........................................son SilentServiceCPOWife........husband DirtyHarryY2K......................daughter DirtyHarryY2K................son-in-law Skimask.....................................son Palladin...............................grandson MississippyMuddy...................sister MississippyMuddy........2 nephews Kramster...............................stepson Socratic.............................nephew freema.......................nephew, son Azbushgal..............................son kimmykay.................................son NavySEAL F-16........................son repubmom...............................son wolfcreek..........................daughter JesseJane ...........................cousin Roses0508..............................son pmmd81..................................son SoldiersPrayingMom.................son WakeUpandVote..................brother Skyraider.................................son CyberAnt...........................nephew mrs tiggywinkle...................cousin Nadine...............................nephew U S Army EOD.................daughter thehumanlynx...........brother-in-law Earthdweller......................nephew Scubachick.......................husband ChairmanDec19thSociety ..brotherinlaw Anthem............................2 cousins meanie monster .........family friend PragmaticWarrior..........2 nephews Sageb1...........................3 cousins JulieRNR21.........friend's grandson SuzyQue...mom,2 sons,3 brothers weeder1...........................nephew IndyPendance..daughter,soninlaw fatima.....................granddaughter Lori from Long Island....soninlaw monkeyface...................grandson redhead...................grandnephew gonzo............................soninlaw varina davis...................grandson Rivendell.......................daughter W.W.Smith...........................son vigilante2.....son, adopted soldier NavySEAL F-16....................son Jaxter...........................son-in-law USMCWife6869..............husband AgThorn & Lily4Jesus.............son 2ndDivisionVet..........brotherinlaw 2ndDivVet.....former stepdaughter GrandEagle........................friend DebWisconsin.................nephew

[La Enchiladita]

It is already 39F at 11:00 p.m..... our temp will dip below freezing tonight in SoCal beach country.

[stopem]

So far so good but still forecasting ice and we are prepared.

[MEG33]

Daydream Rose

Wishing The Finest A Blessed and Safe Sunday

[The Mayor]

January 14, 2007

The Gift Of Grace

READ: Matthew 22:34-39

By grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God. —Ephesians 2:8

A woman told me that when she was growing up, the kids next door weren’t allowed to play with her because she didn’t go to church. Later, when she became a Christian and told her mother, her mom replied, “You’re not going to start acting like you’re better than all of us, are you?” That mom got the wrong impression of Christians from her neighbors.

It’s good to be vigilant about the influences in our children’s lives, but not at the expense of sharing God’s love with our neighbors. Jesus’ words in Matthew 5:14-16 remind us: “You are the light of the world. . . . Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.”

We may feel a tension between living a holy, “separate” life (2 Cor. 6:17) and the great commandment to love our neighbor as much as ourselves (Matt. 22:39). But these two concepts don’t really conflict. A central part of a life of obedience to God is to show concern and love for the lost.

Since we did nothing to deserve salvation, we have nothing to boast of. Paul wrote, “By grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast” (Eph. 2:8-9).

Share this gift of grace with others!

I do not ask for mighty words
To leave the crowd impressed,
But grant my life may ring so true
My neighbor may be blessed.  —Anon.

The best witness for Christ shows God’s grace  and shares His love.

Bible in One Year:   Genesis 33-35; Matthew 10:1-20

[.30Carbine]

Great Big Bump!

[The Mayor]

Amen!

[DollyCali]

May you have a GREAT Lord's Day

[MEG33]

Lovely, Dolly..Amen

[deadhead]

Wishing all a Blessed Sunday

[MEG33]

Matthew 5:14-16 remind us:
“You are the light of the world. . . .
Let your light so shine before men, that they may see
your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.”