A Few of FR's Finest....Every Day....02-24-04....Let's Celebrate Mardi Gras!

Dutchess

[dutchess]

I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic for which it stands, One Nation Under God, Indivisible, With Liberty and Justice for All.

[dutchess]

It's Fat Tuesday....or the last day of MardiGras. Please join us...and feel free to bring your favorite food, beverage or graphic!

[dutchess]

Am looking forward to my morning cup of coffee (as I slink off to bed). Dreams of bread pudding with that first cup in the morning. Total decadence!....

[JohnHuang2]

G'morning, my friend :-)

[JohnHuang2]

Great job, btw!

[Aeronaut]

Good morning Dutchess.

[The Raven]

Beautiful work.....

[MeekOneGOP]

Mornin', everybody ! Happy Fat Tuesday!

Have a cup while you Freep !

[mhking]

" Laissez les bon temps roulez!"

My dad's family is originally from New Orleans, and we've still got LOTS of relatives down there...[g]

[The Mayor]

God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

God's love cannot be explained—it can only be experienced

[The Mayor]

February 24, 2004

A Mysterious Equation

Read: Colossians 1:9-18

God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. —Romans 5:8

Bible In One Year: Numbers 9-11; Mark 5:1-20

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Professor John Nash of Princeton University is a math genius who has spent his life in the abstract world of numbers, equations—and delusions. Nash suffers from schizophrenia, a mental illness that can result in bizarre behavior and broken relationships. With medical help and the love of his wife, he learned to live with his illness and later won the Nobel Prize.

In the movie version of his life, Nash said: "I've always believed in numbers and the equations and logics that lead to reason. . . . My quest has taken me through the physical, the metaphysical, the delusional, and back. And I've made the most important discovery of my life. It's only in the mysterious equations of love that any logical reasons can be framed."

In Colossians 1, we read of "the mysterious equation of love" at its deepest level—God's love for us in Christ. Jesus is the image of the invisible God, and out of love He has created us and sustains us (vv.16-17). He has also provided deliverance from the powers of darkness (v.13) and the forgiveness of our sins (v.14). No wonder Paul said that such love "passes knowledge" (Ephesians 3:19). It takes us beyond logic into the very heart of who God is (1 John 4:16).

We are to live and show that love—always. —Dennis De Haan

FOR FURTHER STUDY
How do we experience the love of Christ? (John 15:10).
What is the evidence of God's love in our lives? (1 John 4:16-21).
How can you show God's love today?

God's love cannot be explained—it can only be experienced.

[dansangel]

Beautiful (and my favorite color) presentation (((((((dutchess)))))). Thank you for enlightening us on the tradition of Mardi Gras.

((((((Hugs)))))))) to all. Have a safe and Blessed day.

[The Mayor]

I never realized what Mardi Gras was all about.

Far from what we see today.

[DollyCali]

Ah ~~~ CARNIVAL

Thank you for great thread. My good friend is now in Rio for carnival. What fun!

[GailA]

Good Morning FRiends. I'm off to the quilting guild meeting in about an hour. Coffee's on

[SheLion]

Hi dutchess! Hi Everyone! Happy Fat Tuesday!!

[lonestar]

My favorite King Cake is filled with cream cheese. Fat-fat Tuesday.

[Physicist]

Here in Pennsylvania we call it Fasnacht Day. You pretty much sit around and eat doughnuts.

[Texagirl4W]

Good morning, dutchess. Being a native of south Louisiana, I really enjoyed the pictures. Happy Fat Tuesday to everyone.

[Aquamarine]

You did a fantastic job on the opening post and I love what you did with the hostess pictures.

Happy Mardi Gras to all!

I won't be around much this week, we lost a beloved friend in an accident and will be spending time with his family and attending the funeral in another town.