A Few of FR's Finest....Every Day....06-10 thru 06-12-05....T.G.I.F. at the Finest

Billie

[The Mayor]

June 10, 2005

Eyewitness

Read:
1 John 1:1-7

That which we have seen and heard we declare to you. —1 John 1:3

Bible In One Year: Ecclesiastes 1-3

"You don't want to interview me for your television program," the man told me. "You need someone who is young and photogenic, and I'm neither." I replied that we indeed wanted him because he had known C. S. Lewis, the noted author and the subject of our documentary. "Sir," I said, "when it comes to telling the story of a person's life, there is no substitute for an eyewitness."

As Christians, we often refer to sharing our faith in Christ as "witnessing" or "giving our testimony." It's an accurate concept taken directly from the Bible. John, a companion and disciple of Jesus, wrote: "We have seen, and bear witness, and declare to you that eternal life which was with the Father and was manifested to us—that which we have seen and heard we declare to you" (1 John 1:2-3).

If you know Jesus as your Savior and have experienced His love, grace, and forgiveness, you can tell someone else about Him. Youth, beauty, and theological training are not required. Reality and enthusiasm are more valuable than a training course in how to share your faith.

When it comes to telling someone the wonderful story of how Jesus Christ can transform a person's life, there is no substitute for a firsthand witness like you. —David McCasland

Let us go forth, as called of God,
Redeemed by Jesus' precious blood,
His love to show, His life to live,
His message speak, His mercy give. —Whittle

Jesus doesn't need lawyers, He needs witnesses.

FOR FURTHER STUDY
How Can I Share My Faith Without An Argument?

[firewalk]

good morning
hope your day brings wonderful things
(thanks for the ping)

[GailA]

Good morning ALL, promise of rain, cooler temps, and I've been to Wal-Mart already and am on my second mini load of laundry.

[fivekid]

Holy Cow!!!!

Your Good!

[Aquamarine]

Beautiful Post Amy and the tea sounds delicious.
I have recently discovered Orange and Black Pekoe Tea and love it! Have been making Luzianne all these years while ignoring a whole world of choices in tea.

[Aquamarine]

Gorgeous pictures Dolly, I saw Lake Erie many years ago while on the way to Canada with my family, further up the road saw Niagara Falls then traveled on up to Toronto, Ottawa then Quebec City.

Was wondering what happened to the town Arcola, was the land too marshy to support it?

[JustAmy]

Thanks, Aqua.

I don't drink much tea but the recipe sounds good and I like idea of the flowers in the ice cubes. :)

[LadyX]

"If you know Jesus as your Savior and have experienced His love, grace, and forgiveness, you can tell someone else about Him. Youth, beauty, and theological training are not required. Reality and enthusiasm are more valuable than a training course in how to share your faith.

When it comes to telling someone the wonderful story of how Jesus Christ can transform a person's life, there is no substitute for a firsthand witness like you. —David McCasland"

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Today's posting of The Daily Bread, Your Honor, points out something regularly experienced here...

Our Miss Billie established The Finest of FR three years ago, guiding us wisely and firmly in engaging with our 'better selves,' and to honor our military members and veterans.

It is a comfortable and delightful haven from the more contentious discussions on FR, which of course have a proper place. It educates and enlightens us; often entertains us, causing smiles and laughter; and allows us to interact as a true "Family."

Within that parameter, we are quite comfortable with expressing the religious values insisted upon by the nation's Founders, declaring this land for God upon arrival on its shores, and ensuring our freedom in so doing.

We in this Room do not hesitate to share our triumphs and failures; joys and sorrows; physical and emotional needs - and prayer support and encouragement flow naturally...

Miss Billie issued this: --
and the pages of This Book

lying on the hall table are used often --

We so very much appreciate what you have created, Billie, and how dedicatedly you and the hostesses and hosts labor to keep the wheels of the train on the track...

To each one who comes here, may God give you His love in abundance; guide you through your ups and downs; and fill you with peace and joy, this weekend and always ---

~ LadyX

[LadyX]

Sorry, Weinie - overlooked you in my last post,
up there at Rainbow Ridge, still guiding us!!

[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

Thank You Billie!

Thank You LadyX for your thoughtful post.

[GailA]

I also took my work pants in this morning. I've lost 28 lbs and am still losing.

[Billie]

Tonk, appreciate your *thank you*, and Maggie, I echo his remark about your thoughtful post at #68 You have been a true friend to a whole bunch of us for many years, and one who's helped to keep the light on *here*, shining more brightly than it might otherwise, for these three years. Including *my* thanks to all our past and present hostesses and hosts, our guest writers and Finest Family. You're the bestest, funnest and finest!

[deadhead]

Lovely post, LadyX. Hope you are having a good day. I am taking a break from mowing the lawn. Love yard work, but it never ends :-)

[LadyX]

"Hope you are having a good day. I am taking a break from mowing the lawn. Love yard work, but it never ends :-)"

You wouldn't have wanted to watch what I was doing for 3 days this week, Colleen!
Not able to do *any* outside work for 8 months, last month I was determined to try some easy projects. I redefined my Mass Campaigns of Yesteryear to planting just in one bed in front of the front door landing; 3 permanent yellow lantana bushes already in the center, with medium height colorful zinnias (from seed) filling behind and on either side, highlighted on the ends by dusty miller.

In addition to the usual half dozen pots (assorted sizes) of bedding plants (moss rose, bronze leaf begonias, and a center pot of red geraniums + dusty miller) I place in front of the screened in porch, I put a few begonias and dusty miller plants in a bed beside the drive - it is at the very end (circling the dogwood tree there) of the long raised bed between two large trees. The latter I had filled with hostas that return without prompting every year, and it's where there are masses of violet plants, from February on, that soon will fade with the heat. That long bed has border grass on the outside of the railroad ties skirting/framing the bed.

That done, bit by little bit, this past week I got rather bold..:)) We'd hired two young men to do all the heavy work we no longer can, but I eyed the two huge old dogwood trees on both front ends of the house...not able to prune them last year, they had gone wild in every direction, one threatening the house powerline; one arching over the driveway where the car is parked, and scraping the roof, there as well as on the other side; the latter one had been blocking my bedroom window view of the runoff creek across the road.

Engaging the theory that "what doesn't kill you will strengthen you," I gathered some of my favorite toys and did serious damage..:))

Mind you, my balance just walking is poor, and 'agility' no longer my middle name - look awkward (somewhat like a platypus), moving very slowly and carefully, and planting my feet firmly on the rungs of the ladder dragged s-l-o-w-l-y from vantage point to point...

Some branches/limbs were fairly new and yielded easily to my Super Duper Sears Loppers (with gears to 'force' the issue), but others -- well, over 2" in diameter, I had to employ the one-woman cross cut saw.

You would *not* have wanted to witness this process..:)) -- inhale deeply, climb 2 steps and rest, go up another, planting feet firmly, hoist saw and COMMENCE...many pauses for rest later, they *did* eventually yield to LadyX's 27" blade cross cut saw!!

[Daddy would have been proud of my using the weighted bag at the end of a long rope, thrown over limbs just above easy reach -- hogtie 'em lower, and get the job done.]

Still have more to do another day, but all of that debris was picked up this a.m. by the garbage service, and it looks so much better...

For a Grand Finale today, no yard work, but I did something different - washed my black mailbox, and used white acrylic enamel to repaint the house numbers on the side (172) that had badly dimmed ...

[Message for Nan -- might be contagious, but I'm cooking up a storm these days!! Last night had fried bay scallops, potato salad, and even went back to something different from childhood that B. actually ATE, TOO! - fried eggplant slices!!
This is a **Warning** that you, too could be stricken next with the urge to cook - ya think??..:)) lolol]

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Surely beats a'settin' and a'rockin' like this cat..:))

[lonestar]

Hi, Aunt Lady X! How's Gert????

Weinie

[LadyX]

Well...I *did* kinda let you down after Darksheare had managed to...nevermind:)) (swore not to tell)

Then once Wolfie -- hahahaha - cannot tell that one either!!

Other than that, I've tried to tidy up after everyone before Lights Dimmed Time, even after The Mayor brought assorted kinds of iced/jellied/gooey donuts and some got smushed into the rug by the fireplace...that was a mess I'm glad you didn't see!

It was Fate that we met 7 years ago, Billie, you and I providing 'Safe Houses' after all the perils that befell that darned cat - Socks C. - along I-95!!

Whitewater was so much phun..:))

A few of The Fairest Finest Folks say: -- Thanks, Billie Blue --

(Musts been the day Mama_Bear featured Canada..:))

[LadyX]

"How's Gert," Weinie?

In fine form, and a picture is worth a thousand wurdz..:))

"Need my services up there?
Campaigning for sumpin'- or are you already totally in charge??!!"

LOL

[DollyCali]

AWESOME graphic which will shortly be on my hard drive!!!!

[DollyCali]

Maggie.. I do love your posts.. they just bubble over with smiles .. thank you. I hope to see you someday & give you a big hug.. ex Navy hugs ex Marine.. that should be a good one,huh?

Every FReeper I have met has been unique. With a few exceptions all have been great, quality people (and yes, there have been exceptions).

Today I met a male "Maggie".. someone I have known on the threads for a couple years & who bubbled with youthful exuberance in posting. Clever, good graphics etc. I know your age Maggie & would NEVER guess it by your posts. I thought The Raven was maybe early to mid thirties. He seemed to have a relevant position w/travel so I didn't think he was younger.. well he is a tad younger than I am & a very nice looking & trim man. anyone interested can see pix I posted at ATRW HERE.

But I am glad we were able to get together as he was in town for some meetings in NE Ohio. I have found most FReepers I know to be witty, intelligent & a joy to be around. The Raven & I commented how often we run into the liberals of life & what a drag in comparison to the FR folks.

[LadyX]

As Sistah Nan and Little Sistah Nancy can tell you,
our Mama always told us you need two things to get through life:

~ Self respect, derived from living according to The Book

~ A sense of humor..:))

That just about covers it all!!

Can you believe I never had gone to AWRT before?
I see all kinds of names from the Whitewater Days!
Thank you for the link...wish I had time to indulge there and at JustAmy's...