A Few of FR's Finest....Every Day....01-19,20,21-07....T.G.I.F. at the Finest

January 19, 2007 | Billie

[Billie]

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, Dolly Cali, 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 ~



~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


"Getting to Know You"

THIS WEEK'S THREADS


01-15-07 ~ Military Monday
By Billie
Presented by The Mayor

01-16-07 ~ Let's Hear it for the Boys
By Billie

01-17-07 ~ Warm Fuzzy Wednesday
By Billie
Presented by GodBlessUSA

01-18-07 ~ A Little Kid Humor Day
By Dutchess

Have a wonderful weekend!

01-09-07 ~ 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, 2006 - the author is unknown.
I am wearing red today and every Friday ~ Billie

[Billie]

[Billie]

[Billie]

Good morning, Finest. My PC is acting up today - I think it doesn't like all the ice outside. For all of you who are in the path of these winter storms, please stay warm and don't drive unless you have to! Stay safe!

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; Aquamarine,
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.

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 Himyar.............................son 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 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 jackv....................................son

[MEG33]

Good Morning, Billlie. GREAT pledge! Love the Laura ping,too!

[MEG33]

The Hill Country ,Texas 2007

Happy TGIF to The Finest

Wear Red On Friday To Support Our Troops

[ConorMacNessa]

Wearing red to support our troops on the ground in Afghanistan and Iraq:

[The Mayor]

January 19, 2007

Forgetting God

ODB RADIO: Listen Now | Download

READ: Matt. 13:3-8,18-23

He who received seed on the good ground is he who hears the Word and understands it, who indeed bears fruit. —Matthew 13:23

An insightful scholar by the name of A. J. Heschel recounts a story from his days as a student in Berlin. Although he was a devout man, he became so preoccupied by the arts in that glittering culture that one day he failed to pray at sunset, as his custom had been without fail. He admits, “The sun had gone down, evening had arrived . . . . I had forgotten God.”

Heschel’s omission may seem minor to us, but his zeal shows that he understands the importance of cultivating the spiritual life.

Jesus told a story of a sower, a seed, and four kinds of soil (Matt. 13:1-9). The soil among the thorns represented those who permit the Word of God in their hearts to be choked by the cares and pleasures of the alluring world (vv.7,22).

That’s a dangerous possibility for anyone who thoughtlessly responds to God’s Word. The world may induce a forgetfulness of spiritual reality and responsibility.

Do we allow the attractions of this world to keep us from reading and meditating on God’s Word? Prayerfully, let us strive to be like the one who “hears the Word and understands it, who indeed bears fruit and produces” (v.23).

When the sun sets tonight, let it not be said that we have forgotten God.

Take time to be holy,
Speak oft with thy Lord;
Abide in Him always
And feed on His Word.  —Longstaff

Prayer and obedience to God  will cultivate the soil of a hard heart.

Bible in One Year:   Genesis 46-48; Matthew 13:1-30

[LUV W]

GREG KARUKAS~GIRL IN THE RED DRESS

[MEG33]

	Meg

To All Who Serve Our Country
Thank You!

Have a great day!

[MEG33]

He admits, “The sun had gone down, evening had arrived . . . . I had forgotten God.”

Good lesson, Mayor!

[beachn4fun]

T G I F

I've got my Red on. Hope the Troops like it (wink)

[MEG33]

I'm sure they will!

[The Mayor]

Yes it is..

[DollyCali]

snowing here (HEAVY); this new ergo keyboard is giving me fits, every joint in my body is on fire or in pain & my head is exploding.. and I have no clue where my computer glasses are...otherwise is is a wonderful TGIF

LOL

[DollyCali]

This doesn't havppen ofen.. but I am going to take a nap!

SNow so heavy cannot see the street, my dogs are bouncing off walls needing to go out...

Getting winterr warnings for Dunkirk & so usually they include you..( I get weaterh reports/warnings for my son, brother, uncle & a few other folks. night all

[The Mayor]

Right now it is beautiful here on Grand Island. We have a couple inches of snow. The south towns are getting hit with lake effect, they love it snow country south of Buffalo.

[DollyCali]

It is gorgeous out..no doubt,, and if I were feeling better I would be out playing in it with Josy/Toby & taking lots of pix..

here is something I received in Email..

@@@

I believe -

. . . that just because two people argue, it doesn't mean they don't love
each other. And just because they don't argue, it doesn't mean they do.

I believe -

. . . that we don't have to change friends if we understand that friends
change.

I believe -

. . that no matter how good a friend is, they're going to hurt you every
once in a while and you must forgive them for that.

I believe -

. . . that true friendship continues to grow, even over the longest
distance. Same goes for true love.

I believe -

. . . that you can do something in an instant that will give you heartache
for life.

I believe -

. . . that it's taking me a long time to become the person I want to be.

I believe -

. . . that you should always leave loved ones with loving words. It may be
the last time you see them.

I believe -

. . . that you can keep going long after you think you can't.

I believe -

. . . that we are responsible for what we do, no matter how we feel.

I believe -

. . . that either you control your attitude or it controls you.

I believe -

. . . That heroes are the people who do what has to be done when it needs to
be done, regardless of the consequences.

I believe -

. . . that money is a lousy way of keeping score.

I believe -

. . . that my best friend and I can do anything or nothing and have the best
time.

I believe -

. . . that sometimes the people you expect to kick you when you're down,
will be the ones to help you get back up.

I believe -

. . . that sometimes when I'm angry I have the right to be angry, but that
doesn't give me the right to be cruel

I believe -

. . . that maturity has more to do with what types of experiences you've had
and what you've learned from them and less to do with how many birthdays
you've celebrated.

I believe -

. . . that it isn't always enough to be forgiven by others. Sometimes you
have to learn to forgive yourself.

I believe -

. . . that no matter how bad your heart is broken the world doesn't stop for
your grief.

I believe -

. .. . that our background and circumstances may have influenced who we are,
but we are responsible for who we become.
I believe -

. . . that you shouldn't be so eager to find out a secret. It could change
your life forever.

I believe -

. . . two people can look at the exact same thing and see something totally
different.

I believe -

. . . that at your life can be changed in a matter of hours by people who
don't even know you.

I believe -

. . . that even when you think you have no more to give, when a friend cries
out to you - you will find the strength to help.

I believe -

. . . that credentials on the wall do not make you a decent human being.

I believe -

. . . that the people you care about most in life are taken from you too
soon.

I believe -

[JustAmy]

Billie ... thank you for opening the Finest Doors.

All .... I'm late, I'm late for a very important date.
No time to say hello, goodbye .... I'm late, I'm late, I'm late.

I sure miss y'all!!

Have a fabulous Friday.

[proud2beconservativeinNJ]

I believe that it's taking me a long time to become the person I want to be.

I liked your e-mail. I believe it is right on.

Hope you feel better.

[Mama_Bear]

It's sooo cold here!

How cold is it, you ask?

It's so cold the lawyers are putting their hands in their own pockets!
Ba-dump-bump!!!

Have a great day, y'all!

[Mama_Bear]

That is just BEAUTIFUL!!

We don't have cardinals out here. I have only seen one in my entire life and that was when we were back in Williamsburg, Virginia a couple years ago. They are such pretty birds. I don't understand why they don't live out here. We don't have lightening bugs either. :-(

[jaycee]

Very clever Mama B. LOL!

[Mama_Bear]

Of course, you know that, you've lived out here.

[jaycee]

Great pic!!

[JustAmy]

LOL

I can't believe this freezing weather has lasted for this many days.

Brrrrrrr

[Mama_Bear]

Hi, jaycee.

Hey, did you hear that Ms. Pelosi has formed a "committee" and she pledges that they will stop global warming in ten years? I heard it on the radio this morning.

Can you believe her incredible arrogance? Of course, it doesn't matter that she isn't able to actually DO it, all that matters is that she wants to. This committee makes for a nice little party favor to her environmentalist base.

Actually, we could use a little global warming in our neighborhood. ;-)

[MEG33]

I had birds in California that I never see here..Orioles for instance.

I just lucked on this photo and love it!
I have cardinals raise their young nearby so I see cardinals several times a day usually.

[Mama_Bear]

Isn't it miserable? I have had to break up the ice in our fountain every morning this week. The poor little birds are just having a terrible time finding water. :-(

[MEG33]

It is supposed to freeze again soon after I get home..I am hoping to lure the birds back with water..then they'll find the food.

[Lady Jag]

It was so cold today that Al Gore was giving a speech on global warming and he got pelted with snowballs.

[Mama_Bear]

LOL!!

[Lady Jag]

It was so cold, Barry Bonds tested positive for soup.

[Mama_Bear]

I have heard that in the winter it is often more important to provide water for birds than food. Living in California, we normally don't have to worry about that.

[Mama_Bear]

Ba-dump-bump!!!

You're on a roll, Lady J.

[jaycee]

Give me a break......Pelosi gives me heartburn every time I see those scary eyes and its worse when she opens her mouth. A real witch with a B.!

[anonymoussierra]

Thank you dear __((Luv W))__:}}}

---

[“Carefully I am observing unfolding events in today’s world. Carefully I see distractions as well disobedience of politicians in your great nation as well in mine.


I see painful reminder of time of past of time. Evil is growing and many are liers. Realization is not for them too know truth!

Glass and sand come together; From sand glass is made. How will their houses be when attack comes?

Warning I have spoken of; who will hear?

I can connect dots and make a photograph for that is what is; Evil is growing; it will be destroyed!

Greatest philosophers in this world don’t know simplicity of human heart. It is simple.

Road is road, et is yours. Pride is a killer for it comes from below. Humility is true gold.

There is distance of time of time; distance of reality and virtue of life. Sadness is, many don’t know path of life. Gold and silver think of it.”]

---

Thank you all.
Serdeczne pozdrowienia.

[MEG33]

Indeed..I missed being at home during the big ice storm...I admit I fretted over leaving the birds so long..but I know there are other bird feeders and water suppliers in my neighborhood.Here during the summer water is needed,too..at least it is what lured them back first in June when I had been gone frome home so long.

They give me so much joy that I do feel "responsible"!

[Mama_Bear]

I know. I have had to turn off the tv news. I just can't stand to watch or listen to her. Unfortunately, I walked past the bedroom radio this morning and Rush was playing a clip of her "promise to end global warming in ten years". She is just amazing, isn't she?

[jaycee]

I really loved "I believe". Read it twice......makes one think,doesn't it?

[Mama_Bear]

I know what you mean about feeling responsible. I would actually rather the birds didn't nest on my property because I feel responsible for making sure that predators don't get to the nests. I have had house finches nest on my patio and had to try to fight off the scrub jays from raiding the nest. I wasn't able to watch the nest day and night and the jays got to the babies. I was just sick over it. I know it is just nature taking it's course, but still, I don't want to be a witness to it. :-(

[Lady Jag]

It was so cold, I went into a Deli just for the heartburn!

[Mama_Bear]

LOL!! Where are you getting these?

[Lady Jag]

It was so cold Barack Obama threw his hat into the ring and then put it back on, just like a typical Demonrat!

[Lady Jag]

It was so cold hitchhikers were holding up pictures of thumbs!

[Lady Jag]

It was so cold, I googled It was so cold!

[Mama_Bear]

LOL! Those were great.

[Lady Jag]

That's all I did was google "it was so cold."

Being 40 today actually feels warm compared to the 20 we had Wednesday. Brrrr!

[MEG33]

LOL!

[MEG33]

Very good, Dolly!

[DollyCali]

thanks .... just worked it up in table to post this weekend at singles thread.