Daily Devotional

[big john]

Thought this would be a nice thread for our christian members,use this thread to paste devotionals,what god has done for you in your own words,favorite songs ,poems,prayers,ect....




THE night was clear, and we had a great view of the Fourth of July fireworks - huge, colorful spirals that exploded into larger circles and shapes we had never seen before. We overheard conversation about the spectacular finish. When multiple rockets went off in an extravagant display, someone would exclaim excitedly, "It's the grand finale!" only to be proven wrong by more bursts of colorful light across the sky.





Just as with us when we were watching the fireworks, we don't know the time of God's "grand finale" at the end of time. In fact, the Bible tells us that no one can know this. So why do some people devote so much attention to it? Sometimes this world seems so troubling that we may long for the future world God promises. But trusting in God doesn't mean only that we believe things will work out well in the end. Our faith and hope can bring joy and peace in our present circumstances.






Jesus was clear that the day and hour of his return are unknown. He was not telling us just to be ready for a specific time yet to come but to be ready all the time - right now - so that we can enjoy God's amazing display of every day. William Kirklin (Indiana, U.S.A.)

[big john]

Count your blessings instead of your crosses.
Count your gains instead of your losses.
Count your joys instead of your woes.
Count your friends instead of your foes.
Count your smiles instead of your tears.
Count your courage instead of your fears.
Count your full years instead of your lean.
Count your kind deeds instead of your mean.
Count your health instead of your wealth.
Count on God instead of yourself. ~Author unknown~

[big john]

With thanksgiving and christmas coming up,feel free to talk about family and friends you only get to see this time of year,tell of your favorite thanksgiving or christmas from when you were young,
Did any of you live where it snowed every christmas?
tell of your favorite gifts,have you ever given someone something that you made with your own hands,for christmas?Whats your favorite kind of christmas tree?
whats your favorite holliday foods?Can you share some of your grandma's recipies with us?

I am thinking of getting a silver tree for my bedroom this christmas,like the ones from the 70's does anyone know if they still sell them and where?
I would love for someone to give me a good stuffing recipe,i made stove top the last two times,,,,,not very good.

I remember when i was around 12 years old and helping my dad chop wood,I remember the fresh smell,the smell of wild game cooking on a wood stove around this time of year,this was only in the 70's but my dads family lived kinda primitive for the times,he and my mother were divorced,he lived in the country and my mom in the city,looking back I am thankful that I got to spend time with him and live like that on the weekends,lol
I know what its like to hunt your own food,drink cold water from a well,use an outhouse and a sears catolog,pick field peas,then shell em on the front porch and then eat em later with some rabbit stew and cornbread and iced tea,great times,I didnt know then how great.

[firefly]

Big John, you might want to check out eBay for an aluminum Christmas tree. They are vintage items from the 60's. Our family had one & a color wheel, also. Good luck on finding one!:)

[big john]

http://www.pdc.kth.se/~johnny/watercolor/photo_tree.jpg

[big john]

THE young man had a frantic look on his face. He had lost his wallet and couldn't pay for his lunch.





"I'll pay for his meal," I said, handing the cashier a twenty-dollar bill. The man thanked me and insisted I give him my name and address so he could reimburse me. I agreed, although I really didn't expect to hear from him.





Weeks later, I received payment along with this note: "In this crazy world, it's nice to know there are still some good people." Unknown to him, his dilemma had been an answer to my prayer. That very day, I had asked God, "What can I do for you?"






Afterward, I recalled the words Luke 10:27: "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind"; and, "Love your neighbor as yourself." I thanked God for the privilege of helping a stranger. Janice Jump (Missouri, U.S.A

[big john]

MY father was a farmer. He used a plow that had a curved plate for turning over the soil. It is important to have a straight furrow across the field. When I grew old enough to work the fields, I had trouble keeping the furrows straight because I followed the tracks left by the combine that had been used to harvest the previous crop of grain.





My father soon realized why I wasn't plowing a straight furrow. He told me to identify a marker, usually a post or tree at the opposite end of the field, and to keep my eyes focused there. If I would keep my focus on the marker, I could plow a straight furrow. His advice worked! Once I had one straight furrow, all of the other furrows were straight because I followed the first one.






The Bible also has advice for us about keeping our way straight. The writer of Proverbs admonished us not to walk in the path of the wicked or the way of evildoers. We can keep a straight path in life when every day we focus on Christ Jesus, our Savior. Marshall E. Schirer (Kansas, U.S.A.)

[big john]

A vast multitude was imprisoned in every place," wrote an eyewitness. "The prisons -- prepared for murderers and robbers -- were filled with bishops, priests, and deacons ... so there was no longer room for those condemned of crimes."[1]

You'd hardly expect to find old St. Nick in jail. But St. Nicholas is more than a children's Christmas legend. He was flesh and blood, a prisoner for Christ, bishop of the Mediterranean city of Myra.
What do we know about the real St. Nicholas? He was born, ancient biographers tell us, to wealthy parents in the city of Patara about 270 A.D. He was still young when his mother and father died and left him a fortune.
As a teen-ager, Nicholas' humility was already evident. He had heard about a family destitute and starving. The father had no money for food, much less the dowry needed to marry off his three daughters. He was ready to send his oldest girl into the streets to earn a living as a prostitute.
Under the cover of night, Nicholas threw a bag of gold coins through the window of their humble dwelling. In the morning the father discovered the gold. How he rejoiced: his family was saved, his daughter's honor preserved, and a dowry for her marriage secured. Some time after, Nicholas secretly provided a dowry for the second daughter. Still later for the third.
But on the third occasion, the girls' father stood watching. As soon as the bag of gold thudded on the floor, he chased after the lad till he caught him. Nicholas was mortified to be discovered in this act of charity. He made the father promise not to tell anyone who had helped his family. Then Nicholas forsook his wealth to answer a call to the ministry.
At the nearby city of Myra a bishop supervised all the churches of the region. When the bishop died, the bishops and ministers from other cities and villages -- Nicholas among them -- gathered to choose a successor.
Nicholas was in the habit of rising very early and going to the church to pray. This morning an aged minister awaited him in the sanctuary. "Who are you, my son?" he asked.
"Nicholas the sinner," the young minister replied. "And I am your servant."
"Come with me," the old priest directed. Nicholas followed him to a room where the bishops had assembled. The elderly minister addressed the gathering. "I had a vision that the first one to enter the church in the morning should be the new bishop of Myra. Here is that man: Nicholas."
Indeed they did choose him as bishop. Nicholas was destined to lead his congregation through the worst tribulation in history.
In A.D. 303, the Roman Emperor Diocletian ordered a brutal persecution of all Christians. Those suspected of following the Lord were ordered to sacrifice to pagan gods. Nicholas and thousands of others refused.
Ministers, bishops, and lay people were dragged to prison. Savage tortures were unleashed on Christians all over the empire. Believers were fed to wild animals. Some were forced to fight gladiators for their lives while bloodthirsty crowds screamed for their death. Women suffered dehumanizing torment. Saints were beaten senseless, others set aflame while still alive.
Yet persecution couldn't stamp out Christianity. Rather it spread. Third Century leader Tertullian observed, "The blood of the martyrs is the seed of the Church."
Those who survived Diocletian's torture chambers were called "saints" or "confessors" by the people, because they didn't forsake their confession that Jesus Christ is Lord. Nicholas was one of these.
Finally, after years of imprisonment, the iron doors swung open and Bishop Nicholas walked out, freed by decree of the new Emperor Constantine. As he entered his city once more, his people flocked about him. "Nicholas! Confessor!" they shouted. "Saint Nicholas has come home."
The bishop was beaten but not broken. He served Christ's people in Myra for another thirty years. Through the prayers of this tried and tested soldier of faith, many found salvation and healing. Nicholas participated in the famous Council of Nicea in 325 A.D. He died on December 6, about 343, a living legend, beloved by his whole city.
St. Nick of yuletide fame still carries faint reminders of this ancient man of God. The color of his outfit recollects the red of bishop's robes. "Making a list, checking it twice," probably recalls the old saint's lectures to children about good behavior. Gifts secretly brought on Christmas eve bring to mind his humble generosity to the three daughters.
Yet if he were alive today, this saint would humbly deflect attention from himself. No fur-trimmed hat and coat, no reindeer and sleigh or North Pole workshop. As he did in life centuries ago, Bishop Nicholas would point people to his Master. "I am Nicholas, a sinner," the old saint would say. "Nicholas, servant of Christ Jesus."

[dave06668]

Ingredients:
* 1 can eagle brand milk
* 8 0z cream cheese
* 3 cups milk
* large box instant vanilla pudding
* 1 large cool whip
*1 box vanilla wafers
*3 or 4 bananas



Instructions:
In large bowl whip cream cheese and Eagle Brand milk until smooth. Add milk and pudding. Stir or beat. Add cool whip and beat.



In bowl of your choice. Layer of Cookies, layer of Bananas, and layer of Pudding, repeat ending with last layer of Cookies.

[jmb]

I would love for someone to give me a good stuffing recipe,i made stove top the last two times,,,,,not very good.



Big John, I have a delicious dressing recipe...will get it for you tomorrow.

[big john]

Lord, help <NOBR>me! </NOBR> <NOBR>Matthew 15:25</NOBR>

I am the Lord, your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help <NOBR>you. </NOBR> <NOBR>Isaiah 41:13</NOBR>

I, even I, am he who comforts you, for I am the Lord your <NOBR>God. </NOBR> <NOBR>Isaiah 51:12, 15</NOBR>

The Lord Jesus Christ said, "I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to <NOBR>you." </NOBR> <NOBR>John 14:18</NOBR>

[big john]

Then Jesus told them this parable: 'Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Does he not leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it? And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, 'Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.' I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent.' Luke 15:3-7 (http://www.ibs.org/niv/passagesearch.php?niv=yes&passage_request=Luke 15:3-7) NIV Listen (javascript:newWindowDM())

[big john]

History of the Riga Christmas Tree

http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.firstchristmastree.com/images/first_christmas_tree.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.firstchristmastree.com/&h=256&w=320&sz=12&hl=en&start=21&tbnid=3J1OGk3awzcfaM:&tbnh=94&tbnw=118&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dchristmas%2Btree%26start%3D20%26ndsp% 3D20%26svnum%3D10%26hl%3Den%26lr%3D%26sa%3DN

[big john]

On my father's farm were certain fields he sowed by hand. He would strap on a canvas contraption that looked somewhat like a kangaroo pouch, fill it with seed, and go out to sow. He would cast seed everywhere.
When a farmer sows seed in his field, it looks like he's throwing it away. It seems to be lost, but it isn't really gone. In due time he gets it back—with much more besides.
When we give ourselves to Christ, it may seem to people as if we're throwing our life away. But He said that it is only as we lose our lives in Him that we find true life (Matt. 10:39).
Jesus teaches us to measure our lives by losses rather than gains, by sacrifices rather than self-preservation, by time spent for others rather than time lavished upon ourselves, by love poured out rather than love poured in.
It's a rule of life: God blesses those who give of their lives and resources (2 Cor. 9:6). Give out the truth you know, and He'll give you more to give away. Give your time, and you'll have more time to give. Set no limit on your love, and you'll have more love for others than before.
Israel's wise man said, "There is one who scatters, yet increases more" (Prov. 11:24). It's one of the oldest paradoxes in the world, but it works. —David H. Roper (http://www.rbc.org/devotionals/our_daily_bread/writer/4561.aspx)
<!--—David H. Roper (http://www.myhattiesburg.com/devotionals/our_daily_bread/writer/4561.aspx)-->

[dave06668]

With thanksgiving and christmas coming up,feel free to talk about family and friends you only get to see this time of year,tell of your favorite thanksgiving or christmas from when you were young,
Did any of you live where it snowed every christmas?
tell of your favorite gifts,have you ever given someone something that you made with your own hands,for christmas?Whats your favorite kind of christmas tree?
whats your favorite holliday foods?Can you share some of your grandma's recipies with us?

I am thinking of getting a silver tree for my bedroom this christmas,like the ones from the 70's does anyone know if they still sell them and where?
I would love for someone to give me a good stuffing recipe,i made stove top the last two times,,,,,not very good.

I remember when i was around 12 years old and helping my dad chop wood,I remember the fresh smell,the smell of wild game cooking on a wood stove around this time of year,this was only in the 70's but my dads family lived kinda primitive for the times,he and my mother were divorced,he lived in the country and my mom in the city,looking back I am thankful that I got to spend time with him and live like that on the weekends,lol
I know what its like to hunt your own food,drink cold water from a well,use an outhouse and a sears catolog,pick field peas,then shell em on the front porch and then eat em later with some rabbit stew and cornbread and iced tea,great times,I didnt know then how great.someone else started a thread about thanksgiving and it is getting replies already,maybe you named your thread wrong,or people just dont like you:smt118

[XC9]

Then Jesus told them this parable: 'Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Does he not leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it? And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, 'Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.' I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent.' Luke 15:3-7 (http://www.ibs.org/niv/passagesearch.php?niv=yes&passage_request=Luke 15:3-7) NIV Listen (javascript:newWindowDM())

This is one of my favorites-more rejoicing in heaven over 1 sinner who repents than 99 righteous persons who do not need to. Thank you for mentioning this. God bless you.

[XC9]

My fondest holiday memories come from the 70s actually. I can remember the first Coca-Cola "I'd like to teach the world to sing..." commercial. That same year was my first time to go Christmas caroling. I love the unity of the holidays. It is truly my favorite time of year.

WOW! I remember that coke song too. This goes back a LONG time. I agree with you, some people seem to shine a little more during the Christmas season. Now I have that song going through my head-in perfect harmony.:smt006

[big john]

someone else started a thread about thanksgiving and it is getting replies already,maybe you named your thread wrong,or people just dont like you:smt118
its probably a little early to be getting a lot of posts about thansgiving and christmas,the past couple of years i didnt have time to enjoy the holidays,they came and went without much thought,but this time i am going to slow down and enjoy the hollidays,there will be more posts as time goes by.

[big john]

My fondest holiday memories come from the 70s actually. I can remember the first Coca-Cola "I'd like to teach the world to sing..." commercial. That same year was my first time to go Christmas caroling. I love the unity of the holidays. It is truly my favorite time of year.
wow ,i havent thought of that song for a long time,thanks.I was a kid in the 70's those were the best of times for me,all my grandparents were alive and great grandparents too.I would give everything i own to go back and have one meal with them all:)

[LipsofanAngel]

I was really excited... Last night in choir practice at church they gave out the cds for our Christmas musical. I've been listening to it ever since. Christmas time is "the most wonderful time of the year!!!" (sorry, I had a cheesy moment, but couldn't resist!) :)

[big john]

During the years that I taught junior high students in an overcrowded school, I used to say (only slightly in jest) that my morning prayer was in 2 Chronicles 20:12—"O our God, will You not judge them? For we have no power against this great multitude that is coming against us; nor do we know what to do, but our eyes are upon You."
When Judah's King Jehoshaphat spoke those words, it was a matter of life and death. As a coalition of armies marched against Jerusalem, the people of Judah gathered to seek God's guidance and help (v.13).
During threatening times of disruption and change, we need to ask, "Lord, what do You want to do with this moment?" And like King Jehoshaphat, we should begin our prayer with praise to our sovereign and powerful Father in heaven (vv.5-9).
God told the king and his people: "Do not be afraid nor dismayed . . . , for the battle is not yours, but God's. Tomorrow go down against them. . . . for the LORD is with you" (vv.15-17).
In stressful, confusing situations, we might ask a worried "What now?" But if we look to the Lord and trust in His care, our fear will be replaced with peace. —David C. McCasland (http://www.rbc.org/devotionals/our_daily_bread/writer/4559.aspx)
<!--—David C. McCasland (http://www.myhattiesburg.com/devotionals/our_daily_bread/writer/4559.aspx)-->
O Lord, whenever we're afraid,
We'll put our trust in You
To lead, protect, and guide our way,
And help us make it through. —Sper

[dollfus46]

With thanksgiving and christmas coming up,feel free to talk about family and friends you only get to see this time of year,tell of your favorite thanksgiving or christmas from when you were young,
Did any of you live where it snowed every christmas?
tell of your favorite gifts,have you ever given someone something that you made with your own hands,for christmas?Whats your favorite kind of christmas tree?
whats your favorite holliday foods?Can you share some of your grandma's recipies with us?

I am thinking of getting a silver tree for my bedroom this christmas,like the ones from the 70's does anyone know if they still sell them and where?
I would love for someone to give me a good stuffing recipe,i made stove top the last two times,,,,,not very good.

I remember when i was around 12 years old and helping my dad chop wood,I remember the fresh smell,the smell of wild game cooking on a wood stove around this time of year,this was only in the 70's but my dads family lived kinda primitive for the times,he and my mother were divorced,he lived in the country and my mom in the city,looking back I am thankful that I got to spend time with him and live like that on the weekends,lol
I know what its like to hunt your own food,drink cold water from a well,use an outhouse and a sears catolog,pick field peas,then shell em on the front porch and then eat em later with some rabbit stew and cornbread and iced tea,great times,I didnt know then how great.

I want you all who have family you can share holidays with to do so, and appreciate the opportunity. You might not be so fortunate one day. Family and friends don't always outlive you. This Thanksgiving, try holding hands in a circle with everyone and individually tell the group gathered there in love, what you are thankful for. We used to do that and I found it an especially gratifying time. I don't mean to be morbid, I apologize if it seems that way, but this will be my first Thanksgiving alone and I'm afraid.

[dollfus46]

Ingredients:
* 1 can eagle brand milk
* 8 0z cream cheese
* 3 cups milk
* large box instant vanilla pudding
* 1 large cool whip
*1 box vanilla wafers
*3 or 4 bananas



Instructions:
In large bowl whip cream cheese and Eagle Brand milk until smooth. Add milk and pudding. Stir or beat. Add cool whip and beat.



In bowl of your choice. Layer of Cookies, layer of Bananas, and layer of Pudding, repeat ending with last layer of Cookies.

Pick up two cans of Eagle Brand. Give me one. I put it in the fridge and chill it. Then eat it with a spoon. I've done that since I was a kid. Still love it.

[fuzzis]

I want you all who have family you can share holidays with to do so, and appreciate the opportunity. You might not be so fortunate one day. Family and friends don't always outlive you. This Thanksgiving, try holding hands in a circle with everyone and individually tell the group gathered there in love, what you are thankful for. We used to do that and I found it an especially gratifying time. I don't mean to be morbid, I apologize if it seems that way, but this will be my first Thanksgiving alone and I'm afraid.

Don't be afraid. Make some plans to do something you wouldn't normally consider. The first one is always a little difficult, but after that, you find things that different...but nice.

fuzzis

[Conveyor Belt]

Don't be afraid. Make some plans to do something you wouldn't normally consider. The first one is always a little difficult, but after that, you find things that different...but nice.

fuzzis

I tried that once, but was sore the next day.

[fuzzis]

I tried that once, but was sore the next day.

Heh. Yeah, well. :smt118

fuzzis

[big john]

A man is talking about being alone and afraid on thanksgiving and cb cracks weird jokes.so much for this thread.

[Conveyor Belt]

A man is talking about being alone and afraid on thanksgiving and cb cracks weird jokes.so much for this thread.

honesly, I try to stay away from this thread, to keep it what it is supposed to be. Then, when I pulled up the new posts, and saw fuzzis had posted here, I had to pop in and see what it was, and I couldn't resist the joke.

Lighten up, bj.

as for being alone on Thanksgiving, I didn't even read that part. Now that I've read it, it makes me think of all the people who eat at Shoney's on Thanksgiving. If you're alone on Thanksgiving, then you're pretty much alone all the time. This is the time in your life when you put yourself into situations that make you interact with stangers. Volunteer to feed others on Thanksgiving, or pick up some hitchhikers and bring them back and feed them. I'm sure you don't have to look that hard to find somewhere to be on Thanksgiving that will give you the opprotunity to fill fullfilled. I can think of 1/2 a dozen things to do that would do this. Fuzzis was right, you have to put yourself out there and try something you've never done before. Sometimes, that leaves you sore the next day.

[dollfus46]

Don't be afraid. Make some plans to do something you wouldn't normally consider. The first one is always a little difficult, but after that, you find things that different...but nice.

fuzzis

Thank you, fuzzis. Very kind of you to offer some help and advice. Never been here before. I think the unknown is what is so unsettling. I'll take your advice with thanks.

[dollfus46]

I tried that once, but was sore the next day.

:smt038 Heh heh heh.

[dave06668]

I tried that once, but was sore the next day.
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOWWWWWWW HAAAA HAAAAAA HAAAA HAAAAAA HAAAAAAA,,, HAAA HAA HEE HEEEE HEEEEEEE HOOOO HOOOOO HOOOO OOOOOOWWWWWW ICANT BREATH! SOMEBODY HELP ME!!!!!! HAAA HAAA HAAA HAAAA HAAAA HAAAAAA HAAAAA HAAAAAA HAAAAA HAAA HAAAAA HAAA HAAA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HAAAAA HAAAAAAAAAAA MY SIDES ARE SPITTING HO HO HO HOOOOOOOO EEEEEEEEEEHAW HA HO HEE HEE HEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!OH MY GOD ,I HAVE NEVER HEARD ANYTHING SOOOOO FUNNY IN ALL OF MY LIFE,I CAN SEE WHY YOU JUST HAD TO PUT THAT ON THIS THREAD OOOOOHHHHHHH MY,MY SIDES ARE SPLITTING,I WILL PROBABLY NOT STOP LAUGHING TILL CHRISTMAS AT LEAST.

[dave06668]

I wonder why big john didnt post a devotion today?

[fuzzis]

Thank you, fuzzis. Very kind of you to offer some help and advice. Never been here before. I think the unknown is what is so unsettling. I'll take your advice with thanks.

You're welcome. My daddy passed away on Dec. 11, and that first Christmas was really hard for my Sner and I. We decided that instead of trying to pretend, we'd go to the movies and to a buffet. That was our Christmas tradition for a long time, and then she went back to driving so she wasn't home on Christmas...or Thanksgiving.

I *still* like movies on Christmas...or Thanksgiving. And I like not having to worry about what's in the oven or where I have to be. There are usually lots of invitations for me to choose from, and I can decide whether I'm going somewhere...or not. I was used to cooking for 40-50 people (two turkeys, two hams, a prime rib and all of the rest of the stuff), and it's nice to be a slacker weasel.

fuzzis

[dollfus46]

I was really excited... Last night in choir practice at church they gave out the cds for our Christmas musical. I've been listening to it ever since. Christmas time is "the most wonderful time of the year!!!" (sorry, I had a cheesy moment, but couldn't resist!) :)

Nothing cheesy about it, Lips. I'm with you. I could listen to Johnny Mathis sing Christmas songs all year. Can't wait for the Bill Gaither singers to get cranked up. I still love Ernie Ford's spirituals and gospel music. That's how "square" I am.:)

[dollfus46]

You're welcome. My daddy passed away on Dec. 11, and that first Christmas was really hard for my Sner and I. We decided that instead of trying to pretend, we'd go to the movies and to a buffet. That was our Christmas tradition for a long time, and then she went back to driving so she wasn't home on Christmas...or Thanksgiving.
fuzzis

Been there, fuzzis. My dad died suddenly on 11/30/74. We tried to go on as normal for Christmas. You can't. Sitting down at the dinner table with an empty seat at the head of the table is crushing.

I'm less that an hour from the middle of the Blue Ridge Mtns. I bet I can find a Bed and Breakfast type place up there who has a nice Thanksgiving spread and people to meet. And I truly love the mountains. Time to start calling around. Or, I may just share a bowl of pop corn with Ian (my Golden Retriever) and watch a ballgame. As long as I feed him popcorn he'll agree with everything I say.:)

[dollfus46]

A man is talking about being alone and afraid on thanksgiving and cb cracks weird jokes.so much for this thread.


So'k Big John. I didn't take offense. Kinda glad to have the mood break.I am terribly sorry to have put such a damper on a wonderful holiday. I typed it and hit sumit before I thought. Hope You all will accept my apology. This wasn't the time nor the place. Bank leader!! Let's hear a happy song!!

[Tully Mars]

I want you all who have family you can share holidays with to do so, and appreciate the opportunity. You might not be so fortunate one day. Family and friends don't always outlive you. This Thanksgiving, try holding hands in a circle with everyone and individually tell the group gathered there in love, what you are thankful for. We used to do that and I found it an especially gratifying time. I don't mean to be morbid, I apologize if it seems that way, but this will be my first Thanksgiving alone and I'm afraid.

I understand what you are going through dollfus. This will be my third Thanksgiving since my Dad died. He died on Labor Day two years ago. We had all planned on going to Gulf Shores for Thanksgiving that year, he was so looking forward to that trip and having all of us together we decided to go ahead with the trip anyway. It wound up being my Mom, my Sister and her family and my Brother and his family. Although Dad wasn't there it was a great Thanksgiving with a lot of memories shared.

Last year we went home for Thanksgiving but most of the family (especially little Sister) couldn't quite bear breaking out the grill or the smoker. One of Dad's favorite ways to spend the holidays was outside with us hanging out and "tending the grill". I guess we just weren't quite ready yet.

Today little Sis called and asked if I would mind cooking a roast on the smoker this year. Mind??? I can think of nothing that I would rather do than help carry on Dad's favorite tradition.

The point to all of this is that while not a day goes by that I don't miss Dad, things do get more bearable with time. No matter what you do this year, find a way to spend time surrounded by those that you love and that love you. It will make things much easier.

[dollfus46]

Change can be so difficult - especially if the change is a result of someone you love not being there. My husband died 5 years ago last week. It was so easy to dread the upcoming holidays especially that year. But you know, it was okay. Each holiday now is a little easier - but that emptiness is still there, it never goes away. I just can cope with it better.

Try to keep your thoughts on good memories - go ahead and make specific plans for what you are going to do on Thanksgiving and Christmas. Know where you'll spend the holiday - if you've got family close by, that's a great place to start; if not - begin creating an extended family for yourself. By making plans now, you'll have something to look forward to and you won't find yourself alone on those holidays.

I've also found there's a difference in being lonely and being alone. One way I work through the lonliness is to try to focus on something other than myself and my situation. That usually helps. And, one way to work through that is to plan not to be alone. Doing something for someone else also helps - anything to take the focus off yourself and onto someone else.

This is just one of the ways I've dealt with changes during the holidays. God will get you through this, I'm certain, because He never fails us and with Him, WE ARE NEVER ALONE!

(Plus, even though everyone is busy during the holidays, there is always chatter on myhattiesburg and your mh friends will be around to talk and get you through a difficult time! Count on us! :) )

I'm feeling pretty petty now. It's not all about me. I'm not the only one who has moments of loneliness. I need to focus on positive things. Still, I want to be able to handle the situation as well as you and fuzzis have, I guess is what I'm saying. It's the unknown that is unsettling to me, I think. But, I'll be here chatting with friends for sure. Might get up a good debate to sharpen the mind and learn something.

[dollfus46]

I understand what you are going through dollfus. This will be my third Thanksgiving since my Dad died. He died on Labor Day two years ago. We had all planned on going to Gulf Shores for Thanksgiving that year, he was so looking forward to that trip and having all of us together we decided to go ahead with the trip anyway. It wound up being my Mom, my Sister and her family and my Brother and his family. Although Dad wasn't there it was a great Thanksgiving with a lot of memories shared.

Last year we went home for Thanksgiving but most of the family (especially little Sister) couldn't quite bear breaking out the grill or the smoker. One of Dad's favorite ways to spend the holidays was outside with us hanging out and "tending the grill". I guess we just weren't quite ready yet.

Today little Sis called and asked if I would mind cooking a roast on the smoker this year. Mind??? I can think of nothing that I would rather do than help carry on Dad's favorite tradition.

The point to all of this is that while not a day goes by that I don't miss Dad, things do get more bearable with time. No matter what you do this year, find a way to spend time surrounded by those that you love and that love you. It will make things much easier.

Excellent point, Tully. I'm not unique. We all have to go through this at one point or another. So I feel a bit selfish to have brought it up. But I can't help my feelings. Sounds like a smoked roast will be dynamite. What are everyone's favorite Thanksgiving dinners? One friend of mine has lasagna because turkey for Thanksgiving and Christmas is too much. We always had turkey, ham, mashed sweet potatoes w/marshmellows, string beans, rice and gravy with giblets, asparagus cassarole, corn, peas, cornbread dressing, and oyster dressing for Dad, spiced peaches, roasted pecans and pumpkin and pecan pies for dessert. That was it every Thanksgiving and Christmas.

[dollfus46]

My dad was called home to be with the Lord on December 17 of 1987. The day before we knew he was brain dead, but my mother wanted to hear it from one more doctor. The night of December 16, my brother, then 5, played an angel in the school Christmas play. It was heart wrenching and was the prelude to a dark time in my life in which I became very angry with God and turned from Him for a number of years.

But as I look back, I can really say that, while I don't understand why dad had to die so young with still with three boys to raise, I can say with complete confidence that God can and will work all things, even the bad things, out for good for those who love Him and are called according to His purpose.

How awful that must have been. But I can empathise with you. At first I was angry at Dad for leaving me. But I shook my fist at God and cursed Him. Wouldn't have anything to do with Him for several years. Found a great minister who helped lead me back.

[jmb]

For me, food and family go hand in hand. I don't think there has ever been a family get-together that hasn't included a huge spread of food. My dad died in May 2004, less than 3 weeks after being diagnosed with lung cancer. I spent that summer with Mom in Tennessee to make sure she would be okay living on her own. She was 80 and had been getting forgetful, but we didn't know to what extent. It was the first time since I had been married that I had such quality time with her with no kids around to take care of, just me and her. We both thoroughly enjoyed the time spent together. That Thanksgiving, my sister in Louisiana had Thanksgiving but we weren't able to go so my brother picked Mom up and they went down. She came home the Monday after Thanksgiving, wasn't feeling good, went in the hospital the next day, suffered a massive stroke on Wednesday, and died Thursday morning. Losing both of my parents unexpectedly, that close in time, really did a number on me. I didn't know how Thanksgiving the next year would be, but it turned out great. Food is a tool for both celebrating and commiserating.

This year, my brother and his girlfriend are driving over; our youngest son is coming home from college for the week. So with the exception of my sister and her husband, we'll all be together. Sis and her hubby will be up for Christmas and are bringing a turducken with them.

Family and food...does it get any better? :)

[dave06668]

hey big john,if your not gonna post here anymore,can you tell me where you got the poems pictures and devotionals?pm me or something.you on vacation again?

[big john]

Here ya go davo a devotion picture and poem :)

After this he said to him, "Follow me." (John 21:19 NRSV Bible (http://www.devotions.net/bible/00bible.htm))<HR width="40%">"Follow me," Jesus said. It was the same call he gave them at the beginning of their discipleship. Do you know what that call was? "Follow me." This is his final instruction for them before he leaves them. "Follow me." He is not sending them out to a hostile world alone. He goes ahead of them. Like a commander leading his troops into battle. Like an explorer leading his party into the unknown. He takes the first step, and those who would be his followers come after. That is what gives Christian living its radiance, its joy, its reassurance.

Susan took one look at her friend's exhausted expression and cluttered office and said, "What you need is a vacation!"
Her overworked friend asked jokingly, "Vacation? What's that?"
"A vacation," Susan explained, "is what you take if you can no longer take what you've been taking!"
If you can no longer take what you are taking, try following Jesus Christ more closely. <HR width="40%"><B>Dear God, remind me daily to follow more closely in the steps of Jesus. Amen. </B>Ron Newhouse

[big john]

http://www.desktop-xp.com/images/free-christmas-screensaver/big2.jpg

[big john]

I look across
The palm of God's great hand
And see the peace
That underlies my pain.
No tragic loss
Or grief can be so grand.
Through life's short lease
Such sights our hearts sustain

[dave06668]

thanks,man thats a cool pic,makes me cold looking at it.

[big john]

Sociologist and evangelist Tony Campolo once spoke to a group and asked this question, "Is it a sin to own a BMW?" Then he added, "If Jesus had forty thousand dollars, would He buy a BMW or use that to feed or house the needy in the Third World?" Wow, that's a tough one. That's the kind of question we would prefer not to even think about. People get crucified for asking questions like that. It's a challenging question--even a disturbing one. One woman, however, was so struck by Campolo's talk that she wrote his ministry a check for the same amount that she paid for her new custom drapes. Her gift built three houses in Haiti.

It is so easy for us to forget who we are and what Christ has called us to be. It is so easy for us to become so preoccupied with our work, with our family, with our own needs that we forget our essential call to feed Christ's sheep. There are needy people all around us--needy for things but also needy for love and recognition and for a word of encouragement. Most of all, needy to know that God loves them. Who will share Christ's love with them if we don't? <HR width="40%"><B>Lord Jesus, thank you for feeding me. May I also work to feed others who need your love. Amen. </B>Ron Newhouse

[zorro]

Martin Luther's Account of His Own Conversion

Meanwhile, I had already during that year returned to interpret the Psalter anew. I had confidence in the fact that I was more skilful, after I had lectured in the university on St. Paul's epistles to the Romans, to the Galatians, and the one to the Hebrews. I had indeed been captivated with an extraordinary ardor for understanding Paul in the Epistle to the Romans. But up till then it was not the cold blood about the heart, but a single word in Chapter 1, "In it the righteousness of God is revealed," that had stood in my way. For I hated that word "righteousness of God," which, according to the use and custom of all the teachers, I had been taught to understand philosophically regarding the formal or active righteousness, as they call it, with which God is righteous and punishes the unrighteous sinner.

Though I lived as a monk without reproach, I felt that I was a sinner before God with an extremely disturbed conscience. I could not believe that he was placated by my satisfaction. I did not love, yes, I hated the righteous God who punishes sinners, and secretly, if not blasphemously, certainly murmuring greatly, I was angry with God, and said, "As if, indeed, it is not enough, that miserable sinners, eternally lost through original sin, are crushed by every kind of calamity by the law of the decalogue, without having God add pain to pain by the gospel and also by the gospel threatening us with his righteousness and wrath!" Thus I raged with a fierce and troubled conscience. Nevertheless, I beat importunately upon Paul at that place, most ardently desiring to know what St. Paul wanted.

At last, by the mercy of God, meditating day and night, I gave heed to the context of the words, namely, "In it the righteousness of God is revealed, as it is written, 'He who through faith is righteous shall live.'" There I began to understand that the righteousness of God is that by which the righteous lives by a gift of God, namely by faith. And this is the meaning: the righteousness of God is revealed by the gospel, namely, the passive righteousness with which merciful God justifies us by faith, as it is written, "He who through faith is righteous shall live." Here I felt that I was altogether born again and had entered paradise itself through open gates. There a totally other face of the entire Scripture showed itself to me. Thereupon I ran through the Scripture from memory. I also found in other terms an analogy, as, the work of God, that is what God does in us, the power of God, with which he makes us wise, the strength of God, the salvation of God, the glory of God.

And I extolled my sweetest word with a love as great as the hatred with which I had before hated the word "righteousness of God." Thus that place in Paul was for me truly the gate to paradise. Later I read Augustine's The Spirit and the Letter, where contrary to hope I found that he, too, interpreted God's righteousness in a similar way, as the righteousness with which God clothes us when he justifies us. Although this was heretofore said imperfectly and he did not explain all things concerning imputation clearly, it nevertheless was pleasing that God's righteousness with which we are justified was taught.

[big john]

<CENTER>http://www.upperroom.org/devotional/images/arrow.gifBack to the Starting Point
Read Acts 8:26-39 (javascript:openWin('scripture.asp?devo_id=372253' ,'',350,425);)
</CENTER>Philip asked the Ethiopian, "Do you understand what you are reading?" He replied, "How can I, unless someone guides me?"
-Acts 8:30-31 (NRSV)
I was on the way to a consecration service for a bishop when the police officer directing traffic in the neighborhood directed me away from the church. I ended up in an unfamiliar section of the city. I found the church only by following the crowd of people dressed for the occasion. After the reception, I had no idea where I had left my car. I began wandering in the old city and soon had walked more than two miles. I kept returning to the same spot, but I still couldn't find the car.





In impatience I turned to God in prayer. Soon I began to experience peace. I walked out from the old part of the city and looked for the road on which I entered the downtown area. After finding that road, it was only a short time until I was sitting in my car, giving thanks that I could start home.






If we are searching for peace for our souls and not finding it, we may find it helpful to go back to the starting point. In terms of our relationship with God, that starting point is the cross of Christ. We can stand before God with our tangled, confused lives, bringing our pain to the one who suffered and died for us. Christ will guide us back to the way of peace and continue with us on our journey. István Csernák (Budapest, Hungary)
<CENTER>http://www.upperroom.org/devotional/images/prayer.gif </CENTER>Thank you, O God, that at the cross of Christ we can find you. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.
<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=5 width=325><TBODY><TR><TD bgColor=#eaeada><CENTER>http://www.upperroom.org/devotional/images/thought.gif
When life gets complicated, return to the basics of following Christ.
</CENTER></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

[zorro]

Some of the best and most meaningful devotionals are those where we just reflect and meditate on certain passages of Scripture. Below are the words of the apostle Paul recorded in I Corinthians 1:18-31

For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. For it is written,
"I will destroy the wisdom of the wise,
and the discernment of the discerning I will thwart."

Where is the one who is wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? For since, in the wisdom of God, the world did not know God through wisdom, it pleased God through the folly of what we preach to save those who believe. For Jews demand signs and Greeks seek wisdom, but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and folly to Gentiles, but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. For the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men.

For consider your calling, brothers: not many of you were wise according to worldly standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth. But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, so that no human being might boast in the presence of God. He is the source of your life in Christ Jesus, whom God made our wisdom and our righteousness and sanctification and redemption. Therefore, as it is written, "Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord."

[big john]

First Thanksgiving



In 1621 the Plymouth colonists and the Wampanoag Indians shared an autumn harvest feast which is now known as the first Thanksgiving. While cooking methods and table etiquette have changed as the holiday has evolved, the meal is still consumed today with the same spirit of celebration and overindulgence.
http://www.history.com/minisites/thanksgiving/images/thanksgiving_meal3.gifWhat Was Actually on the Menu?
What foods topped the table at the first harvest feast? Historians aren't completely certain about the full bounty, but it's safe to say the pilgrims weren't gobbling up pumpkin pie or playing with their mashed potatoes. Following is a list of the foods that were available to the colonists at the time of the 1621 feast. However, the only two items that historians know for sure were on the menu are venison and wild fowl, which are mentioned in primary sources. The most detailed description of the "First Thanksgiving" comes from Edward Winslow from A Journal of the Pilgrims at Plymouth, in 1621:
"Our harvest being gotten in, our governor sent four men on fowling, that so we might after a special manner rejoice together after we had gathered the fruit of our labors. They four in one day killed as much fowl as, with a little help beside, served the company almost a week. At which time, among other recreations, we exercised our arms, many of the Indians coming amongst us, and among the rest their greatest king Massasoit, with some ninety men, whom for three days we entertained and feasted, and they went out and killed five deer, which they brought to the plantation and bestowed upon our governor, and upon the captain, and others. And although it be not always so plentiful as it was at this time with us, yet by the goodness of God, we are so far from want that we often wish you partakersof our plenty.
Did you know that lobster, seal and swans were on the Pilgrims' menu? Learn more... (http://www.history.com/minisites/thanksgiving/viewPage?pageId=873)
http://www.history.com/minisites/thanksgiving/images/thanksgiving_meal1.gifSeventeenth Century Table Manners:
The pilgrims didn't use forks; they ate with spoons, knives, and their fingers. They wiped their hands on large cloth napkins which they also used to pick up hot morsels of food. Salt would have been on the table at the harvest feast, and people would have sprinkled it on their food. Pepper, however, was something that they used for cooking but wasn't available on the table.
In the seventeenth century, a person's social standing determined what he or she ate. The best food was placed next to the most important people. People didn't tend to sample everything that was on the table (as we do today), they just ate what was closest to them.
Serving in the seventeenth century was very different from serving today. People weren't served their meals individually. Foods were served onto the table and then people took the food from the table and ate it. All the servers had to do was move the food from the place where it was cooked onto the table.
Pilgrims didn't eat in courses as we do today. All of the different types of foods were placed on the table at the same time and people ate in any order they chose. Sometimes there were two courses, but each of them would contain both meat dishes, puddings, and sweets.
http://www.history.com/minisites/thanksgiving/images/thanksgiving_meal2.gifMore Meat, Less Vegetables
Our modern Thanksgiving repast is centered around the turkey, but that certainly wasn't the case at the pilgrims's feasts. Their meals included many different meats. Vegetable dishes, one of the main components of our modern celebration, didn't really play a large part in the feast mentality of the seventeenth century. Depending on the time of year, many vegetables weren't available to the colonists.
The pilgrims probably didn't have pies or anything sweet at the harvest feast. They had brought some sugar with them on the Mayflower but by the time of the feast, the supply had dwindled. Also, they didn't have an oven so pies and cakes and breads were not possible at all. The food that was eaten at the harvest feast would have seemed fatty by 1990's standards, but it was probably more healthy for the pilgrims than it would be for people today. The colonists were more active and needed more protein. Heart attack was the least of their worries. They were more concerned about the plague and pox.
Surprisingly Spicy Cooking
People tend to think of English food at bland, but, in fact, the pilgrims used many spices, including cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, pepper, and dried fruit, in sauces for meats. In the seventeenth century, cooks did not use proportions or talk about teaspoons and tablespoons. Instead, they just improvised. The best way to cook things in the seventeenth century was to roast them. Among the pilgrims, someone was assigned to sit for hours at a time and turn the spit to make sure the meat was evenly done.
Since the pilgrims and Wampanoag Indians had no refrigeration in the seventeenth century, they tended to dry a lot of their foods to preserve them. They dried Indian corn, hams, fish, and herbs.
http://www.history.com/minisites/thanksgiving/images/thanksgiving_meal4.gifDinner for Breakfast: Pilgrim Meals:
The biggest meal of the day for the colonists was eaten at noon and it was called noonmeat or dinner. The housewives would spend part of their morning cooking that meal. Supper was a smaller meal that they had at the end of the day. Breakfast tended to be leftovers from the previous day's noonmeat.
In a pilgrim household, the adults sat down to eat and the children and servants waited on them. The foods that the colonists and Wampanoag Indians ate were very similar, but their eating patterns were different. While the colonists had set eating patterns--breakfast, dinner, and supper--the Wampanoags tended to eat when they were hungry and to have pots cooking throughout the day.
Source: Kathleen Curtin, Food Historian at Plimoth Plantation
All Photos Courtesy of Plimouth Plantation, Inc., Plymouth, Mass. USA.

[big john]

I am almost 40 and i didnt know the pilgrims didnt have regular corn to eat.

Some perhaps startling omissions from the authentic Thanksgiving menu



Ham. (The Pilgrims most likely did not have pigs with them).
Sweet Potatoes-Potatoes-Yams. (These had not yet been introduced to New England).
Corn on the cob. (Indian corn was only good for making cornmeal, not eating on the cob).
Popcorn. (Contrary to popular folklore, popcorn was not introduced at the 1621 Thanksgiving. Indian corn could only be half-popped, and this wouldn't have tasted very good.)
Cranberry sauce. (Cranberries were available, but sugar was not.) Pumpkin Pie: (They probably made a pumpkin pudding of sorts, sweetened by honey or syrup, which would be like the filling of a pumpkin pie, but there would be no crust or whipped topping.)

[big john]

<TABLE width="100%" border=5 cell padding="5"><TBODY><TR><TD>Weight (pounds) <TD>Unstuffed Cooking Time (hours) <TD>Stuffed Cooking Time (hours) <TR><TD>8 to 12
<TD>2 3/4 to 3 <TD>3 to 3 1/2 <TR><TD>12 to 14
<TD>3 to 3 3/4 <TD>3 1/2 to 4 <TR><TD>14 to 18
<TD>3 3/4 to 4 1/4 <TD>4 to 4 1/4 <TR><TD>18 to 20
<TD>4 1/4 to 4 1/2 <TD>4 1/4 to 4 3/4 <TR><TD>20 to 24
<TD>4 1/2 to 5 <TD>4 3/4 to 5 1/4 </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

[big john]

Presidential Pardon

The turkey that lives to see another day

by Borgna Brunner

<TABLE id=fRELATED cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0><TBODY><TR><TD>http://img.infoplease.com/images/wildTurkey.jpg Related Links


Quiz:Turkey Day (http://www.infoplease.com/quizzes/thanksgiving1/1.html)
Thanksgiving History (http://www.infoplease.com/spot/tgturkey1.html)
Turkey Facts (http://www.infoplease.com/spot/tgturkeyfacts.html)
A Not-So-Traditional Thanksgiving (http://www.infoplease.com/spot/tgpilgrim1.html)</TD></TR><TR><TD id=spotAD><SCRIPT type=text/javascript><!--google_ad_client = "pub-1894504138907931";google_ad_width = 120;google_ad_height = 240;google_ad_format = "120x240_as";google_ad_type = "text";google_ad_channel ="";google_color_border = ["336699","B4D0DC","DFF2FD","B0E0E6"];google_color_bg = ["FFFFFF","ECF8FF","DFF2FD","FFFFFF"];google_color_link = ["0000FF","0000CC","0000CC","000000"];google_color_url = ["008000","008000","008000","336699"];google_color_text = ["000000","6F6F6F","000000","333333"];//--></SCRIPT><SCRIPT src="http://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js" type=text/javascript></SCRIPT><IFRAME name=google_ads_frame marginWidth=0 marginHeight=0 src="http://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/ads?client=ca-pub-1894504138907931&dt=1163452279980&lmt=1163452279&format=120x240_as&output=html&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.infoplease.com%2Fspot%2Ftgtur key2.html&color_bg=FFFFFF&color_text=000000&color_link=0000FF&color_url=008000&color_border=336699&ad_type=text&ref=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.infoplease.com%2Fspot%2Fthank sgiving.html&cc=100&u_h=768&u_w=1024&u_ah=738&u_aw=1024&u_cd=32&u_tz=-360&u_his=4&u_java=true" frameBorder=0 width=120 scrolling=no height=240 allowTransparency></IFRAME></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><!--/ fRELATED -->
Uncertain Origins

Each year the President of the United States (http://www.infoplease.com/ipa/A0873867.html) pardons a turkey before Thanksgiving at a White House ceremony. The tradition's origin is uncertain. One story claims that Harry Truman (http://www.infoplease.com/ipa/A0760617.html) pardoned a turkey in 1947, but the Truman Library has been unable to find any evidence for this. Another claims that the tradition dates back to Abraham Lincoln (http://www.infoplease.com/ce6/people/A0829825.html) pardoning his son Tad's pet turkey. Both of these stories have been quoted in recent presidential speeches.
From Frying Pan Park to Disneyland

What's certain is that for many years a turkey—and its alternate—are pardoned each year. An alternate is chosen just in case the first bird is unable to perform its duties. For the last fifteen years, the turkeys have been given to Kidwell Farm, a petting zoo at Frying Pan Park in Herndon, Virginia. The turkeys would receive a last minute pardon before arriving, and were then led to their new home at the Turkey Barn after enduring a turkey "roast" full of poultry humor and history.
In 2005, however, the turkeys will be flown to Disneyland in California where they will serve as honorary grand marshals for Disneyland's Thanksgiving Day parade. After that, they will spend the rest of their lives at a Disneyland ranch. A spot in sunny Disneyland somehow seems immensely preferable to a place called Frying Pan Park if you happen to be a turkey who has just escaped from becoming the main course of someone's Thanksgiving feast.
The People's Choice

In 2005, President Bush gave two turkeys named Marshmallow and Yam a last-minute reprieve. The two turkeys hail from Henning, Minnesota, For the third time, the American public was allowed to vote for the turkeys' names on the White House web site. 2004's turkeys were named Biscuit and Gravy, and in 2003, Stars and Stripes.

More Thanksgiving Features (http://www.infoplease.com/spot/thanksgiving.html)

[big john]

I took the quiz
Total score: 4 right, 6 wrong (40%)
and did real bad,you guys try it,and tell your scores.

[medtrans]

You may already have a recipe and it may be on another thread, but here is my grandmother's cornbread dressing recipe. The amounts are approximate, as she didn't measure anything, and I don't either. I just mix and taste until it's right!

2 big pans of cornbread, crumbled
Chicken, boiled, cooked, cooled, and deboned
3 or 4 Celery sticks, chopped
1 Onion, chopped
1 or 2 Bell peppers, chopped
6 Boiled eggs, chopped
1/2 teaspoon Garlic powder
Chicken stock
Chicken broth (only if more liquid is needed)

Mix all ingredients in a large roasting pan and bake at 350 degrees for about an hour. Some people add sage and poultry seasoning, but I personally do not care for it, perhaps because my sister goes overboard with it! If the mixture is too dry, you can add chicken broth; if it is too runny, you can add bread crumbs or torn white bread. Or, if you have time, make more cornbread and crumble it in. Just be sure to taste as you go until it tastes right to you.
HTH

[hbm]

9 out of 10. It was not eourpean invasion day. But I had some lucky guesses