Amy's Place ... Poetry and Potpourri ... December, 2008

12-01-08 | JustAmy; St.Louie1; MamaBear; Billie

[Lady Jag]

Thankk you. It has special meaning to me this year.

{{{HUGS!!!}}}

[jaycee]

Very pretty, Kitty! Hope you had a lovely Christmas.

[jaycee]

Lovely Meg...

Going to a little get-together tonight. I prefer to stay home but will put forth every effort!

[jaycee]

Very nice, Conor!

By the way, I did finally see the pictures of you and your wonderful family! Thanks for sharing them with us.

[jaycee]

Beautiful display, Luvie!
Thank you.

[jaycee]

So sweet, Majie!

[jaycee]

Wonderful Holidays Presentation, Amy! Your displays have been so lovely lately....don’t know if I want to do anymore of them...LOL!

[Kitty Mittens]

Thank you, Jaycee! My Husband and I Celebrated Christmas with his Family Last Sunday when they had their Big Family Get-Together, and Now we're about to Go and Visit my Sweet Momma and my Family. I Hope your Christmas has been a Very Wonderful One! : )

God Bless, my Dear FRiend!

[jaycee]

It has special meaning to me...as I’m afraid they want to take it away from us...I mean everything that has anything to do with christianity, they are doing away with it. We may have to come to blows over this someday!

[luvie]

You’re welcome!

[luvie]

Bring Us Home Again

He slowly came awake today
and he lumbered to his feet,
for it was just two hours
before that he faded off to sleep.

He donned the day's attire and
grabbed his M-16.
He headed off to breakfast to keep
him strong and lean.

As he walked down to the chow line
he kept a watchful eye.
He didn't want the enemy
to take him by surprise.

As the chaplin said a special prayer
on this very special day,
he kept thinking of his family
that is oh so far away.

He rubbed his left breast pocket
where he keeps a picture of his wife
and a letter from his daughter that
he reads most every night.

He fought back a single tear
as he stared out at the sand,
wishing he could be back home
with his family close at hand.

He shook his head to clear his thoughts
and then be on his way.
He's defending our great country
and has little time to play.

When he got out to the fence line,
his buddy by his side,
he exchanged a "Merry Christmas"
followed by a tired sigh.

He climbed upon the watchtower,
his mouth a tiny grin.
He said, "Merry Christmas to the world"
and "God, please, bring us home again".

~Bradley A. Peraino~




GOD BLESS AMERICA
~~~~~~~~~~
GOD BLESS OUR TROOPS

[E.G.C.]

BTTT

[DollyCali]

Celebrating Boxing Day!!!





Boxing Day - interesting Page!



Boxing Day ~~ It has nothing to do with the blood sport, or with boxer dogs, but rather commemorates the 19th century custom of the rich landed gentry "boxing up" the leftovers from their excessive Christmas feasts to distribute to the poor and needy in the village near their luxury homes.

Until the 1980's some people still referred to their Christmas bonus at work as a "Christmas box."

Boxing Day is celebrated on December 26th. in Australia, Britain, New Zealand, and Canada. It is a statutory holiday in the federal jurisdiction and in Ontario. If it falls on a Saturday or a Sunday, the working day immediately preceding or following Boxing Day is considered a legal holiday.


Boxing Day, also known as the Feast of St. Stephen (after the first Christian martyr), originated in England in the middle of the nineteenth century under Queen Victoria. It originated as a holiday for members of the merchant class to give boxes containing food and fruit, clothing, and/or money to trades people and servants. The gifts were an expression of gratitude similar to the bonuses many employers offer their employees today. These gifts, usually given in boxes, gave the holiday it's name, "Boxing Day".


Also related to the origin of Boxing Day is the tradition of opening the alms boxes placed in churches over the Christmas season. The contents of these boxes were distributed amongst the poor, by the clergy, the day after Christmas.


Today, Boxing Day is a holiday in the United Kingdom, Canada, and many other Commonwealth nations. It is a time for family and friends to gather with lots of food and fun. Outdoor sports such as soccer, horse racing and hunting are popular on this holiday. Retailers offer huge savings on many items on this day, making it the biggest shopping day of the year in Canada.

Throughout the Christmas season, many organizations keep the original tradition of Boxing Day alive by donating their time, energy, and money to fill the Food Bank and provide gifts for the poor.

[gardengirl]

http://www.d21c.com/billie/holidays/GardenGirlOrnament.jpg

Merry Christmas Everyone! Late LOL

Keep your fingers crossed, B. I’ll see if it works!

[gardengirl]

OK—what did I do wrong? I posted the link, but not the pic!?

I’m beginning to think I’m an old dog. ROTF

[gardengirl]

Ha! Got it, Billie! Thanks again, and thanks again for the beautiful ornament!

[DollyCali]

good job!

learning curve is there for HTML!

[WayzataJOHNN]

“And help us to make sure that there are no more Viet Nams,
Where good men worked too hard, and we let stuff get in the way,”

Thanks for posting Bob’s Poem, it was so well done. Reminding me of a Christmas on a jungle river in ‘64.
I shared some hoarded treats from home with my boat crew
and we paused to reflect that we alive for one more day, thanking the Big Guy for that favor! We might have been singing a few of the old favorite Christmas songs but mighty soft so as not to upset the neighbors if you get my drift.

[WayzataJOHNN]

While downtown Minneapolis the other day, I watch the flow of people, many who walked past a homeless man curled into a corner of a bus shelter trying to get through the day. ( the missions only take them at night. It was a real lesson in Living the Season, and it was not a good one! I took the guy to a restaurant and while low on money myself, I could at least buy him a dinner and help him stay warm for a couple of hours as we chatted. It inspired the following poem.

The Winter of Life

The song of winter
whispers in the bare branches above
as dawn glimmers
on the ice shrouded trunks
and the snows
crunch softly underfoot

I sit on my grate to watch
the flow of man
as cold as the very air we breath
as hard to bear
as heartless as winter’s rage
each just a Me

Lost amid a crowd
a grain of sand on an empty beach
I watch so empty
for I am but one of the invisible
to run my time
and disappear as if never been

[The Mayor]

Freep mail me to be on or off the Daily Bread ping list

December 26, 2008

He Can Lead You Out Of It

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READ: 1 Kings 19:1-12

After the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire; and after the fire a still small voice. —1 Kings 19:12

Almost everyone will at some time in their life be affected by depression, either their own or someone else’s. Some common signs and symptoms of depression include feelings of hopelessness, pessimism, worthlessness, and helplessness. Although we cannot say for certain that characters in the Bible experienced depression, we can say that some did exhibit a deep sense of despondency, discouragement, and sadness that is linked to personal powerlessness and loss of meaning and enthusiasm for life.

Elijah is one biblical character who fits this description. After defeating the prophets of Baal, he received a death threat from Jezebel. His hope was shattered, and despondency set in. He wanted to die! God helped Elijah deal with his despondency in several ways. The Lord did not rebuke him for his feelings but sent an angel to provide for his physical needs. Then, the Lord revealed Himself and reminded Elijah that He was quietly working among His people. Next, He renewed Elijah’s mission by giving him new orders. Finally, God reminded Elijah that he wasn’t alone.

In our times of discouragement, let us remember that God loves us and desires to lead us to a place of a renewed vision of Himself!

Be still, my soul: the Lord is on thy side;
Bear patiently the cross of grief or pain;
Leave to thy God to order and provide;
In every change He faithful will remain. —von Schlegel

The weak, the helpless, and the discouraged are in the Shepherd’s special care.

Bible in One Year: Zechariah 13–14; Proverbs 30:10-20