Amy's Place ... Poetry and Potpourri ... July, August and September 2016

July 1, 2016 | JustAmy; Meg33, The Mayor; Trisham;

[JustAmy]

Welcome To....


'Amy's Place' welcomes all poets
and those who enjoy poetry.
'Amy's Place' is more than just about poetry.
Come in, relax, and share with fellow FReepers
your thoughts about any of the things on the *Menu*.

Enjoy! :)









Never Forget!





Bad Penny



Amy's personal guardian ~
the ever charming, lovable, huggable,
LouieWolf




Many thanks for stopping by. : )

[trisham]

We’ve had bears in our yard and coyotes, deer, fishercats and foxes. No wolves, thank goodness.

[TheConservativeParty]

That was fast!

Looks like ours, except for the red on the head. We’ve been seeing a pair of them in the pasture lately. The dog was very excited about their visit to the yard this morning.

Cheers!

[TheConservativeParty]

Oh boy. A bear would not be welcome. I think we are too far south for those and not enough woods either. My aunt in Colo. Springs had a bear in her neighbor’s apple tree several years ago. They get a lot of animals in the Springs coming down from the mountains. She has deer that roam her street munching on flowers and lawns.

[trisham]

We’re surrounded by acres and acres of woods. It’s nice, but I always look out the window before opening the front door and when I have to take my 14 year old Ridgeback outside at night, I turn on the lights, speak with a raised voice to her and clap my hands five+ times, as loud as I can.

[TheConservativeParty]

Three years ago I saw a huge wolf-coyote hybrid about 200 feet from the house where the pasture starts. He was just leaving the pasture, crossing the grassy lane and going for the tree line when I saw him while looking out the kitchen window. He was as big as my Doberman, but fluffy fur. He was quite impressive and I was very surprised to see him. Never saw anything like that before. Anyway, I took my gun out with me for a few nights when checking on the horses in the barn. I saw my first gray wolf a year later a few miles from here. I pulled over and howled at him after he’d crossed the road I was driving on, he turned and looked so I guess I did a good job! LOL

[trisham]

They’re beautiful animals, and I respect them.

[fish hawk]

(pre) my poem for Sunday

THE GUIDE
guide me in these shadows Lord
bring my soul to light
hold me up in troubled times
secure me in your might

guide me through this battle Lord
leave me not behind
give me more than peace with men
give me peace of mind

guide me through all worldly woes
keep me from your wrath
help me conquer all my fears
help me walk your path

guide me in your words O Lord
the truths that you decree
fill me with your Spirit Lord
let all see YOU in me.
M L Smith (fishhawk)

[Kitty Mittens]

Thank you for the Daily Pings & Posts, Dear FRiends.
(((((Love to Everyone, and God Bless)))))

[The Mayor]

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

The Wrong Horseshoe

July 24, 2016

Whoever of you loves life and desires to see many good days, keep your tongue from evil. Psalm 34:12–13

Napoleon's defeat in Russia 200 years ago was attributed to the harsh Russian winter. One specific problem was that his horses were wearing summer horseshoes. When winter came, these horses died because they slipped on icy roads as they pulled the supply wagons. The failure of Napoleon’s supply chain reduced his 400,000-strong army to just 10,000. A small slip; a disastrous result!

James described how a slip of the tongue can do great damage. One wrong word can change the careers or destinies of people. So toxic is the tongue that James wrote, “No human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison” (James 3:8). The problem has increased in our modern world as a careless email or a posting on a social media site can cause great harm. It quickly goes viral and can’t always be retracted.

Our words have the power to build up or tear down.

King David tied respect for the Lord with the way we use our words. He wrote, “I will teach you the fear of the Lord. . . . Keep your tongue from evil and your lips from telling lies” (Ps. 34:11, 13). He resolved, “I will watch my ways and keep my tongue from sin; I will put a muzzle on my mouth” (39:1). Lord, help us to do the same.

What do James 3:1–12 and Proverbs 18:1–8 teach you about a slip of the tongue?

Our words have the power to build up or tear down.

INSIGHT:

The introduction to Psalm 34 identifies David as the author and describes the circumstances surrounding its writing: “Of David. When he pretended to be insane before Abimelek . . . .” David had just narrowly escaped King Saul’s attempt to murder him, and he had fled to the only place he felt was out of Saul’s reach—the territory of the Philistines (1 Sam. 21:10-15). After he arrived in Gath, David’s life was again threatened. He only escaped King Achish (Abimelek or Abimelech was a general title for Philistine kings) by pretending to be insane. This is the context from which David begins Psalm 34: “I will extol the Lord at all times; his praise will always be on my lips.”

[MEG33]

*Good Sunday Morning To Amy's Place*

Isaiah 58:11

The Lord will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched
land and will strengthen your frame.
You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail.

I Wish You A Blessed Lord's Day

San Xavier del Bac Mission..."White Dove Of The Desert".. .Tucson, Arizona

[MEG33]

A wonderful message, Rus.
I Am So Grateful To You For Our Daily Bread

[ConorMacNessa]

HAPPY SUNDAY TO
AMY'S PLACE!



"Abide In Me"
Kings College Choir, Cambridge
(Click)

A Blessed Lord’s Day To
You And Yours!

[luvie]

Ray Walker~Master The Tempest Is Raging
Congregational Singing

Cynthia Clawson & Others~Church In The Wildwood

The Trevecca Madragalians~It Is Well With My Soul

Statler Brothers~How Great Thou Art

St. Olaf Choir~When Peace Like A River

Providence~There's A Goldmine In The Sky.wma

Vocal Majority~Deep River

Have a blessed Sunday
God bless our troops!

[The Mayor]

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

Test Match

July 25, 2016

How long, Lord, will you look on? Rescue me from their ravages, my precious life from these lions. Psalm 35:17

A test match in the game of cricket can be grueling. Competitors play from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. with lunch and tea breaks, but the games can last up to five days. It’s a test of endurance as well as skill.

The tests we face in life are sometimes intensified for a similar reason—they feel unending. The long search for a job, an unbroken season of loneliness, or a lengthy battle with cancer is made even more difficult by the fact that you wonder if it will ever end.

When your burdens overwhelm you, remember that God has His arms underneath you.

Perhaps that is why the psalmist cried out, “How long, Lord, will you look on? Rescue me from their ravages, my precious life from these lions” (Ps. 35:17). Bible commentaries say that this was speaking of the long period in David’s life when he was pursued by Saul and slandered by the king’s advisors—a time of trial that lasted for years.

Yet, in the end, David sang, “The Lord be exalted, who delights in the well-being of his servant” (v. 27). His testing drove him to deeper trust in God—a trust that we can also experience in our own long seasons of testing, hardship, or loss.

As time drags on and answers seem faraway, teach me, Father, to find my help in You and Your presence. Enable me to endure, and empower me to trust in You.

When your burdens overwhelm you, remember that God has His arms underneath you.

INSIGHT:

David found strength to endure his trial by reflecting on and trusting in the character of God (Ps. 35:9–10). Three young Hebrew captives in Babylon—Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, whose names were changed to Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego (Dan. 3)—are other examples of trust during difficult circumstances. The Babylonian ruler commanded them to dishonor God by bowing before a giant idol. They faced this challenge with hope because their past experiences with God taught them that He was worthy of their trust and confidence. Dread and apprehension turned to sure confidence and expectation because God had shown Himself faithful. Adapted from Hope: Choosing Faith Instead of Fear.

[The Mayor]

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

God’s Sandpaper

July 26, 2016

As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another. Proverbs 27:17

My friend’s words stung. Trying to sleep, I battled to stop mulling over her pointed comments about my strong opinions. As I lay there, I asked for God’s wisdom and peace. Several weeks later, still concerned about the matter, I prayed, “I hurt, Lord, but show me where I need to change. Show me where she’s right.”

My friend had acted as God’s sandpaper in my life. My feelings felt rubbed raw, but I sensed that how I responded would lead to the building of my character—or not. My choice was to submit to the smoothing process, confessing my pride and stubborn stance. I sensed that my bumps and imperfections didn’t glorify the Lord.

As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another. Proverbs 27:17

King Solomon knew that life in community could be difficult, a theme he addressed in the book of Proverbs. In chapter 27, we see his wisdom applied to relationships. He likens the sharp words between friends as iron sharpening iron: “As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another” (v. 17), shaving off the rough edges in each other’s behavior. The process may bring about wounds, such as the hurt I felt from my friend’s words (see v. 6), but ultimately the Lord can use these words to help and encourage us to make needed changes in our attitude and behavior.

How might the Lord be smoothing out your rough edges for His glory?

Lord, this shaping process hurts, but I want to submit to the process. Mold me and smooth me.

The Lord allows our rough edges to be smoothed over through the sandpaper of life.

INSIGHT:

The book of Proverbs has much to say about relationships (10:12; 16:28; 17:9–10; 18:24) and the importance of godly friends (12:26; 13:20; 14:7; 20:19; 22:5, 24–25; 24:1–2). In today’s passage Solomon extols the value of having a true friend (27:5–6, 9–10, 17). Trustworthy friends are those who love enough to confront and provide correction; they are not afraid to offer a painful rebuke in order to protect you from harm (vv. 5–6). Their heartfelt and honest counsel is welcomed like the delightful aromas of perfumes and incense (v. 9). A true friend is one who makes you a better person (v. 17).

[luvie]

Grateful for the
beauty of our our world.
HAPPY GRATITUESDAY!

[ConorMacNessa]

HAPPY WFW
TO AMY’S PLACE!



Moe & Sir Winston - 8 July 2015

Clan MacNessa Wishes A
Happy Warm & Fuzzy Wednesday To All!!!

[The Mayor]

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

Visible Vulnerability

July 27, 2016

Be patient, bearing with one another in love. Ephesians 4:2

As I ventured out several weeks after shoulder surgery, I was fearful. I had become comfortable using my arm sling, but both my surgeon and physical therapist now told me to stop wearing it. That’s when I saw this statement: “At this stage, sling wear is discouraged except as a visible sign of vulnerability in an uncontrolled environment.”

Ah, that was it! I feared the enthusiastic person who might give me a bear hug or the unaware friend who might bump me accidentally. I was hiding behind my flimsy baby-blue sling because I feared being hurt.

Being honest about our struggles allows us to help each other.

Allowing ourselves to be vulnerable can be scary. We want to be loved and accepted for who we are, but we fear that if people truly knew us, they would reject us and we could get hurt. What if they found out we are not smart enough . . . kind enough . . . good enough?

But as members of God’s family, we have a responsibility to help each other grow in faith. We’re told to “encourage one another,” to “build each other up” (1 Thess. 5:11), and to “be patient, bearing with one another in love” (Eph. 4:2).

When we are honest and vulnerable with other believers, we may discover we have mutual struggles battling temptation or learning how to live obediently. But most of all, we will share the wonder of God’s gift of grace in our lives.

Dear Lord, many times my fear of being hurt keeps me from being honest about my struggles. Help me to remember how much You love me, and help me to be patient and loving with others.

Being honest about our struggles allows us to help each other.

INSIGHT:

Ephesus was a major and influential seaport city in the Roman Empire located near the Aegean coast in modern-day Turkey. It flourished under the reign of Caesar Augustus and is closely associated with the ministries of three prominent figures in the early church: the apostle Paul, who founded the church at Ephesus; his protégé Timothy, who served as pastor there; and the apostle John, who, according to tradition, returned to Ephesus to continue his ministry after his release from the Isle of Patmos. The church in Ephesus also played a significant role in the development of Christian Scripture: Paul wrote three letters to Ephesus that would later be recognized as inspired Scripture—one to the church (Ephesians) and two to its young pastor (1 and 2 Timothy). And John specifically mentions the church of Ephesus as one of the recipients of the book of Revelation (Rev. 2:1).

[MEG33]

Happy Warm Fuzzy Wednesday

And Blessings To All At Amy's Place

[MEG33]

Thank you, Rus, for staring our day off right every day.
I appreciate you.