Amy's Place ... Poetry and Potpourri ... October, November and December, 2017

October 1, 2017 | Meg33, The Mayor, Trisham, JustAmy

[The Mayor]

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Knowing Better

November 27, 2017

When the king heard the words of the Book of the Law, he tore his robes. 2 Kings 22:11

When we brought our adoptive son home from overseas, I was eager to shower him with love and provide what he had lacked over the preceding months, especially quality food, since he had a nutritional deficit. But despite our best efforts, including consulting specialists, he grew very little. After nearly three years, we learned he had some severe food intolerances. After removing those items from his diet, he grew five inches in just a few months. While I grieved at how long I’d unwittingly fed him foods that impaired his growth, I rejoiced at this surge in his health!

I suspect Josiah felt similarly when the Book of the Law was discovered after having been lost in the temple for years. Just as I grieved having unintentionally hindered my son’s growth, Josiah grieved having ignorantly missed God’s fullest and best intentions for His people (2 Kings 22:11). Although he is commended for doing what was right in the eyes of the Lord (v. 2), he learned better how to honor God after finding the Law. With his newfound knowledge, he led the people to worship again as God had instructed them (23:22–23).

God gives us a new start.

As we learn through the Bible how to honor Him, we may grieve the ways we’ve fallen short of God’s will for us. Yet we can be comforted that He heals and restores us, and leads us gently into deeper understanding.

Thank You, God, for showing me how to live in a way that pleases You. I’m sorry for the ways I’ve not done that in the past. Help me to honor and obey You now.

God gives us a new start.

[The Mayor]

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Our Powerful God

November 28, 2017

[He] who creates the wind, . . . the Lord God Almighty is his name. Amos 4:13

One day by the seaside, I delighted in watching some kite surfers as they bounced along the water, moved by the force of the wind. When one came to shore, I asked him if the experience was as difficult as it looked. “No,” he said, “It’s actually easier than regular surfing because you harness the power of the wind.”

Afterward as I walked by the sea, thinking about the wind’s ability not only to propel the surfers but also to whip my hair into my face, I paused to wonder at our God the Creator. As we see in the Old Testament book of Amos, He who “forms the mountains” and “creates the wind” can turn “dawn to darkness” (v. 13).

God through His love created the world. Praise Him!

Through this prophet, the Lord reminded His people of His power as He called them back to Himself. Because they had not obeyed Him, He said He would reveal Himself to them (v. 13). Although we see His judgment here, we know from elsewhere in the Bible of His sacrificial love in sending His Son to save us (see John 3:16).

The power of the wind on this breezy day in the South of England reminded me of the sheer immensity of the Lord. If you feel the wind today, why not stop and ponder our all-powerful God?

Father, thank You for Your power and love. Help us to daily rely on You.  

God through His love created the world. Praise Him!

INSIGHT

The Bible uses many metaphors to describe God and His work in our lives: For example, God is a “shepherd” (Ps. 23:1; Isa. 40:11), a “rock” (Gen. 49:24), a “consuming fire” (Deut. 4:24), and a “spring of living water” (Jer. 2:13). But at the dawn of creation, God was likened to a powerful wind. Genesis 1:2 says “the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters.” The Hebrew word rendered “Spirit” in this verse means “wind.” We can’t see the wind, but we can feel the coolness of a gentle breeze and witness the raw power of a violent tornado uprooting trees and destroying everything in its path. The wind pictures for us God’s invisible presence, His sovereign will, His awesome power, and His mysterious ways. Jesus spoke of this same power of the Spirit of God at work in transforming our lives: “The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit” (John 3:8).

As you reflect on our powerful God, how does your heart respond?

[MEG33]

A Happy GratiTuesday To Amy's Place

I Wish You A Beautiful Grateful Day

[left that other site]

Happy Gratituesday!/h1>




May We Approach Everything With An Attitude of Gratitude!

((((HUGS))))

ML/LTOS

[luvie]

“Let gratitude be the pillow upon which you kneel to say your nightly prayer. And let faith be the bridge you build to overcome evil and welcome good.”
~Maya Angelou~
Have a Happy GratiTuesday!

[TheConservativeParty]

Hi Meg, Had a nice day in Wisconsin today, was near 50 degrees again.

Happy Warm Fuzzy Wednesday to All!

Cheers!

[The Mayor]

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The Power of Empathy

November 29, 2017

Remember those in prison as if you were together with them in prison. Hebrews 13:3

Put on the R70i Age Suit and you immediately feel forty years older as you experience impaired vision, hearing loss, and reduced mobility. The Age Suit was designed to help caregivers better understand their patients. Wall Street Journal correspondent Geoffrey Fowler wore one and wrote, “The unforgettable, and at times distressing, experience shed light not just on aging, but also how virtual reality equipment can teach empathy and shape our perceptions of the world around us.”

Empathy is the power to understand and share the feelings of another. During a time of severe persecution against the followers of Jesus, the writer of Hebrews urged fellow believers to “continue to remember those in prison as if you were together with them in prison, and those who are mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering” (13:3).

Jesus calls us to stand with others as if we were in their place.

This is exactly what our Savior has done for us. Jesus was made like us, “fully human in every way . . . that he might make atonement for the sins of the people. Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted” (2:17–18).

Christ the Lord, who became like us, calls us to stand with others “as if [we] were together with them” during their time of need.

Lord Jesus, we marvel at Your willingness to share our flesh and blood in order to purchase our salvation. Give us grace to stand with others who are in need today.

Jesus calls us to stand with others as if we were in their place.

INSIGHT

Hebrews 2:17–18 tell us that Jesus had to take all human suffering and sin upon Himself to both understand and heal humanity. But is it possible for each of us to truly empathize and help believers who are suffering? Hebrews suggests “yes,” noting that the church is the family of God (2:10–14; 13:1). In a loving family, emotional ties are so strong that when another family member suffers, everyone suffers right with them (13:3). Similarly, Paul argues that because believers are united in Christ as one body through His Spirit, when anyone suffers, everyone is affected (1 Cor. 12:26). Yet the church’s uniquely powerful love should also be extended to “strangers” outside the church (Heb. 13:2), for each believer was loved by God while still an outsider (Rom. 5:8).

How does strengthening relationships within the church enable more effective outreach to those outside the faith?

[MEG33]

~Welcome To Warm Fuzzy Wednesday~
At Amy's Place

WOO HOO!
Rushing To Wish You A Beautiful Autumn Day

[MEG33]

Thank you for starting our day off right every day, Rus.
I Appreciate You

[GailA]

To all DOG OWNERS FDA ISSUES WARNING ON BONES
90 ill, 15 dead. This is the second article that has been published. These are commercial products.

http://www.syracuse.com/us-news/index.ssf/2017/11/dog_bone_treats_deaths_fda.html

[luvie]

Reposted on Facebook. I have lots of friends with dogs. Thanks for the warning! :(

[left that other site]

Happy Autumn Wednesday!

Stay Warm and Fuzzy, My FRiend.

(((HUGS)))

ML/LTOS

[MEG33]

Thank you for coming by and sharing your cute graphic and comments.
I Wish Everyone A Lovely Evening
*HUGS*

[The Mayor]

Thank you Meg, good to see you as always.

[Kitty Mittens]

Thank you for the Beautiful Daily Pings, Dear FRiends.
(((((Hugs, and God Bless)))))

[The Mayor]

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Imperfect, Yet Loved

November 30, 2017

God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8

In Japan, food products are immaculately prepared and packaged. Not only must they taste good but they must look good too. Often I wonder if I am purchasing the food or the packaging! Because of the Japanese emphasis on good quality, products with slight defects are often discarded. However, in recent years wakeari products have gained popularity. Wakeari means “there is a reason” in Japanese. These products are not thrown away but are sold at a cheap price “for a reason”—for example, a crack in a rice cracker.

My friend who lives in Japan tells me that wakeari is also a catchphrase for people who are obviously less than perfect.

Broken people are made whole by God’s love.

Jesus loves all people—including the wakeari who society casts aside. When a woman who had lived a sinful life learned that Jesus was eating at a Pharisee’s house, she went there and knelt behind Jesus at His feet, weeping (Luke 7:37–38). The Pharisee labeled her “a sinner” (v. 39), but Jesus accepted her. He spoke gently to her, assuring her that her sins were forgiven (v. 48).

Jesus loves imperfect, wakeari people—which includes you and me. And the greatest demonstration of His love for us is that “while we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Rom. 5:8). As recipients of His love, may we be conduits of His love to the flawed people around us so they too may know that they can receive God’s love despite their imperfections.

I know I’m not perfect, Lord, so help me not to be hypocritical and pretend I have it all together. Open my heart to others in acceptance and love so that they might know Jesus’s concern for them.

Broken people are made whole by God’s love.

[GailA]

So do I, so did the same.

Update on thumb surgery: after 13 weeks which is all Dictatorshipcare i.e. Medicare/Tricare Life will provide, I only have partial use of my dominate R. hand, along with a Frozen thumb, the Index finger is nearly as bad, pain still high, unable to use hand normally for even hygene, door knobs, key ignition, snaps, those fine motor skills you need for every day life. 2 finger L hand typing is for the birds. Might get some more use of it back over the next year with home physio.

I’ve bought both a Tens and Dry Cupping units to facilitate healing. Besides all the Physio toys.

Dictatorship care will no longer cover my Nexium, and I’m allergic to the 3 replacements, and the other acid blockers over the last 25+ yrs, because OA drugs ruined my gastro track: Back to Tums...

[luvie]

Ouch! Sorry about your poor thumb! It’s disgusting that the medical profession seems more and more not tuned in to their patients’ issues and pain! It’s scary to be sick or injured today!

[luvie]

Be thankful...
and have a
~Thankful Thursday~

[GailA]

I stopped by the gun shop today, and as my hand sits I can’t use my revolver, can’t cock the hammer, or pull the trigger. That does NOT MAKE ME A HAPPY CAMPER! I can barely hold the weight even.