Amy's Place ... Poetry and Potpourri ... January, February and March, 2019

January 1, 2019 | Meg33, The Major, Trisham, JustAmy

[The Mayor]

Thank you Meg, one day at a time for sure.

[The Mayor]

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March 21

Hand Made for You

Bible in a Year: Joshua 7–9; Luke 1:21–38

We are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. Ephesians 2:10

My grandmother was a talented seamstress who won contests in her native Texas. Throughout my life, she celebrated hallmark occasions with a hand-sewn gift. A burgundy mohair sweater for my high school graduation. A turquoise quilt for my marriage. I’d fold over a corner of each custom-crafted item to discover her signature tag reading, “Hand made for you by Munna.” With every embroidered word, I sensed my grandmother’s love for me and received a powerful statement of her faith in my future.

Paul wrote to the Ephesians of their purpose in this world, describing them as “God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works” (2:10). Here “handiwork” denotes a work of art or a masterpiece. Paul goes on to describe that God’s handiwork in creating us would result in our handiwork of creating good works—or expressions of our restored relationship with Jesus—for His glory in our world. We can never be saved by our own good works, but when God hand makes us for His purposes, He can use us to bring others toward His great love.

With her head bowed over her needle, my Munna hand made items to communicate her love for me and her passion that I discover my purpose on this planet. And with His fingers shaping the details of our days, God stitches His love and purposes in our hearts that we might experience Him for ourselves and demonstrate His handiwork to others.

By Elisa Morgan

Today's Reflection

What has God created you to do? Who can you show His love to today?

[luvie]

It's not Happy People
Who are Thankful.
It's Thankful People
who are Happy.
Happy Thankful Thursday!

[left that other site]

HAPPY THANKFUL THURSDAY!

Thankful for SPRINGTIME! :-)

(((HUGS)))

ML/LTOS

[TheConservativeParty]

Aw , sweet dog. That’s a good nap he’s having.

[left that other site]

Yeah...I would love to be taking a nap right now, but I have to get ready for work.

Luckily I love my job. :-)

[The Mayor]

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March 22

Bearing the Burden of Wrongs

Bible in a Year: Joshua 10–12; Luke 1:39–56

Do not repay evil with evil. 1 Peter 3:9

On January 30, 2018, almost thirty-eight years after his conviction, Malcolm Alexander walked out of prison a free man. DNA evidence cleared Alexander, who had steadfastly maintained his innocence amid a myriad of court proceedings that were tragically unjust. An incompetent defense attorney (later disbarred), shoddy evidence, and dubious investigative tactics all put an innocent man in prison for nearly four decades. When he was finally released, however, Alexander showed immense grace. “You cannot be angry,” he said. “There’s not enough time to be angry.”

Alexander’s words evidence a deep grace. If injustice robbed us of thirty-eight years of our lives and destroyed our reputations, we would likely be angry, furious. Though Alexander spent many long, heartbreaking years bearing the burden of wrongs inflicted upon him, he wasn’t undone by the evil. Rather than exerting his energy trying to get revenge, he exhibited the posture Peter instructs: “Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult” (1 Peter 3:9).

The Scriptures go a step further: rather than seeking vengeance, the apostle Peter tells us we are to bless (v. 9). We extend forgiveness, the hope of well-being, for those who have unjustly wronged us. Without excusing their evil actions, we can meet them with God’s scandalous mercy. On the cross, Jesus bore the burden of our wrongs, that we might receive grace and extend it to others—even those who have wronged us.

By Winn Collier

Today's Reflection

Without excusing their actions, how can you extend mercy to others who have wronged you? What will it mean for you to “bless” them?

[luvie]

Wear your red
for our brave troops!


RAY WYLIE HUBBARD~RED DRESS

[TheConservativeParty]

Hello FRiends, hope you all had a nice day. Great weather here. Some deep snowbanks still melting.

Have a great Caturday tomorrow

[left that other site]

Yes...our snowbanks are melting too.
Tis Spring! Tra La La La La! :-)

[TheConservativeParty]

I better not try skipping along singing Tra-la-la-la-la. Ha ha. It’s been way too long.

When I was in town today at Culver’s with Moose, eating our chicken and fries in the truck, I watched the kids at the school next door having that Tra- la-la fun.

One girl was going for the gold medal of swinging the highest. Such joy she had.

We went for a long walk after we shared the fries. Walking is good excercise for me.

Going to see my best friend tomorrow to work with and ride her horse. Good times!

[luvie]

Have a good weekend and I hope it keeps warming up and melting down for you!

[trisham]

It snowed last night, but..

Spring Birthing

Paper whites peek through brown terrain;
the newborns of spring.
Between day lilies tiny weeds sneak by and in another bed,
young tulips return from their slumber
to greet waking irises.

Fruit trees will soon stretch
their bud-heads to brother Sun.
Roses freshen the air with their delicate perfume as,
tiny buds come out to sunbathe.

Spring has sprung!

M.L. Kiser

Happy Caturday, Dogurday and Bunnyday, everyone!

[The Mayor]

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March 23

Obscured by Clouds

Bible in a Year: Joshua 13–15; Luke 1:57–80

We fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. 2 Corinthians 4:18

A rare supermoon appeared in November 2016—the moon in its orbit reached its closest point to the earth in over sixty years and so appeared bigger and brighter than at other times. But for me that day the skies were shrouded in gray. Although I saw photos of this wonder from friends in other places, as I gazed upward I had to trust that the supermoon was lurking behind the clouds.

The apostle Paul faced many hardships but believed that what is unseen will last forever. He said how his “momentary troubles” achieve “an eternal glory” (2 Corinthians 4:17). Thus he could fix his eyes “not on what is seen, but on what is unseen,” because what is unseen is eternal (v. 18). Paul yearned that the Corinthians and our faith would grow, and although we suffer, that we too would trust in God. We might not be able to see Him, but we can believe He is renewing us day by day (v. 16).

I thought about how God is unseen but eternal when I gazed at the clouds that day, knowing that the supermoon was hidden but there. And I hoped the next time I was tempted to believe that God was far from me, I would fix my eyes on what is unseen.

By Amy Boucher Pye

Today's Reflection

What does it mean for you to fix your eyes on what is unseen? How does your hope in Jesus help you face the difficulties of life?

[left that other site]

AND...this morning, there was snow on the ground. But it is melting fast.

[left that other site]

How Do I Know It's Spring?

My human is making me wear this silly hat. That's how I know!

(((HUGS)))

ML/LTOS

[luvie]

I feel your pain!
Happy Dogurday
....and Caturday!🐈

[left that other site]

HA HA HA!

[TheConservativeParty]

Both your posts are so cute.
Dogs are great.

[Kitty Mittens]

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