Amy's Place ... Poetry and Potpourri ... January, February, March and April 2021

1/01/2021 | The Mayor; Luvie; JustAmy

[TheConservativeParty]

Ha ha. The depth of the drifts was a bit daunting. Dang drift was hundreds of feet long. Hopefully this was the big snowfall for the season. 😅

[The Mayor]

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

January 27

Free at Last

Bible in a Year:

• Exodus 16–18
• Matthew 18:1–20

If the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.

John 8:36

Twenty long years passed before British journalist John McCarthy—a five-year hostage during Lebanon’s grueling civil war—met the man who negotiated his release. When McCarthy finally met U.N. envoy Giandomenico Picco, McCarthy simply said, “Thank you for my freedom!” His heartfelt words carried great weight because Picco had risked his own life during dangerous negotiations to secure freedom for McCarthy and others.

We as believers can relate to such hard-won freedom. Jesus gave up His life—enduring death on a Roman cross—to secure spiritual freedom for all people, including each of us. Now as His children, we know “it is for freedom that Christ has set us free,” the apostle Paul boldly declared (Galatians 5:1).

The gospel of John also teaches of freedom in Christ, noting, “If the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed” (John 8:36).

But free in what ways? In Jesus, we experience freedom not only from sin and its hold on us but also from guilt, shame, worry, Satan’s lies, superstitions, false teaching, and eternal death. No longer hostages, we have freedom to show love to enemies, walk in kindness, live with hope, and love our neighbors. As we follow the Holy Spirit’s leading, we can forgive as we’ve been forgiven.

For all of this, let’s thank God today. Then let’s love so others will know the power of His freedom too.

Reflect & Pray

What spiritual chains still hold you hostage? As you release those chains to God, what words can you use to thank Him for setting you free?

Dear liberating God, thank You for my freedom—for setting me free from spiritual death and releasing me to love.

[Aquamarine]

Amen.

[Kitty Mittens]

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

[TheConservativeParty]

Have a restful good night Kitty Mittens!
🐱🌙💫⭐️

[luvie]

Nighty-night, Kitty!

[The Mayor]

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

January 28

A Mighty Stream

Bible in a Year:

• Exodus 19–20
• Matthew 18:21–35

But let justice roll on like a river, righteousness like a never-failing stream!

Amos 5:24

Among the many exhibits and artifacts exploring the harsh reality of slavery and its aftermath in the National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington DC, I was grateful to discover the Contemplative Court. This tranquil room features translucent walls of bronze glass, and water appears to rain down from the ceiling into a pool.

As I sat in that peaceful space, a quote on the wall from Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. caught my eye: “We are determined . . . to work and fight until justice rains down like water and righteousness like a mighty stream.” These powerful words are drawn from the Old Testament book of Amos.

Amos was a prophet living among a people who were involved in religious activities, such as celebrating festivals and offering sacrifices, but whose hearts were far from God (Amos 5:21–23). God rejected their activities because they’d turned away from His commands, including those regarding justice toward the needy and oppressed.

Instead of religious ceremonies devoid of love for God and others, Amos wrote that God longed for His people to demonstrate genuine concern for the welfare of all people—a generous way of living that would be a mighty river bringing life wherever it flowed.

Jesus taught the same truth that loving God is connected with loving our neighbors (Matthew 22:37–39). As we seek to love God, may it come from hearts that also treasure justice.

Reflect & Pray

How might you love God through pursuing justice for others? What are examples of generous living toward the needy or oppressed that encourage you?

Heavenly Father, thank You that Your love is like a mighty stream that brings justice to all. Help me to join You in Your healing work.

[luvie]

Trust the Light
Happy Thankful Thursday.

[left that other site]

Happy Thankful Thursday!

I Am So Thankful For My FRiends!

(((HUGS)))

ML/LTOS

[luvie]

Amen! Me too!

[TheConservativeParty]

Aw! Send those puppies my way! 😊🐶🐶🐶

[TheConservativeParty]

Lovely Scripture! Sunny and cold here, 23 for a high temperature. No wind, so the dog walk was fine. Sure need those walks, wards off cabin fever. 🙃

[luvie]

I’m glad y’all were able to get out for a bit in spite of the cold. The wind is what makes it unbearable! Even here in the 50s...it’s chillier when it’s windy. Which it nearly always is. LOL! I know...we’re wimps.

[left that other site]

LOL! :-)

[The Mayor]

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

January 29

Out of Breath

Bible in a Year:

• Exodus 21–22
• Matthew 19

Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is a sabbath to the Lord your God.

Deuteronomy 5:13–14

There’s a home-improvement store near me that has a big green button in one of its departments. If no assistant is present, you push the button, which starts a timer. If you’re not served within a minute, you get a discount on your purchase.

We like being the customer in this scenario who enjoys the speedy service. But the demand for fast service often takes a toll when we’re the one expected to deliver it. So many of us today feel rushed doing our jobs, working long hours, checking email multiple times a day, and feeling pressured to meet tighter and tighter deadlines. The customer service tactics of the home-improvement store have seeped into all our lives, creating a culture of rush.

When God told the Israelites to keep a Sabbath, He added an important reason: “Remember that you were slaves in Egypt” (Deuteronomy 5:15). There they’d been forced to work ceaselessly under Pharaoh’s excessive time constraints (Exodus 5:6–9). Now freed, they were to give themselves a whole day each week to ensure they and those who served them could rest (Deuteronomy 5:14). Under God’s rule, there were to be no flush-faced, out-of-breath people.

How often do you work to the point of exhaustion or get impatient with people who keep you waiting? Let’s give ourselves and each other a break. A culture of rush is Pharaoh’s doing, not God’s. Reflect & Pray

How can you resist the urge to overwork? How will you be patient this week with people who keep you waiting?

God of the Sabbath, thank You for commanding me to rest so I can be whole.

[Silentgypsy]

Thank you.

[The Mayor]

Your welcome

[luvie]

Wear your red
for our brave troops!


RAY WYLIE HUBBARD~RED DRESS



Have A Wonderful Weekend!

[left that other site]

happy Red Friday!

Thanks To All Who Keep Us Safe (and WARM!)

(((HUGS)))

ML/LTOS

[TheConservativeParty]

Hey there! Had to work today. Same for Saturday. Gonna be blessed with more snow Saturday afternoon and into Sunday. Yes the fun never ends in Wisconsin. Two seasons: Shovel (snow), and Swat ( mosquitoes). 😅