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

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

[luvie]

“Shovel and Swat” LOVE it! LOL!

[left that other site]

At least there are four seasons in Florida:

The Hot Season
The Rainy Season
Tourist Season
and Alligator Mating Season.

[The Mayor]

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

January 30

Wearing Our Courage

Bible in a Year:

• Exodus 23–24
• Matthew 20:1–16

If I am a man of God, may fire come down from heaven.

2 Kings 1:10

Andrew lives in a country that’s closed to the gospel. When I asked how he keeps his faith a secret, he said he doesn’t. He wears a button that advertises his church, and whenever he’s arrested he tells the police that “they need Jesus too.” Andrew has courage because he knows who’s on his side.

Elijah refused to be intimidated, even when the king of Israel sent fifty soldiers to arrest him (2 Kings 1:9). The prophet knew God was with him, and he called down fire that consumed the platoon. The king sent more soldiers, and Elijah did it again (v. 12). The king sent more, but the third platoon had heard about the others. The captain begged Elijah to spare his soldiers’ lives. They were more afraid of him than he’d ever been of them, so the angel of the Lord told Elijah it was safe to go with them (vv. 13–15).

Jesus doesn’t want us to call down fire on our enemies. When the disciples asked if they could call down fire on a Samaritan village, Jesus rebuked them (Luke 9:51–55). We’re living in a different time. But Jesus does want us to have Elijah’s boldness—to be ready to tell everyone about the Savior who died for them. It may seem like one person taking on fifty, but it’s actually One on fifty. Jesus provides what we need to courageously love and reach out to others. Reflect & Pray

How does Jesus provide what you need to be courageous? What does God want you to know and do?

Holy Spirit, thank You for living in me. Fill me with courage as I tell others about Jesus.

[luvie]

Dreaming of Spring
Happy Winter Caturday!

[Silentgypsy]

Thank you.

[TheConservativeParty]

Dark stripey kitty, my favorite color!

Getting ready for snowstorm again. ❄️❄️❄️

[luvie]

Batten down and stoke the fire. Stay warm and cozy with Moose!

[TheConservativeParty]

Good Night FRiends

🌙✨💫😴

[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~He Is Ever Over Me

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

January 31

A Future with Forgiveness

Bible in a Year:

• Exodus 25–26
• Matthew 20:17–34

Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

Romans 12:21 In 1994, when South Africa made the transition from government by apartheid (imposed racial segregation) to a democracy, it faced the difficult question of how to address the crimes committed under apartheid. The country’s leaders couldn’t ignore the past, but merely imposing harsh punishments on the guilty risked deepening the country’s wounds. As Desmond Tutu, the first black Anglican Archbishop of South Africa, explained in his book No Future Without Forgiveness, “We could very well have had justice, retributive justice, and had a South Africa lying in ashes.”

Through establishing the Truth and Reconciliation Committee, the new democracy chose the difficult path of pursuing truth, justice, and mercy. Those guilty of crimes were offered a path to restoration—if they were willing to confess their crimes and seek to make restitution. Only by courageously facing the truth could the country begin to find healing.

In a way, South Africa’s dilemma mirrors the struggle we all face. We’re called to pursue both justice and mercy (Micah 6:8), but mercy is often misunderstood to be a lack of accountability, while pursuing justice can become distorted into pursuing revenge.

Our only path forward is a love that not only “hates what is evil” (Romans 12:9) but also longs for the transformation and good of our “neighbor” (13:10). Through the power of Christ’s Spirit, we can learn what it means to have a future of overcoming evil with good (12:21). Reflect & Pray

When have you witnessed times when the goal of mercy and grace seemed distorted to enable injustice? When have you seen both justice and mercy working in harmony?

Loving God, when the pain and injustice around me breaks my heart, help me to still believe in Your love and power to transform and heal. Help me to point with my life to Your justice, mercy, and love.

[luvie]

I’m glad you were able to get out of the house for a walk...and some nice fresh air. I’m sure Moose was happy, too. 🦮

[TheConservativeParty]

Hi there! Had about 6 inches of snow overnight. Very pretty. 😑
Plowed for 3 hours again, second time in a week.
Spring will be very welcome here!
🌼🌺🌸

[left that other site]

We’re expecting a big pile of snow this week, either Monday or Tuesday.

This gives me anxious feelings. I hate snow, I hate shoveling, and I hate driving in it.

Although I must admit, it is pretty on the trees in the woods outside my kitchen window.

But that is all that’s nice about it.

[TheConservativeParty]

We had no wind to make drifts on the driveway. There. That’s a good thing about the latest snow. 😅

[left that other site]

We still have ice everywhere from the previous storm, so this one is going to be even more treacherous.

[TheConservativeParty]

Ice is the worst. Two winters ago we had ice, then snow. My Bobcat was spinning its wheels trying to scoop the snow. That was fun. 😕

[luvie]

That is a lotta snow!! Brrr. I can’t even imagine that much.

[TheConservativeParty]

We had 8 inches of snow before that, maybe 5 days ago. I have huge piles of snow along the driveway. The Bobcat can stack it up pretty high, but it better stop snowing twice a week. 😅

[luvie]

I hope it does stop. That sounds like really hard work.

[TheConservativeParty]

Well it’s easy with a Bobcat, but would be impossible with a shovel. 😅
The piles of snow are getting to be impressive!