Amy's Place ... Poetry and Potpourri ... January - December, 2022

1-01-2022 | The Mayor; Luvie; JustAmy

[The Mayor]

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Saturday,
January 8, 2022

Drawn Near

Read: Leviticus 16:1–5

Tell your brother Aaron that he is not to come whenever he chooses into the Most Holy Place. Leviticus 16:2

In the wake of the coronavirus, retrieving something from my safety deposit box required even more layers of protocol than before. Now I had to make an appointment, call when I arrived to be granted entrance to the bank, show my identification and signature, and then wait to be escorted into the vault by a designated banker. Once inside, the heavy doors locked again until I’d found what I needed inside the metal box. Unless I followed the instructions, I wasn’t able to enter.

In the Old Testament, God had specific protocols for entering part of the tabernacle called the Most Holy Place (Exodus 26:33). Behind a special curtain, one that “separate[d] the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place,” only the high priest could enter once a year (Hebrews 9:7). Aaron, and the high priests who would come after him, were to bring offerings, bathe, and wear sacred garments before entering (Leviticus 16:3–4). God’s instructions weren’t for health or security reasons; they were meant to teach the Israelites about the holiness of God and our need for forgiveness.

At the moment of Jesus’ death, that special curtain was torn (Matthew 27:51), symbolically showing that all people who believe in His sacrifice for their forgiveness of sin can enter God’s presence. The tear in the tabernacle curtain is reason for our unending joy—Jesus has enabled us to draw near to God always! — Kirsten Holmberg

In what ways are you aware of being drawn near to God? How does that truth bring you joy?

Thank You, Jesus, for making it possible for me to be drawn near to God always.

To learn how to draw nearer to God this year.

Bible in a year: Genesis 20–22; Matthew 6:19–34

[luvie]

Have A VERY Lazy
..and Happy Caturday!!

[TheConservativeParty]

That cat has the right idea!

It is so warm today, I can be outside without getting frostbite in 15 minutes!
27 degrees, not bad.

Cheers!

[left that other site]

It's A Perfect Day

For Sleeping!

(((HUGS)))

ML/LTOS

[luvie]

Absolutely!

[luvie]

Wow! That’s practically a heat wave for y’all! LOL!

[TheConservativeParty]

Sure was nice today.
Back into the deep freeze Sunday and Monday with highs around 10 degrees. 🥶

[luvie]

Those sound like good days to stay in and cuddle with Moose!

[TheConservativeParty]

I will venture out to fill the bird feeders tomorrow, then back inside. The Packers play tomorrow, so that’s always a good time to relax.

[luvie]

Well, feeding the birds is a must! Glad you have a good excuse for staying in. LOL!

[TheConservativeParty]

Good Night FRiends
😴⭐️🌟✨💫

[NicknamedBob]

“I used to love reading his poems.”

—

So did I.

Currently, I’m posting from a tablet. It is an annoying and tedious task.

But I have gifted myself a new computer, (still in the box). We shall soon see if it will let me spell words my way again.

[luvie]

Casting Crowns~Scars In Heaven

Aron Wright~Surrender

Festival Choir~When Morning Gilds The Skies

Glen Campbell~The Savior I Sing Of Today

Jim Brickman~How Great Thou Art

Life Church Worship~I Give It All

M Souders~We Gather Together

God Bless You All....

[The Mayor]

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Sunday,
January 9, 2022

Washed

Read: Titus 3:3–7

You were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Corinthians 6:11

My friend Bill described Gerard, an acquaintance of his, as being “very far from God for a very long time.” But one day, after Bill met with Gerard and explained to him how God’s love has provided the way for us to be saved, Gerard became a believer in Jesus. Through tears, he repented of his sin and gave his life to Christ. Afterward, Bill asked Gerard how he felt. Wiping away tears, he answered simply, “Washed.”

What an amazing response! That’s precisely the essence of salvation made possible through faith in Jesus’ sacrifice for us on the cross. In 1 Corinthians 6, after Paul gives examples of how disobedience against God leads to separation from Him, he says, “That is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ” (v. 11). “Washed,” “sanctified,” “justified”—words that point to believers being forgiven and made right with Him.

Titus 3:4–5 tells us more about this miraculous thing called salvation. “God our Savior . . . saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth.” Our sin keeps us from God, but through faith in Jesus, sin’s penalty is washed away. We become new creations (2 Corinthians 5:17), gain access to our heavenly Father (Ephesians 2:18), and are made clean (1 John 1:7). He alone provides what we need to be washed. — Dave Branon

Why is it vital for you to be washed and sanctified by Jesus? What has it meant or what will it mean for you to put your faith in Him?

Dear Jesus, I know I’ve sinned against You. And I realize that the penalty for my sin is separation from You. Thank You for the salvation You’ve made possible and for drawing me close to You forever.

Bible in a year: Genesis 23–24; Matthew 7

[luvie]

I look forward to new words!

[JustAmy]

Looking forward to new spelling lessons.

Great to see you, NNB, Welcome back.

[NicknamedBob]

Drawing Nigh

Another birthday drawing nigh,
My how the grains of sand slip by!
And yet, the years seem now so few,
For me to learn what I must do.

Tell me, Lord, is this enough?
My finished training feels quite rough,
I’d like a bit more time to try,
To polish up my getting by.

These years and decades seem so few,
In learning all the things to do,
Forgiveness, Lord, and loving all,
I’m sure I may have dropped the ball.

If I may need a century more,
Could I delay that open door?
And stick around to think and muse,
About the lessons I could use?

Maturity may come with age,
But only if you read the page,
And not distract your thoughts with sights,
Of music, dancing, and bright lights.

Just let me have some calm reflection,
To gently do my self-inspection.
To not feel guilt of how I’ve failed,
And let my appetites get derailed.

NicknamedBob . . . . January 10, 2022

[luvie]

Very personal......I kind of dread birthdays, too...but dread the alternative even more. LOL!

[NicknamedBob]

I’m rather convinced that we all suffer from Progeria, not just some unfortunate children. That’s why I slipped the surly bonds of the decimal point and tell people that I’m seven.

We would, I am sure, all benefit from having seven to nine hundred years in which to mature.

I only want a million days.

[luvie]

I believe you deserve that 1,000,000 days. Can I have them, too? :)