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

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

[The Mayor]

Our Daily Bread

Wednesday,
September 7, 2022

Finding Refuge

Read: Isaiah 25:1–9

You have been a refuge for the poor, a refuge for the needy in their distress, a shelter from the storm. Isaiah 25:4

My wife and I once stayed in a lovely old seaside hotel with large sash windows and thick stone walls. One afternoon, a storm ripped through the region, churning up the sea and pounding our windows like angry fists on a door. Yet we were at peace. Those walls were so strong, and the hotel’s foundations so solid! While storms raged outside, our room was a refuge.

Refuge is an important theme in Scripture, starting with God Himself. “You have been a refuge for the poor,” Isaiah says of God, “a refuge for the needy in their distress, a shelter from the storm” (Isaiah 25:4). In addition, refuge is something God’s people were and are to provide, whether through Israel’s ancient cities of refuge (Numbers 35:6) or by offering hospitality to “foreigners” in need (Deuteronomy 10:19). These same principles can guide us today when humanitarian crises hit our world. In such times, we pray that the God of refuge would use us, His people, to help the vulnerable find safety.

The storm that hit our hotel was gone the following morning, leaving us with a calm sea and a warm sun that made the seagulls glow. It’s an image I hold on to as I think of those facing natural disasters or fleeing “ruthless” regimes (Isaiah 25:4): that the God of refuge would empower us to help them find safety now and a brighter tomorrow. — Sheridan Voysey

When have you taken “refuge” in God or found it through His people? How can you play a part in helping those facing a crisis today?

God of refuge, please empower me, Your child, to help the needy find refuge and hope.

 

Bible in a year: Proverbs 1–2; 1 Corinthians 16

[luvie]

Li'l Bit Nests In Barrel Of Straw
Happy Warm & Fuzzy Wednesday!

[TheConservativeParty]

Black cats are so beautiful!

Summery here today, in the 80s.

🌞

[left that other site]

Hi Folks!

Happy Warm, Fuzzy, and WET Wednesday!

(((HUGS)))

ML/LTOS

[TheConservativeParty]

We are expecting rain this weekend.
☔️

[Kitty Mittens]

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

[TheConservativeParty]

Good Night Kitty!
🌙💫⭐️✨

[The Mayor]

Our Daily Bread

Thursday,
September 8, 2022

Building the House

Read: Matthew 16:13–20

On this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it. Matthew 16:18

In 1889, the most ambitious private home construction project in the United States began. On-site manufacturing produced some 32,000 bricks a day. The work continued until the completion of George Vanderbilt II’s “summer house”—six years later. The result was the Biltmore Estate in Asheville, North Carolina. To this day, it remains the largest private residence in America, with 250 rooms (including 35 bedrooms and 43 bathrooms) consuming a staggering 178,926 square feet (16,226 square meters) of floor space.

This project, ambitious as it was, was nothing compared to the “building” intentions Jesus proclaimed to His disciples in Matthew 16. After Peter had confirmed that Jesus is “the Messiah, the Son of the living God” (v. 16), Jesus declared, “I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it” (v. 18). While theologians debate the identity of the “rock,” there’s no debate about Jesus’ intentions. He would build His church to stretch to the ends of the earth (Matthew 28:19–20), including people from every nation and ethnic group from around the globe (Revelation 5:9).

The cost of this building project? The sacrifice of Jesus’ own blood on the cross (Acts 20:28). As members of His “building” (Ephesians 2:21), purchased at so great a price, may we celebrate His loving sacrifice and join Him in this great mission. — Bill Crowder

How is the church to reflect Christ? What are some things that can hinder you from accurately reflecting Jesus?

Lamb of God, thank You for Your sacrifice. Enable me to celebrate You in my heart as well as with others in the family of faith.

For further study, read The Church We Need.

Bible in a year: Proverbs 3–5; 2 Corinthians 1

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[luvie]

Hanging By A Silken Strand
One Of God's Little Wonders
Happy Thankful Thursday!

[TheConservativeParty]

Hi there, hope you had a good day! Another nice summery day here in WI.

🌝

[The Mayor]

Our Daily Bread

Friday,
September 9, 2022

A Heavenly Reunion

Read: 1 Thessalonians 4:13–18

We will be with the Lord forever. 1 Thessalonians 4:17

When writing my mom’s obituary, I felt that the word died seemed too final for the hope I had in our promised reunion in heaven. So, I wrote: “She was welcomed into the arms of Jesus.” Still, some days I grieve when looking at the more current family photos that don’t include my mom. Recently, though, I discovered a painter who creates family portraits to include those we’ve lost. The artist uses the photos of loved ones who have gone before us to paint them into the picture of the family. With strokes of a paintbrush, this artist represents God’s promise of a heavenly reunion. I shed grateful tears at the thought of seeing my mom smiling by my side again.

The apostle Paul affirms that believers in Jesus don’t have to grieve “like the rest of mankind” (1 Thessalonians 4:13). “We believe that Jesus died and rose again and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him” (v. 14). Paul acknowledges Jesus’ second coming and proclaims that all believers will be reunited with Jesus (v. 17).

God’s promise of a heavenly reunion can comfort us when we’re grieving the loss of a loved one who has trusted Jesus. Our promised future with our risen King also provides enduring hope when we face our own immortality, until the day Jesus comes or calls us home. — Xochitl Dixon

How has God used the promise of a heavenly reunion to comfort you in your grief? Why does the promise of a heavenly reunion give you great hope?

Loving Savior, thank You for giving me an enduring hope to share with others until the day You call me home or come again. 

For further study, read Life to Come.

Bible in a year: Proverbs 6–7; 2 Corinthians 2

[luvie]

Sounds lovely. Hope you continue to have nice weather so you can work in your garden!

[luvie]

WEARING RED ON FRIDAY
FOR OUR HEROES!




Chris DeBurgh~The Lady In Red

🇺🇸 O, say, can you see
By the dawn's early light
What so proudly we hailed
At the twilight's last gleaming?.... 🇺🇸

[left that other site]

happy Red Friday!

It May Be After Labor Day, But It's Still Summer Here!

(((HUGS)))

ML/LTOS

[TheConservativeParty]

Hi there, Happy Friday!

It was almost hot here today, at least if you were working outside. Looks like a rainy, and restful, weekend coming up! Yay!

I plan on doing nothing, and enjoying it. 😁

[The Mayor]

Our Daily Bread

Saturday,
September 10, 2022

Uncommon Era

Read: Esther 9:20–23, 29–32

The Jews agreed to continue the celebration they had begun, doing what Mordecai had written to them. Esther 9:23

Despite living much of his life as a pagan, the Roman emperor Constantine (ad 272–337) implemented reforms that stopped the systematic persecution of Christians. He also instituted the calendar we use, dividing all of history into bc (before Christ) and ad (anno Domini, or “in the year of the Lord”).

A move to secularize this system has changed the labels to ce (Common Era) and bce (before the Common Era). Some people point to this as yet another example of how the world keeps God out.

But God hasn’t gone anywhere. Regardless of the name, our calendar still centers itself around the reality of Jesus’ life on earth.

In the Bible, the book of Esther is unusual in that it contains no specific mention of God. Yet the story it tells is one of God’s deliverance. Banished from their homeland, the Jewish people lived in a country indifferent to Him. A powerful government official wanted to kill them all (Esther 3:8–9, 12–14). Yet through Queen Esther and her cousin Mordecai, God delivered His people, a story still celebrated to this day in the Jewish holiday of Purim (9:20–32).

Regardless of how the world chooses to respond to Him now, Jesus changed everything. He introduced us to an uncommon era—one full of genuine hope and promise. All we need to do is look around us. We’ll see Him.   — Tim Gustafson

How do you react to instances where it seems like God is being “banished”? In what ways do you see Him today?

Father, thank You for the history-changing reality of Your Son, Jesus. 

Bible in a year: Proverbs 8–9; 2 Corinthians 3

[luvie]

Shadow sez...
🐾Happy Caturday! 🐾

[TheConservativeParty]

Happy Caturday, Shadow!

What are the pretty red lilies called?

It is hot here again, but the rain is moving in soon. Radar has a nice rain blob on the way.

😊

[left that other site]

Happy Saturday!

Late Summer Greetings To You All.

(((HUGS)))

ML/LTOS

[luvie]

They are blood lilies. They are sort of surprise lilies in that one day there’s nothing and the next day, dark red beauty everywhere!

Hope you get a nice rain for your garden...and maybe it’ll cool down a bit, too. It’s 89 here, but supposed to have a cool front come in overnight tonight. Yay!