Amy's Place ... Poetry and Potpourri ... January - December, 2023

The Mayor; Luvie; JustAmy

[JustAmy]

Welcome To....


'Amy's Place' welcomes all poets
and those who enjoy poetry.
'Amy's Place' is more than just about poetry.
Come in, relax, and share with fellow FReepers
your thoughts about any of the things on the *Menu*.

Enjoy! :)









Never Forget!



Never Forget!





Bad Penny



Amy's personal guardian ~
the ever charming, lovable, huggable,
LouieWolf




Many thanks for stopping by. : )

[frank ballenger]

Caption: Hey, just give me some coffee in my bowl. What harm could it do?

[TheConservativeParty]

Been cloudy for a week. 🙄
This happens in Wisconsin winter.
We are expecting 50 degrees on Thursday.
That will be nice.

[left that other site]

Yes. 50 is tolerable!

As long as we are talking Fahrenheit. :-)

[luvie]

LOL!

[The Mayor]

December 5

God’s Comforting Commitment

Bible in a Year:

• Daniel 1–2
• 1 John 4

The Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.

Joshua 1:9 Years ago, our family visited Four Corners, the only place in the United States where four states meet at one location. My husband stood in the section marked Arizona. Our oldest son, A.J., hopped into Utah. Our youngest son, Xavier, held my hand as we stepped into Colorado. When I scooted into New Mexico, Xavier said, “Mom, I can’t believe you left me in Colorado!” We were together and apart as our laughter was heard in four different states. Now that our grown sons have left home, I have a deeper appreciation of God’s promise to be near all His people wherever they go.

After Moses died, God called Joshua into leadership and guaranteed His presence as He expanded the Israelite’s territory (Joshua 1:1–4). God said, “As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you” (v. 5). Knowing that Joshua would struggle with doubt and fear as the new leader of His people, God built a foundation of hope on these words: “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go” (v. 9).

No matter where God leads us or our loved ones, even through difficult times, His most comforting commitment assures us that He’s always present. .

Reflect & Pray

How has God recently comforted you with His constant presence? How does His commitment to be present help when you’re far from loved ones?

Ever-present God, thank You for comforting me with the promise of Your constant presence.

[luvie]

Happy GratiTuesday!

[left that other site]

Happy Gratituesday!

I Just LOVE My Job. LOL.

(((HUGS)))

ML/LTOS

[luvie]

I have a feeling he really does. Snow doesn’t bother him with that coat! :)

[left that other site]

Yes indeed.

[TheConservativeParty]

Happy GratiTuesday!
We had snow Monday night. This is about the 4th snow so far. Most has melted.
We are promised sunshine tomorrow.
Cloudy and cold is gettin’ old after a week.
Bring on the sun!
🌝

[luvie]

I hope you get your sunshine! That’s a lot of snow this early, right?

[left that other site]

Winter Sunshine is kind of nice! :-)

[TheConservativeParty]

Well, I am in denial that it is December. I think it snowed in early October too.
We missed our lovely October this year- my favorite month. It was cold this year.
I do hope we don’t have a cloudy winter, that can be rough. Arctic sunshine is better than gray cloudy gloom. Ha ha. 😅

[luvie]

It has been a very strange year all ‘round. I hope you get some sunshine soon. And that I get some clouds....and rain thrown in! :)

[The Mayor]

Saint Nick

Bible in a Year :

• Daniel 3–4
• 1 John 5

“The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” (which means “God with us”).

Matthew 1:23 The person we know as Saint Nicholas (Saint Nick) was born around ad 270 to a wealthy Grecian family. Tragically, his parents died when he was a boy, and he lived with his uncle who loved him and taught him to follow God. When Nicholas was a young man, legend says that he heard of three sisters who didn’t have a dowry for marriage and would soon be destitute. Wanting to follow Jesus’ teaching about giving to those in need, he took his inheritance and gave each sister a bag of gold coins. Over the years, Nicholas gave the rest of his money away feeding the poor and caring for others. In the following centuries, Nicholas was honored for his lavish generosity, and he inspired the character we know as Santa Claus.

While the glitz and advertising of the season may threaten our celebrations, the gift-giving tradition connects to Nicholas. And his generosity was based on his devotion to Jesus. Nicholas knew that Christ enacted unimagined generosity, bringing the most profound gift: God. Jesus is “God with us” (Matthew 1:23). And He brought us the gift of life. In a world of death, He “save[s] his people from their sins” (v. 21).

When we believe in Jesus, sacrificial generosity unfolds. We tend to others’ needs, and we joyfully provide for them as God provides for us. This is Saint Nick’s story; but far more, this is God’s story. .

Reflect & Pray

What’s your experience with gift-giving—is it forced or free and joyful? How does Jesus’ life change your notions of generosity?

Dear God, I want to be generous, but I don’t always feel it. Please help me to practice true generosity.

[luvie]

Pirate The Handsome 1-Eyed Kitty
Wishes You All A Happy
Warm and Fuzzy Fall Wednesday!

[luvie]

Finally got a decent picture of the stray that I call Pirate. Tux hasn’t been seen since before we left on our Thanksgiving trip.

[left that other site]

Snow./h1>



I Love It. Mom Hates It. Happy Warm & Fuzzy Wednesday!

(((HUGS)))

ML/LTOS

[The Mayor]

December 7

Giving like Christ

Bible in a Year :

• Daniel 5–7
• 2 John 1

Offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God.

Romans 12:1 When American author O. Henry wrote his beloved 1905 Christmas story “The Gift of the Magi,” he was struggling to rebound from personal troubles. Still, he penned an inspiring story that highlights a beautiful, Christlike character trait—sacrifice. In the story, an impoverished wife sells her beautiful long hair on Christmas Eve to buy a gold pocket watch chain for her husband. As she learns later, however, her husband had sold his pocket watch to buy a set of combs for her beautiful hair.

Their greatest gift to each other? Sacrifice. From each, the gesture showed great love.

In that way, the story represents the loving gifts the magi (wise men) gave to the Christ child after His holy birth (see Matthew 2:1, 11). More than those gifts, however, the Child Jesus would grow up and one day give His life for the whole world.

In our daily lives, believers in Christ can highlight His great gift by offering to others the sacrifice of our time, treasures, and a temperament that all speak of love. As the apostle Paul wrote, “I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God” (Romans 12:1). There’s no better gift than sacrificing for others through Jesus’ love. .

Reflect & Pray

What sacrificial gift have you received from someone that showed Christ’s love? What sacrificial gift can you give to others in return?

In my daily life, dear God, may I show others Jesus by sacrificing my needs for theirs.

[luvie]

May All Our Jewish Friends
Have A Blessed Holiday