[JustAmy]

9-22-04
Graphic by Billie

Festival at Amy’s

There is a rule for festivals, and this is how it goes,
Assuredly it’s something that just everybody knows.
Every festive party, and every jolly place,
Deserves to have some friends around, with smiles upon each face.

So enter, friend and wear your smile, and all your jolly clothes,
We wouldn’t want to flout a rule that everybody knows.
We’ve minstrels and refreshments, and a strolling bard or two,
And I’m sure you’ll find a message that is meant for only you.

NicknamedBob . . . . . . . . . . May 3, 2004
© 2004

[JustAmy]

Graphic by MamaBear

Your Table is Waiting

Your place awaits in morning light,
The coffee has been brewed just right.
Sit down and have a cup or two,
And let us share a poem with you.

You needn’t dress a special way,
We’re glad to see you this fine day.
Come share a moment with a friend,
And carry joy to daylight’s end.

For every minute you spend here,
A dozen more are filled with cheer,
And though you cannot stay all day,
We’re glad you chose to come our way.

NicknamedBob . . . . April 18, 2004
© 2004

[JustAmy]

Graphic from St.Louie1

Liquid Courage

They idle in the tavern,
as they have many nights before,
reminiscing about good times
and doing their best to ignore
the ticking clock above the door,
the harbinger of doom in store
for the fair-haired, mustachioed
man in the polyester suit;
the guy sucking back another
cranberry juice and Absolut.
"It's time to get ourselves en route
to the church, mister," his astute friend enjoins.

"One more," says the groom.

~ Eric Lammerman ~

[The Mayor]

September 22, 2004

The Right Signal

Read: Matthew 14:14-21

When Jesus went out He saw a great multitude; and He was moved with compassion for them. —Matthew 14:14

Bible In One Year: Ecclesiastes 10-12; Galatians 1

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It was a tragic mistake. On July 3, 1988, the guided-missile cruiser USS Vincennes shot down an Iranian airliner with 290 souls aboard. All were lost. The ship's captain mistakenly thought they were under attack by an F-14 Iranian fighter.

Public opinion polls showed that most Americans opposed paying compensation to the victims' families. The cruel treatment of American hostages in Iran was still fresh in many minds. But President Reagan approved compensation. Asked by reporters if such payment would send the wrong signal, he replied, "I don't ever find compassion a bad precedent."

The principle of revenge is so much simpler to practice. Yet compassion is Christ's way—a deep caring for the physical, emotional, and spiritual needs of the whole person. It reveals the heart of God for sinful people—for you and for me.

The feeding of the 5,000 was a miracle born out of compassion. Jesus was moved by the physical and spiritual needs of the people (Matthew 14:14; Mark 6:34). He was not content just to teach them and then send them on their way.

As Christians, we must look at the whole person through the eyes of Jesus. Being moved by compassion always sends the right signal. —Dennis De Haan

Give me a heart sympathetic and tender,
Jesus, like Thine, Jesus, like Thine;
Touched by the needs that are surging around me,
And filled with compassion divine. —Anon.

Compassion is love in action.

[Alamo-Girl]

Congratulations, JustAmy!

And thank y'all for the great poem and graphic!