[JustAmy]

February 28, 2008

Graphic by Billie

Inside the Raincloud

Up inside the raincloud, the droplets do confer.
And though they seem quite uniform, they rarely do concur.
Droplet One says “What’s the use? No one will even look.”
And Droplet Two says “I’m not ready! I didn’t read the book!”

The bigger Droplet Ten responds, “Now, steady on!
Don’t fall down on us now.”
Just get into position, we’re about to make a bow.”
“Don’t you mean a rainbow?” “No, I said let’s take a bow!”

“Your little bending motion, will change the light’s return,
And give a little color for the fame that you will earn.
Now, some of you will get a chance to use your other hand,
And bounce another color if it comes perchance to land.”

“We’ll do a double duty, and make a pretty show,
And the people will exclaim at all the colors of our glow!!”
He lined up all the children with a sparkle in his eye,
And he didn’t give the little ones a chance to even cry.

The curtain raised about them and the light was shining clear,
And everyone that he could see was grinning ear to ear.
Their bright smiles shone back out to where the sun had shone before,
And the rainbow that they formed would now become the stuff of lore.

They held the pose until they splashed down on the ground,
And made a lot of merriment as they were dancing ‘round.
They formed into their rivulets to start the trip back up,
And all exclaimed their luck to be a droplet in God’s cup.

NicknamedBob . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . June 21, 2004

[The Mayor]

February 28, 2008

Identity Theft

ODB RADIO: Listen Now |  Download
READ: Matthew 5:21-26

Whoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment. —Matthew 5:22

Several years ago while having lunch with a friend, a white man called me “boy.” Shock gave way to anger and hurt. My friend even shed tears. Why? The term boy was an insulting label used of black men in the US during slavery, an attempt to steal their identity by demoting them to less than men. As that ugly word recklessly barreled its way through my soul, I wanted to respond with an equally unkind name. But some ancient words from our Master about murder and anger changed my mind.

As Jesus was teaching His followers, He quoted the sixth commandment—“You shall not murder”—and the penalty for breaking it (Matt. 5:21). Then He gave a fuller interpretation. Taking someone’s life was not limited to physical murder; you could show contempt for someone through name-calling and be just as guilty. In Jewish culture, to call someone “Raca” or “Fool” (v.22) was the equivalent of calling someone empty-headed or an idiot. It was used to demean and demote another. What makes name-calling so damaging is that it insults the God who created that person in His image!

Jesus taught His followers that the weight of our neighbor’s glory is a burden we carry daily. If we follow His teaching, we won’t be guilty of identity theft.

Teach me to love, this is my prayer—
May the compassion of Thy heart I share;
Ready a cup of water to give,
May I unselfishly for others live.  —Peterson
© 1968 John W. Peterson Music Company.

To insult the creature is to insult the Creator.

Bible in One Year: Numbers 7–9; Proverbs 21:1-10

[Darksheare]

The, er, Book of Foreshadowed Sorrows just received a new tale.
Tale VI...

[DollyCali]

I love things like this.. came across it looking for something else on my server & thought I would share it. couple years back & made from an email I (and no doubt most) received.

[OESY]

Hasty Haiku:

February’s haste
to usher in an early
March slowed by one day.

Without even counting Leap Day, Amy, I’d say you’ve done quite a nice job for February,
and I’d bet my bottom dollar you’ve done this before and will do it again, I hope. Thanks.

.

[La Enchiladita]

Hello, JustAmy and Everyone at "Amy's Place." Here are a couple of rainbow U-tube videos from my Favorites. The first one is my favorite version of "Somewhere Over..." and an all time favorite, period:):)

Israel Kamakawiwo'ole ("Bruddah IZ")~~Somewhere Over the Rainbow

Patti Labelle~~Look to the Rainbow

[GodBlessUSA]

Good Afternoon Amy
Thanks :)

[Kitty Mittens]

A Beautiful Post, Amy, Bob, and Billie. I Love to See All the Neat Poems and Pics that are Always at Amy's Place!

I Recently Wrote a Poem about the Remnants of an Old Bridge Here where I Live, but my Writing is Mediocre, Lol. But the Bridge is Always Food for Thought whenever I See it.

The Bridge

I am the Remnants of a Bridge
That Sits Upon a Lonely Ridge
Once I Spanned Across the 'Crik;
Now, I am just Three Lone Sticks.

Oh, the Stories I could Tell
Of Years of Use before I Fell
Horses, Coaches, Wagon Trains
Crossed me to Access the Plains.

My Work Now Done, I am at Rest
Way Up High Upon a Crest
A Fascination to the Eye
Of Everyone who Passes by.

Through Wind and Rain and Storm I Stand
Bringing Mystery to the Land.
The People have All Come and Gone;
My Bois D'Arc Wood Goes On and On.

[PreviouslyA-Lurker]

: )

[PreviouslyA-Lurker]

: )