Amy's Place ... Poetry and Potpourri ... April, 2013

4-1-2013 | JustAmy; St.Louie1; MamaBear; Billie; Meg33, Friends

[The Mayor]

Freep mail me to be on or off the Daily Bread ping list

Tough To Love
April 25, 2013

Years ago I was a camp counselor for some rebellious boys. I found it challenging to deal with their behavior. They would mistreat the animals at the petting zoo and occasionally fight among themselves. So I adopted a calm and firm approach to leading them. And although they often exasperated me, I always made sure their physical needs were taken care of.

Even though I had a kind and loving exterior, I often felt on the inside that I was just “putting up with them.” That caused me to prayerfully reflect on how a loving heavenly Father provides for His rebellious children. In telling the story of the Israelites during the exodus, Paul said, “For a time of about forty years [God] put up with their ways in the wilderness” (Acts 13:18). In Greek “put up with” most likely means to patiently provide for people’s needs despite an ungrateful response.

Some people may not react favorably to our efforts to show care and concern. When this happens, it may help to remember that God is patient with us. And He has given us His Spirit to help us respond with love to those who are hard to love or who are ungrateful (Gal. 5:22-23).

Give us Your patience, Lord, for anyone in our lives who is difficult to love.

I want the love that sweetly bears
Whate’er my Father’s hand may choose to send;
I want the love that patiently endures
The wrongs that come from enemy or friend. —Anon.

Be as patient with others as God has been with you.

Read: Acts 13:13-23

Now for a time of about forty years [God] put up with their ways in the wilderness. —Acts 13:18

Bible in a Year:
2 Samuel 21-22; Luke 18:24-43

[The Mayor]

Freep mail me to be on or off the Daily Bread ping list

The Best Season Yet
April 26, 2013

Life is a lot like the weather . . . it’s seasonal. It has a way of pushing us into the next season whether we like it or not. And when pushed into the next season, we are often uncertain and even fearful of what it might hold for us.

This is especially true of later seasons of life, when we are haunted by thoughts such as: Will I be left all alone? Will my health hold up? Will my money last? Will my mind stay fresh? As with every season of life, we have to make a choice—to waste the season in fearful thoughts or, as Paul says, make “the best use of the time, because the days are evil” (Eph. 5:16 esv).

Regardless of your season, you can count on God’s faithfulness. He says, “‘I will never leave you nor forsake you.’ So we may boldly say: ‘The Lord is my helper; I will not fear’” (Heb. 13:5-6).

Because you have God’s presence and provision, you can make the most of your time in every season by following Jesus closely, spending time in His Word and prayer, loving and forgiving more freely than ever before, and serving others with joy and generosity.

God has blessed us with our present season—make the most of it!

Lord, give me the grace to accept life right where
it has put me, and help me to overcome the fear
that would waste my days. Give me the wisdom
and desire to make every day count for You.

Life matters—make the most of it!

Read: Ephesians 5:15-21

See then that you walk circumspectly, . . . redeeming the time, because the days are evil. —Ephesians 5:15-16

Bible in a Year:
2 Samuel 23-24; Luke 19:1-27

[MEG33]

Happy Friday To Amy's Place

I'm Wearing Red To Support Our Troops

Have A Great Weekend

[The Mayor]

Good Morning Meg!

[luvie]

Happy R E D On Friday To Everyone!! :)

[MEG33]

Lovely, LUV.

Do you see a light at the end of the tunnel yet with the shingles? I pray so.

[MEG33]

Good morning, Rus..Hope all is well with you.

[MEG33]

Thank you, dear ML..I finally had a good cry yesterday..I watched the huge memorial service for the fallen volunteer fire fighters and EMS workers yesterday on TV..So many young children were left without their dads.

[luvie]

Sometimes I think so, then something else starts up. I am thinking it is very slow to heal. Ugh!

Thanks for asking and for your concern. I do think I’ll live. :)

[MEG33]

I know it is so miserable..I feel for ya!

(((HUGS)))

[luvie]

Thank you! (((hugs)))

[left that other site]

Amen.

[left that other site]

We all need to have a “good cry”.

Praying that God will comfort the people of your community and our Nation.

((((HUGS))))

[geologist]

emphasis ...
___________________________________________________________

“Lord, give me the grace to accept life right where
it has put me, and help me to overcome the fear
that would waste my days. Give me the wisdom
and desire to make every day count for You.
Life matters—make the most of it!”
___________________________________________________________

[jaycee]

Just learning you’ve been dealing with shingles. I’m so sorry and hope the end of them are near. I had them years ago and it sure was a miserable time for me.

Please be well soon....I’ll say a prayer that most of the misery is over for you! May God Bless You! ((((HUGS))))

[potlatch]

Whoo Hoo Meg, I’m actually wearing red today. Lol, I had to look down to check what shirt I’m wearing! Happy day to you and all here. It has warmed up here but have had some dreary days and still no rain!

[potlatch]

I’m sorry to hear you’ve had ‘shingles’ Luv. I know so many people who have had it and it’s so painful and can be longlasting. Prayers that you heal quickly!

[potlatch]

Bumping your thoughts M.L. ;)

[luvie]

Thank you, Jaycee! Right now, it is an ongoing nightmare but I know that they will heal...it just takes a long time. I’ve got the right drugs and things to minimize the pain, and my two kitties are so sweet to me when I don’t feel like doing anything.

Meanwhile, my house is scary looking! LOL!

[luvie]

Your prayers are appreciated, potlatch! That they are painful is an understatement. It’s not just the rash...it’s random pain from nerves that have been damaged all around the side that is affected...such as splitting headaches, etc. sorry, don’t mean to be a whiner! :)