Amy's Place ... Poetry and Potpourri ... July, August and September, 2018

July 1, 2018 | Meg33, The Mayor, Trisham, 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!





Bad Penny



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




Many thanks for stopping by. : )

[luvie]

Thank you. He such a sweetie. :)

[luvie]

Good for you getting rid of the wasps so quickly. Those things scare me more than snakes or mice! LOL!

[The Mayor]

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

Hard Mysteries

August 5, 2018

The Lord is slow to anger but great in power. Nahum 1:3

As my friend and I went for a walk, we talked about our love for the Bible. She surprised me when she said, “Oh, but I don’t like the Old Testament much. All of that hard stuff and vengeance—give me Jesus!”

We might resonate with her words when we read a book like Nahum, perhaps recoiling at a statement such as, “The Lord takes vengeance and is filled with wrath” (Nahum 1:2). And yet the next verse fills us with hope: “The Lord is slow to anger but great in power” (v. 3).

When we dig more deeply into the subject of God’s anger, we understand that when He exercises it, He’s most often defending His people or His name. Because of His overflowing love, He seeks justice for wrongs committed and the redemption of those who have turned from Him. We see this not only in the Old Testament, as He calls His people back to Himself, but also in the New, when He sends His Son to be the sacrifice for our sins.

We may not understand the mysteries of the character of God, but we can trust that He not only exercises justice but is also the source of all love. We need not fear Him, for He is “good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in him” (v. 7).

Father God, You are good. You are loving and You are merciful. Help me to understand more fully some of the mysteries of Your redeeming love today.

God’s justice and mercy intersect at the cross.

INSIGHT

Along with Nahum 1:3, we find eight other instances in the Old Testament where we read that the Lord is “slow to anger” (for example, Psalm 86:15; 103:8). But these passages also describe other attributes of God: He is “abounding [or rich] in love” (Exodus 34:6; Numbers 14:18; Psalm 145:8); He is “gracious and compassionate” (Joel 2:13; Jonah 4:2); and He is a “forgiving God” (Nehemiah 9:17). If God were not both just and merciful, we would be without hope. Why? Because “everyone has turned away, all have become corrupt” (Psalm 53:3). “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). None of us deserve His love, compassion, or forgiveness. Apart from God’s love, through the incredible sacrifice of His Son who paid the price for our sins, we would have no opportunity to receive eternal life. But God loved us so very much He gave His only Son (John 3:16).

How can you express your gratitude to God?

[luvie]

Casting Crowns~Praise You In The Storm

Waylon Jennings/Jesse Colter~Precious Memories

Daniel O'Donnel~Church In The Wildwood

Passion~In Christ Alone

MercyMe~I Can Only Imagine

St. Olaf Choir~When Peace Like A River

Providence~Amazing Grace

GOD BLESS YOU THIS LORD'S DAY!

[MEG33]

~Good Sunday Morning To Amy's Place~

James 1:12 (NIV)
Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those
who love him.
~I Wish You A Blessed Lord's Day~

[left that other site]

Blessed Sunday

Have a Beautiful Day!

(((HUGS)))

ML/LTOS

[Kitty Mittens]

Thank you for the Beautiful Sunday Pings, Dear FRiends.
(((((Love to Everyone, and God Bless)))))

[The Mayor]

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

The Joy of Giving

August 6, 2018

Encourage the disheartened, help the weak, be patient with everyone. 1 Thessalonians 5:14

It was a dreary week. I had been feeling lethargic and listless, although I couldn’t figure out why.

Near the end of the week, I found out that an aunt had kidney failure. I knew I had to visit her—but to be honest, I felt like postponing the visit. Still, I made my way to her place, where we had dinner, chatted, and prayed together. An hour later, I left her home feeling upbeat for the first time in days. Focusing on someone else rather than myself had somehow improved my mood.

Psychologists have found that the act of giving can produce satisfaction, which comes when the giver sees the recipient’s gratitude. Some experts even believe that humans are wired to be generous!

Perhaps that’s why Paul, when encouraging the church in Thessalonica to build up their faith community, urged them to “help the weak” (1 Thessalonians 5:14). Earlier, he had also cited Jesus’s words, “It is more blessed to give than to receive” (Acts 20:35). While this was said in the context of giving financially, it applies as well to the giving of time and effort.

When we give, we get an insight into how God feels. We understand why He’s so delighted to give us His love, and we share in His joy and the satisfaction of blessing others. I think I’ll be visiting my aunt again soon.

Father, You have made me to give to others just as You have given to me. Teach me to give so that I can truly reflect Your character and be more like You today.

The giver is the greatest recipient.

INSIGHT

Do you ever feel that you’re always on the giving end? Or do you feel you’re always taking and receiving—with nothing to offer others but your own neediness? Take another look at Paul’s words to the Thessalonians. See if you can hear the wisdom of someone who knows there’s a time to give and a time to receive.

If you sense that you’re receiving more than your fair share of help, does Paul give you any idea about what you have to give even while receiving? Can you see that in acknowledging graciously the hard work of those who are caring for you, God can actually use you to encourage them?

If you seem to be giving to the point of exhaustion, see if you can hear any gentle wisdom here for yourself.

[luvie]

Remember-Them Monday!

[left that other site]

First Monday in August!

Just Don't Call Them "The Dog Days of Summer"!

(((HUGS)))

ML/LTOS

[luvie]

LOL! Too cute!

[The Mayor]

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

When the Bottom Drops Out

August 7, 2018

Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. Hebrews 4:16

During the 1997 Asian Financial Crisis, more people were looking for work than there were jobs available. I was one of those job seekers. After nine anxious months, I landed employment as a copywriter. But the company soon fell on bad times and I was jobless again.  

Ever been there? It seems like the worst is over when suddenly the bottom drops out on you. The widow at Zarephath could relate (1 Kings 17:12). Due to a famine, she was preparing the last meal for herself and her son when the prophet Elijah requested a bite to eat. She reluctantly agreed and God provided a continuous supply of flour and oil (vv. 10–16).

But then her son fell ill. His health declined until he stopped breathing. The widow cried out, “What do you have against me, man of God? Did you come to remind me of my sin and kill my son?” (v. 18).

At times, we may want to respond like the widow—wondering if God is punishing us. We forget that bad things can happen in this fallen world.

Elijah took the concern to God, praying earnestly and honestly for the boy, and God raised him up! (vv. 20–22).

When the bottom drops out on us, may we—like Elijah—realize that the faithful One will not desert us! We can rest in God’s purposes as we pray for understanding.

For help on the topic of peace, read discoveryseries.org/q1126.

God is good in both the good times and the bad.  

INSIGHT

It can be easy to think that life will go well if we do everything we’re supposed to do. But today’s story reminds us that life isn’t a formula. The widow was faithful and obedient, and yet her son died. But we can be encouraged that there’s nothing too hard for God, for He is the one who can even bring the dead back to life (v. 23).

Are you feeling overwhelmed? Commit your situation to our faithful God.  

For more about the book of Kings, check out our free online course at christianuniversity.org/OT219.

[luvie]

Grateful for their sacrifice!
Happy GratiTuesday!

[MEG33]

A Happy GratiTuesday
To Amy's Place

During the back tantrum I was treated to so many bird visits to my bird baths from
parents with their juveniles. A rare robin pair came for a week...The hawk came
back 3 times.
Titmice, chickadees, wrens, cardinals, house finches, white winged doves, a
mockingbied, a red bellied woodpecker came. I have 2 I can't identify.
I am grateful to God for His wonderful creations and the lovely sights He provides.
I'm grateful for your lovely posts
and for you.

[MEG33]

Purple Heart Day
Honoring Those In Military Service To Our Country Who Have Been Wounded Or Killed By Enemy Actions


~Our Deep Gratitude For Their Service And Sacrifice~

[left that other site]

Happy Gratituesday!

These two birds, Red Cardinals and American Goldfinches, are regular visitors to my yard. I never saw these birds till I moved to the South Shore of Massachusetts.

(((HUGS)))

ML/LTOS

[luvie]

I’m jealous. All we get are nasty grackles, sparrows and doves, the occasional mockingbird [Texas official bird] and the little colorful finches that hubby feeds. Of course, we do have cats, and that kind of discourages a lot of birds. LOL!

Several of the doves have become lunch.

[left that other site]

Oh...and i forgot. The ever-present and ferocious wild turkeys!

[MEG33]

Speaking of jealous...What are those gorgeous pink lilies you have in your back yard?
;o)

[luvie]

They are called surprise lilies. They come up as tons of leaves and then practically overnight they run up the stem with the lilies....after the leaves have begun to fade. I always love seeing them each year.