Amy's Place ... Poetry and Potpourri ... Jan - Dec 2021

5-01-2021 | 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!





Bad Penny



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




Many thanks for stopping by. : )

[left that other site]

Nice!

[The Mayor]

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

Tuesday,
December 28, 2021

Great Wisdom

Read: Jude 1:17–23

Be merciful to those who doubt; save others by snatching them from the fire; to others show mercy, mixed with fear. Jude 1:22–23

“The shepherd needs great wisdom and a thousand eyes,” wrote the beloved church father John Chrysostom, “to examine the soul’s condition from every angle.” Chrysostom wrote these words as part of a discussion on the complexity of caring well for others spiritually. Since it’s impossible to force anyone to heal, he emphasized, reaching others’ hearts requires great empathy and compassion.

But that doesn’t mean never causing pain, Chrysostom cautioned, because “if you behave too leniently to one who needs deep surgery, and do not make a deep incision in one who requires it, you mutilate yet miss the cancer. But if you make the needed incision without mercy, often the patient, in despair at his sufferings, throws all aside . . . and promptly throws himself over a cliff.”

There’s a similar complexity in how Jude describes responding to those led astray by false teachers, whose behavior he describes starkly (1:12–13, 18–19). Yet when Jude turns to how to respond to such grave threats, he doesn’t suggest reacting with harsh anger.

Instead, he taught that believers should respond to threats by rooting themselves even more deeply in God’s love (vv. 20–21). For it’s only when we’re deeply anchored in God’s unchanging love that we can find the wisdom to help others with appropriate urgency, humility, and compassion (vv. 22–23)—the way most likely to help them find healing and rest in God’s boundless love. — Monica La Rose

Why is it crucial to “[build yourself] up . . . in the Holy Spirit” (v. 20) before you respond to perceived threats? What examples have you seen of great wisdom and compassion used in helping someone in great pain?

God of love, when I’m faced with evil and hate, help me not to respond in kind but anchor myself in Your love. 

Bible in a year: Zechariah 5–8; Revelation 19

[TheConservativeParty]

Hi there! Just did snow removal with my best friend Bob, last name Cat. Did not get too much snow, 3 inches but it is still falling. Not too cold out and no wind.

cheers

❄️❄️❄️

[left that other site]

Cheers! No snow here.

[The Mayor]

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

Wednesday,
December 29, 2021

Lion, Lamb, Savior!

Read: Revelation 5:1–7

The Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has triumphed. Revelation 5:5

Two stately stone lions watch over the entrance to the New York Public Library. Hewn from marble, they’ve stood there proudly since the library’s dedication in 1911. They were first nicknamed Leo Lenox and Leo Astor to honor the library’s founders. But during the Great Depression, New York’s Mayor Fiorello LaGuardia renamed them Fortitude and Patience, virtues he thought New Yorkers should demonstrate in those challenging years. The lions are still called Fortitude and Patience today.

The Bible describes a living, powerful Lion who also gives encouragement in trouble and is known by other names. In his vision of heaven, the apostle John wept when he saw that no one was able to open the sealed scroll containing God’s plan of judgment and redemption. Then John was told, “Do not weep! See, the Lion of the tribe of Judah . . . has triumphed. He is able to open the scroll and its seven seals” (Revelation 5:5).

Yet in the very next verse, John describes something else entirely: “Then I saw a Lamb, looking as if it had been slain, standing at the center of the throne” (v. 6). The Lion and the Lamb are the same person: Jesus. He’s the conquering King and “the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” (John 1:29). Through His strength and His cross, we receive mercy and forgiveness so that we may live in joy and wonder at all He is forever! — James Banks

What’s your favorite name for Jesus? What aspects of His character make you want to praise Him most?

Beautiful Savior, I could praise You for all eternity and never come to the end of all that You are. Thank You for giving Yourself for me, so that I may live in Your love forever!

Bible in a year: Zechariah 9–12; Revelation 20

[luvie]

Peaches and His Bear
Cuddle Together On This
Warm & Fuzzy Wednesday

[TheConservativeParty]

Hello Peaches, have a nice nap!

Sunny here, the snow is very bright!

😎

[luvie]

Nice that you have some sun to brighten things up! Have a lovely day!

[left that other site]

Happy Warm & Fuzzy Wednesday!

Health, Happiness, Peace, and Prosperity to You!

(((HUGS)))

ML/LTOS

[TheConservativeParty]

Happy Warm Fuzzy Wednesday

Went out and plowed a bit of snow again, the stuff that fell late yesterday.

Sun was out but went away. Pretty cold out there.

Forecast has a high of 11 for the weekend. 🥶

[The Mayor]

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

Thursday,
December 30, 2021

Better Than Gold

Read: Proverbs 3:13–18

[Wisdom] is a tree of life to those who take hold of her. Proverbs 3:18

When gold seeker Edward Jackson set out for California during the Great Gold Rush in the US, his diary entry on May 20, 1849, lamented his grueling wagon journey, marked by disease and death. “O do not leave my bones here,” he wrote. “If possible let them lay at home.” Another gold-seeker named John Walker penned, “It is the most complete lottery that you can imagine . . . . I cannot advise any person to come.”

Walker, in fact, returned home and succeeded at farming, ranching, and state politics. When a family member took Walker’s yellowing letters to the American TV program Antiques Roadshow, they were valued at several thousand dollars. Said the TV host, “So he did get something valuable out of the Gold Rush. The letters.”

Even more, both Walker and Jackson returned home after gaining wisdom that caused them to take hold of a more practical life. Consider these words about wisdom from King Solomon, “Blessed are those who find wisdom . . . . She is a tree of life to those who take hold of her” (Proverbs 3:13, 18). A wise choice is “more profitable than silver and yields better returns than gold” (v. 14)—making wisdom more precious than any earthly desire (v. 15).

“Long life is in her right hand . . . and all her paths are peace” (vv. 16–17). Our challenge, therefore, is to hold tight to wisdom, not shiny wishes. It’s a path God will bless. — Patricia Raybon

What shiny wishes have you been chasing in life? Where could the path of wisdom take you instead?

Heavenly Father, when I’m blinded by the lure of shiny wishes, inspire me to take hold of wiser choices, walking the path of wisdom back to Your blessed peace.

Bible in a year: Zechariah 13–14; Revelation 21

[luvie]

Giving thanks and expressing gratitude is a profound habit that may create a more optimistic impression and appreciation for life.
Happy Thankful Thursday!

[TheConservativeParty]

What an interesting old building. We have one I drive by often a mile from here, made of limestone block and 2 stories high. It is trying to remain straight, after at least 150 years, but the roof was not maintained. With a better roof, it might stand for 250 years. The stone fitting skills of the men who built it are amazing.

Old farm houses and barns are so filled with history.

😌

[luvie]

I love broken down old buildings and always wonder what stories they could tell. This one was near the little now-uncorporated village where my aunt lived. We saw a bunch on our drive to the hill country in Texas last weekend, and I wanted to stop and take pictures of all of them...but didn’t have time.

I’ll bet that one you’re describing is amazing. Get pictures. :)

[TheConservativeParty]

I need to learn to post pictures to FR.
After all these years, still haven’t done it.
“ Sandbox” or something is what the info is called.
I took pictures of that stone building just to study it at home. The keystones at the tops of windows are impressive. Truly an amazing structure built by old world craftsmen.

[left that other site]

Cheer Up!

We're Almost to theEnd of 2021!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

ML/LTOS

[TheConservativeParty]

Thank goodness the year is over.
😬
Next year needs to be better.
🙃

[left that other site]

I sure hope so.

[luvie]

Yes, THE SANDBOX can be very helpful. Just take it one step at a time. We'd love to see pictures of Moose and the horse!...and your garden!

[luvie]

Yes! Unfortunately, it could end up being 2020too. LOL! I pray not!