Amy's Place ... Poetry and Potpourri ... January - December, 2022

1-01-2022 | The Mayor; Luvie; JustAmy

[TheConservativeParty]

Hi there, Happy Friday!
So glad to be home and relaxing after work today.

Hope you all had a good day.
🌞

[left that other site]

Blessed...

...Good Friday and First Night of Passover to You All.

(((HUGS)))

ML/LTOS

[The Mayor]

Our Daily Bread

Saturday,
April 16, 2022

Not So

Read: Luke 23:49–56

All those who knew him . . . stood at a distance, watching these things. Luke 23:49

“I wanted somehow to make it not so,” lamented the man, eulogizing a friend who died young. His words gave poignancy to humanity’s ageless heart-cry. Death stuns and scars us all. We ache to undo what can’t be undone.

The longing to “make it not so” might well describe how Jesus’ followers felt after His death. The Gospels say little about those awful hours, but they do record the actions of a few faithful friends.

Joseph, a religious leader who secretly believed in Jesus (see John 19:38), suddenly found the courage to ask Pilate for Jesus’ body (Luke 23:52). Ponder for a moment what it would take to remove a body from a grisly crucifixion and tenderly prepare it for burial (v. 53). Consider too the devotion and bravery of the women who stayed with Jesus every step of the way, even to the tomb (v. 55).

These followers weren’t anticipating a resurrection; they were coming to terms with grief. The chapter ends without hope, merely a somber, “Then they went home and prepared spices and perfumes [to embalm Jesus’ body]. But they rested on the Sabbath in obedience to the commandment” (v. 56).

Little did they know the Sabbath intermission was setting the stage for history’s most dramatic scene. Jesus was about to do the unimaginable. He would make death itself “not so.” — Tim Gustafson

Where do you turn for comfort when the worst happens? How do you live as though the resurrection is real?

Today, Father, I pause to remember how it must have been that day between Your Son’s crucifixion and His resurrection. I’m so grateful that He’s reversed sin’s curse for me.

Learn more about the resurrection of Jesus.

Bible in a year: 1 Samuel 30–31; Luke 13:23–35

[luvie]

Easter Kitty Is Not Amused
Happy Easter Weekend Caturday!

[TheConservativeParty]

Ha Ha! Kitty is being tolerant of her human.

Happy Caturday and Dogurday!

🐱🐶

[luvie]

All I can say is “don’t try this at home”. My cats would KILL me. LOL!

[left that other site]

Happy Easter!

May Your Day Be Filled With Blessings!

Hallelujah and Amen

ML/LTOS

[luvie]

BLESSED EASTER TO ALL

It is the whisper of the first breath;
It is the rustle of graveclothes
Being laid aside, folded and
Squared on a cold ledge.

It is the sound of fingertips
Brushing along a hewn wall
In predawn darkness.

It is the rasp of a stone wheel
Grating in its track.

What unearthly stillness
Greets this once-corpse as
He surveys the earth
That had been his torture-chamber.

I hear these sounds
Across two thousand years, and
My lips strain to speak to Him.

I want to tear away
My garments of death.

I grope through my darkness,
My shoulder failing
against the weight--

This sound I hear,
This sound I hear
Is the sound of my Jesus
Rising again in
My heart.

...Latanye C. Scott

The Gaithers~It Is Finished
Providence~Thomas's Song
Nathaniel Ladies Ensemble~Thanks To God
Glad~The Solid Rock
St. Olaf Choir~Holy Holy Holy

[left that other site]

He Is Risen!

He Is Risen Indeed!

Hallelujah and Amen

ML/LTOS

[The Mayor]

Our Daily Bread

Sunday,
April 17, 2022

This Changes Everything

Read: 1 Corinthians 15:12–26

Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. 1 Corinthians 15:20

Jaroslav Pelikan, longtime Yale professor considered one of “his generation’s preeminent authorities on Christian history,” was renowned for his extensive academic career. He published more than thirty books and won the esteemed Kluge Prize as a lifetime award for his voluminous writing. One of his students, however, recounted what he considered his teacher’s most important words, spoken from his deathbed: “If Christ is risen, nothing else matters. And if Christ is not—nothing else matters.”

Pelikan echoed Paul’s conviction: “If Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith” (1 Corinthians 15:14). The apostle made such a bold statement because he knew that the resurrection was not merely a one-off miracle but rather the pinnacle of God’s redeeming work in human history. The promise of resurrection wasn’t only His assurance that Jesus would rise from the dead but His bold affirmation that other dead and ruined things (lives, neighborhoods, relationships) would also one day be brought back to life through Christ. If there’s no resurrection, however, Paul knew that we’re in deep trouble. If there’s no resurrection, then death and destruction win.

But, of course, “Christ has indeed been raised from the dead” (v. 20). Destroyed by the Victor, death loses. And Jesus is the “firstfruits” of all the life that will follow. He conquered evil and death so that we could live bold and free. This changes everything. — Winn Collier

What difference does it make to understand the expansive hope of Jesus’ resurrection? Where do you need resurrection in your life?

Dear God, allow me to see how Jesus’ resurrection changes everything about my life now and forever.

Bible in a year: 2 Samuel 1–2; Luke 14:1–24

[The Mayor]

Our Daily Bread

Monday,
April 18, 2022

Witness in the Workplace

Read: 1 Peter 2:11–21

If you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God. 1 Peter 2:20

“Are you still upset that I want to reduce the size of your favorite department?” Evelyn’s manager asked. “No.” She tightened her jaw. She was more frustrated that he seemed to be teasing her about it. She’d been trying to help the company by finding ways to draw in different interest groups, but limited space made this nearly impossible. Evelyn fought back tears, but she made the decision to do whatever her manager asked. Maybe she couldn’t bring about the changes she’d hoped, but she could still do her job to the best of her ability.

In the apostle Peter’s first letter, he urged first-century believers in Jesus to submit “to every human authority” (1 Peter 2:13). Maintaining integrity in a tough work situation isn’t easy. But Peter gives us a reason to continue doing good: “Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God” (v. 12). Additionally, this helps us set a godly example for other believers who are watching.

If we’re in a truly abusive work situation, it may be best to leave if at all possible (1 Corinthians 7:21). But in a safe environment, with the Spirit’s help we can continue to do good in our work remembering “this is commendable before God” (1 Peter 2:20). When we submit to authority, we have an opportunity to give others reason to follow and glorify God. — Julie Schwab

What do you typically do when you’re in a difficult situation under someone else’s authority? How might God be trying to work in you through this?

Heavenly Father, help me to continue to honor You in my response to those in authority despite the difficult situations I may face. Help me to live each day in a way that glorifies You.

Bible in a year: 2 Samuel 3–5; Luke 14:25–35

[luvie]

Everette Harp~Monday Speaks

Happy Monday, Y'all!

[left that other site]

happy Monday!

Have a beautiful Day!

(((HUGS)))

ML/LTOS

[luvie]

It was! And does this beauty look a bit like Tippy? :)

[left that other site]

Tippy has more black markings, but yes.

And the daffodils look EXACTLY like the ones around my house. :-)

[The Mayor]

Our Daily Bread

Tuesday,
April 19, 2022

Come and Worship

Read: Deuteronomy 31:9–13

Assemble the people—men, women and children, and the foreigners residing in your towns. Deuteronomy 31:12

As they sang praise songs together in the multi-generational worship service, many experienced joy and peace. But not a frazzled mother. As she jiggled her baby, who was on the verge of crying, she held the songbook for her five-year-old while trying to stop her toddler from running off. Then an older gentleman sitting behind her offered to walk the toddler around the church and a young woman motioned that she could hold the songbook for the eldest child. Within two minutes, the mother’s experience was transformed and she could exhale, close her eyes, and worship God.

God has always intended that all His people worship Him—men and women, old and young, longtime believers, and newcomers. As Moses blessed the tribes of Israel before they entered the promised land, he urged them all to meet together, “men, women and children, and the foreigners residing in your towns,” so that they could “listen and learn to fear the Lord your God” and to follow His commands (Deuteronomy 31:12). It honors God when we make it possible for His people to worship Him together, no matter our stage of life.

That morning in church, the mother, the older gentleman, and the young woman each experienced God’s love through giving and receiving. Perhaps the next time you’re at church, you too could either extend God’s love through an offer of help or you could be the one accepting the act of grace. — Amy Boucher Pye

How have you experienced the body of Christ as encompassing many generations and people groups? How have you given and received God’s love while at church?

Loving Jesus, You long that all people would feel welcomed when they come to worship You. Help us to be those who notice others and reach out in love.

Bible in a year: 2 Samuel 6–8; Luke 15:1–10

[luvie]

Both are gorgeous!! I can hardly wait to see “real” pics of her!

[luvie]

The Rolling Stones~Ruby Tuesday

Happy GratiTuesday!

[left that other site]

Happy Gratituesdy!

I Am Grateful for the New Member of my Family.
And guess what...She's From TEXAS! :-)

(((HUGS)))

ML/LTOS

[luvie]

Well, that’s a win/win for me! Welcome to Boston, Tippy! I hope you two have a long and happy “partnership”.