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

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

[Silentgypsy]

Thank you.

[luvie]

LOL! I thought so, too.

[The Mayor]

Our Daily Bread

Tuesday,
April 26, 2022

Age Is Just a Number

Read: 1 Timothy 4:6–13

Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity. 1 Timothy 4:12

Youthfulness shouldn’t stop anyone from achievement. It certainly didn’t stop eleven-year-old Mikaila. Instead of putting up a lemonade stand, Mikaila opened a lemonade business. Me & the Bees Lemonade started with her grandmother’s recipe and eventually earned a $60,000 investment from investors on the television show Shark Tank. She also signed a contract with a major grocer to sell her lemonade at fifty-five of the chain’s stores.

Mikaila’s drive and dreams point us back to Paul’s words to Timothy: “Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young” (1 Timothy 4:12).

Timothy, though not a child like Mikaila, was likely considerably younger than most in his congregation. After interning with the apostle Paul, some thought that Timothy wasn’t mature enough to lead them. Instead of telling him to prove himself by showing his credentials, Paul encouraged Timothy to demonstrate spiritual maturity by the way he used his words, lived his life, loved his parishioners, exercised his faith, and remained sexually pure (v. 12). No one could discredit him as a teacher and pastor if he backed it up with a godly example.

Regardless of our age, we can impact the world. We do it by setting a Christ-centered example for others as God provides what we need. May He shape our lives with the gospel, so whether we’re seventeen or seventy, we’ll be worthy to share it with others. — Marvin Williams

How has God been helping you grow in spiritual maturity and effectiveness for Him? Why is age not the most important factor?

Father, help me to model what it means to be devoted to Jesus in the way I speak, exercise my faith, and love others.

Bible in a year: 2 Samuel 23–24; Luke 19:1–27

[luvie]

Grateful For Cool Mornings
On The Patio
Happy GratiTuesday!

[left that other site]

Happy Gratituesday!

I Am Grateful For My New Home! :-) And My New Best Friend!

((((HUGS))))

[luvie]

Is that her? She is beautiful!!

[left that other site]

That’s another Internet Doggie, but she looks very similar..I’ll have to get some real photos of Tippy uploaded to a website so I can post them. (I am not of FB or Twit, so I can’t use those)

[TheConservativeParty]

Tippy is gorgeous!
😊

[TheConservativeParty]

Wait, I just read that is a very similar doggo but not actually Tippy.
Even so, that doggie is gorgeous!

[left that other site]

Aussie Cattle Dogs vary so much in color and pattern, but that one looks just like her. :-)

[TheConservativeParty]

Cool.
They are smart dogs.

[left that other site]

Indeed. I am finding that out. LOL.

[The Mayor]

Our Daily Bread

Wednesday,
April 27, 2022

Sing Again

Read: Zephaniah 3:14–20

Sing, Daughter Zion; shout aloud, Israel! Zephaniah 3:14

Australia’s regent honeyeater bird is in trouble—it’s losing its song. Though once an abundant species, just three hundred birds now remain; and with so few others to learn from, the males are forgetting their unique song and failing to attract mates.

Thankfully, conservationists plan to rescue the honeyeaters by singing to them. Or, more precisely, play them recordings of other honeyeaters singing so they can relearn their heart song. As the males pick up the tune and attract females again, it’s hoped the species will flourish once more.

The prophet Zephaniah addressed a people in trouble. With so much corruption among them, he announced that God’s judgment was coming (Zephaniah 3:1–8). When this later came to pass through capture and exile, the people too lost their song (Psalm 137:4). But Zephaniah foresaw a time beyond judgment when God would come to this decimated people, forgive their sins, and sing to them: “He will take great delight in you, in his love he will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing” (Zephaniah 3:17). As a result, the heart song of the people would be restored (v. 14).

Whether through our own disobedience or the trials of life, we too can lose our heart song of joy. But a Voice is singing over us songs of forgiveness and love. Let’s listen to His melody and sing along. — Sheridan Voysey

When do you find it hardest to retain your joy in God? What song, poem, or prayer can you give to God in response to His rejoicing over You?

Loving God, it’s amazing to imagine that You would sing songs of joy over me. I praise You and sing my own song of praise to You.

Bible in a year: 1 Kings 1–2; Luke 19:28–48

[luvie]

Happy Warm & Fuzzy
...And Feathery
Wednesday!

[mairdie]

SO clever!

[JustAmy]

Graphic by Billie

Wishing everyone a beautiful Wednesday!!

[TheConservativeParty]

Hello! Nice to see you! Happy Spring!
🌸🌼🌺

[luvie]

Thanks!

[luvie]

Lovely! Good to see you, Amy!

[The Mayor]

Our Daily Bread

Thursday,
April 28, 2022

Growing in Faith

Read: James 1:2–4

Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. James‬ ‭1:4

At the beginning of my gardening journey, I’d wake up early and run to my vegetable garden to see if anything had sprouted. Nothing. After an internet search for “fast garden growth,” I learned that the seedling stage is the most important phase of a plant’s lifespan. Knowing now that this process couldn’t be rushed, I came to appreciate the strength of small sprouts fighting their way through the soil toward the sun and their resilience to temperamental weather. After waiting patiently for a few weeks, I was finally greeted by bursts of green sprouts creeping through the soil.

Sometimes it’s easy to praise the victories and triumphs in our lives without similarly acknowledging that growth in our character often comes through time and struggle. James instructs us to “consider it pure joy” when we “face trials of many kinds” (James 1:2). But what could possibly be delightful about trials?

God will sometimes allow us to go through challenges and hardships so that we can be molded into who He’s called us to be. He waits in anticipation for us to come out of the trials of life “mature and complete, not lacking anything” (v. 4). By staying grounded in Jesus, we can persevere through any challenge, growing stronger and ultimately allowing the fruit of the Spirit to blossom in our lives (Galatians 5:22–23). His wisdom gives us the nourishment we need to truly flourish each and every day (John 15:5). — Kimya Loder

What trials have you been working through recently? What lessons are these circumstances revealing to you?

Dear heavenly Father, sometimes the trials I face seem unbearable. Please give me the strength to persevere, and help me as I grow in faith and develop into the fruit-bearing believer that You’ve called me to be.

Bible in a year: 1 Kings 3–5; Luke 20:1–26