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

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

[luvie]

Peaches Says Hi
And Wishes Y'all
A Happy GratiTuesday!

[mairdie]

Wonderful composition. Truly enjoy Peaches’ pictures.

[deport]

Seeing the day-lilies took me back to early days. My mother
had day-lilies galore, sold, cross bred them, etc

[luvie]

Thank you for your kind words, mairdie! ❤️

[The Mayor]

Our Daily Bread

Wednesday,
June 8, 2022

Generosity and Joy

Read: 1 Chronicles 29:1–9

The people rejoiced at the willing response of their leaders, for they had given freely and wholeheartedly to the Lord. 1 Chronicles 29:9

Researchers tell us there’s a link between generosity and joy: those who give their money and time to others are happier than those who don’t. This has led one psychologist to conclude, “Let’s stop thinking about giving as a moral obligation, and start thinking of it as a source of pleasure.”

While giving can make us happy, I question whether happiness should be the goal. If we’re only generous to people or causes that make us feel good, what about the more difficult or mundane needs requiring our support?

Scripture links generosity with joy too, but on a different basis. After giving his own wealth toward building the temple, King David invited the Israelites to also donate (1 Chronicles 29:1–5). The people responded generously, giving gold, silver, and precious stones joyously (vv. 6–8). But notice what their joy was over: “The people rejoiced at the willing response of their leaders, for they had given freely and wholeheartedly to the Lord” (v. 9, italics added). Scripture never tells us to give because it will make us happy but to give willingly and wholeheartedly to meet a need. Joy often follows.

As missionaries know, it can be easier to raise funds for evangelism than for administration because believers in Jesus like the feeling of funding frontline work. Let’s be generous toward other needs as well. After all, Jesus freely gave Himself to meet our needs (2 Corinthians 8:9). — Sheridan Voysey

Why do you think generosity and joy are connected? What “unexciting” need could benefit from your generous giving?

Father God, thank You for the joy found in giving. Give me a generous heart even toward ordinary needs.

Bible in a year: 2 Chronicles 30–31; John 18:1–18

[luvie]

I’ll bet her lilies were just beautiful. We don’t have many, but we do enjoy them as they bloom throughout the summer. They make a bright cheerful spot in the back yard.

[luvie]

And for my next trick...
How to stay cool when it's 100 °
Happy Chill & Fuzzy
Wednesday!

[The Mayor]

LOL!

[The Mayor]

June 9

Rejecting Rationalization

Bible in a Year:

• 2 Chronicles 32–33
• John 18:19–40

You have let go of the commands of God and are holding on to human traditions.

Mark 7:8

An Atlanta police officer asked a driver if she knew why he’d stopped her. “No idea!” she said in bewilderment. “Ma’am, you were texting while driving,” the officer gently told her. “No, no!” she protested, holding up her cell phone as evidence. “It’s an email.”

Using a cell phone to send an email doesn’t grant us a loophole from a law that prohibits texting while driving! The point of the law isn’t to prevent texting; it’s to prevent distracted driving.

Jesus accused the religious leaders of His day of creating far worse loopholes. “You have a fine way of setting aside the commands of God,” He said, quoting the command to “Honor your father and mother” as evidence (Mark 7:9–10). Under the hypocritical cloak of religious devotion, these wealthy leaders were neglecting their families. They simply declared their money as “devoted to God,” and voila, no need to help Mom and Dad in their old age. Jesus quickly got to the heart of the problem. “You nullify the word of God by your tradition,” He said (v. 13). They weren’t honoring God; they were dishonoring their parents.

Rationalization can be so subtle. With it we avoid responsibilities, explain away selfish behavior, and reject God’s direct commands. If that describes our behavior, we’re merely deceiving ourselves. Jesus offers us the opportunity to exchange our selfish tendencies for the guidance of the Spirit behind His Father’s good instructions. Reflect & Pray

In what areas of your life do you find yourself rationalizing? How do these rationalizations square with the wisdom of the Bible?

God, I need Your wise discernment. Rescue me from my denial of my own guilt. Help me live in step with Your Spirit.

[luvie]

😬

[luvie]

Have A Happy
Thank-The-Troops Thursday!

[TheConservativeParty]

Happy Thankful Thursday!
Wonderful weather here today in Wisconsin.
🌞
🌼🌼🌼

[luvie]

Great that the weather was nice there. I’ll bet you got a lot done. It was actually a bit less scorching here. “Only” the mid-90s instead of 100s. I’ll take it! ⛱

[TheConservativeParty]

Got a lot done today, making up for the rainy day we had yesterday. It has been in the 70s, very nice working outside temperatures.
☺️

[luvie]

Sounds wonderful, especially the rain!

[TheConservativeParty]

Been kind of rainy lately. Hopefully the expected rain tomorrow won’t be all day long. Going to work at my friend’s gardens tomorrow. We had to call it off yesterday. Too rainy.
☔️

[luvie]

Send that leftover rain to me. We need it badly!

[TheConservativeParty]

Hope you get some rain soon. My relatives in AZ and CO always need rain too.

[Kitty Mittens]

Thank you for the Daily Pings & Posts, Dear FRiends.
(((((Love to Everyone, and God Bless)))))

[luvie]

Nighty-night, Kitty.