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

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

[luvie]

LOL!

Pugalicious!

[TheConservativeParty]

Hi There! We had sunshine today, and nearly 40 degrees. Very nice.
🌞

[luvie]

Sounds lovely after the cold from the other day. Enjoy! Maybe you and Moose will have a nice walk.

[luvie]

Grateful for family and FRiends!
Happy GratiTuesday!

[left that other site]

Happy Gratituesday!

Have A Blessed Thanksgiving. See You All Next Week.

(((HUGS)))

ML/LTOS

[TheConservativeParty]

Have a great Thanksgiving!
🦃

[The Mayor]

Our Daily Bread

Tuesday,
November 22, 2022

Faith in Action

Read: James 2:14–26

Faith without deeds is dead. James 2:26

A tornado blew through a community on a June evening in 2021, destroying a family’s barn. It was a sad loss because the barn had been on the family property since the late 1800s. As John and Barb drove by on their way to church the next morning, they saw the damage and wondered how they might help. So they stopped and learned that the family needed assistance with cleanup. Turning their car around quickly, they headed back home to change clothes and returned to stay for the day to clean up the mess the violent winds had created. They put their faith into action as they served the family.

James said that “faith without deeds is dead” (James 2:26). He gives the example of Abraham, who in obedience followed God when he didn’t know where he was going (v. 23; see Genesis 12:1–4; 15:6; Hebrews 11:8). James also mentions Rahab, who showed her belief in the God of Israel when she hid the spies who came to check out the city of Jericho (James 2:25; see Joshua 2; 6:17).

“If someone claims to have faith but has no deeds” (James 2:14), it does them no good. “Faith is the root, good works are the fruits,” comments Matthew Henry, “and we must see to it that we have both.” God doesn’t need our good deeds, but our faith is proven by our actions. — Anne Cetas

Why do you think it’s important that we do good deeds? What can you do out of your love for God?

May I serve You out of my faith in You and love for You today, dear God.

Bible in a year: Ezekiel 18–19; James 4

[TheConservativeParty]

That’s a nice cozy scene. I can hardly wait until Thursday. My favorite holiday.

Have a good night!

⭐️🌟💫

[luvie]

Thank you and Happy Thanksgiving. It’s one of my favorites, too! It’s so American!

[Silentgypsy]

Thank you.

[Silentgypsy]

So beautiful!

[The Mayor]

Our Daily Bread

Wednesday,
November 23, 2022

Trusting Our Future to God

Read: Ecclesiastes 10:12–14

No one knows what is coming. Ecclesiastes 10:14

In 2010, Laszlo Hanyecz made the first purchase with bitcoin (a digital currency then worth a fraction of a penny each), paying 10,000 bitcoins for two pizzas ($25). In 2021, at its highest value during the year, those bitcoins would have been worth well more than $500 million. Back before the value skyrocketed, he kept paying for pizzas with coins, spending 100,000 bitcoins total. If he’d kept those bitcoins, their value would’ve made him a billionaire sixty-eight times over and placed him on the Forbes’ “richest people in the world” list. If only he’d known what was coming.

Of course, Hanyecz couldn’t possibly have known. None of us could have. Despite our attempts to comprehend and control the future, Ecclesiastes rings true: “No one knows what is coming” (10:14). Some of us delude ourselves into thinking we know more than we do, or worse, that we possess some special insight about another person’s life or future. But as Ecclesiastes pointedly asks: “who can tell someone else what will happen after them?” (v. 14). No one.

Scripture contrasts a wise and a foolish person, and one of the many distinctions between the two is humility about the future (Proverbs 27:1). A wise person recognizes that only God truly knows what’s over the horizon as they make decisions. But foolish people presume knowledge that isn’t theirs. May we have wisdom, trusting our future to the only One who actually knows it. — Winn Collier

Where do you see temptation to control the future? How can you better trust God with your coming days?

Dear God, help me to simply trust You today.  

Bible in a year: Ezekiel 20–21; James 5

[luvie]

Thank you!

[luvie]

Have a Warm & Fuzzy Family Day!
God Bless My FRiends!

[Kitty Mittens]

(((((Hugs & Blessings!)))))

[TheConservativeParty]

Hi Kitty, have a great Thanksgiving! 😊

[The Mayor]

Our Daily Bread

Thursday,
November 24, 2022

Hopes and Longings

Read: Proverbs 13:12–19

Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life. Proverbs 13:12

When I moved to England, the American holiday of Thanksgiving became just another Thursday in November. Although I created a feast the weekend after, I longed to be with family and friends on the day. Yet I understood that my longings weren’t unique to me. We all yearn to be with people dear to us on special occasions and holidays. And even when we’re celebrating, we may miss someone who’s not with us or we may pray for our fractured family to be at peace.

During these times, praying and pondering the wisdom of the Bible has helped me, including one of King Solomon’s proverbs: “Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life” (Proverbs 13:12). In this proverb, one of the pithy sayings through which Solomon shared his wisdom, he notes the effect that “hope deferred” can have: the delay of something much longed for can result in angst and pain. But when the desire is fulfilled, it’s like a tree of life—something that allows us to feel refreshed and renewed.

Some of our hopes and desires might not be fulfilled right away, and some might only be met through God after we die. Whatever our longing, we can trust in Him, knowing He loves us unceasingly. And, one day, we’ll be reunited with loved ones as we feast with Him and give thanks to Him (see Revelation 19:6–9). — Amy Boucher Pye

When have you felt sick because of an unfulfilled longing? How did God meet you in your time of need?

God our Creator, You fulfill my deepest longings. I give You my hopes and my desires, asking You to grant them according to Your wisdom and love.

Bible in a year: Ezekiel 22–23; 1 Peter 1

[luvie]

Dave Koz~Far From Home

Gregg Karukas~My Favorite Season

Michael Lington~Roadtrip

Oleta Adams~Get Here

Pat Metheny Group~Last Train Home

Paul Hardcastle~Warm Glow

Sade~Cherry Pie

Steve Cole~Thursday

[TheConservativeParty]

Happy Thanksgiving!
🍁🍁🍁🦃🍁🍁🍁

[The Mayor]

Our Daily Bread

Friday,
November 25, 2022

Enduring Hope

Read: Revelation 21:1–8

He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain. Revelation 21:4

Doctors diagnosed four-year-old Solomon with Duchenne muscular dystrophy, a progressive muscle-degenerating disease. A year later, doctors discussed wheelchairs with the family. But Solomon protested that he didn’t want to have to use one. Family and friends prayed for him and raised funds for a professionally trained service dog to help keep him out of that wheelchair for as long as possible. Tails for Life, the organization that trained my service dog, Callie, is currently preparing Waffles to serve Solomon.

Though Solomon accepts his treatment, often bursting out in song to praise God, some days are harder. On one of those difficult days, Solomon hugged his mom and said, “I’m happy there’s no Duchenne’s in heaven.”

The degenerating effects of sickness affect all people on this side of eternity. Like Solomon, however, we have an enduring hope that can strengthen our resolve on those inevitable tough days. God gives us the promise of “a new heaven and a new earth” (Revelation 21:1). Our Creator and Sustainer will “dwell” among us by making His home with us (v. 3). He will “wipe every tear” from our eyes. “There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain” (v. 4). When the wait feels “too hard” or “too long,” we can experience peace because God’s promise will be fulfilled. — Xochitl Dixon

How has acknowledging God’s promise for a new heaven and a new earth comforted you? How can you encourage a hurting friend with the enduring hope of God’s promises?

Loving God, thank You for strengthening my resolve with the surety of my enduring hope.

For further study, read Prophetic Priorities: Wrestling with the End Times.

Bible in a year: Ezekiel 24–26; 1 Peter 2