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

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

[JustAmy]

Amen!!!

Happy New Year, TCP.

[The Mayor]

So true! Happy New Year Amy

[The MAGA-Deplorian]

Most would think it fine to live to be 99!
To live that long would be great luck
But to be just 4 weeks away from a 100 birthday,
and die?! Sorry but that just royally sucks

Poor Betty White! Man that just ain’t right.
Some blame God. Some say it’s a terrible fate
To be taken yesterday, from a goal 4 weeks away.
Maybe it was Allen Luden who could no longer wait?

[The Mayor]

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

Sunday,
January 2, 2022

Fresh Start Effect

Read: Colossians 3:1–10

[Put] on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator. Colossians 3:10

When Bryony turned thirty, she was sad to still be in a sales job she’d never liked. She decided it was time to stop procrastinating and find a new career. For David, New Year’s Eve had him looking in the mirror vowing this would be the year he lost weight. And for James, it was watching another month pass without his angry outbursts decreasing. Next month, he promised himself, he would try harder.

If you’ve ever vowed to change at the start of a new month, new year, or a major birthday, you’re not alone. Researchers even have a name for it: the fresh start effect. They suggest that at calendar points like these we’re more prone to assess our lives and try putting our failures behind us to start over. Wanting to be better people, we long for a fresh start.

Faith in Jesus speaks powerfully to this longing, offering a vision of what our best selves can be (Colossians 3:12–14) and calling us to leave our past selves behind (vv. 5–9). It offers this change not by decisions and vows alone, but by divine power. When we believe in Jesus, we become new people, and God’s Spirit works in us to make us whole (v. 10; Titus 3:5).

Receiving salvation in Jesus is the ultimate fresh start. And it doesn’t need to wait for a special calendar date. Your new life can start right now. — Sheridan Voysey

How have you seen the fresh start effect at work in your life? What’s stopping you from receiving God’s gift of a new life now?

Jesus, I give up my own plans to follow Yours. Please give me a fresh start!

To gain a better understanding of the Bible this year.

Bible in a year: Genesis 4–6; Matthew 2

[JustAmy]

AN INVITATION

Come my friends out of the night
Believe in me and walk in light
Too many years the dark has reigned
Were nothing ventured nothing gained

The night has ended come the day
The light has come to show the way
Don’t build your house on shifting sand
Look up reach out and take my hand

Your burdens leave here at my feet
I’ll separate the chaff from wheat
I paid your fare, you journey free
In all you do abide in me

Forever revel in my love
Unto my mansions high above
Eternal bliss in one accord
Just trust in me I AM THE LORD.

Mel Smith 7/31/02
AKA Fish Hawk

[JustAmy]

[Kitty Mittens]

Thank you for this Beautiful New Thread, Dear Amy.
(((((Love to All, and God Bless)))))

[The Mayor]

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

Monday,
January 3, 2022

When Love Never Ends

Read: Psalm 145:8–20

The Lord watches over all who love him. Psalm 145:20

“Whenever my grandfather took me to the beach,” Sandra reminisced, “he always took off his watch and put it away. One day I asked him why.”

“He smiled and replied, ‘Because I want you to know how important my moments with you are to me. I just want to be with you and let time go by.’ ”

I heard Sandra share that recollection at her grandfather’s funeral. It was one of her favorite memories of their life together. As I reflected on how valued it makes us feel when others take time for us, it brought to mind Scripture’s words on God’s loving care.

God always makes time for us. David prayed in Psalm 145, “You open your hand and satisfy the desires of every living thing. The Lord is righteous in all his ways and faithful in all he does. The Lord is near” (vv. 16–18).

God’s goodness and thoughtful attention sustain our lives each moment, providing us with air to breathe and food to eat. Because He is rich in love, the Creator of all things mercifully crafts even the most intricate details of our existence.

God’s love is so deep and unending that in His kindness and mercy He’s even opened the way to eternal life and joy in His presence, as if to say, “I love you so much, I just want to be with you forever, and let time go by.” — James Banks

How does your availability to others reflect God’s faithful love for them? In what ways can you follow His example by making time for others today?

Father, thank You for Your perfect love. Please help me to praise You for it and to share it with others today.

Read God Is Love. 

Bible in a year: Genesis 7–9; Matthew 3

[luvie]

Happy Monday Cuteness!

[TheConservativeParty]

That is adorable!
🐶

[luvie]

Really makes ya want to scritch those ears, huh! :)

[TheConservativeParty]

Ya, makes me want to adopt a puppy too! I keep resisting but getting a second dog would certainly liven things up around here.
😅🐶🐶

[luvie]

it sure would, but you better ask Moose first. He might just love being an “only”. LOL!

[TheConservativeParty]

Yeah, he’d probably like having a playmate but maybe not like sharing our attention. ☺️🐶

[left that other site]

Goodbye 2021!

Hello 2022. Have a Good Year!

(((HUGS))))

ML/LTOS

[luvie]

So far, so good. We did eat black-eyed peas [ack!] yesterday for the first time in decades. LOL! Last year we didn’t and got THE crud. No repeats on that! :)

[JustAmy]

Graphic by Billie

Outside In

No matter how snug your cabin,
There’s one thing you still must do.
Build it right, and chink it tight,
And always leave a view.

All of our comforts come with a price,
A ball and inevitable chain,
A sense of discomfort you’ve kept away,
As seen through your own windowpane.

The best room is always the one where you live,
And the fireplace makes it so warm,
But you must have a window to see the outside,
As you all snuggle safe from the storm.

NicknamedBob . . . . . . . . March 2, 2005

[JustAmy]

[TheConservativeParty]

Here is the old stone house that is within a mile of my house. It has remarkable stone-fitting. Most of the stone is still standing straight. The roof is too old to hold off destruction by weather. the fallen wooden wall blew off in a wind storm last summer, I took this picture after that storm

[left that other site]

That is an awesome photo!:-)