Amy's Place ... Poetry and Potpourri ... January - December, 2024

JustAmy[creator], The Mayor, luvie, left that other site

[Kitty Mittens]

Sorry to Hear this, Dear Conservative Party!
My Husband and his Mother are also Sick.

(((((Hugs and Prayers)))))

[The Mayor]

August 3

Being Finishers in Christ

Bible in a Year :

• Psalms 63-65
• Romans 6

You are a chosen people . . . that you may declare [his] praises.

1 Peter 2:9

Barbara passed away before she could finish a sweater she was knitting for her great-grandson, Ethan. The sweater was entrusted to the hands of another avid knitter to be completed thanks to an organization that connects volunteer crafters—“finishers”—with those whose loved ones have departed this life before finishing their projects. The “finishers” lovingly invest their time and skill to bring closure to a task that provides comfort to those who are grieving.

God appointed a “finisher” for Elijah’s work too. The prophet was lonely and discouraged at how the Israelites were rejecting God’s covenant and killing prophets. In response, God instructed Elijah to “anoint Elisha . . . to succeed [him] as prophet” (1 Kings 19:16). This ensured that the labor of proclaiming God’s truth would continue long past Elijah’s death.

To show Elisha that God had called him to succeed Elijah as God’s prophet, Elijah “threw his cloak around [Elisha]” (v. 19). Since a prophet’s cloak was used to indicate one’s authority as God’s chosen spokesman (see 2 Kings 2:8), this act made Elisha’s prophetic call clear.

As believers in Jesus, we’ve been called to share God’s love with others and “declare [his] praises” (1 Peter 2:9). Though the task may outlive us too, we can be assured that He’ll sustain the work and will continue to call other “finishers” to the sacred work of making Him known.

Reflect & Pray

Who proclaimed God’s truth to you? How can you be part of making Him known to the world?

Father, please use me to accomplish Your work in the world.

[pollywog]

Good morning Mayor....been busy caring for my sister this past week, so in general, AWOL from FR....

May I be a " finisher" is my prayer!!

Again, thank you for being faithful to our Lord!!

[TheConservativeParty]

My husband went on a trip, on a germy airplane, and brought this home to me.
Not the first time this has happened.
Wasted my whole week being sick.
😭

[luvie]

I hope you are now on the mend! Being sick sux.
Being sick on the weekend sux even more!

[luvie]

Happy Lazy Caturday!

[left that other site]

Happy Saturday!

Another HOT One!

(((HUGS)))

ML/LTOS

[luvie]

Yeah, here too. It’s 97 right now and this isn’t even the peek time for the high temp. It’s kind of cloudy, though, so we’re hoping for a bit of rain to cool things off.

[left that other site]

It has rained here from time to time, but it just makes things steamy.

As my F-I-L Al (RIP) used to say:

It’s like a Schvitzbud!” (Sweat bath)

[luvie]

Nathaniel Ladies Ensemble~Thanks To God

Statler Brothers~Sweet Beulah Land

Casting Crowns~Praise You In The Storm

Providence~O Come Angel Band

Bill Gaither/Velstal Goodman~The Lighthouse

The Trevecca Madrigalians~It Is Well With My Soul

Jeff Beck~Amazing Grace

Have a blessed Sunday

[The Mayor]

August 4

I’m Just the Driver

Bible in a Year :

• Psalms 66-67
• Romans 7

I myself am a man under authority.

Matthew 8:9

“Dad, can I spend the night with my friend?” my daughter asked, getting into the car after practice. “Honey, you know the answer,” I said. “I’m just the driver. I don’t know what’s happening. Let’s talk with Mom.”  

“I’m just the driver” has become a joke in our home. Daily, I ask my organized wife where I need to be, when, and whom I’m taking where. With three teens, my “moonlighting” as a “taxi driver” sometimes feels like a second job. Often, I don’t know what I don’t know. So, I have to check in with the master calendar keeper.

In Matthew 8, Jesus encountered a man who also knew something about taking and giving instruction. A Roman centurion, this man understood that Jesus had the authority to heal, just as the centurion had authority to issue commands to those under him. “Just say the word, and my servant will be healed. For I myself am a man under authority, with soldiers under me” (vv. 8-9). Christ commended the man’s faith (vv. 10, 13), amazed that he understood what His authority looked like in action.

So what about us? What does it look like to trust Jesus with our daily assignments from Him? Because even if we think we’re “just the driver,” each assignment has kingdom meaning and purpose.

Reflect & Pray

What helps you to discern where and how God is leading you daily? What barriers sometimes get in the way of hearing and obeying Him?

Father, thank You that You lead me and guide my steps. Please help me to walk daily in dependence on You as You direct me according to Your plan and purpose.

For further study, read Making Decisions God’s Way.

[The Mayor]

August 5

Reflecting Christ’s Character

Bible in a Year :

• Psalms 68-69
• Romans 8:1-21

If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.

Romans 12:18

Two faces at the table stood out—one contorted by bitter anger, the other twisted in emotional pain. A reunion of old friends had just erupted into shouting, with one woman berating another for her beliefs. The contention continued until the first woman stomped out of the restaurant, leaving the other shaken and humiliated.

Are we really living in a time when a difference of opinion can’t be tolerated? Just because two people can’t agree doesn’t mean that either is evil. Speech that’s harsh or unyielding is never persuasive, and strong views shouldn’t overcome decency or compassion.

Romans 12 is a great guide for how to “honor one another,” and “live in harmony” with other people (vv. 10, 16). Jesus indicated that an identifying characteristic for believers in Him is the love we have for each other (John 13:35). While pride and anger can easily derail us, they’re in direct contrast to the love God wants us to show to others.

It’s a challenge not to blame others when we lose control of our emotions, but the words “as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone” show us that the responsibility for living a life that reflects Christ’s character can’t be shifted to anyone else (Romans 12:18). It lies with each one of us who bears His name.

Reflect & Pray

What words of other people trigger anger or resentment in you? How can you turn a bad situation into a peaceful one?

Loving God, please help me to show Your love through what I say and do and whenever possible to live at peace with others.

[luvie]

Peaches Chills On The Porch
Happy Mellow Monday!

[TheConservativeParty]

Happy Monday!
Feeling a lot better today!
😁

[left that other site]

Happy Monday!

If You Can't Play With The Big Dogs, Stay On The Porch.

But NOT MY Porch! I'm The Boss Of This Porch!

(((HUGS)))

ML/LTOS

[left that other site]

Glad To Hear It!

(((HUGS)))

[TheConservativeParty]

The first 24 hours of this bout of illness, was really bad. Wasn’t that sick since The Rona 3 years ago. 😳

[left that other site]

YUCK! So Sorry.

[luvie]

Well, that’s good to hear! Hope you continue to improve and get all your strength back!

[Kitty Mittens]

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