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

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

[The Mayor]

May 21

Extending Christ’s Kindness

Bible in a Year :

• 1 Chronicles 13-15
• John 7:1-27

Esau ran to meet Jacob and embraced him; he threw his arms around his neck and kissed him. And they wept.

Genesis 33:4

Kindness or revenge? Isaiah had just been hit in the head by a wild pitch during a Little League regional championship baseball game. He dropped to the ground holding his head. Thankfully, his helmet protected him from serious injury. As play resumed, Isaiah noticed the pitcher was visibly shaken by his unintentional error. In that moment, Isaiah did something so extraordinary that the video of his response went viral. He walked over to the pitcher, gave him a comforting hug, and made sure the pitcher knew he was all right. In a situation that could have resulted in a brawl, Isaiah chose kindness.

In the Old Testament, we see Esau make a similar, though far more difficult, choice to abandon any long-harbored plans for revenge against his deceiving twin brother Jacob. As Jacob returned home after twenty years in exile, Esau chose kindness and forgiveness instead of vengeance for the ways Jacob had wronged him. When Esau saw Jacob, he “ran to meet [him] and embraced him” (Genesis 33:4). Esau accepted Jacob’s apology and let him know he was all right (vv. 9-11).

When someone demonstrates remorse for wrongs committed against us, we have a choice: kindness or revenge. Choosing to embrace them in kindness follows Jesus’ example (Romans 5:8) and is a pathway toward reconciliation.

Reflect & Pray

When have you been met by kindness after acknowledging a wrong? How might you show kindness to someone else?

Dear Jesus, please help me to follow Your example and extend kindness when I’ve been wronged.

Find out how forgiveness can save your relationships.

[pollywog]

Good morning Mayor.
Another GREAT devotional today.
Have a super God-filled day!!!

[luvie]

Our Desert Willow Is Blooming
God's Beauty...Even In Harsh Landscapes
Happy GratiTuesday!

[left that other site]

Happy Gratituesday!

I Am Grateful For Spring Flowers.

(((HUGS)))

ML/LTOS

[luvie]

Yes, indeed!

[pollywog]

Good morning Luvie. Such a lovely bloom in our late spring...where again is this located? Sorry for my dense brain waves but I forget so easily....

[pollywog]

Good morning LTOS....great photo to start the day.

[The Mayor]

Beautiful flowers

[luvie]

Odessa, Texas. These trees are very hearty.

[luvie]

Thank you, Rus. They look very much like orchids, don’t they?

[The Mayor]

They do.

[The Mayor]

May 22

Keeping Our Spiritual Edge

Bible in a Year :

• 1 Chronicles 16-18
• John 7:28-53

The eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him.

2 Chronicles 16:9 The Rocky movies tell the story of a raw boxer, fueled by never-say-die determination, who overcomes improbable odds to become heavyweight champion. In Rocky III, a now successful Rocky becomes impressed with his own achievements. Television commercials disrupt his time in the gym. The champ grows soft, and he’s knocked out by a challenger. The rest of the movie is Rocky’s attempt to regain his fighting edge.

In a spiritual sense, King Asa of Judah lost his fighting edge. Early in his reign, he relied on God in the face of daunting odds. As the mighty Cushites prepared to attack, Asa prayed, “Help us, Lord our God, for we rely on you, and in your name we have come against this vast army” (2 Chronicles 14:11). God answered his prayer, and Judah struck down and scattered their enemies (vv. 12-15).

Years later, Judah was threatened again. This time a complacent Asa ignored God and instead asked the king of Aram for help (16:2-3). It seemed to work. But God wasn’t pleased. The prophet Hanani told Asa that he’d stopped trusting God (vv. 7-8). Why hadn’t he relied on God now as he had then?

Our God is unfailingly reliable. His eyes “range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him” (v. 9). When we keep our spiritual edge—fully depending on God—we’ll experience His power.

Reflect & Pray

As you age, is it easier or harder to trust your heavenly Father? Why do you think that is? How might God strengthen your faith?

Dear Jesus, may I rest in You more each day.

[luvie]

Moon Seen Through Wrought Iron
Happy Warm & Luminous Wednesday.

[left that other site]

Happy Wednesday!

Even If It Is Hot And Stcky!

(((HUGS)))

ML/LTOS

[TheConservativeParty]

Happy Warm Fuzzy Wednesday!
Had to hide in the basement last night.
Awful storms with tornado warnings.
Saw one hanging low out of the clouds to our west...that got me into the basement quick.
We escaped damage.
A few unhappy flowers from the wind, but we were so lucky (prayers really) to not have damages.
Prayers for those less fortunate in Iowa.
🙏

[left that other site]

Amen.

Glad you are safe.

(((HUGS)))

[luvie]

Ooooo….so scary for you and everyone in the vicinity of those awful storms. I’m so glad the tornadoes themselves missed you! Did you get a picture of the funnel? Nice that you have a basement to go to. We don’t have those here. Darn it!

[TheConservativeParty]

No picture, just running to the basement.
😅

[luvie]

LOL! Smart move.

[The Mayor]

Over the top! Hi Luvie