Amy's Place ... Poetry and Potpourri ... January, February and March, 2016

January 2, 2016 | JustAmy; Meg33, The Mayor; Trisham; St.Louie1, Friends, MamaBear

[trisham]

Outside of a dog, a book is a man's best friend.
Inside of a dog it's too dark to read.

Groucho Marx

Happy Caturday, Dogurday and Bunnyday!

[left that other site]

My Mom was watching Groucho on TV when she went into labor wit me!

[trisham]

He was wonderful. :) I’m guessing that she didn’t name you “Groucho” after him?

[The Mayor]

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

Wells of Salvation

January 9, 2016

With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation.

Isaiah 12:3

When people drill holes deep into the earth, it is normally for pulling up core samples of rock, accessing oil, or finding water.

In Isaiah 12, we learn that God wanted His people, who were living in a spiritual desert as well as a geographical desert, to discover His “wells of salvation.” The prophet Isaiah compared God’s salvation to a well from which the most refreshing of all waters can be drawn. After many years of turning their back on God, the nation of Judah was destined for exile as God allowed foreign invaders to conquer the nation, scattering the people. Yet, said the prophet Isaiah, a remnant would eventually return to their homeland as a sign that God was with them (Isa. 11:11-12).

God is our source of joy, refreshment, and strength in times of need.

Isaiah 12 is a hymn, praising God for His faithfulness in keeping His promises, especially the promise of salvation. Isaiah encouraged the people that deep in God’s “wells of salvation” they would experience the cool water of God’s grace, strength, and joy (vv. 1-3). This would refresh and strengthen their hearts and cause praise and gratitude to God (vv. 4-6).

God wants each of us to discover through confession and repentance the deep, cool waters of joy found in the everlasting well of His salvation.

What will you do to draw deeply from God’s well to find His joy, refreshment, and strength?

The wells of God’s salvation never run dry.

Insight:

“The song of praise in this chapter is suitable for the return of the outcasts of Israel from their long captivity, but it is especially suitable to the case of a sinner, when he first finds peace and joy in believing; to that of a believer, when his peace is renewed after corrections for backslidings; and to that of the whole company of the redeemed, when they meet before the throne of God in heaven. The promise is sure, and the blessings contained in it are very rich . . . . By Jesus Christ, the Root of Jesse, the Divine anger against mankind was turned away, for he is our Peace.” Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary

[left that other site]

No, but she has called me “Grouchy” occasionally! :-)

[trisham]

LOL! My mother loved Groucho. :)

[MEG33]

*Happy Caturday Dogurday To Amy's Place*

"I'm TRYING To Get Him To Wake Up And Play!"
Love your opening, trisham! That's a gorgeous dog and fun Groucho quote.

[MEG33]

Glad you liked her, Luv!

[left that other site]

Hi MEG!

Happy Caturday!

(((HUGS)))

[trisham]

Thanks, MEG!

[MEG33]

(((HUGS)))
Hope you got your new G string...Can’t perform without it.
;o)

[left that other site]

Got it...but I haven’t installed it yet.

[lonestar]

Like!

[The Mayor]

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

True Shelter

January 10, 2016

The name of the Lord is a fortified tower; the righteous run to it and are safe.

Proverbs 18:10

In March 2014 a tribal conflict broke out in my hometown area, forcing my father’s household, along with other refugees, to take cover in the region’s capital city. Throughout history, people who have felt unsafe in their homelands have traveled to other places searching for safety and something better.

As I visited and talked with people from my hometown, I thought of the cities of refuge in Joshua 20:1-9. These were cities designated as places of safety for those fleeing from “relatives seeking revenge” in the case of an accidental killing (v. 3 nlt). They offered peace and protection.

We can always seek refuge in our savior Jesus Christ.

People today still seek places of refuge, although for a variety of reasons. But as needed as these sanctuaries are, supplying shelter and food, they cannot completely meet the needs of refugees and fugitives. That rest is found only in God. Those who walk with God find true shelter and the safest protection in Him. When ancient Israel was sent into exile, the Lord said, “I have been a sanctuary [safe haven] for them in the countries where they have gone” (Ezek. 11:16).

With the psalmist, we can say confidently to the Lord, “You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance” (32:7).

Father, thank You for being a rock to which we can flee and that no matter where we are or in what circumstances we find ourselves, You are there with us. Help us to remember that even in the darkest of nights, You are our strong tower.

Nothing can shake those who are secure in God’s hands.

Insight:

In the law of Moses premeditated murder was punishable by death but accidental killing was not (Ex. 21:12–14). It was common for the nearest relative to avenge the dead person. Six Levitical towns (Num. 35:6–34; Deut. 4:41–43; 19:1–13) were designated “cities of refuge” so that anyone who killed a person accidentally could flee there for protection (Josh. 20:2–3; see Num. 35:12).

[MEG33]

Beautiful devotional, Rus.
I Am So Grateful To You For Our Daily Bread

[MEG33]

Welcome To Sunday At Amy's Place

Matthew 6:26-27
26 Look at the birds in the sky; they do not sow or reap, they gather
nothing into barns, yet your heavenly Father feeds them.
Are not you more important than they?
27 Can any of you by worrying add a single moment to your lifespan?

Blessings To All Who Enter Here

[PGalt]

Thanks for the ping and the great Sunday message, MEG33. BUMP for all of the wonderful FReepers at Amy’s Place.

[MEG33]

One of my favorites, PGalt. Thank you!

[left that other site]

A Blessed Sunday To You!

Have a Wonderful Day! :-)

((((HUGS))))

ML/LTOS

[MEG33]

What sweeties!
(((Hugs)))