Amy's Place ... Poetry and Potpourri ... October, November and December 2016

October 1, 2016 | JustAmy; Meg33, The Mayor; Trisham;

[ConorMacNessa]

HAPPY SUNDAY TO
AMY'S PLACE!



"Abide In Me"
Kings College Choir, Cambridge
(Click)

Clan MacNessa Wishes
A Blessed Lord’s Day To You And Yours!

[The Mayor]

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No Outsiders

October 3, 2016

What does the Lord your God ask of you but to fear the Lord your God, to walk in obedience to him, to love him. Deuteronomy 10:12

In the remote region of Ghana where I lived as a boy, “Chop time, no friend” was a common proverb. Locals considered it impolite to visit at “chop time” (mealtime) because food was often scarce. The maxim applied to neighbors and outsiders alike.

But in the Philippines, where I also lived for a time, even if you visit unannounced at mealtime, your hosts will insist on sharing with you regardless of whether they have enough for themselves. Cultures differ for their own good reasons.

Heavenly Father, help us bless others today.

As the Israelites left Egypt, God provided specific instructions to govern their culture. But rules—even God’s rules—can never change hearts. So Moses said, “Change your hearts and stop being stubborn” (Deut. 10:16 nlt). Interestingly, right after issuing that challenge Moses took up the topic of Israel’s treatment of outsiders. God “loves the foreigner residing among you,” he said, “giving them food and clothing. And you are to love those who are foreigners, for you yourselves were foreigners in Egypt” (vv. 18–19).

Israel served the “God of gods and Lord of lords, the great God, mighty and awesome” (v. 17). One powerful way they were to show their identification with God was by loving foreigners—those from outside their culture.

What might this small picture of God’s character mean for us today? How can we show His love to the marginalized and the needy in our world?

Heavenly Father, help us bless others today by showing Your love in some small way.

In Christ, there are no outsiders.

INSIGHT:

God commanded His people to allow the poor to feed on their lands (Lev. 19:9–10; 23:22; Deut. 24:19–21). “When you reap the harvest of your land, do not reap to the very edges of your field or gather the gleanings of your harvest. Do not go over your vineyard a second time or pick up the grapes that have fallen. Leave them for the poor and the foreigner” (Lev. 19:9–10; 23:22).

[JustAmy]

Thank you for coming to our new thread Saturday and Sunday. I appreciate all of your posts.

Going to Costco today, hopefully to buy a new computer. I am so frustrated with all the issues with this one.

I should get a prescription for new glasses on Wednesday. It will be great to be able to see again without a magnifying glass.

Our ‘little’ 4 day fair was this past weekend. I didn’t make it but Marissa spent 2 evenings there. She would have spend all day and all evening if I had let her.

Thank you again for being here! Hugs.

[JustAmy]

Graphic by Billie

[ConorMacNessa]

Good Military Monday to Amy's Place!



Gen Dwight D. Eisenhower Addresses Troops Of The 101st Airborne Division
5 June 1944, The Eve Of D-Day Normandy

The Soldier’s Code
1) I am an American fighting man. I serve in the forces which guard my country and our way of life. I am prepared to give my life in their defense.

2) I will never surrender of my own free will. If in command, I will never surrender my men while they still have the means to resist.

3) If I am captured, I will continue to resist by all means available. I will make every effort to escape and aid others to escape. I will accept neither parole nor special favors from the enemy.

4) If I become a prisoner of war, I will keep faith with my fellow prisoners. I will give no information or take part in any action which might be harmful to my comrades. If I am senior, I will take command. If not, I will obey the lawful orders of those appointed over me, and will back them up in every way.

5) When questioned, should I become a prisoner of war, I am bound to give only name, rank, service number, and date of birth. I will evade answering further questions to the utmost of my ability. I will make no oral or written statements disloyal to my country and its allies, or harmful to their cause.

6) I will never forget that I am an American fighting man, responsible for my actions, and dedicated to the principles which made my country free. I will trust in my God and in the United States of America.

President Dwight D. Eisenhower, August, 1955.

[JustAmy]

Happy Military Monday, Conor.

Thank you for your service.

[MEG33]

For the lovely Opening and poem, Amy!
Happy computer shopping.

[Kitty Mittens]

Thank you, Dear FRiends, for the Beautiful Pings & Posts.
(((((Hugs, and God Bless)))))

[ConorMacNessa]

HAPPY GRATITUESDAY
TO AMY'S PLACE!



"The Walk to Paradise Garden"
W. Eugene Smith

"You Are The New Day"
The King’s Singers
(Click)

May You Approach Each New Day With The
Innocence, The Optimism, And The Sense Of
Wonder Of These Two Children!

[The Mayor]

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

Setting Prisoners Free

October 4, 2016

The Lord sets prisoners free. Psalm 146:7

When my wife and I visited the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force near Savannah, Georgia, we were especially moved by the prisoner-of-war exhibit, with its re-creation of a German prisoner-of-war camp’s barracks. Marlene’s dad, Jim, served in the Eighth Air Force, the “Mighty Eighth,” as they flew missions over Europe during World War II. During the war, the Eighth Air Force suffered over 47,000 injuries and more than 26,000 deaths. Jim was one of those shot down and held as a prisoner of war. As we walked through the exhibit, we recalled Jim telling about the absolute joy he and his fellow prisoners felt the day they were set free.

God’s care for the oppressed and liberation of the imprisoned are declared in Psalm 146. The psalmist describes the one who “upholds the cause of the oppressed and gives food to the hungry,” who “sets prisoners free” (v. 7). All of this is cause for celebration and praise. But the greatest freedom of all is freedom from our guilt and shame. No wonder Jesus said, “So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed” (John 8:36).

The Lord sets prisoners free. Psalm 146:7

Through Christ’s sacrifice, we are set free from the prison of sin to know His joy and love and the freedom that only forgiveness can bring.

To read more about what Christ did to set us free, read The Mockery and Majesty of the Cross at discoveryseries.org/hp081.

The prison of sin cannot withstand the power of Christ’s forgiveness.

INSIGHT:

Psalm 146 underscores the truth that the poor and marginalized have a special place in the heart of God. Our help does not come from earthly rulers but from the Maker of heaven and earth. When God became a Man in the person of Jesus Christ, He made the marginalized and the broken a central focus of His earthly ministry. 

[luvie]

So grateful for my FRiends!

[The Mayor]

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

Good Medicine

October 5, 2016

A cheerful heart is good medicine. Proverbs 17:22

Careless driving, rising tempers, and use of foul language among some taxi and minibus drivers are a constant source of traffic fights in our city of Accra, Ghana. But one traffic incident I witnessed took a different turn. A bus was almost hit by a careless taxi driver. I expected the bus driver to get angry and yell at the other driver, but he didn’t. Instead, the bus driver relaxed his stern face and smiled broadly at the guilty-looking taxi driver. And the smile worked wonders. With a raised hand, the taxi driver apologized, smiled back, and moved away—the tension diffused.

A smile has a fascinating effect on our brain chemistry. Researchers have found that “when we smile it releases brain chemicals called endorphins which have an actual physiological relaxing effect.” Not only can a smile diffuse a tense situation, but it can also diffuse tension within us. Our emotions affect us as well as others. The Bible teaches us to “get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another” (Eph. 4:31–32).

We find joy when we learn to live in Jesus’s love.

When anger or tension or bitterness threatens our relationship with the Lord and with others, it helps to remember that “a cheerful heart is good medicine” for our own joy and well-being.

Think about a time when you were angry with someone or when you had an argument. How did you feel inside? What parts of your life did it affect?

We find joy when we learn to live in Jesus’s love.

 

INSIGHT:

Paul tells his readers to “get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice” (Eph. 4:31). The Greek word translated “get rid of” is artheto, and it means to lift something for the purpose of carrying it off or putting it away. Getting rid of sinful and destructive behavior requires that we allow the Holy Spirit to remove those things that mark our former life (4:17–24) so that the compassion and forgiveness of Christ (v. 32) will flourish.

[MEG33]

Good Morning

Amen
Thank you, Rus, for starting our day off right every day.
You are a blessing.

[MEG33]

Happy Warm Fuzzy Wednesday To
Amy's Place

CURIOUS KITTENS

We are curious, flat faced, fuzzy, blue eyed Kittens
Looking for a place to play and keep safe our mittens
From the many things that are spread across this table
Fighting the urge to explore and get messy as best as we are
able

Oh, it was an uphill struggle as you might guess
With twins Penelope and Nicole making themselves a pest
Batting around the small round things called Cherries
While snowball Misty and I climbed inside our short, protective
aeries

Not to be outdone in their cocaphony of fun
The twins spied towers twice as tall as Misty's and mine
For them, Bigger is Better and always a find
Like silvery springs, they stretched and suddenly unwound

Slipping into their tall towers amidst triumphant sounds
Only to be fooled by the Humans who had set the table
By cups that stack to form two taller Towers of Babel
Now the twins' folly will be the stuff of Feline Fables!

Jack Deth ~ 10/23/10.

I Wish You A Wonderful Warm Fuzzy Day

[The Mayor]

Thank you Meg!

[left that other site]

Happy Warm &Fuzzy Wednesday!

May You Have a Beautiful Day filled with Blessings!

And May it be COMPLETELY Warm and Fuzzy!

(((HUGS)))

ML/LTOS

[The Mayor]

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Praising and Asking

October 6, 2016

The highest heavens . . . cannot contain you. How much less this temple I have built! 2 Chronicles 6:18

Teen Challenge, a ministry to at-risk youth that started in New York City, was born from an unusual commitment to prayer. Its founder, David Wilkerson, sold his television set and spent his TV-watching time (two hours each night) praying. In the months that followed, he not only gained clarity about his new endeavor but he also learned about the balance between praising God and asking Him for help.

            King Solomon’s temple dedication prayer shows this balance. Solomon began by highlighting God’s holiness and faithfulness. Then he gave God credit for the success of the project and emphasized God’s greatness, declaring, “The heavens, even the highest heavens, cannot contain you. How much less this temple I have built!” (2 Chron. 6:18).

Prayer helps us see things as God sees them.

After exalting God, Solomon asked Him to pay special attention to everything that happened inside the temple. He asked God to show mercy to the Israelites and to provide for them when they confessed their sin.

Immediately after Solomon’s prayer, “fire came down from heaven and consumed the burnt offering and the sacrifices, and the glory of the Lord filled the temple” (7:1). This incredible response reminds us that the mighty One we praise and speak to when we pray is the same One who listens to and cares about our requests.

How would you describe your conversations with God? What might help you grow closer to Him as you pray?

Read more about talking to God at discoveryseries.org/hp135.

Prayer helps us see things as God sees them.

[MEG33]

*GOOD MORNING TO AMY'S PLACE*

ITS NOT HAPPY PEOPLE WHO ARE THANKFUL
ITS THANKFUL PEOPLE WHO ARE HAPPY


*I WISH YOU A HAPPY THANKFUL THURSDAY*

[left that other site]

Thankful Thursday

I am Thankful for All My FRiends!

((((HUGS))))



ML/LTOS

[ConorMacNessa]

Happy Thankful Thursday
To Amy's Place!



"Stormy Weather"
Etta Jamee
(Click)