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

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

[The Mayor]

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

Doing the Opposite

October 10, 2016

For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. Colossians 3:3

A wilderness excursion can seem daunting, but for outdoor enthusiasts this only adds to the appeal. Because hikers need more water than they can carry, they purchase bottles with built-in filters so they can use water sources along the way. But the process of drinking from such a container is counterintuitive. Tipping the bottle does nothing. A thirsty hiker has to blow into it to force the water through the filter. Reality is contrary to what seems natural.

As we follow Jesus, we find much that is counterintuitive. Paul pointed out one example: Keeping rules won’t draw us closer to God. He asked, “Why, as though you still belonged to the world, do you submit to its rules: ‘Do not handle! Do not taste! Do not touch!’? These rules . . . are based on merely human commands and teachings” (Col. 2:20–22). 

God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise. 1 Corinthians 1:27

So what are we to do? Paul gave the answer. “Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above” (3:1). “You died,” he told people who were still very much alive, “and your life is now hidden with Christ in God” (v. 3).

We are to consider ourselves “dead” to the values of this world and alive to Christ. We now aspire to a way of life demonstrated by the One who said, “Whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant” (Matt. 20:26). 

Consider what these counterintuitive principles from the Bible might mean for you: “Whoever loses their life for me will find it” (Matt. 16:25). “The last will be first, and the first will be last” (Matt. 20:16). “When I am weak, then I am strong” (2 Cor. 12:10).

God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise. 1 Corinthians 1:27

 

INSIGHT:

In Colossae a false teaching known as gnosticism circulated. It promoted the idea that matter is evil and spirit is good, rejecting Jesus Christ’s full humanity as well as His complete divinity. To correct this, Paul wrote: “For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form” (Col. 2:9). An equally destructive heresy in the spiritual life of the Colossian believers was legalism. This can be summed up as placating the gods or God by following a set of rules for behavior. The believers in Colossae fell into the trap of applying legalism to their Christian walk. Paul’s correction of legalism was logical: He argued that to experience redemption in Christ means that we die to man-made religions of this world and gain spiritual life in Him.

[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.

[Kitty Mittens]

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

[The Mayor]

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

Changing Hearts

October 11, 2016

Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful. Luke 6:36

On the last day of the US Civil War, officer Joshua Chamberlain was in command of the Union army. His soldiers lined up on both sides of the road that the Confederate army had to march down in surrender. One wrong word or one belligerent act and the longed-for peace could be turned to slaughter. In an act as brilliant as it was moving, Chamberlain ordered his troops to salute their foe! No taunting here, no vicious words—only guns in salute and swords raised to honor.

When Jesus offered His words about forgiveness in Luke 6, He was helping us understand the difference between people of grace and people without grace. Those who know His forgiveness are to be strikingly unlike everyone else. We must do what others think impossible: Forgive and love our enemies. Jesus said, “Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful” (v. 36).

Grant us the courage to end our conflicts by Your grace.

Imagine the impact in our workplaces and on our families if we were to embrace this principle. If a salute can make armies whole again, what power there must be in Christ’s grace reflected through us! Scripture gives evidence of this in Esau’s embrace of his deceitful brother (Gen. 33:4), in Zacchaeus’s joyful penance (Luke 19:1–10), and in the picture of a father racing to greet his prodigal son (Luke 15).

With the grace of Christ, may we let this be the final day of bitterness and dispute between our enemies and us.

Lord, we know how the gentle power of forgiveness can bring healing in relationships. Grant us the courage to end our conflicts by Your grace.

Anger almost always vanishes in the face of grace.

INSIGHT:

We often think of forgiving someone as no longer holding resentment for a past wrong. This is a central definition of forgiveness in the New Testament. However, Luke 6:34–35 records a different meaning, that of forgiving business loans. The understanding we gain from the Old Testament about forgiveness becomes central to the context for Jesus’s audience. Yahweh, Jehovah God, had mandated the Year of Jubilee, a seventh-year fiscal readjustment. During this time, indebted workers found financial relief. “In this Year of Jubilee everyone is to return to their own property” (Lev. 25:13). Scholars believe the Year of Jubilee had an impact on lending to needy farmers. When this time of forgiveness of loans became imminent, those with the means to lend money were reluctant to do so because they feared not receiving repayment.

[MEG33]

A Happy GratiTuesday To Amy's Place

I Am So Grateful To God For Our Lovely Cool Mornings
And For You

[The Mayor]

Thank you Meg, the trees are turning all over up here.

[left that other site]

Happy Gratituesday!

I am Grateful For this Beautiful Autumn Day!

((((HUGS))))

ML/LTOS

[MEG33]

Many of my fall pictures are from New York! It’s too early here for color...

[The Mayor]

My son just left for the Adirondacks. It’s beautiful up there.

[MEG33]

I went picture hunting recently for just that area! Beautiful!

[TheConservativeParty]

Hi Meg! Oh boy for a second there I thought it was Thankful Thursday already! No so, it’s only GratiTuesday!

LOL, the mind is running a little slow for me today, again!

Cheers!

[luvie]

Well, it's official. I turned in my notice of retirement, and my last day with James Avery will be October 25. No more Christmas crazies!! wOOt!
I'm grateful for having such a wonderful company to have worked for!
HAPPY GRATITUESDAY, Y'ALL!

[MEG33]

WOO HOO!

[The Mayor]

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

Warning!

October 12, 2016

His name means Fool, and folly goes with him! 1 Samuel 25:25

The following warnings have been found on consumer products:

“Remove child before folding.” (baby stroller)

God steps in to forgive us, instruct us, and give us His wisdom.

“Does not supply oxygen.” (dust mask) 

“Never operate your speakerphone while driving.” (hands-free cell phone product called the “Drive ’n’ Talk”) 

“This product moves when used.” (scooter)

An appropriate warning label that Nabal could have worn would have been: “Expect folly from a fool” (see 1 Sam. 25). He certainly was irrational as he addressed David. On the run from Saul, David had provided security detail for the sheep of a wealthy man named Nabal. When David learned that Nabal was shearing those sheep and celebrating with a feast, he sent ten of his men to politely ask for food as remuneration for these duties (vv. 4–8).

Nabal’s response to David’s request was beyond rude. He said, “Who is this David? . . . Why should I take my bread and water, and the meat . . . , and give it to men coming from who knows where?” (vv. 10–11). He broke the hospitality code of the day by not inviting David to the feast, disrespected him by calling out insults, and essentially stole from him by not paying him for his work.

The truth is, we all have a little bit of Nabal in us. We act foolishly at times. The only cure for this is to acknowledge our sin to God. He will step in to forgive us, instruct us, and give us His wisdom.

I’m selfish sometimes, Lord. I get more concerned with what I need than what others need. Give me a heart of integrity and compassion.

God’s wisdom overshadows our self-centeredness.

INSIGHT:

The Hebrew word nabal means confusion and foolishness. It describes a person who is mischievous and reckless and who lacks wisdom, discipline, and accountability. We see all of those characteristics in Nabal. His name carries with it a warning—seek wisdom, for it will always lead to a better way!

[MEG33]

Welcome To
Warm Fuzzy Wednesday At Amy's Place

Hanging Out With A Friend Is So Nice On
A Beautiful Autumn Day

[MEG33]

Wonderful message. Amen
Thank you, Rus, for starting my day off right
every day

[left that other site]

My Favorite one is printed large on the folding sunshade that fills your windshield:

DO NOT OPERATE VEHICLE WITH SUNSHADE IN PLACE.

[left that other site]

It's Autumn!

Time to get Warm and Fuzzy!

((((HUGS))))

ML/LTOS

[ConorMacNessa]

HAPPY WFW
TO AMY’S PLACE!



Achilles & Moe - 9 June 2015
Clan MacNessa Wishes
A Happy Warm & Fuzzy Wednesday
To All!!!

[TheConservativeParty]

Hi there, checking in at Amy’s on this dark rainy Wisconsin day!

I had he pleasure of watching Trump’s speech live at noon today. He was wonderful and made even this dark day fun!

Cheers!