A Cuppa Kitten
*Happy Caturday~Dogurday To Amy's Place*
I had to turn on the ceiling fan yesterday....It was 77 degrees.

That’s funny Meg, 77 degrees.
Well, it’s not that bad here, was about 15 last night and 30 today, possible snow. Rain and in the 40s in a few days. Spring is trying to get here. Had warm weather last week which melted the snow, now it’s frozen and it’s icy and crunchy.

Don't Look Now...

But I think Spring is not too far away!

(((HUGS)))

ML/LTOS

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Courage to Be Faithful

February 18, 2018

Do not be frightened. 1 Peter 3:14

Fear is Hadassah’s constant companion. Hadassah, a young Jewish girl living in the first century, is a fictional character in Francine Rivers’ book A Voice in the Wind. After Hadassah becomes a slave in a Roman household, she fears persecution for her faith in Christ. She knows that Christians are despised, and many are sent to their execution or thrown to the lions in the arena. Will she have the courage to stand for the truth when she is tested?

When her worst fear becomes reality, her mistress and other Roman officials who hate Christianity confront her. She has two choices: recant her faith in Christ or be taken to the arena. Then, as she proclaims Jesus as the Christ, her fear falls away and she becomes bold even in the face of death.

The Bible reminds us that sometimes we will suffer for doing what is right—whether for sharing the gospel or for living godly lives that are against today’s values. We are told not to be frightened (1 Peter 3:14), but to “revere Christ as Lord” in our hearts (v. 15). Hadassah’s main battle took place in her heart. When she finally made up her mind to choose Jesus, she found the courage to be faithful.

When we make the decision to honor Christ, He will help us to be bold and to overcome our fears in the midst of opposition.

Father, give me boldness to stand firm in difficult times.

Let us be bold as we witness for God.

INSIGHT

Writing to believers who were being persecuted because of their faith, Peter encouraged them not to be afraid but to remain faithful and to “revere Christ as Lord” (1 Peter 3:14–15). Peter was speaking from his own painful experiences. After Jesus was arrested, onlookers accused Peter of being Christ’s disciple, but out of fear he denied knowing Christ (Luke 22:54–62).

The coming of the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost, however, changed and empowered Peter to be a fearless witness (Acts 2:14). When Peter was imprisoned for preaching in the temple courts (4:3), he was “filled with the Holy Spirit” and boldly preached Christ to them (vv. 8–12). Seeing the courage of Peter, his persecutors concluded he “had been with Jesus” (v. 13). Refusing to be intimidated by threats of punishment (v. 18), the believers resolved to honor Christ and were empowered to speak the Word boldly (v. 31).

Jesus promised the Holy Spirit would empower us to be His witnesses (1:8) and help us to speak for Him.

How has the Holy Spirit emboldened and empowered you to witness for Jesus?

~Welcome To Sunday At Amy's Place~

THE GUIDE

guide me in these shadows Lord
bring my soul to light
hold me up in troubled times
secure me in your might

guide me through this battle Lord
leave me not behind
give me more than peace with men
give me peace of mind

guide me through all worldly woes
keep me from your wrath
help me conquer all my fears
help me walk your path

guide me in your words O Lord
the truths that you decree
fill me with your Spirit Lord
let all see YOU in me.
M L Smith (fish hawk)
~Blessings To All Who Enter Here~

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

Beautiful! Bless your day, Megs!

Thank you, (((LUV))).

I was so happy I found fish hawk’s wonderful prayer poem.

Ray Walker~Master The Tempest Is Raging
Congregational Singing

Cynthia Clawson & Others~Church In The Wildwood

The Trevecca Madragalians~It Is Well With My Soul

Statler Brothers~How Great Thou Art

St. Olaf Choir~When Peace Like A River

Providence~There's A Goldmine In The Sky

Vocal Majority~Deep River

A Blessed Happy Sunday

To All of My Dear FRiends!

(((HUGS)))

ML/LTOS

When you are offended at any man's fault,
turn to yourself and study your own failings.
Then you will forget your anger.

Epictetus

Happy Sunday at Amy's Place, all!

Our back yard early this morning

Lovely, (((left that other site)))!

Thank you for sharing your lovely words. music and
graphics.
~Wishing Everyone A Blessed Sunday Afternoon~

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Not Enough?

February 19, 2018

Do not forget to do good and to share with others. Hebrews 13:16

On the way home from church, my daughter sat in the backseat enjoying Goldfish crackers as my other children implored her to share. Trying to redirect the conversation, I asked the hoarder of snacks, “What did you do in class today?” She said they made a basket of bread and fish because a child gave Jesus five loaves and two fish that Jesus used to feed more than 5,000 people (John 6:1–13).

“That was very kind of the little boy to share. Do you think maybe God is asking you to share your fish?” I asked. “No, Momma,” she replied.

I tried to encourage her not to keep all the crackers to herself. She was unconvinced. “There is not enough for everyone!”

Sharing is hard. It is easier to hold onto what we see in front of us. Perhaps we do the calculation and reason there is simply not enough for everyone. And the assumption is that if I give, I will be left wanting.

Paul reminds us that all we have comes from God, who wants to enrich us “in every way so that [we] can be generous” (2 Corinthians 9:10–11). The math of heaven isn’t a calculation of scarcity but of abundance. We can share joyfully because God promises to care for us even as we are generous to others.

Father, You take good care of me. Help me to think of others today and to share Your goodness with them.

When we believe that God is good, we can learn to open our hands to others.

INSIGHT

A careful reading of 2 Corinthians 9 is quite eye-opening. One of the things we see is a cycle of giving that includes the gracious giving of God, the generous giving of those who have received from God, and the giving of thanks from those who have received from God through others. The abundant giving of God is prominent (v. 8). His giving is evident in nature and other areas (v. 10). He enriches us so we can be generous (v. 11), and His gifts include grace that cannot be measured (v. 14). His ultimate gift (the gift of His Son) is “indescribable”—words are inadequate to communicate its worth (v. 15). Generous givers are next in the cycle. Having been enriched by God, the riches received are to be shared with others, especially with those in the family of God (vv. 1–5; see also Galatians 6:10). Lastly, the giving cycle continues with the giving of thanks—thanksgiving to God, the giver of every good and perfect gift. People are recipients of and conduits for God’s bounty, and God—the ultimate Giver—gets the thanks and the glory!

What are some ways you can participate in the cycle of giving?

Happy Monday!

LOL!

Cheer Up!

The First day of Spring is Just a Month Away!

((((HUGS))))

ML/LTOS

I know you’re more than ready for it!

We never even had any winter. I’m sitting here sweating as I drink my tea. Ugh.

Here, it swings from 60 to 4 degrees within a few hours.

Crazy.

It’s a total roller coaster....has been all year, all across the country! Nuts!