Amy's Place ... Poetry and Potpourri ... January - December, 2023

The Mayor; Luvie; JustAmy

[The Mayor]

Our Daily Bread

Friday,
January 6, 2023

Made for Adventure

Read: Genesis 1:21–28

Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Genesis 1:28

I recently made a wonderful discovery. Following a dirt path into a cluster of trees near my home, I found a hidden homemade playground. A ladder made of sticks led up to a lookout, swings made from old cable spools hung from branches, and there was even a suspension bridge slung between boughs. Someone had turned some old wood and rope into a creative adventure!

Swiss physician Paul Tournier believed that we were made for adventure because we’re made in God’s image (Genesis 1:26–27). Just as God ventured forth to invent a universe (vv. 1–25), just as He took the risk of creating humans who could choose good or evil (3:5–6), and just as He called us to “be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it” (1:28), we too have a drive to invent, take risks, and create new things as we fruitfully rule the earth. Such adventures may be large or small, but they’re best when they benefit others. I bet the makers of that playground would get a kick out of people finding and enjoying it.

Whether it’s inventing new music, exploring new forms of evangelism, or rekindling a marriage that’s grown distant, adventures of all kinds keep our heart beating. What new task or project is tugging at you right now? Perhaps God is leading you to a new adventure. — Sheridan Voysey

How else do you see God being adventurous in Scripture? How can His adventures inspire our own?

Adventurous God, send me on a new adventure out of love for You and others!

For further study, read Genesis to Revelation: Why the Whole Story of the Bible Matters.

Bible in a year: Genesis 16–17; Matthew 5:27–48

[luvie]

Would be a good idea if it weren’t such a looooooong drive from there. LOL! Hope you get some sunshine this weekend!

[luvie]

Wear your red
for our brave troops!

RAY WYLIE HUBBARD~RED DRESS



Have A Wonderful Weekend!

[left that other site]

Happy Red Friday!

Have a Lovely Day and Stay Warm.

(((HUGS)))

ML/LTOS

[TheConservativeParty]

Today’s theme song in Wisconsin...

The Sun Will Come Out Tomorrow 🎵🎶🎵

That’s what the forecast says anyway....

🙂

[luvie]

Fingers crossed for ☀️shine!

[luvie]

Not hard here. It’s 78. *sigh*

[TheConservativeParty]

Gonna be 17 here tonight.
I suppose that is normal for January.
I will get as much sun as possible tomorrow.
😊

[luvie]

Well, it’s “normal” for your area but we can’t deal with it. We’re wusses! LOL

[The Mayor]

Our Daily Bread

Saturday,
January 7, 2023

Who Are You, Lord?

Read: Acts 9:1–9

“Who are you, Lord?” Saul asked. Acts 9:5

At age sixteen, Luis Rodriguez had already been in jail for selling crack. But now, arrested for attempted murder, he was in prison again—looking at a life sentence. But God spoke into his guilty circumstances. Behind bars, young Luis remembered his early years when his mother had faithfully taken him to church. He now felt God tugging at his heart. Luis eventually repented of his sins and came to Jesus.

In the book of Acts, we meet a zealous Jewish man named Saul, who was also called Paul. He was guilty of aggravated assault on believers in Jesus and had murder in his heart (Acts 9:1). There’s evidence he was a kind of gang leader, and part of the mob at the execution of Stephen (7:58). But God spoke into Saul’s guilty circumstances—literally. On the street leading into Damascus, Saul was blinded by a light, and Jesus said to him, “Why do you persecute me?” (9:4). Saul asked, “Who are you, Lord?” (v. 5), and that was the beginning of his new life. He came to Jesus.

Luis Rodriguez served time but eventually was granted parole. Since then, he’s served God, devoting his life to prison ministry in the United States and Central America.

God specializes in redeeming the worst of us. He tugs at our hearts and speaks into our guilt-drenched lives. Maybe it’s time we repent of our sins and come to Jesus. — Kenneth Petersen

What guilt are you experiencing or have experienced? How do you sense God is calling or has called you back to Himself? 

Jesus, I’ve strayed from You, but I feel You tugging at my heart. Forgive me of my sins, I pray.

For further study, read The Forgiveness of God.

Bible in a year: Genesis 18–19; Matthew 6:1–18

[luvie]

In three....two.....one.....
Happy Caturday!

[left that other site]

Oh, Mr. DeMille,

I'm Ready For My Close-Up.

Happy Saturday!

(((HUGS)))

ML/LTOS

[luvie]

So beautiful...needs the starring role!

[left that other site]

A Star is Born! :-)

[luvie]

Definitely a Diva!

[left that other site]

:-)

[luvie]

Casting Crowns~Praise You In The Storm

Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir~How Great Thou Art

Daniel O'Donnel~Church In The Wildwood

Statler Brothers~Amazing Grace

Gaither Vocal Band~Heaven's Joy Awaits

St. Olaf Choir~When Peace Like A River

Providence~Sweet Beulah Land

GOD BLESS YOU THIS LORD'S DAY!

[The Mayor]

Our Daily Bread

Sunday,
January 8, 2023

More than Conquerors

Read: Romans 8:31–39

In all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. Romans 8:37

When my husband coached our son’s Little League baseball team, he rewarded the players with an end-of-year party and acknowledged their improvement over the season. One of our youngest players, Dustin, approached me during the event. “Didn’t we lose the game today?”

“Yes,” I said. “But we’re proud of you for doing your best.”

“I know,” he said. “But we lost. Right?”

I nodded.

“Then why do I feel like a winner?” Dustin asked.

Smiling, I said, “Because you are a winner.”

Dustin had thought that losing a game meant he was a failure even when he’d done his best. As believers in Jesus, our battle is not confined to a sports field. Still, it’s often tempting to view a tough season of life as a reflection of our worth.

The apostle Paul affirmed the connection between our present suffering and our future glory as God’s children. Having given Himself for us, Jesus continues to work on our behalf during our ongoing battle with sin and transforms us to His likeness (Romans 8:31–32). Though we’ll all experience hardship and persecution, God’s unwavering love helps us persevere (vv. 33–34).

As His children, we may be tempted to allow struggles to define our worth. However, our ultimate victory is guaranteed. We may stumble along the way, but we’ll always be “more than conquerors” (vv. 35–39). — Xochitl Dixon

When has your confidence in God’s love helped you press on? How has He affirmed your value as His beloved child even after a great loss?

Father, thank You for helping me rise up through trials in victorious praise.

Bible in a year: Genesis 20–22; Matthew 6:19–34

[TheConservativeParty]

Good Morning!
We have sunshine this morning. Weather forecasts were wrong. They all said another week of clouds.
🌞

[left that other site]

It was snowing this morning, but it seems to have cleared up before amounting to anything. (Huzzah!)