Good morning, Dear Friends and Prayer Partners! This is the day that the Lord has made and we will rejoice and be glad in it! When I stepped outside this morning, the sky was full of clouds and I thought maybe we would get some rain, but now the sun is shining, and nearly all the clouds are gone, so in God's timing, I think the rain will come. We are very dry right now and fire danger is high.
Yesterday, I was able to take time to get a walk in, and felt much better for it. I stopped at the first shelter to look for the babies, but did not see them. However, Mama was hiding in her usual spot off to the side, almost hidden in the bushes. So I walked on out to the tower and had my jacket zipped up because the chilly wind was really blowing off the lake. I watched two anhingas, one looking like it was posed on the water in the lake, drying its wings, actually, it was on a branch which was not visible to me, and the other was close by in a mangrove bush. As I watched, the anhinga took off right down into the water, gliding very quietly, and then came up for air, and went down again right away. God is good!
As I walked back, I stopped at the shelter again, and could just see a small head under the floor of the shelter, but could not see mama, so I guess the babies were still there, and trying to keep warm in the water, which was probably warmer than the air!
From the Promise Bible NLT:
Psalm 65
What mighty praise, O God, belongs to you in Zion.
We will fulfill our vows to you, for you answer our prayers,
and to you all people will come.
Though our hearts are filled with sins, you forgive them all.
What joy for those you choose to bring near,
those who live in your holy courts.
What joys await us inside your Holy Temple.
You faithfully answer our prayers with awesome deeds,
O God our Savior.
You are the hope of everyone on earth,
even those who sail on distant seas.
You formed the mountains by your power,
and armed yourself with mighty strength.
You quieted the raging oceans with their pounding waves,
and silenced the shouting of the nations.
Those who live at the ends of the earth
stand in awe of your wonders.
From where the sun rises to where it sets,
you inspire shouts of joy.
You take care of the earth and water it,
making it rich and fertile.
The rivers of God will not run dry,
they provide a bountiful harvest of grain,
for you have ordered it so.
You drench the plowed ground with rain,
melting the clods and leveling the ridges.
You soften the earth with showers and bless its abundant crops.
You crown the year with a bountiful harvest:
the wilderness becomes a lush pasture,
and the hillsides blossom with joy.
The meadows are clothed with flocks of sheep,
and the valleys are carpeted with grain.
They all shout and sing for joy!
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love,
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
Friday, October 31, 2008
Thursday, October 30, 2008
Hold On!
Good Morning, Dear friends and Prayer Partners! This is the day that the Lord has made and we will rejoice and be glad in it! Well, another chilly but beautiful morning, with the wind blowing and sky mostly clear. When I stepped outside this morning, I could actually see the little dipper almost overhead. All the other stars seemed so close I could almost touch them. I was amazed at God's creation! I don't think about them during the day, but there they are, just as God always is.
I stopped by the Park yesterday, with the intent of walking, but seems the cooler weather has affected my arthritic knee and foot, so it was too painful to try. I talked to Mike, instead, and found out he is at Sawgrass most of the time now. He only spends one day a week at Ft. DeSoto. He finds it very strange to be the only one there, since taking care of the whole park is foreign to him. He was told there was a hive of Africanized bees on the Maple trail, and went out there, and actually found two hives, but didn't think they posed a threat to anyone. He didn't really know what he could have done about it, anyway, other than closing down the trail. Life gets interesting, but God is good!
From Quiet Moments with God for Teachers:
Preserve me, O God, for in you I put my trust.
Psalm 16:1 NKJV
On days when when it seems that our days are "bucking bronco" days, instead of "tired old nag" days, we need to "just hold on" to our faith in the Lord and stay in the saddle.
One of the foremost ways in which we hold on to the Lord is through constant communication with Him--a continual flow of prayer and praise. We can pray in any place at any time. Even a "thought" prayer turns our will and focus toward the Lord and puts our trust in Him It is when we lose touch with the Lord that we are in danger of "falling " into panic and the frustration, frenzy, and failure that can come with it.
The Lord knows the end from the beginning of each day, and He knows how long the current upheaval in your life will last. Above all He knows how to bring you safely through each "wild ride," keeping you in His divine peace all the way.
Harriet Beecher Stowe offered this advice:
When you get in a tight place and everything goes against you, till it seems you could not hold on a minute longer, never give up then, for that is just the place and time that the tide will turn.
Always remember that you don't "ride" the beasts of this life alone. The Lord is with you, and He has the reins firmly in His grasp. Just hold on!
Whatever God calls us to do,He also makes possible for us to accomplish.
Unknown
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
I stopped by the Park yesterday, with the intent of walking, but seems the cooler weather has affected my arthritic knee and foot, so it was too painful to try. I talked to Mike, instead, and found out he is at Sawgrass most of the time now. He only spends one day a week at Ft. DeSoto. He finds it very strange to be the only one there, since taking care of the whole park is foreign to him. He was told there was a hive of Africanized bees on the Maple trail, and went out there, and actually found two hives, but didn't think they posed a threat to anyone. He didn't really know what he could have done about it, anyway, other than closing down the trail. Life gets interesting, but God is good!
From Quiet Moments with God for Teachers:
Preserve me, O God, for in you I put my trust.
Psalm 16:1 NKJV
On days when when it seems that our days are "bucking bronco" days, instead of "tired old nag" days, we need to "just hold on" to our faith in the Lord and stay in the saddle.
One of the foremost ways in which we hold on to the Lord is through constant communication with Him--a continual flow of prayer and praise. We can pray in any place at any time. Even a "thought" prayer turns our will and focus toward the Lord and puts our trust in Him It is when we lose touch with the Lord that we are in danger of "falling " into panic and the frustration, frenzy, and failure that can come with it.
The Lord knows the end from the beginning of each day, and He knows how long the current upheaval in your life will last. Above all He knows how to bring you safely through each "wild ride," keeping you in His divine peace all the way.
Harriet Beecher Stowe offered this advice:
When you get in a tight place and everything goes against you, till it seems you could not hold on a minute longer, never give up then, for that is just the place and time that the tide will turn.
Always remember that you don't "ride" the beasts of this life alone. The Lord is with you, and He has the reins firmly in His grasp. Just hold on!
Whatever God calls us to do,He also makes possible for us to accomplish.
Unknown
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
Hope
Good morning, Dear Friends and Prayer Partners! This is the chilly day that the Lord has made and we will rejoice and be glad in it! I don't know about you all, but after I got in bed last night, I got up and put sox on! My feet were cold!
When I stepped outside this morning, I didn't stay long enough to enjoy the stars twinkling in the black sky, but I did watch for a few seconds, a twinkling light on a plane headed north, very high. God's Creation is good!
With Louis' radiation schedule, I am finding it difficult to get my walk in, but will try to do better. I drove in the Park yesterday to take some cake to Mike, and talked with Francia for a few minutes. (I also included her in the cake offering). She was on her way out early to go vote. The park was quiet at that time, because of the wind and coolness of the weather, but I saw the usual egrets and ibis poking their way along. God is good!
From the Promise Bible NLT:
What is my hope?
1 Peter 1:3-6 All honor to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, for it is by his boundless mercy that God has given us the privilege of being born again. Now we live with a wonderful expectation because Jesus Christ rose again from the dead. For God has reserved a priceless inheritance for his children. It is kept in heaven for you, pure and undefiled, beyond the reach of change and decay. And God, in his mighty power, will protect you until you receive this salvation, because you are trusting him. It will be revealed on the last day for all to see. So be truly glad! there is wonderful joy ahead, even though it is necessary for you to endure many trials for a while.
When people get motion sickness, they need to fix their eyes on the horizon in order to regain composure. Remaining fixed on a point in the distance helps us travel. Jesus' followers fix their eyes on an eternal horizon. This gives us hope in all the discomforts of daily life.
How can I have hope when times are tough?
Hebrews 10:23 Without wavering, let us hold tightly to the hope we say we have, for God can be trusted to keep his promise.
Our hope is rooted in God's integrity and faithfulness. When everything else falls apart we can cling to the fact that God keeps His word.
John 14:1 Don't be troubled. You trust God, now trust in me.
John 16:33 I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.
Our troubles do not surprise the Lord and should not surprise us. Trouble is rampant in this fallen world. Our focus should be on Jesus who has overcome this world and all its troubles.
Isaiah 26:3-4 You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, whose thoughts are fixed on you! Trust in the Lord always, for the Lord God is the eternal Rock.
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis (due to a 'puter glitch, this message should have been sent yesterday, but I lost it)
When I stepped outside this morning, I didn't stay long enough to enjoy the stars twinkling in the black sky, but I did watch for a few seconds, a twinkling light on a plane headed north, very high. God's Creation is good!
With Louis' radiation schedule, I am finding it difficult to get my walk in, but will try to do better. I drove in the Park yesterday to take some cake to Mike, and talked with Francia for a few minutes. (I also included her in the cake offering). She was on her way out early to go vote. The park was quiet at that time, because of the wind and coolness of the weather, but I saw the usual egrets and ibis poking their way along. God is good!
From the Promise Bible NLT:
What is my hope?
1 Peter 1:3-6 All honor to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, for it is by his boundless mercy that God has given us the privilege of being born again. Now we live with a wonderful expectation because Jesus Christ rose again from the dead. For God has reserved a priceless inheritance for his children. It is kept in heaven for you, pure and undefiled, beyond the reach of change and decay. And God, in his mighty power, will protect you until you receive this salvation, because you are trusting him. It will be revealed on the last day for all to see. So be truly glad! there is wonderful joy ahead, even though it is necessary for you to endure many trials for a while.
When people get motion sickness, they need to fix their eyes on the horizon in order to regain composure. Remaining fixed on a point in the distance helps us travel. Jesus' followers fix their eyes on an eternal horizon. This gives us hope in all the discomforts of daily life.
How can I have hope when times are tough?
Hebrews 10:23 Without wavering, let us hold tightly to the hope we say we have, for God can be trusted to keep his promise.
Our hope is rooted in God's integrity and faithfulness. When everything else falls apart we can cling to the fact that God keeps His word.
John 14:1 Don't be troubled. You trust God, now trust in me.
John 16:33 I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.
Our troubles do not surprise the Lord and should not surprise us. Trouble is rampant in this fallen world. Our focus should be on Jesus who has overcome this world and all its troubles.
Isaiah 26:3-4 You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, whose thoughts are fixed on you! Trust in the Lord always, for the Lord God is the eternal Rock.
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis (due to a 'puter glitch, this message should have been sent yesterday, but I lost it)
Monday, October 27, 2008
Attitude
Good morning, Dear friends and Prayer Partners! This is the very cool day that the Lord has made and we will rejoice and be glad in it! When I stepped outside this morning, the black sky was pin-pointed with myriads of stars and all was still. Beautiful! I should say, all was still except for the crunching of acorns under my feet. We have a bumper crop this year...no reason for the squirrels to go hungry. I swept hundreds off the porch yesterday and they will be back today!
I went for a walk in the Park yesterday after church, so I wouldn't waste a beautiful day. It was already getting crowded with parents pushing strollers, and lots of visitors. I stopped at the first shelter and all the babies were clumped together just below the bridge. Mama gator was off to the side. I am surprised that the babies are still there after about three or four weeks. The eighteen that hatched out Labor Day were totally gone within three weeks. But God is good!
I also saw an osprey posing high in a tree, and other patrons spied him, too. Very majestic! A fat gator was lying on the bank of the lake as I drove in and was enjoying the sun on his back. Always something interesting to see at the Park.
From Quiet Moments with God:
1 Corinthians 10:31 Whatever you do, do all to the Glory of God.
"To love what you do and feel that it matters--how could anything be more fun?" asks Katharine Graham.
That's what we all desire, isn't it?
No matter what work we do, our attitude toward our work is vital to our basic sense of self-worth. The ideal for us all is to love the work we do and feel that it has significance. While no job is enjoyable or pleasant all the time, it is possible to derive satisfaction from what we bring to a job--the attitude with which we perform our tasks.
Brother Lawrence, the seventeenth-century Carmelite, found joy in his job washing dishes at the monastery. In the monotony of his routine work, he found the opportunity to focus on God and feel His presence.
Modern day entrepreneurs Ben Cohen and Jerry Greenfield make and sell ice cream with a purpose. the bottom line of Ben & Jerry's Homemade Inc. is "How much money is left over at the end of the year?" and "How have we improved life in the community?"
"Leftover money" goes to fund the Ben &Jerry's Foundation, which distributes funds to worthy nonprofit causes. These are charities that help needy children, preserve the Amazonian rain forest, provide safe shelter for emotionally or psychologically distressed people, and fund a business staffed by formerly unemployed homeless people. By helping others with their profits, Ben and Jerry put more meaning into their ice cream business.
The scriptures teach that all service ranks the same with God, because it not what you do that matters, but the spirit in which you do it.A street sweeper who does his work to serve God and bless the people who travel on the streets is as pleasing to Him ans the priest or pastor who teaches and nurtures his congregation.
If you feel your work is insignificant, ask God to open your eyes! When you do all for Him and to serve others, no task is unimportant!
Every gift which is given, even though it be small, is great if given with affection.
Pindar
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
I went for a walk in the Park yesterday after church, so I wouldn't waste a beautiful day. It was already getting crowded with parents pushing strollers, and lots of visitors. I stopped at the first shelter and all the babies were clumped together just below the bridge. Mama gator was off to the side. I am surprised that the babies are still there after about three or four weeks. The eighteen that hatched out Labor Day were totally gone within three weeks. But God is good!
I also saw an osprey posing high in a tree, and other patrons spied him, too. Very majestic! A fat gator was lying on the bank of the lake as I drove in and was enjoying the sun on his back. Always something interesting to see at the Park.
From Quiet Moments with God:
1 Corinthians 10:31 Whatever you do, do all to the Glory of God.
"To love what you do and feel that it matters--how could anything be more fun?" asks Katharine Graham.
That's what we all desire, isn't it?
No matter what work we do, our attitude toward our work is vital to our basic sense of self-worth. The ideal for us all is to love the work we do and feel that it has significance. While no job is enjoyable or pleasant all the time, it is possible to derive satisfaction from what we bring to a job--the attitude with which we perform our tasks.
Brother Lawrence, the seventeenth-century Carmelite, found joy in his job washing dishes at the monastery. In the monotony of his routine work, he found the opportunity to focus on God and feel His presence.
Modern day entrepreneurs Ben Cohen and Jerry Greenfield make and sell ice cream with a purpose. the bottom line of Ben & Jerry's Homemade Inc. is "How much money is left over at the end of the year?" and "How have we improved life in the community?"
"Leftover money" goes to fund the Ben &Jerry's Foundation, which distributes funds to worthy nonprofit causes. These are charities that help needy children, preserve the Amazonian rain forest, provide safe shelter for emotionally or psychologically distressed people, and fund a business staffed by formerly unemployed homeless people. By helping others with their profits, Ben and Jerry put more meaning into their ice cream business.
The scriptures teach that all service ranks the same with God, because it not what you do that matters, but the spirit in which you do it.A street sweeper who does his work to serve God and bless the people who travel on the streets is as pleasing to Him ans the priest or pastor who teaches and nurtures his congregation.
If you feel your work is insignificant, ask God to open your eyes! When you do all for Him and to serve others, no task is unimportant!
Every gift which is given, even though it be small, is great if given with affection.
Pindar
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
Friday, October 24, 2008
Work
Good morning, Dear Friends and Prayer Partners! This is the rainy day that the Lord has made and we will rejoice and be glad in it! Well, I prayed for rain and the Lord answered. No walking today, at least not outside. God is Good!
We went to the Park yesterday and saw a few people out with their pups, and more walking. Looks like Mike is there everyday taking care of the aquarium and the snakes. This is good!
I did not see the cats all day yesterday, so maybe they have moved to someone else in the neighborhood. The food I put out for them was gone and the plate tipped over, but I don't know if they ate it or the bluejays got it. Anyway, I will keep looking out for them.
From the Promise Bible NLT:
How is my work important to the Lord?
1 Thessalonians 4:11-12 This should be your ambition: to live a quiet life, minding your own business and working with your hands, just as we commanded you before. As a result, people who are not Christians will respect the way you live, and you will not need to depend on others to meet your financial needs.
Work is God's plan for our lives. Those who work diligently experience many benefits in their own lives and bring benefits to others. God promises two basic rewards for faithful work: (1) having a more credible witness to nonbelievers and (2) having our needs met without having to financially depend on others.
Proverbs 13:11 Wealth from get-rich-schemes quickly disappears; wealth from hard work grows.
Honest hard work is much better than get-rich-quick schemes. Money quickly gotten is often quickly wasted.
Romans 12:8 If your gift is to encourage others, do it! If you have money, share it generously. If God has given you leadership ability, take the responsibility seriously. And if you have a gift for showing kindness to others, do it gladly.
God blesses us us when we do work that is in keeping with our gifts and abilities.
What does the Lord promise to those who work hard?
Colossians 3:21:5 work hard and cheerfully at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people. Remember that the Lord will give you an inheritance as your reward, and the Master you are serving is Christ.
God promises a reward to those who work hard. That reward can include--but is not limited to--financial prosperity. It may be the rewards of respect and personal satisfaction or the joy of contributing to the welfare of another.
How will God help me when my work is hard?
Psalm 145:14 The Lord helps the fallen and lifts up those bent beneath their loads.
As with any burden we bear, we can trust God to help us on the job.
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis (Have a blessed weekend, and Go Rays!)
Thursday, October 23, 2008
Doubt and Encouragement Part 2
Good morning Dear friends and Prayer Partners! This is the cloudy, overcast day that the Lord has made and we will rejoice and be glad in it! We have the promise of rain today and we really need it, so I don't mind the clouds. I could not see the moon or the stars this morning, so it still remains a little darker than usual.
I took some cat food out by the shed this morning, thinking if I could get the now four, kittens and Mama used to eating , I may be able to capture them in a trap and call animal control. I called animal control yesterday and that is what I have to do, before they will come out. They are so fearful of anyone, they run when a human gets near. I am afraid that when the kittens mature, we will have dozens of feral cats around.
Some people take their unwanted domestic cats and drop them off in the Park, but that is cruel, because of the predators. They don't last long. We drove through the Park yesterday and I saw a large gator head at the end of the first bridge. He likes to hang out there. I am hoping to get out and walk again soon.
Louis has to go for more radiation on his ear today and tomorrow, so that takes a while. He won't have to wear his hat, since it is so cloudy.But God is good!
From the Promise Bible NLT:
Ephesians 1:14 The Spirit is God's guarantee that he will give us everything he promised and that he has purchased us to be his own people. This is just one more reason for us to praise our glorious God.
Hebrews 13:5 Stay away from the love of money; be satisfied with what you have. For God has said, "I will never fail you. I will never forsake you."
Romans 10:17 Faith comes from listening to this message of good news--the Good News about Christ.
When we fill our minds with the promises of God, God fills our lives with the provisions we need. Doubts erode our confidence, but God's promises inspire faith and hope.
Does my doubt keep God from helping me?
Matthew 14:31 Instantly Jesus reached out his hand and grabbed him. "You don't have much faith," Jesus said. "Why did you doubt me?"
When Peter was walking on water, he was overcome by doubt. But Jesus did not punish him and allow him to drown. He saved Peter. Doubt can be a starting place for us. We can begin to learn more about our Lord and about our faith. Let your doubts drive you into the word of God and draw you into healthy fellowship with the Lord.
What do I do when I feel overwhelmed?
Leviticus 26:8 Five of you will chase a hundred, and a hundred of you will chase ten thousand! All your enemies will fall beneath the blows of your weapons.
Joshua 23:10 Each one of you will put to flight a thousand of the enemy, for the Lord your God fights for you, just as he has promised.
Be encouraged that the power of God is for us, regardless of the number of enemies against us. God used David to overcome Goliath, Gideon's three hundred soldiers to defeat the armies of Midian, and one hundred and twenty disciples to establish the church in Acts. He joys when working through our weaknesses and limitations.
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
Doubt and Encouragement
Good morning, dear Friends and Prayer Partners! This is the gorgeous day that the Lord has made and we will rejoice and be glad in it!
When I stepped outside this morning, the sky was almost black with myriads of stars twinkling brightly and a piece of the moon still shining among them. God is Awesome!
Well, everyone around here is very excited over the World Series, which starts right here tonight. Who would have thought the Rays would be the best team in the American League? Anyway, I hope they win! Go Rays!
Something interesting from our backyard... last evening I looked out the window and watched three kittens and the Mama, not much more than a kitten herself, playing out by our shed. Two are black and white, and one is black like Mama. I had only seen two kittens before, but now I see three. Since the bluejays ate the Meow Mix I put out for them before, this morning, I took an open can of sardines and placed it behind the shed. Just as I did, one of the kittens shot out after a lizard. I don't think it even noticed me. Well, hopefully, they will eat the sardines. They are feral, and no one can get near them, but they seem to exist well, but always in fear. Not a good way to live.
From the Promise Bible NLT:
How can I trust God when I can't see a way out of my problem?
Genesis 18:13-14 The Lord said to Abraham, "Why did Sarah laugh? Why did she say, "Can an old woman like me have a baby?" Is anything too hard for the Lord? About a year from now, just as I told you, I will return, and Sarah will have a son."
Luke 1:37 Nothing is impossible with God.
Doubt often arises because we look at the problem instead of looking up to God. God is not limited by our circumstances or by our lack of resources or abilities. Sarah and Abraham, Mary and Joseph, and many other of God's people across the centuries have learned that God can do anything.
More tomorrow:
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
amaryllis
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
Thinking things through
Good morning, Dear friends and Prayer Partners! This is the day that the Lord has made and we will rejoice and be glad in it! Another cool morning, with the almost quarter moon and bright stars lighting up the sky and casting shadows as I stepped outside this early morning,
Reminds me of the poem of long ago, "October's Bright Blue weather." We really do need rain, though, so we trust in God to provide.
As I walked yesterday, I enjoyed the chirping of a cardinal which perched briefly on the top rail of the boardwalk, I stopped to try to find another chirper in the bushes, but could not spot it. Soon all the birds will be returning from the North as the weather turns cooler. God is Good!
I stopped to look for the baby gators, and only saw one, which appeared to be lifeless under the bridge. They disappear so fast from their hangouts. I have no idea what happens to them.
I talked with Mike and Francia about the Rays. Mike was at the Trop to watch the Rays win the AL title. He is such a fan that he has a "Rayshawk" and has dyed his nice gray, wavy hair black. He comes to Sawgrass several times a week now, from Ft. DeSoto so he can take care of the snakes and fish... very interesting to talk with because he has traveled just about every place in the world.
From Quiet Moments with God:
Psalms 65:9 You care for the land and water it; you enrich it abundantly. The streams of God are filled with water to provide the people with grain, for so you have ordained it.
One of America's most popular contemporary painters. Andrew Wyeth, portrays life in rural Pennsylvania and Maine so meticulously and naturally that it sometimes appears surreal. A story told by his brother Nat, gives a great deal of insight into the source of Wyeth's intensity.
Andy did a Picture of Lafayette's quarters near Chadds Ford, Pa., with a sycamore tree behind the building. When I first saw the painting, he wasn't finished with it. He showed me a lot of drawings of the trunk and the sycamore's gnarled roots, and I said, "Where's all that in the picture?"
"It's not in the picture, Nat," he said. "For me to get what I want in the part of the tree that's showing, I've got to know thoroughly how it is anchored in back of the house."
The act of thinking things through is important to every task in our lives. For example; we cannot overlook the importance of good preparation when we are planning our garden, or we risk damaging the plants with poor soil or by setting them too close together to grow freely.
Bernard Baruch emphasized this need, stating, "Whatever failures I have known, whatever errors I have committed, whatever follies I have witnessed in private and public life have been the consequence of action without thought."
It is a joy to commune with God and ask His advice as we plan our daily activities. When you have an important task to think through, take time to ask, "Lord, what is Your will?" He will be glad to help.
Four steps to achievement:
Plan purposefully,
prepare prayerfully,
proceed positively,
Pursue persistently.
William Arthur Ward
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis.
Reminds me of the poem of long ago, "October's Bright Blue weather." We really do need rain, though, so we trust in God to provide.
As I walked yesterday, I enjoyed the chirping of a cardinal which perched briefly on the top rail of the boardwalk, I stopped to try to find another chirper in the bushes, but could not spot it. Soon all the birds will be returning from the North as the weather turns cooler. God is Good!
I stopped to look for the baby gators, and only saw one, which appeared to be lifeless under the bridge. They disappear so fast from their hangouts. I have no idea what happens to them.
I talked with Mike and Francia about the Rays. Mike was at the Trop to watch the Rays win the AL title. He is such a fan that he has a "Rayshawk" and has dyed his nice gray, wavy hair black. He comes to Sawgrass several times a week now, from Ft. DeSoto so he can take care of the snakes and fish... very interesting to talk with because he has traveled just about every place in the world.
From Quiet Moments with God:
Psalms 65:9 You care for the land and water it; you enrich it abundantly. The streams of God are filled with water to provide the people with grain, for so you have ordained it.
One of America's most popular contemporary painters. Andrew Wyeth, portrays life in rural Pennsylvania and Maine so meticulously and naturally that it sometimes appears surreal. A story told by his brother Nat, gives a great deal of insight into the source of Wyeth's intensity.
Andy did a Picture of Lafayette's quarters near Chadds Ford, Pa., with a sycamore tree behind the building. When I first saw the painting, he wasn't finished with it. He showed me a lot of drawings of the trunk and the sycamore's gnarled roots, and I said, "Where's all that in the picture?"
"It's not in the picture, Nat," he said. "For me to get what I want in the part of the tree that's showing, I've got to know thoroughly how it is anchored in back of the house."
The act of thinking things through is important to every task in our lives. For example; we cannot overlook the importance of good preparation when we are planning our garden, or we risk damaging the plants with poor soil or by setting them too close together to grow freely.
Bernard Baruch emphasized this need, stating, "Whatever failures I have known, whatever errors I have committed, whatever follies I have witnessed in private and public life have been the consequence of action without thought."
It is a joy to commune with God and ask His advice as we plan our daily activities. When you have an important task to think through, take time to ask, "Lord, what is Your will?" He will be glad to help.
Four steps to achievement:
Plan purposefully,
prepare prayerfully,
proceed positively,
Pursue persistently.
William Arthur Ward
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis.
Monday, October 20, 2008
Go Rays!!
Good morning, Dear Friends and Prayer Partners! This is the day that the Lord has made and we will rejoice and be glad in it! The waning moon was still visible through the clouds scudding across the sky when I stepped outside this morning, very early. The very cool breeze was blowing still as it has been the past few days. In fact, I had the A/C off and some windows open yesterday.
We had a wonderful weekend at church celebrating the 30th Anniversary and meeting and greeting old friends and former pastors. Lots of activities and good preaching!
Daryl and Matthew came down from Tennessee for the celebrating and it was really good to have them for a few days! God is good!
And then, last night, the Amazing Rays won the AL and will play in the World Series. It doesn't get much better than this!
Oh, yes, I did walk in the park and saw the baby gators under the bridge and Mama hidden in the shrubs. Beautiful weather for walking!
Excerpts from scripture from the Promise Bible NLT:
Deuteronomy 33:26,27 There is no one like the God of Israel. He rides across the heavens to help you; across the skies in majestic splendor. The eternal God is your refuge, and his everlasting arms are under you.
Ephesians 3:14-23
When I think of the wisdom and scope of God's plan, I fall to my knees and pray to the Father, the Creator of everything in heaven and on earth. I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will give you mighty inner strength through his Holy Spirit. And I pray that Christ will be more and more at home in your hearts as you trust in him. May your roots go down deep into the well of God's marvelous love, and may you have the power to understand, as all God's people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love really is. May you experience the love of Christ, though it is so great you will never fully understand it. Then you will be filled with the fullness of life and power that comes from God.
Now glory be to God! By his mighty power at work within us, he is able to accomplish infinitely more than we could ever dare to ask or hope. May he be given glory in the church and in Christ Jesus forever and ever through endless ages.
Amen
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
Thursday, October 16, 2008
Guidance Part 2
Good morning, Dear Friends and Prayer Partners! This is the beautiful, cool day that the Lord has made and we will rejoice and be glad in it! Once again, the moon was shining almost as bright as day, when I stepped outside about 5:30am, and stars were visible in the night sky. God is Awesome!
Because of having to take hubby to the new Oncology Center early, for setting up treatment for his ear, I was unable to take time to walk, but did drive through the park later and enjoyed the peace of the squirrels scrambling, the ibis forever pecking, and the anhingas drying their wings. Some things in our lives are constant. God is good!
In one of my devotions this morning, the writer said after attending a memorial service, that she would start saying nice things and her appreciation for certain people in her life before they passed away, I think it's a wonderful idea, and so I am thankful for friends who call just to check on us, and for those who email encouragement. You all are a blessing!
From the Promise Bible NLT:
How can I experience God's guidance?
Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will direct your paths..
The first step in guidance is knowing where to put your trust. Travelers rely on maps when visiting new places. In the same way, we must trust God to lead us and realize our own limitations. We do not understand all the complexities of life, but the Lord does.
Matthew 7:7-11 Keep on asking, and you will be given what you ask for. Keep on looking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened. For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And the door is opened to everyone who knocks. You parents--if your children ask for a loaf of bread, do you give them a stone instead? Or if they ask for a fish, do you give them a snake? Of course not! If you sinful people know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give good gifts to those who ask him.
God invites us to pray so that we will know him more fully as our loving Father and understand ourselves more clearly as well. Even as a parent gives more and more responsibility to a child as he or she grows, so the Lord expects us to take responsibility for seeking and following his direction.
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
(due to Daryl and Matthew arriving early tomorrow morning, or late tonight, there will be no "gator bytes" tomorrow.)
Because of having to take hubby to the new Oncology Center early, for setting up treatment for his ear, I was unable to take time to walk, but did drive through the park later and enjoyed the peace of the squirrels scrambling, the ibis forever pecking, and the anhingas drying their wings. Some things in our lives are constant. God is good!
In one of my devotions this morning, the writer said after attending a memorial service, that she would start saying nice things and her appreciation for certain people in her life before they passed away, I think it's a wonderful idea, and so I am thankful for friends who call just to check on us, and for those who email encouragement. You all are a blessing!
From the Promise Bible NLT:
How can I experience God's guidance?
Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will direct your paths..
The first step in guidance is knowing where to put your trust. Travelers rely on maps when visiting new places. In the same way, we must trust God to lead us and realize our own limitations. We do not understand all the complexities of life, but the Lord does.
Matthew 7:7-11 Keep on asking, and you will be given what you ask for. Keep on looking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened. For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And the door is opened to everyone who knocks. You parents--if your children ask for a loaf of bread, do you give them a stone instead? Or if they ask for a fish, do you give them a snake? Of course not! If you sinful people know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give good gifts to those who ask him.
God invites us to pray so that we will know him more fully as our loving Father and understand ourselves more clearly as well. Even as a parent gives more and more responsibility to a child as he or she grows, so the Lord expects us to take responsibility for seeking and following his direction.
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
(due to Daryl and Matthew arriving early tomorrow morning, or late tonight, there will be no "gator bytes" tomorrow.)
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
Guidance
Good morning, Dear Friends and Prayer Partners! This is the beautiful, cool day that the Lord has made and we will rejoice and be glad in it!
Wow! Did you see the full moon once again casting shadows and lighting up the world like sun! What a sight! God is Awesome!
Due to having to stay at home while the carpet was cleaned, I didn't get to walk yesterday before it got too hot, but did ride through and saw lots of people enjoying the beauty. I probably won't get to walk today, either, since Louis has a doctor appointment at 9:30am. But I enjoy looking at the wildlife everywhere, anyway. God is good!
From the Promise Bible NLT:
How can I be sure God will guide me?
Psalm 32:8 The Lord says, "I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you."
Psalm 37:23-24 What is the price of five sparrows? A couple of pennies? Yet God does not forget a single one of them. And the very hairs on your head are all numbered. So don't be afraid; you are more valuable to him than a whole flock of sparrows.
Jesus gives this promise to all his followers: If God values the littlest things of his creation, how much more must he value us for whom he gave his own precious Son. When we are anxious or concerned, we need to remind ourselves that God does indeed care about us and is watching over us.
Jeremiah 29:11 "I know the plans I have for you," says the Lord. "They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope."
God is always seeking the best future for us. there are times that we delay it through our disobedience, but when we come back to God, he is always ready to give us his best.
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
Wow! Did you see the full moon once again casting shadows and lighting up the world like sun! What a sight! God is Awesome!
Due to having to stay at home while the carpet was cleaned, I didn't get to walk yesterday before it got too hot, but did ride through and saw lots of people enjoying the beauty. I probably won't get to walk today, either, since Louis has a doctor appointment at 9:30am. But I enjoy looking at the wildlife everywhere, anyway. God is good!
From the Promise Bible NLT:
How can I be sure God will guide me?
Psalm 32:8 The Lord says, "I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you."
Psalm 37:23-24 What is the price of five sparrows? A couple of pennies? Yet God does not forget a single one of them. And the very hairs on your head are all numbered. So don't be afraid; you are more valuable to him than a whole flock of sparrows.
Jesus gives this promise to all his followers: If God values the littlest things of his creation, how much more must he value us for whom he gave his own precious Son. When we are anxious or concerned, we need to remind ourselves that God does indeed care about us and is watching over us.
Jeremiah 29:11 "I know the plans I have for you," says the Lord. "They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope."
God is always seeking the best future for us. there are times that we delay it through our disobedience, but when we come back to God, he is always ready to give us his best.
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
The Bulldog Way
Good morning, Dear Friends and Prayer Partners! This is the day that the Lord has made and we will rejoice and be glad in it! Did you early risers see the magnificent full moon this morning? I was so startled when I stepped outside and almost blinded by the huge brightness of the moon over the house! I saw many stars, also, for the first time in many days. God is the Creator of all things beautiful!
I was pleased to see the baby gators were still at the first shelter, but not so pleased on my walk, to see a man feeding Mama gator cracker crumbs. There was a sign right in front of him, warning against feeding or molesting them, but I restrained myself from saying anything. After I walked out to the tower, where he was with his two little boys in a stroller, I walked on back to the building and told Francia about the incident. We were both in a quandary about what to do, or who to call, since there is no one there permanently any more to take care of things like that.
I described him to her and she went out to meet him coming off the bridge and was talking to him when I left. Hopefully, he received an education about why it is so dangerous to feed the animals. I think and she does to, that more and more of this will be happening, as people realize that no one is there to stop them. Sigh.
Anyway, I enjoyed the walk, but the wind blowing and a little cooler. God is Good!
From Quiet Moments with God for Teachers:
Let us not be weary in well doing, for in due season, we shall reap , if we faint not.
Galatians 6:9 KJV
Are you in the midst of a frustrating struggle? Before you throw in the towel, remember this story about the bulldog.
A man once owned two very fine bird dogs, and he had spent many hours training them. One day he looked out his window just in time to see an ugly little bulldog digging his way under the fence into his bird dogs' yard. As the dog wriggled under the fence, the man realized it was too late to stop him.
He thought to himself how uneven the fight would be. The poor little bulldog was surely no match for his animals. Snipping, barking, growling--tails and ears flying--the battle raged. When the little dog had had enough, he trotted back to the hole under the fence and shimmied out.
Amazed that none of the dogs looked any the worse from the fight, he didn't give the incident another thought until the next day, when he saw the little bulldog coming down the sidewalk toward the hole in the fence. To his amazement, a repeat performance of the previous day's battle began. And once again, the little bulldog picked his moment to end the fight, left the bird dogs barking and snarling, and casually slid back under the fence.
Day after day for over a week, the unwelcome visitor returned to harass his bigger canine counterparts. then the man was obliged to leave for a week on business. When he returned, he asked his wife about the ongoing battle.
"Battle?" she replied, "Why there hasn't been a battle in four days."
"He finally gave up?" asked the bird dog owner.
"Not exactly," she said. "That ugly little dog still comes around every day. He even shimmied under the fence until a day or so ago. But now all he has to do is walk past the hole and those bird dogs tuck their tails and head for their doghouse whining all the way."
Sometimes persistence is the key to success. If well thou hast begun, go on foreright; it is the end that crowns us, not the fight.
Robert Herrick
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
I was pleased to see the baby gators were still at the first shelter, but not so pleased on my walk, to see a man feeding Mama gator cracker crumbs. There was a sign right in front of him, warning against feeding or molesting them, but I restrained myself from saying anything. After I walked out to the tower, where he was with his two little boys in a stroller, I walked on back to the building and told Francia about the incident. We were both in a quandary about what to do, or who to call, since there is no one there permanently any more to take care of things like that.
I described him to her and she went out to meet him coming off the bridge and was talking to him when I left. Hopefully, he received an education about why it is so dangerous to feed the animals. I think and she does to, that more and more of this will be happening, as people realize that no one is there to stop them. Sigh.
Anyway, I enjoyed the walk, but the wind blowing and a little cooler. God is Good!
From Quiet Moments with God for Teachers:
Let us not be weary in well doing, for in due season, we shall reap , if we faint not.
Galatians 6:9 KJV
Are you in the midst of a frustrating struggle? Before you throw in the towel, remember this story about the bulldog.
A man once owned two very fine bird dogs, and he had spent many hours training them. One day he looked out his window just in time to see an ugly little bulldog digging his way under the fence into his bird dogs' yard. As the dog wriggled under the fence, the man realized it was too late to stop him.
He thought to himself how uneven the fight would be. The poor little bulldog was surely no match for his animals. Snipping, barking, growling--tails and ears flying--the battle raged. When the little dog had had enough, he trotted back to the hole under the fence and shimmied out.
Amazed that none of the dogs looked any the worse from the fight, he didn't give the incident another thought until the next day, when he saw the little bulldog coming down the sidewalk toward the hole in the fence. To his amazement, a repeat performance of the previous day's battle began. And once again, the little bulldog picked his moment to end the fight, left the bird dogs barking and snarling, and casually slid back under the fence.
Day after day for over a week, the unwelcome visitor returned to harass his bigger canine counterparts. then the man was obliged to leave for a week on business. When he returned, he asked his wife about the ongoing battle.
"Battle?" she replied, "Why there hasn't been a battle in four days."
"He finally gave up?" asked the bird dog owner.
"Not exactly," she said. "That ugly little dog still comes around every day. He even shimmied under the fence until a day or so ago. But now all he has to do is walk past the hole and those bird dogs tuck their tails and head for their doghouse whining all the way."
Sometimes persistence is the key to success. If well thou hast begun, go on foreright; it is the end that crowns us, not the fight.
Robert Herrick
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
Monday, October 13, 2008
Psoaring through Psalms
Good morning, Dear Friends and Prayer Partners! This is the day that the Lord has made and we will rejoice and be glad in it! When I stepped outside this morning, the cool wind was blowing and clouds were obscuring the stars and the moon which will be full in a day or two. But the sun is trying to shine now, and it will be a beautiful day!
We had a quiet day yesterday, and Saturday we watched the Gators win and the kept switching over to the Rays who also won! Go Rays and Go Gators!
We drove through the Park and I saw some beautiful roseate spoonbills beside the road. Their pinks are so colorful... it makes them stand out. God is good!
Psalm 112
Praise the Lord!
Happy are those who fear the Lord. Yes, happy are those who delight in doing what he commands. Their children will be successful everywhere: an entire generation of godly people will be blessed. They themselves will be wealthy, and their good deeds will never be forgotten. When darkness overtakes the godly, light will come bursting in, they are generous, compassionate, and righteous. All goes will for those who are generous, who lend freely and conduct their business fairly. Such people will not be overcome by evil circumstances. Those who are righteous will be long remembered. They do not fear bad news. They confidently trust the Lord to care for them. They are confident and fearless and can face their foes triumphantly. They give generously to those in need. Their good deeds will never be forgotten. they will have influence and honor. The wicked will be infuriated when they see this. They will grind their teeth in anger; they will slink away, their hopes thwarted.
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
We had a quiet day yesterday, and Saturday we watched the Gators win and the kept switching over to the Rays who also won! Go Rays and Go Gators!
We drove through the Park and I saw some beautiful roseate spoonbills beside the road. Their pinks are so colorful... it makes them stand out. God is good!
Psalm 112
Praise the Lord!
Happy are those who fear the Lord. Yes, happy are those who delight in doing what he commands. Their children will be successful everywhere: an entire generation of godly people will be blessed. They themselves will be wealthy, and their good deeds will never be forgotten. When darkness overtakes the godly, light will come bursting in, they are generous, compassionate, and righteous. All goes will for those who are generous, who lend freely and conduct their business fairly. Such people will not be overcome by evil circumstances. Those who are righteous will be long remembered. They do not fear bad news. They confidently trust the Lord to care for them. They are confident and fearless and can face their foes triumphantly. They give generously to those in need. Their good deeds will never be forgotten. they will have influence and honor. The wicked will be infuriated when they see this. They will grind their teeth in anger; they will slink away, their hopes thwarted.
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
Friday, October 10, 2008
Rescue Part 2 (again)
Good morning, Dear Friends and Prayer Partners! This is the day that the Lord has made and we will rejoice and be glad in it! Well, the power came back on within thirty minutes yesterday and we rushed to get to the Dr. appointment on time, only to sit and wait for an hour and a half because he was running late. That's the way it goes sometimes.
We drove through the park in the afternoon and all was quiet and serene. Very few people were out... just the usual ones walking their dogs. It is a popular place for dog-walking. Some people have two or three, large and small.
I saw a great blue heron on the way in and we saw a very large snapper turtle, which must have come out of the lake, trying to dig under the fence to get to the canal. He would have had to cross the road to get to the canal, but I don't know what would be better there than in the lake. Oh, well, God is good!
From the Promise Bible NLT:
Why can't we depend on our own resources and rescue ourselves?
Psalm 33:16:22 The best equipped army cannot save a king, nor is great strength enough to save a warrior. Don't count on your warhorse to give you victory--for all its strength, it cannot save you. But the Lord watches over those who fear him, those who rely on his unfailing love. He rescues them from death and keeps them alive in protecting us like a shield. In him our hearts rejoice, for we are trusting in his holy name. Let your unfailing love surround us, Lord, for our hope is in you alone.
When trouble comes, our first reaction is usually to try and solve the problem using our financial assets, human connections, talents, and abilities. Though these will all fail us in time, God never will. God alone is our greatest defense. God alone has the infinite resources we need.
Is there anything we can do to rescue ourselves?
2 Chronicles 7:14 If my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and heal their land.
There are times when we bring problems on ourselves through our own disobedience. Our rescue depends on our faith and obedience. God calls us to humility and repentance to make way for his rescue.
How does God rescue us from the spiritual forces of evil and darkness?
Matthew 6:13 Don't let us yield to temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.
Prayer is the primary means by which God rescues us.
Ephesians 6:10-13 Be strong with the Lord's mighty power. Put on all of God's armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies and tricks of the Devil, for we are not fighting against people make of flesh and blood, but against the evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, and against wicked spirits in the heavenly realms. Use every piece of God's armor to resist the enemy in the time of evil, so that after the battle you will still be standing firm.
Matthew 10:1 Jesus called his twelve disciples to him and gave them authority to cast out evil spirits and to heal every kind of disease and illness.
Though we are embroiled in a spiritual war with this world, we stand tall because we have full confidence in Christ's authority. We stand strong in the strength and protection of the Lord. This faith overcomes all fear.
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis Go Rays! Go Gators!
We drove through the park in the afternoon and all was quiet and serene. Very few people were out... just the usual ones walking their dogs. It is a popular place for dog-walking. Some people have two or three, large and small.
I saw a great blue heron on the way in and we saw a very large snapper turtle, which must have come out of the lake, trying to dig under the fence to get to the canal. He would have had to cross the road to get to the canal, but I don't know what would be better there than in the lake. Oh, well, God is good!
From the Promise Bible NLT:
Why can't we depend on our own resources and rescue ourselves?
Psalm 33:16:22 The best equipped army cannot save a king, nor is great strength enough to save a warrior. Don't count on your warhorse to give you victory--for all its strength, it cannot save you. But the Lord watches over those who fear him, those who rely on his unfailing love. He rescues them from death and keeps them alive in protecting us like a shield. In him our hearts rejoice, for we are trusting in his holy name. Let your unfailing love surround us, Lord, for our hope is in you alone.
When trouble comes, our first reaction is usually to try and solve the problem using our financial assets, human connections, talents, and abilities. Though these will all fail us in time, God never will. God alone is our greatest defense. God alone has the infinite resources we need.
Is there anything we can do to rescue ourselves?
2 Chronicles 7:14 If my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and heal their land.
There are times when we bring problems on ourselves through our own disobedience. Our rescue depends on our faith and obedience. God calls us to humility and repentance to make way for his rescue.
How does God rescue us from the spiritual forces of evil and darkness?
Matthew 6:13 Don't let us yield to temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.
Prayer is the primary means by which God rescues us.
Ephesians 6:10-13 Be strong with the Lord's mighty power. Put on all of God's armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies and tricks of the Devil, for we are not fighting against people make of flesh and blood, but against the evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, and against wicked spirits in the heavenly realms. Use every piece of God's armor to resist the enemy in the time of evil, so that after the battle you will still be standing firm.
Matthew 10:1 Jesus called his twelve disciples to him and gave them authority to cast out evil spirits and to heal every kind of disease and illness.
Though we are embroiled in a spiritual war with this world, we stand tall because we have full confidence in Christ's authority. We stand strong in the strength and protection of the Lord. This faith overcomes all fear.
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis Go Rays! Go Gators!
Thursday, October 9, 2008
Rescue Part 2
Good morning, dear Friends and Prayer Partners! This is the day that the Lord has made and we will rejoice and be glad in it! Although the sky is overcast now, I think the sun will shine later on, and it will be quite warm.
When I opened the side garage door this morning, a tiny frog, no bigger than my thumbnail, hopped from in front of the door. I have no idea how it got in, but I tried to get it out and it just hopped away. Then I heard a loud bird call, and on top of a very tall Norfolk island pine tree was a big black crow.
Well, strange things happen. When we make plans, God smiles. Remember hearing that?
Our power failed this morning as I was typing this, so I had to quickly get ready for a doctor's appointment, and rushed to get there, then had to wait over an hour and a half because the doctor was running late.
Sooo... I will send the today's email tomorrow.
Love and hugs,
amaryllis
When I opened the side garage door this morning, a tiny frog, no bigger than my thumbnail, hopped from in front of the door. I have no idea how it got in, but I tried to get it out and it just hopped away. Then I heard a loud bird call, and on top of a very tall Norfolk island pine tree was a big black crow.
Well, strange things happen. When we make plans, God smiles. Remember hearing that?
Our power failed this morning as I was typing this, so I had to quickly get ready for a doctor's appointment, and rushed to get there, then had to wait over an hour and a half because the doctor was running late.
Sooo... I will send the today's email tomorrow.
Love and hugs,
amaryllis
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
Creator God
Good morning, Dear Friends and Prayer Partners! This is the day that the Lord has made and we will rejoice and be glad in it! I kinda overslept this morning, so I am a little later than usual.
Yesterday I took a walk for the first time in several days, and was glad I did, because I saw Mama gator under the shelter. I looked for the babies, but didn't see any, so I walked on to the tower, noticing all the pretty yellow flowers that bloom in the fall. When I walked back, I stopped at the shelter again, and this time I could not see Mama, but on the other side of the shelter, there were the babies! This time I saw four instead of the usual three. God is good!
Another fascinating bit of God's beauty I noticed and watched for a few minutes... right outside our garage side door: two burnt orange and black small butterflies were dancing a fluttery, circle dance at the base of the flagpole next door. They fluttered very fast up and down, and continued for several minutes, when suddenly, out of nowhere, a third butterfly joined them and they broke off the dance and flew away. Awesome!
From the book Quiet Moments with God:
Revelation 4:11 NKJV You are worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they exist and were created.
When we see a beautiful piece of art or hear a stirring symphony, we ask, "Who is the artist? Who is the composer?" When we look at the wonders of nature, we are often inspired in the same way, "How did this get here? Who made all of this?"
W. Phillip Keller writes:
It must be hard for skeptics, atheists, and agnostics to view sunrises and sunsets. The splendor of their glory, the beauty of their colors, the intensity of their inspiration that comes from the Father's loving heart, are to the unbeliever nothing more than mere chemical and physical responses to external stimuli. No wonder their world is so bleak, their despair so deep, there future so forlorn."
The writers of Scripture also saw God in His creation:
The heavens declare the glory of God.
Psalm 19:1NKJV
The earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the sea.
Isaiah 11:9 NKJV
God...rides through the heavens to your help, and in his majesty through the skies.
Deuteronomy 33:26 RSV
Since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen.
Romans 1:20 NKJV
Can you see God in the world around you? How big is He to you?
To Him no high, no low, no great no small; He fills, He bounds, connects, and equals all.
Alexander Pope
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
The morning stars sang together, And all the sons of God shouted for joy.
Job 38:7 NKJV
Yesterday I took a walk for the first time in several days, and was glad I did, because I saw Mama gator under the shelter. I looked for the babies, but didn't see any, so I walked on to the tower, noticing all the pretty yellow flowers that bloom in the fall. When I walked back, I stopped at the shelter again, and this time I could not see Mama, but on the other side of the shelter, there were the babies! This time I saw four instead of the usual three. God is good!
Another fascinating bit of God's beauty I noticed and watched for a few minutes... right outside our garage side door: two burnt orange and black small butterflies were dancing a fluttery, circle dance at the base of the flagpole next door. They fluttered very fast up and down, and continued for several minutes, when suddenly, out of nowhere, a third butterfly joined them and they broke off the dance and flew away. Awesome!
From the book Quiet Moments with God:
Revelation 4:11 NKJV You are worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they exist and were created.
When we see a beautiful piece of art or hear a stirring symphony, we ask, "Who is the artist? Who is the composer?" When we look at the wonders of nature, we are often inspired in the same way, "How did this get here? Who made all of this?"
W. Phillip Keller writes:
It must be hard for skeptics, atheists, and agnostics to view sunrises and sunsets. The splendor of their glory, the beauty of their colors, the intensity of their inspiration that comes from the Father's loving heart, are to the unbeliever nothing more than mere chemical and physical responses to external stimuli. No wonder their world is so bleak, their despair so deep, there future so forlorn."
The writers of Scripture also saw God in His creation:
The heavens declare the glory of God.
Psalm 19:1NKJV
The earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the sea.
Isaiah 11:9 NKJV
God...rides through the heavens to your help, and in his majesty through the skies.
Deuteronomy 33:26 RSV
Since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen.
Romans 1:20 NKJV
Can you see God in the world around you? How big is He to you?
To Him no high, no low, no great no small; He fills, He bounds, connects, and equals all.
Alexander Pope
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
The morning stars sang together, And all the sons of God shouted for joy.
Job 38:7 NKJV
Monday, October 6, 2008
Hope
Good morning, Dear Friends and Prayer Partners! This is the overcast day that the Lord has made and we will rejoice and be glad in it!
When I stepped outside this morning, everything was wet from the rain last evening, and it was still dark, because the sun doesn't come up early any more. I didn't even hear birds singing, so maybe they were sleeping late this morning, ;o)
Well, I watched the weather report on the news this morning, and beautiful, golden aspens were shown covering the mountains of Colorado. I saw the green aspens for the first time several years ago on a trip to Colorado. However, the trees at the Park are still very green except for the maples and they started turning red and golden a month or so ago.
The squirrels are busy gathering acorns for the winter, but they don't have to worry about storing them, because they are available here year round. I have even seen them dig up black acorns from the ground and eat them! To each his own! God is Awesome!
From the Promise Bible NLT:
How can I have hope when times are tough?
Hebrews 10:23 Without wavering, let us hold tightly to the hope we say we have, for God can be trusted to keep his promise.
Our hope is rooted in God's integrity and faithfulness. When everything else falls apart we can cling to the fact that God keeps his word.
John 14:1 Don't be troubled. You trust God, now trust in me.
John 16:33 I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.
Our troubles do not surprise the Lord and should not surprise us. Trouble is rampant in this fallen world. Our focus should be on Jesus who has overcome this world and all its troubles.
Isaiah 26:3,4 You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you; whose thoughts are fixed on you! Trust in the Lord always, for the Lord God is the eternal Rock.
Psalm 130:7 O Israel, hope in the Lord; for with the Lord, there is unfailing love and an overflowing supply of salvation.
Psalm 146:5-10 Happy are those who have the God of Israel as their helper, whose hope is in the Lord their God. He is the one who made heaven and earth, the sea, and everything in them. He is the one who keeps every promise forever, who gives justice to the oppressed and food to the hungry. The Lord frees the prisoners. The Lord opens the eyes of the blind. The Lord lifts the burdens of those bent beneath their loads. The Lord loves the righteous. The Lord protects the foreigners among us. He cares for the orphans and widows, but he frustrates the plans of the wicked. The Lord will reign forever. O Jerusalem, your God is King in every generation! Praise the Lord!
Our hope is rooted in the wonderful acts of God in creation and history, The Bible gives full testimony to the fact that God is able to deliver us from any and every circumstance. He will either get us out of it or bring us through it--for his glory and our joy.
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
When I stepped outside this morning, everything was wet from the rain last evening, and it was still dark, because the sun doesn't come up early any more. I didn't even hear birds singing, so maybe they were sleeping late this morning, ;o)
Well, I watched the weather report on the news this morning, and beautiful, golden aspens were shown covering the mountains of Colorado. I saw the green aspens for the first time several years ago on a trip to Colorado. However, the trees at the Park are still very green except for the maples and they started turning red and golden a month or so ago.
The squirrels are busy gathering acorns for the winter, but they don't have to worry about storing them, because they are available here year round. I have even seen them dig up black acorns from the ground and eat them! To each his own! God is Awesome!
From the Promise Bible NLT:
How can I have hope when times are tough?
Hebrews 10:23 Without wavering, let us hold tightly to the hope we say we have, for God can be trusted to keep his promise.
Our hope is rooted in God's integrity and faithfulness. When everything else falls apart we can cling to the fact that God keeps his word.
John 14:1 Don't be troubled. You trust God, now trust in me.
John 16:33 I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.
Our troubles do not surprise the Lord and should not surprise us. Trouble is rampant in this fallen world. Our focus should be on Jesus who has overcome this world and all its troubles.
Isaiah 26:3,4 You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you; whose thoughts are fixed on you! Trust in the Lord always, for the Lord God is the eternal Rock.
Psalm 130:7 O Israel, hope in the Lord; for with the Lord, there is unfailing love and an overflowing supply of salvation.
Psalm 146:5-10 Happy are those who have the God of Israel as their helper, whose hope is in the Lord their God. He is the one who made heaven and earth, the sea, and everything in them. He is the one who keeps every promise forever, who gives justice to the oppressed and food to the hungry. The Lord frees the prisoners. The Lord opens the eyes of the blind. The Lord lifts the burdens of those bent beneath their loads. The Lord loves the righteous. The Lord protects the foreigners among us. He cares for the orphans and widows, but he frustrates the plans of the wicked. The Lord will reign forever. O Jerusalem, your God is King in every generation! Praise the Lord!
Our hope is rooted in the wonderful acts of God in creation and history, The Bible gives full testimony to the fact that God is able to deliver us from any and every circumstance. He will either get us out of it or bring us through it--for his glory and our joy.
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
Saturday, October 4, 2008
Success
Good morning, Dear Friends and Prayer Partners! This is the day that the Lord has made and we will rejoice and be glad in it!
I was really surprised when I stepped outside early this morning, to feel the wonderful cool air. Fall is definitely here! The oak trees have an abundance of acorns this year, and every time I see a squirrel, it has one in its mouth. They are always ready for a peanut treat, though, and sometimes I put crunchy peanut butter on the tree. It doesn't last long because the blue jays like it, too. They also steal the peanuts from the squirrels.
I have to admit though, even with their raucous screech, the blue jays are clever about opening the peanuts. They just pound the shell until it breaks and then eat the treat. God is Awesome!
When I drove through the Park yesterday, I noticed the mowing crew had been there, so everything looked very nice and trim. Very few people were there in the late afternoon, but due to a very sore foot and leg I did not try to walk. Sometimes getting old is no fun, other times, I really enjoy it! :o)
From the Promise Bible NLT:
Does God promise us success in this life?
1 Samuel 16:7 The Lord said to Samuel, "Don't judge by his appearance or height, for I have rejected him. The Lord doesn't make decisions the way you do! People judge by outward appearance, but the Lord looks at a person's thoughts and intentions."
God's standards differ greatly from our own. Success is measured by faithfulness and fruitfulness not by results and quantities. We measure success in terms of appearances and externals, but the Lord looks on the heart. God measures success by weighing our devotion and commitment to him.
1 John 2:15-17 Stop loving this evil world and all that it offers you, for when you love the world, you show that you do not have the love of the Father in you. For the world offers only the lust for physical pleasure, the lust for everything we see, and pride in our possessions. These are not from the Father. They are from this evil world. And this world is fading away, along with everything it craves. But if you do the will of God, you will live forever.
Success in this world can mean failure in God's eyes. While we live in this world, we are not to be controlled by this world's system of values. God promises that if we do his will, we will have true success.
2 Corinthians 3:4-5 We are confident of all this because of our great trust in God through Christ. It is not that we think we can do anything of lasting value by ourselves. Our only power and success come from God.
Jesus followers know that real success comes only from the Lord.
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs.
Amaryllis
I was really surprised when I stepped outside early this morning, to feel the wonderful cool air. Fall is definitely here! The oak trees have an abundance of acorns this year, and every time I see a squirrel, it has one in its mouth. They are always ready for a peanut treat, though, and sometimes I put crunchy peanut butter on the tree. It doesn't last long because the blue jays like it, too. They also steal the peanuts from the squirrels.
I have to admit though, even with their raucous screech, the blue jays are clever about opening the peanuts. They just pound the shell until it breaks and then eat the treat. God is Awesome!
When I drove through the Park yesterday, I noticed the mowing crew had been there, so everything looked very nice and trim. Very few people were there in the late afternoon, but due to a very sore foot and leg I did not try to walk. Sometimes getting old is no fun, other times, I really enjoy it! :o)
From the Promise Bible NLT:
Does God promise us success in this life?
1 Samuel 16:7 The Lord said to Samuel, "Don't judge by his appearance or height, for I have rejected him. The Lord doesn't make decisions the way you do! People judge by outward appearance, but the Lord looks at a person's thoughts and intentions."
God's standards differ greatly from our own. Success is measured by faithfulness and fruitfulness not by results and quantities. We measure success in terms of appearances and externals, but the Lord looks on the heart. God measures success by weighing our devotion and commitment to him.
1 John 2:15-17 Stop loving this evil world and all that it offers you, for when you love the world, you show that you do not have the love of the Father in you. For the world offers only the lust for physical pleasure, the lust for everything we see, and pride in our possessions. These are not from the Father. They are from this evil world. And this world is fading away, along with everything it craves. But if you do the will of God, you will live forever.
Success in this world can mean failure in God's eyes. While we live in this world, we are not to be controlled by this world's system of values. God promises that if we do his will, we will have true success.
2 Corinthians 3:4-5 We are confident of all this because of our great trust in God through Christ. It is not that we think we can do anything of lasting value by ourselves. Our only power and success come from God.
Jesus followers know that real success comes only from the Lord.
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs.
Amaryllis
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
the Good Soil
Good morning, Dear friends and Prayer Partners! This is the beautiful, cooler day that the lord has made and we will rejoice and be glad in it! When I stepped outside in the dark this morning, I could see Venus and some other stars, so the sky was clear and the air was cooler.
God is good!
I didn't get to take my walk yesterday, because of getting ready early for a Celebration of Life service for a long time friend. It was a beautiful, meaningful service with about four hundred people there. I can only hope kind words will be said about me at my final service. :o)
We drove through the park, and I noticed that the grass already needs mowing, so I guess it will wait for the mowing crew, but even though few people were there, it was still quiet and peaceful. My favorite place to be for peace. Many years ago, when our younger son left for another state, I was upset, so on a cold day, I bundled up and walked about a mile in the park, and met a friend from church out running in short shorts and a tank top! She said she wasn't cold because of the running! Anyway, the park holds many memories for me.
From Quiet Moments with God:
Ezekiel 17:8 It had been planted in good soil by abundant water so that it would produce branches , bear fruit and become a splendid vine.
An employee approached his employer and said, "I've had ten years of experience on this job, and I'm still making the same salary that I made when I started. It's time that I got a raise."
His boss retorted, "You haven't had ten years of experience. You've had one experience for ten years!"
Many of us feel that our lives could be described in the same way; one experience over and over again--or at best, boringly few experiences. When this is the pattern of our lives, we not only become depressed, but we also have no growth, just as a garden needs fertilizer and nutrients to enrich its soil, we need the enrichment of activities and experiences to broaden our lives and stimulate our souls.
Joseph Campbell once said, "I don't believe people are looking for the meaning of life as much as they are looking for the experience of being alive."
How, then, may we enrich our lives? It must be intentional. Don't think that someone else can do it for you. There are multitudes of ways to get started:
.Take up a sport that you always wanted to play.
.Take your spouse or a friend out to dinner and the entertainment of your choice.
.Plan a trip to see something or someone interesting.
.Volunteer to do work that will help the less fortunate.
.Visit a friend that you haven't seen for a while.
.Get involved in a place of worship that challenges you.
Participate! Learn! Sing! Read! Listen! Give! Talk with your God! In experiences such as these, you will find the Source of all the excitement that you can handle.
EXPERIENCE IS THE MOTHER OF TRUTH, AND BY EXPERIENCE WE LEARN WISDOM.
William Shippen. Jr.
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
amaryllis
God is good!
I didn't get to take my walk yesterday, because of getting ready early for a Celebration of Life service for a long time friend. It was a beautiful, meaningful service with about four hundred people there. I can only hope kind words will be said about me at my final service. :o)
We drove through the park, and I noticed that the grass already needs mowing, so I guess it will wait for the mowing crew, but even though few people were there, it was still quiet and peaceful. My favorite place to be for peace. Many years ago, when our younger son left for another state, I was upset, so on a cold day, I bundled up and walked about a mile in the park, and met a friend from church out running in short shorts and a tank top! She said she wasn't cold because of the running! Anyway, the park holds many memories for me.
From Quiet Moments with God:
Ezekiel 17:8 It had been planted in good soil by abundant water so that it would produce branches , bear fruit and become a splendid vine.
An employee approached his employer and said, "I've had ten years of experience on this job, and I'm still making the same salary that I made when I started. It's time that I got a raise."
His boss retorted, "You haven't had ten years of experience. You've had one experience for ten years!"
Many of us feel that our lives could be described in the same way; one experience over and over again--or at best, boringly few experiences. When this is the pattern of our lives, we not only become depressed, but we also have no growth, just as a garden needs fertilizer and nutrients to enrich its soil, we need the enrichment of activities and experiences to broaden our lives and stimulate our souls.
Joseph Campbell once said, "I don't believe people are looking for the meaning of life as much as they are looking for the experience of being alive."
How, then, may we enrich our lives? It must be intentional. Don't think that someone else can do it for you. There are multitudes of ways to get started:
.Take up a sport that you always wanted to play.
.Take your spouse or a friend out to dinner and the entertainment of your choice.
.Plan a trip to see something or someone interesting.
.Volunteer to do work that will help the less fortunate.
.Visit a friend that you haven't seen for a while.
.Get involved in a place of worship that challenges you.
Participate! Learn! Sing! Read! Listen! Give! Talk with your God! In experiences such as these, you will find the Source of all the excitement that you can handle.
EXPERIENCE IS THE MOTHER OF TRUTH, AND BY EXPERIENCE WE LEARN WISDOM.
William Shippen. Jr.
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
amaryllis
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