Wednesday, September 30, 2009

Gods Promises

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! How invigorating the air is this morning! When I stepped outside, the coolness felt wonderful, with very low humidity! Our first real taste of fall . It won't last very long, but we will enjoy it while we can! God is good!

The little dipper was sparkling in the pre-dawn sky and some overcast visible early, but maybe the street gutters will dry out now without rain for a few days. I went to the Park twice yesterday, hoping to see Mike on his last day, but he was not to be found, nor was anyone else, so I am glad I gave him and card and pie last week. I also discovered when I tried to call the office that calls are not taken there any more. You have to call the main park office because of "restructuring". Oh, well.

I saw the peahen, as we were driving in, and also, a flock of immature ibis. It was strange to see so many dark ones all together, with no white ones among them. Also, a turtle was drying on the bank of the weir and there was a lot of sun. Very hot! But God is everywhere and friendships don't end just because we are not face to face. God is Awesome!

God freely gives
Peace in Troubled times (from the God's Promises Book)

I will bless the Lord at all times:
His praise shall continually be in my mouth.
My soul shall make its boast in the Lord.
The humble shall hear of it and be glad.
Oh, magnify the Lord with me,
And let us exalt his name together.
I sought the Lord, and he heard me.
And delivered me from all my fears.
They looked to Him and were radiant,
And their faces were not ashamed.
This poor man cried out, and the Lord heard him.
And saved him out of all his troubles.
The angel of the Lord encamps all around those who fear him.
And delivers them.
Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good,
Blessed is the man who trusts in Him!
Psalm 34:1-8

I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!

Love and hugs,
Amaryllis

Tuesday, September 29, 2009

Psoaring thru 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! Well, did you feel the coolness in the air this morning? For those of you who have been outside this morning already. It is definitely noticeable that the air is dryer. This is the time of year when the A/C goes off and then the inside air is too warm, and the outside air doesn't seem to come in the windows, so back goes the A/C on. I can handle it!

The weeds are growing higher and higher in the park since no mowing has been done, and there is now a chain across the poles warning people to keep out of the borrow pit path. It only takes one gator attack to wake people up! Too bad it had to happen! I saw a beautiful white egret land at the edge of the lake, totally unafraid of gators or anything else in its quest for food. I am hoping to go to say farewell to Mike on his last day today. I hope someone gives him a going away party, or, at least, takes him out to lunch. He is a good naturalist who really loves his work! I will miss him greatly.

From the Promise Bible NLT:

Psalm 121

I look up to the mountains---
does my help come from there?
My help comes from the Lord
who made the heavens and the earth!

He will not let you stumble and fall;
the one who watches over you will not sleep.

The Lord himself watches over you!
The Lord stands beside you as your
Protective shade.
The sun will not hurt you by day,
nor the moon at night.
The Lord keeps you from all evil
and preserves your life.
The Lord keeps watch over you as you
come and go,
both now and forever.

I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!

Love and hugs,
Amaryllis

Monday, September 28, 2009

Time

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, all the stars were shining brightly. It was a beautiful sight! Soon the moon will be full again and then it will be even brighter! God is good!

We had a work crew from church Saturday, and they trimmed, and cleaned out the rain gutters and carried off a truckload of trash! What great workers! We were blessed! The youngest was about four and really cute! :o) Worker, I mean.

The park is really overgrown where no mowing has been done for months, and I noticed four new posts at the beginning of the path around the borrow pits. A large gator bit a woman's leg there a week ago, while she was walking her dog along the path. She slipped and fell and the gator came after her. Other than teeth scars she will have, and bad memories, she will be all right. Mike was wishing it had happened after he retires, which will be Tuesday. I will miss him greatly. He is the last of the old crew that was there for thirty years. Times change. Sigh.

Time

How can I best use time?

Psalm 90:12 Teach us to make the most of our time, so that we may grow in wisdom.

Ecclesiastes 3:1-11 There is a time for everything, a season for every activity under heaven. A time to be born and a time to die. A time to plant and a time to rebuild. A time to cry and a time to laugh. A time to grieve and a time to dance. A time to scatter stones and a time to gather stones. A time to embrace and a time to turn away. A time to search and a time to lose. A time to keep and a time to throw away. A time to tear and a time to mend. A time to be quiet and a time to speak up. A time to love and a time to hate. A time for war and a time for peace. What do people really get for all their hard work? I have thought about this in connection with the various kinds of work God has given people to do. God has made everything beautiful for its own time. He has has planted eternity in the human heart, but even so, people cannot see the whole scope of God's work from beginning to end.
Valuing time begins with seeing it from God's perspective. When we do this, we learn that there is always time for accomplishing God's plans for our lives.

I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!

Love and hugs,
Amaryllis

Friday, September 25, 2009

a prayer

Good almost afternoon, Dear Friends and Prayer Partners! This is the day that the Lord has made and we will rejoice and be glad in it! I am not rejoicing that the PC is so slow today, but it is now working and that is good!

I just wanted to send a prayer this morning, so here it is:

A Prayer for Strength

O God, you have given us life through Your son, Jesus Christ. You have given us the security of faith in a world that longs for something on which to rely. We thank You for Your gifts to us.

Teach us to stand strong for Your Kingdom: to be free in this world in order to be Christ's men and women.

Help us to know Your love and the love of each other. Set us free to become our true selves because we are loved, and to free others because we love,.

Give us enough tests to make us strong.
enough vision and endurance to follow Your wayl
enough patience to persist when the going is difficult;
enough of reality to know our weaknesses;
and enough humility to know these gifts come from you.

Go before us to prepare the way;
walk behind us to be our protection;
and walk beside us to be our companion,
through Christ our Lord, Amen.

--Richard Langford
(from Hymns for the Family of God)

I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!

Love and hugs,
Amaryllis

Thursday, September 24, 2009

A Photographic Memory

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 stars were glowing brilliantly overhead and I could see their brightness casting shadows through the oak tree leaves. Beautiful! The sky has not been that clear in several days, so that was a real treat! No birds were singing yet, so the early bird yesterday, must have decided to sleep in!

Last night I discovered a tiny, baby lizard trying to cling to the Charmin. Strange that it was there, so I quickly took it and the Charmin to the front door and shook him outside. We have our house sprayed every month, so if it had gotten on the floor, it would have expired. Critters get in from everywhere!

Yesterday I enjoyed having lunch with our nephew and good conversation. Seems like families don't get together as much as when I was growing up. We all get too busy and use the phone or email to keep in touch, but face to face is wonderful. God is good!

Our staghorn fern has gotten so big, it is touching the ground as it hangs from the tree, The rain is just what it needed. and the beauty berry bush is flourishing on its own. Birds love the purple berries! Even the Mexican petunias that I had neglected and thought were dead are now blooming their pretty lavendar blooms from all the rain. God's beauty is everywhere!

From the book Quiet Moments with God:

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
1 John 1:9 NKJV

Famed photographer and conservationist Ansel Adams was known for his visionary photos of western landscapes, inspired by a boyhood trip to Yosemite National Park. His love of nature's raw perfection is apparent in his stark, mysterious, black and white wilderness photos.

In 1944, he shot a beautiful scene, later entitled, "Winter Sunrise: The Sierra Nevada, from Lone Pine, California.". It portrays the craggy Sierra mountains in the bright morning sunlight, a small dark horse appearing in the foothills.

But the story is later told that, as Adams developed the negative, he noticed an "LP" carved in the hillside. Apparently, some local high school teenagers had etched their initials on the mountain.

Intent on recapturing nature's original, he took a brush and ink and carefully removed the initials from his negative. The man who gave the Sierra Club its look believed in preserving, even perfecting, nature in life as well as in photography.

Ansel Adams probably never gave a second thought to the unsightly scar on the mountian in his photo creation. In his mind's eye, he saw the beauty of the original and took steps to bring that beauty back into focus.

Someone once observed that "the purpose of the Cross is to repair the irreparable." Through the blood of Christ, we know that our sins have been forgiven--our scars erased--and that once removed, our sins ore forgotten. the Lord remembers them no more. When we are willing to confess our sins, He takes joy in restoring us to our original beauty.

(This makes me think of my nose, now red and scarred, but maybe it will one day be restored when it heals.)

The cross is rough,
And it is deadly.
But it is effective.
A.W. Tozer

I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers, with thanksgiving, joy and love!

Love and hugs,
Amaryllis

Wednesday, September 23, 2009

Assurance con't.

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 stars were sprinkled across the sky and a lone mockingbird gave me a loud salute! The early bird gets the worm, is the old saying and he was early! Yesterday a tiny frog was hopping on the flagstones outside our garage, and I knew the mower was coming, so I told him to get out of the way. Hopefully, he did.

David came and mowed and broke up the large branch that broke off the tree a few days ago. All the acorns and twigs and messy leaves were blown off the driveway and porch and the lawn really looks nice. He does a good job. The squirrels were once again busily digging and picking up acorns after he left. Nothing keeps them from looking for food all day! God is good!

The park was quiet when I drove in yesterday. Mike was there for one of his last days, but was busy and I did not see him. The water is very high and a lone tri-colored heron was fishing by the bank of the canal. All was peaceful on the surface in God's country!

From the Promise Bible NLT:

What does this assurance do for me when I confront everyday problems?

Hebrews 4:14-16 We have a great High Priest who has gone to heaven. Jesus the Son of God. Let us cling to him and never stop trusting him. This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same temptations we do, yet he did not sin. So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it.

Ephesians 3:12 Because of Christ and our faith in him, we can now come fearlessly into God's presence, assured of his glad welcome.

The assurance of God's love gives us courage to come to him with any problem, struggle or concern. Our prayers are never interruptions to the Lord. When we knock, the door is always open to us.

I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers, with thanksgiving, joy and love!

Love and hugs,
Amaryllis

Tuesday, September 22, 2009

Assurance

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 am a little later than usual this morning because I have been busy with Louis getting up early, and the friend who does our yard came, so here I am.

Yesterday, I took some limeade pie and a retirement card over to Mike because this is his last week at Sawgrass. He is the last of the old crew whom I knew who still works there. He has painted some nice pictures of wildlife and now they have a display under glass for stuffed animals and birds where the aquarium used to be. So, it looks a lot better than bare walls. When I left ,Mike, who was very appreciative of the card and pie,had said he was going to have lunch, and then I passed him walking on the road with a grabber in his hand. I asked him if he was going to catch his lunch and he said he was going to pick up roadkill. Then I saw the pretty yellow, corn snake lying in the road after someone ran over it. I will miss Mike. He is always so friendly. God is good!

From the Promise Bible NLT:

How can I be assured of God's love in difficult times?

Isaiah 43:1-2 Now, O Israel, the Lord who created you says: "Do not be afraid, for I have ransomed you. I have called you by name; you are mine. When you go through deep waters and great trouble, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown! When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you."

Romans 8:35, 38-39 Can anything ever separate us from Christ's love? Does it mean he no longer loves us if we have trouble or calamity, or are persecuted, or are hungry or cold or in danger or threatened with death? ...I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from his love. Death can't and life can't. the angels can't and the demons can't. Our fears for today, and our worries about tomorrow, and even the powers of hell can't keep God's love away. Whether we are high above the sky or in the deepest ocean, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Life's circumstances don't come between God and his people. They don't get in God's way. Hard times are often when God reveals his infinite love and care for us.

I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,

Amaryllis

Monday, September 21, 2009

Work

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! After a beautiful sunshiny day yesterday, last night the clouds and thunderstorms rolled in! About 9:30 the power totally went out for about three minutes...long enough for me to find flashlights and a lantern that always works.Then, all at once, the lights came back on and all I had to do was set all the digital clocks in the house. God is good!

When I stepped outside this morning, all was dark, because the moon is hiding and no stars were visible. But, already the sun is up and it will be a good day. We had a visitor in our yard the past day or so. A young, brown ibis was packing around in our driveway and the neighborhood. I saw him with a lizard in his mouth, so he is being well fed. At the Park, they catch small fish and then have a time swallowing them alive!

Daryl said they have spotted two roadkill armadillos in and around Cleveland, TN lately, so they must be going further north. There are lots of them back in the hammock area of the park, but hard to catch!

From the little book God's Promises:

God keeps a man secure when...
He makes a major job change.

For the Scripture says, "You shall not muzzle an ox while it treads out the grain," and, "The laborer is worthy of his wages."
1 Timothy 5:18

What profit has the worker from that in which he labors? I have seen the God-given task with which the sons of men are to be occupied. He has made everything beautiful in its time. Also He has put eternity in their hearts, except that no one can find out the work that God does from beginning to end.
I know that nothing is better for them than to rejoice, and to do good in their lives, and also that every man should eat and drink and enjoy the good of all his labor...it is the gift of God.
Ecclesiastes 3:9-13

Do not overwork to be rich:
Because of your own understanding, cease!
Will you set your eyes on that which is not?
For riches certainly make themselves wings;
They fly away like an eagle toward heaven.
Proverbs 23:4-5

I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,

Amaryllis

Friday, September 18, 2009

Discernment

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, I saw something dark lying across the sidewalk, and discovered it was a large branch that had fallen off the oak during the night. Glad I wasn't standing under it when it broke and fell! It was still dark, so I couldn't see it clearly until later.

We had our first adventure with Dart Careride yesterday as Louis had an appointment to get his toenails clipped. The medical building we were going to does not have good handicapped spaces and only two, so I thought it would be a good idea to have us just dropped off and escorted in. It was a good idea and was a help, but we had to wait for them to come and get us after the appointment. On the way home, we passed two beautiful roseate spoonbills in the ditch alongside 62nd Ave. I had seen them there before. For some reason they seem to like the ditch in that highly industrial area. But God's beauty is everywhere! God is good!

From the Promise Bible NLT:

When I am confused, where do I turn for clarity, wisdom, understanding, and direction?

1 Corinthians 2:12-16 God has actually given us his spirit (not the world's spirit) so we can know the wonderful things God has freely given us. When we tell you this, we do not use words of human wisdom. We speak words given to us by the Spirit, using the Spirit's words to explain spiritual truths. But people who aren't Christians can't understand these truths from God's Spirit. It all sounds foolish to them because only those who have the Spirit can understand what the Spirit means. We who have the Spirit understand these things, but others can't understand us at all. How could they? For , "Who can know what the Lord is thinking? Who can give him counsel?" But we can understand these things, for we have the mind of Christ.

Those who believe in Jesus Christ will find that God gives them a new perspective on life. We have the mind of Christ , coming primarily from God's word. It also comes through the Holy Spirit's guiding our thoughts and decisions.

I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!

Love and hugs,
Amaryllis

Thursday, September 17, 2009

God Freely Gives...

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! Puffy, fast moving clouds greeted me as I stepped outside this morning. The forecast is a call for rain, but I hope it is clear enough for us to get to the podiatrist's to get Louis's toenails clipped! They are approaching the "concealed weapons" stage!

As we were coming out of the Park yesterday I stopped and moved a little turtle out of the middle of the road. It had been there when we went in, and was still there, as we drove out, so I picked it up and put it in the grass. He may not have appreciated it, but I did not want it to get run over. When I went into the building Monday, I noticed that Mike has watercolor drawings of fish, birds and other wildlife framed and hung on the walls. He is very talented as a painter. When he retires, he will have a hobby, and as a career long study of birds, he can paint them very well. God is good!

God Freely Gives Peace in Troubled Times:

I will bless the Lord at all times;
His praise shall continually be in my mouth.
My soul shall make its boast in the Lord;
The humble shall hear of it and be glad.
Oh, magnify the Lord with me,
And let us exalt His name together.
I sought the Lord, and He heard me.
And delivered me from all my fears.
They looked to Him and were radiant,
And their faces were not ashamed.
This poor man cried out, and the Lord heard him.
And saved him out of all his troubles.
The angel of the Lord encamps all around those who fear Him.
And delivers them.
Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good;
Blessed is the man who trusts in Him!
Psalm 34:1-8

I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!

Love and hugs,
Amaryllis

Wednesday, September 16, 2009

Scriptures and Prayer

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 hope some of you were up early enough to see the glorious sunrise taking place right now! Earlier, the crescent moon was making beauty in the morning sky, and now it is painted with lots of pinks and peaches colors. God is Awesome!

Yesterday, I took advantage of the overcast sky and not too warm temps. to walk in the park. Since the sun was hidden, I thought it would be ok for my nose. I enjoyed walking out to the first covered shelter and saw two ibis, one dark and one white go zooming by on a straight line down the canal. I also watched the ripples in the water which turned out to be the giant turtle which has been hanging out there for ages. After I finished my walk, I sat on a memorial bench and read a book beside the canal. Mike came walking along (he has only two more weeks) asking if I had seen any gators. He had a large class and all the kids wanted to see a gator. I think they were probably disappointed. It was a good morning. God is good!

This is a scripture I read each morning for a number of people on my prayer list and also, a prayer that I pray for myself:

Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.
Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes.
For your struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers , against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world, and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore, put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. In addition to the armor, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.
Ephesians 6:10-13

Dear Heavenly Father:
We honor You as our Lord. We acknowledge that you are always present with us. You are the only all powerful and only wise God. You are kind and loving in all Your ways. We love you and we thanks you that we are united with Jesus and spiritually alive in Him.

We thank you for the life that we have in Christ, and we ask you to fill us with Your Holy Spirit that we may live our lives free from sin. You are the Vine and we are the branches, apart from You we can do nothing, We take our stand against Satan and command all his evil spirits to depart from us. We ask these thing in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Amen.

I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!

Love and hugs,
Amaryllis

Monday, September 14, 2009

Worry

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 earlier, the crescent moon was getting low in the eastern sky, getting ready to disappear for a while, and washboard clouds were about to cover it. For those who don't know what a washboard is, they are kind of ripply. All the mocking birds and squirrels are busy already and the driveway is getting covered with acorns once again, so fall is almost here.

The Park looks lush, overgrown and green with all the rain we have had. I did not see many water fowl around, and few people were there, but it was a beautiful morning and most of the afternoon. God is good!

From the Promise Bible NLT:

Who can help me when I grow weary?

Psalm 68:35 God is awesome in his sanctuary. The God of Israel gives power and strength to his people. Praise be to God!

Psalm 145:14 The Lord helps the fallen and lifts up those bent beneath their loads.

Isaiah 40:29-31 He gives power to those who are tired and worn out; he offers strength to the weak. Even youths will become exhausted, and youn men will give up. But those who wait on the Lord will find new strength. They will fly high on wings like eagles. they will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.

Jeremiah 31:25 I have given rest to the weary and joy in the sorrowing.

The Lord is the source of our rest and strength. When we come to him in praise, he refreshes our heart, mind, soul, and body. We release the burdens of life and draw strength from our Lord.

I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving , joy and love.

Love and hugs,
Amaryllis

Friday, September 11, 2009

The Temptation to Quit

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!

Once again, a pleasant breeze greeted me as I stepped outside in the darkness this morning. Fall is surely right around the corner, and although our weather stays warm into October, it seems to be just a few degrees cooler now. Good news!

The sun was very hot as I took Louis to a doc app't yesterday. Getting him out in the wheelchair takes a few minutes, and I was hurrying to get into the shade! We went to the park afterwards and saw Mrs. Peahen resting on the grass as we drove in and then the great blue heron once more on the banks of the canal. Not too many people there in the heat of the afternoon, but the children were not out of school yet. We have not had any rain for four days, but everything is still very green. God is good!

From Hymns For the Family of God:

The Temptation to Quit

The program of God through history is like a relay race. Let one runner drop out and the whole team loses. Let one runner lose the baton and the whole team is eliminated. Let one runner break the rules and the whole team is disqualified. The work of no runner counts until every runner does his share and the anchor man has hit the tape at the finish line.

The phrase "let us keep our eyes fixed on Jesus" is the day. The idea is clear. There are lots of distractions as we run. Bypaths beckon us; false goals attract us; competition discourages us; opposition causes us to falter. Jesus, however, a tried and trusted leader who blazed the trail of faith by His own obedience and perseverance and who finished the course in a burst of glory is both our guide and our goal. We look away from everything else to Him, if we want to run well.

David Hubbard

I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, love and joy!

Love and hugs,

Amaryllis

Thursday, September 10, 2009

With attitude

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, once again it looks like a rain free day! The moon is getting smaller, although still bright, and the stars were all in place which is comforting, so all is well for right now. God is good!

I went for my radiation treatment yesterday, (the nose is quite pink now with a pronounced dimple in it.) I like dimples, but not on the top of my nose! Anyway, one of the employees owns a Smart Car, which is painted with zebra stripes. It is really cute! As I walked to the van with a cup of Calm tea in one hand and a snack bar in the other, I glimpsed a white head in front of the car. I walked to the front and peered around and it was a white ibis, just wandering around looking things over! Very cute! I drove through the park on the way home, and saw a few people enjoying the outdoors, but no gopher tortoises or gators. They have been scarce lately. But God is good!

From the book Quiet Moments with God for Teachers:

Whatever you do, do it all to the glory of God. 1 Corinthians 10:31

"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. ...By helping others with their profits, Ben and Jerry put more meaning into their ice cream business.

The Scriptures reach that all service ranks the same with God, because it is 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 as 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

Wednesday, September 9, 2009

Doubt

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 three quarter moon was shining very brightly overhead, but could not dim the radiance of the stars which were very visible all over! Venus was bright in the east and myriads of stars were all overhead. A gorgeous sight! It is the first time in a very long while that the sky has been clean enough to see all the beauty of God's Creation! Glorious!

We have not been out much in the past several days, but I did get to the park and saw the debris on the weir from the last rain. The great blue heron was standing guard over the water, waiting for lunch...ever on the alert. I also spotted an osprey on a line over Turner's creek right beside busy Gateway Mall. They have to adjust to their surroundings nowadays.But God is good!

From the Promise Bible NLT:

How can I really believe that God cares about me?

Luke 12:6-7 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.

Psalm 139:13-17 You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body and knit me together in my mother's womb. Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex! Your workmanship is marvelous---and how well I know it. You watched me as I was being formed in utter seclusion, as I was woven tegether in the dark of the womb. You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in your book. Every momeht was laid out before a single day had passed. How precious are your thoughts about me, O God! They are innumerable!

We think too little of our worth. The Bible assures us time and time again that we are God's precious children, the treasure of his eye. God is not so important that he doesn't care about us. He is too great not to care!

I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!

Love and hugs,
Amaryllis

Friday, September 4, 2009

Be a blessing

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, I finally saw the full moon! There it was in the west sitting low and trying to brightly shine through the fast- moving clouds! I knew it was full because I had a very difficult time sleeping last night. I finally got up at 3:30am and read a while before returning to bed.

I saw the most beautiful sight yesterday on the way home from running errands...A roseate spoonbill was flying across Lynch Lake right near us. Oh, the beauty of the pink widespread wings! There's something about pink, right, Cheryl? God is good!

And now, may the God of peace, who brought you again from the dead, our Lord Jesus, equip you with all you need for doing his will. May he produce in you, through the power of Jesus Christ, all that is pleasing to him . Jesus is the great Shepherd of the sheep by an everlasting covenant, signed with his blood. to him be glory forever and ever. Amen
Hebrews 13:20,21 NLT

I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!

Love and hugs,
Amaryllis

Thursday, September 3, 2009

Stress and Serenity

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, I could see a couple of stars, but still no moon and it will be full tomorrow. Where is the moon? I know, high in the sky, but I wish I could see it! Now, it is bright daylight and maybe no rain today. Yesterday morning it rained, cleared off enough for me to go for radiation treatment, and then poured down right at supper time. But God is always good!

The park is overgrown, but the walking spots are kept mowed, so it looks lush and green. The usual anhinga and white egrets were fishing hopefully and on the way in, we saw a peacock standing on the edge of a bird bath. He must have been thirsty!

From the book Quiet Moments with God for Teachers:

After He had sent the crowd away, He went up on the mountain by himself to pray,
and when it was evening He was there alone.
Matthew 14:21 NASB

Stress
has become a buzzword for Americans, especially in the last decade. At some point in our lives, we are all overcome with hectic schedules and perfectionistic tendencies.

In his article, "Confessions of a Workaholic," psychiatrist Paul Meier wrote, "Having grown up with an overdose of the Protestant work ethic, I was an honor student who was somewhat overzealous..I was a first-class workaholic and I was proud of myself for being one. I thought that was what God wanted of me."

But later through the help of friends, the conviction of the Holy Spirit, and biblical teaching, Dr. Meier established new priorities. At the top of his list was:" Know God personally."

He observed, "I've learned to accept living in an imperfect world. Every need is not a call for my involvement. I have learned to trust God instead of myself to rescue the world. He can do a much better job of it anyway."

Jesus, too, must have been exhausted by demands placed upon Him. When He departed to pray in quiet solitude, He left a significant example for us to follow--daily.

Ask the Father to help you make quietness a priority so that, regardless of the time of day, you can go to the garden alone and hear his voice.

Do not look forward to what may
happen tomorrow: the same everlasting
Father, who cares for you today
will take care of you tomorrow, and every day
either He will shield you from suffering
or he will give you unfailing strength
to bear it.
Saint Francis of Sales

I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!

Love and hugs,
Amaryllis

Wednesday, September 2, 2009

What's the Problem?

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, no stars this morning when I stepped outside. We are supposed to have rain again today, and while the sky has lightened up, it is still overcast. Yesterday we did not leave the house all day, because of rain, but the cleaning ladies came and did a good job all around us. I am blessed that they live just across the street and know us. Usually we leave when they come so they don't have to work around us, but getting Louis in and out of the van gets us both wet!

Our grass is growing and so are the shrubs, from all the rain. I noticed mockingbirds flying in and out of the podacarpus bushes, so either they have a nest or they like the berries. The beauty berry bush is flourishing this year with absolutely no attention. It is a good plant for Florida! God is good!

From the book Quiet Moments with God for Teachers:

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Phil. 4:13 NKJV

Ever had a difficulty that give you "2:00 Am wake up calls?" It could be a project at school, a committee you've suddenly ended up chairing, or simply trying to figure out how to get everything done with only two hands. Whatever the issue, it ruins your sleep and saps your energy for the upcoming day.

You start thinking , I'm uncomfortable, I'm anxious, I can't do this. I should never have started to try. I'm not creative. I was never creative in school. I'm a complete failure. I'm going to be fired, and that means my spouse will leave me and --in other words you start enjoying a real, good, old-fashioned panic attack.

Problems can feel ten times larger in the middle of the night. But in reality--and by daylight--solutions might not be as distant as they seem.

Inventor Charles Kettering had a unique problem solving method. He would divide each problem into the smallest possible pieces, then research the pieces to determine which ones had already been solved. He often found that what looked like a huge problem was already 98 percent solved by others. Then he tackled what was left.

In bite-sized pieces, problems become more manageable. Remember, that with God, all things are possible. He can give us peace in our darkest nights and bring wisdom with the morning.

Obstacles in the pathway of the weak become stepping stones in the pathway of the strong,
Thomas Carlyle

I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!

Love and hugs,
Amaryllis

Tuesday, September 1, 2009

Misplaced Expectations

Good morning, Dear Friends and Prayer Partners! This is the first day of September and the day that the Lord has made and we will rejoice and be glad in it! When I stepped outside this morning, there seemed to be a hint of fall in the air. It was just a little cooler and i see acorns falling all over already. Venus was dim in the east but I saw another star in the south. God is good!

My first radiation on my nose went well yesterday, and was easier than I had thought. I rewarded myself with one of their Dove chocolates on the way out . On the way home, I saw beauty on busy 62nd Ave. In the ditch by the road were two roseate spoonbills... beautiful spots of pink in a highly industrial area! God is everywhere!

The park had lots of people enjoying the cooler weather. I did not see the gopher tortoise, but saw the usual anhinga drying the wings and the great white heron fishing. Always movement and life all around.

From the book Quiet Moments with God for Teachers:

Give thanks in all circumstances for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.
1 Thess. 5:18

Most of us at some time indulge in the endless chase for perfection in our lives: perfect home, perfect job, no conflicts. And most of us discover quickly the futility of such expectations.

Every year Dear Abby prints a familiar story written by Emily Kingsley called, "Welcome to Holland". Emily, a writer, lecturer, and talented mother of an adult child with Down syndrome, knows about expectations. Others have asked her what it is like raising a child with disabilities. In her story, Emily uses a metaphor. She compares the expectations of a child's birth to planning a vacation trip to Italy. She mentions the joy of deciding on tourist spots to visit and the anticipation of all the sights you would see upon your arrival.

She then describes the scenario upon landing in your vacation spot. Surely a mistake has been made, because the stewardess on your plane welcomes you not to Italy, but to Holland. You argue, but nothing changes . You are in Holland, and there you will stay.

Anyone who has ever been to Holland knows that tulips, windmills, and Rembrandts make Holland a beautiful place. Emily points out that it's just not what you expected. You planned on going to Italy.

In her poignant illustration, Kingsley challenges the reader to focus not on unmet expectations (Italy), but on the beauty of where you are (Holland).

When life doesn't turn out perfectly---the way we planned--we have a choice. Whether it's as minor as a holiday gone awry or as major as a prince charming that turned into an ugly frog, God wants us to celebrate that "very special, very lovely thing" about our circumstances.

Nothing with God can be accidental.
Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!

Love and hugs,
Amaryllis