Tuesday, November 30, 2010

Haggai 1

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! It seems like everything is quiet and just waiting for the wind and rain that's coming. The wind is just now starting to pick up and blow and should bring some much needed rain. It has been storming and rainy in Tenn. for a couple days, getting ready to come visit us. Maybe I won't have to water the staghorn if God does it, instead.

I did a little Christmas shopping yesterday and stopped at Chic-Filet for a sandwich to take home... now I have to find the energy to finish decorating the house. Just think, tomorrow will be December! Not that many days until we celebrate Christ's birth!

I stopped at the Park for awhile and saw a couple turtles and a lot of people hanging over the bridge rail looking down in the water. Something about the water is fascinating , even if you just watch the fish swimming around. God is good!

This is a good message for this time of the year, borrowed from an email sent me in 2003;

Haggai 1:5-11

Now this is what the Lord Almighty says: "Give careful thought to your ways. You have planted much, but have harvested little. You eat, but never have enough. You drink, but never have your fill. You put on clothes, but are not warm. You earn wages, only to put them in a purse with holes in it." This is what the Lord Almighty says: "Give careful thought to your ways. Go up into the mountains and bring down timber and build the house, so that I may take pleasure in it and be honored," says the Lord. "You expected much, but see, it turned out to be little. What you brought home, I blew away. Why?" declares the Lord Almighty. "Because of my house, which remains a ruin, while each of you is busy with his own house. Therefore, because of you the heavens have withheld their dew and the earth its crops. I called for a drought on the fields and the mountains, on the grain, the new wine, the oil and whatever the ground produces, on men and cattle, and on the labor of your hands."

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

Love and hugs,
Amaryllis

Monday, November 29, 2010

Prayer Pause

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! It's hard to believe that colder weather is coming this week, when today is supposed to be near the eighties again! But that's Ok, puts us in the Christmas mood!

Yesterday, I went to the Park after church and saw the usual big and little turtles sunning on the bank of the weir and on the other side, the fat gator was sunning. Someone was standing near him taking pictures, inside the stay out sign. Some people just don't care about their own safety...

Also, it looks like the woodstorks have decided to make the Lynch Lake their winter home. They are there every day, along with the ibis and the ducks. But I like it when once in a while the roseate spoonbill is present with them. I like pink! God is good!

From the Quiet Moments with God devotional book;
Uphold me according to your promise that I may live. Psalm 119:116 AMP

A coffee break is a good time for Prayer!


When we pray at the outset of our day, our prayer is often for general guidance and help from the Lord. When we pray in the midst of our day, our prayer is much more likely to be specific and aimed at immediate needs and concerns. By the time a coffee break rolls around, we have a much better idea of what our day holds, including what particular dangers, difficulties, or temptations we are going to face! It is with that knowledge, born of experience, that this prayer of Saint Patrick takes on even greater meaning:

May the wisdom of God instruct me,
the eye of God watch over me,
the ear of God hear me,
the word of God give me sweet talk,
the hand of God defend me,
the way of God guide me.

Christ be with me.
Christ before me.
Christ in me.
Christ under me.
Christ over me.
Christ on my right hand.
Christ on my left hand.
Christ on this side.
Christ on that side.
Christ in the head of everyone to whom I speak.
Christ in the mouth of everyone who speaks to me.
Christ in the eye of every person who looks upon me.
Christ in the ear of everyone who hears me today,
Amen

Take time in the middle of your day to ask the Lord for His wrap-around presence, His unending encouragement, and His all-sustaining assistance. And in return, be a vessel that carries His presence, encouragement, and assistance to others.

Do not look upon the vessel, but
upon what it holds.
Hebrew Proverb

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

Love and hugs,
Amaryllis

Friday, November 26, 2010

Psoaring thru Psalm 100

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 your all had a good time with family and friends and lots of eating, talking and laughter. It is such a wonderful time to be together with people who live some distance away and don't get together that often.

The weather was perfect yesterday, but overcast today and hopefully, we will have rain sometime soon. Brian and I had a great trip up to Dunnellon on the Suncoast Parkway. Very little traffic and a great highway through open fields, seeing cows and horses and country!! Rare around Pinellas County. On the way home God gave us a beautiful sunset. It was so spectacular, I took some photos through the windshield...don't know if they will turn out, but I hope so. The setting sun was reflecting off the clouds which were in a straight line across the horizon..lovely pinks. We were able to see it almost half the way home before darkness crept in. God is good!

From the Promise Bible NLT:

Shout with joy to the Lord, O earth!
Worship the Lord with gladness.
Come before him, singing with joy.
Acknowledge that the Lord is God!
He made us and we are his.
We are his people..the sheep of his
pasture.

Enter his gates with thanksgiving;
go into his courts with praise.
Give thanks to him and bless his name.
For the Lord is good.
His unfailing love continues forever
and his faithfulness continues to each
generation.

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

Love and hugs,
Amaryllis

Wednesday, November 24, 2010

Your Shining Light

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! On this day before Thanksgiving, when everyone is busy preparing for the meal tomorrow, or maybe not, I give thanks for God's provision and family and friends. God is good!

From the devotional book Knowing God:

It is God's will that your good lives should silence those who make foolish accusations against you. You are not slaves; you are free. But your freedom is not an excuse to do evil. You are free to live as God's slaves.
1 Peter 2:15-16 NLT

All of us are examples-examples that should be emulated...or not. Hopefully, the lives we lead and the choices we make will serve as enduring examples of the spiritual abundance that is available to all who worship God and obey His commandments.

Ask yourself this question: Are you the kind of role model that you would want to emulate? If so, congratulations. But if certain aspects of your behavior could stand improvement, the best day to begin your self-improvement regimen is this one. Because whether you realize it or not, people you love are watching your behavior, and they're learning how to live. You owe it to them-and to yourself-to live righteously and well.

Great Thoughts
In our faith we follow someone's steps. In our faith we leave footprints to guide others. It's the principle of discipleship.
Max Lucado

Today's Prayer-
Dear Lord, help me be a worthy example to my friends and to my family. Let the things that I say and the things that I do show everyone what it means to be a follower of Your Son, Amen

And now I'm off to make Waldorf salad, and banana pudding for tomorrow in Dunnellon with family. Oh, I also have a follow-up with my radiology doctor, this morning. What was I thinking?? Making it today was not a good idea.

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

Love and hugs,
Amaryllis

Happy Thanksgiving to all!

Tuesday, November 23, 2010

End-Of-Work 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! The sun is highlighting the hedge outside my window in streaks of brightness, as it rises higher and higher. Very much like spotlights.

Last night as I left the Faith Group meeting I looked up to see the full moon shining in and out of the clouds and immediately thought of the poem I learned in school..."the moon was a ghostly galleon riding on cloudy seas" from the Highwayman. That's about all I remember of that.

I forgot to mention that I saw a juvenile gator, (one of the babies) at the first shelter, but the shape of the head looked like a caiman. I know Mike showed me one once that he was carrying, (he's the retired naturalist) but I didn't know they inhabited the canal.

And as I drove around Lynch Lake I was amused to see six woodstorks all in a row, and one lying down on the grass. They looked very somber and glum. I don't know why the woodstorks never seem happy..guess it's not their nature. But God is good!

From the devotional book Quiet Moments with God

In all your ways acknowledge him. Proverbs 3:6 NJKV

Many people are quick to pray before a meal, before they begin a new project, before they attempt something for the first time, or before embarking on a long journey. They desire to start on the right foot, asking for God's help, protection, creativity, and blessing; but what about prayer at the end of a work day, journey, or task?

Such a prayer is like a second bookend on a shelf of freestanding books,--it brackets our work and brings us to full recognition that we have received from the Lord the very things we requested. Rather than being a prayer of petition, such a prayer is an expression of praise and thanksgiving.

Simeon had lived his entire life waiting to see the Messiah-a promise the Lord had made to him. (Luke 2:26 KJV). Upon seeing the infant Jesus in the Temple, Simeon took Him in his arms, blessed God, and said, "Lord, now You are letting Your servant depart in peace, according to Your word, for my eyes have seen Your salvation". (Luke 2:29-30 NKJV). Simeon recognized that God had been faithful to His Word, and his heart was encouraged and filled with joy.

Simeon is a wonderful example of how we need to begin and end the events of our lives with prayer. When we reach the end of a day, haggard and weary, we can remember Simeon's prayer, "Lord, let Your servant depart in peace, according to your Word."

Knowing God was with us today and He will be with us tomorrow, we can move on to the evening hours with freedom and a sense of satisfaction.

Let a man go away or
come back. God never
leaves. He is always at hand and
if he cannot get into your
life, still he is never farther away
than the door.
Meister Eckhart

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

Love and hugs,
Amaryllis

Monday, November 22, 2010

Colossians

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! What a beautiful day again! Sun shining, a little cool, but really warming up to the eighties today, I guess. Since the moon was full Sat, night, as usual, I had a difficult time sleeping, I am a "loonie" when it comes to full moons. I was up and down from about three until I finally got up for good at six. Gives me plenty of time to get ready for church.

I went for a walk Saturday afternoon in the park along the sidewalk and enjoyed the serenity and peacefulness of the river. There was one lone ibis high in a tree and ripples in the water, but no critters were visible., except on the way in. The fat gator was sunning and the usual turtles were lined up on the weir. They seem to like to stay in bunches.

But this morning, I arrived at the Park at a little after seven, and saw my friend, David C. just getting ready to leave, so he got out of his truck and came to chat briefly.He gave me the gnarly, twisted walking stick I am using. I enjoyed the solitary walk and was pleased to see several families of moorhens, busily pecking at the water lilies and other greens that grow in the water. God is good!

From the Promise Bible NLT:

Colossians 1:5
So we have continued praying for you ever since we first heard about you. We ask God to give you a complete understanding of what he wants to do in your lives , and we ask him to make you wise with spiritual wisdom. Then the way you live will always honor and please the Lord, and you will continually do good, kind things for others. All the while, you will learn to know God better and better.

We also pray that you will be strengthened with his glorious power st that you will have all the patience and endurance you need. May you be filled with joy, always thanking the Father, who has enabled you to share the inheritance that belongs to God's holy people, who live in the light. For he has rescued us from the one who rules in the kingdom of darkness, and he has brought us into the Kingdom of his dear Son. God has purchased our freedom with his blood and has forgiven all our sins.

3:23
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."

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

Love and hugs,
Amaryllis

Friday, November 19, 2010

The Right Kind of fellowship

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! It's cooler this morning than we are used to, but brilliant sun and no clouds make for a gorgeous day!

David C. was right when he finished blowing off the acorns yesterday. He said all was clean for about five minutes and by afternoon, it would not look like he was there. The acorns are still falling and the trees must still be full. Oh, well, until the car crushes them it doesn't look too bad.

Yesterday I drove by Lynch Lake which had just been mowed and so many water fowl were enjoying the easy access to bugs and grubs! A flock of ibis at one end, the woodstorks with the ducks near the only shade, and best of all, the roseate spoonbill was there!

Over at the park, only a couple turtles were sunning and the plump gator was half out of the lake and sunning. A great, blue heron was all twisted up preening his feathers and all was well. God is good!

From the little devotional book Knowing God:

So reach out and weldome one another to God's glory. Jesus did it; now you do it!
Romans 15:7 MSG

If you genuinely want to build a closer relationship with God, you need to build closer relationships with godly people. That's why fellowship with like-minded believers should be an integral part of your life. Your association with fellow Christians should be uplifting, enlightening, encouraging and (above all) consistent.

Are your friends the kind of people who encourage you to seek God's will and to obey God's Word? If so, you've chosen your friends wisely. And that's a good thing because when you choose friends who honor God, you'll find it easier to honor Him,too.

Great Thoughts :
One of the ways God refills us after failure is through the blessing of Christian fellowship. Just experiencing the joy of simple activities shared with other children of God can have a healing effect on us.
-Anne Graham Lotz-

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

Love and hugs,
Amaryllis

Thursday, November 18, 2010

Ripple Effect

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, this morning was a gutter cleaning ,Blowing off acorns and hibiscus planting day, so my friend and yard worker, just left and for about five minutes the driveway and porch are clear of all acorns. But as I was standing just outside the garage, one fell and bonked me on the head. Dangerous acorns!

I saw a tiny yellow-breasted sparrow, or maybe wild canary, in the tree yesterday. Looks like all the northern birds are migrating already. I haven't seen a robin yet, though. I saw two ospreys in their nest atop a light pole in a parking lot yesterday and the gator at the park was on the bank of the lake catching some sun. A couple of turtles were sunning, also. God is good!

From the devotional book, Quiet Moments with God:

The Ripple Effect
The mustard seed indeed is the least of all seeds, but when it is grown, it is the greatest among herbs, and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and lodge in the branches thereof. Matthew13:32 KJV

Not everyone who commits his or her life to Jesus Christ will be called to be world famous. The majority of us are called to fulfill less noticeable roles in our churches, schools, communities, and families. Yet only God may know how significant our roles are to the future of thousands--even millions.

A century and a half ago a humble minister lived and died in a small village in Leicestershire, England. He lived there his entire life and never traveled far from home. He never attended college, had no formal degrees, but was a faithful village minister.

In his congregation was a young cobbler to whom he gave special attention, teaching him the Word of God. This young man was William Carey, later hailed as one of the greatest missionaries of modern times.

The village minister also had a son-a boy whom he taught faithfully and constantly encouraged. The boy's character and talents were profoundly impacted by his father's life. That son grew up to be a man many considered the mightiest public orator of his day; Robert Hall.

It seems the village pastor accomplished little in his life as a preacher. There were no spectacular revivals, great miracles, or major church growth. But his faithful witness and Godly life had much to do with giving India its Carey and England its Robert Hall.

When you think you are having no impact in the world, remember the little country preacher who influenced two nations for the Lord.

If you want your neighbor to see what Christ will do for him,
let him see what Christ has done for you.
Henry Ward Beecher.

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

Love and hugs,
Amaryllis

Wednesday, November 17, 2010

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! Well ,God answers prayers in His time! Last night we got a short, but welcome shower! Yea! I'm sure all the flowers, and grass were clapping their leaves and rejoicing at the watering! Life is good!

I heard meteorologist, Paul Dellegatto say that this is the year of the acorns, and that usually means an exceptionally cold winter. Well, according to my yard, which is carpeted with acorns, we had better stock up on wood, and make sure the furnace works! I have thousands of acorns everywhere! Of course, the wet ones on the porch are really hard to sweep off, but I will do my best, And every time I back the van out, all the acorns on the driveway get crunched. God has provided bountifully for the squirrels!

I saw lots of squirrels yesterday in the park, but no turtles sunning on the bank. There were not even ibis stalking around for some reason, but vultures circling around lazily, riding the thermals, and looking for lunch. God is good!

From Quiet Moments with God:

Wall street legend Bernard Baruch emphasized the need for preparation stating, "Whatever failures I have known, whatever errors I have committed, whatever follies I have witnessed in private and public life have been the consequences 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, rmembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!

Love and hugs,
Amaryllis

Tuesday, November 16, 2010

Roamin' thru Romans

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 late this morning, but not because I slept later. Phone calls and other things took time away from my devotional time

I hope some of you were outside to see the moon and Jupiter, I think, last night. What a beautiful sight! They were very close and the sky was clear, so the beauty was there for all to see. Looks like some rain is coming our way tonight or tomorrow. Thank you, Jesus! The wind is blowing and the humidity is definitely higher, so my bones are aching. Perhaps this wind will blow the last of the acorns off the trees. I can only hope.

Yesterday, I heard Christmas music while shopping in Sweetbay... not only popular songs, but real carols. Even though it is not Thanksgiving yet, still it was nice to hear the Christmas carols. Of course, not to preach, but every day should be thanksgiving!

Well, the woodstorks were at Lynch Lake again, even sitting with the ducks that are always there. I saw one woodstork lying on the ground, resting, First time I had seen one on the ground, but I guess they nest on the ground, just not out in the open!.

There were the usual turtles on the bank of the weir yesterday, but the gator was not in sight. A great blue heron was all twisted up, preening the feathers. It was a funny sight! God is good!

Romans 4:4 NLT:

When people work, their wages are not a gift. Workers earn what they receive. But people are declared righteous because of their faith, not because of their work.

King David spoke of this, describing the happiness of an undeserving sinner who is declared to be righteous.

"Oh, what joy for those whose disobedience is forgiven,
whose sins are put out of sight.
"Yes, what joy for those whose sin is no longer counted against them by the Lord."

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

Love and hugs,
Amaryllis

Monday, November 15, 2010

Teaching About Money and Possessions

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! We have been having a long run of beautiful weather, but once again, we pray God will bless us with rain. He knows our needs and He will provide in his time.

I thought the acorns had just about finished falling, but I still hear the clunk as they hit the front porch gutter on the way down, and the driveway is covered with crushed and uncrushed acorns. I suggested to David C. that he come and clean out the gutter and blow off the driveway. I have a blower he gave me, but it is electric and the extension cord is so heavy, I don't use it. But, meantime, they keep falling.

I noticed over the weekend that a lot of woodstorks are here now. I saw at least six sitting around Lynch Lake, and yesterday, on my way to church, I saw my favorite, the roseate spoonbill, a bit of pink beauty among the white and black of the woodstorks and a lot of ducks. Also, I saw the gator back in his usual spot, sunning on the bank at the park. More turtles were on the bank of the weir enjoying the warm sun. I also see more little sparrows hopping around in the front yard, escaping the cold north. God is good!

From the Promise Bible NLT:
Luke 12:26

Then turning to his disciples, Jesus said, So I tell you, don't worry about everyday life--whether you have enough food to eat or clothes to wear. For life consists of far more than food or clothing. Look at the ravens. They don't need to plant or harvest or put good in barns because God feeds them. And you are far more valuable to him than any birds? Can all your worries add a single moment to your life? Of course not! And if worry can't do little things like that, what's the use of worrying over bigger things?
Look at the lilies and how they grow! They don't work or make their clothing, yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are. And if God cares so wonderfully for flowers that are here today and gone tomorrow, won't he more surely care for you? You have so little faith! And don't worry about food--what to eat and drink. Don't worry whether God will provide it for you. These things dominate the thoughts of most people, but your Father already knows your needs. He will give you all you need from day to day if you make the Kingdom of God your primary concern.

So don't be afraid, little flock. For it gives your Father great happiness to give you the Kingdom.

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

Love and hugs,
Amaryllis

Friday, November 12, 2010

My Morning 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! A few puffy, white clouds drifting along this morning , but mostly blue skies and sunshine. What a glorious day! It has warmed up so, that the sun is back to our usual sunburn level, but we still need rain, please, Lord.

Yesterday was a busy day for me. I drove the van to one close by touch-free car wash, and couldn't get it to take cash or credit, so left it and drove five miles to another one where it was friendly and got the van washed right away. The humidity was so low, that by the time I got to Bay Pines cemetery, the car was dry.

I didn't go for the morning ceremony honoring and remembering our fallen and still active heroes. I went in the early afternoon. Lots of people were there in the newer sections and I am sure lots of stories about the people being remembered. One young woman was on the ground in front of the headstone belonging to her loved one, and placing her hand on the name, and obviously, grieving. I wondered what her story was and whether it was husband or just who she was remembering. The sun was hot and while I had my umbrella for shade, she was in the bright sun....then six motorcycles came noisily riding in,,parked in a row and walked over to a grave. They all had West Coast Bikers on their vests. They were respectful, but talking, so I decided it was time to leave. As I said many stories...

I went to the Park, and had to wait for two care ride vans to load up with several wheelchair riders. For some reason they parked right on the curve, making it hard to get by. But that didn't disturb the great blue egret fishing in the canal or the ibis trying to hide in a tree. Could have done it if he hadn't been so white! God is good!

I have posted this prayer before, but I still pray it every morning, and it seems to cover a lot; Have a Jesus filled weekend everybody!

My Morning Prayer

"Oh, God, for another day, for another morning,
for another hour for another minute, for another
chance to live and serve Thee, I am truly grateful."
Do thou this day free me
from all fear of the future.
from all bitterness toward anyone.
from all cowardice in face of danger
from all laziness in face of work,
from all failure before opportunity
from all weakness when Thy power is at hand.

But fill me
with Love that knows no barrier
with Sympathy that reaches all
with Courage that cannot be shaken
with Faith strong enough for darkness.
With Strength sufficient for my tasks
with Loyalty to Thy Kingdom Goal,
with Power to lift me to Thee.

Be Thou with me for another day and use
me as Thou wilt for Christ's sake , I pray.
Amen

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

Love and hugs, Amaryllis

Thursday, November 11, 2010

God Can Handle It

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 saw the sunset last night. Once again the line of clouds in the east were colored with pinks from the sunset in the west. They were gorgeous! This is another cool morning, but if it warms up again like yesterday, it will be hot!

There will be lots of celebrations today to honor our servicemen and women who are protecting their country in various ways. It is not easy being away from home and family and I thank them for sacrifices, and those who have paid the ultimate sacrifice! I remembered to put my flag out this morning, early. I hope many on the street will do the same.

While I was praying this morning and writing names down, I noticed a wild swinging of the branches in the oak tree in the backyard. and sure enough, the squirrels were playing. Back and forth, and hopping from the branch to the roof of the old shed and back. They know how to have fun, but they also work for food most of the day, and use lots of energy zipping across the street and circling round and round the tree trunks. The squirrels at the park are fat from people feeding them, When they see a parked car in the circle, they sit and beg, trying to look pitiful, while all around they are surrounded by acorns and other goodies.

The turtles were all gathered on the bank of the weir again yesterday. All sizes crowded together, and one larger loner away from the crowd. God is good!

From the little devotional book, Knowing God:

So, you see, it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that there is a God and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him.
Hebrews 11:6 NLT

Every life-including yours-is a series of wins and losses. Every step of the way, through every triumph and tragedy, God walks with you, ready and willing to strengthen you. So the next time you find your courage tested to the limit, remember to take your fears to God. If you call upon Him, you will be comforted. Whatever your challenge, whatever your trouble, God can handle it.

When you place your faith, your trust, indeed your life in the hands of your Heavenly Father, you'll be amazed at the marvelous things He can do with you and through you. So strengthen your faith through praise, through worship, through Bible study, and through prayer, And trust God's plans .With Him, all things are possible, and He stands ready to open a world of possibilities to you,,,if you have faith.

Great Thoughts
Faith is always tested for three reasons to prove whether our faith is real; to help our faith grow, and to bring glory to the Lord.
Warren Wiersbe

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

Love and hugs,
Amaryllis

Wednesday, November 10, 2010

Verses from Ecclesiastes

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 almost used to the bright sun shining in the windows so early now, and the darkness coming early, also. And My internal clock is now on EST, so I am sleeping better. Sure wish the time would stay the same year round. Sigh!

Well, the sparrows have arrived from the North. Yesterday, as I was sweeping off the porch, and, I am happy to say, most of the acorns have fallen, yay! I saw the tiny brown creatures hopping about on the ground and then flitting off to the trees. They are such busy little birds!

When I went to the Park, over a dozen turtles of all sizes were sunning on the bank of the weir. Maybe the temp. of the water has dropped a degree or two to cause them to climb out. I thought they were cold-blooded like the gators, but maybe not. I'll have to check them out in the little golden book Daryl has had since he was old enough to read. I know there is always the internet, but this little book has a lot of info, too. Everything else seemed to be very quiet. Lots of children in the park, I think maybe from a home-schooling group. It is a good place to get an education on nature and God's creations. God is good!

From the Promise Bible NLT:

Ecc:4:9 Two people can accomplish more than twice as much as one; they get a better return for their labor. If one person falls, the other can reach out and help, But people who are alone when they fall are in real trouble. And on a cold night, two under the same blanket can gain warmth from each other. But how can one be warm alone? A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back to back and conquer. Three are even better., for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken....

5:19 And it is a good thing to receive wealth from God and the good health to enjoy it.So enjoy your work and accept your lot in life-that is indeed a gift from God. People who do this, rarely look with sorrow on the past, for God has given them reasons for joy.

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

Love and hugs,
Amaryllis

Tuesday, November 9, 2010

Trust God's Wisdom

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 can't believe it is almost ten already! Where did the morning go? I had the Roachbuster man in already and we chatted about our respective trips to TN and NC recently. He makes enough income as an independent business man to have a house in Hiawassee near Murphy, NC. He must have been up there at the same time as I. He has been spraying my house for many years. once a month.

This weather is still a little chilly for me, but really beautiful. As I went to the Park yesterday, I saw a bunch of turtles drying out on the weir. Big and little snappers, but the gator was not visible on the other side. Not many people were in the park, but it was a school day and , although there was a crowd gathered on the bridge, they must have been locals, because the car tags were all Florida. They were all looking at the anhinga who was posing on the stump with outstretched wings.

The beauty berry bushes that were planted in the middle of the circle, are heavy with berries, as is mine in my backyard. The bushes were planted there to eliminate mowing, when all the budget cuts were made. Sigh. Lots of changes, but God is good!

From the little devotional book Knowing God:
"understanding is like a fountain which gives life to those who use it." Proverbs 16:22 NCV

The world has its own brand of wisdom, a brand of wisdom that is often wrong and sometimes dangerous. God, on the other hand, has a different brand of wisdom, a wisdom that will lead you closer to Him.

Where will you place your trust today? Will you trust in the wisdom of fallible men and women, or will you place your faith in God's perfect wisdom? The answer to this question will determine the direction of your day and the quality of your decisions. Are you tired? Discouraged? Fearful? Be comforted and trust God. Are you worried or anxious? Be confident in God's power. Are you confused? Listen to the quiet voice of your Heavenly Father.He is not a God of confusion. Talk with Him, listen to Him, trust Him. His wisdom, unlike the "wisdom" of the world will never let you down.

Great Thoughts

God does not give His counsel to the curious or the careless. He reveals His will to the concerned and to the consecrated.
-Warren Wiersbe

-Prayer for today-

Dear Lord, You are my Teacher. Help me to learn from You. and then, let me show others what it means to be a kind, generous, loving Christian. Amen.

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

Love and hugs,
Amaryllis

Monday, November 8, 2010

The Future Glory

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! It is a beautiful sunshiny , but chilly day. It is supposed to be gradually warming up all this week, so just as well I didn't put my new flannel sheets on the bed!

Something about this change in time takes me a long time to get used to. I cannot sleep well for a few days afterwards. Seems like with the extra hour sleep, I would be doing well, but maybe it's just me. Oh, well, I should be ready to catch a nap this afternoon.

I went to the Park yesterday, and my, was it crowded! The sunshine brought many turtles out of the water to dry out on the banks of the weir, and across the street, the chubby middle-sized gator was sunning. Then, as I rounded the circle corner, there was the old, big gopher tortoise. Now I grew up in this city and we always had gophers around the vacant lot we lived next to, so they were not a big deal to us, but for people new to this area, they are something novel. Many people get up close and take pictures of these strange looking creatures.

Also, as I was coming back from an errand, I saw an osprey on one line, and what I think was a kingfisher on another line. I looked in my Peterson bird guide, but can't quite identify for sure just what the bird is. I thought perhaps a shrike, but it looks more like the kingfisher. Maybe I should study up more on my birds! But, God is good!

From the Promise Bible NLT:

Romans 8:18 Yet what we suffer now is nothing compared to the glory he will give us later. For all creation is waiting eagerly for that future day when God will reveal who his children really are. Against its will, everything on earth was subjected to God's curse. All creation anticipates the day when it will join God's children in glorious freedom from death and decay. For we know that all creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. And even we Christians, although we have the Holy Spirit within us as a foretaste of future glory, also groan to be released from pain and suffering. We, too, wait anxiously for that day when God will give us our full rights as his children, including the new bodies he has promised us. Now that we are saved, we eagerly look forward to this freedom. For if you already have something, you don't need to hope for it. But if we look forward to something we don't have yet , we must wait patiently and confidently. And the Holy Spirit helps us in our distress. For we don't even know what we should pray for, nor how we should pray. But the Holy Spirit prays for us with groanings that cannot be expressed in words. And the Father who knows all hearts knows what the Spirit is saying, for the Spirit pleads for us believers in harmony with God's own will. And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.

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

Love and hugs,
Amaryllis

Friday, November 5, 2010

Psoaaring through Psalm 20

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, November weather is finally here! The weather is in the sixties this morning and tomorrow is supposed to be really cold...well, not snow or anything like that, but cold enough for heat for us Floridians! We've been spoiled by this long, warm, spell!
Yesterday I managed to do all my errands and only got sprinkled on. When the hard rains came, I was ready to settle down with a book, so life was good.

I had an appointment with my doctor in the afternoon, and found out I am good for another thousand miles! I thank God for good health for my age or any age!

When I went to the park, not many people were there because of the cloudy, overcast weather, I guess. I saw a lot of trash, which had washed down just in front of the weir, and a great blue heron was almost invisible because of his color, right in the middle of it. Looked like he had spied something that was tasty in the midst of the stuff. A couple of turtle were trying to dry off on the bank, but no sun just then. When I got to the canal, a bright, white spot caught my eye. It was an ibis in a tree, looking down on the water. It was outstanding and almost hidden in the green of the trees..

When I went to the library later on, I had to stop for a flock of ibis strolling across the street. One of them stopped right in front of the car to scratch...very unconcerned about his safety! But God is good!

Psalm 20 NLT:

In times of trouble, may the Lord respond to your cry.
May the God of Israel keep you safe from all harm.
May he send you help from his sanctuary
and strengthen you from Jerusalem.
May he remember all your gifts
and look favorably on your burnt offerings.

May he grant your heart's desire
and fulfill all your plans.
May we shout for joy when we hear of your victory,
flying banners to honor our God.
May the Lord answer all your prayers.

Now I know that the Lord saves his anointed
King.
He will answer him from his holy heaven,
and rescue him by his great power.
Some nations boast of their armies and weapons.
But we boast in the Lord our God.
Those nations will fall down and collapse,
but we will rise up and stand firm.

Give victory to our King, O Lord!
Respond to our cry for help.

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

Love and hugs,
Amaryllis

Thursday, November 4, 2010

Trust Him when Times are Tough

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 awakened about 3:45AM this morning when a brilliant flash of lightning glowed through the curtain, followed by the low rumble of thunder. I thought, "Praise God", He answers prayers. We have really needed rain and I'm not sure how much or how long it rained, but today, everything is wet and that is good. I had swept the porch clean of acorns late in the afternoon, and this morning it is covered with them again. Oh, well, just have to wait until they dry to sweep these off.

While the cold front is coming about Friday, I think, it seems funny that we go from A/C to heat in 24 hours or less. That's the way our weather is, though.

Yesterday, I drove to Walmart, found a convenient parking space right away, and went in to the crowded store. Mostly, older people like me , but a few young mothers with small children in the carts. After using the patience God gave me, while waiting for some people to move their carts, and going clear around the aisle to get where I wanted to go, I finally got everything on my list and some things that were not (I avoided the half price candy aisle) I got in line at one of the check outs. Of course, there were not nearly enough cashiers for the crowd that was in there. I probably waited over twenty minutes in line, and the older man two carts in front, turned around and said, "I was only 16 when I got in this line." :o) I got a chuckle out of that! The woman in front of me was on her cell the whole time she waited, and had her hand in front of her mouth, so her conversation was a little more private. It was a good time for people watching!

It was a relief to go to the Park later, where there was peace and quiet. God is good!

From the little devotional Knowing God:

Trust Him when Times Are Tough

He comes alongside us when we go through hard times, and before you know it, he brings us alongside someone else who is going through hard times so that we can be there for that person just as God was there for us.
2 Corinthians 1:4 MSG

All of us face times of adversity. On occasion, we all must endure the disappointments and tragedies that befall believers and nonbelievers alike. The reassuring words of 1 John 5:4 remind us that when we accept God's grace, we overcome the passing hardships of this world by relying upon His strength, His love, and His promise of eternal life.

When we face the inevitable difficulties of life here on earth, God stands ready to protect us. Our responsibility, of course,is to ask Him for protection. When we call upon him in heartfelt prayer, He will answer in His own time and according to His own plan-and He will heal us. And while we are waiting for God's plans to unfold and for His healing touch to restore us, we can be comforted in the knowledge that our Creator can overcome any obstacle, even if we cannot. Let us take God at his word, and let us trust Him.

"A brook would lose its song, if God removed the rocks."
Anonymous

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

Love and hugs,
Amaryllis

Wednesday, November 3, 2010

Changes

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 still waiting for the cold front that's coming this weekend, but the weather has been really pleasant the past two days. Yesterday we had a little sprinkle of rain early, but even though the clouds looked very threatening all day, that was all the rain we received. Well, there is always hope.

I saw a funny sight yesterday as I was coming along Turner's Creek. The tide was out and several guys were throwing their nets in the water, hoping to catch some mullet, I guess, and there, a little distance away was a woodstork, patiently waiting. I have never seen one so close to humans before, it is usually the pelicans that are waiting for a handout. I also saw a great blue heron at the lake and a flock of ducks. Mama was marching toward the water with a dozen or so babies all in a row behind her . She had her ducks in a row. :o)

The anhingas were drying wings at the park, and a turtle was drying out on the bank of the weir, but not a lot of people were walking, because of the weather, I guess, although cloudy weather is best for walking, I think.

Well, because of the results of the election yesterday. I thought these scriptures would be appropriate. God is good!

From the Promise Bible NLT:

How can I hope that I can change for the better?

2 Corinthians 5:17 Those who became Christians become new persons. They are not the same anymore, for the old life is gone. A new life has begun!

Philippians 1:6 I am sure that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on that day when Christ Jesus comes back again.

A great work takes a long time to complete. Though we are converted in a moment of faith, the process of transformation into Christ-likeness takes a lifetime. While it may appear slow to us, it is relentless and certain.

Are there some changes that are too overwhelming for our faith?

Psalm 46:1-2 God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble. So we will not fear, even if earthquakes come and mountains crumble into the sea.

Faith is the answer to fear. No amount of change in our life will affect God's care for us.

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

Love and hugs,
Amaryllis

Tuesday, November 2, 2010

2 Chronicles 7:14

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, it's overcast and gloomy today and that's a good thing, because rain is predicted and we really need it. This morning I watched a squirrel on the line in my backyard, running his tongue along the box that has phone wires in it. I think he was getting the dew off it. Now, that's dry! I have a bowl on my front wall that has water in it for the birds and squirrels, but maybe he didn't know it was there.

Today is voting day, which I already did by absentee ballot, but, I for one, will be very happy to see the end of commercials with candidates being negative about each other. Glad there is a mute button!

We had a sparse Faith Group meeting last night. For the first time, we only had six people and I was the only one who showed up for the supper. But it was very good, the supper and the meeting and a very powerful explanation of marriage and submission. I am so glad I went!

In keeping with the date, I think this verse is appropriate:

From the Promise Bible, NLT:

"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."

And I pray that God will direct the voters and that His choices will win.

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

Love and hugs,
Amaryllis