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! Seems like the sun is a little reluctant to come up these mornings, but goes down too early. Can't get used to darkness at 5:30! This is my small rant about DST. I don't like it!
This will be my last Gator Bytes for a week or so, since I am looking forward to having Daryl and Matthew driving down from TN tomorrow night for Christmas and staying for a week afterwards. They will have warm weather while here if this warmth keeps up!
I have been trying to say out of crowds, which is pretty much impossible if you are out and about, but a man behind me in a store had a really bad cough and I really prayed for the germs not to touch me. I don't have that problem in the park...out in the open with lots of space around. The water is still very low but it doesn't seem to bother the birds and wildlife. I don't know where the squirrels get their water. I have an old Cool Whip container on my porch wall the birds and squirrels help themselves to. The bluejays are very possessive and keep the others away until they are satisfied. Then they hop in and with great splashing, wash and cool off. They are funny! Maybe I told you before, but I saw a bob-tailed squirrel in the park last week, and at first, I thought it was a bunny, but it didn't hop, just scampered about. Apparently, he got along fine without the tail! God is good!
From Hymns for the Family of God:
A Stewardship Prayer
Lord, we gather in comfort and security today, while many of Your children huddle in fear and die of starvation. We know that merely feeling guilty for our comfort does not minister to the needs of others. Lord, we want to be involved in helping and serving, and healing. Help us this day to gain more understanding, to feel more deeply the hurt of others, to come to new commitments of ourselves and our substance to You.
Amen -Gary W. Demarest-
I always give thanks for you, remembering you with thanksgiving , joy and love!
Love and hugs and a very Merry Christmas to all!
Amaryllis
Thursday, December 22, 2011
Tuesday, December 20, 2011
Open Up Your Heart
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 beautiful day waits for us to go and do! the Wind is blowing today, though, which makes the air feel cooler, but the sun is shining and will get up to seventies today. Beautiful!
While driving around Lynch Lake yesterday, in front of the newly finished Lynch School, I watched a couple of woodstorks by themselves, and across the lake another woodstork with a flock of ducks, the white contrasting with the black ducks. The woodstorks seem to really like Lynch Lake.
Later in the afternoon, I drove to the park, which was very quiet, and enjoyed the lengthening shadows, the moss hanging down and swaying in the breeze and a single white egret standing beside a tri-colored heron. God is good!
From the little devotional book Knowing God:
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
Romans 8:28 NIV
If you want to know God in a more meaningful way, you'll need to open up your heart and let Him in. C. S. Lewis observed, "A person's spiritual health is exactly proportional to his love for God." If you hope to receive a full measure of God's spiritual blessings, you must invite your Creator to rule over your heart. When you honor God in this way, His love expands to fill your heart and bless your life.
St. Augustine wrote, "I love you, Lord, not doubtingly, but with absolute certainty. Your Word beat upon my heart until I fell in love with you, and now the universe and everything in it tells me to love you."
Today, open your heart to the Father. And let your obedience be a fitting response to His never-ending love.The truth of the Gospel is intended to free us to love God and others with our whole heart.
John Eldredge
-Great Thoughts-
You will trust God only as much as you love Him. And you will love him not because you have studied him; you will love him because you have touched him-in response to his touch.
Brennan Manning
Man was created by God to know and love Him in a permanent, personal relationship.
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
While driving around Lynch Lake yesterday, in front of the newly finished Lynch School, I watched a couple of woodstorks by themselves, and across the lake another woodstork with a flock of ducks, the white contrasting with the black ducks. The woodstorks seem to really like Lynch Lake.
Later in the afternoon, I drove to the park, which was very quiet, and enjoyed the lengthening shadows, the moss hanging down and swaying in the breeze and a single white egret standing beside a tri-colored heron. God is good!
From the little devotional book Knowing God:
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
Romans 8:28 NIV
If you want to know God in a more meaningful way, you'll need to open up your heart and let Him in. C. S. Lewis observed, "A person's spiritual health is exactly proportional to his love for God." If you hope to receive a full measure of God's spiritual blessings, you must invite your Creator to rule over your heart. When you honor God in this way, His love expands to fill your heart and bless your life.
St. Augustine wrote, "I love you, Lord, not doubtingly, but with absolute certainty. Your Word beat upon my heart until I fell in love with you, and now the universe and everything in it tells me to love you."
Today, open your heart to the Father. And let your obedience be a fitting response to His never-ending love.The truth of the Gospel is intended to free us to love God and others with our whole heart.
John Eldredge
-Great Thoughts-
You will trust God only as much as you love Him. And you will love him not because you have studied him; you will love him because you have touched him-in response to his touch.
Brennan Manning
Man was created by God to know and love Him in a permanent, personal relationship.
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
Monday, December 19, 2011
Luke 2:6-11
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! Yesterday and today have been just perfect with bright blue skies and cool temps. It is good to get out the sweaters for a change in the mornings and shed them by noon, with many people in shorts no matter how cool it gets! Ah, St. Petersburg!!
Seen at the park over the weekend... a couple of gopher tortoises walking one in front of the other, and the same size and color, as I drove in, and black turtles sunning across the street on the bank of the weir. A flock of ibis in the canal, with the water very low and muddy banks showing.
Crowds of people with babies in strollers, kids on skateboards, older folks with walkers and canes and young people jogging...and on the way out, the same two gophers, only one had flipped over and was frantically trying to right himself. The man driving a pickup in front of me stopped and waved me by, so I asked him if he was going to turn him over and he said "Yes!". God is good!
From the Promise Bible NLT:
Luke 2:6-11
...And while they were there, the time came for her baby to be born. She gave birth to her first child, a son. She wrapped him snugly in strips of cloth and laid him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the village inn.
That night some shepherds were in the fields outside the village, guarding their flocks of sheep. Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared among them, and the radiance of the Lord's glory surrounded them. they were terribly frightened, but the angel reassured them. "Don't be afraid!" he said. "I bring you good news of great joy for everyone! The Savior--yes, the Messiah, the Lord--has been born tonight in Bethlehem, the city of David! And this is how you will recognize him: you will find a baby lying in a manger, wrapped snugly in strips of cloth!"
Suddenly, the angel was joined by a vast host of others--the armies of heaven--praising God:
"Glory to God in the highest heaven, and peace on earth to all whom God favors."
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
Seen at the park over the weekend... a couple of gopher tortoises walking one in front of the other, and the same size and color, as I drove in, and black turtles sunning across the street on the bank of the weir. A flock of ibis in the canal, with the water very low and muddy banks showing.
Crowds of people with babies in strollers, kids on skateboards, older folks with walkers and canes and young people jogging...and on the way out, the same two gophers, only one had flipped over and was frantically trying to right himself. The man driving a pickup in front of me stopped and waved me by, so I asked him if he was going to turn him over and he said "Yes!". God is good!
From the Promise Bible NLT:
Luke 2:6-11
...And while they were there, the time came for her baby to be born. She gave birth to her first child, a son. She wrapped him snugly in strips of cloth and laid him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the village inn.
That night some shepherds were in the fields outside the village, guarding their flocks of sheep. Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared among them, and the radiance of the Lord's glory surrounded them. they were terribly frightened, but the angel reassured them. "Don't be afraid!" he said. "I bring you good news of great joy for everyone! The Savior--yes, the Messiah, the Lord--has been born tonight in Bethlehem, the city of David! And this is how you will recognize him: you will find a baby lying in a manger, wrapped snugly in strips of cloth!"
Suddenly, the angel was joined by a vast host of others--the armies of heaven--praising God:
"Glory to God in the highest heaven, and peace on earth to all whom God favors."
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
Friday, December 16, 2011
Faith brings joy
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 sky is mostly clear this morning and very bright blue, and the sun is shining nicely on the new roof coating, which is good!
Yesterday, instead of walking in the park, I did my walking in Home Depot. The scenery was quite different, but interesting and a favorite for contractors and diys. My friend, Terry, and I went there to get the coating for the flat roof, and then we came back and he set out to wash, blow dry and seal the shingles over the place where the leak happened. He worked about four or five hours, climbing up and down the ladder, then trimmed some branches off the oak trees in the backyard, and blew off everything. I am so blessed to have friends who do work for me! God is good!
From the Promise Bible NLT:
Romans 5:1-5
Therefore, since we have been made right in God's sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us. Because of our faith, Christ has brought us into this place of highest privilege where we now stand, and we confidently and joyfully look forward to sharing God's glory.
We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they are good for us--they help us learn to endure. And endurance develops strength of character in us, and character strengthens our confident expectation of salvation. and this expectation will not disappoint us. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love.
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs, and enjoy the fourth Sunday in Advent coming!
Amaryllis
Yesterday, instead of walking in the park, I did my walking in Home Depot. The scenery was quite different, but interesting and a favorite for contractors and diys. My friend, Terry, and I went there to get the coating for the flat roof, and then we came back and he set out to wash, blow dry and seal the shingles over the place where the leak happened. He worked about four or five hours, climbing up and down the ladder, then trimmed some branches off the oak trees in the backyard, and blew off everything. I am so blessed to have friends who do work for me! God is good!
From the Promise Bible NLT:
Romans 5:1-5
Therefore, since we have been made right in God's sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us. Because of our faith, Christ has brought us into this place of highest privilege where we now stand, and we confidently and joyfully look forward to sharing God's glory.
We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they are good for us--they help us learn to endure. And endurance develops strength of character in us, and character strengthens our confident expectation of salvation. and this expectation will not disappoint us. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love.
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs, and enjoy the fourth Sunday in Advent coming!
Amaryllis
Thursday, December 15, 2011
God doesn't Change
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 day started out with sunshine, but now it is a little overcast, but, hopefully, no rain until the flat roof gets repaired! The sunset was beautiful last night, with peach and yellow colors on the clouds..God was using his paintbrush again!
After a great lunch with two long time friends, I went to the park, where all was quiet and peaceful. The canal water level is really low, with lots of the muddy bank showing, but still enough water for the gators and anhingas to swim in. I had to almost stop to allow a squirrel to make up its mind about crossing the road.
I heard a cardinal tweeting its call outside the house after I came home, but could not see it. They are very nervous birds, never still for long, but always moving. God is good!
From the little devotional book, Knowing God:
John said, "Change your hearts and lives because the kingdom of heaven is near."
Matthew 3:2 NCV
We live in a world that is always changing, but we worship a God that never changes--thank goodness! That means that we can be comforted in the knowledge that our Heavenly Father is the rock that simply cannot be moved: "I am the Lord, I do not change." (Malachi 3:6 NKJV)
The next time you face difficult circumstances, tough times, unfair treatment, or unwelcome changes, remember that some things never change--things like the love that you feel in your heart for your family and friends...and the love that God feels for you. So instead of worrying too much about life's inevitable challenges, focus your energies on finding solutions. Have faith in your own abilities, do your best to solve your problems, and leave the rest up to God.
With God, it isn't who you were that matters; it's who you are becoming.
Liz Curtis Higgs.
Conditions are always changing; therefore, I must not be dependent upon conditions. What matters supremely is my soul and my relationship to God.
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs, Amaryllis
After a great lunch with two long time friends, I went to the park, where all was quiet and peaceful. The canal water level is really low, with lots of the muddy bank showing, but still enough water for the gators and anhingas to swim in. I had to almost stop to allow a squirrel to make up its mind about crossing the road.
I heard a cardinal tweeting its call outside the house after I came home, but could not see it. They are very nervous birds, never still for long, but always moving. God is good!
From the little devotional book, Knowing God:
John said, "Change your hearts and lives because the kingdom of heaven is near."
Matthew 3:2 NCV
We live in a world that is always changing, but we worship a God that never changes--thank goodness! That means that we can be comforted in the knowledge that our Heavenly Father is the rock that simply cannot be moved: "I am the Lord, I do not change." (Malachi 3:6 NKJV)
The next time you face difficult circumstances, tough times, unfair treatment, or unwelcome changes, remember that some things never change--things like the love that you feel in your heart for your family and friends...and the love that God feels for you. So instead of worrying too much about life's inevitable challenges, focus your energies on finding solutions. Have faith in your own abilities, do your best to solve your problems, and leave the rest up to God.
With God, it isn't who you were that matters; it's who you are becoming.
Liz Curtis Higgs.
Conditions are always changing; therefore, I must not be dependent upon conditions. What matters supremely is my soul and my relationship to God.
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs, Amaryllis
Wednesday, December 14, 2011
Deal With 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! Lots of sunshine already this morning, even though the air feels a little cool. Very pleasant for people who work outdoors..
Speaking of outdoors, I saw the big gator lounging on the bank of the lake yesterday. He had turned around, so his nose was facing the water. Do you suppose this is where the expression "lounge lizard" came from? :o) Anyway, as I drove further, I saw a car on the wrong side of the street, and saw the driver was looking at a large soft shell turtle right at the edge of the drive. Then, as I rounded the curve, another soft shell was on the grass, waiting for a chance to cross. For some reason they were on the move! I saw one egret in a tree overlooking the water, and a couple ibis below it, pecking along the water. It was a beautiful place to be! God is good!
From the devotional Quiet Moments with God:
"Be ye angry and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath." Ephesians 4:26 KJV
One of the most controversial events in America occurred when Bernard Goetz had had enough and decided he wasn't going to take it any more. He did what many people have wanted to do--he fought back and pulled a gun when he was attacked on the subway.
Goetz's action received an outpouring of support. He touched a nerve in people who have simply had enough of other people threatening their lives. Criticism comes, however, when we allow guns in the hands of angry, violent people. As Christians, anger can be a terrible enemy.
The beginnings of anger almost go unnoticed: petty irritations, ordinary frustrations, minor aggravations--things we experience daily. Then these small things start adding up. Pressures build and turn into rage. Without relief, pent-up anger can turn violent, with devastating consequences.
How do we keep our passions from becoming uncontrolled anger? How do we defuse the anger that makes us want to retaliate?....
There are several things we can do to take control of our anger before it takes control of us:
1. Yell at God first! He already knows you're upset.
2. Ask God to give you understanding about the situation, to show you the root of your anger, if that's the case.
3. Turn the situation over to God. Forgive those who have hurt you, and let Him deal with them. Turn His power loose in the circumstances.
4. Don't do anything without having complete inner peace from His Spirit.
Then you can sleep easily at night, knowing God can turn anything around to work for your good.
CONTROL YOURSELF! ANGER IS ONLY ONE LETTER SHORT OF DANGER!
author unknown
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs, Amaryllis
Speaking of outdoors, I saw the big gator lounging on the bank of the lake yesterday. He had turned around, so his nose was facing the water. Do you suppose this is where the expression "lounge lizard" came from? :o) Anyway, as I drove further, I saw a car on the wrong side of the street, and saw the driver was looking at a large soft shell turtle right at the edge of the drive. Then, as I rounded the curve, another soft shell was on the grass, waiting for a chance to cross. For some reason they were on the move! I saw one egret in a tree overlooking the water, and a couple ibis below it, pecking along the water. It was a beautiful place to be! God is good!
From the devotional Quiet Moments with God:
"Be ye angry and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath." Ephesians 4:26 KJV
One of the most controversial events in America occurred when Bernard Goetz had had enough and decided he wasn't going to take it any more. He did what many people have wanted to do--he fought back and pulled a gun when he was attacked on the subway.
Goetz's action received an outpouring of support. He touched a nerve in people who have simply had enough of other people threatening their lives. Criticism comes, however, when we allow guns in the hands of angry, violent people. As Christians, anger can be a terrible enemy.
The beginnings of anger almost go unnoticed: petty irritations, ordinary frustrations, minor aggravations--things we experience daily. Then these small things start adding up. Pressures build and turn into rage. Without relief, pent-up anger can turn violent, with devastating consequences.
How do we keep our passions from becoming uncontrolled anger? How do we defuse the anger that makes us want to retaliate?....
There are several things we can do to take control of our anger before it takes control of us:
1. Yell at God first! He already knows you're upset.
2. Ask God to give you understanding about the situation, to show you the root of your anger, if that's the case.
3. Turn the situation over to God. Forgive those who have hurt you, and let Him deal with them. Turn His power loose in the circumstances.
4. Don't do anything without having complete inner peace from His Spirit.
Then you can sleep easily at night, knowing God can turn anything around to work for your good.
CONTROL YOURSELF! ANGER IS ONLY ONE LETTER SHORT OF DANGER!
author unknown
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs, Amaryllis
Tuesday, December 13, 2011
A Hint of Eternity
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 sunshine in the afternoon yesterday, we have overcast skies again today, but they may clear up again and once again, we will be having very warm weather.
After the estimator came to look at my flat roof, I went on over to the park and looked for the big gator again. He was there, but partially submerged, so only the fat middle part was showing, A brave, little moorhen was swimming around him, very unconcerned. Across the street a couple turtles were sunning themselves on the weir, but no ibis. This is leaf falling time and maple leaves are all over at the park, with the boardwalk pretty much covered and oak leaves are falling here at home. I swept up a big pile from the front porch, but more will be falling today in the wind which has picked up. But, God is good!
From Quiet Moments with God:
We fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, for what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen, is eternal.
2 Corinthians 4:18
Eternity is a difficult concept for us to grasp. In human terms, it seems a matter of time---or more accurately, timelessness. But eternity is more than a measure of time. Things said to be "eternal" have a quality of permanence. The benefits of eternal things are not found solely in the hereafter; they provide an incredible sense of satisfaction in this life as well.
The late Lorado Taft, on of America's great artists, often said that a real work of art must have in it "a hint of eternity." The writer of Ecclesiastes says that God has not only made everything beautiful, but also He has set eternity in the hearts of people. When we do a good peice of work, whether it is part of our vocation or not, we may find in it a hint of eternity, the abiding value that outlasts silver or gold.
Daniel Webster, one of America's most famous statesmen, once said;
If we work on marble, it will perish,; if on brass time will efface it; if we rear temples, they will crumble into dust; but if we work on immortal souls and imbue them with principles, with the just fear of God and love of our fellowmen, we engrave on those tablets something that will brighten to all eternity.
Ascending to the top of one of the magnificent stairways in the Library of Congress, one reads this inscription on the wall" "Too low they build who build beneath the stars."
In building your life, build with God for eternity. In building the Church build to the glory of Jesus Christ for the salvation of soul.
Ask the Lord to show you this evening how to make your life and effort count for eternity. Pray for an awareness of eternity as you face every decision and task each day.
If we build to please ourselves we are building on the sand.
If we build for the love of God, we are building on the rick.
Oswald Chambers
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs, Amaryllis
After the estimator came to look at my flat roof, I went on over to the park and looked for the big gator again. He was there, but partially submerged, so only the fat middle part was showing, A brave, little moorhen was swimming around him, very unconcerned. Across the street a couple turtles were sunning themselves on the weir, but no ibis. This is leaf falling time and maple leaves are all over at the park, with the boardwalk pretty much covered and oak leaves are falling here at home. I swept up a big pile from the front porch, but more will be falling today in the wind which has picked up. But, God is good!
From Quiet Moments with God:
We fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, for what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen, is eternal.
2 Corinthians 4:18
Eternity is a difficult concept for us to grasp. In human terms, it seems a matter of time---or more accurately, timelessness. But eternity is more than a measure of time. Things said to be "eternal" have a quality of permanence. The benefits of eternal things are not found solely in the hereafter; they provide an incredible sense of satisfaction in this life as well.
The late Lorado Taft, on of America's great artists, often said that a real work of art must have in it "a hint of eternity." The writer of Ecclesiastes says that God has not only made everything beautiful, but also He has set eternity in the hearts of people. When we do a good peice of work, whether it is part of our vocation or not, we may find in it a hint of eternity, the abiding value that outlasts silver or gold.
Daniel Webster, one of America's most famous statesmen, once said;
If we work on marble, it will perish,; if on brass time will efface it; if we rear temples, they will crumble into dust; but if we work on immortal souls and imbue them with principles, with the just fear of God and love of our fellowmen, we engrave on those tablets something that will brighten to all eternity.
Ascending to the top of one of the magnificent stairways in the Library of Congress, one reads this inscription on the wall" "Too low they build who build beneath the stars."
In building your life, build with God for eternity. In building the Church build to the glory of Jesus Christ for the salvation of soul.
Ask the Lord to show you this evening how to make your life and effort count for eternity. Pray for an awareness of eternity as you face every decision and task each day.
If we build to please ourselves we are building on the sand.
If we build for the love of God, we are building on the rick.
Oswald Chambers
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs, Amaryllis
Monday, December 12, 2011
Psoaring thru Psalm 63
Good Morning, Dear Friends and Prayer Partners! This is the foggy day that the Lord has made and we will rejoice and be glad in it! The air is misty and damp, but once this burns off, it will probably be in the high seventies or low eighties! Ahh, Christmas in Florida! No snow, for sure!
Yesterday, after church I drove to the park, and noticed several ibis sitting on the weir, looking very downcast. This is strange, because I almost never see them sitting. They are always moving and pecking. And I looked across at the lake and sure enough, the big, fat gator was back on the bank. I have been looking for him every day and thought he had moved on. He is about 8-10 ft. long and very wide in the middle. Must be a grandpa to many gators around there. I went on down to see the rest of the park and saw quite a few people enjoying the sun and looking over the bridge at the small gators. God is good!
From the Promise Bible NLT:
Psalm 63:1-8
O God, you are my God;
I earnestly search for you.
My soul thirsts for you;
my whole body longs for you in this parched and weary land where there is no water.
I have seen you in your sanctuary and gazed upon your power and glory,
Your unfailing love is better to me than life itself;
how I praise you!
I will honor you as long as I live,
lifting my hands to you in prayer.
You satisfy me more than the richest of foods.
I will praise you with songs of joy.
I lie awake thinking of you,
meditating on you through the night.
I think how much you have helped me;
I sing for joy in the shadow of your protecting wings.
I follow close behind you,
your strong right hand holds me securely...
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs, Amaryllis
Yesterday, after church I drove to the park, and noticed several ibis sitting on the weir, looking very downcast. This is strange, because I almost never see them sitting. They are always moving and pecking. And I looked across at the lake and sure enough, the big, fat gator was back on the bank. I have been looking for him every day and thought he had moved on. He is about 8-10 ft. long and very wide in the middle. Must be a grandpa to many gators around there. I went on down to see the rest of the park and saw quite a few people enjoying the sun and looking over the bridge at the small gators. God is good!
From the Promise Bible NLT:
Psalm 63:1-8
O God, you are my God;
I earnestly search for you.
My soul thirsts for you;
my whole body longs for you in this parched and weary land where there is no water.
I have seen you in your sanctuary and gazed upon your power and glory,
Your unfailing love is better to me than life itself;
how I praise you!
I will honor you as long as I live,
lifting my hands to you in prayer.
You satisfy me more than the richest of foods.
I will praise you with songs of joy.
I lie awake thinking of you,
meditating on you through the night.
I think how much you have helped me;
I sing for joy in the shadow of your protecting wings.
I follow close behind you,
your strong right hand holds me securely...
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs, Amaryllis
Friday, December 9, 2011
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 shining and the cool breezes blowing, but it is about twenty degrees warmer than yesterday at this time. So the cold spell was short lived, just as the weather guys said it would be.
I looked up in the sky yesterday and saw a beautiful pattern of dozens of contrails criss-crossing the blue, blue sky. Just took my breath away! It was a gorgeous day!
After doing some shopping, I went to the park and got out to walk on the bridge. I had seen a very wet anhinga just emerging from the water to climb up on the weir with a fish to eat, so drove on down to look at the gopher tortoise. When I got on the bridge, I looked for the gators that usually hang out there in the water, and sure enough, the young one was at the far end and started moving as I watched him. He went a little ways, then turned his head and scratched with his hind leg. I had never seen one do that before! I didn't know they itched. I had almost given up looking for the little one, but all at once I spotted him flat out on a branch sticking out of the water...eyes closed, totally relaxed with legs hanging down. So funny! God is good!
From the Promise Bible NLT! (and my paraphrase)
Psalm 23
Thank you, Lord, for being my shepherd;
Thank you for giving me everything I need.
Thank you for letting me rest in green meadows;
and for leading me beside peaceful streams.
Thank you that you renew my strength.
Thank you for guiding me along right paths,
so I can bring honor to your name.
Even when I walk through the dark valley of death,
I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me.
Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me.
Thank you for preparing a feast for me
in the presence of my enemies.
You welcome me as a guest anointing my head with oil.
You make my cup overflow with blessings.
Surely your goodness and unfailing love
will pursue me all the days of my life,
and I will live in your house forever.
Amen
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
I looked up in the sky yesterday and saw a beautiful pattern of dozens of contrails criss-crossing the blue, blue sky. Just took my breath away! It was a gorgeous day!
After doing some shopping, I went to the park and got out to walk on the bridge. I had seen a very wet anhinga just emerging from the water to climb up on the weir with a fish to eat, so drove on down to look at the gopher tortoise. When I got on the bridge, I looked for the gators that usually hang out there in the water, and sure enough, the young one was at the far end and started moving as I watched him. He went a little ways, then turned his head and scratched with his hind leg. I had never seen one do that before! I didn't know they itched. I had almost given up looking for the little one, but all at once I spotted him flat out on a branch sticking out of the water...eyes closed, totally relaxed with legs hanging down. So funny! God is good!
From the Promise Bible NLT! (and my paraphrase)
Psalm 23
Thank you, Lord, for being my shepherd;
Thank you for giving me everything I need.
Thank you for letting me rest in green meadows;
and for leading me beside peaceful streams.
Thank you that you renew my strength.
Thank you for guiding me along right paths,
so I can bring honor to your name.
Even when I walk through the dark valley of death,
I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me.
Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me.
Thank you for preparing a feast for me
in the presence of my enemies.
You welcome me as a guest anointing my head with oil.
You make my cup overflow with blessings.
Surely your goodness and unfailing love
will pursue me all the days of my life,
and I will live in your house forever.
Amen
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
Thursday, December 8, 2011
Psoaring thru Psalm 133
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! My indoor/outdoor thermometer says 48 right now, and the furnace is doing its job of keeping the house warm. I have not used the fireplace, yet, and probably won't until the Tenn. part of the family comes. That is, if it is cold enough.
I was disappointed with the rain yesterday, because my flat roof is still not fixed. I am hoping no more water seeped into the leak. I am not expecting an estimate until Monday. Wish he could have come sooner,.
I did not leave the house yesterday., By the time I got laundry done and chores around the house, it had started raining, so I settled in for a cup of tea and relaxing for the rest of the afternoon. And, BTW, I read that the acorns only fall in abundance every five to seven years, so last year was the big one, because millions fell, and this year , hardly any. Very interesting. I never new that. But the squirrels are certainly not starving, nor the blue jays. Yes, I have seen them with large acorns in their beaks.
God is good!
From the Promise Bible NLT:
Psalm 133
How wonderful it is, how pleasant,
when brothers live together in harmony!
For harmony is as precious as the fragrant anointing oil
that was poured over Aaron's head,
that ran down his beard,
and onto the border of his robe.
Harmony is as refreshing as the dew from Mount Hermon
that falls on the mountains of Zion.
And the Lord has pronounced his blessing,
even life forevermore.
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
I was disappointed with the rain yesterday, because my flat roof is still not fixed. I am hoping no more water seeped into the leak. I am not expecting an estimate until Monday. Wish he could have come sooner,.
I did not leave the house yesterday., By the time I got laundry done and chores around the house, it had started raining, so I settled in for a cup of tea and relaxing for the rest of the afternoon. And, BTW, I read that the acorns only fall in abundance every five to seven years, so last year was the big one, because millions fell, and this year , hardly any. Very interesting. I never new that. But the squirrels are certainly not starving, nor the blue jays. Yes, I have seen them with large acorns in their beaks.
God is good!
From the Promise Bible NLT:
Psalm 133
How wonderful it is, how pleasant,
when brothers live together in harmony!
For harmony is as precious as the fragrant anointing oil
that was poured over Aaron's head,
that ran down his beard,
and onto the border of his robe.
Harmony is as refreshing as the dew from Mount Hermon
that falls on the mountains of Zion.
And the Lord has pronounced his blessing,
even life forevermore.
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
Wednesday, December 7, 2011
Psoaring thru Psalm 149
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! While it is a beautiful day today, cold weather is on the way and so this morning I stripped the bed and put a flannel sheet on the bottom, so I can be warmer tonight. I am not a person who likes cold sheets!
Yesterday was shopping day. I was gone about two hours enjoying shopping and thinking about Christmas gifts for various people. I have already ordered some by phone, so a lot is done. I had a fun time with the manager at CVS, because I had taken a rusty, very squeaky cart in from outside because it was the only one left besides a bent one. He was working on a display and I guess he could not stand the squeak, because he started to joke about me not being able to hide where I was. He asked if that was the only cart, and I told him about the bent one, so he went outside while I squeaked my way on back, and in he came, running with a non-squeaky cart. I finished my shopping and walked up behind him and he said he didn't hear me. I told him I snuck up on him, and we had a good laugh.
After I had my lunch, I went to the park and saw two gopher tortoises at their different homes, and a few people walking around. Then I drove on to Cartek and had a rear brake lamp installed by Ray. God is good!
From the Promise Bible NLT:
Psalm 149
Praise the Lord!
'Sing to the Lord a new song.
Sing his praises in the assembly of the faithful.
O Israel, rejoice in your Maker.
O people of Jerusalem, exult in your king.
Praise his name with dancing,
accompanied by tambourine and harp.
For the Lord delights in his people;
he crowns the humble with salvation.
Let the faithful rejoice in this honor.
Let them sing for joy as they lie on their beds.
Let the praises of God be in their mouths
and a sharp sword in their hands--
to execute vengeance on the nations,
and punishment on the peoples.
To bind their kings with shackles
and their leaders with iron chains,
to execute the judgment written against them.
This is the glory of his faithful ones.
Praise the Lord!
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
Yesterday was shopping day. I was gone about two hours enjoying shopping and thinking about Christmas gifts for various people. I have already ordered some by phone, so a lot is done. I had a fun time with the manager at CVS, because I had taken a rusty, very squeaky cart in from outside because it was the only one left besides a bent one. He was working on a display and I guess he could not stand the squeak, because he started to joke about me not being able to hide where I was. He asked if that was the only cart, and I told him about the bent one, so he went outside while I squeaked my way on back, and in he came, running with a non-squeaky cart. I finished my shopping and walked up behind him and he said he didn't hear me. I told him I snuck up on him, and we had a good laugh.
After I had my lunch, I went to the park and saw two gopher tortoises at their different homes, and a few people walking around. Then I drove on to Cartek and had a rear brake lamp installed by Ray. God is good!
From the Promise Bible NLT:
Psalm 149
Praise the Lord!
'Sing to the Lord a new song.
Sing his praises in the assembly of the faithful.
O Israel, rejoice in your Maker.
O people of Jerusalem, exult in your king.
Praise his name with dancing,
accompanied by tambourine and harp.
For the Lord delights in his people;
he crowns the humble with salvation.
Let the faithful rejoice in this honor.
Let them sing for joy as they lie on their beds.
Let the praises of God be in their mouths
and a sharp sword in their hands--
to execute vengeance on the nations,
and punishment on the peoples.
To bind their kings with shackles
and their leaders with iron chains,
to execute the judgment written against them.
This is the glory of his faithful ones.
Praise the Lord!
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
Tuesday, December 6, 2011
Paul's final advice
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! This is another beautiful clear day with cool temps this morning, and like yesterday, warming up to about 80 this afternoon! Ah, Christmas in Florida!
I already had a visit from the Circulation Mgr. of the Times this morning, She called yesterday to check on my delivery, because I had requested the paper be placed on the porch and it took nine calls to get it to happen. Even now, sometimes, it is thrown under the azaleas, and one time was on the roof! However, I told her it had pretty consistently, been placed on the porch for the past week, but she wanted to check for herself. It was thoughtful of her...
As I drove around Lynch Lake yesterday, I was amused to see a pair of woodstorks, one lying down in the grass, and the other standing beside it. I rarely see two together like that, and never scrunched down, resting. I went on to the park and noticed that the water is way down, and the muddy banks are showing. Several black turtles were sunning on the banks of the weir and a small flock of ibis were further down in the canal. Didn't see so many squirrels, though. But, as always, God is good!
From the Promise Bible NLT:
1 Thessalonians 5:12
Dear brothers and sisters, honor those who are your leaders in the Lord's work. They work hard among you and warn you against all that is wrong. Think highly of them and give them your wholehearted love because of their work. And remember to live peaceably with each other.
Brothers and sisters, we urge you to warn those who are lazy. Encourage those who are timid. Take tender care of those who are weak. Be patient with everyone.
Always be joyful. Keep on praying. No matter what happens, always be thankful, for this is God's will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.
Do not stifle the Holy Spirit. Do not scoff at prophecies, but test everything that is said. Hold on to what is good. Keep away from eveery kind of evil.
Now may the God of peace make you holy in every way, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless until that day when our Lord Jesus Christ comes again. God, who calls you, is faithful, he will do this.
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs, Amaryllis
I already had a visit from the Circulation Mgr. of the Times this morning, She called yesterday to check on my delivery, because I had requested the paper be placed on the porch and it took nine calls to get it to happen. Even now, sometimes, it is thrown under the azaleas, and one time was on the roof! However, I told her it had pretty consistently, been placed on the porch for the past week, but she wanted to check for herself. It was thoughtful of her...
As I drove around Lynch Lake yesterday, I was amused to see a pair of woodstorks, one lying down in the grass, and the other standing beside it. I rarely see two together like that, and never scrunched down, resting. I went on to the park and noticed that the water is way down, and the muddy banks are showing. Several black turtles were sunning on the banks of the weir and a small flock of ibis were further down in the canal. Didn't see so many squirrels, though. But, as always, God is good!
From the Promise Bible NLT:
1 Thessalonians 5:12
Dear brothers and sisters, honor those who are your leaders in the Lord's work. They work hard among you and warn you against all that is wrong. Think highly of them and give them your wholehearted love because of their work. And remember to live peaceably with each other.
Brothers and sisters, we urge you to warn those who are lazy. Encourage those who are timid. Take tender care of those who are weak. Be patient with everyone.
Always be joyful. Keep on praying. No matter what happens, always be thankful, for this is God's will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.
Do not stifle the Holy Spirit. Do not scoff at prophecies, but test everything that is said. Hold on to what is good. Keep away from eveery kind of evil.
Now may the God of peace make you holy in every way, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless until that day when our Lord Jesus Christ comes again. God, who calls you, is faithful, he will do this.
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs, Amaryllis
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