Peace in the Midst of the Storm

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 late this morning, because I have been watching the TV meteorologists tracking all the tornadoes and the storms that are threatening this area. Fox 13 has just about all their weather crew on duty, just like during a hurricane.

There is another big cell heading right for us, so I am staying in and safe, like I did yesterday. It's good that this is spring break for the schools here right now, but I know this is not the kind of weather the kids want when they don't have school. No fun! But it also means that the school buses are not on the roads and the students don't have to wait in the bad weather, so God is Good!

I went out a while ago and picked up some dead branches that broke off from the oaks and dragged them over into the side yard. The rain had stopped at that time, although I went to sleep about 2 AM with the thunder and lightning all around. Looks like a nap is in my future today!

From Hymns for the Family of God Hymnal:
 
          - PEACE-

I know not what I shall become; it seems to me that peace of soul and repose of spirit descend on me, even in sleep. To be without the sense of this peace, would be affliction, indeed....

I know not what God purposes with me, or keeps me for; I am in a calm so great that I fear naught. What can I fear when I am with Him; and with Him, in His presence, I hold myself the most I can. May all things praise Him. Amen
                                                                                  -Brother Lawrence-

Mosie Lister wrote a great old hymn "Til the Storm Passes By'; This is the chorus,
Til the storm passes over, 
Til the thunder sounds no more.
Til the clouds roll forever across the sky,
Hold me fast, Let me stand in the hollow of Thy hand;
Keep me safe 'til the storm passes by.
As I type this, the thunder is rumbling and the wind is blowing the trees in all directions, but I am safe in the hollow of His hand.

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

Love and hugs,
 Amaryllis

Hope

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 noticed the wind has picked up and I just received a weather warning, to expect severe weather today, which is a surprise, although I saw the bad weather in the panhandle on radar on TV. Well, I can do without tornadoes and hail, but more rain doesn't hurt.

Yesterday when I went to the park, I saw lots of debris in the canal floating against the berm. It always washes down from behind the houses that back up to the canal. A lone turtle was trying to warm up on the bank, and as I drove on further I saw a large gopher tortoise hurrying at warp speed along the path. He definitely had a destination in mind.  The hydrilla is really choking the canal in spots, now, so I suppose the crews will have to get in the boat to spray it soon. The trees are all green, and the park looks really pretty. God is good!

From the Promise Bible NLT:
 
How can I have hope when times are tough?

Hebrews 10:23 Without wavering, let us hold tightly to the hope we say we have, for God can be trusted to keep his promise.
 
Our hope is rooted in God's integrity and faithfulness. When everything else falls apart we can cling to the fact that God keeps his word.

John 16:33 I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.
 
Our troubles do not surprise the Lord and should not surprise us. Trouble is rampant in this fallen world. Our focus should be on Jesus who has overcome the world and all its troubles.

Romans 15:13 I pray that God who gives you hope, will keep you happy and full of peace as you believe in him. May you overflow with hope through the power of the Holy Spirit.
 
Our hope is rooted in the wonderful acts of God in creation and history. The Bible gives full testimony to the fact that God is able to deliver us from any and every circumstance. He will either get us out of it or bring us through it--for his glory and our joy.

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

Love and hugs,
 Amaryllis

Suffering

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! Wow! What a deluge we had yesterday. God answered prayers for rain, abundantly! I'll have to be careful what I pray for!

I had a couple meetings yesterday, plus an appointment in the afternoon, so I was out in the rain a lot! I had a doctor's appointment in the middle of the afternoon, and since the office is in the St. Anthony's office building, I had a tough time getting to it, because of the huge construction project going on. After asking directions of a workman, who was standing in the rain, I found the way to drive in and then got escorted through a maze of new roadways to the valet who parked for me, I have no idea where. There was a green barrier separating the road from the construction.

I was covered in prayer by my friend, I could tell, because right after I got in the car, the heavy rain started, and I drove home in the pouring rain, but got green lights all the way! Now, maybe I pray for green lights sometimes, but God never promised that we would always have them, but I really appreciated the green lights yesterday!

While I was in the waiting room, an old friend from our former church, signed in and saw my name and was talking to her daughter about me. She spotted me and we talked for about five minutes before she was called in. She was in rather frail health with two stents in her heart already. I hadn't seen her in about thirty years. She said I hadn't changed, but she had, but frail health will do that.

I did get to the park before the heavy rain started and a few people were taking advantage of the lull, to walk, and a couple bus loads of Shorecrest students were picnicing under the shelter. I think most of the pollen has been washed off the trees now, so the allergies should not be so bad. God is good!
From the Promise Bible NLT:

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

We belong to the Lord. He knows us by name and will not allow anything to cause us lasting harm. We may go through deep waters of trouble and intense fires of trial and testing, but we will not go through them alone.

Romans 8: 36,39 I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from his love. Death can't, and life can't. The angels can't and the demons can't. Our fears for today, our worries about tomorrow, and even the powers of hell can't keep God's love away. Whether we are high above the sky or in the deepest ocean, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.

The greatest comfort in life is knowing that God will never leave us. Nothing can drive us from his presence. No matter what we are going through, he is there to comfort, sustain, encourage, and direct us.

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

Love and hugs,
 Amaryllis

Grow In Your Walk

Good evening, Dear Friends and Prayer Partners! This was the day that the Lord made, and I rejoiced and was glad in it! It is almost bedtime, but since I have a Stephen Ministry class tomorrow morning, I thought I would send a word for tomorrow, tonight.

We had a good sermon, accompanied by the Concordia visiting choir (forgive me if that is not their name). Students with lovely voices on a long trip from Minnesota. The director said it was 23 degrees when they lift home and they came to 80 degrees. Quite a difference!

On my way home I saw a baby osprey high on a pole built for a nest. He was sticking his head up looking around. A true birds eye view! Lots of birds were singing as I stuck my head out before church and the wind was blowing a little stronger than usua, wafting the sweet scent of orange blossoms to freshen the air. There are supposed to be thundershowers blowing in tonight, which is good, because we need the rain! God is good!

Teach me, O Lord, the way of Your statutes,
and I shall keep it to the end.
Give me understanding, and I shall keep Your Law;
Indeed, I shall observe it with my whole heart,
Make me walk in the path of Your commandments,
For I delight in it.
Psalm 119:33-35

Now by this we know that we know Him. if we keep his commandments. He who says, "I know Him," and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But whoever keeps His word, truly the love of God is perfected in him. By this we know that we are in Him. He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked.
1 John 2:3-6

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

Love and hugs,
 Amaryllis

Wisdom from Hebrews and James

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 with sunshine and maybe a few clouds, but warm. I have had my windows closed for a week and the A/C runs occasionally. but my nose is much happier with the pollen outside, instead of in. Until the oak trees stop shedding, the pollen count will remain high, but other blooming trees and shrubs are taking their place.  A good rain would dampen everything down, once we are blessed with it.

There wasn't much going on at the park when I finally got over there yesterday. It was later in the day, because of the yard work being done. Next week, Dave will bring his hedge trimmer and the azaleas will get trimmed. After they bloomed, they really started to shoot up.

I saw an anhinga sunning and drying out, and egrets and ibises, standing and pecking, but the gators are pretty scarce, now. It's amazing how many turtles exist in the canal and the lakes, because I think they are a food source for the gators. But God is good to provide for all the critters He created!

From the Promise Bible NLT:

James 1:2-4

Dear brothers and sisters, whenever trouble comes your way, let it be an opportunity for joy., For when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be strong in character and ready for anything.

If you need wisdom--if you want to know what God wants you to do--ask him, and he will gladly tell you . He  will not resent your asking. But when you ask him, be sure that you really expect him to answer, for  a doubtful mind is as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. People like that should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. They can't make up their minds. They waver back and forth in everything they do.

Hebrews 13:29-21

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

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

Love and hugs,
 Amaryllis

Proverbs 3:21-26

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 air is a little cooler and lots of humidity this morning, but still very nice. I have been outside with Dave, my friend and yard man, showing him a few tasks that need doing. I am happy to have someone reliable to take care of the outside for me. Those pesky baby lubbers have still been eating my amaryllis leaves, so I don't think I will have any blooms this year. Some have already bloomed and finished in the neighborhood. Oh, well, I really don't have a green thumb, but I try.

I saw the very large tri colored heron at the park yesterday, standing in the water, which was so shallow it was just up to his ankles. He looked very majestic, though. I also saw lots of birds, but I haven't seen many butterflies, so far. Guess I will have to walk back to the butterfly garden behind the building. I have a lot of the yellow ones all the time. They are so pretty! God is good!

From the Promise Bible NLT:

Proverbs 3:21-26 My child, don't lose sight of good planning and insight. Hang on to them, for they fill you with life and bring you honor and respect. They keep you safe on your way and keep your feet from stumbling. You can lie down without fear and enjoy pleasant dreams. You need not be afraid of disaster or the destruction that comes upon the wicked, for the Lord is your security. He will keep your foot from being caught in a trap.
 
Wisdom produces honor in our lives and protects us from trouble. Wise people know the difference between right and wrong and choose to do what is right. More than that, wisdom is choosing to apply God's truth and principles to our daily relationships and situations.

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

Love and hugs,
 Amaryllis

Keep Growing

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 in the long string of cloud free, sunny days. Great weather for the Grand Prix this weekend, and spring training, but we could really use some rain. Time to start praying for rain!

I am feeling the effects of my long walk from yesterday, so I guess i did not stretch enough afterwards. My leg muscles and feet are achy this morning, but, unfortunately, my appetite is not. I had an egg instead of my usual oatmeal. Not just an egg, but a couple slices of bacon, hash browns and toast. It was good for a change!

The oak trees in the park are still shedding their dust. On the way back to the car I had to walk under the trees and the wind picked up and showered me with the stuff. That is why I was using up tissues so fast!. I went back to the park yesterday afternoon, but did not walk. Lots of people were, though and also enjoying picnics. I was on my way to Walmart, where I discovered gas had gone down about ten cents from last week when I bought it, so I filled up the tank, along with a lot of other people. Then I decided to check out the parking situation to see if I could find one within sight of the store, and was pleasantly surprised to see a space close to the entrance, so I went in and shopped from one end to the other. I got lots of exercise yesterday! But I did not see beautiful sights in there like I did at the park! No birds, no fish in the wild, no gators, just lots of people and lots of merchandise. But God is good!

From the little devotional book Knowing God:

As newborn babies want milk, you should want the pure and simple teaching, By it you can grow up and be saved. 1 Peter 2:2 NCV
If you sincerely want to know God, then you can't be satisfied to be a stagnant believer. God's plan for you includes a lifetime of prayer, praise, and spiritual growth. As a Christian, you can--and should--continur to grow in the love and the knowledge of your Savior as long as you live.

I fyou cease to grow, either emotionally or spiritually, you do yourself a profound disservice. But, if you study God's Word, if you obey His commandments, and if you live for the protection of His will, you will not be a stagnant believer, you will, instead, ba a growing Christian...and that;s exactly what God wants you to be.

God loves us
the way we are,
but He loves us
too much to leave
us that way.
Leighton Ford

                                              - Great Thoughts-

I've never met anyone who became instantly mature. It's a painstaking process that God takes us through, and it includes
such things as waiting, failing, losing, and being misunderstood-each calling for extra doses of perseverance.
                                                                                                                   Charles Swindoll

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

Love and hugs,
 Amaryllis

1 Peter 3

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 lop-sided moon was still high in the southwest when I looked out as I arose, still a beautiful sight in the clear sky!

I decided to go walking early today as I used to, long ago, so I did my stretches and waited for daylight, went over to the park, and there was only one other car there, A couple walking their dog. I took my walking stick and crossed over the bridge, listening to all the birds who were out everywhere. I didn't know there were so many fuzzy shrubs in bloom, so although I had filled my pocket with tissues, I had used most of them by the time  I had gone just half way. I heard a rooster crowing across the canal behind the building,, but I never did see it. He sure was waking everybody up, though.  When I got to the overlook, I saw a large bird zip across the lake, so I looked to see if it was an osprey, but when he came back, I saw it was an eagle!! I was so excited! I haven't seen an eagle for over a year. It had something in it's mouth, so there must be a nest some place close.

The yellow barrier across the lake where the work is going on, was lined with ibises. Looks like they have claimed it for their own!  When I started back, only a couple people were on the boardwalk, so I broke trail. I sure hope spider webs are good for the complexion, because the little spiders had been busy last night! I paused on the bridge going back and a pileated woodpecker flew into a tree right in front of me! Beautiful red crest and black and white stripes on his neck. First time I had ever seen one, so I came home and looked it up in my Peterson's Guide. God is so good!

From the Promise Bible NLT:

1 Peter 3:8-12
Finally, all of you should be of one mind, full of sympathy toward each other, loving one another with tender hearts and humble minds. Don't repay evil for evil. Don't retaliate when people say unkind things about you. Instead, pay them back with a blessing. That is what God wants you to do, and he will bless you for it. For the Scriptures say,
If you want a happy life and good days,
keep your tongue from speaking evil,
and keep your lips from telling lies.
Turn away from evil and do good.
Work hard at living in peace with others.
The eyes of the Lord watch over those who do right,
and his ears are open to their prayers.
But the Lord turns his face against those who do evil.

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

Love and hugs,
Amaryllis

The Hope of Eternal Life

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 had to turn on the A/C yesterday, because the house got so stuffy. Looks like we are zooming right from winter to summer with very little break in between. But from the looks of the crowds at the beaches, it is very welcome for the spring breakers and all others!

Did you all see the awesome "super moon" a couple nights ago? It was a gorgeous orange as it rose and brilliant as it floated across to the west. I saw it this morning, also, shining brightly as it slowly started to set. God created the heavens and the earth and all that is in...Praise Him!

Not many critters were visible as I drove into the Park yesterday. A couple turtles were on the bank of the weir, and something was attracting the attention of 4 0r 5 people who were standing very close to where the gators hang out on the lake bank. There may have been a gator in a different place. But God is good!

From the Promise Bible NLT:

1 Peter 1:3-7
All honor to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, for it is by his boundless mercy that God has given us the privilege of being born again. Now we live with a wonderful expectation because Jesus Christ rose again from the dead. For God has reserved a priceless inheritance for his children. It is kept in heaven for you, pure and undefiled. God, in his mighty power, will protect you until you receive this salvation, because you are trusting him. It will be revealed on the last day for all to see. So be truly glad! There is wonderful joy ahead, even though it is necessary for you to endure many trials for awhile.

These trials are only to test your faith, to show that it is strong and pure.  It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold-and your faith is far more precious to God than mere gold. So if your faith remains strong after being tried by fiery trials, it will bring you much praise, and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world

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

Love and hugs,
 Amaryllis

Patience

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 of the string of beautiful days we have had and even though spring is not officially here yet, it is spring like weather Baseball starts soon, and the NCAA games are being played in Tampa, the beaches are full of spring breakers, so it really is spring in Florida!

Dave, my yard man came yesterday, and although the grass is not really growing yet, there is always something to do around the yard. Hundreds of baby lubbers, (those huge grasshoppers) are eating up my amaryllis leaves, and the worms are still hanging from the oak trees, but not as many. Strange plants grow up everywhere and need pulling, so something always needs doing. I appreciate having someone to do the work for me.

When I went to the park, later on yesterday, I saw the big tree trimming trucks just leaving, actually parked across from the workshed, so I guess they had been working, but I don't know where. I could see no signs of freshly trimmed trees, but they could have been working somewhere on the boardwalk. I watched a large turtle stroll across the road the other day, and watched to see that he made it ok before  I drove on. Then I watched a white ibis, very vividly standing out, against the gray mud and gray tree roots across the water. What a painting that would make!

Well, yesterday, I had no sooner sent the gator bytes email out, than my friend, Karin, called and said she had left over corned beef and cabbage if I wanted it. Of course, I did, so she and Jim brought it over, and I enjoyed it for supper. It was good, and so thoughtful of her to think of me! Thanks, Karin! God is good!

From the Promise Bible NLT:
 
Where can I find the resources to be patient?

Galatians 5:22 When the Holy Spirit controls our lives, he will produce this kind of fruit in us; love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness.
 
The Holy Spirit produces patience in our lives. As we relax and trust in Him, we release our need to control life's circumstances.

Colossians 1:11 We also pray that you will be strengthened with his glorious power so that you will have all the patience and endurance you need. May you be filled with joy.
 
Prayer infuses patience into our lives. When we admit a need in prayer, the Lord begins to meet that need.

Psalm 37:34 Don't be impatient for the Lord to act! Travel steadily along his path. He will honor you, giving you the land. You will see the wicked destroyed.
 
Patience comes from simply trusting God day by day. Even when we don't think we can last very long, Christ gives us the strength to "travel steadily." Our commitments to faith and obedience will keep us on God's path for longer than we thought possible.

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

Love and hugs,
 Amaryllis

Haggai 1:5-11

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! Happy St. Patrick's Day to all! I am wearing green today, but I really don't have to since I am green! How many are having corned beef and cabbage today? As far as I know, I am not, but it's a good thought.

I spend a quiet day yesterday, seeing a couple people who came for various services.  Read most of the day, but did get out to the park. Once again the turtles were plastered against the weir bank and a great blue heron was looking down in the water for an unwary fish to come his way. The oak trees are almost through shedding, thankfully, so the road is not covered as much. Also, my front porch stays cleaner longer, now. However, my window sills are yellow with pollen, which needs to be washed off. But God is good!

The scripture this morning, is from an email sent in 2003 from the friend that this morning devotional was started for...actually for him and his business.
-- Haggai 1:5-11 NIV
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 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. "
The words of Haggai are a warning as well as a blessing. We need to focus on the author of our faith and less on our own selfish ways. When we are able to focus our worship on HIM and on HIS plan for our lives, then the "details" of our lives get sorted out according to HIS will.
(thanks, Gil.)

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

Love and hugs,
 Amaryllis

Time

Good Morning, Dear Friends and Prayer Partners! This is the day that the Lord has made and we will rejoice and be glad in it! The pollen from the oaks has finally eased off, at least, when I sweep the porch it stays leaf and dust free for a day or two, so that is good. The bad news is, all the other trees are now blooming, so dust will be around for awhile. My neighbor's citrus trees are blooming and the fragrance is wonderful! The orange blossom scent has never been captured in a bottle, yet!

I had some testing done yesterday..first, I went to the lab and the parking lot was full in front. I saw a car pulling out, so waited with my blinker on and when the car pulled out, a car from the other direction pulled right in! I decided it was just a parking space, nothing to get upset about, and found another one. Then, after I had a very late breakfast, I went to Beall's and waited for a cashier..only one was working and she had a customer who had a very complicated purchase and return to make. Finally, another cashier came and cheerfully took my purchases. Next, I went to Publix, where shopping was not a pleasure. I was in the cereal aisle, where a box had fallen down and then before I could pick it up, a customer picked it up for me, and when I walked down the aisle a ways and stopped to look. I was bumped firmly with a cart. It was the same man who had picked up the cereal box. He had been reading his list and ran right into me! He apologized profusely and asked if I was Okay, which I was. Then, when I went to the checkout, which were all crowded with lines, I picked the shortest, and the customer two ahead of me could not get her card to work, so someone with her used hers, then she decided to buy something else, and I wound up waiting about twenty minutes. The lady just ahead of me, was only buying ice cream, which was probably soft by the time she got checked out.! Through it all, I kept my cool, and was glad to have listened to the sermon on testing, Sunday!

But I drove to the park afterwards and all was calm and serene. Turtles on the bank of the weir, squirrels racing across the road, and a majestic great white heron fishing ! God is good!

From the Promise Bible NLT:

How can I best use time?

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

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

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

Love and hugs,
 Amaryllis

God's Surprising Plans

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! Due to a visit to the lab this morning, I am late getting this out. But even thought this will be short, I hope it will be meaningful to you.

You never know who God will put in your path in strange places. My friends, Carl and Carol were also at the lab, so we had a nice visit while people watching and waiting. I was really glad to get home and eat breakfast after nine. I am not fond of fasting, since I am a get up and eat breakfast kind of person. But it is over with and I am glad.

Yesterday, as I went into church for a training session, the parking lot was lined with lots of ibis. I have never seen so many at one time! Something was really appealing to them about the grass. Then, after I was through, I saw lots of turtles plastered on the bank of the weir as I drove to the park. A very weary looking woodstork was strolling along the bank of Lynch Lake as I headed out. and this morning I saw a great white heron standing by the bank. They are so beautiful and graceful looking! God is good!

From the little devotional book Knowing God:
 
Open Yourself to God's surprising Plans
 
But as it is written:
What no eye has seen and no ear has heard,
and what has never come into a man's heart,
is what God has prepared for those who love Him.
    1 Corinthians 2:9 HCSB
 
God has plans for your life, wonderful, surprising plans...but He won't force those plans upon you. To the contrary, He has given you free will, freedom to make decisions on your own. With that freedom to choose comes the responsibility of living with the consequences of the choices you make.
 
If you seek to live in accordance with God's will for your life--and you should-then you will study God's Word, and you will be watchful for His signs. You will associate with fellow Christians who will encourage your spiritual growth, and you will listen to that inner voice that speaks to you in the quiet moments of your daily devotionals.

 God intends to use you in wonderful, unexpected ways if you let him. The decision to seek God's plan and to follow it is yours and yours alone. The consequences of that decision have implications that are both profound and eternal , so choose carefully.

                              GREAT THOUGHTS
Even when we cannot see the why and wherefore of God's dealings, we know that there is love in and behind them, so we can rejoice always.
                                  J.I.Packer

                                           -Today's Prayer_
Dear Lord, I know that you have a plan for me. Today, I will seek your will in every aspect of my life. I will seek to live obediently, courageously, and wisely. Heavenly Father, please make me watchful for your signs and accepting of your love, this day and forever. Amen.

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

Love and hugs,
 Amaryllis

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! I hope everyone had a busy weekend and spent some time outdoors. It was gorgeous weather! I didn't spend any time outdoors because the pollen count is still high, so I try to avoid the yellow stuff.

But, my dear friend, Mari, once again invited me to play with her (that's what she calls lunching with friends instead of working), so we went to Mazzarro's. That place was packed on a Saturday! Even parking was a challenge. But we found a table out under the awning and enjoyed our sandwiches and talking. She is a fun person to be with and I am blessed to be her friend!

I also visited the park and saw the black gator half in the water at the lake. Lots of squirrels are chasing themselves all over the trees and probably building nests. Today on the way to church, I saw three woodstorks nestled down in the grass beside Lynch Lake. First time I had seen them resting.

I took a late afternoon drive to the park, after leaving the prayer meeting at church, and since the sun is still high, the long shadows were creeping over the road and  people were finishing up picnics in the warm air. There were still quite a few patrons strolling on the boardwalk, and enjoying themselves. 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

Isaiah 40

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 and wind today after the wet, overcast day yesterday. But I have had the TV on all morning, watching the weather channel following the progress of the tsunami that is about to sweep over parts of Hawaii, and the destruction that is left in Japan after the earthquake and tsunami. So, many people are not rejoicing this morning. I have prayed for them.

Yesterday, I stayed home all day and caught up with my reading, after vacuuming and doing a few chores.Since the weather didn't clear up until late morning, it was a good day to stay home.
Lots of pollen was wetted down and until it dries out, sniffles and sinuses will be lessened, and that's a good thing. Today is much cooler and for awhile we have winter again, but it will be warmer again Sunday. God is good!

From the Promise Bible NLT:

Isaiah 40:3
Listen! I hear the voice of someone shouting, "Make a highway for the Lord through the wilderness. Make a straight, smooth road through the desert for our God. Fill the valleys and level the hills. Straighten out the curves and smooth off the rough spots. Then the glory of the Lord  will be revealed and all the people will see it together. The Lord has spoken!
A voice said, "Shout"!
I asked, "what should I shout?"
"Shout that the people are like the grass that dies away. Their beauty fades as quickly as the beauty of the flowers fade beneath the breath of the Lord. And so it is with people. The grass withers, and the flowers fade, but the word of our God stands forever."

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

Love and hugs,
Amaryllis

Tea Time Manners

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 by lightning flashing and thunder booming this morning, a welcome sound, but that just gave me the incentive to stay in bed awhile. All this sorely needed rain is bringing a cold front in, after all the beautiful weather we have had. Hard to believe that although it is 66 now, tonight it will drop to 48. At least, that's the prediction!

All the pollen is now wet and we have relief for awhile until it dries out. I wish it would also take away the worms, but I am happy for the pollen dampening. I tried to sweep off the porch yesterday, and got a lot of pollen dust blowing.

I drove to Walmart to fill the tank and was glad to find the price was lower than most gas stations...not low, but lower. The wind was blowing so hard that I thought I would lose all my hair! After I left there. I stopped at the park and saw quite a few people out , enjoying the sun and wind.  I watched an egret stroll up to a picnic table, and look longingly at the people eating, hoping for a tid-bit. The squirrels always beg, and now it looks like the egrets have picked up the habit. But God is good!

From Quiet Moments with God:
 
The desire of a man is his kindness. Proverbs 19:22 KJV
How much sweeter everyday life would be if teatime manners were valued! Tea-time manners are more than waving a pinkie in the air, knowing which fork to use, or remembering where to place one's napkin after a meal. These are secondary to the real reason we have manners.

Manners are merely behaving as though Jesus were our honored Guest--as if eveery other person we meet were His personal emissary. It means doing and saying what makes others feel comfortable.

Some years ago, the members of an entire church in Scotland were able to produce one of the most remarkable preachers of the time just by showing him Christlike manners. Here's what happened:

Ian Maclaren, author of Beside the Bonnie Brier Bush, was learning to preach without notes at his first church assignment in the Highlands. At times, he would stop in the middle of a sermon and say to the congregation, "Friends, that is not very clear. It was clear in my study on Saturday, but now I will begin again."

After one particular service when his memory had failed him, Maclaren was approached by a gaunt elder who took him by the hand and said, "when you are not remembering your sermon, just call out a psalm and we will be singing that while you are taking a rest; for we all are loving you and praying for you."

With such parishioners, how could Ian Maclaren have done anything other than grow in his preaching abilities and pulpit composure? That first Highland church made Ian Maclaren. Years later he said, "I am in the ministry today because of those country folk, those perfect gentlemen and Christians."

If one has developed a sinse of manners, then he or she is less likely to have to stop and say, "What would Jesus do in this situation?"

Little drops of water, little grains of sand.
make the mighty ocean and the pleasant
land. Little deeds of kindness, little
words of love, help to make earth happy
like the heaven above.
Julia A. Fletcher-Carney

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

Love and hugs,
 Amaryllis

Have a healthy fear of God

Good morning, Dear Friends and Prayer Partners! This is the day that the Lord has made and we will rejoice and be glad in it! We are still having beautiful, sunshiny, somewhat windy weather, but I remember that March came in like a lamb, and may go out like a lion. I do wish the winds would blow the oak tree worms away...little green worms, hanging from silken threads, all over the yard. Not pleasant at all! I googled them yesterday and it looks like another month of them, before they are gone. Eat up, mockingbirds!!

On a more pleasant note, I visited my dear friend yesterday and got my hair done. Mari has been doing my hair for over thirty years. She knows my hair better than I do. She is such an encourager, I always feel better when I leave her company, not to mention, also looking good. On my way home I went by the Taco Bus and saw a line of people clear out on the sidewalk, so decided not to get my lunch there. I went as far as 16th St. on Central and looked like all the merchants were busy.

I also drove into the park on my way home and saw a flock of ibis and quite a few people enjoying this wonderful weather. I also saw another osprey and a wood stork by Lynch Lake in front of the school. God is good!

From the little devotional book Knowing God:

Since we are receiving a Kingdom that cannot be destroyed, let us be thankful and please God by worshiping him with holy fear and awe.
                     Hebrews 12:28 NLT
Do you have a healthy, fearful respect for God's power? If so, you are both wise and obedient. And, because you are a thoughtful believer, you also understand that genuine wisdom begins with a profound appreciation for God's limitless power.

God praises humility and punishes pride. That's why God's greatest servants will always be those humble men and women who care less for their own glory and more for God's glory. In God's kingdom, the only way to achieve greatness is to shun it. And the only way to be wise is to understand these facts. God is great; He is all-knowing; and He is all powerful. We must respect him, and we must humbly obey His commandments, or we must accept the consequences of our misplaced pride.

                                            -Great Thoughts-

A healthy fear of God will do much to deter us from sin.
                                                                 -Chuck Swindoll-

When true believers are awed by the greatness of God and by the privilege of becoming His children, then they become sincerely motivated, effective evangelists.
                                                                    Bill Hybels

                                                    -Today's Prayer-
Dear Lord, let my greatest fear be the fear of displeasing You. I will strive, Father, to obey Your commandments and seek Your will this day and every day of my life. Amen

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

Love and hugs,
 Amaryllis

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! Well, they have arrived. The worms, I mean. No more walking in the yard without a hat or protecting cover. Seems like the yard won't get cleaned up for awhile with all the worms hanging around. And I do mean "hanging". The webs are gently blowing in the breeze all over with a worm at the end.  "EEEW!

But with all the worms, the birds should be happy if the worms suit their taste.  I saw an osprey on top of a light pole finishing off his lunch yesterday. He was close to the nest at Sawgrass Elem., so he may have been grabbing a bite before continuing with the job of feeding the babies.  I saw in the Times yesterday that the Hillsborough State Park was one of the few places where you can see ospreys nest, but in this neighborhood there are two big nests right now, so we don't have to go that far.

The gator was back on the bank of the lake at the park yesterday and the anhinga was waddling along the top of the weir. I say "waddling" because they are definitely not graceful. Their knees bend backward and they sort of sit on them between steps. Kind of comical. But God makes all creatures great and small, (even the worms) and He is Good!

From the Promise Bible NLT:

1 Thessalonians 5:12-23
 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.

See that no one pays back evil for evil, but always try to do good to each other and to everyone else.

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 prophesies, but test everything that is said. Hold on to what is good. Keep away from every 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 comes again. God, who calls, you, is faithful; he will do this....
And may the grace of the Lord be with you.

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

Love and hugs,
 Amaryllis

Loving one another

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 just outside with Dave, my yardman, and the wind is really blowing from the south and then from the east..can't seem to make up its mind. Everything looks so good and clean now, but in a few minutes, I won't be able to tell he was here. The pollen is still falling and coating everything. I have not had the van parked under any trees, but the back window was covered with yellow dust!

Yesterday, I went over to the park, but did not get out, because everything is covered with oak dust, just like my yard. I saw the anhinga airing the wings on the weir and also on the dead tree branch in the water. People find them fascinating and stand and watch them for several minutes. I haven't seen the gopher tortoise lately, but he was a showpiece for all the school children, when he was close to the parking lot. I saw the teacher with several classes, looking at him several days in a row.

Also, the screech owl wooden house is now full of bees which have taken up residence there. No room for the owls! I guess I will have to do my walking inside a large  store or mall until the pollen count is lower. But God is good!

From the Promise Bible NLT:
 
1 John 4:7-12
Dear Friends, let us continue to love one another, for love comes from God. Anyone who loves is born of God and knows God. But anyone who does not love does not know God--for God is love.

God showed how much he loved us by sending his only son into the world so that we might have eternal life through him. This is real love. It is not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as a sacrifice to take away our sin.

Dear Friends, since God loved us that much, we surely ought to love each other. No one has ever seen God. But if we love each other, God lives in us, and his love has been brought to full expression through us.

Ephesians 3:20-21
Now glory be to God! By his mighty power at work within us, he is able to accomplish infinitely more than we would ever dare to ask or hope. May he be given glory in the church and in Christ Jesus forever and ever through endless ages. Amen

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

Love and hugs,
 Amaryllis

Psoaring thru Psalm 121

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 listening to the monotonous cooing of a dove and the answering call of another while I was having my quiet time this morning. I believe it is mating time, since  the weather has been so nice. They were probably wooing, (an old fashioned term).

Yesterday, I drove to the park after shopping and going to the audiologist. I saw a couple turtles sunning on the bank of the weir and the younger gator was sunning on the other side of the road, in his usual spot on the bank of the lake. It was a beautiful day and the park is greening up nicely with all the new leaves on the trees, but the pollen was covering the road and still blowing off the trees. It has also piled up on my front porch, and I am waiting for my yard man to come and blow it all off, because if I get the broom out to sweep,, it will fall in my hair and I will also start sneezing. Ah, spring!  But God is good!

From the Promise Bible NLT:
 
Psalm 121

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

He will not let you stumble and fall;
The one who watches over Israel
never tires and never sleeps.

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

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

Love and hugs,
 Amaryllis

Jammin' thru James

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!

As I watch the drips pouring off the roof, it seems that the sky is crying tears for Officer David Crawford whose services are being held in just and hour and a half. My fervent prayer is that this is the last service in St. Petersburg for a fallen officer! What a way to start a new month!

Because of the falling pollen, I am happy for the rain, hoping it will dampen down all the stuff floating around in the air, although it is just a light sprinkle. Every little bit helps! I have given up walking in the park, because of all the pollen, and my sneezing. I still ride through every day, just so I can see what is going on and watch the azaleas blossoming out. Also, I like to see the gators and turtles. Yesterday I looked out my window at home and saw the yard was filled with ibises and right in the middle was a little squirrel, happily munching on an acorn. The ibis went on pecking and the squirrel kept on munching. They were happily co-existing...a good example for all of us! God is good!

From the Promise Bible NLT:

Controlling the tongue...James 3

Dear brothers and sisters, not many of you should become teachers in the church, for we who teach will be judged by God with greater strictness.

We all make many mistakes, but those who control their tongues can also control themselves in every  other way. We can make a large horse turn around and go wherever we want by means of a small bit in its mouth, And a tiny rudder makes a huge ship turn wherever a pilot wants it to go, even though the winds are strong. So, also, the tongue is a small thing, but what enormous damage it can do. A tiny spark can set a great forest on fire.  And the tongue is a flame of fire. It is full of wickedness that can ruin your whole life. It can turn the entire course of your life into a blazing flame of destruction, for it is set on fire by hell itself.

People can tame all kinds of animals and birds and reptiles and fish, but no one can tame the tongue. It is an uncontrollable evil, full of deadly poison. Sometimes it praises our Lord and Father, and sometimes it breaks out into curses against those who have been made in the image of God. And so blessing and cursing come pouring out of the same mouth. Surely, my brothers and sisters, this is not right! Does a spring of water bubble out with both fresh water and bitter water? Can you pick olives from a fig tree or figs from a grapevine? No, and you can't draw fresh water from a salty pool...(more tomorrow)

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

Love and hugs,
 Amaryllis