Friday, July 29, 2011

Paul's Final Instructions

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 googled clouds yesterday to see the different kinds, because I was admiring the towering white clouds that were visible yesterday. Just beautiful! But last evening we had a wild thunderstorm just as I was finishing dinner. It just poured and thundered and the lightning was flashing, so I put off washing dishes until it had passed. Then an hour or so later more rain started coming down and this morning, the water is still dripping off the roof. But that brought relief from the scorching temps yesterday.

I was standing outside talking with Dave, the yard man, when my neighbor to the south came over with his two sons to chat. He moved out of the house several months ago and into one he and his wife had built, so one son has been living there. The house is in pretty bad shape, but he is going to put it up for sale. A moving van has been there for a couple days, so I was wondering what was going on. That house has a history, so whoever buys it  should investigate...

Dave was telling me that he is walking the boardwalk at Sawgrass every day , because since the shortage of workers, he and another ranger are left to look over things when they have Sawgrass on their route of parks to cover. He has seen people walking dogs on the boardwalk, (a no-no) and the other ranger had to eject one person for life for bothering mama gator at her nest. People really take advantage of no one being around to stop them from doing what they know is wrong. Of course, that would happen once in a while while workers were there, but in that case, just a simple phone call to the office took care of the problem. Oh, well, God is still good!

From the Promise Bible NLT:


1 Timothy 6:17
Tell those who are rich in this world not to be proud and not to trust in their money, which will soon be gone. But their trust should be in the living God, who richly gives us all we need for our enjoyment. Tell them to use their money to do good. They should be rich in good works and should give generously to those in need, always being ready to share with others whatever God has given them. By doing this they will be storing up their treasure as a good foundation for the future so that they may take hold of real life....
May God's grace be with you all.


1 Timothy 4:8
Physical exercise has some value, but spiritual exercise is much more important....

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


Love and hugs, 
Amaryllis

Thursday, July 28, 2011

Psoaring thru Psalm 20

Good morning Dear Friends and Prayer Partners! This is the day that the Lord has made and we will rejoice and be glad in it! Today we have sunshine and breezes, after the overcast and rain of yesterday. But I am thankful for the rain, since we were dry for so long. Morning is the time for the birds to zip around and gather berries and whatever they eat, worms, too, and it is nice to see so many of them.

I mostly stayed home yesterday, since I didn't need anything, so I did laundry and read and other little things that needed doing. I went to the park later and saw the water gleaming on the grass and dripping from the trees. A beautiful, white egret was looking for a fish, and I noticed that the hydrilla has been sprayed and is brown, so that's been taken care of. Also, a large maple limb which had broken and was hanging down by a picnic table in the circle, had been removed after a week or so. So, necessary chores get done after while. God is good!

From the Promise Bible NLT:

Psalm 20;

In times of trouble, may the Lord respond to your cry.
May the God of Israel keep you safe from all harm.
May he send you help from his sanctuary
and strengthen you from Jerusalem.
May he remember all your gifts
and look favorably on your burnt offerings.
May he grant your heart's desire and fulfill all your plans.
May we shout for joy when we hear of your victory,
flying banners to honor our God.
May the Lord answer all your prayers.

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

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

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


Love and hugs,
Amaryllis

Wednesday, July 27, 2011

1 Corinthians 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! Looks like another overcast day, but that is OK, because it keeps the temps. a little cooler. We did not have any rain yesterday, but maybe today.

I wrote about the blackbirds that were scratching out the mulch. Well, a whole flock came yesterday and made a mess scratching out mulch and acorns up and down the driveway and sidewalk. I waited until all was clear before I went out and swept everything up. Tomorrow, Dave the yardman, will come and blow everything I missed, until it's all clean. I think the birds even scratched the leaves off the rain gutter cover, because the porch was covered with stuff, too. They don't miss a trick!

I did some shopping yesterday morning, enjoying the clouds that covered the hot sun, as I walked to and from stores, and then a little house cleaning in the afternoon. Afterward, I went to the park to enjoy the quiet shade and heat for a few minutes. I saw a beautiful tri-colored heron and an anhinga spreading its wings. Very few people, though. God is good!

From the Promise Bible NLT:


1 Corinthians 3:7-9, 13-15

The ones who do the planting or watering aren't important, but God is important because he is the one who makes the seed grow. The one who plants and the one who waters work as a team with the same purpose. Yet they will be rewarded individually, according to their own hard work. We work together as partners who belong to God. You are God's field, God's building, not ours....

But there is going to come a time of testing at the judgment day to see what kind of work each builder has done. Everyone's work will be put through the fire to see whether or not it keeps its value. If the work survives the fire, that builder will receive a reward. But if the work is burned up, the builder will suffer great loss. The builders themselves will be saved, but like someone escaping through a wall of flames.

21 So don't take pride in following a particular leader. Everything belongs to you: Paul and Apollos and Peter; the whole world and life and death; the present and the future. Everything belongs to you, and you belong to Christ, and Christ belongs to God.

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


Love and hugs, Amaryllis

Tuesday, July 26, 2011

Shine Brightly for Christ

Good morning, Dear friends and Prayer Partners! This is the day that the Lord has made and we will rejoice and be glad in it! It is another very warm morning with overcast skies, so maybe we will have another small thunderstorm like we did yesterday. I sat and waited for the storm to come and go before I finished doing the running around that I needed to do.

I had shopped at Publix in the morning and walked all around the store, gathering the few things I needed, taking my shopping bags with me. I also had the Publix insulated  container which is really handy for putting frozen or cold foods in. It has a double zipper on top, but the older stock man who bagged everything up, did not zip it up. I should have asked him to , but sometimes the retired people who go back to work, are set in their ways and do not take kindly to suggestions. No insult intended. So, anyway, I did it myself and told him I didn't need his help to get to the car...just a little incident in my day.

I am so provoked at the little black birds who scratch out the mulch in my plant bed in front. They make a mess on the sidewalk, and I have no idea what they are looking for. I am always glad to see the birds flying around and zipping through the yard, but none of the others scratch out the mulch like they do. Oh, well, I need the exercise of sweeping...
 

I went to the park after the rain and, once again, the trash is piled up against the weir. I don't see any turtles when the green stuff covers the water. They just wait until it's clear. But I did see a tri-colored heron, standing tall and majestically by the canal and the usual ibis pecking along. God is good!

From the Promise Bible NLT:
 

 Philippians 2:5-11
Dearest Friends, you were always so careful to follow my instructions when I was with you. And now that I am away you must be even more careful to put into action God's saving work in your lives, obeying God with deep reverence and fear. For God is working in you, giving you the desire to obey him and the power to do what pleases him.

In everything you do, stay away from complaining and arguing, so that no one can speak a word of blame against you. You are to live clean, innocent lives as children of God in a dark world full of crooked and perverse people. Let your lives shine brightly before them. Hold tightly to the word of life, so that when Christ returns, I will be proud that I did not lose the race  and that my work was not  useless. But even if my life is to be poured out like a drink offering to complete the sacrifice of your faithful service  (that is, if I am to die for you) I will rejoice, and I want to share my joy with all of you. And you should be happy about this and rejoice with me.

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


Love and hugs, Amaryllis

Monday, July 25, 2011

Paul's thanksgiving and Prayer

Good morning, Dear Friends and Prayer Partners! This is the day that the Lord has made and we will rejoice and be glad in it! We had a late rain last night. It started just as I was ready to go to bed and I was glad because I like the sound of rain lulling me to sleep. The phone rang and when I saw it was my across the street neighbor, I thought, "Oh, no, not again". But, yes, my garage door was open. I had checked it when I was locking the  kitchen door, but did not turn on the light. It looked like it was closed, but I am so thankful for vigilant friends. I had called her a week ago when we had a heavy downpour, and I saw that her garage door was open. That was in the daytime, though. We watch out for each other!

I noticed something cute and unusual on the front porch wall a couple days ago. A bluejay was sitting on the wall, after having a drink from the bowl I keep out for the birds and squirrels. I never see them just sitting as if on a nest, but I watched for a couple minutes, and then, suddenly, off he flew! I guess he just needed a breather from his busy day.
 

I saw the large gopher tortoise ambling along at the park Sat. They always remind me of my childhood, because they were always around in the vacant lots bordering our house. They are not nearly so plentiful, now, and, I think, are on the endangered list. The young gator is also in place right below the first bridge. He seems to like all the attention he attracts. God is good!

From the Promise Bible NLT:

Philippians 1:5-11
Every time I think of you, I give thanks to my God. I always pray for you, and I make my requests with a heart full of joy because you have been my partners in spreading the Good News about Christ from the time you first heard it until now. And I am sure that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on that day when Christ Jesus comes back again.

It is right that I should feel as I do about all of you, for you have a very special place in my heart. We have shared together the blessings of God, both when I was in prison and when I was out, defending the truth and telling others the Good News. God knows the tender compassion of Christ Jesus. I pray that your love for each other will overflow more and more and that you will keep on growing in your knowledge and understanding. For I want you to undeerstand what really matters, so that you may live pure and blameless lives until Christ returns. May you always be filled with the fruit of your salvation-those good things that are produced in your life by Jesus Christ-for this will bring much glory and praise to God.

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


Love and hugs,
 Amaryllis

Friday, July 22, 2011

Living to please others

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 the breeze blowing and blue skies with puffy, white clouds overhead. Yesterday, as I was leaving for the doctor's a large dark cloud was looming, and I thought I surely would run into rain. I could see it falling just north of here, but other than a few sprinkles, I did not have to drive in the rain.

Today I have already been to the lab to get blood work done, and then back home to eat. I really like my breakfast. I gave a quick  thought to McDonald's which is in the same shopping center as the lab, but saw the long line at the drive-thru, and just came on home to make my breakfast. Much healthier, anyway.

I saw a pelican take off from Lynch Lake yesterday, so they must go anywhere they think a fish lurks. Then I went to the park and saw that it had been mowed and looked much better on one side. The other side is still overgrown and wild looking. Not many people were out, but the ibis were there in a large flock. No turtles and no egrets, but I'm sure they were there. I just couldn't see them. God is good!

From the Promise Bible NLT:
 

Romans 15:1-8
We may know that these things make no difference, but we cannot just go ahead and do them to please ourselves. We must be considerate of the doubts and fears of those who think these things are wrong. We should please others. If we do what helps them, we will build them up in the Lord. For even Christ didn't please himself. As the Scriptures say, "Those who insult you are also insulting me." Such things were written in the Scriptures long ago to teach us. They give us hope and encouragement as we wait patiently for God's promises.
 

May God. who gives this patience and encouragement, help you live in complete harmony with each other-each with the attitude of Christ Jesus toward the other. Then all of you can join together with one voice, giving praise, and glory to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

So accept each other just as Christ has accepted you, then God will be glorified. Remember that Christ came as a servant to the Jews to show that God is true to the promises he made to their ancestors. And he came so the Gentiles might also give glory to God for his mercies to them....

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


Love and hugs,
 Amaryllis

Thursday, July 21, 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! Another beautiful hot day is in store for us but not as hot as further north, and, at least, most of us have A/C in our homes, unlike people in MN and the Dakotas. I am thankful for blessings!

I watched a rerun of the shuttle landing in perfect weather this morning at the Cape. A perfect landing, but also the last one. Bittersweet.


Lots of people were visiting the Space Center yesterday, which was featured on the news last night. A good education for the kids and parents.

Yesterday was dermatologist day for me. More pre-cancerous spots were frozen than I had anticipated, so I just squinted and bore the sting. I have been going to Dr. Nelson for many years...senior and now junior. The office is downtown near Bayfront so when I got out of there, I drove down Central and then to the waterfront and Straub Park, where i saw the weird sculpture, big and red, that I had read about.  Lots of people were walking about and eating at the outdoor tables. It was a busy, bustling downtown.

I also went to the Park for a quiet, peaceful moment and saw that the downed tree just beyond the weir, had actually been removed! It really was in the way of the flow of the water, so I guess that's why it was removed. Very few people were there, but I saw an ibis take off from the canal and gracefully fly to another destination. They are so beautiful in flight! God is good!

From the little devotional book Knowing God:


And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God.
Colossians 1:10 NIV
When we behave ourselves as thoughtful adults-and when we conduct ourselves in accordance with God's instructions-we are blessed in ways that we cannot fully understand. When we seek righteousness in our own lives-and when we seek the companionship of those who do likewise-we reap the spiritual rewards that God intends for us to enjoy.

Today, as you fulfill your responsibilities, hold fast to that which is good, and associate yourself with folks who behave themselves in like fashion. When you do, your good works will serve as a powerful example for others and as a worthy offering to your Creator. And you will reap a surprising array of blessings as a result of your good works.

                                                              -Great Thoughts-
I don't care what a man says he believes with his lips. I want to know with a vengeance what he says with his life and his actions.
                                      Sam Jones

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


Love and hugs, Amaryllis

Wednesday, July 20, 2011

Psoaring thru Psalm 47

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 still and not a leaf stirring, but the sun is shining and the Rays won last night, so all is well!

I got brave yesterday with my uncertain hip muscle still a little painful, and decided to walk it off at Walmart if I could find a near parking space within sight of the building. So, the Lord found one for me and a cart was right beside the car, which I piled my shopping bags in and off I went. I walked and shopped from one end to the other and could feel the muscle loosening up. so it did a lot of good just to exercise.

I stopped off at the park to look at the birds and greenery and was a little disappointed to not see the gopher tortoise. I saw the ibis, as usual and the anhingas airing the wings out, and also a couple turtles sunning on the bank of the weir. It was very hot by then, so I had to get home, unloaded and get something to eat, since it was after 1 before I returned home. Then I made a trip to the library to return and then check out some more books. I am currently reading Tim Tebow's book, which I am finding interesting. I wondered what such a young man could write about since he has not had very many life experiences yet. Hmm. I was wrong. He has done more and traveled more and won more people to Christ than most of us do in a lifetime, and I am only half way through the book! BTW, I noticed when my blog came back yesterday, I misspelled "plagued". I used a 'q". Tsk. Have to get on my proof reader. (me).
God is good!

From the Promise Bible NLT:

Come , everyone, and clap your hands for joy!
Shout to the Lord with joyful praise!
For the Lord Most High is awesome,
He is the great King of all the earth.
He subdues the nations before us,
putting our enemies beneath our feet.
He chose the Promised Land as our inheritance,
the proud possession of Jacob's 
descendants, whom he loves.

God has ascended with a mighty shout,
The Lord has ascended with trumpets blaring.
Sing praise to God, sing praises;
sing praise to our King, sing praises!

For God is the King over all the earth.
Praise him with a psalm!
God reigns above the nations,
sitting on his holy throne.
The rulers of the world have gathered  together.
They join us in praising the God of Abraham.
For all the kings of the earth belong to God.
He is highly honored everywhere.

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


Love and hugs, Amaryllis

Tuesday, July 19, 2011

Love 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! I stepped outside this morning, and saw four blue jays pecking around in the yard. Since I discovered they like acorns, I can  understand why they like to peck around. 

All day yesterday, I was plagued with pain in my right hip muscle, which started Sunday, but because of prayers on my behalf, today I am mostly pain free. Thank God for answers to prayers! Now I have a lot of errands to run, so today will be catch-up day...

Well, because I missed the Faith Group meeting last night, I just had Meals on Wheels delivered to me by David and Cheryl. Thanks for thinking of me, Karin and all the others. I really hated to miss, but because I did, God blessed me in a special way.

I did ride through the park yesterday on one of my outings before the pain really set in and noticed that all the trash is gone from the canal--still some on the weir, but the algae and trash gone look good. I saw a turtle back  sunning on the bank and a lone immature ibis standing all my himself. Another tree is down across the canal just beyond the weir, so now all the trash that washes over will be caught, maybe. God is good!

From the Promise Bible NLT"

How can I know God really loves me?

John 3:16 God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.

1 John 3:1 See how very much our heavenly Father loves us, for he allows us to be called his children, and we really are! But the people who belong to this world don't know God, so they don't understand that we are his children.

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 sins. 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.
 


The gift of the Holy Spirit is also an assurance of God's love. Though it may be difficult to prove objectively, the Spirit gives solid assurances in our hearts.

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


Love and hugs, Amaryllis

Monday, July 18, 2011

Growing in the Knowledge 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!  A beautiful sky this morning,; puffy clouds and blue sky in between.  Yesterday started out this way, but a thunderstorm blew up in the afternoon. However, I was busy baking a cake, so it didn't bother me. I had a little trouble with the cake pan, though. The batter was so heavy, the Bundt pan came apart with the batter in it! I carefully fitted it back and other than batter cooked everywhere in the pan, so I had to soak it over an hour to get it apart, the cake turned out actually pretty good...doesn't look so pretty, though. Taste is the main thing, right?

I saw the high water in the park Saturday, and all the new trash that had washed down the canal and piled up at the weir and some of it washed over to the other side. Should be time to mow soon, because the grass is way high and all the weeds, too. There was a birthday party going on in the shelter, even though it was sprinkling, but they were dry and having a good time!  The white egrets look so outstanding against the greens and the muddy banks. There is beauty everywhere if we just look. 
 

Even in my yard..the plumbago is a pretty blue and the crape myrtle is bloomed out all over with pink flowers. God is good!

From the Promise Bible NLT:


2 Peter 1:3-9
As we know Jesus better, his divine power gives us everything we need for living a godly life. He has called us to receive his own glory and goodness! And by that same mighty power, he has given us all of his rich and wonderful promises. He has promised that you will escape the decadence all around  you caused by evil desires and that you will share in his divine nature.

So make every effort to apply the benefits of these promises to your life. Then your faith will produce a life of moral excellence. A life of moral excellence leads to knowing God better. Knowing God leads to self-control. Self-control leads to patient endurance, and patient endurance leads to godliness. Godliness leads to love for other Christians, and finally you will grow to have genuine love for everyone. The more you grow like this, the more you will become productive and useful in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. But those who fail to develop these virtues are blind, or, at least, very shortsighted. They have already forgotten that God has cleansed them from their old life of sin.

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


Love and hugs, Amaryllis

Friday, July 15, 2011

A word from Paul

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 sunshiny, warm day to enjoy and maybe rain this weekend. This is good!

I went to the park yesterday with a peach milkshake from Steak and Shake this time. They have a 1/2 price happy hour between 2-4 which I did not know, so I bought a large shake, which was wrapped in a napkin, so no leaks and it was only 1.88! What a bargain! On the way into the park, two egrets hopped/flew across the street in front of me. I think Mr. Egret had romance on his mind, but she was playing hard to get. Then I saw the gopher tortoise plowing his way through the tall grass. I slurped on my milkshake for a little while then headed for home. God is good!

From the Promise Bible NLT:


1 Thess. 5:14-24
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 prophecies, 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 the 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

Thursday, July 14, 2011

Fearfully and wonderfully made

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 blue, the slight wind is blowing and a few puffy clouds are scooting across the sky..beautiful!  Yesterday was nice and hot, too, and today will be the same.

I had an appointment  to get an echo gram yesterday, and after just a short wait, got called in , which was a surprise. I am used to waiting a long time for any appointment.  The young man who was the techie, gave me a paper jacket to put on;, it even had grippers, which I appreciated. After birthing babies and all the exams women have to have, it is still nice to be covered up.  But I was looking right at the screen and saw my heart pumping and all the parts of it and then heard the sloshing of the blood flowing, and I couldn't help thinking of how God formed us in the womb and knew us even before we were born. We are fearfully and wonderfully made!

After that, I felt like I needed a bit of refreshment, so I got myself a peach milkshake from Chick-fil-a, and Yum, was that good! I had planned to drink it in the Park, but it started melting down into the cup holder, so I drove on home to clean everything up. I did go to the park, though and the tiny, green algae leaves are completely covering the canal by the weir and the trash is still there, but this does not bother the flocks of ibis. I also saw the great gray heron standing watch for lunch swimming by. God is good!

From the Promise Bible NLT:

Psalm 139
O Lord, you have examined my heart
and know everything about me.
You know when I sit down or stand up.
You know my every thought when far away.
You chart the path ahead of me
and tell me where to stop and rest.
Every moment you know where I am.
You know what  I am going to say
even before I say it, Lord.
You both precede and follow me.
You place your hand of blessing on my head.
Such knowledge is too wonderful for me,
too great for me to know!

I can never escape from your spirit!
I can never get away from your presence!
If I go up to heaven, you are there;
if I go down to the place of the dead,
you are there.
If I ride the wings of the morning,
if I dwell by the farthest ooceans,
even there your hand will guide me
and your strength will support me.
I could ask the darkness to hide me
and the light around me to become night--
but even in darkness I cannot hide from
you. To you the night shines as bright as day,
Darkness and light are both alike to you.

You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body
and knit me together in my mother's womb.
Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex!...

Search me, O God, and know my heart;
test me and know my thoughts.
Point out anything in me that offends you, and lead me along the past of everlasting  life.

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


Love and hugs, Amaryllis

Wednesday, July 13, 2011

A Word from 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! I thought yesterday that we were going to have another thunderstorm, because the sky looked so dark around noon, but just a few sprinkles on the car, and that was it, Although if I had gone to Gateway Mall as I had planned, I probably would have run into the rain. I could see that it looked like it was really coming down just a few blocks up the street.

However, I got my errands run and did what I had to do, so that was good. After I finished running around, I toured the park, but not a lot of people were there. It was very hot and the sky was dark. A couple of walkers decided to walk in the street instead of the sidewalk, and they crossed right in front of me, not seeming to know there was a car behind them. I stopped to decide where they were going and one finally looked back, so they decided to stay on one side. They were not wearing ear buds, so I guess they just weren't paying attention. Good time for me to practice patience...I saw a squirrel sitting up in the yard and one at the park nibbling on acorns, and they looked so cute, I just wanted to scratch their little bellies. I also saw an anhinga, and an almost invisible tri-colored heron blending in with his surroundings. God is good!

Faith and endurance from James 1 NLT:

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 do 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....

God blesses the people who patiently endure testing. Afterward they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.

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


Love and hugs,
 Amaryllis

Tuesday, July 12, 2011

Psoaring thru Psalm 34:8-22

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 seem to be in our summer thunderstorm weather pattern now, as, once again, we had a short thundershower midday yesterday. The water is still very welcome after our very dry spring. Since the grass had not grown so much last week, I told Dave, the yard man, to skip last Thurs., but it really needs mowing, now!

I noticed some of the biggest trash pieces had been cleaned up from the weir at the park yesterday...a piece of a big log, bucket and other large stuff that had washed down the canal. There is still lots of small stuff, but that doesn't seem to bother the egrets who still fish there.
The toadstools don't last long. They had turned brown and dried up and probably children like to kick them over; some are really big! The ones in my yard do not last long, but I am not poking any, any more! 

A strikingly, beautiful cardinal  flew into the hedge outside my window, yesterday. I say strikingly beautiful because I had never seen one do that before and against the dark green of the hedge, the contrast was striking! I also saw a red-headed woodpecker in the oak tree yesterday. seems like more birds are around than I saw last winter. God is good!

From the Promise Bible NLT:


Taste and see that the Lord is good.
Oh, the joys of those who trust in him!
Let the Lord's people show him reverence, 
for those who honor him will have all they need.
Even strong young lions sometimes go hungry,
but those who trust in the Lord will never lack any good thing.

Come, my children, and listen to me,
and I will teach you to fear the Lord.
Do any of you want to live a life that is long and good?
Then watch your tongue!
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. 
His ears are open to their cries for help.
But the Lord turns his face against those who do evil;
he will erase their memory from the earth.

The Lord hears his people when they call to him for help.
He rescues them from all their troubles.

The Lord is close to the brokenhearted;
he rescues those who are crushed in spirit.

The righteous face many troubles,
but the Lord rescues them from each and every one.
For the Lord protects them from harm--
not one of their bones will be broken!

Calamity will surely overtake the wicked,
and those who hate the righteous will be punished.
But the Lord will redeem those who serve him.
Everyone who trusts in him will be freely pardoned.

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


Love and hugs,
 Amaryllis

Monday, July 11, 2011

Psoaring thru Psalm 34

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 a nice breeze this morning means it will be a very warm day later on, but this is July, so that is to be expected. I was surprised yesterday by a heavy rain that started as I left church for home. I was not expecting it, but I drove on to the Park, anyway, and saw some very wet people running off the boardwalk to the covered shelter. I have been caught in the rain on the boardwalk before, many years ago...had to dry off with paper towels! 

All the rain has made lots of toadstools spring up. I mentioned them last week, but they formed a great big semi-circle at the park. We used to call that a fairy ring when we were kids, because the little people would dance around in it. Ah, childhood! I found some small ones in my yard yesterday and noticed that they looked like little white flowers that had opened up. I made the mistake of poking a dying orange one with the broom handle...whew, big mistake! It had a very bad odor, like something dead!

My friend at church , who is a photographer for  Fox 13, told me that he had done a story on the trash at Sawgrass Park, that aired Thursday. I had missed it so looked it up on their website and saw the story. It is trashy and will be that way until more volunteers are available to help clean out the canal. But, with the budget cuts, there are just not enough people to go around to all the parks. Still, there is a lot of beauty to be seen and little critters like the wet turtle who was trying to scurry across the road, while dodging cars coming toward him. I waited for him to cross, before going ahead. God is good!

From the Promise Bible NLT:

Psalm 34:1-7

I will praise the Lord at all times.
I will constantly speak his praises.
I will boast only in the Lord;
let all who are discouraged take heart.
Come, let us tell of the Lord's greatness;
let us exalt his name together.

I prayed to the Lord, and he answered me,
freeing me from all my fears.
Those who look to him for help will be radiant with joy;
no shadow of shame will darken their faces.
I cried out to the Lord in my suffering, and he heard me.
He set me free from all my fears.
For the angel of the Lord guards all who fear him,
and he rescues them...

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


Love and hugs, 
Amaryllis

Friday, July 8, 2011

Ephesians 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! I woke to thunder and rain and it has been raining ever since I got up. Right now, it is heavy rain, but, so far, the weather at the Cape looks like it is still a "go" for take off for Atlantis. I watched the Astro-bus take the astronauts to the shuttle and now I guess they are loaded  on board. They are very brave in my opinion!

Yesterday was also a rainy day here by the time I got ready to go someplace, the rains started, so I decided to stay home and be lazy. I wasn't in the mood to clean out more closets or drawers, so read a lot and tried to exercise. I have Tim Tebow's book, so I will start on that soon. Looks like I won't get much done today, either, with all the rain coming down. But, God is good! We were dry for a very long time...now we are not!

From the Promise Bible NLT:


Paul's Prayer for Spiritual Empowering

When I think of the wisdom and scope of God's plan, I fall to my knees and pray to the Father, the Creator of everything in heaven and on earth. I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will give you mighty inner strength through his Holy Spirit. And I pray that Christ will be more and more at home in your hearts as you trust in him. May your roots go down deep into the soil of God's marvelous love. And may you have the power to understand , as all of God's people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love really is. May you experience the love of Christ, though it is so great you will never fully understand it. Then you will be filled with the fullness of life and power that comes from God.

Now glory be to God!  By his mighty power at work within us, he is able to accomplish infinitely more than we 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

Thursday, July 7, 2011

Ephesians

Good morning, Dear Friends and Prayer Partners! This is the day that the Lord has made and we will rejoice and be glad in it! It is an overcast day with rain all around, so I guess we will get some today when we didn't yesterday. I did not have too much planned today, so let it rain!

I wasted time this morning watching the Casey Anthony sentencing which did not happen...it will be later. "Nuff said about that!
 

When I opened the door this morning, a lizard, (anole) rushed in, so now he will be roaming over the house until I can urge him toward the door to escort him out. They are so quick and hide very easily. Wish Matthew were here to catch it!
 

I saw an osprey perched on a high pole yesterday, and thought what a great view he must have as he surveys the landscape. I have not seen them hover in a while, so I will have to plan to get over to the park early one morning, because that's when they look for food or their catch of the day.
 

I am still fascinated with the mockers that climb in and out of the tall hedge outside my window. There must be lots of nests around because they fly off with the berries. Well! I just saw a redwing blackbird fly into the hedge! First I have seen one of them in a long time!

I stopped in at the park yesterday and noticed that nearly all the trash in the canal had been cleared out! It looks so much nicer... The man that lives in his Toyota was unloading all his bags onto a picnic table and either preparing to eat, or just sorting his goods. The car looks nice on the outside, but is full on the inside. 

Flocks of ibis were pecking around and an anhinga was airing the wings on the weir, but everything was quiet and peaceful. God is good!

From the Promise Bible NLT:


Paul's Prayer for Spiritual Wisdom

Ever since I first heard of your strong faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for Christians everywhere, I have never stopped thanking God for you. I pray for you constantly, asking God, the glorious Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, to give you spiritual wisdom and understanding, so that you might grow in your knowledge of God. I pray that your hearts will be flooded with light so that you can understand the wonderful future he has promised to those he called. I want you to realize what a rich and glorious inheritance he has given to his people. ...

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


Love and hugs, Amaryllis

Wednesday, July 6, 2011

Colossians 3 verses

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 sunshiny morning with the promise of rain again this afternoon. We had a good rain about 4:30 yesterday afternoon, and once again the gutters are running with water. The grass is growing and everything else, including some more peculiar looking toadstools in my yard. This morning I stepped outside and saw a big one right by the sidewalk and smaller ones near it. They are reddish in color and are really strange looking. I will be interested to see how long they last, since the ones that were down front did not last over a day.

Yesterday, I walked out on the bridge at the park, after two bicyclists had ridden over it and on to the lookout, I suppose. Since there is no one there to stop them, they just ignore the sign and ride on...oh, well. I was looking at the mass of hydrilla and heard a rustling and it was a very wet, small turtle turning around on a branch. Then I heard a "ribbit" but could not find the owner of the croak. It was probably a little tree frog with a very big voice!

There is a very large anole that likes to hang out on the front porch wall and is pretty fearless. I reached down right beside him, warning him not to jump on me, and he didn't even move. He has been there a couple days now. I also saw a hawk perched on the line at Lynch Lake as I was coming home from the library. God's creation is everywhere! God is good!

From the Promise Bible NLT:

Colossians 3:12-15

Since God chose you to be the holy people whom he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. You must make allowance for for each other's faults and forgive the person who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. And the most important piece of clothing you must wear is love. Love is what binds us all together in perfect harmony. And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are all called to live in peace. And always be thankful.

Col:3:23

Work hard and cheerfully at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people. Remember that the Lord will give you an inheritance as your reward, and the Master you are serving is Christ/

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


Love and hugs, 
Amaryllis

Tuesday, July 5, 2011

Pray

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 wind is blowing and it is a beautiful day! Yesterday started out beautiful and hot and then, later, the dark clouds rolled in and the thunder boomed and we had a good rain again. Our rainy season must be here for sure. Nothing stopped the local fire crackers from going off until eleven,

I watched the Capitol Fourth with lots of music, some honoring our wounded troops, who were there in wheelchairs with friends and family. It was a wonderful presentation and a good fireworks display all around the Washington monument.  It brought back memories of when Louis and I visited D.C., and went to the top of the monument for a beautiful view of the city. We visited all the Memorials and Arlington National Cemetery and John Kennedy's eternal light. We even got to tour the White House. This was before all the security. Good memories!

Driving through the park yesterday, I was surprised at so few people. I thought maybe it would be full of picnickers, but since there is not playground for kids, perhaps the beaches and other parks were better choices. I did see flocks of ibis, and an egret and anhinga. I had mentioned all the toadstools..well, they were gone, but I had three clusters of dark ones pop up in my front yard. They were there one day but yesterday, I did not see them. Maybe the squirrels decided they were tasty! God is good!

From the devotional Knowing God:


Be cheerful no matter what; pray all the time;
thank God no matter what happens.
This is the way God wants you who belong to Christ Jesus to live.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
If you genuinely desire to know God, then you must pray....a lot. Is prayer an integral part of your daily life, or is it a hit-or-miss habit? Do you "pray without ceasing." or is your prayer life an afterthought? Do you regularly pray in the quiet moments of the early morning, or do you bow your head only when others are watching? If your prayers have become more a matter of habit than a matter of passion, you're robbing yourself of a deeper relationship with God. And how can you rectify this situation? By praying more frequently and more fervently. God is always near, and He's always ready to hear from you. Do don't worry about things; pray about them. God is waiting....and listening!

                                            -Great Thoughts-
God makes prayer as easy as possible for us. He's completely approachable and available, and He'll never mock or upbraid us for bringing our needs before him.
                                             Shirley Dobson

                                            -Today's Prayer-
Lord, we pray because You desire it and because we need it. Prayer not only changes things, it also changes us. Help us, Lord, never to face the demands of the day without first spending time with You, and help us make prayer a part of everything that we do and everything that we are. Amen

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

Friday, July 1, 2011

Isaiah 40 :28-31

Good Morning, Dear friends and Prayer Partners! Happy July First! This is the day that the Lord has made and we will rejoice and be glad in it! I rolled out of bed to see the rain quietly falling and then a bit of sunshine and now the sound of distant thunder, with the promise of more rain. But I prayed for rain for a long time and God has answered, so be careful what you pray for! God hears and answers in His own time...

The yard got mowed yesterday after I had tried three times to call Dave, and tell him not to come because it was pouring, but when he finally answered, he said he had already done two lawns and neither rain, nor snow, or rain could keep him from mowing. I think he took that from the mailmen (and women). But no rain the whole time he worked, so that was good. He was still soaked because of the high humidity and just plain sweat. But he did a good job, as usual.

I had an appointment with my audiologist just for a cleaning and check up on my hearing aid, and he always asks me if I have been on any more motorcycle rides. I told him not since April. That one didn't turn out too well, through no fault of David's.
 

After that, I went on to church with some old eyeglasses that they are asking for to send to Congo. After I dropped them off, I came back home and found a couple more pairs which I will take to church. Amazing how they accumulate!

I also drove to the park, which didn't have many people, and all at once, clusters of toadstools have popped up in different places. Sometimes squirrels like to nibble on those in my yard, but those at the park weren't touched, so maybe the little critters know when they should not be eaten! God is good!

From the Amplified Bible:

Have you not known? Have you not heard? the everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth, does not faint or grow weary; there is no searching of His understanding.

He gives power to the faint and weary, and to him who has no might He increases strength--causing it to multiply and making it abound. {2 Cor. 12:9}

Even youths shall faint and be weary, and the selected young men shall feebly stumble and fall exhausted;


But those who wait for the Lord--who expect, look for and hope in Him--shall change and renew their strength and power; they shall lift their wings and mount up {close to God} as eagles {mount up to the sun}; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint or become tired. {Hebrews 12:1-3}

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


Love and hugs, Amaryllis


Have a happy Fourth of July!!