Friday, January 14, 2011

JOY

Good morning, Dear Friends and Prayer Partners! This is the day that the Lord has made and we will rejoice and be glad in it! It's a beautiful, sunshiny day already, but still cold. I have to go to the dermatologist this morning, and I hope I don't have to disrobe on top, because I will be very chilly in one of those paper gowns! Brrr. And then, have to sit and wait for the good doc to come in. Sigh.

Did you all notice the gorgeous blue sky yesterday, criss-crossed with all the contrails? Outstanding! Paul, the weatherman, explained that those were caused by ice at about 25.000 ft. I thought of my friend, David, flying that high and leaving a contrail behind. I was going to the park when I noticed them. Then I slowed down to look at the long, narrow gator sunning on the bank of the lake on the way in. Lots of ducks were walking along the canal again. I think the green-headed ones are mallards. That's what Dave, the yard man told me. He is also a park ranger for his full time job. So, the driveway got blown off, and also the porch, but more leaves are coming! This is only the beginning! But God is good!

From the Promise Bible NLT:

Philippians 4:4, 12 Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again--rejoice! I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little.
 

Joy is a choice. We may not realize it, but we choose our moods and our attitudes. God's promises in Christ are the basis for choosing joy no matter what we face.

Romans 5:3,5 We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they are good for us--they help us learn to endure. and endurance develops strength of character in us, and character strengthens our confident expectations of salvation. And this expectation will not disappoint us. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love.

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


Love and hugs,
 Amaryllis