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 in our string of sunny, puffy clouds and light wind days! And we are almost into August, which always reminds me that autumn is around the corner, although the weather is not likely to change for another three months or so.
I don't know about anyone else, but I will really be happy when the election is over and I stop getting unwanted phone calls! I am on the "do not call" list, but politicians are exempt and I probably get five or six calls a day which I do not answer, because I have caller ID. Sometimes I just click them off, but one particular person always leaves a long message and I do not intend to vote for him, anyway. Grrr! That is my gripe of the day!
I did get away from the house and went to the park for a little quiet. Two photographers with telephoto lens were busy taking shots at various places. There is always something interesting to see, because it is a very natural place practically in the city. Many people who live here have never even visited it. Since it is only a mile from my house, I have no excuse! I saw some ibis and herons down in the canal fishing and the usual squirrels zipping here and there. The best time to see animals and birds is early in the morning when they all take off looking for food. God is good!
From the little devotional book Knowing God:
Hard work means prosperity; only fools idle away their time.
Proverbs 12:11 NLT
Time is a nonrenewable gift from God. But sometimes, we treat our time here on earth as if it were not a gift at all. We may be tempted to invest our lives in trivial pursuits and mindless diversions. But our Father in heaven wants us to do more...much more.
Are you one of those people who puts things off until the last minute? Do you waste time doing things that don't matter very much while putting off the important things until it's too late to do the job right? If so , it's not time to start making better choices.
It may seem like you've got all the time in the world to do the things you need to do, but time is shorter than you think. Time here on earth is limited....use it or lose it!
Great Thoughts
Our time is short! The time we can invest for God, in creative things, in receiving our fellowmen for Christ, is short!
Billy Graham
Today's Prayer
Dear Lord; you have given me a wonderful gift; time here on earth. Let me use it wisely--for the glory of Your kingdom and the betterment of Your world-today and every day.
Amen
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs, Amaryllis
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! Sunshine, humidity, and breezes are what's on the weather map for today. It can be felt as soon as I stepped outside this morning, My mowing crew is finished already and the guys were already wet from the heat. And that is the way it will be for them all day.
I thought it was too warm even to shop Saturday, so I didn't! But, I went to the park where the trees give shade and coolness from the heat...at least for a little while. I saw a graceful white heron bending it's very long neck down toward the water, but other than squirrels, that was the only critter I saw.. I think the peacocks must have been relocated, because I have not seen them for months. They are beautiful, but a big nuisance. But God is good!
How can I face challenging, sometimes intimidating, opportunities?
From the Promise Bible NLT:
Philippians 4:13 I can do everything with the help of Christ who gives me the strength I need.
Our ability to face challenges is rooted in Christ, not in ourselves. With Christ's help, we can make the most of every opportunity.
Revelation 3:8 I know all the things you do, and I have opened a door for you that no one can shut. You have little strength, yet you obeyed my word and did not deny me.
We can trust that nothing will prevent us from fulfilling the opportunity God has for us.
How do I know if an opportunity is from the Lord?
Joshua 1:7-9 Be strong and very courageous. Obey all the laws Moses gave you. Do not turn away from them, and you will be successful in everything you do. Study this Book of the Law continually. Meditate on it day and night so you may be sure to obey all that is written in it. Only then will you succeed. I command you---be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.
What does God promise to those who make the most of his opportunities?
Matthew 25:29 To those who use well what they are given, even more will be given, and they will have an abundance. But from those who are unfaithful, even what little they have will be taken away.
God honors faithfulness in little things with the privilege of responsibility for greater things.
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
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 is starting out like yesterday with lots of sun and wind, but unexpectedly, in the middle of the day I realized that rain was falling, No thunder, no lightning, just a steady rain for about thirty minutes. The wind was not blowing, but a cloud was just hovering overhead. Then the sun came out again and it was hot for the rest of the day.
I did not get over to the park until later in the afternoon, and saw lots of people hanging over the bridge looking down, so I am assuming that the gator that hangs around there, was very visible. There were a couple dozen cars parked, so there must have been a crowd on the boardwalk. It was something free to see and learn about nature. I saw the mama duck with all her little fuzzies happily pecking in an area of clover in someone's yard. They are super cute, but not so cute when they grow up. There must be hundreds around this area! This morning I saw a lizard inside the water bowl, so I guess in addition to the birds and squirrels, anoles and lizards also drink. So, God is good!
From the little devotional book Knowing God:
"I say this because I know what I am planning for you," says the Lord. "I have good plans for you, not plans to hurt you. I will give you hope and a good future."
Jeremiah 29:11 NCV
How can you get to know God if you're unwilling to trust Him? The answer, of course, is that you can't. That's why you should trust God in everything (and that means entrusting your future to God).
Do you trust in the ultimate goodness of God's plan for your life? Will you face tomorrow's challenges with optimism and hope? You should. After all, God created you for a very important reason. His reason. And you still have important work to do. His work.
Today, as you live in the present and look to the future, remember that God has an amazing plan for you. Act-and believe--accordingly.
Great Thoughts
Take courage. We walk in the wilderness today and in the Promised Land tomorrow.
Never be afraid to trust and unknown future to a known God.
Corrie Ten Boom
Today's Prayer-
Lord, sometimes when I think about the future, I worry. Today, I will do a better job of trusting. You. If i become discouraged, I will turn to You. If is am afraid, I will seek strength in You. You are my Father, and I will place my hope, my trust, and my faith in You. Amen
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
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 few clouds around here today and very hot later on, but no rain, I went to the supermarket yesterday with very black clouds hovering and thought that I would surely come out to rain, but the clouds had passed and it was sunshiny and warm by the time I was ready to load up.
The wind is blowing this morning, making the hedge needles tremble like aspens. I saw a squirrel making his way through the thick growth yesterday. I don't know if they like mangos, but all the trees next door have a good crop this year. I see one or two occasionally with a bite mark taken out, in my yard. Squirrels or rats, probably.
The park was busy yesterday, with a few intrepid souls braving the heat to walk. A beautiful, majestic, white heron was waiting for a fish to swim by , and the usual anhinga was drying out his wings while perched on a stump. Lots of activity hidden from view! God is good!
From the Promise Bible NLT:
How can I be sure God will guide me?
Psalm 32:8 The Lord says, "I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you."
Psalm 37:23-24 The steps of the godly are directed by the Lord. He delights in every detail of their lives. Though they stumble, they will not fall, for the Lord holds them by the hand.
Luke 12:6-7 What is the price of five sparrows? A couple of pennies? Yet God does not forget a single one of them. And the very hairs on your head are all numbered. So don't be afraid; you are more valuable to him than a whole flock of sparrows.
Jesus gives this promise to all his followers: If God values the littlest things of his creation, how much more must he value us for whom he gave his own precious Son. When we are anxious or concerned, we need to remind ourselves that God does indeed care about us and is watching over us.
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
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! These thunderstorms seem to be coming mostly at night, now.l I dragged the dumpster down to the curb last night dodging rain drops, but was afraid a deluge was coming, so did not want to get caught in that! Now, I think the prediction is for a morning TS and afternoon. Well, God is in charge, so I don't worry about it!
Saturday, Brian and I went to Palm Harbor, so I could visit the SAS store there. Besides, Ellenton, that is the closest since they closed the one at Joe's Creek. Anyway, they were having their annual summer sale, so I bought two pair for comfort. My feet are, or have, worn out over the years, so I really need shoes that fit! And they do not have to be fancy or stylish, just comfy. One of the pair I bought are flip flop style sandals. Smooth and soft!
After I left the shoe store, we stopped at Sweet Tomatoes for lunch, then went to visit my sister and niece who live in Palm Harbor. As close in distance as we are, we still don't keep in touch that often. Sad, but true.
I visited the park during a rain and enjoyed the wet squirrels and a great blue heron, still fishing in the rain. There is a quiet, wet beauty in the fresh green of the trees and shrubs and the rushing of the water. I had to stop and let a raccoon cross the street. He should have been in bed asleep, but looked very disgruntled. God is good!
From the Promise Bible NLT:
Where do we find confidence for every day?
Psalm 27 :1 The Lord is my light and my salvation--so why should I be afraid? The Lord protects me from danger--so why should I tremble?
Psalm 121:8 The Lord keeps watch over you as you come and go, both now and forever.
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.
Many of the greatest athletes say that their real contest is a mental, not a physical one. It's the same way in our spiritual life. Our confidence comes not from looking around at our physical circumstances, but from looking to God.
How can we have confidence in the face of life's greatest hardships?
Proverbs 3-5,6 Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will direct your paths.
When we rely on God, he will not let us down. Our limited understanding is no match for his limitless love and grace.
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.
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs, Amaryllis
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! My yard crew is busy working early this morning, catching up on work missed because of all the rain. I have already spoken to them and so they go about their work very quickly and efficiently. It is supposed to be very hot today, so it is a good thing that they get started early. The ground is so saturated that earthworms are popping up in the front, and over at the park, toad stools are visible. Large, fairy rings we used to call them as children.
I was in the park yesterday, and weeds are rampant and the grass is high, because it only gets mowed about once a month. There were a couple of ibis running ahead of a dog a lady was walking. The dog was not chasing them, but they still did not want him too close! I have not seen the gopher tortoises lately, but hope their tunnels did not get flooded. Looks like ducks and birds have families to take care of. Yesterday, I saw a large blackbird flying home with a large something in its mouth, and a mama duck with tiny, fuzzy babies busy in someone's yard. God is good!
From the Promise Bible NLT:
Should I be surprised by the stress of life?
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.
Jesus warned us to expect stress. This world is filled with trials and sorrows that generate stress in our lives. Christ gives us lasting peace because his power and grace are able to overcome all sources of stress in our lives.
What can I do to find relief from stress and anxiety?
Isaiah 41:10 Don't be afraid, for I am with you. Do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, I will help you. I will uphold you with my victorious right hand.We can turn from fear and anxiety to faith and peace. God promises to supply the power to get us through hard times.
Matthew 11:28,29 Jesus said, "Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you because I am humble and gentle, and you will find rest for your souls."
Resting in Christ breaks the hold of stress. When we are yoked together in service to him, we are free from the unrealistic and destructive expectations that can overwhelm us. Jesus' humility and gentleness overcome every conflict and stress in this life.
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs, Amaryllis
Good Morning, Dear Friends and Prayer Partners! This is the day that the Lord has made and we will rejoice and be glad in it! We have some high clouds and sunshine this morning, but no rain for a change. Instead, there was predicted to be haze from the sandstorm blowing over us from Africa. Very strange!
I went to the cleaners yesterday and got caught in the downpour around Crescent Lake Park, in the car. The car got a good washing from the rain, but not particularly where it needed it most. I decided to drive on to the park since the rain was not severe enough to hamper my seeing. I saw a anhinga trying to dry out wings on the weir, but difficult to do in the rain. Surprisingly, there were almost a dozen cars there with some people looking over the entrance bridge staring at the water, I remember years ago, when I got caught in the rain on a morning walk on the boardwalk. Wow! Was I a drowned rat! There was no shelter, so I just kept walking until I got to the building and dried a little bit with paper towels! I was much younger then, only in my early seventies! That reminds me of what two of my nephews (my husband's side of the family) said to each other not long ago. They realized that all the older aunts and uncles are slowly disappearing and I am the only one left. One said, " Hopefully, she will be around a long while, if we can only keep her off motorcycles!" Ha,ha. God is good!
From the Promise Bible NLT:
Hebrews 12:1-6
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily hinders our progress. And let us run with endurance the race that God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, on whom our faith depends from start to finish. He was willing to die a shameful death on the cross because of the joy he knew would be his afterward. Now he is seated in the place of highest honor beside God's throne in heaven. Think about all he endured when sinful people did such terrible things to him, so that you don't become weary and give up. After all, you have not yet given your lives in your struggle against sin.
And have you entirely forgotten the encouraging words God spoke to you, his children? He said,
"My child, don't ignore it when the Lord disciplines you,
and don't be discouraged when he corrects you.
For the Lord disciplines those he loves and he
punishes those he accepts as his children."
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
Good gloomy morning, Dear friends and Prayer Partners! This is the day that the Lord has made, and we will rejoice and be glad in it! Well, God brings the rain and the sun and is in charge of the universe, so we accept what He brings and rejoice, anyway!
I really didn't know that this much rain was predicted for today, but noticed the radar last night and it was off shore...now it has caused flood warnings. I am thankful for a dry house and shelter. The birds are not flying in the rain, at least, not that I have seen. but yesterday I saw the white dove again, after the short absence. I am wondering if it is a pet, since it does not seem afraid of cars or people. I mostly spent the day resting yesterday, fighting off an infection, but am feeling much better today. God is good!
From the Promise Bible NLT:
Psalm 150
Praise the Lord!
Praise God in his heavenly dwelling,
praise him in his mighty heaven!
Praise him for his mighty works;
praise his unequaled greatness!
Praise him with a blast of the trumpet;
praise him with the lyre and harp!
Praise him with a clash of cymbals;
praise him with loud clanging cymbals.
Let everything that lives sing praises to the Lord!
Praise the Lord!
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
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 heard rain all night and saw flashes of light through my closed eyelids, and while everything is dripping this morning, still the sun has been shining and nice breeze blowing. But more rain is predicted, so, sure enough, we are in the throes of the rainy season!
Well, I guess I watched the Tour de France a little too long this morning, so I'm late doing everything! I am fascinated with the scenery and the endurance of the bikers. Some evil person or persons spread tacks on a portion of the road the other day, and 48 bikes were affected to the tune of $10,000! So unnecessary! I took a tour of the park yesterday to check on the water, and it is really high and flowing well. Almost all of the lilies and other growth which was choking up the water are gone, washed away by the current. I watched a great blue heron fishing, avoided a few squirrels and saw flocks of ibis busily pecking for grubs, etc, with heads down. The other day I saw a twin pair perched precariously on a telephone wire, looking pretty silly, swaying to keep their balance, but God is good!
From the Promise Bible NLT:
James 1:2:
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.
Christians who are poor should be glad, for God has honored them. And those who are rich should be glad, for God has humbled them. They will fade away like a flower in the field. The hot sun rises and dries up the grass, the flower withers, and its beauty fades away. So also, wealthy people will fade away with all of their achievements.
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
(some of these scriptures may be recent repeats, because I don't keep track of when they are used.)
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 prediction yesterday was for a wet Monday, but, obviously, from the bright sunshine and puffy clouds here and there, ...wrong again! It has been nice all weekend, except for a shower as I went to bed Sat, night, and a shower Sat. afternoon that did not last long. My grass, what little I have is enjoying the showers and really growing!
Brian and I went to Vienna Cafe for dinner Sat. evening for the first time, and, while the food was enjoyable, if you like Austrian cuisine, the service was a little slow, but the place was pretty crowded while we were there, and then thinned out. The servings were enough for a family, I thought, so I had plenty to bring home for a meal the next day!
We had a powerful sermon yesterday and a very moving song, which I had never heard before. I don't know the name of it, but hope to get the lyrics. It brought tears, it was so meaningful. Sometimes music speaks to me like nothing else can. After church, I went to the park, and saw several families there having picnics, walking their dogs, and just enjoying being outdoors. God is good!
From the Promise Bible NLT:
Ephesians 1:15-23
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 pray that you will begin to understand the incredible greatness of his power for us who believe him. This is the same mighty power that raised Christ from the dead and seated him in the place of honor at God's right hand in the heavenly realms. Now he is far above any ruler or authority or power or leader or anything else in this world or in the world to come. And God has put all things under the authority of Christ, and he gave him this authority for the benefit of the church. And the church is his body; it is filled by Christ, who fills everything every where with his presence.
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
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! nice breezes and bright sunshine is a good start to the day! The yard is freshly mowed and everything blown off the porch. Jason even took the paper off the roof, because he was tired of seeing it up there! I was hoping the hard rain would wash it down, but instead, it just got wet and heavy and stuck.
I had to go to the super market yesterday for a long list of things I was out of, and since we had no rain, I did not have to worry about getting caught in it. I bought some delicious Rainier cherries and enjoyed a few while putting away the groceries. They are yummy!
While going around Lynch Lake, I saw a pretty roseate spoonbill, which gave me a lift. They are so lovely and pink! And then I had to stop and let mama duck and about 2 dozen babies cross the street in front of me. They immediately stopped to splash around in the gutter water. Mama gave me the evil eye when I drove around her fuzzies. I drove on to the park where three big school buses were parked , but I did not see any sign of kids around. They all must have been out on the boardwalk. Other than that the park was quiet...hot and still. There was a flock of ibis pecking around as usual, and, of course, the squirrels were busy racing back and forth. I think a new crop must have been born, because some of the squirrels look small and new. But God is good!
From the Promise Bible NLT:
Colossians 1:9-14
So we have continued praying for you ever since we first heard about you. We ask God to give you a complete understanding of what he wants to do in your lives, and we ask him to make you wise with spiritual wisdom. Then the way you live will always honor and please the Lord, and you will continually do good, kind things for others. All the while you will learn to know God better and better.
We also pray that you will be strengthened with his glorious power so that you will have all the patience and endurance you need. May you be filled with joy, always thanking the Father, who has enabled you to share the inheritance tht belongs to God's holy people, who live in the light. For he has rescued us from the one who rules in the Kingdom of his dear Son. God has purchased our freedom with his blood and has forgiven all our sins.
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
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 looks like another day of sunshine in the morning and clouds and thunderstorms in the afternoon. Everything outside is still wet from the rain yesterday and my yard crew has not come yet, so maybe it is too wet for them. I know they have to play catch up when the weather prevents them from working. But the paper is still on the roof, so it hasn't rained hard enough to dislodge it, yet!
I noticed the water in the bowl I keep for the birds and squirrels was down quite a bit, yesterday, so I filled it, and although the street gutters are filled with water, the birds still like to drink out of the bowl and take baths in it! My plumbago really likes the rain, I has beautiful blue blooms on it and seems to be thriving since it was pruned back a couple months ago. Also the crepe myrtle is still blooming with the pink blossoms. Very pretty! God is good!
From the Promise Bible NLT:
Psalm 37 3-9
Trust in the Lord and do good.
Then you will live safely in the land and prosper.
Take delight in the Lord,
and he will give you your heart's desires.
Commit everything you do to the Lord.
Trust him, and he will help you.
He will make your innocence as clear as the dawn,
and the justice of your cause will shine
like the noonday sun.
Be still in the presence of the Lord,
and wait patiently for him to act.
Don't worry about evil people who prosper
or fret about their wicked schemes.
Stop your anger!
Turn from your rage!
Do not envy others----
it only leads to harm.
For the wicked will be destroyed,
but those who trust in the Lord will
possess the land.
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, love and joy!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
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 sunshine in the morning, and thunderstorms in the afternoon, day. Wow! What a storm we had yesterday! Loud thunder and pouring rain and high winds! The power flickered a couple times, but I was glad it did not stay off, unlike some areas. When Brian got home from work, the power was off in his apartment building. Not a happy homecoming after a long day! I heard from the weatherman that we can expect more of the same today, so I will have to do my shopping and errands earlier. But it did not rain hard enough to wash the newspaper off my roof where it was delivered the other day!
After I did my errands yesterday, I went to the park and noticed that the grass has not been mowed all over. I thought it would be yesterday, but I think the trucks have been working on clearing and trimming trees, because I followed the big truck out. I saw the egret in the usual place looking for a tasty fish. Although, I guess they don't taste the fish, since they swallow them whole. A squirrel was dashing across in front of the car and racing me along the road, just as fast as he could go. I won, though! Deep shadows and brilliant sunshine are the contrasts always in the park, A calm place to be.! God is good!
From the little devotional book Knowing God:
Let us come near to God with a sincere heart and a sure faith,
because we have been made free from a guilty conscience,
and our bodies have been washed with pure water.
Hebrews 10:22 NCV
God gave you a conscience for a very good reason; to make your path conform to His will. Billy Graham correctly observed, "Most of us follow our conscience as we follow a wheelbarrow. We push it in front of us in the direction we want to go."To do so, of course, is a profound mistake. Yet all of us , on occasion, have failed to listen to the voice that God planted in our hearts, and all of us have suffered the consequences.
Wise believers make it a practice to listen carefully to that quiet internal voice. Count yourself among that number. When your conscience speaks, listen and learn. In all likelihood, God is trying to get His message through. And in all likelihood, it is a message that you desperately need to hear.
Great Thoughts
Spiritual life without guilt would be like physical life without pain.
Guilt is a defense mechanism; it's like an alarm that goes off to lead
you to confession when you sin.
John MacArthur
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
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 went to sleep with the sound of thunder and rain falling last night, but today, although everything is still dripping, the sun is shining and it promises to be another hot, sunshiny day!
I was able to do some shopping yesterday, and even though I make a list, I always seem to forget something. Oh, well, just means another trip! I drove downtown a few days ago, and saw many people sitting at outdoor tables and doing shopping. Downtown is a lively place in the" Burgh" these days!
Yesterday I went to the park and was surprised to find it almost deserted. The mowing crews were across the canal with large trucks and the chipper on a trailer. Then I saw two of the large mowers working back in the woodsy area around the circle. But only one picnicker and about five cars total . It was hot for one thing and it seems like not so many tourists are around right now. But I saw a very pretty sight that was typical Florida with an egret leaning and looking into the water. It was good to see him making such a nice picture. God is good!
From the Promise Bible NLT:
Romans 12:14-21
If people persecute you because you are a Christian, don't curse them; pray that God will bless them. When others are happy, be happy with them. If they are sad, share their sorrow. Live in harmony with each other. Don't try to act important, but enjoy the company of ordinary people. And don't think you know it all!
Never pay back evil for evil to anyone. Do things in such a way that everyone can say you are honorable. Do your part to live in peace with everyone, as much as possible.
Dear friends, never avenge yourselves,. Leave that to God. For it is written,
"I will take vengeance
I will repay those who deserve it, "says the Lord.
Instead do what the Scriptures say:'
"If your enemies are hungry, feed them.
If they are thirsty, give them something to drink,
and they will be ashamed of what they have done to you,"
Don't let evil get the best of you, but conquer evil by doing good.
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
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! Barely a breeze this morning, but lots of sun and promises of a hot day to come! I noticed the dark clouds yesterday and heard the thunder, but nothing happened in this neighborhood. I also heard thunder this morning, but nothing here.
I had an interesting weekend...I started out to go to Gateway Mall for shopping, but almost right away, noticed the car shuddering. When it car doesn't act right, I always start being nervous for fear of a breakdown. When it got worse as I started up from a red light, I changed my route and headed for Cartek, praying Ray would not have left for lunch, since it was about noon on Friday. Well, he hadn't and so he took it for a short drive and diagnosed the problem as a spark plug or coil failure. He turned the van over to Danny, and Danny discovered that it was the coil, so he called Honda and had to leave to get the park, leaving me in charge of answering the phone should it ring, because Ray went on to lunch. Thankfully, the phone didn't ring, and Danny was back in a few minutes, installed the coil, and I was off again to do the shopping I had originally planned to do. I am so thankful for a place where I know the mechanics to be reliable and honest, and also thank God that the problem happened during a weekend day while they were open!
I went to the park a couple times, but it was just too hot to get out of the car. The squirrels don't mind the heat, and the egrets and moorhens enjoy the water. While the shade is somewhat cooler, people were still enjoying picnics.It is a cool looking place with all the shade trees and canal, but very hot in the sun. But we have a mighty God, and He is good!
From the Promise Bible NLT:
A Living Sacrifice to God
Romans 12:1-5
And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice----the kind he will accept. When you think of what he has done for you, is this too much to ask?
Don't copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will know what God wants you to do, and you will know how good and pleasing and perfect his will really is.
As God's messenger, I give each of you this warning: Be honest in your estimate of yourselves, measuring your value by how much faith God has given you. Just as our bodies have many parts and each part has a special function, so it is with Christ's body. We are all parts of his one body, and each of us has different work to do. And since we are all one body in Christ, we belong to each other, and each of us needs all the others...
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
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 few clouds, but our summer weather continues with no surprises. This is our unexpected thunderstorm weather, with scattered storms about that don't last very long, but are welcome because of the clouds when they appear. We had one at our neighborhood Wed. When I was driving home I saw the dark cloud right overhead, and by the time I got home, a few drops had landed on the van. As soon as I drove into the garage, the downpour came! Good timing!
The yard got mowed, trimmed, and edged yesterday and looks nice for awhile. It's growing much faster these days, because of the rain and sun. I always hear a mower going somewhere in the neighborhood. Speaking of that, I saw the debris left from all the fireworks that were going off and booming around until midnight on the 4th. I could tell who had the noisemakers, but I'm happy I wasn't any closer. I'm wondering if I will see any debris cleaned up today...
When I drove into the park yesterday, hardly anyone was there. I saw only two or three cars, and no one walking. Of course, it was hot and close to noon, but still unusual. However, the squirrels, egrets and ibis did not mind the lack of people and went about their business of pecking and scampering. The canal is still full, and the current is moving swiftly, with interesting fish swimming about, normally gar and tilapia. God is good!
From the Promise Bible NLT:
1 Corinthians 4:14-18
"We know that the same God who raised our Lord Jesus will also raise us with Jesus and present us to himself along with you. All these things are for your benefit. and as God's grace brings more and more people to Christ, there will be great Thanksgiving, and God will receive more and more glory.
That is why we never give up. Though our bodies are dying, our spirits are being renewed every day. For our present troubles are quite small and won't last very long. Yet they produce for us an immeasurably great glory that will last forever! So we don't look at the troubles we can see right now, rather, we look forward to what we have not yet seen. For the troubles we see will soon be over, but the joys to come will last forever.
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
