Friday, August 31, 2012

1 Timothy 4

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 a little later than  usual this morning, because I have been waiting for my lawn guys to come, but maybe they won't. 

But here it is the last day of August, with fall coming right around the corner. Can't tell much by the weather, however. It remains the same since Isaac's wind died down. Hot, humid and lots of sunshine and pretty clouds. I did some running around finishing up errands yesterday, and heard an interesting political discussion in the small waiting room at the podiatrist's. I did not take part...just listened. Interesting to hear differing view points between strangers...no ugliness, just reasonable talk and exchange of ideas.  I stayed up too late listening with half an ear to the speeches while reading at the same time. I did this after the Rays lost again! Boo!

I meandered through the park and saw the twisted boughs of the trees and saw the trimmers at work. A lone egret was down in the canal pecking at something and all was peaceful and quiet. God is good!

From the Promise Bible NLT:

1 Timothy 4:7-13
Do not waste time arguing over godless ideas and old wives tales. Spend your time and energy in training yourself for spiritual fitness. Physical exercise has some value, but spiritual exercise is much more important, for it promises a reward in both this life and the next. This is true and everyone should accept it. We work hard and suffer much in order that people will believe the truth for our hope is in the living God, who is the Savior of all people, and particularly of those who believe.

Teach these things and insist that everyone learn them. Don't let anyone think less of you because you are young. Be an example to all believers in what you teach, in the way you live, in your love, your faith and your purity. Until I get there, focus on reading the Scriptures in the church, encouraging the believers and teaching them...

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


Love and hugs,
Amaryllis

Thursday, August 30, 2012

Colossians 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 sun is shining, the wind is blowing and the water is still standing in the street gutters.But, at least we are not flooded like the people in the southern gulf states. Thank God!

I watched the Rays win last night in Texas and enjoyed the home runs! About time! Instead of watching the speeches which were too late for me, I prepared for bed. 

I saw the little busy cardinal yesterday in the podacarpus hedge. He flew in and came out with a seed in his mouth. Right after that, a mockingbird flew in and did the same thing. That is how so many new plants start up everywhere in the yard. Birds drop them on the ground and apparently, the squirrels don't like the seeds. I swept the porch off yesterday, and now I just have to get the plants moved out of the corner. I am not sure if the poinsettias will bloom if I don't trim them, so I need to get that done.

Well, I did laundry and finished reading a book, then just more or less rested. A good day for being lazy. God is good!

From the Promise Bible NLT:

Colossians 3:12-17

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 each others' 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. Let the words of Christ , in all their richness, live in your hearts and make you wise. Use his words to teach and counsel each other. Sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to God with thankful hearts.  And whatever you say or do , let it be as a representative of the Lord Jesus, all the while giving thanks through him to God the Father.

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

Love and hugs,
Amaryllis

Wednesday, August 29, 2012

Temptation

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 today was going to be calmer in the wind dept. but now it has picked up and is blowing hard again. Since Isaac is so slow moving, perhaps this will be our weather until it moves away. I feel much concern for New Orleans and the people there who did not evacuate when told, since the water has already come over one levee. Just keep praying for them...

Well, lots going on in Tampa, with the RNC events taking place, and the Ron Paul protesters making a fuss. As the old saying goes, "Politics makes strange bedfellows", or words to that effect.  Anyway, I am glad I am no closer to the crowd.

Yesterday, I finally went to the Publix. where the shopping was a pleasure, but the carry out man was not such a pleasure. He apparently did not understand much English, and when I told him where to put the groceries, he did not understand and put them in, stacking them up in  a strange way. I usually do not have carry out, but he insisted, so I let him. Oh, well, it just meant extra stretching for me , which was probably a good thing. I went to the park later on after school was out. and noticed the high tide in Turner's Creek between 77th and 78th streets. The hurricane must have been pushing the water in, because it was above the culvert tops. When I got to the park, I saw that the water in the canal was up a little, but not much, so I think it must have been draining off rapidly. There were quite a few people there, enjoying the heat and humidity. The grounds crew was there and had mowed a lot that usually is not mowed. It looked good and clean, so they did a good job. I just saw squirrels and ibis, but have not seen the gopher tortoises for a while. But God is good!

From the Promise Bible NLT:

Where do I find protection from the threat of evil?

Ephesians 6:10-18 Be strong with the Lord's mighty power. Put on all of God's armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies and tricks of the Devil. For we are not fighting  against people made of flesh and blood, but against the evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world' against those mighty powers of darkness who rule this world, and against wicked spirits in the heavenly realms. Use every piece of God's armor to resist the enemy in the time of evil, so that after the battle you will still be standing firm. Stand your ground, putting on the sturdy belt of truth and the body armor of God's righteousness. For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News, so that you will be fully prepared. In every battle you will need faith as your shield to stop the fiery arrows aimed at you by Satan. Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. Pray at all times and on every occasion in the power of the Holy Spirit. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all Christians everywhere. 


This is perhaps the Bible's most comprehensive teaching about the resources believers have to overcome evil. Spiritual forces lurk behind many of our conflicts. Therefore, we should not attack the people manipulated by evil , but focus directly on the evil itself. We rely on truth, faith, the power of our testimony, the wisdom  of God's word, and the power of prayer. When these are mobilized, evil succumbs, God wins, and we win.

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

Love and hugs,
 Amaryllis

Tuesday, August 28, 2012

Character

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, wind and clouds have replaced the overcast and rain from yesterday, although we may still have more rain today. I think I will be able to go forth and shop today! There is still a lot of concern for the people in La., and Miss. and all along the Gulf Coast, though, because Isaac has slowed down and that may mean it is gathering strength.

My front porch was very wet this morning, so there must have been more rain in the night. The paper didn't quite make it to the porch, but close. Some days it is right in front of the door, but not usually. I still have not turned my chairs over and the plants are still pushed into the corner. Guess I will wait until the wind dies down more. Right now, it is really gusting!

I saw one lone immature ibis pecking in the front yard this morning, very unusual, because they are always in a flock or at least more than two or three. Guess he was the long ranger... I did not go to the park yesterday, since I thought it might be closed as were the state parks. But I enjoyed the quiet day at home. God is good!

From the Promise Bible NLT:

What does God promise as we mature in godly character?

Matthew 5:8 God blesses those whose hearts are pure, for they will see God.We will experience an increasing sense of God's presence and his blessing.

James 1:4 When your endurance is fully developed, you will be strong in character and ready for anything.

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 expectation of salvation. And this expectation will not disappoint us. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love.
 


As we mature in our faith, we will become stronger and stronger people. Character is like a muscle--it gets stronger with exercise. As our character develops, our confidence in our salvation increases, and the assurance of God's love fills our hearts.

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


Love and hugs,
 Amaryllis

Monday, August 27, 2012

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! Rain is still dripping off my roof and the skies are overcast, but I saw brightness break through a few minutes ago, so maybe Isaac feeder bands will move on out later today. I thank God for answered prayers on our behalf, but I am sorry for the Gulf Coast and New Orleans  where it looks like the strong storm is headed.

The weather was fine for church yesterday, and it looked like the usual crowd was there to hear the sermon. We have a couple new families attending, both with babies. I guess the moms do not want to leave the babes in the nursery, yet, so they keep them in church and usually have to leave when the little ones start getting vocal. 

Well, the wind has picked up, and I see branches waving wildly outside. I looked up Saturday, and saw a pretty cardinal peeking in the window. He sat on the window sill for a while just looking at himself in the tint, and probably wishing he could make friends with the bird in the window! :o) I drove into the park yesterday and was surprised to see quite a few cars there, even with the threatening weather. There was lots of trash caught on the pipes alongside the weir, but no anhingas. I did see a flock of ibis at the circle busily pecking , which is mostly what they do all the time. I used to like to get out to the park early in the morning and watch the flocks take off from the mangroves where they roosted all night, but I don't do that any more..but God is still 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 and a time to throw away.
A time to tear and a time to mend.
 A time to be quiet and a time to speak up.
A time to love and a time to hate. 
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 in its own time.


He has planted eternity in the human heart and 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
 

Saturday, August 25, 2012

Matthew 7:7-11

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! From the looks of the weather today, you would not know there is Isaac giving everybody anxiety  about how it will go and how will it affect us. The sun is shining and the wind is not blowing much. Of course, that is all suppose to change by Monday and Tuesday, so we just wait and pray. Lots of plans have been made for the RNC and those are the people really hoping for a good week.

My yard is soaked from all the rain we have had. My lawn guys came this morning and Jason apologized for the deep groves he left in the grass down by the street. He did not realize the ground was so soft and muddy when he drove his riding mower over it. But it will dry out eventually, so no permanent damage done. I think I probably have a lot of earthworms in the ground right now, but no digging to find out!

Yesterday, I took a ride into the park to see what the rain had done and the water was almost to the top of the weir. It won't take much for it to cover the roadway, which will probably happen Monday. The canal was very full , but I saw a great white heron down on the bank looking for unwary fish. It was a pretty sight. The teacher is back for another year, so that means nice field trips for the classes. I made the mistake of driving over there at the getting out time for St. Pete. Christian school and all the cars were lined up on the street waiting for the kids, making it very difficult for anyone to get by, since the mailman had his truck blocking the way on the other side. Lesson learned! But God is still good!

From the Promise Bible NLT:

Matthew 7:7-11

Keep on asking , and you will be given what you ask for.

Keep on looking, and you will find.
Keep on knocking and the door will be opened. For everyone
who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds.
And the door is opened to everyone who knocks.
You parents---if your children ask for a loaf of bread,
do you give them a stone instead? Of course not!
If you sinful people know how to give  good 
gifts to your children, how much more will your
Heavenly Father give good gifts to those who ask him?

I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!  (have a good weekend and stay dry!)


Love and hugs,
 Amaryllis

Thursday, August 23, 2012

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! I watched the weather forecast this morning and the rain is supposed to not happen so much today, which is a good thing. Yesterday it started about 1:30 and rained the rest of the day! We are saturated, but my beauty berry bush is in full bloom, that is, it is full of purple berries and I have a pretty bird of paradise on the other bush. It is so thick, I cannot see the other blooms, if any.

My cleaning ladies came yesterday, just ahead of the rain, and they are always fun to talk with while they scrub,mop and dust. They pretty much know what is going on in the neighborhood, since they live here, too,
 

I found out that what I thought was a dead lizard under the pc desk, was actually, (don't laugh) a dead leaf with a long stem. Cheryl was brave enough to pick it up. She is fearless when it comes to dead leaves! :o)

There is concern about the possible hurricane, now tropical storm Isaac, as it relates to the RNC, which is starting in just a few days. There will be an impact felt here, because the storm is a thousand miles wide, so probably all of Florida will be having a lot of rain and floods, but I am praying that the winds won't cause any damage, not just for the RNC, but for all of us!

Well, since I did not care to go out in the rain yesterday, I stayed in and enjoyed watching the Rays win their afternoon game, Go Rays! And later on, I believe the Yankees lost! Yay! 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 that 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 darkness and he has brought us into 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,
Anaryllis

Wednesday, August 22, 2012

Get to Know His Son

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, just as I thought, we had a frog strangler of a rain right at going home time yesterday!
 

And, I was caught out in it. I had gone to pick up some supper, thinking I had plenty of time before the dark , threatening clouds started dripping, but wow, was I wrong! As I started home the rain started and soon it was coming down so hard, I had the windshield wipers going full blast. But I soon made it home and was glad to get into the garage!

I was surprised yesterday when a tree man came with Jason, the lawn guy, and his helper. They had mentioned this man who trims trees and sure enough, he came and after the estimate and go ahead from me, they started right in to take off all the overhang from the four trees, two in the front and two in the back, Meantime, I had planned to go out and do some shopping, so after they got all the branches piled in the front, they left to get a big trailer to load it in and I took off to run my errands. I got back about an hour later and they still had not come back, but after a half hour or so , they came and cleaned everything up. For a small operation, they did a good job, so I was pleased.

I took time to go to the park after all my running around and saw lots of people walking, and taking their dogs for a good walk. Of course, with all the rain, everything is very green and growing fast. An anhinga was on the weir drying the wings and a heron was on the other side, just resting.

Last night as I was preparing for bed, I noticed something strange under the pc desk. I thought it was a lizard, but did not want to touch it, so, as it wasn't moving, I dropped a shoe on it and it still didn't move, so I left it there and decided that whatever it is, would not be bothering me as I slept, so I said a prayer that it would stay still all night. I still think it is a dead lizard, and is still under the desk, but my cleaning ladies are coming today, so I will ask one of them to get rid of it! Thank God for protection! God is good!

From the little devotional book, Knowing God:

Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, "I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life."
John 8:12 NKJV


There's really no way around it: if you want to know God, you've got to get to know His Son. And that's good, because getting to know Jesus can-and should- be the most enriching experience of your life.

Can you honestly say that you're passionate about your faith and that you're really following Jesus?Hopefully so. But if you're preoccupied with other things-or if you're strictly a one-day-a-week Christian-then you're in need of a major-league spiritual makeover.

Jesus doesn't want you to be a lukewarm believer: Jesus wants you to be a "new creation" through Him. And that's exactly what you should want for yourself, too. Nothing is more important than your wholehearted commitment to never be an afterthought; it must be your ultimate priority, your ultimate possession, and your ultimate passion.

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


Love and hugs,
 Amaryllis

Tuesday, August 21, 2012

Endurance

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 sunshine and clouds this morning, but what a rain last night. It did not last long, only about thirty minutes, but it just poured down, then moved off.  I really believe we have had enough rain for awhile, but God's plans are not my plans. I am thankful for  shelter and food and all the things God has provided for me. So while it was raining outside, I sat inside and watched the Rays win again to keep the streak going! Go Rays!

I walked outside for just a little while yesterday, and my, was it hot! I was out just long enough to get the sunshine vitamin, then came back in to the shade, and coolness of the house. I drove over to the park after all the schools were out and saw quite a few people there, enjoying the walks and fairly cool breezes. I passed a family of ducks on the way...Mama, papa, and too many ducklings to count. They were all gathered at one of the many puddles in the street. I noticed the oak trees that were bending almost into the canal, have not given up and fallen, yet, but are very close. They do not bother the wildlife, though, since I saw several ibis perched in the branches, and pecking down below.

I have another Times on the roof. Apparently, the paper carriers give a mighty toss sometimes and it goes straight up to the roof. However, this time they left another near the front door, so I did not have to call. They don't seem to know their own strength!

Well, the wind is blowing again today. like yesterday, so more thundershowers are in my future. But, as always, God is good!

From the Promise Bible NLT:

What purposes do endurance and perseverance serve in my life?

1 Peter 1:6-7 Be truly glad! There is wonderful joy ahead, even though it is necessary for you to endure many trials for a while. 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.

2 Peter 1:5-9 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 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.

 

Endurance is like the fire that purifies precious metals and hardens valuable  pottery. It cleanses, clarifies, and solidifies our faith.Living through the trials and tests of life is often the most significant way to discover the riches of our faith.

I always thank God for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy, and love!
 

Love and hugs, 
Amaryllis

Monday, August 20, 2012

Psoaring thru Psalm 73

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 wind this morning and sun, and a few clouds, and probably rain sometime or other. 
 

It's hard to predict the rain any more.  I knew there was a very dark cloud nearby yesterday afternoon, but all at once I heard a big clap of thunder and rain started to come down very hard and fast. Then, a short time later the rain was gone and we had sun. Not long after that, another shower popped up and so on. Everything was very wet this morning, so I guess more rain came during the night. Rain is still dripping off the roof. Since school started today, maybe it will hold off long enough for the kids to get home...

I enjoyed watching the Rays games, and seeing them make a mighty come back Saturday night and win easily yesterday, They are fun to watch!

I went to the park in the pouring rain Saturday, and counted only three cars. I was kind of surprised to see that many, because it was pouring all day, but one person was in the building and who knows where the others were. It is sorta nice being in the rain at the park. Everything looks very green, it is calm, peaceful and fairly quiet, if you can discount the cars roaring by on the nearby interstate. I didn't see any wildlife, but yesterday, when I drove in, I saw a flock of ibis, of course, the squirrels, but not much else. But, God is good!

From the Promise Bible NLT:

Psalm 73:23-26

I was so foolish and ignorant-
I must have seen like a senseless animal to you.
Yet I still belong to you,
you are holding my right hand.
You will keep on guiding me with your counsel
leading me to a glorious destiny.
Whom have I in heaven but you?
I desire you more than anything in earth.
My health may fail, and my spirit may grow weak,
but God remains the strength of my heart.
He is mine forever.

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


Love and hugs,
Amaryllis

Friday, August 17, 2012

Psoaring thru Psalm 92

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 used to love watching the clouds change and see different faces and shapes in them and I was just doing the same thing out my window. It is another warm, humid day and I have been outside with my yard men. Jason inspected my old pump for the well my uncle dug about forty three years ago and discovered that the reason it loses its prime is that there is a crack in one of the pipes on the corner of the house. He seems to think it is easily fixed and will even put in an irrigation system for me in the future. I have been wanting one for years and if he can do it, I will be very thankful.So, the pump works well, and water was coming out of the broken pipe, so that is progress!

I just did some housework yesterday and did not go out, but got laundry done and put away. We had a short sprinkle about noon, but it never rained much in this neighborhood. I have a problem with anoles and lizards on my porch and mailbox. Now, I saw a small frog hopping away from the wall by the front door a couple days ago, but something is camping on the window sill at night under the porch light and leaving a big mess on the mailbox and floor and window sill, Since I will not camp out to see who or what is doing it, I will just have to guess. But, that is a small thing and all in all, God is good!

From the Promise Bible NLT:

Psalm 91
 

 Those who live in the shelter of the Most High
will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty.
This I declare of the Lord:
He alone is my refuge, my place of safety:
he is my God, and I am trusting him.
For he will rescue you from every trap 
and protect you from the fatal plague.
He will shield you with his wings.
He will shelter you with his feathers.
His faithful promises are your armor and protection.
Do not be afraid of the terrors of the night,
nor fear the dangers of the day,
nor dread the plague that stalks in the darkness,
nor the disaster that strikes at midday.
Though a thousand are dying around you,
these evils will not touch you.
But you will see it with your eyes;
you will see how the wicked are punished.

If you make the Lord your refuge
if you make the Most High your shelter,
no evil will conquer you;
no plague will come near your dwelling,
For he orders his angels to protect you wherever you go....

I always thank God for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!


Love and hugs, 
Amaryllis

Thursday, August 16, 2012

Paul's Final Greetings

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! Bright sunshine and puffy clouds start the morning and yesterday we had no rain or thunderstorms for the first time this week, I think.  So, we continue on enjoying the heat of summer...

As I wrote yesterday, I had a visit to the lab and as a result today, I have a quarter sized purple bruise in the fold of my elbow, which keeps spreading. Hopefully, it will go away soon. The nurse was a Muslim, who wore a bright green with gold sparkles  scarf on her head and really mangled my name when she called me. Oh, well, that has happened before. Monday when I was in the library, the lady who frequently checks me out, asked how to pronounce my name, so I told her it was the name of a lily, after she had complimented me on it. My daddy did me a favor when he named me. :o) Speaking of the lilies, my new yard guy, mowed down my amaryllis when he was edging weeds. I told him they were lilies, not weeds. Sigh. Hopefully, they will continue to come back out before winter.

I drove to the park after watching the Rays lose to a perfect game pitcher yesterday. A couple of ibis were standing in the shallow water pecking for interesting grubs and other delicacies and squirrels were scampering around all over, but not many people were out, but God is good!

From the Promise Bible NLT:

2 Corinthians  13:11-13

Dear Brothers and Sisters, I close my letter with these last words. 
Rejoice. Change your ways. Encourage each other.
Live in harmony  and peace. Then the God of love and peace
will be with you.

Greet each other in Christian love. All the Christians here
send you their greetings.

May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, 
and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.

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


Love and hugs
Amaryllis

Wednesday, August 15, 2012

Follow Him

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! More sunshine, more thunderstorms, the same ole, same ole! But it could be a lot worse! So I am thankful for the weather we have during this hurricane season.

I have already been out to the lab for fasting lab work. I was really hungry by the time I finished, which didn't take long at all, so, since there is a MacDonald's in the same shopping strip, I ordered a sausage egg biscuit, if not for the first time, but it has been so long that I cannot remember ever ordering one before. I also ordered an orange juice and could hardly wait to get home to eat my fattening, hi chol. breakfast! But it was good to have my usual hot tea with the food. I'm really happy to have the lab so close to home.

Yesterday, after running some errands and grocery shopping after the thunderstorm, I went on to the park and was surprised at how quiet it was. Once again, very few people and not many signs of wildlife. I guess I did not get there at the right time. But, anyway, I am thankful for the birds and squirrels which are always busy!  As I left the park, I was careful to straddle a large snake that was making its way across the road! God is good!

From the little devotional book Knowing God:

Whoever serves me must follow me.
Then my servant will be with me everywhere I am.
My father will honor anyone who serves me. 
John 12:26 NCV


Whom will you walk with today? Will you walk with people who worship the ways of the world? Or will you walk with the Son of God? 

 
Hopefully, you will choose to walk with Him today and every day of your life.

Jesus has called upon believers of every generation (and that includes you) to follow in His footsteps. And God's Word promises that when you follow in Christ's footsteps, you will learn how to live freely and lightly ( Matthew 11:28-30)

Are you worried about the day ahead? Be confident in God's power. He will never desert you. Are you concerned about the future?  Be courageous and call upon God. He will protect you. Are you confused? Listen to the quiet voice of your Heavenly Gather. He is not a God of confusion. Talk with God; listen to Him, follow His commandments and walk with His Son--starting now.


                                                     Great Thoughts

Peter said, "No, Lord!" But he had to learn that one cannot say "No", while saying "Lord" and that one cannot say "Lord" while saying "NO.
                              
                                                            Corrie Ten Boom

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

Love and hugs, 
Amaryllis

Tuesday, August 14, 2012

Endurance

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 bright, sunny morning with lots of heat promised...although, in fact, it does not cool down much even at night. My son, in TN, says they have already had temps in the high sixties, so fall is coming soon, maybe not here but in other places.. This morning on the news, I heard how the people in Tampa plan to have heat stations throughout the downtown area for the RNC. Water, and shade  to combat the heat for the thousands coming who are not used to our temps.

I also logged on early to see how the Rays did in Seattle last night, and once again, they won! Yay! I don't like the west coast games, because they don't start until 10 our time, so I don't stay up to watch. In fact, this morning, as I was praying I was also dozing off...had a hard time staying awake, until all my notes slipped off my lap! Well, I need to stay awake and get things done around here. I did some ironing yesterday, but have more to do today.

I also took time to go the the library, which is a very busy place on Mondays. Then I went to the park and only found six cars there. It was very hot and the teachers had started back to school , so that probably accounted for some of the little traffic. I have been watching the construction progress on St. Pete Christian School, near me, and they are working frantically on the parking lot now, to get it finished. The teachers had to park on the east side and use some of the nearby church's parking lot to get everybody situated.

There were ducks parading across the road in the park, and an ibis was pecking for food, moss was blowing in the gentle breeze and the shade was welcome. God is good!

From the Promise Bible NLT:

Where do I find the strength to keep going when I'm tempted to give up?

Galatians 6:9 Don't get tired of doing what is good. Don't get discouraged and give up, for we will reap a harvest of blessing at the appropriate time.


Endurance comes from keeping our thoughts on the promise of the harvest, not the promise of the moment.

Philippians 1:6 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.

Philippians 2:12:13 Dearest Friends, yuou 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.


We do not endure through our own strength alone. God is at work in our lives. He gives us the strength to keep going when we are exhausted and the reasons to keep believing when we are discouraged.

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


Love and hugs,
Amaryllis