Good Morning, Dear Friends and Prayer Partners! This is the day that the Lord has made and we will rejoice and be glad in it! As predicted, the air is cooler today, and the temp will continue to drop, but right now, the sun is shining, and we are in the low sixties, so it is a beautiful day!
Tomorrow is supposed to be much colder, and I have to get up early and go for a lab test, so I am not too happy about that. I don't mind the lab testing, I mind having to get up earlier. Just lazy, I guess. :o)
My cleaning ladies came yesterday and we shared some good laughs. One is always getting on my case for eating what she calls terrible foods. Since I only indulge once in a while, for instance, I had chili, cheese fries with a grilled chicken sandwich from Wendy's a couple days ago; something I hardly ever eat, Then she thought having a baked potato with broccoli and cheese was bad, I had to counter with the fact that she smokes! That almost stopped her. I also said I am 86 and I can eat anything I want! (So there!) The whole exchange was fun and not serious. Her friend is her total opposite and yet they get along closer than sisters.
The only time I went out yesterday was to the Park, which was almost deserted because of the high winds. I saw a large flock of ibis, including some immature ones, pecking and walking all over the circle, and an anhinga on the weir. We got a little rain last night, but not much, because I did not even hear it come down. But God is good!
From the little devotional book, Knowing God
Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again--rejoice!
Philippians 4:4 NLT
You can't really get to know God until you genuinely experience God's joy for yourself. It's not enough to hear somebody else talk about being a joyful Christian--you must experience Christ's joy in order to understand it. Does that mean that you'll be a joy filled believer 24 hours a day , seven days a week, from this moment on? No, it doesn't mean that. But it does mean that you can experience God's joy personally, frequently, and intensely.
So here's a prescription for better spiritual health: Open the door of your soul to Christ. When you do he will give you peace and joy...heaping helpings of peace and joy.
Great Thoughts
When I think of God, my heart is so full of joy that the notes leap and dance as they leave my pen ; and since God has given me a cheerful heart, I serve him with a cheerful spirit.
Franz Joseph Haydn
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! The wind has already increased and the leaves are falling like raindrops, so the weather forecast was accurate today. This is a result of the long line of severe weather north of us, and which will be turning our summer like weather into a short taste of winter again. I should have swept off the porch before the wind picked up, but it would be an exercise in frustration to try it now. I had thought my yard man would come a couple days ago, like he said, but I guess something came up, so he did not show. It is easier for him to blow the leaves, than for me to sweep.
There was a city car parked outside my house for quite a while this morning, for some reason. I watched for a few minutes, but saw no signs of life, and pretty soon it was gone. Hmm. Wonder what is going on...Speaking of neighborhood goings on,; there is a man who lives a block and a half from me, who drives a long haul truck for a living, He was gone for Thanksgiving, but home for Christmas, and now is gone again. I think he is on the road for a month, and then gets a month off. The cab says he drives out of Chicago, so he must see lots of snow and bad weather., For some reason, I am really interested. I used to see him running full steam all over the area when he was home, but he does not do that any more. Wish I lived closer so I could get acquainted with him and his wife.
When I drove into the park yesterday, I saw two large, flat, black, wet turtles on the bank of the weir...not together. One was on the grassy bank some distance away from the one on the weir, I mean flat on the concrete! Not so many people were there, but the ibis were doing their usual job of pecking all over. God is good!
From the Promise Bible NLT:
How can hope for the future help me live today?
Romans 8:18-25
What we suffer now is nothing compared to the glory he will give us later. For all creation is waiting eagerly for that future day when God will reveal who his children really are. Against its will, everything on earth was subjected to God's curse. All creation anticipates the day when it will join God's children in glorious freedom from death and decay. For we know that all Creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. And even we Christians although we have the Holy Spirit within us as a foretaste of future glory, also groan to be released from pain and suffering. We, too, wait anxiously for that day when God will give us our full rights as his children. including the new bodies he has promised us. Now that we are saved we eagerly look forward to this freedom. For if you already have something, you don't need to hope for it. But if we look forward to something we don't have yet, we must wait patiently and confidently.
We have strength and courage to face the trials and suffering of this life because we can look beyond them to the glory God has in store for 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! Since the fog has burned off, the sun is shining and we are having another beautiful, warm day! This will be the last one for a couple days, however, because tomorrow we are to maybe get rain in the late afternoon, (which we need) and then another chilly night for a change. Last night I left my window open and took the heavy blanket off the bed, because it was so warm. Back on the bed tomorrow with the blanket!
I did a little cleaning out of old papers and magazines yesterday, Things really do tend to accumulate if I don't keep up with them. I took a trip over to the library to return some books and check some more out. and was surprised to find the shelves full and all the weekend returns filed and put away. I thought Monday would be a bad day, but I was wrong. I am always interested to see all the computers being used in all the different rooms they have. I guess people are still looking for work and using them for research and such. I am very happy to have a branch so close to my house.
I also visited the park and saw the turtles on the bank of the weir and the gopher tortoise sitting at his doorway looking over the situation from a ground level.
Well, I see where Karl Wallenda is walking across U.S. 41 at eleven without a safety device, down in Sarasota, so I will try to remember to watch. Later on this summer, he will walk across the Grand Canyon. What a way to make a living! But God is good!
From the Promise Bible NLT:
How can I be sure God will direct my future in this life?
Psalm 32:8 The Lord says, "I will guide you along the best pathway for your love. I will advise you and watch over you."
The Lord directs our steps. Though the pathway may lead through dark valleys or seem to take unnecessary detours. we will one day look back and discover the Lord's way was best.
Jeremiah 29:11 "I know the plans I have for you," says the Lord. "They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope."
Too often we doubt God's care. We are tempted to think he is neglecting us or giving us the bare minimum. We have hope in the knowledge that God, our loving Creator, will always give us his best.
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! The sun was shining a little while ago, but now the clouds hve taken over, but it is predicted to get up to 80 today! Yay! I think yesterday was about that warm, because I just wore a light jacket to church which is always cold!
As I was driving around Lynch Lake on the way to church I saw a large flock of ibis all huddled together. It is so amazing how all the feathery critters get into the same pose when there is a large flock! After church, I drove to the Park and saw the large, black gator flopped on the bank of the lake and lots of black turtles sunning on the bank of the weir. Lots of people were enjoying being outdoors with a birthday party under the shelter. The gopher tortoise was either entering or leaving his tunnel home, so he had been out , also.
I enjoyed the chatting with different people after a business meeting at church last night. I usually don't stick around that long, but everyone was in a good mood with a lot of laughter, and it was fun mingling with friends.
More azaleas are blooming and soon the jacaranda will be making their lovely lavender show. I really like to see them blooming all over town! My plumbago blooms nearly all year and so does the hibiscus in the back yard.
Ah, yes, spring will be here soon! Come to think of it we really never had a winter! God is good!
From the Promise Bible NLT:
Psalm 20:1-5
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.
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! Still chilly but sunshiny and as yesterday was, warming up in the afternoon. It was really warm yesterday, so, although when I was out shopping and had to park facing the sun, I did not put up my windshield sun screen and the car did not get uncomfortably warm, Which means that the air was still cool enough to keep the heat down.
Speaking of shopping, when I was at Sweetbay (on my quest for canned guava shells, which I did not find), I was ready to pull out of my space, when I saw a lady directly across from me in the next parking lane, pull out, hit the high curb and a shopping cart, back up and try again and this time almost climb the high curb. Unfazed, she backed up, then turned and whizzed off! Shudder! She had a passenger with her, too! Be careful out there!
I have decided to try Walmart for the canned guava shells, because they have a large Hispanic group of people who come in on weekends. Also, I will try online to see who carries them. No big deal, I just would like to have some. Anyway, I drove on to the park and was happy to see the big, fat gator sunning on the bank of the lake. Lots of black turtles were enjoying the sun, and so were the many people, walking and picnicing. God is good!
I memorized Psalm 100 as a child going to SS. but in the KJV. This is from the NLT:
Psalm 100
A psalm of thanksgiving
Shout to the Lord, O earth!
Worship the Lord with gladness.
Come before him, singing with joy.
Acknowledge that the Lord is God!
He made us, and we are his.
We are his people, the sheep of his pasture.
Enter his gates with thanksgiving;
go into his courts with praise.
Give thanks to him and bless his name.
For the Lord is good.
His unfailing love continues forever,
and his faithfulness continues to each generation.
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! Another beautiful, sunshiny, chilly day, but warming up to the seventies soon. Meantime, I have the heat on just to warm the house up. My feet and hands get cold if I sit around, so I am grateful for socks! Can' wear gloves around the house, so I just have to keep the hands busy.
I cooked turkey Spam and eggs with spreadable cream cheese and guava jelly on toast for breakfast, along with my hot cup of tea! Yum!
Well, color has come to the park and my yard! The azaleas are starting to bloom and I have some pretty pink one,. and in the back yard against the house, the prettiest of all, the dark pink bush that is very old has some big blossoms on it! I am so glad to see the colors as they start blooming! The amaryllis should be showing off also, but mine do not do so well, because I don't take care of them. I noticed one had already bloomed and wilted, but the big lubbers get after them and eat all the leaves. Grrr. Working in the yard is too hard for me, now, so I just have to accept what I can do and be glad for it!
My cleaning ladies came yesterday and we had an interesting chat while they worked. They admired my balloons which are still flying high in a colorful cluster against the ceiling next to the fireplace. When they start losing their gas (the balloons not the ladies), they will gradually get lower and lower, until I will have to dispose of them. But the house is clean and the dryer is full of clean towels, which I have to fold, so I can do another load of laundry.
When I drove to the park yesterday, I saw that some of the azaleas have started to bloom, which is good. The hedges are not taken care of since the park has no workers there every day, so since they were not pruned back so far, there should be more flowers this year.. The water is the canal is still up from all the construction which is almost finished and the egrets certainly appreciate that! I saw anhingas and turtles sunning along the bank of the weir, and a young woman taking photos with a large camera. God is good!
From the Promise Bible NLT:
Lamentations 3:22-26
The unfailing love of the Lord never ends By His mercies
we have been kept from complete destruction. Great
is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each day.
I say to myself ,"The Lord is my inheritance, therefore
I will hope in him!"
The Lord is wonderfully good to those who wait for him
and seek him.
Proverbs 3:21-25
My child, don't lose sight of good planning and insight.
Hang on to them, for they fill you with life and bring you
honor and respect. They keep you safe on your way and
keep your feet from stumbling. You can lie down without
fear and enjoy pleasant dreams. You need not be afraid
of disaster or the destruction that comes upon the wicked,
for the Lord is your security. He will keep your foot from
being caught in a trap.
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! Clear skies, chilly breezes and lots of sunshine this morning...a great day in sunny Florida!
I know much of the midwest and north are suffering from below zero temps. Don't think I could stand it! I am a warm-blooded Floridian by birth!
I finally got to the Publix yesterday and got some items I was out of, mainly mikt. I looked again for guava shells in heavy syrup, but they don't carry them. Guess I will have to check out a Mexican market. After going to the supermarket, I drove over to the park and saw a young gator lounging on the bank of the lake, and on the other side, turtles and an anhinga sunning on the bank of the weir. A flock of ibis were slowly pecking and moving down the hillside, and on my way back home, I saw a wood stork and very large flock of ibis by Lynch Lake. God is good!
From the Promise Bible NLT:
Psalm 86: 5-7
O Lord, you are so good, so ready to forgive.
so full of unfailing love for all who ask your aid.
Listen closely to my prayer, O Lord, hear my urgent cry.
I will call to you whenever trouble strikes and you will answer me.
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! The temp is not out of the sixties yet, and will be dropping steadily all day, because of the cold air leaking down from the north. Boo! The sun was shining dimly a few minutes ago, but now clouds are moving in, so looks like I won't be able to see Jupiter next to the moon tonight. Guess I'll have to wait until 2021! Ha.
Well, the birthday celebration continued yesterday, with a "surprise" lunch, with balloons and a big bag of gifts from Mari and Kris. The original plan had been to have it outside at Parkshore Grille, but due to the parade. Beach Drive was closed, so the Hangar made do nicely. We ate outside, because the day was comfortable, although every now and then, the breeze made it a bit cooler than we would have liked. It was fun watching the planes take off and land, and the Safari chopper make several trips. The clouds rolled in while we were there and being on the second floor, it was a good place to see the different formations. It was a fun time and very thoughtful of my friends. God is good!
From the Promise Bible NLT:
1 John 1:5-10
This is the message he has given us to announce to you.
God is light and there is no darkness in him at all.
So we are lying if we say we have fellowship with God
but go on living in spiritual darkness. We are not living
in the truth. But if we are living in the light of God's
presence, just as Christ is, then we have fellowship
with each other, and the blood of Jesus His Son, cleanses
us from every sin.
If we say we have no sin, we are only fooling ourselves
and refusing to accept the truth. But if we confess our sins
to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us and cleanse us
from every wrong. If we claim we have not sinned, we are
calling God a liar and showing that his word has no place
in our hearts.
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 today and what a beautiful day it promises to be! A little cool, but nice. Yesterday was nice and warmed up so that I only needed a light jacket for cool buildings.
I had a wonderful birthday celebration day, with lots of hugs from people at church and Facebook was full of greetings from all over the US. God has blessed me with many friends! Brian took me to the Olive Garden at my request and I had a slice of cake served with singing greetings and a candle! Cute and embarrassing. Then I got a call from David in the afternoon and drove over to his house to take him his long delayed birthday card, while he gave me mine. It was good to have chat time with him.
After that I watched football games and topped it off with a baked apple to celebrate the Ravens win! God is good!
From the little devotional book; Knowing God:
Let God Guide the Way;
The true children of God are those who let God's spirit lead them.
Romans 8:14 NCV
The Bible promises that God will guide you if you let Him.
Your job is to let Him. But sometimes , you will be tempted to
do otherwise. Sometimes you'll be tempted to go along with
the crowd; other times, you'll be tempted to do things your
way. When you feel these temptations, resist them.
God has promised that when we ask for His help, He will not
withhold it, so ask. Ask Him to meet the needs of your day.
Ask Him to lead you, to protect you, and to correct you. And
trust the answers He gives.
God stands at the door and waits. When you knock, He opens.
When you ask, He answers. Your task, of course to seek His
guidance prayerfully, confidently, and often.
Today' Prayer-
Dear Lord, thank you for your constant presence and your constant love.
I draw near to You this day with the confidence that you are ready to
guide me. Help me walk closely with You, Father, and help me share
Your Good News with all who cross my path.
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! Wow! What a change in the weather! Yesterday it was 70 at this time and today it has climbed up to 50! When I arose, it was 48! From A/C to heat in just a couple of days! I put the heavy blanket on the bed yesterday and was glad of it last night. But my fingers are cold as I type this.
Well, at least it is not ice and it is not snow and the sun will probably come out soon, so I am not complaining. (Much)
Since it was rainy and gloomy most of the day yesterday, I just decided to stay in and read. I made a nice hot cup of tea in the afternoon and was just lazy. Felt good! God is good! ( I just received a beautiful vase of yellow tulips from my sons and grandson! What a spirit lifter for my upcoming birthday!)
From the Promise Bible NLT:
2 Peter 3:3-11
Growing in the Knowledge of God
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.
So, dear brothers and sisters, work hard to prove
that you really are among those God has called and
chosen.Doing this, you will never stumble or fall away
And God will open wide the gates of heaven for you
to enter into the Eternal Kingdom of our Lord and Savior
Jesus Christ.
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! An unusual sight greets me when I look out the window this morning...rain dripping off the roof! The cold front we have been expecting has gone through and brought some much needed showers.
Jason, my yard man, was already here and mowed and mulched the fallen leaves and cleaned out the overflowing rain gutters...all this before the rain started. When he cleaned out the gutters, he just dropped the muddy stuff on the porch, instead of putting it in the dumpster, so the porch got muddy, which did not get blown off. However, I am hoping the rain will wash it clean, so when it dries, I can sweep the dirt off. But, at least the rain should flow freely down the gutter!
My cleaning ladies came yesterday, an hour late, but they had just done a house three times larger than mine, that had two dogs, so it took an extra long time to do it, because it had not been cleaned for a month! They wore out their vacuum on the house, so it quit to rest for awhile, so they had to use mine while cleaning my house. They are good at what they do, and I always enjoy them.
When I was in the park Tuesday, I saw such an unusual sight I forgot to mention. A family of Amish/Mennonite were walking around the entrance lakes and the canal, just enjoying looking at the water, Nothing unusual, except maybe turtles sunning on the banks, but what delighted me, was that the girls had on long, nightgown like dresses of a light, airy fabric, and the boys were both wearing long dark pants and light blue long sleeved shirts. No dark hats, but they still looked like miniature adults. The ladies were wearing longish dresses, but there were no men in the group. It reminded me of how they look and dress in Indiana around Amish country. Such a peaceful, calm way of life. Part of my heritage! God is good!
(BTW, my computer was down all day, and did not get fixed until about 6 last night, after I had called my repair man. It was a problem he had not seen before, but he figured it out!)
From the little devotional book Knowing God:
Psalm 138:1 I will praise you with my whole heart.If you're like most folks on the planet, you're busy. Your life
if probably hectic, demanding, and complicated. And when the
demands of life leave you rushing from place to place with
scarcely a moment to spare, you may not take time to
praise your Creator. Big mistake.
'The Bible makes it clear ; it pays to praise God.
Worship and praise should be a part of everything
you do. Otherwise, you quickly lose perspective as you
fall prey to the demands of everyday life.
Do you sincerely desire to know God in a more meaningful
way? Then praise Him for who He is and for what He has
done for you. And please don't wait until Sunday morning-
praise Him all day long, every day, for as long as you live...
and then for all eternity.
Great Thoughts-
Maintaining a focus on God will take our praise to heights that
nothing else can.
Jeff Walling
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 will finally be getting into winter in the next day or two! Although it will be just a few degrees cooler, still, maybe the winter clothes are not ready to be put away. It was definitely cooler this morning, but now the sun is shining and that is always warm. I bought a faux leather jacket last year and have only worn it once, and that was on a bike ride. Felt good, too!
Yesterday, I got a lot accomplished, but I still do not understand why I can write a list to take to the supermarket, and still manage to come out without something I had written down. Grrr! Maybe it would help if I would read the list and not rely on memory.... The first trip I made was to Walmart to gas up the van. I had heard on the news that gas prices are going up, and I was needing it, so off I went and was glad to see it was lower there than other gas stations I passed . Of course, I get 5 cents off the listed price with my Walmart credit card. Every little bit helps!
I finished up my running around by going to the park and saw turtles sunning on the bank of the weir, and a tightly knit group of ibis on one of the hills around the canal. There were quite a few people there, enjoying the outdoors. Then, coming home around Lynch Lake, I saw a group of wood storks huddled together, napping. I have never seen that many together before. God is good!
From the Promise Bible NLT:
Psalm 146
Praise the Lord, I tell myself.
I will praise the Lord as long as I live.
I will sing praises to my God even with my dying breath.
Don't put your confidence in powerful people;
there is no help for you there.
When their breathing stops they return
to the earth, and in a moment all their plans come to an end.
But happy are those who have the God
of Israel as their helper,
whose hope is in the Lord their God.
He is the one who made heaven and earth,
the sea, and everything in them.
He is the one who keeps every promise forever,
who gives justice to the oppressed
and food to the hungry.
The Lord frees the prisoners.
The Lord opens the eyes of the blind.
The Lord lifts the burdens of those
bent beneath their loads,
The Lord loves the righteous.
The Lord protects the foreigners among us.
He cares for the orphans and widows,
but he frustrates the plans of the wicked.
The Lord will reign forever.
O Jerusalem, your God is King in
every generation!
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! The sun is shining, and the wind is blowing and the leaves are falling! Ah, another day in paradise! People around here are wondering where winter went, because of the wonderful, warm temps. Once again, we are supposed to be in the eighties, although it is quite a bit cooler than that right now.
I swept about three bushels of leaves off the porch Saturday, and, as I sit typing this, they are falling like rain just outside my window. There are plenty more left on the oaks, so it's not over yet! I had a pleasant weekend. After leaving the hair salon, I traveled down 1st Ave. So. and saw the new C1 bank signs on the Times building, where my son works. Pretty outstanding, with the Green Devil green and white colors! Good old SPHS!
Beach Drive was full of cars and people as usual.It is good to see such a lively, thriving city!
Then, later, I visited the park and that was busy, too. I saw the gopher tortoise just going into his hole with only his backside showing. I also enjoyed the sight of an egret posed with curvy neck looking for a tasty fish for lunch! People and dogs, ibis and squirrels,; the usual sights at the park. God is good!
From the Promise Bible NLT:
Psalm 147:1-6
How good it is to sing praises to our God!
How delightful and how right!
The Lord is rebuilding Jerusalem
and bringing the exiles back to Israel.
He heals the brokenhearted
binding up their wounds.
He counts the stars and calls them all by name.
How great is our Lord! His power is absolute!
His understanding is beyond comprehension!
The Lord supports the humble,
but he brings the wicked down into the dust.
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! Another is our series of summer in January days is here! Yesterday, I gave up and turned on the A/C. I had been out running errands and visiting my podiatrist, and it was hot! I chatted with the doctor about helicopters, restaurants and news while he worked on my toes and toe nails. He is a dyed in the wool New Yorker with accent to match! Apparently, a lot of people have trouble with their feet, because he is always busy!
As I was traveling here and there, I happened to see a large bird soaring up and realized it was a hawk! His wingspan was very large and I wished that I had not been driving, so I could just watch him glide! Majestic! Then I drove to the park and saw the full canal which is mostly cleaned of all the lilies and, while it was rippling a little, still the trees and egrets were reflected in the mirror-like waters. A dare-devil squirrel raced right across in front of me, as they usually do, and I saw a flock of ibis, ignoring the people walking and hiking. God is good!
From the devotional book Quiet Moments with God:
He put a new song in my mouth. A song of praise to our God. Many will see and fear, and put their trust in the Lord.
Psalm 40:3 NRSV
Evangelist and singer N. B. Vandall sat quietly in his living room reading his paper when one of his sons rushed into the house crying, "Paul is hurt! A car hit him and dragged him down the street! He was bleeding all over,and somebody came and took him away!"
Vandall found his son at a nearby hospital with serious head injuries, a concussion, and multiple broken bones. The surgeon did not know if he would live. All the distraught father could do was pray as the doctor cleaned and stitched Paul's head wounds and set his broken bones. The rest was up to God.
After coming home to give his family the report, Vandall returned to the living room and fell on his knees with a heartfelt cry of, "Oh, God!" Almost immediately, Vandall could hear God's voice inside him, telling him that no matter what happened in the here and now, all tears will be dried and sorrows will cease in the hereafter. Vandall went to the piano and in minutes wrote a hymn titled "After."
After the toil and the heat of the day,
After my troubles are past,
After the sorrows are taken away,
I shall see Jesus at last.
He will be waiting for me----
Jesus so kind and true;
On his beautiful throne,
He will welcome me home--
After the day is through.
Paul had a near perfect recovery from his injuries, and his father's faith in God
remained strong and steady, his gratitude boundless.
God wants to be with you in the midst of your tribulations, too, putting a song of praise in your mouth. When you turn your focus from your struggles to Him, His awesome power can overcome whatever you are facing.
FAITH MAKES THE UPLOOK
GOOD, THE OUTLOOK BRIGHT,
THE INLOOK FAVORABLE AND
THE FUTURE GLORIOUS.
V.Raymond Edman
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! Well, it is still morning, although I am very late this morning! I kinda mix chores with pleasure., stopping washing sheets and eating breakfast to read a chapter or two in the current book I am reading. Seems like when I get caught up in a good plot, I think "just one more chapter" and before I know it, several chapters later, I realize I have to get going!
I stripped the bed this morning, so I still have to put the clean sheets back on and leave the blanket off, since we are continuing our summer weather. My cleaning ladies came yesterday and they were really warm after all their work. I am the last house they do, so I don't know where they get the energy! They said they had to work around Christmas decorations and stuff in most of the houses, but. thank goodness, mine are all put away and I am slowly working on cleaning closets once again!
Also, Jason, the yard man, came, unexpectedly, (I never know when he will show up) and as we were standing on the porch talking he reached up, indicating the Christmas lights and asked if I wanted them down. I said ,"Sure", so he took about five minutes and took them all down. He is very tall, and did not even need a ladder! I really appreciated the effort. Now, if I could only get a volunteer to clean the filter....I am blessed to have such helpful people in my life!
I went to Sweetbay yesterday and came home with a load of groceries! I had not been shopping for a while and my list was long. I was able to get everything on it, except guava jelly, and shells. Guess I will have to go to Publix for those. Anyway, I cannot repeat enough, God is good!
From the little devotional book 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 MSG
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. So don't worry about things; pray about them. God is waiting
and listening!
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
