Colossians

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 now, very brightly, but we had a good downpour about 5 or 6 this morning. I woke up and heard it just pouring and was so content to go on back to sleep to the sound of rain!

My paper carrier, who is still putting the Times in the chair on the front porch, did the same this morning, and even though the paper was sitting in a puddle in the chair, it was dry, because he had knotted the end of the wrapper. He is the best carrier I have ever had. Much improved over the one who used to throw it on the roof!

Well, we had a little excitement the next block over late yesterday. When I drove out to go to the park, the street was blocked off by a police cruiser, and I could see a lot of cars plus cop cars further down the street. They remained there for quite some time, but I still do not know what was going on. Whatever it was, was pretty serious. Maybe I will find out sometime.

I went on to the quiet park and saw anhingas, a few people, lots of squirrels, and lots of shade, greenery, and peacefulness. God is good!

From the Promise Bible NLT:

Colossians 1:9

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 that 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,
Amaryllis

Love is the Greatest

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 understood rain was forecast for today, but, once again, we have sunshine and a slight wind. Well, maybe we will get the much needed rain later on.

It was a good weekend, with a stop at one of my favorite shopping places Saturday, and then, in the early afternoon, Brian and I drove to Clearwater where we had dinner with old friends and shared a wonderful time of eating delicious food and swapping stories of old friends and old times. It is always good to reconnect with friends from many years ago!

Then, Yesterday, after a good worship time, I attended the Cong. meeting at church, which ended with a time of confession, thanksgiving , and group prayer. It was very special. I was in a group which included good friends and powerful prayer partners! I was blessed!

As I drove various places over the weekend, I could not help enjoying the beauty of the jacaranda trees all over town. Some of the blooms were in great clusters and as they fell, they covered the ground and anything else under them. I remember visiting Louis on the fifth floor of Bayfront Hospital, looking out the window and seeing lavender blooms all over town from the high up perch.

I also drove to the park saw turtles, an anhinga, which I also saw at Lynch Lake, lots of squirrels, and the usual ibis. It was a beautiful time for enjoying nature's beauties! God is good!

From the Promise Bible NLT:

1 Corinthians 13:4
Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous
or boastful or proud or rude. Love does not
demand its own way. Love is not irritable, and
its keeps no record of when it has been wronged.
It is never glad about injustice but rejoices when-
ever the truth wins out. Love never gives up; never
loses faith, is always hopeful and endures through
every circumstance.

Love will last forever, but prophecy and speaking in
unknown languages and special knowledge will all
disappear. Now we know only a little and even the
gift of prophecy  reveals little! But when the end comes
these special gifts will all disappear....

There are three things that will endure- faith , hope
and love-and the greatest of these is love.

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

Love and hugs,
 Amaryllis

Love

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 sun and more warm temps today;just another is a string of near perfect weather.
 
I did not see the pink moon last night nor the planet arrangement. I tried but apparently there was too much haze , although I saw several photos on FB last night from locals, so I know it was visible from other places. I just know I had difficulty sleeping. Sometimes the full moon causes that!

I took a trip across town out to Macy's yesterday, right after lunch, and it must have been good timing, because after circling up and down the rows a couple times, I found a perfect parking space almost right in front of the doors, leading into the cosmetic counters which was my destination. The sales associate who latched onto me by asking my name and giving up on the first name, decided to call me by my last name, was very chatty with a fast southern accent and sold me on some things I did not come in to buy. However, what I bought, I will use, and I had not been there in a long time. BTW, I received a call from her a few minutes ago, thanking me for coming in and assuring me she would be glad to help me in the future. I predict she will reach her sales goal, if she has one!

On my way across town, I appreciated the beauty of several jacaranda trees in full bloom! They are lovely and messy when the blossoms fall.

I have heard so many bird calls when I step outside here at home. Maybe because of the long winter up north, they have decided to stay awhile here. I stopped in at the park and saw the larger birds there...the anhinga, the egret and the ibis, all looking very busy with the business of eating! God is good!

From the Promise Bible NLT:

1 Corinthians 13:6

If I could speak in any language in heaven or on earth, but
didn't love others, I would only be making meaningless
noise like a loud gong or a clanging cymbal. If I had the
gift of prophecy, and if I knew all the mysteries of the future
 and knew everything about everything, but didn't love
others, what good would I be? And if I had the gift of faith
so that I could speak to a mountain  and make it move,
without love I would be no good to anybody. If I gave every-
thing I have to the poor and even sacrificed my body, I
could boast about it, but if I didn't love others, I would be of
no value whatsoever....

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

Love and hugs,
 Amaryllis

Paul's 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! This is the start of another beautiful day, with sunshine and breezes and cooler temps. Still very few clouds in the sky!

Well, my house is almost completely lizard free! When Cheryl and Kim,. my cleaning ladies came, I discovered that Kim is the intrepid lizard hunter, while Cheryl screeches, because she does not want them to jump on her! So, Kim cleared out three in the bedrooms and I still think there is one in the kitchen, but I can deal with that, just so he stays there and not in my room! I think they must come in when I open the front door, because they always hang out around the mailbox.

The ladies did not come until almost 2:30 which is late for them, so after they left, I went to the library, and exchanged books. I thought libraries were supposed to be quiet...not so, with this one yesterday! A small child was screaming for his daddy, and other children were making noise as if they were home. Since the children's section is right in front of check out, I think the workers get their ears full. Just wait until this summer when school is out!
But it is good to get the children acquainted with books and good stories. I know my guys always were interested in reading and we made regular trips to the library to get lots of books.

After I left the library, I made a trip to the park. An anhinga was fluffing his feathers on the weir and ibis were busy pecking along the grass. I noticed that the mowers were there a couple days ago and instead of leaving the tall weeds in between the trees, everything was mowed down for a change. It looked good! When I came back by Lynch Lake, a very big pelican was sitting over a drainage pipe. That is unusual, because they rarely show up there! But God is good!

From the Promise Bible NLT:

Ephesians 3:14-21
When I think of the wisdom and scope of God's plan,
 I fall to my knees and pray to the Father, the Creator of
everything in heaven and on earth. I pray that from His
glorious, unlimited resources he will give you mighty
inner strength through His Holy Spirit.  And I pray that
Christ will be more and more at home in your hearts as
you trust in him. May your roots go down  deep into the
soil of God's marvelous love. And may you have the power
to understand as all God's people should, how wide, how
long, how high and how deep  this love really is. May you
experience the love of Christ, though it is so great you will
never fully understand it , Then you will be filled with the
fullness of life and power that comes from God.

Now glory be to God! By his mighty power at work within
us, he is able to accomplish  infinitely more than we would
ever dare to ask or hope. May he be given glory in the church
and in Christ Jesus forever and ever through endless ages.
Amen

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

Love and hugs,
 Amaryllis

Priorities

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 a little cooler weather today, but still lots of sunshine and few clouds. No rain in sight for the rest of the week, I guess.

Yesterday, my yard man came and mowed. He said he would be coming every week from now on through the summer. I don't think the grass is growing that much, but the edging and trimming helps keep it looking neat.even though I don't have much grass. Whenever he gets the pipe laid and the well going, and the sod laid, then maybe I will have a nice lawn again. Lot of "whens" there!

I did not see the gator on the bank yesterday, but noticed lots of turtles lined up along the banks of the canal. Since they are black, they are easily overlooked. Also, an anhinga was perched on the weir just looking around.

I have almost as many anoles inside my house, as outside, I have noticed lately. There is one almost dead on the bedroom floor, and one on the north window of the same bedroom.Then when I went to the kitchen last night, there was one on the cabinet door. The last I saw of him, he was on the counter hiding behind a jar, Anyway, God is good!

From the little devotional book Knowing God:
 
 Keep your priorities in line with God's priorities;
Come near to God and God will come near to you.
You sinners, clean sin out of your lives . You who are
trying to follow God and the world at the same time,
make your thinking pure. James 4:8 NCV

Have you fervently asked God to prioritize your life?
Have you asked him for guidance and for the courage to
do the things that you know need to be done? If so, then
you're continually inviting your Creator to reveal himself
in a variety of ways. As a follower of Christ, you must do
no less.

When you make God's priorities your priorities, you will
receive God's abundance and His peace. When you make
God a full partner in every aspect of your life, He will lead
you along the proper path : His path. When you allow God
to reign over your heart, He will honor you with spiritual
blessings that are simply too numerous to count. So, as you
plan for the day ahead, make God's will your ultimate
priority. When you do, every other priority will have a tendency
to fall neatly into place.

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

Love and hugs,
 Amaryllis

Phlipping thru Philippians

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 another sunshiny day with temps expected to get up to the high eighties this afternoon, so we are back to summer!

I kept my dentist appointment yesterday afternoon, and there was a big black cloud hanging overhead around the Mall area, but no rain. However, because of the overcast, the air was very nice. It turns out, that even though it feels to my tongue that I have a broken tooth, even after an x-ray, there is no sign of one, so I was out of there in thirty minutes, with no charge. I am due for a cleaning next month, so if the tooth is still bothering me, I am sure the hygienist will find out what is wrong.

When I drove over to the Mall afterwards, I had thought I would go in Macy's, but it seemed like such a big crowd was out, I decided to give up, so I headed on home and on the way, turned into the Park, and was happy to see the large gator up against the bank of the canal, waiting to climb up on the top, I think. I saw lots of squirrels running back and forth across the road, and a pretty white egret fishing in the canal. BTW, as far as wildlife goes, I have two large anoles residing in my bedroom now. I do not appreciate their boldness! I need my grandson to come down and capture them! But God is good and maybe he will keep them off the bed!

From the Promise Bible NLT:

Philippians 4:5-9
Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again-
rejoice! Let everyone see that you are considerate
in all you do. Remember the Lord is coming soon.

Don't worry about anything, instead pray about
everything. Tell God what you need and thank him
for all he has done. If you do this, you will experience
God's  peace which is far more wonderful than the
human mind can understand. His peace will guard
your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.

And now, dear brothers and sisters, let me say one more
thing as I close this letter. Fix your  thoughts on what
is true and honorable . Think about things that are
excellent and worthy of praise. Keep putting into
practice all you learned  from me and heard from me
and saw me doing and the God of peace will be with you.

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

Love and hugs,
Amaryllis

Psoaring thru Psalm 19

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 water dripping off the roof, I would think we either had a heavy dew or rain last night. I didn't see any signs of rain on the porch floor, and just a couple big drips from the roof, so it could not have been much wetness, but we will take all we can get!

It is still overcast , though, so maybe we will get  some more sprinkles. I have a dentist appointment this afternoon, out near the Mall, so maybe it will rain then.

Yesterday, after church, and a meeting, I drove out to Boston Market and ordered their barbeque chicken, rib combo once more. I had it last week and the ribs were so good, I wanted to try it again. They also, have squash casserole, one of my favorites, so I ordered that again. Their servings are so generous, I have a plate all ready for tonight!

A little later, I drove over to the Park, (after watching the Rays sweep Oakland), and saw the plump gator curled up on the bank of the canal near the weir. An anhinga was sunning on the weir, not paying any attention to the gator. Then, as I was coming around the circle, a hawk swooped very low in front of the windshield, and I stopped and looked to see where he was going, but could not see for the trees. That was exciting! God is good!

From the Promise Bible NLT:

Psalm 19:9-14
Reverence for the Lord is pure lasting forever.
The laws of the Lord are true; each one is fair.
They are more desirable than gold, even the finest gold.
They are sweeter than honey, even honey dripping from the comb.
They are a warning to those who hear them;
there is great reward for those who obey them.

How can I know all the sins lurking in my heart?
Cleanse me from these hidden faults.
Keep me from deliberate sins!
Don't let them control me.
Then I will be free of guilt and innocent of great sin.

May the words of my mouth and the thoughts of my heart be pleasing to you,
O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.

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

Love and hugs,
Amaryllis

Psoaring thru Psalm 100

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 another sunshiny, warm and very windy day ahead, so I expect more leaves to land on the porch today..

I have been very interested in the Boston lock down as police and others search for the second suspect in the Marathon bombing. One of the brothers is dead and the other is believed to be armed with a body bomb strapped to him. I heard an interview with a former classmate of his who could not believe he was capable of doing what he apparently did.  We never know what is in the hearts of some people.

But God is great and He is good!

From the Promise Bible NLT:

A psalm of thanksgiving

Shout with joy 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

Nuggets from Nahum

Good Morning, Dear Friends and Prayer Partners! This is the day that the Lord has made and we will rejoice and be glad in it! It is another beautiful, sunshiny day with more record setting temps expected. All across the states, just about any kind of weather anyone could want can be found...snow in Co., rain in the Midwest and even stormy weather. But here, it is just about perfect, although already there are complaints about the heat. Just a couple weeks ago, I heard complaints about the cold! Some people are never satisfied.

When I was in Publix yesterday, I found that they carry the new candies from Hershey..called Brookside, they are dark chocolates the size of blueberries, surrounding tart fruit flavored centers. I bought two bags...one blueberry and one pomegranate. I already had the Acai flavored ones. Delicious!

When I drove to the park yesterday, I saw a few people standing close to a very large, snapper turtle, who was way out of his element, which is the water. He was posing for pictures with his head raised , until he got tired of the crowd and headed on into the bushes. God is good!

From the Promise Bible NLT:

Nahum 1:2-8
The Lord is a jealous God, filled with vengeance and wrath.
He takes revenge on all who oppose him and furiously destroys his enemies!
The Lord is slow to get angry, but his power is great,
and he never lets the guilty go unpunished. He displays
his power in the whirlwind and the storm. the billowing
clouds are the dust beneath his feet. At his command the
oceans and rivers dry up. The lush pastures of Bashan and
Carmel fade, and the green forests of Lebanon wilt. In his
presence the mountains quake and the hills melt away; the
earth trembles and its people are destroyed. Who can stand
before his fierce anger? Who can survive his burning fury?
His rage bursts forth like fire, and the mountains crumble like dust  in his presence.

The Lord is good. When trouble comes, he is a strong refuge,
and he knows everyone who trusts in him. But he sweeps away
his enemies in an overwhelming flood. He pursues his foes
in the darkness of night.

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

Love and hugs,
 Amaryllis

Psoaring thru Psalm 145

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! Yesterday set a record for high temps in Tampa for this time of year, and today looks like another record setter. I am not complaining, because we had a very long, cool winter, so as long as the A/C works, I am comfy.

I went to Publix to get a "few" things, which always turns out to be a lot more than what is on my list, saw two friends from church, and chatted with them for a few minutes, and then came out to scorching heat. Well, at least, it seemed that way. There was no wind blowing, so it seemed a lot warmer than it was!

I had planned to go to the park, but my way was blocked by emergency vehicles in front of St. Pete Christian school, ..don't know what the problem was, but, hopefully, all is well. But God is good!

From the Promise Bible NLT:

Psalm 145:13 
The Lord is faithful in all he says.
he is gracious is all he does.
The Lord helps the fallen
and lifts up those bent beneath their loads.
All eyes look to you for help.
You give them their food as they need it.

When you open your hand, you satisfy
the hunger and thirst of every living thing.

The Lord is righteous in everything he does;
he is filled with kindness.
The Lord is close to all who call on him,
yes, to all who call on him sincerely.
He fulfills the desires of those who fear him.
He hears their cries for help and rescues them.
The Lord protects all those who love him,
but he destroys the wicked.

I will praise the Lord
and everyone on earth will bless his holy name
forever and forever.

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

Love and hugs,
 Amaryllis

Psoaring thru Psalm 91

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 lots of sunshine and not much promise of rain, but the breeze right now is cool, even though we will be hot again this afternoon.

My yard man came early yesterday morning, before I even had a chance to shower, or send an email, but even though everything looked good and cleaned off when he got through, today the leaves are all over the driveway and a few on the porch. I don't know why they are falling now, when all of the new leaves are back on the trees. Sigh. One of the mysteries of nature...

I had the TV on a lot yesterday, watching the horrific coverage of the tragedy in Boston. Just incomprehensible to me how someone could do that! One thing I have noticed is that people who usually do not speak of God, except maybe in inappropriate ways, are now saying thoughts and prayers are with the people affected. And pray for Boston is another popular slogan! Too bad it takes a situation like this to remind people that God is in control. But, even through man made disasters like this, 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 will 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 darkness,
nor the disaster that strikes at midday.
Though a thousand fall at your side,
though ten 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.

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

Love and hugs,
Amaryllis

Discernment

Good Morning, Dear Friends and Prayer Partners! This is the day that the Lord has made and we will rejoice and be glad in it! We had a nice rain last night, even though it did not last long, but this morning is sunshiny and a cool breeze is blowing.

I can see lots of tiny mangoes already growing on the tree next door, so it looks like a good crop for them this year. They have several mango trees, some next to the street. Maybe one will be blown into my yard...:o) (The fruit, not the tree.)

Brian and I went to lunch at the Kopper Kitchen Saturday, after meeting at Mari's to have our hair done...him for a haircut and me for styling. She was the one who suggested the place and I had not been there in years, so we drove there and had good salads. I took a slice of lemon meringue pie home, but was disappointed when I ate it. While the meringue was fluffy and delicious, the  lemon part was too tart and I think they used canned lemon juice instead of fresh. Oh, well, maybe another time!

Yesterday I drove over to the park later in the day, and found a sheriff's deputy there with a small crowd around some object. I parked and looked, and saw something covered with a white cloth, then heard a screech. So, I think they had captured a peacock, because that's what it sounded like. Peacocks are beautiful, but they screech very loudly! I had also seen an anhinga on the weir and a beautiful white egret fishing in the canal. God is good!

From the Promise Bible NLT:

When I an confused, where do I turn for clarity, wisdom, understanding and direction?

James 1:5-6 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, but sure 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.

Psalm 119:125 Give discernment to me, your servant; then I will understand
your decrees.

Discernment is the ability to interpret events and to understand
the true nature of people and situations. Discernment is an aspect
of wisdom. It enables us to see behind the facades that mask the
truth. Discernment shows us through the maze of options that face
us. Like the sun that burns away the fog, discernment cuts through
 the confusion and distractions. Whereas the devil is the "father of lies,"
God is the father of the truth, and he gives discernment to those who
seek it.

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

Love and hugs,
 Amaryllis

For God So Loved The World

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! According to the weather map, the rain is just hanging in the Gulf, but I have not seen the sun shine since I woke up. It is overcast and the wind is blowing, and is very humid. Well, I hope it does rain, because, as usual, we need it!

I just saw a fat dove fly in to the edge of the water bowl, but after one drink, she took off! Every day I hear their mournful cooing all around. Seems like there are a lot more of them than any other bird.

After I left Office Depot yesterday afternoon, after they wrapped and sent off my package, the lure of a milkshake was calling, so I zipped over to Steak and Shake and got a half price strawberry shake. Then I went over to the park to sip it.I saw quite a few people, moms with babies, and people with walkers, but not many animals, but God is good!

From the little book of devotionals; Knowing God:

This is how much God loved the world. He gave His Son,
His one and only Son, so that no one need be destroyed,
by believing in Him, anyone can have a whole and lasting
life. John 3:16 MSG

For believers, death is not an ending; it is a beginning.
For believers, the grave is not a resting place, it is a
place of transition. For believers, death is not a dark
journey into nothingness; it is a homecoming.

God sent His Son as a sacrifice for our sins. Through Jesus,
we are redeemed. By welcoming Christ into our hearts,
we have received the precious, unfathomable gift of
eternal life. Let us praise God for His Son. The One from
 Galilee has saved us from our sins so that we may live
courageously, die triumphantly, and live again--eternally.

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

Love and hugs,
 Amaryllis

Isaiah 40

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! Already the weatherman is warning about the humidity and heat coming up today, but earlier the wind was a bit cooler. We are supposed to have lake effect winds up to twenty mph all day, lots of hair spray for me for when I go out!

I filled the bowl with water that I keep on the porch wall, and lots of birds have been flocking o get drinks..even some squirrels help themselves. So that means that they are dry and except for lakes and canals, there is no place for them to drink since the gutters are dry,. If I had a birdbath, I would not be able to see them come, because the yard is low, so I just keep the bowl for them. Sometimes,the birds take baths in the bowl, which splashes most of the water out!

Speaking of birds, I saw a pretty lady cardinal land in the hedge outside my window. She posed there for a minute or two, then flew off. Hopefully, they have a nest near.

When I went to the park yesterday, I saw a couple turtles on the bank of the weir and a couple ibis further down in the circle. There were quiet a few people there, later in the afternoon. I went after my cleaning ladies had left. They caught me up on the news, as usual. One of them has a sister who is the manager of the Office Depot, where I am going to mail a package today. God is good!

From the Promise Bible NLT:

Isaiah 49:28-31
Have you never heard or understood? Don't you know
that the Lord is the everlasting God, the
Creator of all the earth? He never grows faint or weary. No
one can measure the depths of his
understanding. He gives power to those who
are tired and worn out, he offers strength to
the weak. Even youths will become
exhausted, and young men will give up.
But those who wait on the Lord will find
new strength. They will fly high on wings
like eagles. They will run and not grow
weary. They will walk and not faint.

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

love and hugs,
Amaryllis

2 Timothy con't.

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 still have the A/C on and since the temps are supposed to get up to the middle eighties today, it looks like I will keep it on.

Yesterday when I was out, the shade felt very good, because the sun was hot! I need to remember to use sun block all over exposed parts. I have had too many skin cancers in the early stages to be careless!

After doing some shopping, I drove to the park and saw the little moor hens paddling around in the lake, runners, bikers dog walkers, and people enjoying a quiet moment of just enjoying the beauty of nature. All the greens are back on the trees and I noticed the jacarandas are now blooming although some of the trees still look barren without many leaves to go with the blossoms. But still, God is good!

From the Promise Bible NLT:

2 Timothy 2:12

If we die with him,
we will also live with him.
If we endure hardship,
we will reign with him.
If we deny him,
he will deny us.
If we are unfaithful,
he remains faithful
for he cannot deny himself.

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

Love and hugs,
Amaryllis

2 Timothy excerpts

Good Morning, Dear Friends and Prayer Partners! This is the day that the Lord has made and we will rejoice and be glad in it! Looks like spring is here and summer close behind...I have the A/C on and it will stay on as long as the air is humid and filled with pollen.

The air was quite warm yesterday, but the breeze was cool as I came out of the doctor's office. Hopefully I am through with that for a while! Once again, I did not take a book , but just sat while people watching...always an interesting pastime. I have learned to be thankful that my health is as good as it is, since I see persons younger than I, who have great difficulty moving around and others with caregivers, bringing them in to their appointments. One bright spot, though very noisy, was a baby about five months old, whose mother finally picked him up out of his carrier and he immediately got quiet and just looked at everyone with his big, brown eyes. So cute!

After I finally got out, over an hour later, I drove on to the park, to see a car parked while the passenger took pictures of a great white heron, posing on the bank of the weir. A beautiful white contrast against the green backdrop.It was late in the afternoon, but lots of people were still there. I don't know how many birds nest at the park, but already a dove has laid eggs in my oak tree over the driveway. I noticed when I retrieved the dumpster last week that an egg had fallen out and was on the ground. Doves build very sloppy nests, but God is good!

From the Promise Bible NLT:

2 Timothy 2:3
 

Endure suffering along with me as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. 

And as Christ's soldier , do not let yourself become tied up

in the affairs of this life, for then you cannot satisfy  the

one who has enlisted you in his army. Follow the Lord's will

for doing his work. Just as an athlete either follows the

rules or is disqualified and wins no prize. Hardworking farmers

are the first to enjoy the fruit of their labor. Think about

what I am saying. The Lord will give you understanding of all 
these things....

`I am willing to endure anything if it will bring salvation and 

eternal glory  to Christ Jesus  to those God has chosen.

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

Love and hugs,

 Amaryllis

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! Lots of sunshine and just right temps, so this is another in a string of beautiful days!

We had a good service yesterday, including communion, but it was unusually long, so the parking lot had very few cars when I left. I drove on to the park, because I had planned to have Quiche Lorraine for lunch. so did not go to Boston Market. Lots of people were out, walking their dogs, or running or just walking, but the weather was just beautiful!

I have had some people experiences while waiting in line in various stores. While waiting behind a man, who had a heavy accent at the pharmacy in CVS, the young cashier could not understand him very well, and he proceeded to open all the products she was waiting for him to pay for, including meds in a bottle, which he poured in his hand! This took about ten minutes, so finally another pharmacist came to open another window to take me, but she was so interested in the conversation going on next to her, she didn't even hear me, so I just stood there until she realized I was waiting. The outcome was that she moved over to the conflict and switched places, so the inexperienced worker moved to me. BTW, the man ended up not taking anything they had ready for him, after rendering the meds useless because he had handled them. Sigh.

I gave a little jump while opening the mailbox Saturday, because a lizard jumped on my hand when I opened it. I am not afraid of lizards, but he startled me! They really like my mailbox and sometimes I find eggs in it where mama lizard has dropped them. Not a good place, but God is good!

From the Promise Bible NLT:

Philippians 1:6

And I am sure that God who began the good work within you. will continue his work until it is finally finished on that day when Christ Jesus comes back again.

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

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

Love and hugs,
 Amaryllis

Isaiah 43

Good Morning, Dear Friends and Prayer Partners! This is the day that the Lord has made and we will rejoice in it!  Still damp and cloudy and last night the rain was coming down when I went to bed, so all in all, we got some nice rain that we really needed.

The sun actually came out later in the afternoon, but not for long...just long enough for me to go out to get some supper, and a trip to the park. Not many people at the park, less than a dozen cars, so rainy days mean people find indoor activities. It would have been a good day for the movies. 

However, because the Rays played under the dome, it did not affect the ball game. I must say I was not happy about the umpires' goof, in the ninth inning. Should have had instant replay on that play! Oh, well, God is still good! Have a happy weekend, everyone!

From the Promise Bible NLT:

Isaiah 43:1-2

But now, O Israel, the Lord who created you  says: "Do not be afraid, 

for I have ransomed you. I have called you by name,

you are mine. When you go through deep waters and great

trouble, I will be with you. When you go through rivers

of difficulty, you will not drown! When you walk through

the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up, the flames

will not consume you...you are precious to me. You are 

honored, and I love you.

I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving

joy and love!

Love and hugs,

Amaryllis

Psoaring thru Psalm 57

Good Morning, Dear Friends and Prayer Partners! This is the day that the Lord has made and we will rejoice and be glad in it! I woke up to rain and was thankful. Also, my Times carrier was faithful to put the paper in the chair sheltered from the rain, as usual. I do not know who he is, but he goes the extra mile for me and I am grateful.

My cleaning ladies came yesterday, full of information about their activities and what is going on , places to eat, and so forth. They started their business about 14 years ago, and are next door neighbors, with one married and one single, but they are closer than most sisters, and do everything together. They seem to get along very well and do well with their business. I appreciate them. However, my pest control man did not make it before I had to go to my doctor's appointment. Guess I will hear from him in the future. It would help if I knew when he was coming, maybe I could schedule any dates around him...

I got to the library and loaded up on books again, then took a trip to the park, which had been freshly mowed. I did not see the gators, but saw the moor hens and and ibis. There were not too many people , but school was not out yet, when I was there. But God is good!

From the Promise Bible NLT:
 
 Psalm 57 :7-11

My heart is confident in you, O God;
no wonder I can sing your praises!
Wake up, my soul!
Wake up, O harp and lyre!
I will waken the dawn with my song.
I will thank you, Lord, in front of all the people.
I will sing your praises among the nations.
For your unfailing love is as high as the heavens.
Your faithfulness reaches to the clouds.

Be exalted, O God, above the highest heavens.
May your glory shine over all the earth!

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

 Amaryllis

Holiness before Happiness

Good Morning, Dear Friends and Prayer Partners! This is the day that the Lord has made and we will be glad and rejoice in it! We had 80 degree temps yesterday and it looks like today will be more of the same! I have had the air on for the last couple of days and it has felt good. The house gets a little stuffy in the afternoons and we have had seventy for a low for a couple days.

Yesterday I had the yard man and today I have an appointment, the pest control guy, and my cleaning ladies coming, so it looks like a busy day shaping up! Which means taking time to pray more!

I arrived at the park yesterday in time to see the wet, shiny, big gator pull himself up on the bank near the weir. The other small one was still behind the cattails. Yesterday, while I was out talking to the Jason, after he mowed, a couple ibis came flying by, but one flew up in the oak tree where we were standing and just perched and looked at us. Evesdropping! But God is good!

From the little devotional book Knowing God:

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,

for they will be filled.  Matthew 5:6

Because you are an imperfect human being, you are not 

"perfectly" happy--and that's perfectly okay with God. He is far less
concerned with your happiness than he is with your

holiness.

God continuously reveals himself in everyday life, but He does not do so in 

order to make you contented:

He does so in order to lead you to His Son. So don't be 

overly concerned with your current level of happiness; it will 

change. Be more concerned with the current state of your 

relationship with Christ. He does not change. And because your

Savior transcends time and space, you can be comforted in the 

knowledge that in the end, His joy will become your joy...for all

eternity.

                                     Great Thoughts

Sin will grow without sowing, but holiness needs cultivation.

I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with

thanksgiving, joy and love!

Love and hugs,

 Amaryllis

Romans 8:38

Good Morning, almost afternoon, Dear Friends and Prayer Partners! This is the day that the Lord has made and we will rejoice and be glad in it!  It is so late that I almost decided not to try to send a word this morning. 

My yard man was here and I was involved in talking to him about my well and the improvements he is going to make to my yard, so that took quite a while. I probably should have gotten up a lot earlier, but I never know when he is coming.

Well, I went to the park yesterday, and saw the gator who is partly hidden by a clump of cattails next to the bank by the weir. I don't think anyone notices him, because the tail is the only part of him that shows from the road. I drove on down and the contrast between the crowd that was there on Sunday and yesterday was marked! Very few people, even though spring break was still going on. But God is good!

From the Promise Bible NLT:

Romans 8:38-39

And 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

Colossians 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! So, Happy April Fool's Day! And it is a partly cloudy, partly sunshiny day with a cool breeze blowing.

Yesterday warmed up nicely and it felt like it was almost 80 when I came out of church. It was a wonderful Resurrection Sunday service and the church was packed at the late service. I passed three churches on the way to mine and all the parking lots were full and some overflowing. The Church on the Hill which meets in the Fossil Park building had many cars parked in the drug store lot in the next block! Good to see so many people meeting to worship. Hopefully, many will come back next week.

I think the gators must be on the prowl everywhere...guess it is mating time, because I have seen two gators on opposite sides of the the park entrance for the last few days. The large one on the bank of the weir, and the other on the bank of the lake across the street. I also saw a blonde raccoon rushing into the shrubs by the lake and a large gopher tortoise crossing the road, with people guarding his passage. Yesterday, the park was so crowded, there was hardly a parking space left! Lots of people! God is good!

From the Promise Bible NLT:

Colossians 4:12-15

Since God chose you to be the holy people whom he loves, you

must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, 

humility, gentleness, and patience. You must make allowance

for each other's faults and forgive the person who offends you. 

Remember. the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. 

And the most important piece of clothing you must wear is love. 

Love is what binds us all together in perfect harmony. And let
 the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as 

members of one body you are all called to live in peace.

And always be thankful.

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 do or say, 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