A Benediction

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 the same weather forecast as the previous days, except thunderstorms are popping up unexpectedly here and there and then going away. And the temp in the gulf water is 90 degrees! Not so refreshing!

I made up my mind to get to Publix yesterday, so, off I went and found a parking space, while a very tired looking lady came to her truck with a cart, unloaded her bags and left the cart in easy walking distance for me to take. That was a blessing! It was so hot that I was happy to get in the store. I had my list and got everything on it, without many extras, so was soon ready to check out.They had some wonderful looking peaches and nectarines, and Washington cherries, so I bagged up some of each. They are expensive, but I think I'm worth it!

I usually choose the cashier by the line, but also, who is bagging and I saw a new big bear looking guy, probably in his early sixties at work at one cashier, so started unloading my stuff, along with my cloth bags and insulated cooler bag full of fridge things when he came and started unloading everything from the front which I really appreciated. Anyway, he let me push the cart out, which gives me better balance and then told me everything he was doing , and giving me advice about how to get them unloaded and in the house. He also told me to get in the car and start it up, so he could make sure it would start and then to make sure I had my A/C on. He was actually very solitcitous. Publix; where shopping is a pleasure!

So, after all that, I was ready to sit and rest a few minutes, but God is good!

From the Promise Bible NLT:

Jude 24-25
And now, all glory to God, who is able
to keep you from stumbling, and who will
bring you into his glorious presence
innocent of sin and with great joy. All glory
to him, who alone is God our Savior, through
Jesus Christ, our Lord. Yes, glory, majesty,
power, and authority belong to him, in the
beginning, now and forevermore. Amen

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

Love and hugs,
 Amaryllis

Still Roamin' thru Romans

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 weather forecast is for a "sticky and hot" day, since the temp is supposed to reach the nineties again today. Yesterday, just about dark, we had a thunderstorm which was very noisy for about thirty minutes, so everything was still wet this morning. Thank you, God, for air conditioning!

Well, the food poisoning, or whatever it was, seems to finally be cleared up. It kept me in for a couple days, since I was afraid to venture very far from home. I don't know what caused it, but I don't want a recurrence!

I was mentioning my hope that the mango next door, would drop on my property and when I told my cleaning ladies that yesterday, they offered me mangos that one of their customers gave them, so I now have three of the ripe fruit in my fridge! Kim also brought over a big slice of the Publix chocolate cake that her sister bought for her.  Since my innards seem to be settled, I will certainly enjoy the "fruits of their labors". (Sorry)

And speaking of Publix, I think more companies are copying their vignette commercials. I especially like the Bright House commercial about the fireman and his daughter, which is so sweet. Usually I mute commercials, but not those.

I took a trip to the library after the girls left, and parked in a handicapped space under a large oak tree. A homeless man was dozing on a bench there in the heat and a woman in a wheelchair from the nursing home across the street was also moving around. Apparently they had been feeding ducks and crows and a few seagulls, for when I came out with my books, I had a splattered windshield. I was not happy about it, but wiped the worst off with a couple tissues and washed the rest off with the washer fluid. After that I did a couple more errands and then headed for home. God is good!

From the Promise Bible NLT:

Romans 12:12-15
Be glad for all God is planning for you. Be
patient in trouble and always be prayerful.
When God's children are in need, be the one
to help them out. And get into the habit of inviting
guests home for dinner, or, if they need lodging,
for the night.

If people persecute you because you are a Christian,
don't curse them; pray that God will bless them.
When others are happy, be happy with them. If they
are sad, share their sorrow. Live in harmony with
each other. Don't try to act important, but enjoy the
company of other people. And don't think you know it all!

Never pay back evil for evil to anyone. Do things in
such a way  that everyone can see you are honorable.
Do your part to live in peace with everyone as much as possible.

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

Love and hugs,
 Amaryllis

Roamin' thru Romans

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! Last night I heard a brief shower falling about 10 PM but then it stopped and everything was dry this morning,  So, we have lots of sun and it is very warm already, with temps supposed to be in the nineties today.

I did not go out yesterday, due to my upset innards, but I finished up Nicholas Sparks latest novel, and did laundry and a  few other chores. I was expecting my yard crew to come, but they came this morning, instead. I spoke to Jim, and he said he was tweaking his schedule, so he will be here Tues. or Wed. from now on. Business must be good, because he has two helpers!

I can see two ripe mangos from my bedroom window. Trouble is, they are on the neighbor's tree. I keep hoping the wind will blow them this way so they will land in my yard. I like mangos! I remember as a kid always having mango trees accessible in the neighborhood and being warned not to get the sap on us or eat green ones because they are poison. I don't know if that was the truth or not, but I was never poisoned, because I followed the admonition!
So, God is good!

From the Promise Bible NLT:

Romans 12:1,2
And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead
with you to give your bodies to God. Let them
be a living and holy sacrifice---the kind he will
accept. When you think of what he has done for
you, is this too much to ask? Don't copy the
behavior  and customs of this world, but let
God transform you into a new person by changing
the way you think. Then you will know what God
wants you to do, and you will know how good
and pleasing and perfect his will really is.

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

Love and hugs,
 Amaryllis

God's Mercy for Everyone

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 rain sometime during the night; I could tell because of the puddles on the porch and everything looked wet on the driveways. So it looks like the same thing today. Lots of sun, humidity, and maybe some rain.

I am late this morning, but glad to be feeling all right. About 1:30 this morning, I had to race out of bed to the bathroom, with  upset innards. I finally got back in bed, only to get up again and again. I was finally able to get a couple hours sleep and feel pretty good right now, but still have a few problems. I will probably get very drowsy after lunch.

Well, I got some banking done yesterday, and learned the changeover from my bank to the new one , due to the merger, has gone smoothly so far. Except for misinformation from the employees who seemed to be as confused as I, actually, all has gone well. As long as procedures keep going well, I will be very pleased.

After taking care of business, I drove on to the Park and saw a flock of ibis, and an egret. Speaking of egrets, there is one at Boston Market who is always looking in the door, hoping for a handout. If people are sitting at a table beside the door, he will stand and look at them. I don't think I would be comfortable eating knowing he was staring at me! But God is good!

From the Promise Bible NLT:

Romans 11:33-36
Oh, what a wonderful God we have!
How great are his riches and wisdom
and knowledge! How impossible it is
for us to understand his decisions and
his methods! For who can know what
the Lord is thinking? Who knows enough
to be his counselor? And who could ever
give him enough that he would have to pay
it back?For everything comes from him; every
thing exists by his power and is intended for
his glory. To him be glory for evermore. Amen

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

Love and hugs,
 Amaryllis

Wisdom

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 our usual morning sun and a good breeze, but thundershowers are once again predicted for this afternoon and evening.

I was disappointed last night at the timing of the rain, because I had hoped to attend the meeting at church, but since I cannot carry an umbrella and use the walker at the same time, I thought it prudent to stay home. I used to know what was going on at the church, but now, things happen without me, which is okay, because I know God has placed good leaders in position to make decisions and I trust them.

Saturday, after I finished with my hair cut, I drove on out to Wendy's to pick up a small salad, and saw more building going on on 4th St. Since that is a main corridor to downtown St. Pete., lots of restaurants are opening nearly every month. Some go out of business and others open up in their space. Looks like lots of people eat out every day!

I was interested to see a young man at church yesterday who I had not seen in a couple months. He is very shy, and very soft spoken, but I know his name is Michael. I used to speak to him whenever he passed by and he would speak to me for a few minutes, but very briefly. Unfortunately, with all the talking around me, it is very difficult for me to understand him, but, anyway, I was glad to see him and he actually gave me a small wave as he looked for a seat.

I visited Sawgrass park a couple times over the weekend, and saw a flock of ibis, and anhinga and lots of two legged humans walking around, enjoying the outdoors. God is good!

From the Promise Bible NLT:

Proverbs 3:21-26
My child, don't lose sight of good planning and insight.
Hang on to these for they 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.

Wisdom produces honor in our lives and protects us from trouble. Wise people know the difference from right and wrong and choose to do what's right. More than that, wisdom is choosing to apply God's truth and principles to our daily relationships and situations.

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 another bright, hot, beautiful morning, with the usual forecast of afternoon showers and thunderstorm. However, even though we had severe weather warnings yesterday afternoon, and heard thunder, it missed this area again, so no rain.

Well, I did something unusual for me this morning. I drove over to MacDonald's and bought a cheese, bacon and egg biscuit for my breakfast, with O,J. I have only done this once before as near as I remember, and that was because I had had fasting lab work done in the same shopping strip. I was back home enjoying the food ten minutes later, because the fast food place is in my neighborhood!

I had an appointment with my podiatrist yesterday afternoon, and there was no one in the waiting room when I arrived, so I guess his business has fallen off for the summer. He is really busy in the winter. He said he and his girl friend went to Savannah, and Charleston and NC on vacation last month. Ah, memories. I love those places!

I left for the Park after that and parked for a few minutes just absorbing the heat and trees and the ibis flitting around. Plus the dog walkers and people who were enjoying walking in the heat! God is good!

From the Promise Bible NLT:

Ephesians 1:19-23
I pray that you will begin to understand the
incredible greatness of his power for us
who believe him. This is the same mighty
power that raised Christ from the dead and
seated him in the place of honor at God's
right hand in the heavenly realms. Now he
is far above any ruler or authority or power
or leader or anything else in this world or in
the world to come. And God has put all things
under the authority of Christ and he gave him
the authority for the benefit of the church. And
the church is his body; and it is
filled by Christ, who fills everything everywhere
 by his presence.

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

Love and hugs,
 Amaryllis

Psoaring thru Psalms

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 hot but beautiful day with lots of sunshine and a few puffy white clouds already. Yesterday, we did not have our usual rain shower in the late afternoon, so, today, who knows? But grass is growing as are the shrubs, so we are pretty good in the rain department!

My yard crew came Tuesday and cleaned up the branches that had broken off the Oaks, and stuffed them in the trash can, so the yard looks clean for awhile. I think it's about time to get the tree guys out to trim a little on one tree, which hangs low over the driveway when it is wet with rain.

My cleaning ladies were here yesterday and brought me three huge, red tomatoes from the restaurant where they had lunch. The manager is always giving them his extras, which I appreciate. Kim also told me about a house near here which has a mannequin officer standing in the front yard with his hand reaching for his weapon. So, I had to go look for myself and, sure enough, it is life sized and dressed like a highway patrolman. On the front door there is a sign that says."There is nothing inside worth dying for!" That is some deterrent!

I visited the park and saw quite a few cars and an egret looking into the canal for lunch. Then I went to Checkers and got a caramel cheesecake choc. crunch shake just because it was a hot day. Yum. God is good!

From the Promise Bible NLT:

Psalm 77:18-20
When the Red Sea saw you, O God,
its waters looked and trembled!
The sea quaked to its very depths.
The clouds poured down their rain;
the sun rolled and crackled in the sky.
Your arrows of lightning flashed.
Your thunder roared from the whirlwind;
the lightning lit up the world!
The earth trembled and shook.
Your road let through the sea.
Your pathway through the mighty
waters---
a pathway no one knew was there!
You led your people along that road like a
flock of sheep,
with Moses and Aaron as their shepherds.

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

Love and hugs,
 Amaryllis

Strength

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, more heat, but , so far, not a cloud in the sky. That will all change later in the afternoon, because this is the time of year we get our afternoon-late evening thunder showers.

I can't imagine what it is like to have to abandon your home because of a sinkhole happening under it, but that is what happened in a small city near here, yesterday. It is 15 ft. wide and 30 or more ft. deep, so the people had to evacuate, along with about four other homes. Bad or unexpected things happen every day, but this is so unexpected! My heart goes out to these people!

Yesterday, I returned a book to the drop box at the library. There are two drop boxes, one lower than the other, (which has been plowed into by a vehicle) and the high one is just right for me to reach from the van. I often use it for the convenience. Then, I left there and drove on to the park to see what was going on. An anhinga was perched on the weir drying its wings, and further on, a white egret was spotted on a tree hanging over the canal. Quite a few people were enjoying the freedom of the park, even though it was quite warm! God is good!

From the Promise Bible NLT:

Isaiah 40:28-31
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 depth 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 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

1 Chronicles

God 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 are expecting about 93 degrees today with our usual afternoon thunder storms. This continues to be a hot, humid summer, typical for St. Petersburg!

I was a little late getting to church yesterday, simply because I was wrapped up in finishing a book and the time got away from me. I was not late for church, just later leaving home than usual. But, there were plenty of parking spaces for me to choose from, because first service people had already left!

I took my usual seat...three seats in from the end in the last middle row, and soon, a young woman came to sit next to me as she has for the past month. Her name is Judy and she is very pretty, I asked her where she worked and she told me the Comfort Inn on 54th. I am always interested in just who God will put next to me in the last row. Also, another couple has been sitting in the first two seats in that row for the past couple Sundays. That is where two ladies sit, but they must be on vacation. It was good to see Pastor Kevin back, although he did not preach. He sat with his Mom in the row right in front of me. Pastor Dave was the preacher.

Brian came over Saturday and did some things for me, and we had a nice visit, catching up on his work  and how it is going. Even though he calls every day, it is nice to catch up in person.I am blessed with two good sons. God is good!

From the Promise Bible NLT:

1 Chronicles 16:31-36

Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice!
Tell all the nations that the Lord is king.
Let the sea and everything in it shout his praise!
Let the fields and their crops burst forth with joy!
Let the trees of the forest rustle with praise
before the Lord!
For he is coming to judge the earth.

Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good!
His faithful love endures forever.
Cry out, "Save us, O God of our salvation!
Gather and rescue us from among the nations,
so we can thank your holy name and rejoice
and praise you."
Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel,
from everlasting to everlasting!

And all the people shouted "Amen!" and
praised the Lord.

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

Love and hugs,
 Amaryllis

God's Plans

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 weather is the same for the rest'of the week and next week...hot, humid with thunderstorms here and there. This is summer in the 'burg!

I was out shopping yesterday, after I had deposited some books in the book drop at the Library, and I decided it would be a good idea to get a strawberry shake at S&S, since it was such a hot day. Well, there was no one in line! That's the first time I have gone to the drive thru and not had to wait in line! So, I drove on to the Park, which definitely was not crowded, and then took myself home.

I saw ibis around Lynch Lake  and, seagulls, but mostly it was quiet and very still. The grass had just been mowed, so it looked very neat, unlike my front yard, which has some large twigs in it as a result of the storm a couple nights ago. They will just have to wait until my yard guys come again next week. But God is good!

From the Promise Bible NLT:

Jeremiah 30:11,12
"For 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. In those days when you pray,
 I will listen." If you look for me in earnest,
you will find me when you seek me."

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

Love and hugs,
Amaryllis

Psoaring thru Psalms

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 finally got the rain last night; in fact, it was a small storm. The sky got very dark about 6 and the wind started really blowing about thirty minutes later. After that the rains came. I peeked out this morning and only saw one large twig in the front yard which blew down from the oak, but there may be more. I was in my jammies, so I did not go out. We have had a lot of near misses with the rains, but yesterday was our turn.

My cleaning ladies came yesterday, fresh from lunch, which they ate at the Metro Diner, a new place, which I had told them Brian had already tried.  They were groaning from all they had eaten and said the food was good, but the place was really noisy! I gave Kim the sequel book to "Me Before You" called "After You" and she was anxious to get started reading it. I told her I hoped a follow up book was being written. because the sequel calls for a sequel! The ending kind of leaves the plot hanging.

It was an extremely hot day yesterday, as it will be the rest of this week, so I stayed in and got the sheets washed and put back on the bed and did some other chores around the house, and then took a short nap in the late afternoon. I don't do that very often, but hadn't been sleeping too well, so, all at once, it caught up to me! But, God is good!

From the Promise Bible NLT:

Psalm 16:5-8
Lord, you alone are my inheritance, my cup of blessing.
You guard all that is mine.
The land you have given me is a pleasant land.
What a wonderful inheritance!

I will bless the Lord who guides me,
even at night my heart instructs me.
I know the Lord is always with me.
I will not be shaken, for he is right beside me.

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

Love and hugs,
 Amaryllis

Psoaring thru Psalms

Good Morning, Dear Friends and Prayer Partners! This is the day that the Lord has made and we will rejoice and be glad in it! I heard lots of thunder and there were many lightning strikes last night, but most of the action was near my house, not over it. I heard some rain falling, but it did not last long in this neighborhood and this morning everything is dry. I had weather alerts on my phone and it was on the TV, so a lot of people got the high wind warnings. So, today is another sunny, hot day!

Maybe some of you heard about the tanker filled with diesel fuel that had a tire blow out and then the tanker caught fire on the Skyway bridge. What a fire! So many people use that bridge to commute every day and traffic was at a stop on both sides of the span. It took firefighters quite a while to get through to the fire and then inspectors had to inspect the integrity of the span. I can only say, I am thankful no one was hurt and that I was not trapped on the bridge!

Well, Chick-fil-a was giving free entrees yesterday if you dressed like a cow, or had something that looked like a cow on clothing or whatever. I did not even try, because I knew how crowded that place would be. However, I got a free entree at Wendy's. I went for a small salad and small cheeseburger, with strawberry lemonade. When I got to the window, I was handed the lemonade, then sweet tea, which I refused, then had to ask for the burger, got another bag and drove home. When I opened up the bag, I got a chicken sandwich, looked at the ticket and saw that I was not charged for it. I just paid for the lemonade. When I called the manager, he just said not to worry about it! I predict lost revenue unless they get their act together. But I enjoyed the meal. God is good!

From the Promise Bible NLT:

Psalm 15
Who may worship in your sanctuary, Lord?
Who may enter your presence on your holy hill?

Those who lead blameless lives
and do what is right,
speaking the truth from sincere hearts.
Those who refuse to slander others
or harm their neighbors,
or speak evil of their friends.
Those who despise persistent sinners,
and honor the faithful followers of the Lord,
and keep their promises even when it hurts.
Those who do not charge interest on the money they lend
and refuse to accept bribes to testify against the innocent.
Such people will stand firm forever.

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

Love and hugs,
Amaryllis

Psoaring thru Psalms

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 sun this morning, although I thought it was going to rain just as soon as I rolled out of bed at 6:30. It was really dark at that time.But I guess it just was not full daylight, yet.

I hear the yard crew working, so they are mowing, which is really needed. Jim, on the mower, does not cut the grass short, so by the time a week rolls around, it is really long. He is on a ride-on mower, so it doesn't take him long to finish up. With all the rain we've had, it doesn't take long for the grass to grow!

"Monday is wash day" as the old poem used to start, so yesterday, that is what I did, then finished a book and started another one. After lunch I drove over to the park, but, Oh my goodness! it was so hot! I came back home and looked at the thermometer which said 91 at about 2 PM! Since the house is nice and cool, I decided the best place for me was home!

I have a lot of robo calls on my landline, and don't pick up because I let the answering machine handle them. I looked at the caller ID on one and it looked like a local cell number, so when the answering machine started to answer, I picked up and did not say anything, and heard a man's voice start singing, Jesus Loves Me. He did not finish the song, but, of course, now I am wondering who it was!

I have seen all the crape myrtle trees in full bloom all around town and really like the variety of colors! Mine is pretty pink, and the ones at church surrounding the parking lot are lavender. I have seen white ones and dark pink and they are all so lovely! God is good!

From the Promise Bible NLT:

Psalm 139:17-18, 23,24
How precious are your thoughts about me, O God!
they are innumerable
I can't even count them;
they outnumber the grains of sand!
And when I wake up in the morning
you are still with me!

Search me, O God, and know my heart;
test me and know my thoughts.
Point out anything in me that offends you.
and lead me along the path of
everlasting life.

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

Love and hugs,
 Amaryllis

Easin' thru Ephesians

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, we have not had any rain in this neighborhood for a day and a half, but the air is still very warm and humid! But, that is to be expected in this part of Florida. We have spectacular sunrises and sunsets!

We had a wonderful sermon yesterday by our District Supt. Robert Owens. It is always a treat to listen to him. Pastor Kevin is still on vacation, enjoying and refreshing his spirit and family time.It looked like attendance was down some because I know a lot of families are on vacation.

On my way back from errands, Sat. I saw two ospreys perched on a wire at Lynch Lake , while an egret and ibises looked for lunch below. It was a rare sight to see two together.I noticed an article on FB today about coyotes in Pinellas Co. I am not surprised at that, but then, one person said she was a trapper and that she had been called to round up wild hogs from Sawgrass Lake. I have been walking and visiting that park for over 25 years, and have never heard of that. I will have to check that out.  I have seen raccoons, snakes, a fox, an albino raccoon, a large gator strolling across the sidewalk near me, and of course, the gators mating, laying eggs and hatching out the eggs, but never wild hogs. I have also watched the ospreys hovering, which is amazing to me! So, I am not saying they are not there;, it just seems like I would have known. Oh, I have also seen red shouldered hawks and the babies hatch one year, right over the sidewalk!

God is good!

From the Promise Bible NLT:

Ephesians 6:6-8
Work hard, but not just to please your
masters when they are watching. As slaves
of Christ, do the will of God with all your
heart. Work with enthusiasm, as though
you were working for the Lord rather than
for people. Remember that the Lord will
reward each one of us for the good we do,
whether we are slaves or free.

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

Love and hugs,
 Amaryllis

Psoaring thru Psalms

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 another loud, thunderstorm yesterday about noon, which lasted for about an hour. After it quit raining, the sun came out and it was hot and humid!

Well, I watched all the events that happened in Dallas, and wondered just when the violence will end. GMA devoted their whole program to the coverage and I have seen the videos over and over of the police officers running toward the shooter, and not away from. The suspect is dead, but so are five police officers. The police chief and mayor are asking for prayer at noon today, but Dallas is on Central time, so that makes it 11 our time. I have prayed for them and will continue to do so.When will it end?

From the Promise Bible NLT:

Psalm 139:23,24
Search me, O God, and know my heart;
test me and know my thoughts.
Point out anything in me that offends you,
and lead me along the path of
everlasting life.

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

Love and hugs,
Amaryllis

Psoaring thru Psalms

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! All I hear on weather reports  on TV Is how hot it is and how important it is to stay hydrated and cool! Yep! Summer is definitely here!

We had a very noisy, loud thunderstorm for about 35 minutes yesterday afternoon. I turned off most of my electronics until the thunder and lightning moved off, and then the sun came back out and everything was nice and steamy.

My ladies came to clean earlier than what they had said, but they called first, which was fine. Meanwhile, I read the Times, and we discussed different eating places. They always go into a restaurant to have lunch before they come do me. I am last because they live right across the street.

I watched a mockingbird climb into the hedge outside my window and flit all the way to the top, which is very high. Then some butterflies came floating by, one all yellow, and one yellow and black. I looked them up on Google, but there are so many I could not pick out the ones I see.. There is a lot of God's handiwork right outside my window! God is good!

From the Promise Bible NLT:

Psalm 66: 1-4
Shout joyful praises to God, all the earth!
Sing about the glory of his name!
Tell the world how glorious he is.
Say to God,"How awesome are your deeds!"
Your enemies  cringe before your mighty
power.
Everything on earth will worship you.
They will sing your praises, shouting your
name in glorious songs!"

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

Love and hugs,
 Amaryllis

Words of Wisdom

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, it is another hot, humid day in paradise! All people who work outdoors have to be careful to drink a lot of water to be sure to hydrate.This is what we were warned to do when I was in Colorado; first, as a delegate and then as a prayer warrior for Chic. But it wasn't for the heat, it was for the dry air!

Since yesterday was "sweet tea Tuesday," I stopped at MacDonald's and got a glass full.  It was refreshing. Then I drove to the park after I had been to the library, which was a quiet, cool oasis in the middle of a very warm day.

The park was also quiet and very few visitors, but it was not too cool! While lots of trees keep the temp. down, they don't do much for the humidity. but God is good!

From the Promise Bible NLT:

Jeremiah 17:7-10
But blessed are those who trust in the Lord and have
made the Lord their hope and confidence. They are
like trees planted along a riverbank with roots that
reach deep into the water. Such trees are not bothered
by the heat or worried by long months of drought. Their
leaves stay green and they go right on producing delicious
fruit.

The human heart is most deceitful and desperately wicked.
Who really knows how bad it is? "But I know! I, the Lord
search all hearts and examine secret motives. I give all
people their due rewards, according to what their actions deserve."

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

Love and hugs,
 Amaryllis

Roamin' thru Romans

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 was perfect weather for celebrating Independence Day and today is another very hot, humid day! I watched the Capitol Fourth celebration on TV and it was raining in Washington, but no sign of that here!

Some very loud booms were sounding off for a few hours around here..some sounded like they were in my driveway! I thought of my friend's little dog who is frightened by loud noises. He must have been terrified!  I finally headed for bed about 10:30, thinking they would not sound so loud back in the bedroom, but I could hear more from the back of the house,. Fortunately, all the noise ended a little after eleven.

I saw the Clearwater beach cleanup  this morning. What a mess!   All kinds of fireworks, tons of bottles -- they even found a cooler loaded with food! Over a hundred volunteers cleaned about 2 tons of trash off the beaches! Seems like people just can't clean up after themselves!'

I had a very quiet fourth. Brian came over and did some chores for me, including taking the van to gas it up, and taking the recyclables out. After he left, I did my ironing. I was glad to get that done! Then, just about supper time, my nephew cop, Russ, called to catch up with all the news and I caught up with his news.. Family is so important!

Brian took me to a new Tampa restaurant Saturday night called 4R Smokehouse. It is run by Christians and is closed on Sundays The food was excellent and the service is quite unusual. If you order the plate meal, it is slapped on butcher paper on a tray. You get your own cutlery, and drinks and the meal is served cafeteria style. It is family style dining with very long tables with stools and chairs. Very different but very good.!

I looked out my front window Saturday and saw a most unusual sight. A little squirrel was perched on the end of the half wall on the front porch and then he laid down flat on his tummy. Then he got up looked around and flopped down again. Since I rare;y see squirrels when they are not in motion, it was unusual for this one to be quiet for that length of time. God is good!

From the Promise Bible NLT:

Romans 12:6-13
God has given us the ability to do certain
things well. So if God has given you the ability
to prophecy,speak out when you have faith that
God is speaking through you. If your gift is that
of serving others, serve them well. If you are a
teacher, do a good job of teaching. If your gift is
to encourage others, do it!  If you have money,
share it generously. If God has given you leadership
ability , take the responsibility seriously, and if you
have a gift of showing kindness to others, do it
gladly!
Don't just pretend that you love others!  Really love them!
Hate what is wrong. Stand on the side of what is good.
Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight
in honoring each other. Never be lazy in your work, but
serve the Lord enthusiastically!

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

Love and hugs,
 Amaryllis

Joshua's leadership

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 hope everyone is ready for a very warm, sunny, and perhaps rainy holiday celebrating Independence Day!

We already had a nice shower here, just a few minutes after I rolled out of bed at 6:30. I had padded out to the front door to rescue my paper off the chair, only to discover it was not there. Then I saw it down at the end of the driveway. So I left it and took my shower, deciding I would try to get my walker down there to pick it up after I got dressed. Well, when I looked out again, it wasn't there and I had almost decided to call the Times delivery, when I looked on the porch, and some kind soul had tossed it up right next to the chair! I have two possibilities for the good Samaritan, so I will have to check and see who I can thank. I am blessed!

Yesterday I saw a tiny frog hopping away from the chair, which is under the porch light, but according to what is left behind, the tiny frog is not responsible for the large deposits left on the floor. Either the lizards or geckos are guilty. The bugs must be plentiful!

I watched Homeplace with Tim Tebow hosting last night and kept flipping over to the Rays. I was so happy that they had a comfortable lead over Detroit, and then the ninth inning happened and disaster struck! I was so disappointed! I will be glad when Kevin Kiermaier gets his hand all healed up and comes back!

Well, Happy Fourth of July everyone and be safe! God is good!

From the Promise Bible NLT:

Deuteronomy 31:7-9
Then Moses called for Joshua, and as all Israel watched
he said to him, "Be strong and courageous!" For you will
lead these people into the land that the Lord swore to give
their ancestors.. You are the one who will deliver it to them
as their inheritance. Do not be afraid or discouraged for the
Lord is the one who goes before you. He will be with you; he
will neither fail nor forsake you."'

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

Love and hugs,
 Amaryllis