Monday, March 12, 2007

God Knows

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!

Seems like it takes a while for me to adjust to the time change. I woke up at the usual time this morning, only it was an hour later! My biological clock didn't change yet!

As I stepped outside, though, the brilliant half moon and Venus were putting on a show to let me know God is in control of the universe.

My shoulder is gradually getting better..enough so that it is a bit easier to reach this keyboard, but I still cannot comb my hair with my right hand! Frustration! Friends have been so kind to bring food, thanks, Christa, and give us rides, thanks, Karin and Jim!
I just heard the early birds chirping, so dawn is breaking!

From Quiet Moments:

Jesus taught his followers, "Are not two little sparrows sold for a penny? And yet not one of them wil fall to the ground without your Father's leave (consent) and notice...Fear not, then: you are of more value than many sparrows." Matthew 10:29, 31

The psalmist also recognized God's thorough and intimate knowledge of us.Read these words from Psalm 139 and be encouraged. The Lord not only knows you, but He knows precisely what you are facing and experiencing today. Even if you are not aware of His presence, you can rest assured He is by your side O Lord, you have examined my heart and know everything about me. You know when I sit or stand. When far away you know my every thought. You chart the path ahead of me, and tell me where to stop and rest. Every moment, you know where I am. You know what I am going to say before I even say it. You both precede and follow me, and place your hand of blessing on my head.

This is too glorious, too wonderful...I can never be lost to your Spirit! I can never get away from my God!

You saw me before I was born and scheduled each day of my life before I began to breathe. Every day was recorded in your Book!

How precious it is, Lord, to realize that you are thinking about me constantly! I can't even count how many times a day your thoughts turn towards me. and when I waken in the morning, you are still thinking of me!
Psalms 139:1-7, 16-19 TLB

Before God created the universe,
He already had you in mind.
Erwin W. Lutzer

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

Love and hugs,
Amaryllis

Friday, March 9, 2007

Happenings

Good Morning, Dear Friends and Prayer Partners! This is the beautiful day that the Lord has made and we will rejoice and be glad in it!

I had a wonderful walk to the new outlook tower in the park yesterday, enjoying the raccoon tracks in the mud, the Nile perch I saw in the water, the gator sunning by the shelter and all the bird calls.

Then, disaster struck! I fell on the ironing board while getting it out of the closet and injured my shoulder, hand and knee. Brian Alnes was kind to come over and drive us to the ER, where I was x-rayed and had the thumb casted, which I took off when I got home. I have limited mobility in my shoulder and pain, but I have darvoset for night and Tylenol for daytime use. I am having great difficulty dressing, can't comb my hair, and am very thankful that it wasn't worse!

Due to the trauma, I am having difficulty keeping my shoulder up for typing, so no devotional this morning.

"All things happen for good for those who love the Lord and are called according to His purpose."

Love and hugs,
Amaryllis

Thursday, March 8, 2007

Prayer please

Hi, Friends!
After carefully watching and worrying that Louis might fall, today I fell. I was taking the ironing board out of the closet and had it in front of me when we got caught in the bedspread and down I went face first. I landed with my knees on the board and the floor and took the brunt of the fall on my right thumb and shoulder.

After a couple hours in Ed White's ER and x-rays with Brian Alnes driving us to the hospital, the verdict is no break, but they put a cast on the thumb in case of a hairline fracture. I took it off because it is too hard to do anything with the right hand.

I am in a lot of pain with my shoulder but our Brian is getting a Darvoset pres. filled for me so I can sleep tonight.

Please pray for quick healing and for less pain. It is difficult to drive, dress and all the other things that require lifting of the arm,

Thank God it wasn't worse! Love and hugs,
Amaryllis

Hebrews 12:1-7

Good morning, Dear friends and Prayer Partners! This is the beautiful day that the Lord has made and we will rejoice and be glad in it!

I hope some of you saw the blazing pink of the sunset last night! It was a sight to behold! And the half moon this morning, with Venus very visible in the southeast was a shining example of God's greatness!

Due to an early appointment for lab work, this is a little late today, but I wanted to share this passage from Hebrews that I read in my devotional this morning;

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses in the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily hinders our progress. And let us run with endurance the race that God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, on whom our faith depends from start to finish. He was willing to die a shameful death on the cross because of the joy he knew would be his afterward. Now he is seated in the place of highest honor beside God's throne in heaven. Think about all he endured when sinful people did such terrible things to him, so that you don't become weary and give up. After all, you have not yet given your lives to your struggle against sin.

And have you entirely forgotten the encouraging words God spoke to you, his children? He said,

My child, don't ignore it when the Lord
disciplines you.
and don't be discouraged when he
corrects you.
For the Lord disciplines those he loves,
and he punishes those he accepts as his children."

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

Love and hugs,
Amaryllis

Tuesday, March 6, 2007

Timing is everything!!

Good evening Dear friends and Prayer Partners!

Because of an early appointment tomorrow, I thought I would send a blessing tonight...

Today I stopped by the Park after haircuts, and just HAPPENED, (God's timing) to see the two Marks and Terry outside Terry's office fastening a suggestion, comment box to the wall. Mark G. said he had tested the Thompson waterseal on the tower and it was dry and he wanted to open it up. Well, I was excited, and he said I could be first to walk out there.

Since there were already people out that way, I didn't expect to be first, but I was among the first dozen to enjoy the beauty and climbed to the second level to admire the view. The construction company did a beautiful job!

I asked one of the Marks to take my picture with the tower in the background, so Mark W. obliged with my last shot. God is good!

Numbers 6:24-26
May the Lord bless you
and protect you.
May the Lord smile on you
and be gracious to you.
May the Lord show you is favor
and give you his peace.

I always thank God 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 another cool day that the Lord has made and we will rejoice and be glad in it!

The moon was casting shadows this morning as it glowed in a cloudless sky and the stars were twinkling still...God made a beautiful world!

I see Mama duck and her nearly grown kids just nestling under the hedges on the property next door - seems like they don't do nearly the running up and down the street as they did when they were tiny!

We saw two shiny, black gators sunning at the park yesterday. It was a gorgeous day with warm sun and cool breezes! God is good!

From the Promise Bible:

What are the benefits of wisdom?

Proverbs 9:10 "Fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom." Knowledge of the Holy One results in understanding. Psalm 111:10 "Reverence for the Lord is the foundation of true wisdom. The rewards of wisdom come to all who obey him. Praise His name forever!"

Wisdom is not simply knowing facts and figures; it is understanding that an all-powerful, all-knowing God has designed a moral universe with consequences for our good and evil choices. Wisdom begins with understanding our accountability to and our full dependence on our Creator. It's not what we know, but who we know.

Proverbs 3:21-26 "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. "

Wisdom produces honor in our lives and protects us from trouble. Wise people know the difference between 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

Monday, March 5, 2007

Stop and Think

Good Morning, dear Friends and Prayer Partners! This is the beautiful, cool day that the Lord has made and we will rejoice and be glad in it!

I noticed the slightly lopsided moon as I went outside this morning, and Venus shining brightly in the south. I wish we had had the clear sky the night of the lunar eclipse.

The roseates were in the same spot at the Park yesterday as they were the other day. I hope they have chosen to make that their new home. They are so beautiful! An anhinga was busy eating his catch of the day on the side of the weir, and another was airing out his wings. God is good!

From Quiet Moments:

It seems that when you're in a hurry and running late, you hit nothing but red lights. Although they are annoying when we're racing to an appointment, stoplights are there for our protection.

We need stoplights throughout our day , too. Hard work and busy schedules need to be interrupted with time for leisure and reflection. Without it we can become seriously sick with stress-induced illnesses. Time set aside for recreation or relaxation can rejuvenate our spirits. This poem by W. H. Davies tells us to take time to "Stop and Stare":

What is this life if, full of care,
We have no time to stand and stare.
No time to stand beneath the boughs
And stare as long as sheep or cows..
No time to see, when woods we pass,
Where squirrels hide their nuts in grass .
No time to see, when woods we pass,
Streams full of stars, like stars at night.
No time to turn at Beauty's glance,
And watch her feet, how they can dance.
No time to wait til her mouth can
Enrich that smile her eyes began.
A poor life this if, full of care,
We have no time to stand and stare.

There are two ways of making it through our busy life. One way is to stop thinking. The second is to stop and think. Many people live the first way. They fill every hour with incessant activity. They dare not be alone. there is no time of quiet reflection in their lives. the second way, to stop and think, is to contemplate what life is for and to what end we are living. the word SABBATH literally means, " stop doing what you are doing."

Throughout the day today, give yourself a five or ten-minute "mini-vacation." Get alone, be quiet, and listen for God to speak to you. Make time to be alone with God.

God richly furnishes us with everything to enjoy
1 Timothy 6:17

A happy life consists of tranquility of mind.
Marcus Tullius Cicero

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

Love and hugs,
Amaryllis