Opportunities

Good cool morning, Dear Friends and Prayer Partners! This is the lovely fall day that the Lord has made and we will rejoice and be glad in it!

Wow! I stepped outside this morning to the coolest morning, yet. I am tempted to turn off the A/C and open windows. We usually can do that in October, but yesterday was very warm!

Because David, our jack-of-all-trades, surprised me by coming early yesterday, I didn't get to take my morning walk, but after he had mowed, I noticed a tiny, wren hopping happily on the driveway, pecking at something in the newly mown grass. It hung around for quite awhile, so the birds must be migrating from the north already.

I did drive through the Park later and marveled at the beautiful colors in the peacock feathers, in the three that we saw on the way in. God made them beautiful, but He must have a sense of humor, because they have a loud, raucous "yeoww" that you never forget if you hear it!

The grass in the park has greened up since the rain and it looks really nice with the water in the canal up. When I saw Mama gator on Wednesday, fish were swimming all around her, and she was not paying attention, so she must not have been hungry. God provides!

From the Promise Bible NLT:

How can I face challenging, sometimes intimidating, opportunities?

Philippians 4:13 "I can do everything with the help of Christ who gives me the strength I need."

Our ability to face challenges is rooted in Christ, not in ourselves. With Christ's help, we can make the most of every opportunity.

Revelation 3:8 "I know all the things you do, and I have opened a door for you that no one can shut. You have little strength, yet you obeyed my word and did not deny me."

We can trust that nothing will prevent us from fulfilling the opportunity God has for us.

How do I know if an opportunity is from the Lord?

Joshua 1:7-9 "Be strong and very courageous. Obey all the laws Moses gave you. Do not turn away from them, and you will be successful in everything you do. Study this Book of the Law continually. Meditate on it day and night so you may be sure to obey all that is written in it. Only then will you succeed. I command you-be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go. "

Ephesians 5:15-20
"Be careful how you live, not as fools but as those who are wise. Make the most of every opportunity for doing good in these evil days. Don't act thoughtlessly, but try to understand what the Lord wants you do do. Don't be drunk with wine, because that will ruin your life. Instead, let the Holy Spirit fill and control you. Then you will sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs among yourselves, making music to the lord in your hearts. And you will always give thanks for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ."

God's opportunities conform to his word. Anything that contradicts God's word is not an opportunity from God.

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

Love and hugs,
Amaryllis

Planning

Happy November First! And Good morning, Dear Friends and Prayer Partners! This is another cloudy, windy day that the Lord has made and we will rejoice and be glad in it! I saw the almost half moon peeking through the clouds when I stepped outside earlier, but no stars were visible. The air is still cooler than last month, so winter is not far away!

I had a most enjoyable walk yesterday... chatted with Terry first, who was on his way to a meeting, and then enjoyed the coolness of the air on my face as I walked toward the first shelter. There were people there with cameras, so I knew a gator must be hanging out there, and it was. I walked on toward the tower and heard a catbird, but couldn't see where it was. The gallinule couple were not visible, but I watched the wind-whipped lake and then started back. Just as I rounded one of the turns, a catbird zoomed across in front of me, under the bottom rail of the boardwalk!

I stopped at the shelter again to see the gator, and much to my surprise, there were seven babies under a canopy of vines!! The rumor I mentioned a couple days ago was true! They are about nine inches long now, and seem to be thinner, but thriving. If they are the same ones that hatched out at the gator nest, they have traveled a very long way to get where they are now. They are much more visible now, because of lack of cover, and already people are throwing whatever they can find at them and Mama, Sigh.

But God is good!

From the Promise Bible NLT:

How am I supposed to plan my life?

Proverbs 2:1-11 "My child, listen to me and treasure my instructions. Tune your ears to wisdom, and concentrate on understanding. Cry out for insight and understanding. search for them as you would for lost money or hidden treasure. then you will understand what it means to fear the Lord, and you will gain knowledge of God. For the Lord grants wisdom! From his mouth come knowledge and understanding. He grants a treasure of good sense to the godly. He is their shield, protecting those who walk with integrity. He guards the paths of justice and protects those who are faithful to him. Then you will understand what is right, just, and fair, and you will know how to find the right course of action every time. For wisdom will enter your heart, and knowledge will fill you with joy. Wise planning will watch over you. Understanding will keep you safe."

A plan is only as good as the information upon which its based. Our human intellect is limited and inadequate. Apart from the Lord, our plans are liable to fail. The Lord promises wisdom to those who rely on his word and depend on his Spirit.

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will direct your paths."

As we seek God, He will guide us in making our plans.

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 cloudy, windy day that the Lord has made and we will rejoice and be glad in it! This must be part of Noel, the tropical disturbance, but here it is 7:30am and still very dark. I guess when the time changes in a few days, it will mean more light in the morning, and less in the evening... or is that the other way around? I always get confused at the spring ahead, fall back, thingy.

Because of the misty weather yesterday, we did not walk in the park, but drove through much later in the morning, to see that the water has come up nicely as a result of the rain and a few people were enjoying the scenery. We had a long drive out to Bay Pines to the VA hospital for an appointment and looking out from the fifth floor, could see what looked like heavy rain coming in from the Gulf. It disappeared before we left, so no driving in it! God is good!

From the Promise Bible NLT:

Ephesians 6 Excerpts

..."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."

"A final word; be strong with the Lord's mighty power. Put on all of God's armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies and tricks of the devil. for we are not fighting against people made of flesh and blood, but against the evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against the mighty powers of darkness who rule this world, and against wicked spirits in the heavenly realms ..."

"Because of Christ and our faith in Him, we can now come fearlessly into God's Presence, assured of his glad welcome." Ephesians 3:12


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

Love and hugs,
Amaryllis

Use that powerful engine!

Good morning Dear Friends and Prayer Partners! This is the cool day that the Lord has made and we will rejoice and be glad in it! When I stepped outside this morning, the wind was cool and the sky was cloudy, but Venus was visible in the East, bravely shining through the little opening through the clouds and the waning moon was also casting its light through an open spot. God is good!

I enjoyed a walk yesterday among the falling leaves and watched the gallinule pair at the tower busily pecking among the dying hyacinths for whatever they could find. Surprisingly, no birds were around and I did not hear any.

Terry is back from vacation and I spoke to him as he was catching up on the work that accumulated while he was gone. He is always willing to help us out with things around the house ... when he has time! I am thankful for good friends!

From the book Quiet Moments:

"It is God who arms me with strength and makes my way perfect". Psalm 18:12

What a pleasure it is to drive a car with a powerful engine on a level highway. Picture a sunny day when there's no traffic and you're not in a hurry to get anywhere. You sing along with your favorite CD and enjoy driving solely for driving's sake.

But is it possible to ride the rougher road and have the same peace and tranquility inside as when we drive the level highway? The Bible says it is.

The difference is simply the powerful engine, which makes the hills seem less steep and rush hour less tedious. It's a lot easier to keep moving steadily through traffic when you have a continuous hum from the motor instead of lunching, dying, starting-lurching, dying, starting in your own strength.

God is our powerful engine. He makes the difficult highway become manageable.

Perhaps your day started out smoothly, but by now you've left the easy stretch of road and come to the rolling hills. Now more than ever is the time to remind yourself that your Father in Heaven loves you and wants to help you.

With God's strength, you can stay alert and focused, maintaining an even pace and an even temperament regardless of the challenge. Ask Him, and He will help you work through any problems that arise without compromising your integrity, He may even show you some shortcuts--and the gas mileage is great!

When a man has no strength, if he leans on God, He becomes powerful.
Dwight Lyman Moody

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

Love and hugs,
Amaryllis

A reminder

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

We had a nice long rain last night that we really needed and this morning maybe the clouds will bring us more.

I noticed a red-headed woodpecker on our oak tree yesterday evening just very busy pecking at whatever it is he pecks at. I saw photographers at Sawgrass yesterday, taking photos of the ibis that were reflected in the canal and they busily pecked in the mud. There is beauty everywhere, if we only open our eyes and look around. Three peacocks added to the landscape as we drove into the park, but two were on the rooftop of a house one day and they really can do a lot of damage with their claws. Beauty among the thorns!

But God's creation is marvelous!

God's Promise from Quiet Moments:

An informal survey about the prayers of people in a church found that most people pray two types of prayers.. the first an SOS--not only "Save Our Souls", but also, "O God, help me now".

The second was SOP--"Solve Our Problems". People asked the Lord to eliminate all needs, struggles, trials, and temptations. They wanted carefree, perfect lives, and they fully believed that this is what God had promised them. The conclusion from the survey: Most people want "God to do it all."

God has not promised, however, to live our lives for us--but rather, to walk through our lives with us. Our part is to be faithful and obedient. His part is to lead us, guide us, protect us, and help us. Annie Johnson Flint recognized the true nature of God's promise in this poem;

What God Hath Promised
God has not promised
skies always blue,
Flower-strewn pathways
All our lives through:
God has not promised
Sun without rain,
Joy without sorrow,
Peace without pain.
But God has promised
Strength for the day,
Rest for the labor,
Light for the way,
Grace for the trials,
Help from above,
Unfailing sympathy,
Undying love.

Do what you know you can do today--and then trust God to do what you cannot do!

Matthew 28:20 "I am with you all the days (perpetually, uniformly, and on every occasion) to the very close and consummation of the age." (Amp)

You cannot control the length of your life, but you can control its width and depth.
Evan Esar

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

Love and hugs,
Amaryllis

Good rainy morning!

The joy of being friends is just
A simple code of faith and trust,
A homey comradeship that stays
The threatened fear of darker days:
The kind of faith that brings to light
The good, the beautiful, and bright;
And best and blest, and true and rare---
is having friends who love and care!
From Bear Hugs

Love and hugs,
Amaryllis

Print it!

Good morning, Dear Friends and Prayer Partners! This is the totally cloudy day that the Lord has made and we will rejoice and be glad in it! The full moon must be above the clouds, because even when I stepped outside about 5:30am, the sky was glowing.

Yesterday was a gorgeous day for a walk, so for the first time in a week and a half, off I went! My first stop was at the first covered shelter, where one of the regulars was looking over the rail into the water. A gator was almost under the shelter, and I asked what he was looking for. He said someone told him that the baby gators were there. Well, maybe, but not yesterday.

So off I went to the tower, thoroughly enjoying the cool air and the calling of the birds. I watched Mr. and Mrs. Gallinule very busily walking on all the hyacinths that had washed in from the rain, and they were eating the lavender blossoms! What a lovely breakfast!

On my way back, I was delighted to see two catbirds flitting in front of me! They landed on the rail and I stopped and watched them for a minute, then off they flew! I heard two hawks calling and looked up in time to see both of them fly over and land on a tree across the canal.

God's Creation is awesome!

From Quiet Moments with God:

When we come to the end of the day and wonder why things went wrong, we usually don't have to look very far to discover the answer. Somehow, we lost our sense of direction and couldn't seem to get back on track. To ensure this doesn't happen again, or at least not as often, we can take some advice from National Geographic photographer Dewitt Jones:

1. If there's a problem at work that has you stymied, try looking at it from different points of view. Pray for the eyes of your understanding to be enlightened. (Ephesians. 1:18) Before he goes out to a shoot, Jones knows he has to have a good camera with the right lens... Jones experiments until he find the right one.

2. Another important factor is focus. A picture can be razor sharp, or if Jones prefers, just the subject in the foreground will be clearly in focus.

3. We sometimes become so focused on one aspect of a problem, we lose sight of the big picture--of other circumstances influencing the situation or how the problem is going to affect others if it isn't resolved properly. Look at the big picture, then consider all individuals involved. Jones allows his creative instincts to drive him to find more than one "right" way to shoot a photo. He uses about 400 rolls of film per article--and each published article uses approximately fifty photos.

4. Don't be afraid of experimenting with new ideas and methods. Ask God to show you great and mighty things that you haven't known before. (Jeremiah 33:3) When Dewitt Jones empties his camera at the end of a shoot, he knows he's given it his best shot. He's looked at the subject he's photographing in as many different ways as he can think of.

If we've found the right perspective; stayed focused on what's truly important; been willing to try something different; and refused to let fear of failure paralyze us; we, too, can look back at our day and say, "Print it!"

"Be very careful then how you live--not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity." Ephesians 5:15-16

No life ever grows great until it is focused, dedicated, disciplined.
Harry Emerson Fosdick

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

Love and hugs,
Amaryllis