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!
When I stepped outside this morning, the moon was shining in a clear sky, but now the clouds are coming in and looks like maybe, rain? I remember rain, but maybe not that well! :o)
I enjoyed walking yesterday, after the weekend. No sign of baby gators, but lots of falling leaves and the red ones on the boardwalk are very pretty. Yes, we do have changing colors in St. Petersburg. It just takes longer than further north.
The wind was blowing and when I arrived at the tower, I saw a young gator rocking in the waves. Surfs up!
Brian took the day off and worked on getting the Christmas tree up and some decorations. We were both hot and tired when we finished, but it was a big job well done! Believe it or not, I turned on the A/C it was so warm yesterday!
Since today is the 59th anniversary of my walk down the aisle of Fifth Avenue Baptist Church, (which is now a new part of All Children's Hospital), I thought I would write about LOVE!
From the Promise Bible NLT:
How will God help me love others more?
Galatians 6:8-10 "Those who live only to satisfy their own sinful desires will harvest the consequences of decay and death. But those who live to please the Spirit will harvest everlasting life from the Spirit. So don't get tired of doing what is good. Don't get discouraged and give up, for we will reap a harvest of blessing at the appropriate time. Whenever we have the opportunity, we should do good to everyone, especially our Christian brothers and sisters."
The Holy Spirit awakens our love for others. We can ask God to make us willing to love others - even those who are difficult, and God will hear our prayer.
1 Corinthians 13:7, 13 "Love is patient and kind. Love is not boastful or proud or rude. Love does not demand its own way. Love is not irritable, and it keeps no record of when it has been wronged. It is never glad about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.
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
Tuesday, November 27, 2007
Monday, November 26, 2007
Work
Good morning, Dear Friends and Prayer Partners! This is the warm day that the Lord has made and we will rejoice and be glad in it! As I stepped outside this morning, the brilliant full moon was trying to outshine the stars, but they were just as brilliant and the sky was absolutely gorgeous... only in Florida!
As I watched a couple of football games in Chicago and Minn. I couldn't help but contrast their weather with our warm sunshiny day! No wonder so many people come to Florida in the winter!
The acorns are falling like rain from our trees and the squirrels are very happy about it. They have all they can store and all they can hold in their tummies. The tiny wren is still hopping about on the ground and flits about very busily. God is good!
From the Promise Bible:
What does the Lord promise to those who work hard?
Proverbs 22:29 "Do you see any truly competent workers? They will serve kings rather than ordinary people."
Faithful work makes a way for us to do greater work. God promises to bless us as we use the gifts he has given us.
Proverbs 10:4 "Lazy people are soon poor; hard workers get rich."
Proverbs 21:5 "Good planning and hard work lead to prosperity, but hasty shortcuts lead to poverty."
Colossians 3:23-24 "Work hard and cheerfully at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people. Remember that the Lord will give you an inheritance as your reward, and the Master you are serving is Christ."
God promises a reward to those who work hard. That reward can include - but is not limited to - financial prosperity. It may be the rewards of respect and personal satisfaction or the joy of contributing to the welfare of another.
How will God help me when my work is hard?
Psalm 145:14 "The Lord helps the fallen and lifts up those bent beneath their loads."
As with any burden we bear, we can trust God to help us on the job.
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
As I watched a couple of football games in Chicago and Minn. I couldn't help but contrast their weather with our warm sunshiny day! No wonder so many people come to Florida in the winter!
The acorns are falling like rain from our trees and the squirrels are very happy about it. They have all they can store and all they can hold in their tummies. The tiny wren is still hopping about on the ground and flits about very busily. God is good!
From the Promise Bible:
What does the Lord promise to those who work hard?
Proverbs 22:29 "Do you see any truly competent workers? They will serve kings rather than ordinary people."
Faithful work makes a way for us to do greater work. God promises to bless us as we use the gifts he has given us.
Proverbs 10:4 "Lazy people are soon poor; hard workers get rich."
Proverbs 21:5 "Good planning and hard work lead to prosperity, but hasty shortcuts lead to poverty."
Colossians 3:23-24 "Work hard and cheerfully at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people. Remember that the Lord will give you an inheritance as your reward, and the Master you are serving is Christ."
God promises a reward to those who work hard. That reward can include - but is not limited to - financial prosperity. It may be the rewards of respect and personal satisfaction or the joy of contributing to the welfare of another.
How will God help me when my work is hard?
Psalm 145:14 "The Lord helps the fallen and lifts up those bent beneath their loads."
As with any burden we bear, we can trust God to help us on the job.
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
Friday, November 23, 2007
Time
Good morning Dear Friends and Prayer Partners on this day after Thanksgiving! This is the cloudy, cool day that the Lord has made and we will rejoice and be glad in it!
Well, I don't know about you all, but our fridge is still full, and so are we. All we did after dinner was sit around, read and get drowsy. It was a good family day and I hope you had the same.
Maybe some of you are out shopping this morning, but I wouldn't go out for anything to fight the crowds. Besides, I have been Christmas shopping since early October...not finished by any means, but well on the way. Not bragging, because this is the first time I have been this far ahead. :o)
From the Promise Bible NLT:
How can I best use time?
Psalm 90:12 "Teach us to make the most of our time, so that we may grow in wisdom."
Ecclesiatestes 3:1-11 "There is a time for everything, a season for every activity under heaven. A time to be born and a time to die. A time to plant and a time to harvest. A time to kill and a time to heal. A time to tear down and a time to rebuild. A time to cry and a time to laugh. A time to grieve and a time to dance. A time to scatter stones and a time to gather stones. A time to keep and a time to throw away. A time to tear and a time to mend. A time to be quiet and a time to speak up. A time to love and a time to hate. a time for war and a time for peace. What do people really get for all their hard work? I have thought about this in connection with the various kinds of work God has given people to do. God has made everything beautiful for its own time. He has planted eternity in the human heart, but even so, people cannot see the whole scope of God's work from beginning to end."
Valuing time begins with seeing it from God's perspective. When we do this, we learn that there is always time for accomplishing God's plans for our lives.
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
Well, I don't know about you all, but our fridge is still full, and so are we. All we did after dinner was sit around, read and get drowsy. It was a good family day and I hope you had the same.
Maybe some of you are out shopping this morning, but I wouldn't go out for anything to fight the crowds. Besides, I have been Christmas shopping since early October...not finished by any means, but well on the way. Not bragging, because this is the first time I have been this far ahead. :o)
From the Promise Bible NLT:
How can I best use time?
Psalm 90:12 "Teach us to make the most of our time, so that we may grow in wisdom."
Ecclesiatestes 3:1-11 "There is a time for everything, a season for every activity under heaven. A time to be born and a time to die. A time to plant and a time to harvest. A time to kill and a time to heal. A time to tear down and a time to rebuild. A time to cry and a time to laugh. A time to grieve and a time to dance. A time to scatter stones and a time to gather stones. A time to keep and a time to throw away. A time to tear and a time to mend. A time to be quiet and a time to speak up. A time to love and a time to hate. a time for war and a time for peace. What do people really get for all their hard work? I have thought about this in connection with the various kinds of work God has given people to do. God has made everything beautiful for its own time. He has planted eternity in the human heart, but even so, people cannot see the whole scope of God's work from beginning to end."
Valuing time begins with seeing it from God's perspective. When we do this, we learn that there is always time for accomplishing God's plans for our lives.
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
Thursday, November 22, 2007
Happy Thanksgiving
Good Thanksgiving morning, Dear Friends and Prayer Partners! As we think of things we are thankful for, I am thankful for all of you who encourage me daily and for God Who provides for all my needs!
I am especially thankful that I can still walk and hear and see and enjoy the antics of a young otter at the gator nest yesterday. I watched him swim all around it and sleekly raise his head and munch away on something! God is good!!
Enjoy your family and friends and try not to eat too much!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
I am especially thankful that I can still walk and hear and see and enjoy the antics of a young otter at the gator nest yesterday. I watched him swim all around it and sleekly raise his head and munch away on something! God is good!!
Enjoy your family and friends and try not to eat too much!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
Wednesday, November 21, 2007
Thanksgiving
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! It is good to be back online and hopefully, will stay that way for a while!
We have been having such good weather. I have enjoyed my walks in the park, except for Sunday afternoon. There is something about solitude for me that I really like, but hordes of people were out Sunday afternoon, quite a crowd hanging over the railings at the shelter trying to see the baby gators.
Mama has wisely moved them up aways, so I saw her Monday on my way out, but she was under the water when I came back. I did not see the babies, but I'm sure they were around.
I also enjoy seeing the fat, black lazy gators sunning on the banks these days. We have lots of woodstorks by every body of water nearby. Seems like they are more visible than last year. We also have the tiny wren like birds hopping on our yard, very energetically.
I heard a soft noise coming down the boardwalk from the tower, and stopped and looked in all the leaves, and finally spied a woodpecker intent on clearing off the bark on a maple tree. God is Good!
From the Guideposts 2006 planner, here are some Thanksgiving thoughts:
"Children dressed as pilgrims, families gathered around turkey and pumpkin pie, football on the front lawn, cold crisp air, a fire in the grate. these are the treasures of November.
How long has it been since you've counted the treasure buried in your life? Unearth a unique spiritual treasure each day . Uncover a hidden potential God has placed inside you. Discover a new friend, rediscover an old one. Dig up a forgotten promise in the Bible.
Open your eyes to the invisible ways God is loving you. You will find that you are richer than you think!"
A Prayer for November
My heart is filled with thanks, Lord,
For the harvest You bestow,
Not only for the grains and fruits
that you have caused to grow,
But for the harvest of the soul.
The good things that I feel,
The closeness of my family,
The friendships that are real...
and Thank You, Lord, for planting
These seeds within me too,
A thirst for knowledge,
cherished dreams,
A faith that's deep and true.
--Alice Joyce Davidson
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis (I am thankful for friends and family and God's Love)
We have been having such good weather. I have enjoyed my walks in the park, except for Sunday afternoon. There is something about solitude for me that I really like, but hordes of people were out Sunday afternoon, quite a crowd hanging over the railings at the shelter trying to see the baby gators.
Mama has wisely moved them up aways, so I saw her Monday on my way out, but she was under the water when I came back. I did not see the babies, but I'm sure they were around.
I also enjoy seeing the fat, black lazy gators sunning on the banks these days. We have lots of woodstorks by every body of water nearby. Seems like they are more visible than last year. We also have the tiny wren like birds hopping on our yard, very energetically.
I heard a soft noise coming down the boardwalk from the tower, and stopped and looked in all the leaves, and finally spied a woodpecker intent on clearing off the bark on a maple tree. God is Good!
From the Guideposts 2006 planner, here are some Thanksgiving thoughts:
"Children dressed as pilgrims, families gathered around turkey and pumpkin pie, football on the front lawn, cold crisp air, a fire in the grate. these are the treasures of November.
How long has it been since you've counted the treasure buried in your life? Unearth a unique spiritual treasure each day . Uncover a hidden potential God has placed inside you. Discover a new friend, rediscover an old one. Dig up a forgotten promise in the Bible.
Open your eyes to the invisible ways God is loving you. You will find that you are richer than you think!"
A Prayer for November
My heart is filled with thanks, Lord,
For the harvest You bestow,
Not only for the grains and fruits
that you have caused to grow,
But for the harvest of the soul.
The good things that I feel,
The closeness of my family,
The friendships that are real...
and Thank You, Lord, for planting
These seeds within me too,
A thirst for knowledge,
cherished dreams,
A faith that's deep and true.
--Alice Joyce Davidson
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis (I am thankful for friends and family and God's Love)
Friday, November 16, 2007
Psoaring thru Psalms
Good chilly morning, Dear Friends and Prayer Partners! Brrr! This is the day that the Lord has made and we will rejoice and be glad in it! The windows are clouded over with moisture and the air outside is clear and cold. Winter has arrived for a day or two! I saw a duck fly over the house while I was writing in my prayer notebook... not a pretty duck, but one of the Muscovy ducks that we have too many of in our neighborhood. It's strange that they do not inhabit the park, but then, again, maybe they know that gators love ducks!
Speaking of the park, another of the staff has left, so that means they have very few left to take care of three parks: Sawgrass, Lealman, and Joe's Creek. Big jobs for about four guys!
Psalm 111:1-10
Praise the Lord!
I will thank the Lord with all my heart as I meet with his godly people. How amazing are the deeds of the Lord! All who delight in him should ponder them. Everything he does reveals his glory and majesty. His righteousness never fails. Who can forget the wonders he performs?
How gracious and merciful is our Lord! He gives food to those who trust him, he always remembers his covenant. He has shown his great power to his people by giving them the lands of other nations. All he does is just and good, and all his commandments are trustworthy. They are forever true, to be obeyed faithfully and with integrity. He has paid a full ransom for his people. He has guaranteed his covenant with them forever. What a holy, awe-inspiring name he has! Reverence for the Lord is the foundation of true wisdom. The rewards of wisdom come to all who obey him.
- From the Promise Bible NLT
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis (I am thankful for God's provision)
Speaking of the park, another of the staff has left, so that means they have very few left to take care of three parks: Sawgrass, Lealman, and Joe's Creek. Big jobs for about four guys!
Psalm 111:1-10
Praise the Lord!
I will thank the Lord with all my heart as I meet with his godly people. How amazing are the deeds of the Lord! All who delight in him should ponder them. Everything he does reveals his glory and majesty. His righteousness never fails. Who can forget the wonders he performs?
How gracious and merciful is our Lord! He gives food to those who trust him, he always remembers his covenant. He has shown his great power to his people by giving them the lands of other nations. All he does is just and good, and all his commandments are trustworthy. They are forever true, to be obeyed faithfully and with integrity. He has paid a full ransom for his people. He has guaranteed his covenant with them forever. What a holy, awe-inspiring name he has! Reverence for the Lord is the foundation of true wisdom. The rewards of wisdom come to all who obey him.
- From the Promise Bible NLT
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis (I am thankful for God's provision)
Thursday, November 15, 2007
Peace
Good morning, Dear Friends and Prayer Partners! This is the cool, beautiful day that the Lord has made and we will rejoice and be glad in it! I stepped outside this morning early, and just stood in the very cool pre-dawn darkness and admired the galaxy of stars! Seems like they were all visible with Venus still outshining them all in the high east.
The baby gators were not visible yesterday, but as I looked up the canal, I think I saw Mama's head a little ways up from the shelter. Perhaps she has had enough of people climbing down to get at her babies, and moved them away from the shelter. I hope so!
As I approached the tower, I was delighted to see an osprey soaring, gliding and hovering over the lake. Since this is mating time, maybe they had already built a nest and one was sitting on eggs, because this was a lone one. I just stood and watched the osprey and the skimmers swooping down to skim fish out of the lake.
On my way home, I saw a Cooper's hawk on the wire by our lake, and later, saw a drama when a mother duck and four babies wee in the middle of the street and the Cooper hawk came swooping low for a baby. Mama clucked and spread her wings as the babies gathered close to her. She had about two dozen babies a couple days ago, so apparently the hawks have been busy. ..The survival of the fittest!
From the Promise Bible NLT:
How can I find peace within?
Isaiah 9:6-7
"A child is born to us, a son is given to us. And the government will rest on his shoulders. these will be his royal titles: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. His ever expanding, peaceful government will never end. He will rule forever with fairness and justice from the throne of his ancestor David. The passionate commitment of the lord Almighty will guarantee this! "
Lasting peace comes only from Jesus Christ, the Prince of Peace. He rules over all creation!
Psalm 29:11
"You are my hiding place; you protect me from trouble. You surround me with songs of victory."
Our peace comes from knowing that we are under God's protection. As a watchman keeps guard over a city, so the Lord watches over us day and night.
Isaiah 26:3
"You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, whose thoughts are fixed on you!"
We find peace when we remove our eyes from our problems and rivet our attention on our Lord."
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, love and joy!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis ( I am thankful for friends who care, and for God's provision.)
The baby gators were not visible yesterday, but as I looked up the canal, I think I saw Mama's head a little ways up from the shelter. Perhaps she has had enough of people climbing down to get at her babies, and moved them away from the shelter. I hope so!
As I approached the tower, I was delighted to see an osprey soaring, gliding and hovering over the lake. Since this is mating time, maybe they had already built a nest and one was sitting on eggs, because this was a lone one. I just stood and watched the osprey and the skimmers swooping down to skim fish out of the lake.
On my way home, I saw a Cooper's hawk on the wire by our lake, and later, saw a drama when a mother duck and four babies wee in the middle of the street and the Cooper hawk came swooping low for a baby. Mama clucked and spread her wings as the babies gathered close to her. She had about two dozen babies a couple days ago, so apparently the hawks have been busy. ..The survival of the fittest!
From the Promise Bible NLT:
How can I find peace within?
Isaiah 9:6-7
"A child is born to us, a son is given to us. And the government will rest on his shoulders. these will be his royal titles: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. His ever expanding, peaceful government will never end. He will rule forever with fairness and justice from the throne of his ancestor David. The passionate commitment of the lord Almighty will guarantee this! "
Lasting peace comes only from Jesus Christ, the Prince of Peace. He rules over all creation!
Psalm 29:11
"You are my hiding place; you protect me from trouble. You surround me with songs of victory."
Our peace comes from knowing that we are under God's protection. As a watchman keeps guard over a city, so the Lord watches over us day and night.
Isaiah 26:3
"You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, whose thoughts are fixed on you!"
We find peace when we remove our eyes from our problems and rivet our attention on our Lord."
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, love and joy!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis ( I am thankful for friends who care, and for God's provision.)
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