Good windy morning, Dear Friends and Prayer Partners! This is the transitional day that the Lord has made and we will rejoice and be glad in it!
I enjoyed a walk out to the tower yesterday, with a brisk breeze blowing and making waves on the lake. I stopped at the first shelter to look at two gators, one looked like Mama gator and the other was younger. They were attracting a crowd. Many of our visitors have never had the opportunity to see gators in their natural habitat, so it was a treat for them and me, too!
On my way back, I heard a persistent "mew, chirp" and didn't realize at first that it was my favorite catbird. So I stood and peered into the shrubs looking for it, and saw a fleeting glimpse of black. God is good!
From the Promise Bible NLT:
How has God promised to bless His people?
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 his favor and give you his peace."
God's blessing encompasses all of life. We live in his protection, his presence, and his peace. Nothing this world offers can compare in scope or duration with the blessing of God.
Can we do things that affect how much God blesses us?
Psalm 84:11
"The Lord God is our light and protector He gives us grace and glory. No good thing will the Lord withhold from those who do what is right."
God promises to bless those who do what is right; he doesn't extend the same promise to those who don't do what is right.
Proverbs 19:17
"If you help the poor, you are lending to the Lord-and he will repay you!"
God promises to bless those who help the poor.
Galatians 6:9 "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."
When we are tempted to give up, new resolve comes from remembering that God promises to bring a harvest in his perfect time.
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis (Then came Sunday)
Wednesday, March 19, 2008
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
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! When I stepped outside this dark morning, I noticed Venus in the dark sky and lots of other stars dimly glittering. This must be the time of year when all the planets and stars are further away from earth, and we can't see them too well.
I missed my walk yesterday, but did go through the park and noticed it had been freshly mowed and lots of out of towners were enjoying the sun and the picnics. Some were just sitting in their lawn chairs, looking at the canal and watching the anhingas and the ibis as they went about their business. I saw a anhinga drying out flat on the ground. Very unusual. They are usually on a branch or the top of a light pole to dry out. The one on the ground must have felt very secure. God is good!
Psalm 37 excerpts from the Promise Bible NLT:
"Don't worry about the wicked. Don't envy those who do wrong.
For like the grass, they soon fade away.
Like springtime flowers, they soon wither.
Trust in the Lord and do good.
Then you will live safely in the land and prosper.
Take delight in the Lord,
and he will give you your heart's desires.
Commit everything you do to the Lord.
Trust him and he will help you.
He will make your conscience as clear as the dawn,
And the justice of your cause will shine
like the noonday sun.
Be still in the presence of the Lord,
and wait patiently for him to act.
Don't worry about evil people who prosper.
Or fret about their wicked schemes.
Stop your anger!
Turn from your rage!
Do not envy others-
it only leads to harm.
For the wicked will be destroyed
but those who trust in the Lord will
possess the land...
It is better to be godly and have little
than to be evil and possess much.
For the strength of the wicked will be shattered,
but the Lord takes care of the godly."
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
I missed my walk yesterday, but did go through the park and noticed it had been freshly mowed and lots of out of towners were enjoying the sun and the picnics. Some were just sitting in their lawn chairs, looking at the canal and watching the anhingas and the ibis as they went about their business. I saw a anhinga drying out flat on the ground. Very unusual. They are usually on a branch or the top of a light pole to dry out. The one on the ground must have felt very secure. God is good!
Psalm 37 excerpts from the Promise Bible NLT:
"Don't worry about the wicked. Don't envy those who do wrong.
For like the grass, they soon fade away.
Like springtime flowers, they soon wither.
Trust in the Lord and do good.
Then you will live safely in the land and prosper.
Take delight in the Lord,
and he will give you your heart's desires.
Commit everything you do to the Lord.
Trust him and he will help you.
He will make your conscience as clear as the dawn,
And the justice of your cause will shine
like the noonday sun.
Be still in the presence of the Lord,
and wait patiently for him to act.
Don't worry about evil people who prosper.
Or fret about their wicked schemes.
Stop your anger!
Turn from your rage!
Do not envy others-
it only leads to harm.
For the wicked will be destroyed
but those who trust in the Lord will
possess the land...
It is better to be godly and have little
than to be evil and possess much.
For the strength of the wicked will be shattered,
but the Lord takes care of the godly."
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
Monday, March 17, 2008
Know Your Objectives
Top O" the Mornin' to Ye, Dear Friends and Prayer Partners! This is the St. Patrick's day that the Lord has made and we will rejoice and be glad in it! We are having cooler weather after yesterday's very warm sun and humidity, but since Easter is coming we may have more cool air to rejoice in!
Some observations over the weekend... A great white heron in a retention pond flipping a frog up and around, trying to get the very floppy frog in just the right position for the heron to swallow. Peacocks folding their tails, after the parade. Tiny wrens flitting about the bushes and lots of people out enjoying the beautiful weather. God is Marvelous!
From Quiet Moments with God:
"The man who plants and the man who waters have one purpose, and each will be rewarded according to his own labor."
1 Corinthians 3:8
In the book Work and Contemplation, Douglas Steere tells a story from the Great Depression era when work was scarce, but people took great pride in whatever job they did. Instead of receiving welfare checks, able-bodied people were given what sometimes amounted to busywork in order to earn their pay. The program was created to add a measure of dignity to "being on the dole." Folks who did not have to take advantage of the program openly welcomed it, while the workers who did join join the program were often embarrassed they had to do so.
Christians are frequently admonished to value one another's work and to work in a spirit of cooperation. This is easier when every member of the team clearly understands the objective. When the objective is finally attained, each is able to share in the satisfaction of seeing his or her contribution to the overall success.
Focus on the objectives you are working toward, and make certain the whole team has a clear understanding of the goals that have been set.
More men fail through lack of purpose than through lack of talent.
Billy Sunday
An Irish Blessing:
May the road rise to meet you,
May the wind always be at your back,
May the sun shine warm upon your face,
May the rain fall soft upon your fields,
And, until we meet again,
May God hold you in the palm of His Hand.
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
Some observations over the weekend... A great white heron in a retention pond flipping a frog up and around, trying to get the very floppy frog in just the right position for the heron to swallow. Peacocks folding their tails, after the parade. Tiny wrens flitting about the bushes and lots of people out enjoying the beautiful weather. God is Marvelous!
From Quiet Moments with God:
"The man who plants and the man who waters have one purpose, and each will be rewarded according to his own labor."
1 Corinthians 3:8
In the book Work and Contemplation, Douglas Steere tells a story from the Great Depression era when work was scarce, but people took great pride in whatever job they did. Instead of receiving welfare checks, able-bodied people were given what sometimes amounted to busywork in order to earn their pay. The program was created to add a measure of dignity to "being on the dole." Folks who did not have to take advantage of the program openly welcomed it, while the workers who did join join the program were often embarrassed they had to do so.
Christians are frequently admonished to value one another's work and to work in a spirit of cooperation. This is easier when every member of the team clearly understands the objective. When the objective is finally attained, each is able to share in the satisfaction of seeing his or her contribution to the overall success.
Focus on the objectives you are working toward, and make certain the whole team has a clear understanding of the goals that have been set.
More men fail through lack of purpose than through lack of talent.
Billy Sunday
An Irish Blessing:
May the road rise to meet you,
May the wind always be at your back,
May the sun shine warm upon your face,
May the rain fall soft upon your fields,
And, until we meet again,
May God hold you in the palm of His Hand.
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
Friday, March 14, 2008
Hugs to encourage and inspire
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 saw a few stars when I stepped outside in the darkness this morning, but mostly the sky was a little misty.
Although it is chilly now, as soon as the sun comes up, it will warm up. God is good!
We watched the sun come up at the VA Hospital grounds yesterday, After the first appointment at 6:45AM, we went to the car and had a small breakfast with the food I had brought. Our next appointment was at 8:40AM, and I have sampled the canteen food before, so I brought our own. :o)
The campus is quite lovely and well kept, so it was almost, but not quite, like being in a park. We didn't leave until 11:30AM after Louis' third appointment, so we were happy to get home and eat a good meal.
From the tiny book, Hugs to Encourage and Inspire come these hopeful words:
Be full of strength and courage,
Do not be terrified:
Do not be discouraged,
I will be with you
wherever you go.
Love,
Your God of strength and courage.
Joshua 1:9
Would you describe yourself as a person of courage?
Probably not.
Your image of courage may have been shaped by
television and movies;
Courage is Superwoman or man flying
to rescue a helpless child from a burning building.
Make believe courage is hard to live up to.
But real courage, in real life,
May describe you to a tee.
It takes courage to care abut family and friends enough to get involved with their struggles. It takes courage to complete what you start. It takes courage to confront weakness in your own life and in the lives of those you love.
It takes courage to confess that your thoughtless words or negligent actions have hurt someone you love.
Quite simply, it takes courage to live each day with integrity.
You may not describe yourself as a person of courage, but look again--you may discover courageous feats of kindness or heroic manifestations of unconditional love.
Say, would you like to be in a movie?
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
I saw a few stars when I stepped outside in the darkness this morning, but mostly the sky was a little misty.
Although it is chilly now, as soon as the sun comes up, it will warm up. God is good!
We watched the sun come up at the VA Hospital grounds yesterday, After the first appointment at 6:45AM, we went to the car and had a small breakfast with the food I had brought. Our next appointment was at 8:40AM, and I have sampled the canteen food before, so I brought our own. :o)
The campus is quite lovely and well kept, so it was almost, but not quite, like being in a park. We didn't leave until 11:30AM after Louis' third appointment, so we were happy to get home and eat a good meal.
From the tiny book, Hugs to Encourage and Inspire come these hopeful words:
Be full of strength and courage,
Do not be terrified:
Do not be discouraged,
I will be with you
wherever you go.
Love,
Your God of strength and courage.
Joshua 1:9
Would you describe yourself as a person of courage?
Probably not.
Your image of courage may have been shaped by
television and movies;
Courage is Superwoman or man flying
to rescue a helpless child from a burning building.
Make believe courage is hard to live up to.
But real courage, in real life,
May describe you to a tee.
It takes courage to care abut family and friends enough to get involved with their struggles. It takes courage to complete what you start. It takes courage to confront weakness in your own life and in the lives of those you love.
It takes courage to confess that your thoughtless words or negligent actions have hurt someone you love.
Quite simply, it takes courage to live each day with integrity.
You may not describe yourself as a person of courage, but look again--you may discover courageous feats of kindness or heroic manifestations of unconditional love.
Say, would you like to be in a movie?
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
Happy Thursday!
Good evening, Dear friends and Prayer Partners! Due to a 6:45 AM appointment , fasting for Louis at the VA hospital tomorrow, Yikes!, there will be no email devotional from me... so I thought I would send these thoughts along now.
I walked this morning, and was delighted to see my favorite bird, the catbird, land on the rail just as walked over the bridge. I stood and watched and listened to him chirp, mew his little song, and then he flew off and I continued my walk, I noticed that a large maple tree had broken in the storm a couple days ago, and broke down the railing which is now mostly repaired, except for the crossbars. The guys get busy right away, repairing the storm damage.
On our way into the park, we watched a large gator walking from one lake to another. I love to watch them walk, because the reality of their size and age is very apparent. They look prehistoric.
This is a repeat from an anonymous source:
Take time to work.
It is the price of success.
Take time to think.
It is the source of power.
Take time to play,
It is the secret of perpetual youth.
Take time to be friendly,
It is the road to happiness.
Take time to love and be loved,
It is the privilege of the gods.
Take time to share,
Life is too short to be selfish.
Take time to laugh,
Laughter is the music of the soul.
I always give thanks for you, and pray for you with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis (Yawn)
I walked this morning, and was delighted to see my favorite bird, the catbird, land on the rail just as walked over the bridge. I stood and watched and listened to him chirp, mew his little song, and then he flew off and I continued my walk, I noticed that a large maple tree had broken in the storm a couple days ago, and broke down the railing which is now mostly repaired, except for the crossbars. The guys get busy right away, repairing the storm damage.
On our way into the park, we watched a large gator walking from one lake to another. I love to watch them walk, because the reality of their size and age is very apparent. They look prehistoric.
This is a repeat from an anonymous source:
Take time to work.
It is the price of success.
Take time to think.
It is the source of power.
Take time to play,
It is the secret of perpetual youth.
Take time to be friendly,
It is the road to happiness.
Take time to love and be loved,
It is the privilege of the gods.
Take time to share,
Life is too short to be selfish.
Take time to laugh,
Laughter is the music of the soul.
I always give thanks for you, and pray for you with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis (Yawn)
The Butterfly Inside
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! Yes, it is still morning, although I am a little later this morning. I got up at 12:30 this morning to close the windows that were open, because of a sudden rainstorm that woke me up. It just poured for awhile, very unexpectedly. God knows we need rain!
Anyway, now that the furnace is fixed, we will have warm weather for awhile. It was actually too warm to walk yesterday afternoon, after the repairmen left, but I did ride through the park, and took a little comfort in seeing the azaleas, the calm water and the trees all turning bright green, with spring growth. God is good!
From Quiet Moments with God:
1 John 4:7 "Dear Friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God, and knows God."
Jean Thompson stood in front of her fifth grade class on the first day of school and told them that she loved each child in the class equally. But she knew that wasn't entirely true, because there in front of her was a little boy named Teddy Stoddard.
Mrs Thompson had watched Teddy the year before and noticed he didn't play well with the other children. His clothes were unkempt, and he always seemed to need a bath.
When Mrs Thompson reviewed Teddy's records, she found that his first grade teacher has written, "Teddy is a bright, inquisitive child." His second grade teacher wrote, "Teddy is well liked by his classmates, but troubled because his mother has a terminal illness."
His third grade teacher wrote, "Teddy continues to work hard, but his mother's death has affected him." Teddy's fourth grade teacher wrote, "Teddy is withdrawn..."
At Christmas, Teddy brought Mrs Thompson a present. She opened the package and found a rhinestone bracelet with some of the stones missing and a partial bottle of cologne. She mentioned how pretty the bracelet was and dabbed some of the perfume behind her wrist. Teddy said, "Mrs. Thompson, today you smell just like my mom used to."
Just as Mrs. Thompson realized that she had let Teddy's physical appearance and poor attitude color her judgment of him, many of us are guilty of doing the same thing at times. The words and actions of other people fan wound a tender spirit, especially that of a child.
As you reflect upon your day, ask yourself how your actions impacted other people? It's important to remember that Jesus loved everyone regardless of position in life, character, intelligence, or physical beauty. The Bible says, "Love thy neighbor." It doesn't say love them only if they're pretty, or the mayor, or the minister. Remember, there is nothing in a caterpillar that tells you it's going to be a butterfly.
Do not judge men by mere appearances; for the light laughter that bubbles on the lip often mantles over the depths of sadness, and the serious look may be the sober veil that covers a divine peace and joy.
Edwin Hubbell
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
Anyway, now that the furnace is fixed, we will have warm weather for awhile. It was actually too warm to walk yesterday afternoon, after the repairmen left, but I did ride through the park, and took a little comfort in seeing the azaleas, the calm water and the trees all turning bright green, with spring growth. God is good!
From Quiet Moments with God:
1 John 4:7 "Dear Friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God, and knows God."
Jean Thompson stood in front of her fifth grade class on the first day of school and told them that she loved each child in the class equally. But she knew that wasn't entirely true, because there in front of her was a little boy named Teddy Stoddard.
Mrs Thompson had watched Teddy the year before and noticed he didn't play well with the other children. His clothes were unkempt, and he always seemed to need a bath.
When Mrs Thompson reviewed Teddy's records, she found that his first grade teacher has written, "Teddy is a bright, inquisitive child." His second grade teacher wrote, "Teddy is well liked by his classmates, but troubled because his mother has a terminal illness."
His third grade teacher wrote, "Teddy continues to work hard, but his mother's death has affected him." Teddy's fourth grade teacher wrote, "Teddy is withdrawn..."
At Christmas, Teddy brought Mrs Thompson a present. She opened the package and found a rhinestone bracelet with some of the stones missing and a partial bottle of cologne. She mentioned how pretty the bracelet was and dabbed some of the perfume behind her wrist. Teddy said, "Mrs. Thompson, today you smell just like my mom used to."
Just as Mrs. Thompson realized that she had let Teddy's physical appearance and poor attitude color her judgment of him, many of us are guilty of doing the same thing at times. The words and actions of other people fan wound a tender spirit, especially that of a child.
As you reflect upon your day, ask yourself how your actions impacted other people? It's important to remember that Jesus loved everyone regardless of position in life, character, intelligence, or physical beauty. The Bible says, "Love thy neighbor." It doesn't say love them only if they're pretty, or the mayor, or the minister. Remember, there is nothing in a caterpillar that tells you it's going to be a butterfly.
Do not judge men by mere appearances; for the light laughter that bubbles on the lip often mantles over the depths of sadness, and the serious look may be the sober veil that covers a divine peace and joy.
Edwin Hubbell
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
Living by the Spirit's Power
Good morning Dear Friends and Prayer Partners! This is the cloudy, cool morning that the Lord has made and we will rejoice and be glad in it! No stars or moon visible for the last couple days, because of clouds, but bright sunshine will probably come this afternoon. God is good!
I arrived at the Park yesterday in time to watch a large gator swim lazily down the canal in back of the building, with a small crowd watching him. More azaleas are blooming and the oak trees are shedding seeds, making for allergies! Even though it is dark later, now, I heard a mockingbird chirping an early morning greeting to anyone who might be listening. It was a cheerful sound to start the day.
From the Promise Bible NLT:
Ephesians 5 excerpts:
"Try to find out what is pleasing to the Lord. Take no part in the worthless deeds of evil and darkness; instead, rebuke and expose them. It is shameful even to talk about the things that ungodly people do in secret. But when the light shines on them, it becomes clear how evil these things are. And where your light shines, it will expose their evil deeds. This is why it is said;
Awake, O sleeper,
rise up from the dead,
and Christ will give you light."
So 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 to 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..
Slaves, obey your earthly masters with deep respect and fear. Serve them sincerely as you would serve Christ. 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.
And in the same way, you masters must treat your slaves right. Don't threaten them, remember, you both have the same Master in heaven, and he has no favorites.
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
I arrived at the Park yesterday in time to watch a large gator swim lazily down the canal in back of the building, with a small crowd watching him. More azaleas are blooming and the oak trees are shedding seeds, making for allergies! Even though it is dark later, now, I heard a mockingbird chirping an early morning greeting to anyone who might be listening. It was a cheerful sound to start the day.
From the Promise Bible NLT:
Ephesians 5 excerpts:
"Try to find out what is pleasing to the Lord. Take no part in the worthless deeds of evil and darkness; instead, rebuke and expose them. It is shameful even to talk about the things that ungodly people do in secret. But when the light shines on them, it becomes clear how evil these things are. And where your light shines, it will expose their evil deeds. This is why it is said;
Awake, O sleeper,
rise up from the dead,
and Christ will give you light."
So 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 to 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..
Slaves, obey your earthly masters with deep respect and fear. Serve them sincerely as you would serve Christ. 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.
And in the same way, you masters must treat your slaves right. Don't threaten them, remember, you both have the same Master in heaven, and he has no favorites.
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
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