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!
As I stepped outside this morning, the only star I could see was Venus, so we still have a lot of haze in the atmosphere, but another sunny warm day is coming up and, although we need rain, God will supply in His time. God is good!
I am not getting over to the Park as early as I would like, but I slather with sun block and try to stay in the shade. All four baby gators were at the shelter yesterday and Mama was under the shelter...first time I have seen her close by. The babies are getting bigger each day, so they must be finding plenty to eat.
On the way in, we saw the peacocks, two had their tails fully fanned out and were showing off, by slowly turning round and round. Such vanity!
On my way out of the boardwalk, as I walked down the bridge, I startled a cottontail, who gave great leaps and ran straight across the road and into the bushes! So fast!
The Mama screech owl was peeking out of her nest, looking very wise. Francia said the baby was peeking out yesterday with only the eyes showing in the hole in the box. They are so cute!
From Quiet Moments with God:
"This is the day which the Lord has made; we will rejoice and be glad in it." Psalm 118:24 NKJV
"Where does the time go?" we ask. Here it is-a new day on the horizon-and we can't remember how it arrived so quickly. Why, last week seems like yesterday, and last year flew by like a video in fast forward.
And worse, it's hard to remember what we spent it on.
"Shouldn't I have more great memories? we wonder. What did I accomplish? Is this all I've done with all that time?"
Singer Jim Croce mused in his hit song "Time in a Bottle" that " there never seems to be enough time to do the things you want to do, once you find them." We search so hard for happiness. But often, we don't understand that happiness is not a goal to be won, but a by-product of a life well spent.
This "Old English Prayer" offers simple instructions for enjoying the day that the Lord has made.
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 read, it is the foundation of wisdom.
Take time to be friendly, it is the road to happiness.
Take time to dream, it is hitching your wagon to a star.
Take time to love and be loved, it is the privilege of the gods.
Take time to look around, it is too short a day to be selfish.
Take time to laugh, it is the music of the soul.
True happiness comes from the job of deeds well done, the zest of creating things new.
Antoine de Saint-Exupery
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
Thursday, May 8, 2008
Wednesday, May 7, 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!
I hope you all saw the sun setting last night with the sliver of the new moon showing right above it! Gorgeous! Not a cloud in the sky to dim the reddish hues slowly fading into darkness. And this morning is just as beautiful with the sun shining brightly, even though I couldn't see the stars for the haze. But God is Awesome!
There was only one baby gator visible yesterday, so I don't know if the rest were hiding, or whether they are still alive. I hope to find out today. But while I was at the shelter, the huge gator was sunning on the opposite bank, and a Mosquito control truck was slowly approaching, so I watched and, sure enough, when the truck got too close, the gator gave a mighty leap right into the canal, and disappeared. He moved so fast!
We saw Mr. Peacock with his tail feathers spread out like a bride's train on the ground, as he was getting ready to fold them up, so we missed the show that time. I'm sure we'll see him again strutting slowly around.
From the Promise Bible NLT:
Psalm 112
Happy are those who fear the Lord,
Yes, happy are those who delight in
doing what he commands.
Their children will be successful everywhere.
An entire generation of godly people will be blessed.
they themselves will be wealthy,
and their good deeds will never be forgotten.
When darkness overtakes the godly, light
will come bursting in.
They are generous, compassionate, and righteous.
All goes well for those who are generous.
Who lend freely and conduct their business fairly.
Such people will not be overcome by evil circumstances.
Those who are righteous will be long remembered.
They do not fear bad news;
they confidently trust the Lord to care for them.
They are confident and fearless.
and can face their foes triumphantly.
They give generously to those in need.
Their good deeds will never be forgotten.
They will have influence and honor.
The wicked will be infuriated when they see this.
They will grind their teeth in anger.
they will slink away, their hopes thwarted.
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
I hope you all saw the sun setting last night with the sliver of the new moon showing right above it! Gorgeous! Not a cloud in the sky to dim the reddish hues slowly fading into darkness. And this morning is just as beautiful with the sun shining brightly, even though I couldn't see the stars for the haze. But God is Awesome!
There was only one baby gator visible yesterday, so I don't know if the rest were hiding, or whether they are still alive. I hope to find out today. But while I was at the shelter, the huge gator was sunning on the opposite bank, and a Mosquito control truck was slowly approaching, so I watched and, sure enough, when the truck got too close, the gator gave a mighty leap right into the canal, and disappeared. He moved so fast!
We saw Mr. Peacock with his tail feathers spread out like a bride's train on the ground, as he was getting ready to fold them up, so we missed the show that time. I'm sure we'll see him again strutting slowly around.
From the Promise Bible NLT:
Psalm 112
Happy are those who fear the Lord,
Yes, happy are those who delight in
doing what he commands.
Their children will be successful everywhere.
An entire generation of godly people will be blessed.
they themselves will be wealthy,
and their good deeds will never be forgotten.
When darkness overtakes the godly, light
will come bursting in.
They are generous, compassionate, and righteous.
All goes well for those who are generous.
Who lend freely and conduct their business fairly.
Such people will not be overcome by evil circumstances.
Those who are righteous will be long remembered.
They do not fear bad news;
they confidently trust the Lord to care for them.
They are confident and fearless.
and can face their foes triumphantly.
They give generously to those in need.
Their good deeds will never be forgotten.
They will have influence and honor.
The wicked will be infuriated when they see this.
They will grind their teeth in anger.
they will slink away, their hopes thwarted.
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
Tuesday, May 6, 2008
More Time
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 could wish for rain, but I know God will send it in His time. I set out the sprinklers earlier , and when the birds see water, they all come and take baths and drink.
Speaking of birds, yesterday I saw a flock of bluejays... I should say, I heard them, first, and looked up on the lines in back of the house and there were about a dozen and a half. Never have I seen them fly in flocks before! They certainly were not singing a beautiful song!
Once again, I walked to the shelter at the Park, and gazed down at the baby gators, while a very big gator sunned on the opposite bank, some distance away. I could only see four babies yesterday, but one may have been under the shelter.
A nice man started talking to me about the gators and as we walked, not together, but catching up at the Tower, he told me where he was from and about his mother, who couldn't come this year, and then showed me the photos of gators in his camera he had taken in the Everglades.
It was an enjoyable walk, before the afternoon heat came! God is good!
From the Promise Bible NLT:
How can I best use time?
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 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."
Time is a gift. God gives us time so that we have the opportunity to serve him. When we give our time back to the Lord , he promises that it will not be wasted.
Revelation 1:3 "God blesses the one who reads this prophecy to the church, and he blesses all who listen to it and obey what it says. For the time is near when these things will happen."
We live each day in the light of Christ's return . It inspires us to be faithful and gives us proper Perspective on the fleeting nature of this earthly life.
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
I could wish for rain, but I know God will send it in His time. I set out the sprinklers earlier , and when the birds see water, they all come and take baths and drink.
Speaking of birds, yesterday I saw a flock of bluejays... I should say, I heard them, first, and looked up on the lines in back of the house and there were about a dozen and a half. Never have I seen them fly in flocks before! They certainly were not singing a beautiful song!
Once again, I walked to the shelter at the Park, and gazed down at the baby gators, while a very big gator sunned on the opposite bank, some distance away. I could only see four babies yesterday, but one may have been under the shelter.
A nice man started talking to me about the gators and as we walked, not together, but catching up at the Tower, he told me where he was from and about his mother, who couldn't come this year, and then showed me the photos of gators in his camera he had taken in the Everglades.
It was an enjoyable walk, before the afternoon heat came! God is good!
From the Promise Bible NLT:
How can I best use time?
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 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."
Time is a gift. God gives us time so that we have the opportunity to serve him. When we give our time back to the Lord , he promises that it will not be wasted.
Revelation 1:3 "God blesses the one who reads this prophecy to the church, and he blesses all who listen to it and obey what it says. For the time is near when these things will happen."
We live each day in the light of Christ's return . It inspires us to be faithful and gives us proper Perspective on the fleeting nature of this earthly life.
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
Monday, May 5, 2008
The Rose and the Thorn
Good Morning, Dear Friends and Prayer Partners and Happy Cinco de Mayo! This is the beautiful day that the Lord has made and we will rejoice and be glad in it! When I stepped outside early this morning, I could not find the new moon but clouds were covering most of the stars and the air was cool and already birds were singing their early wake-up songs! God is Great!
We had a nice chat with Terry at the Park yesterday. He is a great friend and always makes me laugh. Lots of people were enjoying the sun and the walks, and I am sure, the baby gators. I watched an anhinga fly to a spot to spread the wings to dry, and always see them sitting on branches or the ground with outspread wings.
We saw three peacocks on the way in to the Park and one had his tail feathers spread and was slowly turning so his beauty could be seen from all angles. He is so vain!
From Quiet Moments with God:
1 Samuel 3:19 RSV
"Samuel grew and the Lord was with him and let none of his words fall to the ground."
"There was a very cautious man
Who never laughed or played;
He never risked, he never tried,
He never sang or prayed.
And when he one day passed away
His insurance was denied;
For since he never really lived,
They claimed he never died!"
Unknown
Progressing through life is so risky, and we all must face it at one time or another. In order to learn to walk, toddlers must risk painful falls time and again. Teens with their first driver's licenses immediately face the most dangerous time of their driving careers. Couples taking the vows of marriage must face the possibility that the very union they expect to bring life's greatest joy could also bring them their greatest heartache. And entrepreneurs trying to launch or expand their businesses know that it could easily bring about a substantial loss.
Therefore, if there is such potential for pain in our attempts to grow and achieve throughout our lives, why do we even try?
One reason is that God has blessed us with an inner drive that compels us to improve our life. To paraphrase Anais Nin, "The day comes when the risk to remain tight in a bud is more painful than the risk it takes to blossom."
And we know that we cannot gather our beautiful roses without the possibility of being pricked by the thorns.
But when the prospect of facing those thorns seems too sharp and painful, remember that as God urges you to reach for new roses, you can also rely on His strength and guidance to help you manage your way through the thorns.
The weaker we feel, the harder we lean on God.
And the harder we lean, the stronger we grow.
Joni Ereckson Tada
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
We had a nice chat with Terry at the Park yesterday. He is a great friend and always makes me laugh. Lots of people were enjoying the sun and the walks, and I am sure, the baby gators. I watched an anhinga fly to a spot to spread the wings to dry, and always see them sitting on branches or the ground with outspread wings.
We saw three peacocks on the way in to the Park and one had his tail feathers spread and was slowly turning so his beauty could be seen from all angles. He is so vain!
From Quiet Moments with God:
1 Samuel 3:19 RSV
"Samuel grew and the Lord was with him and let none of his words fall to the ground."
"There was a very cautious man
Who never laughed or played;
He never risked, he never tried,
He never sang or prayed.
And when he one day passed away
His insurance was denied;
For since he never really lived,
They claimed he never died!"
Unknown
Progressing through life is so risky, and we all must face it at one time or another. In order to learn to walk, toddlers must risk painful falls time and again. Teens with their first driver's licenses immediately face the most dangerous time of their driving careers. Couples taking the vows of marriage must face the possibility that the very union they expect to bring life's greatest joy could also bring them their greatest heartache. And entrepreneurs trying to launch or expand their businesses know that it could easily bring about a substantial loss.
Therefore, if there is such potential for pain in our attempts to grow and achieve throughout our lives, why do we even try?
One reason is that God has blessed us with an inner drive that compels us to improve our life. To paraphrase Anais Nin, "The day comes when the risk to remain tight in a bud is more painful than the risk it takes to blossom."
And we know that we cannot gather our beautiful roses without the possibility of being pricked by the thorns.
But when the prospect of facing those thorns seems too sharp and painful, remember that as God urges you to reach for new roses, you can also rely on His strength and guidance to help you manage your way through the thorns.
The weaker we feel, the harder we lean on God.
And the harder we lean, the stronger we grow.
Joni Ereckson Tada
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
Friday, May 2, 2008
Time
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! Our little cool spell is over, but I hear predictions that another one is on the way. We need rain desperately, so I hope for some with this cool spell. But I am sure God will provide in His time.
I found a dove egg shell in our driveway, and looked for the nest overhead, but could not see one. Doves are not architects. Their nests are very sloppily put together, and the eggs usually fall out. I wonder why so many survive.
As I walked in the park yesterday, the cool wind was most welcome, but I was carefully sticking to the shade as much as possible. It was warm! When I stopped at the shelter to look at the baby gators, a very large gator was on the bank, across the canal and some distance down. I am sure that wasn't Mama gator.
Only two babies were visible, but when I stopped on the way back from the tower, all five were in a heap on the mud. They don't mind crawling over each other. I should take their pictures, but always forget my camera. But God is good!
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."
Ecclesiastes 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 embrace and a time to speak up. A time for 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
I found a dove egg shell in our driveway, and looked for the nest overhead, but could not see one. Doves are not architects. Their nests are very sloppily put together, and the eggs usually fall out. I wonder why so many survive.
As I walked in the park yesterday, the cool wind was most welcome, but I was carefully sticking to the shade as much as possible. It was warm! When I stopped at the shelter to look at the baby gators, a very large gator was on the bank, across the canal and some distance down. I am sure that wasn't Mama gator.
Only two babies were visible, but when I stopped on the way back from the tower, all five were in a heap on the mud. They don't mind crawling over each other. I should take their pictures, but always forget my camera. But God is good!
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."
Ecclesiastes 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 embrace and a time to speak up. A time for 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, May 1, 2008
Psalm 100
Good Morning, Dear Friends and Prayer Partners, a little later due to an early date with the Lab. But this is the beautiful day that the Lord has made and we will rejoice and be glad in it!
Happy May Day! I remember when my boys were little, we would make paper May baskets and fill them with flowers to put on our neighbor's doorstep. My friend says they are called "Tussie-Mussies", a Victorian name. And when I was attending Woodlawn Elem. back in the dark ages, we would celebrate May day by weaving ribbons around the flag pole. I was almost elected May Queen one year, but came down with the chickenpox and had to stay home. Sigh. Those were the days of innocence.
Yesterday, I walked out to see the baby gators, and discovered Mama was under the shelter, where she hasn't been for awhile. The little ones were in their usual places, swimming around the edge of the mud, directly below the shelter. Mama may get tired of all the attention and move the babies to a nearby cove, where they can have more privacy. This is what she did last year. But God is Awesome!
From the Promise Bible NLT, one of my favorite verses...
"Shout with joy to the Lord, O earth!
Worship the Lord with gladness.
Come before him, singing with joy.
Acknowledge that the Lord is God!
He made us, and we are his.
We are his people, the sheep of his pasture.
Enter his gates with thanksgiving'
go into his courts with praise.
Give thanks to him and bless his name.
For the Lord is good.
His unfailing love continues forever,
and his faithfulness continues to each generation."
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
Happy May Day! I remember when my boys were little, we would make paper May baskets and fill them with flowers to put on our neighbor's doorstep. My friend says they are called "Tussie-Mussies", a Victorian name. And when I was attending Woodlawn Elem. back in the dark ages, we would celebrate May day by weaving ribbons around the flag pole. I was almost elected May Queen one year, but came down with the chickenpox and had to stay home. Sigh. Those were the days of innocence.
Yesterday, I walked out to see the baby gators, and discovered Mama was under the shelter, where she hasn't been for awhile. The little ones were in their usual places, swimming around the edge of the mud, directly below the shelter. Mama may get tired of all the attention and move the babies to a nearby cove, where they can have more privacy. This is what she did last year. But God is Awesome!
From the Promise Bible NLT, one of my favorite verses...
"Shout with joy to the Lord, O earth!
Worship the Lord with gladness.
Come before him, singing with joy.
Acknowledge that the Lord is God!
He made us, and we are his.
We are his people, the sheep of his pasture.
Enter his gates with thanksgiving'
go into his courts with praise.
Give thanks to him and bless his name.
For the Lord is good.
His unfailing love continues forever,
and his faithfulness continues to each generation."
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
Paul's Prayer
Good morning, Dear Friends and Prayer Partners! This is the coolish day that the Lord has made and we will rejoice and be glad in it! This must be our last brief visit from winter as we enjoy the cooler air this morning. This afternoon it will be quite warm again, though.
When I stepped outside earlier, the brilliant crescent moon was hanging low in the southeast and Venus was quite far away, higher in the south. But the skies were brilliant with stars, so today is already sunny and beautiful! God is good!
When I walked out to see the baby gators yesterday, already a few people were there. I watched two of the babies walk on the dry land, (muddy) and then stop. Three were together and two were separate at the edge of the shelter. I am wondering why Mama gator is not visible anywhere, because they usually stay very close to the babes. I saw a large gator come swimming toward the shelter, but I don't think she was the Mama. She would not have left them so far off.
I stopped and talked to Steve, the naturalist, who was expecting 58 second graders to come for a tour. Francia already had a class she was instructing. Steve said he prefers older students, because second graders don't focus for long and can't remember what they have been told. I told him I had the same problem a lot of times, and he laughed and said he did too. :o) Life is good!
From the Promise Bible NLT:
Ephesians 3:14-21 "When I think of the wisdom and scope of God's plan, I fall to my knees and pray to the Father, the Creator of everything in heaven and on earth. I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will give you mighty inner strength through his Holy Spirit. And I pray that Christ will be more and more at home in your hearts as you trust in him. May your roots go down deep into the soil of God's marvelous love. And may you have the power to understand, as all God's people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love really is. May you experience the love of Christ though it is so great you will never fully understand it. Then you will be filed with the fullness of life and power that comes from God.
Now glory be to God! By his mighty power at work within us, he is able to accomplish infinitely more than we wold ever dare to ask or hope. May he be given glory in the church and in Christ Jesus forever and ever through endless ages.
Amen."
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, love and joy!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
When I stepped outside earlier, the brilliant crescent moon was hanging low in the southeast and Venus was quite far away, higher in the south. But the skies were brilliant with stars, so today is already sunny and beautiful! God is good!
When I walked out to see the baby gators yesterday, already a few people were there. I watched two of the babies walk on the dry land, (muddy) and then stop. Three were together and two were separate at the edge of the shelter. I am wondering why Mama gator is not visible anywhere, because they usually stay very close to the babes. I saw a large gator come swimming toward the shelter, but I don't think she was the Mama. She would not have left them so far off.
I stopped and talked to Steve, the naturalist, who was expecting 58 second graders to come for a tour. Francia already had a class she was instructing. Steve said he prefers older students, because second graders don't focus for long and can't remember what they have been told. I told him I had the same problem a lot of times, and he laughed and said he did too. :o) Life is good!
From the Promise Bible NLT:
Ephesians 3:14-21 "When I think of the wisdom and scope of God's plan, I fall to my knees and pray to the Father, the Creator of everything in heaven and on earth. I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will give you mighty inner strength through his Holy Spirit. And I pray that Christ will be more and more at home in your hearts as you trust in him. May your roots go down deep into the soil of God's marvelous love. And may you have the power to understand, as all God's people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love really is. May you experience the love of Christ though it is so great you will never fully understand it. Then you will be filed with the fullness of life and power that comes from God.
Now glory be to God! By his mighty power at work within us, he is able to accomplish infinitely more than we wold ever dare to ask or hope. May he be given glory in the church and in Christ Jesus forever and ever through endless ages.
Amen."
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, love and joy!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
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