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 morning, the chilly air was kind of a surprise, because we have been warm for so long. But I know it will soon warm up and we will be at almost 80 degrees again! God is good!
Have you noticed the evening sky lately? For a gorgeous sight, look to the west, and see the crescent moon with Venus high above and tiny Jupiter far to the bottom west. God's Creation is Awesome!
I have enjoyed my brief vacation from the morning email, almost as much as I enjoyed having the family here for Christmas. It was wonderful to have our sons and grandson here and to spend time with them, even though Brian spent most of Christmas day in bed and did not feel too perky for several days due to some kind of virus. But the rest of us did not get it, and the weather stayed perfect. We were blessed!
My prayer for all in the New Year, is that you will be blessed with whatever you need; work, good health, rest and a deep reliance on our Lord for all you need!
From Hymns for the Family of God:
Prayer of Concern for Others
Father, help me to talk like a Christian:
to speak in such a way that I build up another person's
confidence in himself, instead of tearing down his reputation.
Father, help me to drive like a Christian:
to be watchful and careful lest I cause harm to someone else
on the highways.
Father, help me to give like a Christian:
without thought of return, without anyone knowing what I
do, and with Your approval as sufficient reward.
Father, help me to dress like a Christian:
by not attracting attention to myself for being too fashionable
or too casual; and help me to show by my appearance
that I want people to know me for what I am inside myself.
Father, help me to sleep like a Christian:
At peace with myself because sin is forgiven; and at peace with
others because I do not allow my anger to last through a day.
Father, help me to eat like a Christian:
to eat healthily, to eat moderately, to eat gratefully, giving
thanks to You who provide my food, and for the one
who prepares my food.
Father, keep me from being so pious that I keep You out of the
practical areas of life. Be with me when I am along, and
when I shed my inhibitions, lest in those moments I cancel
out all that I seem to be when I'm on my best behavior.
Father, I ask this because I follow a Master who was never guilty
of the slightest wrong-doing, and who always showed His love
in the small details of living. Amen.
- Bryan Jeffery Leech
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Friday, December 19, 2008
One Solitary Life
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! Well, earlier this morning, when I stepped outside, the moon was very visible overhead and stars were shining, then, suddenly, the fog crept in and all was obscured. Reminded me of the poem I learned many years ago, "The fog creeps in on little cat feet"...can't remember all of it , or the author. Maybe c.c.cummings? Anyway, it is lifting now and the sky is blue. God is good!
Yesterday, I was trying to meet the goals I set, for getting gifts wrapped and last minute things done, before Daryl and Matthew come late tonight or early in the morning. But I took time to take a plate of Christmas cookies over to Mike and Francia at the Park, and we talked for a few minutes about the departed staff and how they were doing. Mike was so happy about the cookies, he gave me a big hug and kiss! I am happy he is still there.
This will be the last devotional until after Christmas, so I wish you all the most blessed Christmas and wonderful times with friends and family, celebrating the birth of our Lord Jesus!
One Solitary Life
Born in an obscure village, He was the child of a peasant woman. He worked in a carpenter shop until He was thirty years old, and then for three years He traveled around the country, stopping long enough to talk and to listen to people, and help where He could. He never wrote a book, He never had a hit record, He never went to college, He never ran for public office, He never had a family, or owned a house. He never did any of the things that usually accompany greatness. He had no credentials but Himself. But when He was only thirty three years old, the tide of public opinion turned against him, and His friends all rejected Him. When He was arrested, very few wanted anything to do with Him. After the trial, He was executed by the State along with admitted thieves. Only because a generous friend offered his own cemetery plot was there any place to bury Him. This all happened nineteen centuries ago, and yet today He is the leading figure of the human race, and the ultimate example of love. Now it is no exaggeration to say that all the armies that have ever marched, all the navies that have ever set sail, all the rulers that have ever ruled, all the kings that have ever reigned on this earth, all put together have not affected the life of man on earth like this One Solitary Life.
Fred Bock (alt)
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
Merry Christmas to all!
Yesterday, I was trying to meet the goals I set, for getting gifts wrapped and last minute things done, before Daryl and Matthew come late tonight or early in the morning. But I took time to take a plate of Christmas cookies over to Mike and Francia at the Park, and we talked for a few minutes about the departed staff and how they were doing. Mike was so happy about the cookies, he gave me a big hug and kiss! I am happy he is still there.
This will be the last devotional until after Christmas, so I wish you all the most blessed Christmas and wonderful times with friends and family, celebrating the birth of our Lord Jesus!
One Solitary Life
Born in an obscure village, He was the child of a peasant woman. He worked in a carpenter shop until He was thirty years old, and then for three years He traveled around the country, stopping long enough to talk and to listen to people, and help where He could. He never wrote a book, He never had a hit record, He never went to college, He never ran for public office, He never had a family, or owned a house. He never did any of the things that usually accompany greatness. He had no credentials but Himself. But when He was only thirty three years old, the tide of public opinion turned against him, and His friends all rejected Him. When He was arrested, very few wanted anything to do with Him. After the trial, He was executed by the State along with admitted thieves. Only because a generous friend offered his own cemetery plot was there any place to bury Him. This all happened nineteen centuries ago, and yet today He is the leading figure of the human race, and the ultimate example of love. Now it is no exaggeration to say that all the armies that have ever marched, all the navies that have ever set sail, all the rulers that have ever ruled, all the kings that have ever reigned on this earth, all put together have not affected the life of man on earth like this One Solitary Life.
Fred Bock (alt)
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
Merry Christmas to all!
Thursday, December 18, 2008
Reverence, not Ritual
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 early this morning, the half moon was shining brightly, as usual, and stars were visible, which meant a beautiful day! Then, a short time ago, fog came rolling in, but now, that has also lifted. This is the time of year, when we don't need heat or A/C. Glorious!
I was determined to walk in the Park yesterday, and found that the tree trimming crew was there, and had the boardwalk to the tower blocked off. They were working on cutting down a very old maple that was leaning over the walk, and had a ladder about fifty feet high propped against the tree. No way would I climb that high!
So, I walked the Hammock trail instead and enjoyed it very much. I took frequent pauses to gaze over the rail down into the swampy areas. I was really surprised at the water all the way until higher ground where the old orange orchard used to be. Unfortunately, when the new boardwalk was built some of the lemon trees were cut down. Since the trees have been trimmed, the orange trees have fruit very high up, so I was unable to reach any. Though the oranges are very sour and not edible just to squeeze or eat, they make wonderful pies!
God has a plan for everything!
From Quiet Moments with God:
He said to them, "Why are you troubled, and why do doubts rise in your minds?"
Luke 24:38
Have you ever met people who, when something good comes their way, start wondering when God is going to take it back?
Long ago, pagans in Germany and Holland believed this way. If Johann met Hans in the forest and said, " Hey Hans! I got that horse I wanted--good price too!" in a second both men would gasp. Johann would run to the nearest tree and start pounding on it.
The pagans believed that the gods lived in trees, and if they heard about any human happiness, they would cause mischief. Johann, realizing his mistake in the listening forest, would rap on trees to drive the gods away. Even when it was no longer a custom to literally "knock on wood," the phrase sufficed to fill the same purpose: "May my good fortune suffer no reversal."
In our lives, it's wither " Thy will be done" or " knock on wood." Either God is working for our good, or we must be working for our good.
How sad it must make our Heavenly Father to see us robbed of joy as we receive His blessings, simply out of fear! Furthermore, some people feel the only way to hold onto the joys of life is to perform good deeds.As a result, those parts of the Christian life that should bring us closer to the heart of God often end up as rituals performed out of duty and fear.
When the city of Hamburg was stricken with the plague and large numbers were dying, the healthy---in mortal dread of becoming ill---flocked to the city's churches. It was not a reverence for God that drew them to church, but the fear of cholera. As soon as the plague abated, their zeal for the worship of God also abated.
The Lord desires an intimate, honest relationship with you--not a relationship rooted in your fear of loss or failure. The "fear of God" does not mean you're afraid of God; it means you have respect for Him. This reverence is born out of trust in His love. Turn to Him this morning, to experience life, not merely to avoid disaster. When you do, you'll meet a Heavenly Father who loves you completely and unconditionally.
Don't come to the cross
out of fear of hell.
Come to the cross out of
Love for Christ.
Unknown
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
I was determined to walk in the Park yesterday, and found that the tree trimming crew was there, and had the boardwalk to the tower blocked off. They were working on cutting down a very old maple that was leaning over the walk, and had a ladder about fifty feet high propped against the tree. No way would I climb that high!
So, I walked the Hammock trail instead and enjoyed it very much. I took frequent pauses to gaze over the rail down into the swampy areas. I was really surprised at the water all the way until higher ground where the old orange orchard used to be. Unfortunately, when the new boardwalk was built some of the lemon trees were cut down. Since the trees have been trimmed, the orange trees have fruit very high up, so I was unable to reach any. Though the oranges are very sour and not edible just to squeeze or eat, they make wonderful pies!
God has a plan for everything!
From Quiet Moments with God:
He said to them, "Why are you troubled, and why do doubts rise in your minds?"
Luke 24:38
Have you ever met people who, when something good comes their way, start wondering when God is going to take it back?
Long ago, pagans in Germany and Holland believed this way. If Johann met Hans in the forest and said, " Hey Hans! I got that horse I wanted--good price too!" in a second both men would gasp. Johann would run to the nearest tree and start pounding on it.
The pagans believed that the gods lived in trees, and if they heard about any human happiness, they would cause mischief. Johann, realizing his mistake in the listening forest, would rap on trees to drive the gods away. Even when it was no longer a custom to literally "knock on wood," the phrase sufficed to fill the same purpose: "May my good fortune suffer no reversal."
In our lives, it's wither " Thy will be done" or " knock on wood." Either God is working for our good, or we must be working for our good.
How sad it must make our Heavenly Father to see us robbed of joy as we receive His blessings, simply out of fear! Furthermore, some people feel the only way to hold onto the joys of life is to perform good deeds.As a result, those parts of the Christian life that should bring us closer to the heart of God often end up as rituals performed out of duty and fear.
When the city of Hamburg was stricken with the plague and large numbers were dying, the healthy---in mortal dread of becoming ill---flocked to the city's churches. It was not a reverence for God that drew them to church, but the fear of cholera. As soon as the plague abated, their zeal for the worship of God also abated.
The Lord desires an intimate, honest relationship with you--not a relationship rooted in your fear of loss or failure. The "fear of God" does not mean you're afraid of God; it means you have respect for Him. This reverence is born out of trust in His love. Turn to Him this morning, to experience life, not merely to avoid disaster. When you do, you'll meet a Heavenly Father who loves you completely and unconditionally.
Don't come to the cross
out of fear of hell.
Come to the cross out of
Love for Christ.
Unknown
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
Easin' thru Ephesians
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 earlier the funny shaped moon was shining brightly and actually, outshining the stars, but I did see a few of them. This morning I saw the weather in the rest of the country, on TV. I must say we are blessed to have this sunshiny, warm weather here. It is supposed to get up to 80 degrees again today. Almost time for AC again. :o)
Well, we have such a carpet of leaves all over the driveway, porch and grass, that I decided to tackle the blower once again. I really need practice to refine my technique. I have to get the long extension cord all pulled out first, and then be sure I keep the blower pointed down. I had leaves flying high in the air, and out in the street, which I didn't intend to do, But the porch got cleaned off and the driveway cleared. but...guess what? They are all covered again today! Now, if I could only figure out how to blow the leaves off the trees....
We saw lots of soft-shelled turtles sunning on the weir yesterday and the big, fat gopher tortoise once again trying to get through the fence. There is always something to see at the Park!
Ephesians 6:10-20 NEB
Finally then, find your strength in the Lord, in His mighty power. Put on all the armor which God provides, so that you may be able to stand firm against the devices of the devil. For our fight is not against human foes, but against cosmic powers, against the authorities and potentates of this dark world, against the superhuman forces of evil in the heavens. Therefore, take up God's armour; then you will be able to stand your ground when things are at their worst, to complete every task and still to stand. Stand firm, I say. Fasten on the belt of truth; for coat of mail put on integrity; let the shoes on your feet be the gospel of peace, to give you firm footing; and , with all these, take up the great shield of faith, with which you will be able to quench all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take salvation for helmit; for sword, take that which the Spirit give you-the words that come from God. give yourselves wholly to prayer and entreaty; always interceding for all God's people; and pray for me, that I may boldly and freely make known his hidden purpose, for which I am an ambassador-in chains. Pray that I may speak of it boldly, as it is my duty to speak.
Prayer
Give us a pure heart
that we may see Thee,
A humble heart
that we may hear Thee,
A heart of love
that we may serve Thee,
A heart of faith
that we may live Thee.
Dag Hammarskjold
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
Well, we have such a carpet of leaves all over the driveway, porch and grass, that I decided to tackle the blower once again. I really need practice to refine my technique. I have to get the long extension cord all pulled out first, and then be sure I keep the blower pointed down. I had leaves flying high in the air, and out in the street, which I didn't intend to do, But the porch got cleaned off and the driveway cleared. but...guess what? They are all covered again today! Now, if I could only figure out how to blow the leaves off the trees....
We saw lots of soft-shelled turtles sunning on the weir yesterday and the big, fat gopher tortoise once again trying to get through the fence. There is always something to see at the Park!
Ephesians 6:10-20 NEB
Finally then, find your strength in the Lord, in His mighty power. Put on all the armor which God provides, so that you may be able to stand firm against the devices of the devil. For our fight is not against human foes, but against cosmic powers, against the authorities and potentates of this dark world, against the superhuman forces of evil in the heavens. Therefore, take up God's armour; then you will be able to stand your ground when things are at their worst, to complete every task and still to stand. Stand firm, I say. Fasten on the belt of truth; for coat of mail put on integrity; let the shoes on your feet be the gospel of peace, to give you firm footing; and , with all these, take up the great shield of faith, with which you will be able to quench all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take salvation for helmit; for sword, take that which the Spirit give you-the words that come from God. give yourselves wholly to prayer and entreaty; always interceding for all God's people; and pray for me, that I may boldly and freely make known his hidden purpose, for which I am an ambassador-in chains. Pray that I may speak of it boldly, as it is my duty to speak.
Prayer
Give us a pure heart
that we may see Thee,
A humble heart
that we may hear Thee,
A heart of love
that we may serve Thee,
A heart of faith
that we may live Thee.
Dag Hammarskjold
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
Encouragement
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 before daybreak, the sky was clear and the moon with a chunk out of it, was shining brightly. Then, shortly after that, the fog rolled in and all was dark again. Now the fog has cleared and the sun is warm... supposed to be up to 80 today. Another beautiful day in sunny St. Petersburg!! God is good!
Yesterday, as I was driving along Turner's Creek, the tide was very low, and two roseate spoonbills were pecking along the muddy bank. It was the first time I had seen them in this area. Beautiful! Pink is just about my favorite color, anyway.
Then, while driving through the Park, I saw the huge, probably hundred year old gopher tortoise, lumbering his way along the fence. He is protected, so nothing bothers him.
The water in the canal was nice and serene, reflecting the trees which are now bare of leaves, and rather stark looking, but that is nature in the winter. God's Creation!
From the Promise Bible NLT:
What do I do when I feel overwhelmed?
Leviticus 26:8 Five of you will chase a hundred, and a hundred of you will chase ten thousand! All your enemies will fall beneath the blows of your weapons.
Joshua 23:10 Each one of you will put to flight a thousand of the enemy, for the Lord your God fights for you, just as he has promised.
Be encouraged that the power of God is for us , regardless of the number of enemies against us. God used David to overcome Goliath, Gideon's three hundred soldiers to defeat the armies of Midian, and one hundred and twenty disciples to establish the church in Acts. He joys when working through our weaknesses and limitations.
Colossians 1:11-14 We also pray that you will be strengthened with his glorious power so that you will have all the patience and endurance you need. May you be filled with joy, always thanking the Father, who has enabled you to share the inheritance that belongs to God's holy people, who live in the light. For he has rescued us from the one who rules in the kingdom of darkness, and he has brought us into the Kingdom of his dear Son. God has purchased our freedom with his blood and has forgiven all our sins.
Our encouragement comes from what God has done for us. He has given us. He has given us the power to be patient and persistence and to keep our minds set on great hope that awaits us. When we remember that we are already free; the problems of the world lose much of their power over us.
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
Yesterday, as I was driving along Turner's Creek, the tide was very low, and two roseate spoonbills were pecking along the muddy bank. It was the first time I had seen them in this area. Beautiful! Pink is just about my favorite color, anyway.
Then, while driving through the Park, I saw the huge, probably hundred year old gopher tortoise, lumbering his way along the fence. He is protected, so nothing bothers him.
The water in the canal was nice and serene, reflecting the trees which are now bare of leaves, and rather stark looking, but that is nature in the winter. God's Creation!
From the Promise Bible NLT:
What do I do when I feel overwhelmed?
Leviticus 26:8 Five of you will chase a hundred, and a hundred of you will chase ten thousand! All your enemies will fall beneath the blows of your weapons.
Joshua 23:10 Each one of you will put to flight a thousand of the enemy, for the Lord your God fights for you, just as he has promised.
Be encouraged that the power of God is for us , regardless of the number of enemies against us. God used David to overcome Goliath, Gideon's three hundred soldiers to defeat the armies of Midian, and one hundred and twenty disciples to establish the church in Acts. He joys when working through our weaknesses and limitations.
Colossians 1:11-14 We also pray that you will be strengthened with his glorious power so that you will have all the patience and endurance you need. May you be filled with joy, always thanking the Father, who has enabled you to share the inheritance that belongs to God's holy people, who live in the light. For he has rescued us from the one who rules in the kingdom of darkness, and he has brought us into the Kingdom of his dear Son. God has purchased our freedom with his blood and has forgiven all our sins.
Our encouragement comes from what God has done for us. He has given us. He has given us the power to be patient and persistence and to keep our minds set on great hope that awaits us. When we remember that we are already free; the problems of the world lose much of their power over us.
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
Monday, December 15, 2008
Prayer and Action
Good morning, Dear Friends and Prayer Partners! This is the overcast, but warm, day that the Lord has made and we will rejoice and be glad in it! When I stepped outside this morning, all I could see was clouds, but then, all at once, the full moon peeked through, creating a halo of light in the whiteness: amazing!
Yesterday, I saw a bird sitting on the light wire that I couldn't identify right away, so I looked in my bird book and discovered it was a kingfisher. They are pretty rare around here, at least in my neighborhood. Very perky looking. :o)
Well, I just had a slight interruption... virus scan and then a couple of nice rains , which I did not know were expected. We always can use the rain! God is good!
This reading is from Hymns from the Family of God:
Prayer and Action
God is not a personage who orders us to a prostrate ourselves before Him
-a radically false position-
but one who says:
" Stand up,
here is my task for you:
take it and get on with it."
God does not require incense from us;
what He does require
is that we should listen and take action-
the true response of love.
God did not stop speaking two thousand years ago,
He speaks to you personally today
every time an inward voice asks you to do a kind or generous deed
or to suffer for the sake of someone else.
It is to you personally that God speaks at this moment,
and it is through you that He speaks when He inspires you to do some service.
Be brave enough to listen at first hand to what God says to you.
-John W. Harvey and Christina Yates
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
Yesterday, I saw a bird sitting on the light wire that I couldn't identify right away, so I looked in my bird book and discovered it was a kingfisher. They are pretty rare around here, at least in my neighborhood. Very perky looking. :o)
Well, I just had a slight interruption... virus scan and then a couple of nice rains , which I did not know were expected. We always can use the rain! God is good!
This reading is from Hymns from the Family of God:
Prayer and Action
God is not a personage who orders us to a prostrate ourselves before Him
-a radically false position-
but one who says:
" Stand up,
here is my task for you:
take it and get on with it."
God does not require incense from us;
what He does require
is that we should listen and take action-
the true response of love.
God did not stop speaking two thousand years ago,
He speaks to you personally today
every time an inward voice asks you to do a kind or generous deed
or to suffer for the sake of someone else.
It is to you personally that God speaks at this moment,
and it is through you that He speaks when He inspires you to do some service.
Be brave enough to listen at first hand to what God says to you.
-John W. Harvey and Christina Yates
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
Friday, December 12, 2008
A Prayer
Good morning, Dear Friends and Prayer Partners! This is the overcast day that the Lord has made and we will rejoice and be glad in it! When I stepped outside this morning, it was still dark from all the clouds, but I am sure the moon is full by now, and is up there some place! When the weather turns cooler, the sky will clear and then the sky will be visible.
We drove through the Park yesterday and saw that the canal was up, a fat gator was on the bank of one lake and everything has greened up already from the downpour we had . Everything that was thirsty, got a good drink! We have a lot of wood storks around our lakes. I have mentioned this before, but it seems like a lot more this winter. I still think they are very depressed looking. But God is good!
I watched ESPN for the football awards and was admiring Tim Tebow and his pronounced faith which he proclaims every chance he gets. I watched the segment of his work in the Philippines and the prisons, leading men to Christ. What a role model for my grandson and all others who admire his playing football!! Go Gators!
The following is a prayer that says a lot:
Free from the Guilted Cage
Lord Jesus Christ, today I want to live my life as an expression of your love, rather than as an effort to earn or deserve your love. Like Paul, I have tried about everything to prove my worth. Nothing satisfies. I am weary of doing the right thing because of guilt and not grace. Thank you for the limitless power of your love which sets me free from a guilted cage to fly and soar to new heights of joyous praise today.
Amen
LLoyd John Ogilvie
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Remember, Jesus is the Reason for the Season!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
Happy Birthday, Tiffany!
We drove through the Park yesterday and saw that the canal was up, a fat gator was on the bank of one lake and everything has greened up already from the downpour we had . Everything that was thirsty, got a good drink! We have a lot of wood storks around our lakes. I have mentioned this before, but it seems like a lot more this winter. I still think they are very depressed looking. But God is good!
I watched ESPN for the football awards and was admiring Tim Tebow and his pronounced faith which he proclaims every chance he gets. I watched the segment of his work in the Philippines and the prisons, leading men to Christ. What a role model for my grandson and all others who admire his playing football!! Go Gators!
The following is a prayer that says a lot:
Free from the Guilted Cage
Lord Jesus Christ, today I want to live my life as an expression of your love, rather than as an effort to earn or deserve your love. Like Paul, I have tried about everything to prove my worth. Nothing satisfies. I am weary of doing the right thing because of guilt and not grace. Thank you for the limitless power of your love which sets me free from a guilted cage to fly and soar to new heights of joyous praise today.
Amen
LLoyd John Ogilvie
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Remember, Jesus is the Reason for the Season!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
Happy Birthday, Tiffany!
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