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, Venus was shining brightly, dimming the other stars, but the sky was clear once again and we have another beautiful day waiting for us to enjoy!
In all the busyness and overcrowded city, the birds still make their nests and carry on above all the hustle and bustle of people going about their business. The osprey nest at the Publix has their young sticking their heads out and will probably soon be out on their own, as will the one at Sweetbay. the Sawgrass school nest has heads sticking up all the time. God is good!
We went to the Park yesterday and the usual anhingas were drying their wings. I heard from Terry that the Park may be sold to the state, which would then close it as they are closing other state parks. I hope and pray that does not happen as many people enjoy it, including me! The county people are working to make the berms grass free and are planting drought resistant plants to cut down on watering and mowing. Changes are not always good. Sigh.
From the Promise Bible NLT:
Where can I find protection and safety?
Psalm 12:2-8 My help comes from the Lord, who made the heavens and the earth! He will not let you stumble and fall; the one who watches over you will not sleep. Indeed, he who watches oveer Israel never tires and never sleeps. The Lord himself watches over you! The Lord stands beside you as your protective shade. The sun will not hurt you by day, nor the moon at night. The Lord keeps you from all evil and preserves your life. The Lord keeps watch over you as you come and go, both now and forever.
Our protection is directly related to the character, competence, and capability of our protector. The Lord is unsurpassed in all areas. The Maker of heaven and earth is our personal protector. He never sleeps and never turns his attention from us. We walk securely because he guards our every step.
1 Samuel 2:9 He will protect his godly ones, but he wicked will perish in darkness. No one will secceed by strength alone.
Job 5:19 He will resscue you again and again so that no evil can touch you.
Psalm 9:9 The Lord is a shelter for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble.
Though troubles and threats will find us in this fallen, rebellious world, they are not a surprise to the Lord. He never tires of saving us.
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Monday, April 27, 2009
Blessings
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 air was coolish and stars were dim.. it was late for me! But as I was praying over my devotions, I heard the pitter patter of little squirrel feet on the roof over my head. they climb up the oak tree and scramble over the roof until they get to the jumping off place (literally) to the trees in the back yard.
Yesterday was a quiet day for us. After church, we went to the Park, and saw a peacock, a tri-colored heron and a turtle right beside the heron on the canal bank. They co-exist peacefully. An anhinga always spreads its wings to dry in the same spot by the lake every day.
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, his presence and his peace. Nothing this world offers can compare in scope or duration with the blessing of God.
Jeremiah 17:7 Blessed are those who trust in the Lord and have made the Lord their hope and confidence.
We are tempted to base our hope and confidence on worldly circumstances such as a good job or financial security. But these cannot compare to the promises that we have in God, the creator of heaven and earth. Put your hope where it cannot and will not be shaken.
2 Corinthians 12:13 The only thing I didn't do, which I do in the other churches, was to become a burden to you. Please forgive me for this wrong!
Jesus Christ blesses us with forgiveness and redemption. God the Father blesses us with the assurance that we are loved and of infinite worth. The Holy Spirit blesses us with fellowship and the continual presence of God.
Can we do things that affect how much God blesses us?
Psalm 34:11 The Lord God is our light and protector. He gives us grace and glory. No good thing will the Lord withold from those who 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.
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
Yesterday was a quiet day for us. After church, we went to the Park, and saw a peacock, a tri-colored heron and a turtle right beside the heron on the canal bank. They co-exist peacefully. An anhinga always spreads its wings to dry in the same spot by the lake every day.
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, his presence and his peace. Nothing this world offers can compare in scope or duration with the blessing of God.
Jeremiah 17:7 Blessed are those who trust in the Lord and have made the Lord their hope and confidence.
We are tempted to base our hope and confidence on worldly circumstances such as a good job or financial security. But these cannot compare to the promises that we have in God, the creator of heaven and earth. Put your hope where it cannot and will not be shaken.
2 Corinthians 12:13 The only thing I didn't do, which I do in the other churches, was to become a burden to you. Please forgive me for this wrong!
Jesus Christ blesses us with forgiveness and redemption. God the Father blesses us with the assurance that we are loved and of infinite worth. The Holy Spirit blesses us with fellowship and the continual presence of God.
Can we do things that affect how much God blesses us?
Psalm 34:11 The Lord God is our light and protector. He gives us grace and glory. No good thing will the Lord withold from those who 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.
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
Friday, April 24, 2009
Psoaring thru Psalm 5
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! The sky is clear and the air is cool right now, but soon the day will warm up and be ideal for beach goers, or bikers or anything that can be done outdoors. We still need rain, but the days are really nice. God is good!
Yesterday as I drove into the Park, a big, fat, shiny black gator climbed out of the canal and was resting his head on the grass, trying to get some rays. He was something to look at. He was right across from where all the new trees have been planted. I saw anhingas drying their outspread wings and dirty-beaked ibises prodding the ground. I took Mike a couple pieces of cake, which he is always glad to have, but Francia was not there. Because Mike was talking to someone, I didn't get to ask about her. Maybe next time.
From the Promise Bible NLT:
Psalm 5
O Lord, hear me as I pray:
pay attention to my groaning.
Listen to my cry for help,
my King and my God,
for I will never pray to anyone but you.
Listen to my voice in the morning, Lord.
Each morning I bring my requests to
you and wait expectantly.
O God, you take no pleasure in wickedness;
You cannot tolerate the slightest sin.
Therefore , the proud will not be allowed
to stand in your presence,
for you hate all who do evil.
You will destroy those who tell lies.
The Lord detests murderers and deceivers.
Because of your unfailing love, I can enter your house;
with deepest awe I will worship at your Temple.
Lead me in the right path, O Lord;
or my enemies will conquer me.
Tell me clearly what to do
and show me which way to turn.
...But let all who take refuge in you rejoice; let them sing joyful praises forever.
Protect them, so all who love your name may be filled with joy.
For you bless the godly, O Lord,
surrounding them with your shield of love.
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
Yesterday as I drove into the Park, a big, fat, shiny black gator climbed out of the canal and was resting his head on the grass, trying to get some rays. He was something to look at. He was right across from where all the new trees have been planted. I saw anhingas drying their outspread wings and dirty-beaked ibises prodding the ground. I took Mike a couple pieces of cake, which he is always glad to have, but Francia was not there. Because Mike was talking to someone, I didn't get to ask about her. Maybe next time.
From the Promise Bible NLT:
Psalm 5
O Lord, hear me as I pray:
pay attention to my groaning.
Listen to my cry for help,
my King and my God,
for I will never pray to anyone but you.
Listen to my voice in the morning, Lord.
Each morning I bring my requests to
you and wait expectantly.
O God, you take no pleasure in wickedness;
You cannot tolerate the slightest sin.
Therefore , the proud will not be allowed
to stand in your presence,
for you hate all who do evil.
You will destroy those who tell lies.
The Lord detests murderers and deceivers.
Because of your unfailing love, I can enter your house;
with deepest awe I will worship at your Temple.
Lead me in the right path, O Lord;
or my enemies will conquer me.
Tell me clearly what to do
and show me which way to turn.
...But let all who take refuge in you rejoice; let them sing joyful praises forever.
Protect them, so all who love your name may be filled with joy.
For you bless the godly, O Lord,
surrounding them with your shield of love.
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
Thursday, April 23, 2009
The Value of Disaster
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, sure enough, the moon was gone, but Venus was shining brightly in the east, and way off in the heavens, a tiny light was flashing on and off. Was it an UFO or a plane ? Only God knows.
But a few minutes later, I looked out the window and saw white fog... very strange. "The fog crept in on little cat feet.." Yesterday, more trees were being planted in the Park, magnolias, among others. Pretty soon, the open area in the newly opened park of the Park will be filled with a small forest of trees. It will look much better than it does now, and will provide much needed shade.
We saw Mr. Peacock strutting his stuff with tail feathers spread, while Miss Peahen just looked at him and did her own thing. God is good!
From Quiet Moments with God:
For two years Thomas Edison attempted to invent a storage battery. His efforts greatly strained his finances, then in December 1914, nearly brought him to ruin when a spontaneous combustion broke out in his film room. Within minutes all the packing compounds, celluloid for records and film, and other flammable goods were ablaze. Though fire departments came from eight surrounding towns, the intense heat and low water pressure made attempts to douse the flames futile. Everything was destroyed.
While the damage exceeded $2 million the concrete buildings, thought to be fireproof, were insured for barely a tenth of that amount. The inventor's 24 year old son Charles searched frantically for his father, afraid that his spirit would be broken. Charles finally found him, calmly watching the fire, his face glowing in the reflection, white hair blowing in the wind.
"My heart ached for him," said Charles. "He was 67--no longer a young man--and everything was going up in flames . When he saw me, he shouted, "Charles, where's your mother?" When I told him I didn't know, he said, "Find here. Bring her here. She will never see anything like this as long as she lives."
Te next morning, Edison looked at the ruins and said, "There is great value in disaster. All our mistakes are burned up. Thank God we can start anew." Three weeks after the fire, Edison managed to deliver the first phonograph.
With each new day, we have the opportunity to start again, to start fresh-no matter what our circumstances. Let the Lord show you how to salvage hope from debris. You never know what joys are ahead.
We also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance.
Romans 5:3 NKJV
Difficulties are meant to
rouse not discourage. The human
spirit is to grow strong by conflict.
William Ellery Channing
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
But a few minutes later, I looked out the window and saw white fog... very strange. "The fog crept in on little cat feet.." Yesterday, more trees were being planted in the Park, magnolias, among others. Pretty soon, the open area in the newly opened park of the Park will be filled with a small forest of trees. It will look much better than it does now, and will provide much needed shade.
We saw Mr. Peacock strutting his stuff with tail feathers spread, while Miss Peahen just looked at him and did her own thing. God is good!
From Quiet Moments with God:
For two years Thomas Edison attempted to invent a storage battery. His efforts greatly strained his finances, then in December 1914, nearly brought him to ruin when a spontaneous combustion broke out in his film room. Within minutes all the packing compounds, celluloid for records and film, and other flammable goods were ablaze. Though fire departments came from eight surrounding towns, the intense heat and low water pressure made attempts to douse the flames futile. Everything was destroyed.
While the damage exceeded $2 million the concrete buildings, thought to be fireproof, were insured for barely a tenth of that amount. The inventor's 24 year old son Charles searched frantically for his father, afraid that his spirit would be broken. Charles finally found him, calmly watching the fire, his face glowing in the reflection, white hair blowing in the wind.
"My heart ached for him," said Charles. "He was 67--no longer a young man--and everything was going up in flames . When he saw me, he shouted, "Charles, where's your mother?" When I told him I didn't know, he said, "Find here. Bring her here. She will never see anything like this as long as she lives."
Te next morning, Edison looked at the ruins and said, "There is great value in disaster. All our mistakes are burned up. Thank God we can start anew." Three weeks after the fire, Edison managed to deliver the first phonograph.
With each new day, we have the opportunity to start again, to start fresh-no matter what our circumstances. Let the Lord show you how to salvage hope from debris. You never know what joys are ahead.
We also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance.
Romans 5:3 NKJV
Difficulties are meant to
rouse not discourage. The human
spirit is to grow strong by conflict.
William Ellery Channing
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Grow in Your Christian Walk
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! Did you see the slim crescent moon this morning with Venus about a foot below it? It was awesome!! It was low in the east and shining brightly, although that was the last of the moon until the new moon. There is something to be said about getting up early...:o)
Several new trees have been planted in the park in the part that has been opened recently. Arborvitae, and maple, I think, to fill in the bare spots. Of course, they will need water, but it honors Earth day. Lots of people were there, even though it was a work day, Saturday, a bridal party was there having their photos taken. It was a beautiful day for a wedding. Always something going on there.
From the book, God's Promises:
Teach me, O Lord, the way of Your statutes,
And I shall keep it to the end.
Give me understanding, and I shall keep Your law;
Indeed, I shall observe it with my whole heart.
Make me walk in the path of your commandments,
For I delight in it.
Psalm 119:33-35
Now by this we know that we know Him, if we keep
His commandments. He who says, "I know Him,"
and does not keep His commandments,
is a liar, and the truth is not in him.
But whoever keeps His word, truly the love
of God is perfected in him. By this we know
that we are in Him. He who says he abides in Him
ought himself also to walk just as He walked.
1 John 2:3-6
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
Several new trees have been planted in the park in the part that has been opened recently. Arborvitae, and maple, I think, to fill in the bare spots. Of course, they will need water, but it honors Earth day. Lots of people were there, even though it was a work day, Saturday, a bridal party was there having their photos taken. It was a beautiful day for a wedding. Always something going on there.
From the book, God's Promises:
Teach me, O Lord, the way of Your statutes,
And I shall keep it to the end.
Give me understanding, and I shall keep Your law;
Indeed, I shall observe it with my whole heart.
Make me walk in the path of your commandments,
For I delight in it.
Psalm 119:33-35
Now by this we know that we know Him, if we keep
His commandments. He who says, "I know Him,"
and does not keep His commandments,
is a liar, and the truth is not in him.
But whoever keeps His word, truly the love
of God is perfected in him. By this we know
that we are in Him. He who says he abides in Him
ought himself also to walk just as He walked.
1 John 2:3-6
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
Psoaring thru Psalm 37
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 overcast was hiding the waning moon and no stars were visible, but the air was much dryer than yesterday, so it is a beautiful day!
I did my walking at the Walmart superstore yesterday, instead of the Park, and for once, the store was not crowded and I found a close parking space. Our son, Brian, stopped at the store for me on his way home, and bought the vacuum cleaner I could not lift into a full cart. All I have to do is put it together and then, CLEAN!
I hope everyone is noticing the beauty of the jacarandas all over the city. Due to the drought conditions, I thought they would not be so pretty this year, but they are gorgeous! Nearly every street has at least one of the trees with lovely lavender blossoms falling.
I also saw several osprey nests with heads popping up in them. Soon there will be lots of young ospreys flying around. God is good!
From the Promise Bible NLT:
Don't worry about the wicked.
Don't envy those who do wrong.
For like 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 innocence 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....
Don't be impatient for the Lord to act!
Travel steadily along his path.
He will honor you, giving you the land.
You will see the wicked destroyed....
Look at those who are honest and good,
for a wonderful future lies before those who love peace.
I always give thanks for you remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
I did my walking at the Walmart superstore yesterday, instead of the Park, and for once, the store was not crowded and I found a close parking space. Our son, Brian, stopped at the store for me on his way home, and bought the vacuum cleaner I could not lift into a full cart. All I have to do is put it together and then, CLEAN!
I hope everyone is noticing the beauty of the jacarandas all over the city. Due to the drought conditions, I thought they would not be so pretty this year, but they are gorgeous! Nearly every street has at least one of the trees with lovely lavender blossoms falling.
I also saw several osprey nests with heads popping up in them. Soon there will be lots of young ospreys flying around. God is good!
From the Promise Bible NLT:
Don't worry about the wicked.
Don't envy those who do wrong.
For like 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 innocence 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....
Don't be impatient for the Lord to act!
Travel steadily along his path.
He will honor you, giving you the land.
You will see the wicked destroyed....
Look at those who are honest and good,
for a wonderful future lies before those who love peace.
I always give thanks for you remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
Monday, April 20, 2009
As Time Goes By
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! Psalm 118 24 NKJV
The weather report was to have been for rain this morning, but blue skies and puffy white clouds are all I see now...maybe later today we will have some wet weather.
I had the opportunity to take an enjoyable, early morning walk Saturday, since our son took Louis out for breakfast. I really like the coolness of the air on my skin and few people on the boardwalk. Seems like Mama gator and the babies have left, but when I got to the tower I looked for ospreys and then, sure enough, on the other side of the lake there were two soaring, and one hovered briefly. Then I ruined the benefits of the walk by having MacDonald's sausage, cheese egg biscuit for breakfast. Oh, well, back to oatmeal!
From Quiet Moments for God:
"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 then, 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 instruction 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 welldone, 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
The weather report was to have been for rain this morning, but blue skies and puffy white clouds are all I see now...maybe later today we will have some wet weather.
I had the opportunity to take an enjoyable, early morning walk Saturday, since our son took Louis out for breakfast. I really like the coolness of the air on my skin and few people on the boardwalk. Seems like Mama gator and the babies have left, but when I got to the tower I looked for ospreys and then, sure enough, on the other side of the lake there were two soaring, and one hovered briefly. Then I ruined the benefits of the walk by having MacDonald's sausage, cheese egg biscuit for breakfast. Oh, well, back to oatmeal!
From Quiet Moments for God:
"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 then, 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 instruction 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 welldone, 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
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