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, a little fat gray frog was hopping in the grass and a large bug that I think is a cicada was on the mailbox. I did not touch it, because I'm not sure what it is. Anyway, it is supposed to be unbearably hot today, so I think indoors is the place to be, except for a grocery run.
Yesterday, we had a picnic in the Park, after going to Arby's for sandwiches. It was quite warm, but we watched mamas and little ones enjoying a day outdoors. One Mom, pushing a stroller with the cooler in it, and carrying the baby, had two little boys following, holding hands. They were cute! Well, the aquarium is gone and only the platform left for the static displays, but the park is still peaceful and the boardwalk is still there and God is good!
From the book 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 toing 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 turn 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 either "Thy will be done" or "knock on wood," Either God is working for our good, or we must be working for our good....
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 and 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 evening 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
Thursday, July 23, 2009
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Challenges
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! Seems like the days are getting shorter, because it is darker in the early morning, now. I saw the star still overhead again (I saw it yesterday) and it was shining brightly. No others were visible and no moon,yet. But now, the sun is coming up and the sky is blue and God is good!
Well, we had a great congregational meeting last night and elected a new Lead Pastor! I had heard of Rick Carlson and he and his wife made a good impression on me this past weekend. He is a very talented man and preaches well. I am sure FCC will be blessed by their presence.
I noticed our pink crape myrtle is feeding the birds with its berries. I never knew mockingbirds enjoyed the seed pods of that tree, but saw one flying out with a seed in its mouth. The myrtles have been really pretty this year, from all the rain. God provides!
From the Promise Bible NLT:
Challenges
Why does God allow challenges in our lives?
James 1:2-4 Dear brothers and sisters, whenever trouble comes your way, let it be an opportunity for joy. For when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be strong in character and ready for anything.
Challenges that threaten and try us are the very tools that God uses to strengthen and mature us. As we endure, we gain greater wisdom, integrity, and courage to face whatever comes our way.
Are some challenges too small to bother God?
Psalm 37:5 Commit everything yoou do to the Lord. Trust him, and he will help you.
Nothing is too small for God. When we commit our plans to the Lord, he commits himself and his infinite resources to us.
What has God given me to help me face my challenges?
Joshua 1:7 Be strong and very courageous. Obey all the laws Moses gave you. Do not turn away from them, and you will be successful in everything yu do.
God has given us his word to direct us. The promise of success is embedded in our commitment to obedience.
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
Well, we had a great congregational meeting last night and elected a new Lead Pastor! I had heard of Rick Carlson and he and his wife made a good impression on me this past weekend. He is a very talented man and preaches well. I am sure FCC will be blessed by their presence.
I noticed our pink crape myrtle is feeding the birds with its berries. I never knew mockingbirds enjoyed the seed pods of that tree, but saw one flying out with a seed in its mouth. The myrtles have been really pretty this year, from all the rain. God provides!
From the Promise Bible NLT:
Challenges
Why does God allow challenges in our lives?
James 1:2-4 Dear brothers and sisters, whenever trouble comes your way, let it be an opportunity for joy. For when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be strong in character and ready for anything.
Challenges that threaten and try us are the very tools that God uses to strengthen and mature us. As we endure, we gain greater wisdom, integrity, and courage to face whatever comes our way.
Are some challenges too small to bother God?
Psalm 37:5 Commit everything yoou do to the Lord. Trust him, and he will help you.
Nothing is too small for God. When we commit our plans to the Lord, he commits himself and his infinite resources to us.
What has God given me to help me face my challenges?
Joshua 1:7 Be strong and very courageous. Obey all the laws Moses gave you. Do not turn away from them, and you will be successful in everything yu do.
God has given us his word to direct us. The promise of success is embedded in our commitment to obedience.
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
Ecclesiastes 3
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! No rain this morning, but slightly cooler air and less humidity! It was slightly cooler yesterday after the rain, quite pleasant. God is good! When I stepped outside before dawn this morning, I carefully avoided stepping on a frog sitting in my way. He was getting a good meal from bugs from the outside light!
I talked to Mike at the Park yesterday, looking at the empty aquarium. He said he was sad and depressed over the situation, but the bright spot was that he is retiring in 73 days! He said he took the walking catfish home after putting it in the freezer. He had raised it from a kitten, I guess. :o) All of the other fish and turtle were turned loose in the canal. There are only two snakes left for the teacher who comes in the fall. Sigh. He showed me part of the "static" display which will take the place of the other static displays. Not much education in a stuffed snake and a hummingbird under glass.
A time for everything
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 step away.
A time to search and a time to lose,
A time to keep and a time to throw away.
A time to tear and a time to mend.
A time to be quiet and a time to speak up.
A time to love and a time to hate,
A time for war and a time for peace..
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
I talked to Mike at the Park yesterday, looking at the empty aquarium. He said he was sad and depressed over the situation, but the bright spot was that he is retiring in 73 days! He said he took the walking catfish home after putting it in the freezer. He had raised it from a kitten, I guess. :o) All of the other fish and turtle were turned loose in the canal. There are only two snakes left for the teacher who comes in the fall. Sigh. He showed me part of the "static" display which will take the place of the other static displays. Not much education in a stuffed snake and a hummingbird under glass.
A time for everything
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 step away.
A time to search and a time to lose,
A time to keep and a time to throw away.
A time to tear and a time to mend.
A time to be quiet and a time to speak up.
A time to love and a time to hate,
A time for war and a time for peace..
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
Monday, July 20, 2009
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! Actually it is a very dark and rainy morning, with thunder booming in the distance, but we haven't had a lot of rain for awhile, so a little is welcome.
We had a wonderful worship service yesterday, with great music and singing and good preaching from our pastor candidate. Good friends helped me get Louis in and out of his wheelchair and one even took him out to the van and lifted the wheelchair in. God is good!
I was hoping to get to the Park today to see the aquarium being taken down, but not in this weather. I watched a hawk take off from the ground and fly away into the trees. They are always fun to watch. The roseate spoonbills are still hanging around Lynch Lake along with the woodstork. There were flocks of ibis, also, having a gathering on the banks. God's creation is always awesome!
Psalm 98 NLT
Sing a new song to the Lord, for he has done wonderful things,
He has won a mighty victory
by his power and holiness.
The Lord has announced his victory
and has revealed his righteousness
to every nation.
He has promised to love and be
faithful to Israel.
The whole earth has seen the salvation
of our God.
Shout to the Lord, all the earth,
break out in praise and sing for joy!
Sing your praise to the Lord with the
harp,
with the harp and melodious song.
with trumpets and the sound of the
ram's horn.
Make a joyful symphony before the Lord ,
my King!
Let the sea and everything in it shout his
praise!
Let the earth and all living things join in.
Let the rivers clap their hands in glee!
Let the hills sing out their songs of joy
before the Lord.
For the Lord is coming to judge the earth.
He will judge the world with justice.
and the nations with fairness.
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
We had a wonderful worship service yesterday, with great music and singing and good preaching from our pastor candidate. Good friends helped me get Louis in and out of his wheelchair and one even took him out to the van and lifted the wheelchair in. God is good!
I was hoping to get to the Park today to see the aquarium being taken down, but not in this weather. I watched a hawk take off from the ground and fly away into the trees. They are always fun to watch. The roseate spoonbills are still hanging around Lynch Lake along with the woodstork. There were flocks of ibis, also, having a gathering on the banks. God's creation is always awesome!
Psalm 98 NLT
Sing a new song to the Lord, for he has done wonderful things,
He has won a mighty victory
by his power and holiness.
The Lord has announced his victory
and has revealed his righteousness
to every nation.
He has promised to love and be
faithful to Israel.
The whole earth has seen the salvation
of our God.
Shout to the Lord, all the earth,
break out in praise and sing for joy!
Sing your praise to the Lord with the
harp,
with the harp and melodious song.
with trumpets and the sound of the
ram's horn.
Make a joyful symphony before the Lord ,
my King!
Let the sea and everything in it shout his
praise!
Let the earth and all living things join in.
Let the rivers clap their hands in glee!
Let the hills sing out their songs of joy
before the Lord.
For the Lord is coming to judge the earth.
He will judge the world with justice.
and the nations with fairness.
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
Friday, July 17, 2009
Be Still
While coming around Lynch Lake near us, yesterday, I saw a roseate spoonbill and a woodstork busily pecking around. Well, the roseate was, but the woodstork was just standing and looking sad and they usually do. It was unusual to see one because they are usually here in the winter. But the spoonbill was gorgeous in its pink colors!
I went to the messy Park yesterday and saw a Salvation Army truck and several vans parked in front of the picnic shelter which was just full of youngsters. They must have a day camp for all the little ones. Not many other people there, though, but it was very hot with not much breeze blowing. But God is good!
Be Still
This hymn is from the Covenant Hymnal written by our Pastor candidate Rick Carlson:
Be still and know I am with you, still, for I will sustain you.
Throughout your life I will always be near.
Be still and know I am God.
When life is scattered I'm not far away.
When life is heavy I'll carry you.
When life is treacherous along the way
I will deliver you.
When you are tempted, escape you will see
When you are broken, I'll comfort you.
When you're repentant and draw near to me,
I will draw near to you.
If you are thirsty, come drink from the well.
If you are hungry, come join the feast.
If you are searching, then I will be found
to bring you hope and release.
Be still and know I am with you,
still, for I will sustain you.
Throughout your life I will always be near.
Be still and know I am God.
We have not sung this for quite awhile, but it has always been one of my favorite "modern" hymns.
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
Thursday, July 16, 2009
Exerpts from Isaiah
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! Because our yardman, David, came early, I am late getting to the PC. I always enjoy talking with him because he has the worldly view on everything since he is not a believer, yet.
Anyway, the yard looks nice and he also trimmed some shrubbery. He does a good job. His full time job with the County Parks Dept. will be saved because he will be on a mowing crew, instead of a ranger, when the next budget cuts happen. The plywood is up in the environmental building, the drinking fountains were on the floor, and dust and dirt everywhere. Well, guess we will just have to get used to it.
But God is in control and He is good!
From the Promise Bible NLT:
Isaiah 40:28 Have you never heard or understood? Don't you know that the Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of all the earth? He never grows faint or weary. No one can measure the depths of his understanding. He gives power to those who are tired and worn out. He offers strength to the weak. Even youths will become exhausted and young men will give up. But those who wait on the Lord will find new strength. They will fly high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.
Isaiah 41:10 Don't be afraid, for I am with you. Do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you. I will help you. I will uphold you with my victorious right hand.
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
Anyway, the yard looks nice and he also trimmed some shrubbery. He does a good job. His full time job with the County Parks Dept. will be saved because he will be on a mowing crew, instead of a ranger, when the next budget cuts happen. The plywood is up in the environmental building, the drinking fountains were on the floor, and dust and dirt everywhere. Well, guess we will just have to get used to it.
But God is in control and He is good!
From the Promise Bible NLT:
Isaiah 40:28 Have you never heard or understood? Don't you know that the Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of all the earth? He never grows faint or weary. No one can measure the depths of his understanding. He gives power to those who are tired and worn out. He offers strength to the weak. Even youths will become exhausted and young men will give up. But those who wait on the Lord will find new strength. They will fly high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.
Isaiah 41:10 Don't be afraid, for I am with you. Do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you. I will help you. I will uphold you with my victorious right hand.
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
Crisis 2
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! This morning when I stepped outside in the warm, moist air, a little frog hopped in front of me all the way down the driveway, For being so tiny, those little critters can cover a lot of ground in just a short time!
One more day without rain, but our gutters are still full of water, so the ground is pretty much saturated. The Park is lush with green grass and weeds. The workmen were back yesterday, putting up the plywood to cover the gaping holes left by removing the displays...not the same any more. I have not seen the gopher tortoise lately, but it must be in the same territory where his hole is. I saw a white egret standing watchfully by the water, waiting for lunch to come swimming by. God is good!
From the Promise Bible NLT:
What happens to us through times of crisis?
Romans 5:3-4 We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they are good for us-they help us learn to endure. And endurance develops strength of character in us, and character strengthens our confident expectation of salvation.
God's transforming power often touches us most deeply in times of crisis. Times of crisis can strengthen our character.
2 Corinthians 12:10 Since I know it is all for Christ's good, I am quite content with my weaknesses and with insults, hardships, persecutions and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
Spiritual strength can grow from physical weakness. Being physically weak teaches us that we cannot rely on our own strength to see us through-we need God's strength.
1 Peter 1:6-7 Be truly glad! There is wonderful joy ahead, even though it is necessary for you to endure many trials for a while. These trials are only to test your faith. to show that is is strong and pure. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold-strong after being tried by fiery trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world.
Times and crisis are like a fire that refines, like a knife that prunes. like a wind that sifts the wheat from the chaff. Ask God for strength to hold on and for the strength to let go of ungodly things. Look to the joy that awaits on the other side of the trial.
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
One more day without rain, but our gutters are still full of water, so the ground is pretty much saturated. The Park is lush with green grass and weeds. The workmen were back yesterday, putting up the plywood to cover the gaping holes left by removing the displays...not the same any more. I have not seen the gopher tortoise lately, but it must be in the same territory where his hole is. I saw a white egret standing watchfully by the water, waiting for lunch to come swimming by. God is good!
From the Promise Bible NLT:
What happens to us through times of crisis?
Romans 5:3-4 We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they are good for us-they help us learn to endure. And endurance develops strength of character in us, and character strengthens our confident expectation of salvation.
God's transforming power often touches us most deeply in times of crisis. Times of crisis can strengthen our character.
2 Corinthians 12:10 Since I know it is all for Christ's good, I am quite content with my weaknesses and with insults, hardships, persecutions and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
Spiritual strength can grow from physical weakness. Being physically weak teaches us that we cannot rely on our own strength to see us through-we need God's strength.
1 Peter 1:6-7 Be truly glad! There is wonderful joy ahead, even though it is necessary for you to endure many trials for a while. These trials are only to test your faith. to show that is is strong and pure. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold-strong after being tried by fiery trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world.
Times and crisis are like a fire that refines, like a knife that prunes. like a wind that sifts the wheat from the chaff. Ask God for strength to hold on and for the strength to let go of ungodly things. Look to the joy that awaits on the other side of the trial.
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
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