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! Although I have been up for some time, I am a little late getting to the PC for this message today. That means that I have been taking care of Louis and have him settled for a time.
When I stepped outside this morning, I saw Venus shining brightly again in the east , but no sign of the moon. I know it is out there somewhere, because it is supposed to be full on the 4th. Anyway, God is Awesome!
We went to the park after church yesterday and saw an almost invisible great blue heron on the bank, (almost invisible because of his dark color against the foliage.) An anhinga was dragging along on the weir, ready to dry out the wings. It was a beautiful day to walk in the park, sunshiny and a little less warm. Our Mexican petunias are a lovely purple, although the plants are scrawny, and I noticed about four blooms on our Bird of Paradise in the back yard. God's beauty is everywhere!
This will be a busy day as I start radiation on my nose, and Louis has a cardiologist appt. this afternoon. Just one of those days to start the week!
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.
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
Monday, August 31, 2009
Friday, August 28, 2009
Gallopin' thru Galatians
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, no stars were visible, but I know they were there. It is still hazy from the rain last night, but already the sun is up and we will have a short drying out period today. God is good!
Yesterday at the Park, I took Mike a piece of his favorite cake and saw several county trucks parked in front of the building. Seems everyone was trying to get the classroom in order for the first students. I met the teacher who was high on a ladder pinning up a nature poster. All the stuffed animals were on display on top of the cabinets and the snake cages were on the wall. This teacher is much younger than Francia and seems very friendly. Mike had told her i knew how to make a sour orange pie and she is very interested, but I said there was no one there any more to bring me oranges. She said she could, so we will see! The park is not the same, but at least the teacher will be there. Mike has 31 more days til retirement.
Galatians 6
Living by the Spirit's power
When you follow the desires of your sinful nature, your lives will produce these evil results: sexual immorality, impure thoughts, eagerness for lustful pleasure, idolatry, participation in demonic activities, hostility, quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, divisions, the feeling that everyone is wrong except those in your own little group. Envy, drunkenness, wild parties, and other kinds of sin. Let me tell you again, as I have before, that anyone living that sort of life will not inherit the Kingdom of God.
But when the Holy Spirit controls our lives, he will produce the kind of fruit in us : love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Here there is no conflict with the law....
Let us not become conceited or irritate one another or be jealous of one another.
My dear brothers and sisters, may the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.
Amen.
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
Yesterday at the Park, I took Mike a piece of his favorite cake and saw several county trucks parked in front of the building. Seems everyone was trying to get the classroom in order for the first students. I met the teacher who was high on a ladder pinning up a nature poster. All the stuffed animals were on display on top of the cabinets and the snake cages were on the wall. This teacher is much younger than Francia and seems very friendly. Mike had told her i knew how to make a sour orange pie and she is very interested, but I said there was no one there any more to bring me oranges. She said she could, so we will see! The park is not the same, but at least the teacher will be there. Mike has 31 more days til retirement.
Galatians 6
Living by the Spirit's power
When you follow the desires of your sinful nature, your lives will produce these evil results: sexual immorality, impure thoughts, eagerness for lustful pleasure, idolatry, participation in demonic activities, hostility, quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, divisions, the feeling that everyone is wrong except those in your own little group. Envy, drunkenness, wild parties, and other kinds of sin. Let me tell you again, as I have before, that anyone living that sort of life will not inherit the Kingdom of God.
But when the Holy Spirit controls our lives, he will produce the kind of fruit in us : love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Here there is no conflict with the law....
Let us not become conceited or irritate one another or be jealous of one another.
My dear brothers and sisters, may the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.
Amen.
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
Thursday, August 27, 2009
Bread For the Journey
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! More rain yesterday afternoon and more predicted today. Well, wasn't I complaining about the lack of rain a few months ago? Everything was wet as I stepped outside this morning, and I really did not expect to see any stars, but there was Venus brightly shining in the east, along with some others dimly glimmering.
As we finished errands yesterday, I noticed in the Park lots and lots of toadstools. They seem to grow in clumps and sections here and there...very large and white. So, the ground there is saturated, too. But God is good!
We saw an immature peacock along the way. I had never seen one before without any colors except brown. Very unusual for a glorious peacock! And we also saw a beautiful, majestic great white heron. Lots of beauty if we only look around.
From the book Bread For the Journey by Henri Nouwen:
We become neighbors when we are willing to cross the road for one another. There is so much separation and segregation between black people and white people, between gay people and straight people, between young people and old people, between sick people and healthy people, between Jews and Gentiles, Muslims and Christians, Protestants and Catholics,, Greek Catholics and Latin Catholics.
There is a lot of road crossing to do. We are all very busy in our own circles. We have our own people to go to and our own affairs to take care of. But if we could cross the road once in a while and pay attention to what is happening on the other side, we might indeed become neighbors.
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
As we finished errands yesterday, I noticed in the Park lots and lots of toadstools. They seem to grow in clumps and sections here and there...very large and white. So, the ground there is saturated, too. But God is good!
We saw an immature peacock along the way. I had never seen one before without any colors except brown. Very unusual for a glorious peacock! And we also saw a beautiful, majestic great white heron. Lots of beauty if we only look around.
From the book Bread For the Journey by Henri Nouwen:
We become neighbors when we are willing to cross the road for one another. There is so much separation and segregation between black people and white people, between gay people and straight people, between young people and old people, between sick people and healthy people, between Jews and Gentiles, Muslims and Christians, Protestants and Catholics,, Greek Catholics and Latin Catholics.
There is a lot of road crossing to do. We are all very busy in our own circles. We have our own people to go to and our own affairs to take care of. But if we could cross the road once in a while and pay attention to what is happening on the other side, we might indeed become neighbors.
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
Wednesday, August 26, 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 in the wet darkness this morning, I did not expect to see any stars, but there was Venus, comforting in its brilliance, shining brightly in the east. There were also a few other stars, but after the rain last evening, I didn't know if there would still be clouds or not.
What a thunderstorm we had! I had to stop washing dishes for a while, because I am not comfortable having water in a metal sink in front of a window, when lightning and thunder are crashing all around. Better to feel safe! I took hubby to the doctor in the very hot, bright afternoon, and got him in the heavy door after a struggle. I almost dumped him out when I hit a slight incline from the driveway to the concrete entrance. Luckily, he was hanging on! :o) That wheelchair is awkward. But the nurse said I should have called them and they would have helped. I tried but they were all in the back finishing lunch. However, the nurse helped me out with him and we got safely home before the rains came. God is good!
We drove through the Park and I was pleased to see how high the water is. We saw an anhinga airing its wings as usual and looked at the numerous toadstools that have popped up on the berms. The ones at the park are white, but in our yard they are orangish. I don't think they are edible. :o)
Psalm 37 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, the 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
as 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 evil 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.
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
What a thunderstorm we had! I had to stop washing dishes for a while, because I am not comfortable having water in a metal sink in front of a window, when lightning and thunder are crashing all around. Better to feel safe! I took hubby to the doctor in the very hot, bright afternoon, and got him in the heavy door after a struggle. I almost dumped him out when I hit a slight incline from the driveway to the concrete entrance. Luckily, he was hanging on! :o) That wheelchair is awkward. But the nurse said I should have called them and they would have helped. I tried but they were all in the back finishing lunch. However, the nurse helped me out with him and we got safely home before the rains came. God is good!
We drove through the Park and I was pleased to see how high the water is. We saw an anhinga airing its wings as usual and looked at the numerous toadstools that have popped up on the berms. The ones at the park are white, but in our yard they are orangish. I don't think they are edible. :o)
Psalm 37 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, the 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
as 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 evil 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.
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Words of Wisdom from Ecclesiastes
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 in the dark this morning, Venus was very bright in the eastern sky and other stars and planets were twinkling all around the brightness. It was awesome! The darkness is lasting longer as the days shorten. Soon it will be fall and winter again. Already the acorns are falling from the oak trees, much to the delight of the squirrels in our yard. I watched two little ones sitting up and munching in identical positions yesterday. Really cute!
Water is still draining out of our yard into the gutter, so everything is really soggy from all the rain, but that is good for the lakes and rivers and all the drought we had this spring. God always supplies our needs! Seems like a lot of birds are around lately. I surprised some mockingbirds in our yard yesterday enjoying the berries from the podacarpus bushes. God is good!
From Eccl. 5&6
Two people can accomplish more than twice as much as one; they get a better return for their labor. If one person falls , the other can reach out and help. But people who are alone when they fall are in real trouble. And on a cold night, two under the same blanket can gain warmth from each other. But how can one be warm alone? A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back to back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken.
People who work hard sleep well whether they eat little or much, but the rich are always worrying and seldom get a good night's sleep.
...and it is a good thing to receive wealth from God and the good health to enjoy it. To enjoy your work and accept your lot in life-that is indeed a gift from God. People who do this rarely look with sorrow on the past, for God has given them reasons for joy.
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
Water is still draining out of our yard into the gutter, so everything is really soggy from all the rain, but that is good for the lakes and rivers and all the drought we had this spring. God always supplies our needs! Seems like a lot of birds are around lately. I surprised some mockingbirds in our yard yesterday enjoying the berries from the podacarpus bushes. God is good!
From Eccl. 5&6
Two people can accomplish more than twice as much as one; they get a better return for their labor. If one person falls , the other can reach out and help. But people who are alone when they fall are in real trouble. And on a cold night, two under the same blanket can gain warmth from each other. But how can one be warm alone? A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back to back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken.
People who work hard sleep well whether they eat little or much, but the rich are always worrying and seldom get a good night's sleep.
...and it is a good thing to receive wealth from God and the good health to enjoy it. To enjoy your work and accept your lot in life-that is indeed a gift from God. People who do this rarely look with sorrow on the past, for God has given them reasons for joy.
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
Monday, August 24, 2009
Bread For the Journey
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! It was good to feel the cooler air when I stepped outside this morning! After yesterday mornings rain, the air will be getting drier and that will be a change from the humid very wet air we have been having. Our yard is still draining out into the gutter, it is so wet, but the squirrels seem to enjoy the wetness and are already out digging and running around the tree trunks.
I was thrilled to see two roseate spoonbills at Lynch Lake the past couple days! They are so beautiful and such a bright spot against the green. I also enjoyed looking at two very solemn wood storks standing very stiffly at the lake. They never look happy!
As we visited the Park yesterday, people were scrambling to get into their cars, because heavy raindrops were falling and other than staying under a shelter or going into the building where mosquitoes are plentiful, they had no choice, but to get wet. There certainly is no drought now! God is good!
Our son, Brian, is coming home as I type, from spending the weekend with our other son and grandson. They had a good time together in Tennessee. Wish I could have been with them!
From the book, Bread for the Journey by Henri Nouwen:
Friendship in the Twilight Zones of our Hearts
There is a twilight zone in our own hearts that we ourselves cannot see. Even when we know quite a lot about ourselves-our gifts and weaknesses, our ambitions and aspirations, our motives and drives-large parts of ourselves remain in the shadow of consciousness.
This is a very good thing. We will always remain partially hidden in ourselves. Other people, especially those who love us, can often see our twilight zones better than we ourselves can. The way we are seen and understood by others is different from the way we see and understand ourselves. We will never fully know the significance of our presence in the lives of our friends. That's a grace, a grace that calls us not only to humility but also to a deep trust in those who love us. It is in the twilight zones of our hearts where true friendships are born.
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
I was thrilled to see two roseate spoonbills at Lynch Lake the past couple days! They are so beautiful and such a bright spot against the green. I also enjoyed looking at two very solemn wood storks standing very stiffly at the lake. They never look happy!
As we visited the Park yesterday, people were scrambling to get into their cars, because heavy raindrops were falling and other than staying under a shelter or going into the building where mosquitoes are plentiful, they had no choice, but to get wet. There certainly is no drought now! God is good!
Our son, Brian, is coming home as I type, from spending the weekend with our other son and grandson. They had a good time together in Tennessee. Wish I could have been with them!
From the book, Bread for the Journey by Henri Nouwen:
Friendship in the Twilight Zones of our Hearts
There is a twilight zone in our own hearts that we ourselves cannot see. Even when we know quite a lot about ourselves-our gifts and weaknesses, our ambitions and aspirations, our motives and drives-large parts of ourselves remain in the shadow of consciousness.
This is a very good thing. We will always remain partially hidden in ourselves. Other people, especially those who love us, can often see our twilight zones better than we ourselves can. The way we are seen and understood by others is different from the way we see and understand ourselves. We will never fully know the significance of our presence in the lives of our friends. That's a grace, a grace that calls us not only to humility but also to a deep trust in those who love us. It is in the twilight zones of our hearts where true friendships are born.
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
Friday, August 21, 2009
Wise words from Hebrews
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! What a beautiful dark sky this morning when I first stepped outside. The days are getting shorter now, because it is dark a little after six, but Venus was bright in the east and myriads of stars were twinkling all over, which meant a clear sky. Today is supposed to be very hot and clear.
I really like to see the puffy white clouds during the day. I remember as a kid, lying on the grass and looking at the different shapes and faces I could see in them. That is where I also got too much sun, and am now paying for it. Oh, well, youth. You do foolish things without thinking of the consequences!
We spent a quiet day at home waiting for the visiting nurse to do an assessment. When he came, he thought he was supposed to check up on me! Kinda got his wires crossed.
I talked to a little squirrel when I was outside and it was very interested, so I threw it a peanut, which he sat and munched on right away. They have lots of nooks in the trees where they find little places to sit. They chase each other around and around the large oak trees and seem never to tire. God is good!
From the Promise Bible NLT:
Hebrews 13:16 Don't forget to do good and to share what you have with those in need, for such sacrifices are very pleasing to God.
...And now, may the God of peace, who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, equip you with all you need for doing his will. May he produce in you, through the power of Jesus Christ, all that is pleasing to him. Jesus is the great Shepherd of the sheep by an everlasting covenant, signed with his blood. To him be glory, forever and forever.
Amen
I always give thanks for you remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
I really like to see the puffy white clouds during the day. I remember as a kid, lying on the grass and looking at the different shapes and faces I could see in them. That is where I also got too much sun, and am now paying for it. Oh, well, youth. You do foolish things without thinking of the consequences!
We spent a quiet day at home waiting for the visiting nurse to do an assessment. When he came, he thought he was supposed to check up on me! Kinda got his wires crossed.
I talked to a little squirrel when I was outside and it was very interested, so I threw it a peanut, which he sat and munched on right away. They have lots of nooks in the trees where they find little places to sit. They chase each other around and around the large oak trees and seem never to tire. God is good!
From the Promise Bible NLT:
Hebrews 13:16 Don't forget to do good and to share what you have with those in need, for such sacrifices are very pleasing to God.
...And now, may the God of peace, who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, equip you with all you need for doing his will. May he produce in you, through the power of Jesus Christ, all that is pleasing to him. Jesus is the great Shepherd of the sheep by an everlasting covenant, signed with his blood. To him be glory, forever and forever.
Amen
I always give thanks for you remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
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