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, I could see a couple of stars, but still no moon and it will be full tomorrow. Where is the moon? I know, high in the sky, but I wish I could see it! Now, it is bright daylight and maybe no rain today. Yesterday morning it rained, cleared off enough for me to go for radiation treatment, and then poured down right at supper time. But God is always good!
The park is overgrown, but the walking spots are kept mowed, so it looks lush and green. The usual anhinga and white egrets were fishing hopefully and on the way in, we saw a peacock standing on the edge of a bird bath. He must have been thirsty!
From the book Quiet Moments with God for Teachers:
After He had sent the crowd away, He went up on the mountain by himself to pray,
and when it was evening He was there alone.
Matthew 14:21 NASB
Stress has become a buzzword for Americans, especially in the last decade. At some point in our lives, we are all overcome with hectic schedules and perfectionistic tendencies.
In his article, "Confessions of a Workaholic," psychiatrist Paul Meier wrote, "Having grown up with an overdose of the Protestant work ethic, I was an honor student who was somewhat overzealous..I was a first-class workaholic and I was proud of myself for being one. I thought that was what God wanted of me."
But later through the help of friends, the conviction of the Holy Spirit, and biblical teaching, Dr. Meier established new priorities. At the top of his list was:" Know God personally."
He observed, "I've learned to accept living in an imperfect world. Every need is not a call for my involvement. I have learned to trust God instead of myself to rescue the world. He can do a much better job of it anyway."
Jesus, too, must have been exhausted by demands placed upon Him. When He departed to pray in quiet solitude, He left a significant example for us to follow--daily.
Ask the Father to help you make quietness a priority so that, regardless of the time of day, you can go to the garden alone and hear his voice.
Do not look forward to what may
happen tomorrow: the same everlasting
Father, who cares for you today
will take care of you tomorrow, and every day
either He will shield you from suffering
or he will give you unfailing strength
to bear it.
Saint Francis of Sales
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
Thursday, September 3, 2009
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
What's the Problem?
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, no stars this morning when I stepped outside. We are supposed to have rain again today, and while the sky has lightened up, it is still overcast. Yesterday we did not leave the house all day, because of rain, but the cleaning ladies came and did a good job all around us. I am blessed that they live just across the street and know us. Usually we leave when they come so they don't have to work around us, but getting Louis in and out of the van gets us both wet!
Our grass is growing and so are the shrubs, from all the rain. I noticed mockingbirds flying in and out of the podacarpus bushes, so either they have a nest or they like the berries. The beauty berry bush is flourishing this year with absolutely no attention. It is a good plant for Florida! God is good!
From the book Quiet Moments with God for Teachers:
I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Phil. 4:13 NKJV
Ever had a difficulty that give you "2:00 Am wake up calls?" It could be a project at school, a committee you've suddenly ended up chairing, or simply trying to figure out how to get everything done with only two hands. Whatever the issue, it ruins your sleep and saps your energy for the upcoming day.
You start thinking , I'm uncomfortable, I'm anxious, I can't do this. I should never have started to try. I'm not creative. I was never creative in school. I'm a complete failure. I'm going to be fired, and that means my spouse will leave me and --in other words you start enjoying a real, good, old-fashioned panic attack.
Problems can feel ten times larger in the middle of the night. But in reality--and by daylight--solutions might not be as distant as they seem.
Inventor Charles Kettering had a unique problem solving method. He would divide each problem into the smallest possible pieces, then research the pieces to determine which ones had already been solved. He often found that what looked like a huge problem was already 98 percent solved by others. Then he tackled what was left.
In bite-sized pieces, problems become more manageable. Remember, that with God, all things are possible. He can give us peace in our darkest nights and bring wisdom with the morning.
Obstacles in the pathway of the weak become stepping stones in the pathway of the strong,
Thomas Carlyle
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
Our grass is growing and so are the shrubs, from all the rain. I noticed mockingbirds flying in and out of the podacarpus bushes, so either they have a nest or they like the berries. The beauty berry bush is flourishing this year with absolutely no attention. It is a good plant for Florida! God is good!
From the book Quiet Moments with God for Teachers:
I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Phil. 4:13 NKJV
Ever had a difficulty that give you "2:00 Am wake up calls?" It could be a project at school, a committee you've suddenly ended up chairing, or simply trying to figure out how to get everything done with only two hands. Whatever the issue, it ruins your sleep and saps your energy for the upcoming day.
You start thinking , I'm uncomfortable, I'm anxious, I can't do this. I should never have started to try. I'm not creative. I was never creative in school. I'm a complete failure. I'm going to be fired, and that means my spouse will leave me and --in other words you start enjoying a real, good, old-fashioned panic attack.
Problems can feel ten times larger in the middle of the night. But in reality--and by daylight--solutions might not be as distant as they seem.
Inventor Charles Kettering had a unique problem solving method. He would divide each problem into the smallest possible pieces, then research the pieces to determine which ones had already been solved. He often found that what looked like a huge problem was already 98 percent solved by others. Then he tackled what was left.
In bite-sized pieces, problems become more manageable. Remember, that with God, all things are possible. He can give us peace in our darkest nights and bring wisdom with the morning.
Obstacles in the pathway of the weak become stepping stones in the pathway of the strong,
Thomas Carlyle
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
Misplaced Expectations
Good morning, Dear Friends and Prayer Partners! This is the first day of September and the day that the Lord has made and we will rejoice and be glad in it! When I stepped outside this morning, there seemed to be a hint of fall in the air. It was just a little cooler and i see acorns falling all over already. Venus was dim in the east but I saw another star in the south. God is good!
My first radiation on my nose went well yesterday, and was easier than I had thought. I rewarded myself with one of their Dove chocolates on the way out . On the way home, I saw beauty on busy 62nd Ave. In the ditch by the road were two roseate spoonbills... beautiful spots of pink in a highly industrial area! God is everywhere!
The park had lots of people enjoying the cooler weather. I did not see the gopher tortoise, but saw the usual anhinga drying the wings and the great white heron fishing. Always movement and life all around.
From the book Quiet Moments with God for Teachers:
Give thanks in all circumstances for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.
1 Thess. 5:18
Most of us at some time indulge in the endless chase for perfection in our lives: perfect home, perfect job, no conflicts. And most of us discover quickly the futility of such expectations.
Every year Dear Abby prints a familiar story written by Emily Kingsley called, "Welcome to Holland". Emily, a writer, lecturer, and talented mother of an adult child with Down syndrome, knows about expectations. Others have asked her what it is like raising a child with disabilities. In her story, Emily uses a metaphor. She compares the expectations of a child's birth to planning a vacation trip to Italy. She mentions the joy of deciding on tourist spots to visit and the anticipation of all the sights you would see upon your arrival.
She then describes the scenario upon landing in your vacation spot. Surely a mistake has been made, because the stewardess on your plane welcomes you not to Italy, but to Holland. You argue, but nothing changes . You are in Holland, and there you will stay.
Anyone who has ever been to Holland knows that tulips, windmills, and Rembrandts make Holland a beautiful place. Emily points out that it's just not what you expected. You planned on going to Italy.
In her poignant illustration, Kingsley challenges the reader to focus not on unmet expectations (Italy), but on the beauty of where you are (Holland).
When life doesn't turn out perfectly---the way we planned--we have a choice. Whether it's as minor as a holiday gone awry or as major as a prince charming that turned into an ugly frog, God wants us to celebrate that "very special, very lovely thing" about our circumstances.
Nothing with God can be accidental.
Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
My first radiation on my nose went well yesterday, and was easier than I had thought. I rewarded myself with one of their Dove chocolates on the way out . On the way home, I saw beauty on busy 62nd Ave. In the ditch by the road were two roseate spoonbills... beautiful spots of pink in a highly industrial area! God is everywhere!
The park had lots of people enjoying the cooler weather. I did not see the gopher tortoise, but saw the usual anhinga drying the wings and the great white heron fishing. Always movement and life all around.
From the book Quiet Moments with God for Teachers:
Give thanks in all circumstances for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.
1 Thess. 5:18
Most of us at some time indulge in the endless chase for perfection in our lives: perfect home, perfect job, no conflicts. And most of us discover quickly the futility of such expectations.
Every year Dear Abby prints a familiar story written by Emily Kingsley called, "Welcome to Holland". Emily, a writer, lecturer, and talented mother of an adult child with Down syndrome, knows about expectations. Others have asked her what it is like raising a child with disabilities. In her story, Emily uses a metaphor. She compares the expectations of a child's birth to planning a vacation trip to Italy. She mentions the joy of deciding on tourist spots to visit and the anticipation of all the sights you would see upon your arrival.
She then describes the scenario upon landing in your vacation spot. Surely a mistake has been made, because the stewardess on your plane welcomes you not to Italy, but to Holland. You argue, but nothing changes . You are in Holland, and there you will stay.
Anyone who has ever been to Holland knows that tulips, windmills, and Rembrandts make Holland a beautiful place. Emily points out that it's just not what you expected. You planned on going to Italy.
In her poignant illustration, Kingsley challenges the reader to focus not on unmet expectations (Italy), but on the beauty of where you are (Holland).
When life doesn't turn out perfectly---the way we planned--we have a choice. Whether it's as minor as a holiday gone awry or as major as a prince charming that turned into an ugly frog, God wants us to celebrate that "very special, very lovely thing" about our circumstances.
Nothing with God can be accidental.
Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
Monday, August 31, 2009
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! 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
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
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
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