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! Yesterday was a beautiful day, also, so after church I went to a car wash and got the van all spic and span. The air has been so dry that there were only a few drops of water left by the time I came home. It promises to be even warmer today!
I went to the Park with the intention of walking, but all of a sudden, I felt tired. It's hard for me to remember that it has only been less than two weeks since I had surgery, so even though I have had no pain, I still have to give myself time to get really strong again! God is Good!
I did see the fat, black gator sunning in his usual spot, and a tri-colored heron huddled by the canal bank, looking for a meal. The azaleas at the park are blooming now, but mine show no signs of buds, yet. The yellow leaves are still falling off the oaks, from the frost that hit the tops of the trees, so the yard is covered with them. The maple trees at the park are loaded with red seed pods that are falling in the water, and all over the boardwalk. Spring is not far away!Praise God!
This is from the book Quiet Moments with God and I have sent it before, but it has a good prayer which is worth repeating every year.
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 videw 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 often, 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" offeressimple 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
well done. 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
Monday, March 8, 2010
Friday, March 5, 2010
Words from Paul
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! Can't tell it from this mornings chilly weather, but it looks like a warm-up this weekend. Yay! This cold weather has lasted long enough!
I tried to walk at the park yesterday, but as soon as I walked on the bridge, the wind hit and it was cold! I had a coat on but the wind seemed to go right through it. I saw a little moorhen going about her business as usual on the water, not seeming to mind the weather. Also a flock of ibis were busily pecking the ground as they usually do, and on the way in, the gator was in its usual spot, sunning on the bank. God is good!
From the Promise Bible NLT:
2 Corinthians 12:8-10
My gracious favor is all you need. My power works best in your weakness. So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may work through me. 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.
Paul's Final Advice:
Greet each other in Christian love. All the Christians here send you their greetings.
May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
I tried to walk at the park yesterday, but as soon as I walked on the bridge, the wind hit and it was cold! I had a coat on but the wind seemed to go right through it. I saw a little moorhen going about her business as usual on the water, not seeming to mind the weather. Also a flock of ibis were busily pecking the ground as they usually do, and on the way in, the gator was in its usual spot, sunning on the bank. God is good!
From the Promise Bible NLT:
2 Corinthians 12:8-10
My gracious favor is all you need. My power works best in your weakness. So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may work through me. 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.
Paul's Final Advice:
Greet each other in Christian love. All the Christians here send you their greetings.
May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
Thursday, March 4, 2010
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! Another breezy, chilly day but we are promised temps in the seventies this weekend, Yay!
I went to the park yesterday and took a walk along the sidewalk to the second bridge. A few people were out in the cold, but not many. I did not bring my gloves, so I hid my hands in my sleeves, because the wind was quite cold. I noticed that the few big sour orange trees that used to be in the butterfly garden were no more and most of the butterfly shrubs were gone. It looks quite bare because the ones that are left are leafless and look dead, but they may come back in the spring.
I stopped walking long enough to watch several ibis fly by above the canal and land on the bridge railing. One was a maverick and landed in a tree nearby. There's one in every crowd! :o)
On my way in to the park, I saw a fat, lazy gator catching some rays out of the water, just trying to warm up, I guess, because the sun was shining. I always look to the right, because the gators like to sun on the bank of the borrow pit. God is good!
From the Promise Bible NLT:
Psalm 37
Don't worry about the wicked,
Don't envy those who do wrong
For like the 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....
The steps of the godly are directed by the Lord.
He delights in every detail of their lives.
Though they stumble, they will not fall,
for the Lord holds them by the hand.
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
I went to the park yesterday and took a walk along the sidewalk to the second bridge. A few people were out in the cold, but not many. I did not bring my gloves, so I hid my hands in my sleeves, because the wind was quite cold. I noticed that the few big sour orange trees that used to be in the butterfly garden were no more and most of the butterfly shrubs were gone. It looks quite bare because the ones that are left are leafless and look dead, but they may come back in the spring.
I stopped walking long enough to watch several ibis fly by above the canal and land on the bridge railing. One was a maverick and landed in a tree nearby. There's one in every crowd! :o)
On my way in to the park, I saw a fat, lazy gator catching some rays out of the water, just trying to warm up, I guess, because the sun was shining. I always look to the right, because the gators like to sun on the bank of the borrow pit. God is good!
From the Promise Bible NLT:
Psalm 37
Don't worry about the wicked,
Don't envy those who do wrong
For like the 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....
The steps of the godly are directed by the Lord.
He delights in every detail of their lives.
Though they stumble, they will not fall,
for the Lord holds them by the hand.
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
Assurance
Good cloudy, windy, 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 since the first day of March was nice and quiet and fairly warm that we should not be having the lion roar now. But I guess we are not over winter,yet. I am looking forward to spring and no heat, personally.
The frost-bitten leaves have really been falling and blowing all over the place since we have had so much wind. What a mess! Also, I found out who caused the deep ruts in the yards across the street and the slice off the front of my yard. It was the fire department truck! Yesterday a big ladder truck stopped out front and the men got out and started stomping the grass back in the groove. I stepped outside and one came over and introduced himself and said they had an emergency, a car was in the way, so they rode up on the yard to avoid it .
Doesn't sound plausible to me, since it looks like someone made a u-turn in the street, but anyway, at least it was not vandals.
The squirrels are having a good time with the millions of acorns that have fallen off the trees. One tried to be a dare-devil and run in front of the car as I was driving down the street. Fortunately, he made it! God is good!
From the Promise Bible NLT:
How can I be assured of God's lasting care for me?
John 6:37 However, those the Father has given me will come to me, and I will never reject them.
John 10:28:30 I give them eternal life they will never perish. No one will snatch them away from me, for my Father has given them to me, and he is more powerful than anyone else. So no one can take them from me. The Father and I are one.
Lamentations 3:22-23 The unfailing love of the Lord never ends! By his mercies we have been kept from complete destruction. Great is his faithfulness, his mercies begin afresh each day.
Our confidence is rooted in God's hold on us, not our grip on God. His mercy and love are eternally new and never exhausted.
How can i be assured of God's love in difficult times?
Isaiah 43:1-2 Now, O Israel, the Lord who created you says: "Do not be afraid, for I have ransomed you. I have called you by name; you are mine. When you go through deep waters and great trouble, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown! When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you."
Life's circumstances don't come between God and his people. They don't get in God's way. Hard times are often when God reveals his infinite love and care for us.
I always thank God for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
The frost-bitten leaves have really been falling and blowing all over the place since we have had so much wind. What a mess! Also, I found out who caused the deep ruts in the yards across the street and the slice off the front of my yard. It was the fire department truck! Yesterday a big ladder truck stopped out front and the men got out and started stomping the grass back in the groove. I stepped outside and one came over and introduced himself and said they had an emergency, a car was in the way, so they rode up on the yard to avoid it .
Doesn't sound plausible to me, since it looks like someone made a u-turn in the street, but anyway, at least it was not vandals.
The squirrels are having a good time with the millions of acorns that have fallen off the trees. One tried to be a dare-devil and run in front of the car as I was driving down the street. Fortunately, he made it! God is good!
From the Promise Bible NLT:
How can I be assured of God's lasting care for me?
John 6:37 However, those the Father has given me will come to me, and I will never reject them.
John 10:28:30 I give them eternal life they will never perish. No one will snatch them away from me, for my Father has given them to me, and he is more powerful than anyone else. So no one can take them from me. The Father and I are one.
Lamentations 3:22-23 The unfailing love of the Lord never ends! By his mercies we have been kept from complete destruction. Great is his faithfulness, his mercies begin afresh each day.
Our confidence is rooted in God's hold on us, not our grip on God. His mercy and love are eternally new and never exhausted.
How can i be assured of God's love in difficult times?
Isaiah 43:1-2 Now, O Israel, the Lord who created you says: "Do not be afraid, for I have ransomed you. I have called you by name; you are mine. When you go through deep waters and great trouble, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown! When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you."
Life's circumstances don't come between God and his people. They don't get in God's way. Hard times are often when God reveals his infinite love and care for us.
I always thank God for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
Protection
Good morning, Dear friends and Prayer Partners, (and I think it is still morning by a minute) This is the day that the Lord has made and we will rejoice and be glad in it! Well, the wind is picking up and the rain woke me last night and from the looks of it, it was a lot of rain.
I would have been a bit earlier sending this, but realized I needed to run a couple errands before any more rain came, then when I came home I discovered some vandal had cut a slice of our yard off by the curb and cut two deep muddy grooves in the neighbor's yards across the street. Grrr! I think today's Words are very appropriate.
On a brighter note, I saw a flock of ibis pecking happily away in the yard yesterday and today seagulls were gathered on the bank of Lynch Lake, along with many ducks and woodstorks. So, God is good!
Where do I find protection from the threat of evil?
Ephesians 6:10-18 Be strong with the Lord's mighty power. Put on all of God's armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies and tricks of the Devil. For we are not fighting against people make of flesh and blood, but against the evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against those mighty powers of darkness who rule this world, and against wicked spirits in the heavenly realms. Use every piece of God's armor to resist the enemy in the time of evil, so that after the battle you will still be standing firm. Stand your ground, putting on the sturdy belt of truth and the body armor of God's righteousness. For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News, so that you will be fully prepared. In every battle you will need faith as your shield to stop the fiery arrows aimed at you by Satan.Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. Pray at all times and on every occasion in the power of the Holy Spirit. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all Christians everywhere.
This is perhaps the Bible's most comprehensive teaching about the resources believers have to overcome evil. Spiritual forces lurk behind many of our conflicts. Therefore, we should not attack the people manipulated by evil but focus directly on the evil itself. We rely on truth, faith, the power of our testimony, the wisdom of God's word, and the power of prayer. When these are mobilized, evil succumbs, God wins, and we win.
Jude 1:24-25 All glory to God, who is able to keep you from stumbling, and who will bring you into his glorious presence innocent of sin and with great joy. All glory to him, who alone is God our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Yes, glory, majesty, power, and authority belong to him, in the beginning, now, and forevermore. Amen
Ultimately, it is God's hold on us, not our hold on him, that insures our preservation from evil. That is why we praise and worship him!
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
I would have been a bit earlier sending this, but realized I needed to run a couple errands before any more rain came, then when I came home I discovered some vandal had cut a slice of our yard off by the curb and cut two deep muddy grooves in the neighbor's yards across the street. Grrr! I think today's Words are very appropriate.
On a brighter note, I saw a flock of ibis pecking happily away in the yard yesterday and today seagulls were gathered on the bank of Lynch Lake, along with many ducks and woodstorks. So, God is good!
Where do I find protection from the threat of evil?
Ephesians 6:10-18 Be strong with the Lord's mighty power. Put on all of God's armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies and tricks of the Devil. For we are not fighting against people make of flesh and blood, but against the evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against those mighty powers of darkness who rule this world, and against wicked spirits in the heavenly realms. Use every piece of God's armor to resist the enemy in the time of evil, so that after the battle you will still be standing firm. Stand your ground, putting on the sturdy belt of truth and the body armor of God's righteousness. For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News, so that you will be fully prepared. In every battle you will need faith as your shield to stop the fiery arrows aimed at you by Satan.Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. Pray at all times and on every occasion in the power of the Holy Spirit. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all Christians everywhere.
This is perhaps the Bible's most comprehensive teaching about the resources believers have to overcome evil. Spiritual forces lurk behind many of our conflicts. Therefore, we should not attack the people manipulated by evil but focus directly on the evil itself. We rely on truth, faith, the power of our testimony, the wisdom of God's word, and the power of prayer. When these are mobilized, evil succumbs, God wins, and we win.
Jude 1:24-25 All glory to God, who is able to keep you from stumbling, and who will bring you into his glorious presence innocent of sin and with great joy. All glory to him, who alone is God our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Yes, glory, majesty, power, and authority belong to him, in the beginning, now, and forevermore. Amen
Ultimately, it is God's hold on us, not our hold on him, that insures our preservation from evil. That is why we praise and worship him!
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
Monday, March 1, 2010
Endurance and perseverance
Good morning, dear Friends and Prayer Partners and Happy March 1st! This is the day that the Lord has made and we will rejoice and be glad in it!
Since January and February were a lot different than I expected, I am hoping for a brighter March and hopefully, spring is on the way! Today is sunshiny and will be warm, but I know winter is not finished with us yet, so the heat goes on! (In the house).
Today is the day that the staples come out of my neck and after the swelling goes down and the bruises fade, I may begin to look more normal. :o) But God is good and is the Great Physician!
I went for a drive through the park, yesterday, and once more, a big black gator was sunning on the bank of the borrow pit lake. Seems like they are on the move these cold days!
From the Promise Bible NLT:
What purposes do endurance and perseverance serve in my life?
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 it is strong and pure. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold--and your faith is far more precious to God than mere gold. So if your faith remains 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.
2 Peter 1:5-9
Make every effort to apply the benefits of these promises to your life. Then your faith will produce a life of moral excellence. A life of moral excellence leads to knowing God better. Knowing God leads to self-control. Self control leads to patient endurance, and patient endurance leads to godliness. Godliness leads to love for other Christians, and finally you will grow to have genuine love for everyone. The more you grow like this, the more you will become productive and useful in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. But those who fail to develop these virtues are blind or, at least, very shortsighted. They have already forgotten that God has cleansed them from their old life of sin.
Endurance is like the fire that purifies precious metals and hardens valuable pottery. It cleanses, clarifies, and solidifies our faith. Living through the trials and tests of life is often the most significant way to discover the riches of our faith.
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
Since January and February were a lot different than I expected, I am hoping for a brighter March and hopefully, spring is on the way! Today is sunshiny and will be warm, but I know winter is not finished with us yet, so the heat goes on! (In the house).
Today is the day that the staples come out of my neck and after the swelling goes down and the bruises fade, I may begin to look more normal. :o) But God is good and is the Great Physician!
I went for a drive through the park, yesterday, and once more, a big black gator was sunning on the bank of the borrow pit lake. Seems like they are on the move these cold days!
From the Promise Bible NLT:
What purposes do endurance and perseverance serve in my life?
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 it is strong and pure. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold--and your faith is far more precious to God than mere gold. So if your faith remains 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.
2 Peter 1:5-9
Make every effort to apply the benefits of these promises to your life. Then your faith will produce a life of moral excellence. A life of moral excellence leads to knowing God better. Knowing God leads to self-control. Self control leads to patient endurance, and patient endurance leads to godliness. Godliness leads to love for other Christians, and finally you will grow to have genuine love for everyone. The more you grow like this, the more you will become productive and useful in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. But those who fail to develop these virtues are blind or, at least, very shortsighted. They have already forgotten that God has cleansed them from their old life of sin.
Endurance is like the fire that purifies precious metals and hardens valuable pottery. It cleanses, clarifies, and solidifies our faith. Living through the trials and tests of life is often the most significant way to discover the riches of our faith.
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
Home at last
Dear Friends and Prayer Partners!
I am home from the hospital with a stapled neck that makes me look like the Bride of Frankenstein! Bandages are off and so far, I have not had any pain from the incision. Praise the Lord! Other than not being able to sleep in the ICU, because of beeping machines and loud noises and going to the bedpan every five minutes, it was uneventful. Nurses and techs are very helpful and I was grateful for them.
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
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