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's a little cooler this morning, but according to the weatherman, this will be the last cold spell of the spring. We will see. But the sun is shining and it is a great day to be alive!
Yesterday, on my visit to the Park, a gator was lounging on the bank on the left side as I entered and he was accompanied by at least a dozen turtles of varying sizes. Seems that when a gator is not hungry, he doesn't care who or what he shares his space with. The canal was full and had overflowed over the weir, leaving lots of trash behind.
The very large, old maple that was beside the entrance bridge is now gone. The lower limb had been hanging very close to the water for months and finally must have toppled. The tree trimmers had already cut the trunk and the long branches were in the water. A boat has to be used to hook a line around the base and haul it over to the other bank to be cut up and taken away. I have watched the men do this to other trees that have fallen in the water. It is quite a job. It looked like the county was using prisoners to do the tree work for free, since I saw the truck and workers taking a break. The workers were wearing bright orange and white stripes along with their orange vests. The two guards,( supervisors), were at a picnic table keeping an eye on them. Hmmm. Interesting. But, at least the workers were out in the fresh air, doing some good. God is good!
From Moments with God (a devotional)
Mark 11:25 If you have anything against anyone, forgive him.
According to a popular children's song, tea is a "drink with jam and bread." But in a recently released study, nutritionists recommend you have and apple rather than jam and bread with your tea. The Dutch research group found that drinking tea and eating apples together reduces the risk of stroke.
The newly completed study showed health benefits resulted from long-term consumption of black tea--the type most Americans and Europeans drink. Drinking tea, plus eating other fruits and vegetables containing flavonoids, lowered the incidence of strokes. Flavonoids make blood cell platelets less likely to clot and act as antioxidants, which reduce damage to arteries.
Four-fifths of all strokes result from blood clots, which can lodge in arteries that have been narrowed by damaging oxidation. Flavonoids found in tea and fruit inhibit blood clots and minimize damage to arteries from oxidation, this allowing a healthy flow of blood and oxygen to the body.
Our spiritual and emotional well being also depend on good circulation: positive thoughts which keep our minds and hearts healthy. Any blockages that would prevent a life-affirming outlook need to be dislodged.
Experts tell us that unforgiveness is one of the biggest obstacles to mental and spiritual health. Author and professor Lewis Smedes outlines four steps to forgiveness:
1. Confront your anger; don't deny it.
2. Separate the wrongdoer from the wrong. Be angry at the deed, not the doer.
3. Let go of the past. Once you have forgiven, you can more easily forget.
4. Don't give up on forgiveness--keep working at it. The deeper the hurt, the longer it takes. But keep working at it. You will eventually realize a new attitude.
Smedes adds, "Forgiveness breaks pain's grip on our minds and opens the door to possibility...to heal the hurt and create a new beginning."
He that demands mercy, and
shows none, ruins the bridge
over which he himself is to pass.
Thomas Adams
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Monday, March 29, 2010
Work
Good wet morning, dear friends and Prayer Partners! This is the day that the Lord has made and we will rejoice and be glad in it! I hated to leave the warm coziness of the bed this morning, as I woke early to the sound of thunder and just decided to snooze awhile. Guess the race that was postponed yesterday will be running again today if the weather clears up. I took my dumpster down to the curb early yesterday before the rain started and, since I had run the van through the car wash Saturday, was thankful that it did not get rained on at church. :o)
When I drove through the park yesterday, I saw a beautiful peacock, a couple of egrets, with feathers blowing in the wind, and loads of leaves, still on the road. I am hoping that all the seeds got washed off our oaks, because they make such a mess on everything. Yellow on window sills, cars and anything that is left out. But I am thankful for shade!
I watched the squirrels scampering for acorns in the rain yesterday and this morning. Nothing stops them from their busyness! I don't know if it is the same one or not, but while I am writing down peoples names for prayers, I can see him leaping from our roof to the tree in back and then to the wire that connects all the houses. He stops and wiggles his tail about every three feet. Cute! God is good!
From the Promise Bible NLT:
How is my work important to the Lord?
1 Thessalonians 4:11-12 This should be your ambition: to live a quiet life, minding your won business and working with your hands, just as we commanded you before. As a result, people who are not Christians will respect the way you live, and you will not need to depend on others to meet your financial needs.
Work is God's plan for our lives. Those who work diligently experience many benefits in their own lives and bring benefits to others. God promises two basic rewards for faithful work. (1) having a more credible witness to nonbelievers and (2) having our needs met without having to financially depend on others.
Proverbs 13:11 Wealth from get-rich-quick schemes quickly disappears; wealth from hard work grows.
Honest hard work is much better than get-rich-schemes. Money quickly gotten is often quickly wasted.
Romans 12:8 If your gift is to encourage others,do it! If you have money, share it generously. If God has given you leadership ability, take the responsibility seriously.
God blesses us when we do work that is in keeping with out gifts and abilities.
What does the Lord promise to those who work hard?
Proverbs 20:29 Do you see any truly competent workers? They will serve kings rather than ordinary people.
Faithful work makes a way for us to do greater work. God promises to bless us as we use the gifts he has given us.
Proverbs 10:4 Lazy people are soon poor; hard workers get rich.
Proverbs 21:5 Good planning and hard work lead to prosperity, but hasty shortcuts lead to poverty.
Colossians 3:23-24 Work hard and cheerfully at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people. Remember that the Lord will give you an inheritance as our reward, and the Master you are serving is Christ.
God promises a reward to those who work hard. That reward can include-but is not limited to---financial prosperity. It may be the rewards of respect and personal satisfaction or the joy of contributing to the welfare of another.
How will God help me when my work is hard?
Psalm 145:14 The Lord helps the fallen and lifts up those bent beneath their loads.
As with any burden we bear, we can trust God to help us on the job.
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
When I drove through the park yesterday, I saw a beautiful peacock, a couple of egrets, with feathers blowing in the wind, and loads of leaves, still on the road. I am hoping that all the seeds got washed off our oaks, because they make such a mess on everything. Yellow on window sills, cars and anything that is left out. But I am thankful for shade!
I watched the squirrels scampering for acorns in the rain yesterday and this morning. Nothing stops them from their busyness! I don't know if it is the same one or not, but while I am writing down peoples names for prayers, I can see him leaping from our roof to the tree in back and then to the wire that connects all the houses. He stops and wiggles his tail about every three feet. Cute! God is good!
From the Promise Bible NLT:
How is my work important to the Lord?
1 Thessalonians 4:11-12 This should be your ambition: to live a quiet life, minding your won business and working with your hands, just as we commanded you before. As a result, people who are not Christians will respect the way you live, and you will not need to depend on others to meet your financial needs.
Work is God's plan for our lives. Those who work diligently experience many benefits in their own lives and bring benefits to others. God promises two basic rewards for faithful work. (1) having a more credible witness to nonbelievers and (2) having our needs met without having to financially depend on others.
Proverbs 13:11 Wealth from get-rich-quick schemes quickly disappears; wealth from hard work grows.
Honest hard work is much better than get-rich-schemes. Money quickly gotten is often quickly wasted.
Romans 12:8 If your gift is to encourage others,do it! If you have money, share it generously. If God has given you leadership ability, take the responsibility seriously.
God blesses us when we do work that is in keeping with out gifts and abilities.
What does the Lord promise to those who work hard?
Proverbs 20:29 Do you see any truly competent workers? They will serve kings rather than ordinary people.
Faithful work makes a way for us to do greater work. God promises to bless us as we use the gifts he has given us.
Proverbs 10:4 Lazy people are soon poor; hard workers get rich.
Proverbs 21:5 Good planning and hard work lead to prosperity, but hasty shortcuts lead to poverty.
Colossians 3:23-24 Work hard and cheerfully at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people. Remember that the Lord will give you an inheritance as our reward, and the Master you are serving is Christ.
God promises a reward to those who work hard. That reward can include-but is not limited to---financial prosperity. It may be the rewards of respect and personal satisfaction or the joy of contributing to the welfare of another.
How will God help me when my work is hard?
Psalm 145:14 The Lord helps the fallen and lifts up those bent beneath their loads.
As with any burden we bear, we can trust God to help us on the job.
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
Friday, March 26, 2010
Faithfulness
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! I know, I know, I am late this morning, because I overslept. Last night I went to sleep later than usual, listening to the distant thunder and the sound of rain on the roof. I stayed up later because I knew sleep was not possible with the thunder booming. Had weird dreams, too.
Yesterday, after a trip to the podiatrist to get my painful toe treated, I went to the park and admired the lovely azaleas in full bloom. They were in stark contrast to the gnarly, gray limbs and trunks of the oak trees above them. The moss was hanging down, in great weeping strands overhead, while the pink blooms were smiling up at them.
The leaves are all over the road, so that you can hardly see where the pavement ends and the grass begins. Few people were out, but that was because school was still in session, I think. But God is good, and His Creation is Awesome!
From the Promise Bible NLT:
Why should I be faithful?
Oh, the joys of those who do not follow the advice of the wicked, or stand around with sinners, or join with scoffers. But they delight in doing everything the Lord wants; day and night they think about his law. They are like trees planted along the riverbank, bearing fruit each season without fail. their leaves never wither, and in all they do, they prosper.
The quality of our character affects the quality of our life. Integrity brings continual vitality and bears lasting fruit.Psalm 1:1-3
Proverbs 3:3-4 Never let loyalty and kindness get away from you! Wear them like a necklace; write them deep within your heart. Then you will find favor with both God and people, and you will gain a good reputation.
One of our greatest securities in life is that of a good name. Faithfulness brings a good reputation and trust from others. When we have problems, sometimes our reputation can be the key to a positive outcome.
A reward in heaven awaits those who are faithful to God. Faithfulness brings eternal rewards.
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
Yesterday, after a trip to the podiatrist to get my painful toe treated, I went to the park and admired the lovely azaleas in full bloom. They were in stark contrast to the gnarly, gray limbs and trunks of the oak trees above them. The moss was hanging down, in great weeping strands overhead, while the pink blooms were smiling up at them.
The leaves are all over the road, so that you can hardly see where the pavement ends and the grass begins. Few people were out, but that was because school was still in session, I think. But God is good, and His Creation is Awesome!
From the Promise Bible NLT:
Why should I be faithful?
Oh, the joys of those who do not follow the advice of the wicked, or stand around with sinners, or join with scoffers. But they delight in doing everything the Lord wants; day and night they think about his law. They are like trees planted along the riverbank, bearing fruit each season without fail. their leaves never wither, and in all they do, they prosper.
The quality of our character affects the quality of our life. Integrity brings continual vitality and bears lasting fruit.Psalm 1:1-3
Proverbs 3:3-4 Never let loyalty and kindness get away from you! Wear them like a necklace; write them deep within your heart. Then you will find favor with both God and people, and you will gain a good reputation.
One of our greatest securities in life is that of a good name. Faithfulness brings a good reputation and trust from others. When we have problems, sometimes our reputation can be the key to a positive outcome.
A reward in heaven awaits those who are faithful to God. Faithfulness brings eternal rewards.
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
Thursday, March 25, 2010
Psalm 34
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! A little cool and overcast this morning, but the sun came up and the sunrise was gorgeous! The oak seeds are falling like rain and no matter how much I sweep the porch, they are covering it again in no time. Well, summer will soon be here and I really appreciate the shade the trees bring.
On my way into the park yesterday, I noticed new signs warning people of the danger of getting too close to the gator who suns on the bank. they always try to get as close as they can, not knowing how fast the creatures can move. As I drove further in, I crushed a lot of leaves on the road. It was covered, but doesn't bother the squirrels who scamper across here and there. I saw a great blue heron dipping his beak in the water for a drink. First time I had seen one drinking. God is good!
From the Promise Bible NLT:
Psalm 34:8
Taste and see that the Lord is good.
Oh, the joys of those who trust in him!
Let the Lord's people show him
reverence,
for those who honor him will have all they need.
Even strong young lions sometimes go
hungry,
but those who trust in the Lord will
never lack any good thing.
Come my children and listen to me,
and I will teach you to fear the Lord.
If any of you want to live
a life that is long and good?
Then watch your tongue!
Keep your lips from telling lies!
Turn away from evil and do good
Work hard at living at peace with others.
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs and Happy Birthday, Gil,
Amaryllis
On my way into the park yesterday, I noticed new signs warning people of the danger of getting too close to the gator who suns on the bank. they always try to get as close as they can, not knowing how fast the creatures can move. As I drove further in, I crushed a lot of leaves on the road. It was covered, but doesn't bother the squirrels who scamper across here and there. I saw a great blue heron dipping his beak in the water for a drink. First time I had seen one drinking. God is good!
From the Promise Bible NLT:
Psalm 34:8
Taste and see that the Lord is good.
Oh, the joys of those who trust in him!
Let the Lord's people show him
reverence,
for those who honor him will have all they need.
Even strong young lions sometimes go
hungry,
but those who trust in the Lord will
never lack any good thing.
Come my children and listen to me,
and I will teach you to fear the Lord.
If any of you want to live
a life that is long and good?
Then watch your tongue!
Keep your lips from telling lies!
Turn away from evil and do good
Work hard at living at peace with others.
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs and Happy Birthday, Gil,
Amaryllis
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
Ministry
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's a little cooler this morning,...good for joggers and early morning walkers, but since I am neither of these, I turned on the heat for a little while. Temps will be up in the seventies later on, though.
I took a short walk in the park yesterday, because it was such a beautiful day and had to pause and watch a young blue heron just below me on the bank of the canal, busily looking for a snack, and then an ibis came alongside and they were both involved in the business of looking for food. An anhinga had landed on the drain pipe and stretched out its wings to dry, and then two more ibis came flying gracefully in for a landing. As I walked on the second bridge, I saw a huge ripple in the water, and I suspect a gator had just submerged. They usually just sink and hardly leave a bubble, so maybe it was something else. Anyhow, God is good and His creation is Awesome!
From the Promise Bible NLT:
What is God calling me to do?
Matthew 9:37 He said to his disciples. "The harvest is so great, but the workers are so few."
People are ready to hear and receive the Good News of God's love, but with this promise domes the responsibility to work and to pray. The Lord expects us to enter fully into his work of reaching the world with the love of God.
Matthew 16:18-19 Now I say to you that you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church, and all the powers of hell will not conquer it. And I will give you the keys of the Kingdom of Heaven. Whatever you lack on earth will be locked in heaven, and whatever you open on earth will be opened in heaven.
As followers of Christ, we are part of the church, or the people of God. God has promised that we will overcome the kingdom of darkness and secure his victory. We must not be on the defensive, thinking we will one day lose. We should take the offensive and overcome evil with good.
How do I know God will help me minister for him?
Acts 1:8 When the Holy Spirit has come upon you, you will receive power and will tell people about me everywhere--in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.
When God calls, God equips. He has given us his promised Holy Spirit to help us fulfill the responsibility of telling the world about Jesus Christ.
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
I took a short walk in the park yesterday, because it was such a beautiful day and had to pause and watch a young blue heron just below me on the bank of the canal, busily looking for a snack, and then an ibis came alongside and they were both involved in the business of looking for food. An anhinga had landed on the drain pipe and stretched out its wings to dry, and then two more ibis came flying gracefully in for a landing. As I walked on the second bridge, I saw a huge ripple in the water, and I suspect a gator had just submerged. They usually just sink and hardly leave a bubble, so maybe it was something else. Anyhow, God is good and His creation is Awesome!
From the Promise Bible NLT:
What is God calling me to do?
Matthew 9:37 He said to his disciples. "The harvest is so great, but the workers are so few."
People are ready to hear and receive the Good News of God's love, but with this promise domes the responsibility to work and to pray. The Lord expects us to enter fully into his work of reaching the world with the love of God.
Matthew 16:18-19 Now I say to you that you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church, and all the powers of hell will not conquer it. And I will give you the keys of the Kingdom of Heaven. Whatever you lack on earth will be locked in heaven, and whatever you open on earth will be opened in heaven.
As followers of Christ, we are part of the church, or the people of God. God has promised that we will overcome the kingdom of darkness and secure his victory. We must not be on the defensive, thinking we will one day lose. We should take the offensive and overcome evil with good.
How do I know God will help me minister for him?
Acts 1:8 When the Holy Spirit has come upon you, you will receive power and will tell people about me everywhere--in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.
When God calls, God equips. He has given us his promised Holy Spirit to help us fulfill the responsibility of telling the world about Jesus Christ.
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
Excerpts 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! It is a little cooler this morning and Daryl said they actually had snow flurries and sleet yesterday in Tenn. so winter is not through with us yet, even though the calendar says it is spring.
The wind was strong yesterday when I went to the Park, but I saw two gators sunning..one on the right and one on the left on the canal bank. A great blue heron was all drawn up like he was cold, but the sun was actually very warm. Leaves and seeds are still falling from the oaks and this is the allergy season, but the azaleas are blooming and are very lovely at the park, Mine here at home have still not shown all their blossoms, but new growth is showing, so God is good!
From the NKJV:
Isaiah 40:29:31
He gives power to the weak, and to those who have no strength. Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall, but those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength: they shall mount up with wings as eagles, they shall run and not be weary , they shall walk and not faint.
Isaiah 43:1 But now, thus says the Lord, who created you, O Jacob, and He who formed you, O Israel:
Fear not, for I have redeemed you, I have called you by your name;
You are Mine.
When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;
and through the rivers, they shall not overflow you.
When you walk through the fire you shall not be burned. Nor shall the flame scorch you.
For I am the Lord your God,...
Since you were precious in My sight
You have been honored and I have loved you...
Fear not, for I am with you.
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy an love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
The wind was strong yesterday when I went to the Park, but I saw two gators sunning..one on the right and one on the left on the canal bank. A great blue heron was all drawn up like he was cold, but the sun was actually very warm. Leaves and seeds are still falling from the oaks and this is the allergy season, but the azaleas are blooming and are very lovely at the park, Mine here at home have still not shown all their blossoms, but new growth is showing, so God is good!
From the NKJV:
Isaiah 40:29:31
He gives power to the weak, and to those who have no strength. Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall, but those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength: they shall mount up with wings as eagles, they shall run and not be weary , they shall walk and not faint.
Isaiah 43:1 But now, thus says the Lord, who created you, O Jacob, and He who formed you, O Israel:
Fear not, for I have redeemed you, I have called you by your name;
You are Mine.
When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;
and through the rivers, they shall not overflow you.
When you walk through the fire you shall not be burned. Nor shall the flame scorch you.
For I am the Lord your God,...
Since you were precious in My sight
You have been honored and I have loved you...
Fear not, for I am with you.
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy an love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
Monday, March 22, 2010
Encouragement, Part 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! After a rainy Sunday, today has dawned bright and sunny, but a little cooler. But we know spring has come, so soon the weather will be warmer than we like!
I saw a gorgeous peacock on my way into the park yesterday. The sun was shining on his jade feathers and they were gleaming! God's creation is beautiful! Instead of the gator on the bank, four little moorhens were swimming about where he usually suns. Apparently they knew he was not lurking about. I have never seen them there before. Not many people were out, because it was still cloudy and drippy. But God is good!
From the Promise Bible NLT:
Where do I find the strength to keep going when I'm tempted to give up?
Galatians 6:9 Don't get tired of doing what is good. Don't get discouraged and give up, for we will reap a harvest of blessing at the appropriate time.
Endurance comes from keeping our thoughts on the promise of the harvest, not the problems of the moment.
Philippians 1:6 I am sure that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on that day when Christ Jesus comes back again.
Philippians2:12-13 Dearest friends, you were always so careful to follow my instructions when I was with you. And now that I am away you must be even more careful to put into action God's saving work in your lives, obeying God with deep reverence and fear. For God is working in you, giving you the desire to obey him and the power to do what pleases him.
We do not endure in our own strength alone. God is at work in our lives. He gives us the strength to keep going when we are exhausted and the reasons to keep believing when we are discouraged.
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
This is the day that the Lord has made and we will rejoice and be glad in it! After a rainy Sunday, today has dawned bright and sunny, but a little cooler. But we know spring has come, so soon the weather will be warmer than we like!
I saw a gorgeous peacock on my way into the park yesterday. The sun was shining on his jade feathers and they were gleaming! God's creation is beautiful! Instead of the gator on the bank, four little moorhens were swimming about where he usually suns. Apparently they knew he was not lurking about. I have never seen them there before. Not many people were out, because it was still cloudy and drippy. But God is good!
From the Promise Bible NLT:
Where do I find the strength to keep going when I'm tempted to give up?
Galatians 6:9 Don't get tired of doing what is good. Don't get discouraged and give up, for we will reap a harvest of blessing at the appropriate time.
Endurance comes from keeping our thoughts on the promise of the harvest, not the problems of the moment.
Philippians 1:6 I am sure that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on that day when Christ Jesus comes back again.
Philippians2:12-13 Dearest friends, you were always so careful to follow my instructions when I was with you. And now that I am away you must be even more careful to put into action God's saving work in your lives, obeying God with deep reverence and fear. For God is working in you, giving you the desire to obey him and the power to do what pleases him.
We do not endure in our own strength alone. God is at work in our lives. He gives us the strength to keep going when we are exhausted and the reasons to keep believing when we are discouraged.
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
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