Blessings

Good afternoon Dear Friends and Prayer Partners! This was truly an awesome and fun morning, riding on David's Gold Wing motorcycle! We went to Sawgrass Park, where Gil took photos and video of us, and then headed down to Ft. Desoto, rode all the way from one end to the other; then to the Gulf Beaches, from St. Pete Beach, where we stopped at the Frog Pond and had breakfast, all the way up the beaches to Clearwater.

We took the Bayside Bridge on the way home and ended our ride at Mari's salon, so she could curl my "helmet" hair.Gil met us there and took more pix, even of Mari with David and me.

I am so blessed to have godly men like David and Gil for friends and Mari for a dear friend!

I was on the bike for four hours and am ready to go again! God is good!
Thanks again David, for your time, guidance and conversation! God bless you!
Love and hugs,
Biker Babe

On the road...

--

The Beatitudes

Good morning, a little late this 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 had to take my van in for service, so I waited for it and that is why I'm late. It would have been a gorgeous day for an early morning walk, but, maybe, it will be just as gorgeous for my motorcycle ride tomorrow. I will not be sending an email tomorrow morning, because I will be having fun!!!

As I was driving home, I stopped at the Park, and saw an anhinga slowily dragging wet wings across the weir, and on the other side, another anhinga with wings spread, posing for a photo. Not many people were out this early, so no one was looking at the hawk's nest, yet.

I just enjoy so much the beautiful jacaranda trees this spring. I thought many of them would have been damaged by the frost, but it just made them bloom later. There is one a block or two from here that is just breathtaking in its beauty! God used his purple and lavender paint on them.

I had a wonderful Mother's Day weekend, with pink and white and lavender roses delivered from my sons and beautiful thoughtful cards from them. Then, Saturday, I had a great time at the Ladies' tea at church, visiting with friends and my two adopted "daughters" for the day on each side. Brian took me to brunch after church yesterday, so I was really blessed with lots of love! God is good!

From the Promise Bible NLT:

Matthew 5:3
God blesses those who realize their need for him,
for the Kingdom of Heaven is given to them.
God blesses those who are gentle and lowly
for the whole earth will belong to them.
God blesses those who are hungry and thirsty
for justice,
for they will receive it in full.
God blesses those who are merciful,
for they will be shone mercy.
God blesses those who work for peace,
for they will be called the children of God.
God blesses those who are persecuted
because they live for God,
for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs.

I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!

Love and hugs,
Amaryllis (Biker Babe)

Integrity ( Happy Mothers's Day to all Mom's on this list)

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! The sun is shining, the birds are singing and the squirrels are already running around and digging up acorns in the yard. But not for long. I had an estimate from the tree man yesterday and expected him next week, but he called this morning with a cancellation and will be out a little later today to start the trimming. The squirrels won't be happy then!

David, who mows my yard faithfully, edges and blows came yesterday and after he finished the yard took the dirty filters out of my new vacuum and replaced them with clean ones. It was a messy job that I had been putting off. He also replaced the batteries in my caller ID which I thought was worn out. Works like new, now! I am blessed to have friends who do over and above what I ask. David is not a believer, although he sometimes asks me to pray for him. I do that anyway, every day.

I did not get out until afternoon to ride over to the park. It was fairly quiet...nice breeze, but very hot and humid. There is a lot of interest in the new hawk's nest with cameras trained on it each day. The water was fairly calm and an ibis was keeping a vigil by the bank of the canal, instead of walking and poking with his beak. God is good!

From the Promise Bible NLT:

Psalm 119:1-8
Happy are people of integrity,
who follow the law of the Lord.
Happy are those who obey his decrees
and search for him with all their hearts.
They do not compromise with evil,
and they walk only in his paths.
You have charged us
to keep your commandments carefully.
Oh, that my actions would consistently
reflect your principles!
Then I will not be disgraced
when I compare my life with your commands.
When I learn your righteous laws,
I will thank you by living as I should.
I will obey your principles.
Please don't give up on me!

I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!

Love and hugs,
Amaryllis

If My People

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 am expecting my tree trimmer to call saying he is on his way, and then the yard will be mowed later, so guess I am staying home this morning.

I had enough outings yesterday, though. After my walk in the park, I drove out to the Mall. When I got through there, it was lunch time, so I was glad to come home and collapse. Still don't have a lot of stamina, but getting better, praise God!

I am always amazed at how many blue jays are flying around here. I keep a bowl of water on the front wall, and they are always drinking and bathing in it! They get pretty huffy when any other bird tries to drink. The squirrels also come and drink out of it. They must get really thirsty after eating dry acorns all day! :o)\

I always see the baby osprey sitting atop the light pole at Publix, whenever I go there. The baby is as big as the parents, now, so soon it will be flying off. It doesn't look too secure to me, because there are only a few sticks left of their nest, but I guess it is home, sweet home to them. God is good!

Since today is the National Day of Prayer here is the verse from 1 Chronicles. We certainly all need to pray for our country, and government these days!

1 Chronicles 7:14
If my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and heal their land.

Comparison (from Hymns For the Family of God;)

Jesus Christ is unique, and one cannot be in His presence and not reveal the man he really is. Jesus pulls each person from behind his mask. In the exposure of that bleeding love on the cross, men become what they really are.

You may think you are wonderful until you stand in the presence of the One who is purity itself. It is the pure light of God that pierces a man. You can keep up your pretense of being holy until you stand in the light. Then immediately there is nowhere to hide, all your masks are torn away, all your hollow smiles fade.

Revival means to be exposed for what we are. The presence of the Lord is revealing.
--Festo Kivengere

I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!

Love and hugs,
Amaryllis

Psoaring thru Psalm 19

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! The sun has not shone yet, but the cloudy weather is welcome if it brings rain. While some states get too much rain, we need it right now.

I did something I have not done in a long time. I went walking before breakfast and while it was cooler. Hardly anyone was at the Park, so I took my stick that Terry gave me and started out. I paused at the first covered shelter and watched a large raccoon across the water, walking along until he disappeared into the underbrush. It was time for him to sleep all day. Then I walked on to the tower and the wind was blowing, making waves, and there on the side was a big gator, letting the water wash up almost to his eyes. I spoke to him and wished him a good day, then started back...Met only three people out that early. a good time to go! God is good!

From the Promise Bible NLT:

Psalm 19:9-14
Reverence for the Lord is pure, lasting forever.
The laws of the Lord are true; each one is fair.
They are more desirable than gold,
even the finest gold.
They are sweeter than honey,
even honey dripping from the comb.
They are a warning to those who hear them.
There is a great reward for those
who obey them.

How can I know all the sins lurking in my heart?
Cleanse me from these hidden faults.
Keep me from deliberate sins!
Don't let them control me.
Then I will be free of guilt
and innocent of great sin.

May the words of my mouth and the thoughts of my heart
be pleasing to you,
O Lord, my Rock and my redeemer.

I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my Prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!

Love and hugs,
Amaryllis

Joy

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, we don't get much cooler at night than in the seventies, but the wind blowing keeps us cool even in all the humidity.

I headed out yesterday to gas up the van, and the wind is always blowing gales at the gas pumps at Walmart, but it feels good in the summer. As I was driving into the Park, I saw a lady peahen, and further down the street Mr. peacock was strutting again, so it must be courting time. Soon there will be babies running around. I had to almost stop to avoid hitting the lady, who was in the street. I wonder if they are called peacocks because that is the size of their brains. They are all beauty, not brains!

I was reading Psalm 104:1-23 this morning, telling of God's beauty that He has created for us to enjoy. Beautiful description of the earth and all its beauty! God is good!

From the Promise Bible NLT:

How can I be joyful in hard times?

Habakkuk 3:17-18 Even though the fig trees have no blossoms, and there are no grapes on the vine; even though the olive crop fails, and the fields lie empty and barren; even though the flocks die in the fields, and the cattle barns are empty, yet I will rejoice in the Lord! I will be joyful in the God of my salvation.

Philippians 4:4,12 Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again--rejoice!...I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything, I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little.

Joy is a choice. We may not realize it, but we choose our moods and oiur attitudes. God's promises in Christ are the basis for choosing joy no matter what we face.

James 4:14-18 Dear brothers and sisters, whenever trouble comes your way, let it be our opportunity for joy.

Troubles remind us of two things. First, they remind us that this is a fallen world full of futility and frustration. Second, they remind us to turn to a God who will never disappoint us. God promises lasting joy for all those who believe in him. This kind of joy stays with us despite our problems.

I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!

Love and hugs,
Amaryllis