Discernment

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! Puffy clouds are building up and the breeze is blowing, although it is very warm already and will probably climb up to 90 again. But this is summer , almost, "and the livin' is easy. Fish are jumpin' and the cotton is high". From Porgy and Bess.

I had a nice, lazy afternoon after church yesterday. Finished up a novel I was reading, which took place in Chimney Rock, NC and Lake Lure area. It brought back fond memories, because we went there as a family for several years in a row. Beautiful country as we climbed up to the Great Smokies.

But back to the present, I saw a lovely roseate spoonbill as I drove by the lake near here, and when I went to the park, I saw a woodstork take off and fly. I have seldom seen a woodstork there and I believe that is the first time I have seen one fly. It was very hot, so there weren't many people out.I can't take the heat any more, so I am careful not to walk in it. But God is good!

From the Promise Bible NLT:

When I am confused, where do I turn for clarity, wisdom, understanding and direction?

James 1:5-8 If you need wisdom--if you want to know what God wants you to do--ask him, and he will gladly tell you. He will not resent your asking. But when you ask him, be sure that you really expect him to answer, for a doubtful mind is as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. People like that should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. They can't make up their minds. They waver back and forth in everything they do.

Psalm 119:125 Give discernment to me, your servant; then I will understand your decrees.

Discernment is the ability to interpret events and to understand the true nature of people and situations. Discernment is an aspect of wisdom. It enables us to see behind the facades that mask the truth. Discernment shows us the way through the maze of options that face us. Like the sun that burns away the fog, discernment cuts through confusion and distractions. Whereas the devil is the "father of lies," God is the father of the truth, and he gives discernment to those who seek it.

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

Love and hugs,
Amaryllis

Philippians

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 looks like we will have some more rain today after the thunderstorms last night. I went to bed with the sound of distant thunder in my ears, but then it got closer and the brilliant, flashing lightning was shining through the curtains, so I rolled over to try to get to sleep. We certainly needed the rain, though, and I am glad we got a good soaking.

I am expecting David C. over soon to mow and then wash the house, which still has a lot of pollen, dust and webs on it, but if it rains, I think he can skip the house washing.

We seem to have a new family of squirrels running up and down the oak trees. I don't know where they went while the trees were being trimmed, but they got busy right away and started building another nest, which means lots of leafy twigs on the ground. Very messy. It is cute to see them stretch to get water out of the bowl I keep on the wall for birds and squirrels. Lot of jays come to drink and a few mockers, but the jays don't like anyone else to drink. They are very aggressive! But God is good!

From the Promise Bible NLT:

Philippians 4:4 Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again---rejoice! Let everyone see that you are considerate in all you do. Remember, the Lord is coming soon.
Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need and thank him for all he has done. If you do this, you will experience God's peace which is far more wonderful than the human mind can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.

And now, dear brothers and sisters, let me say one more thing as I close this letter. Fix your thoughts on what is true and honorable and right. Think about things that are pure and lovely and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. Keep putting into practice all you learned from me and heard from me and saw me doing, and the God of peace will be with you.

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

Love and hugs,
Amaryllis

Paul's Prayer

Good morning, Dear Friends and Prayer Partners! This is the day that the Lord has made and we will rejoice and be glad n it! I was struck by how warm and humid the air is when I stepped outside this morning. Whew! Looks like today will be a scorcher! Thank God for A/C!

I'm later than usual this morning, because I just took a pecan pie out of the oven. I am having a friend over to work on a toilet that seems to be leaking, and yesterday he asked for a sour orange pie. Problem is, the trees have all been cut down at the park because of too much work cleaning the fallen fruit, I guess. No one is around to clean up and besides, they are out of season. So, I thought maybe the pecan pie would be a substitute. I don't bake much any more because there is no one here to eat dessert but me, and I sure don't need the calories!

Yesterday, after running some errands, I bought a swirl cone from Checkers and drove to the park to enjoy it. Well, I was slurping along the way, because they melt so fast! There was still some left when I got to the Park, so I pulled over and rolled the window down to finish it off. I was watching about seven squirrels racing and chasing each other up and down the trees, when I looked down at the street and there were a couple, sitting up and expectantly waiting for a bite. I told them I was not supposed to feet them, and off they ran for a while, but then they were back to try one more time. They are used to being fed, now, because no one is around to tell people not to, and, of course, the signs don't mean much. But, God is Good!

From the Promise Bible NLT:

Paul's Prayer for Spiritual Empowering

Ephesians 3:14-21
When I think of the wisdom and scope of God's plan, I fall to my knees and pray to the Father, the creator of everything in heaven and on earth. I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will give you mighty inner strength through his Holy Spirit. And I pray that Christ will be more and more at home in your hearts as you trust in him. May your roots go down deep into the soil of God's marvelous love. And may you have the power to understand, as all God's people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love really is. May you experience the love of Christ, though it is so great you will never fully understand it. Then you will be filled with the fullness of life and power that comes from God.

Now glory be to God! By his mighty work within us, he is able to accomplish infinitely more than we would ever dare to ask or hope. May he be given glory in the church and in Christ Jesus forever and ever through endless ages.
Amen.

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

Love and hugs,
Amaryllis

Hope

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! Since I had the oak trees trimmed, the sunshine streams through the front windows for a few minutes and reflects off the dining room table! It is so bright, I am not used to it! But the sun rises higher very quickly, and then the sunbeam is gone. It looks like another very warm day an dry, but that doesn't stop my grass from growing!

Any of you on Facebook know that I had the Great Adventure #2 yesterday, courtesy of David and Gil. Never would I have thought I would get on a jet ski, but after some careful maneuvering, I was able to climb on and off we went! I was gripping David's life vest so tightly, that today my right arm is a little sore in the muscles! I was able to enjoy the vastness, and calm of the early morning ride on Seminole Lake, We even saw a young gator in the still waters.

Getting off the Sea-Doo was another story, as I am not flexible at all, but with the two men pulling me, I managed to stand up on the very messy, (due to duck poop) floating dock! I am totally blessed to have friends willing to give of their time and energy to give me new experiences! Afterward we stopped for breakfast at Perkins, where I was quite conscious of my wet seat! Due to sitting on the wet dock, of course. It was a never-to-be forgotten fun experience, but I hope Adventure #3 will be on dry land or in the air. Stay tuned! God is Good!

From the Promise Bible NLT:

Romans 5:1-5 Since we have been made right in God's sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us. Because of our faith, Christ has brought us into this place of highest privilege where we now stand, and we confidently and joyfully look forward to sharing God's glory. We can rekoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they are good for us--they help us learn to endure. And endurance develops strength of character in us, and character strengthens our confident expectation of salvation. And this expectation will not disappoint us. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love.

Expectation builds endurance. We can get through a great deal when we realize the wonderful gifts God has for us in this life and in the life to come.

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

Love and hugs,
Amaryllis

The latest Great Adventure

Well, I am just back from my latest great adventure! This time it was a Sea-Doo ride on Lake Seminole with David steering and me hanging on for dear life! I must say, I prefer the motorcycle, because getting on and off is a lot easier on the bike than the jet ski. One is dry and one is wet! Also, I am not too flexible, so it took both David and Gil to get me up from a sitting position on the dock!

But I really enjoyed being on the lake so early in the morning and the cool air. I can hardly wait to see what the next "Great Adventure" will be!

Videos and photos will follow soon!
Thanks once again to two guys who don't mind giving of their time for me.

Love and hugs,
Amaryllis

Be strong

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 hope you all had a good day of remembering and celebrating Memorial Day. The weather was hot and I am sure the beaches were full. I went Sunday to Bay Pines National Cemetery, and all the flags were blowing gently in the wind. There must have been hundreds. I don't know how many graves are there, but it's a lot! Very impressive and moving.

Brian and I went to Dunnellon Saturday for a family reunion of sorts, or get together. I saw people I had not seen for months, we are all so scattered. The food was good and plentiful and the talking was the same. The weather was good until the middle of the afternoon, then the clouds rolled in and thunder started, so those with a long drive, headed for the cars, including us. We came through downpours all the way to Tampa, with just a few breaks between clouds. One good thing, it washed all the lovebugs off the car!
We had a good time, but it was good to be home. God is good.

A few verses from the Promise Bible NLT to give us courage in these times:

Joshua 1:7 Be strong and very courageous. Obey all the laws Moses gave you. Do not turn away from them, and you will be successful in every thing you do.

1 Chronicles 28:30 David continued, "Be strong and courageous, and do the work. Don't be afraid or discouraged by the size of the task, for the Lord God, my God, is with you. He will not fail you or forsake you. He will see to it that all the work related in the Temple of the Lord is finished correctly."

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

Love and hugs,
Amaryllis

Jammin' thru James

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 and a few puffy clouds are moving slowly across the sky, because there isn't much breeze blowing here, and apparently not in the atmosphere, either. But, Yay! we did get a little rain yesterday and that was good because David C. had fertilized after he mowed. So, every little bit helps.

I learned from David C. that the green water at the park is caused by tiny plants that are rootless and almost like algae. He works from Boca Ciega Park and they have the same thing on a lake there. It apparently is harmless to the fish and other critters that live in the water, but it sure looks odd. I saw the usual ibis yesterday and since it had recently rained when I went to the park, lots of squirrels were out gathering wet acorns. Not many people were there because of threatening clouds, I guess.

Well, right on schedule, the poinciana trees are blooming. As soon as the jacarandas are past their prime. the blazing orange-scarlet blossoms on the poincianas start there glorious show! God is good!

Excerpts from James NLT:

Dear brothers and sisters, whenever trouble comes your way, let it be an opportunity for joy. For when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be strong in character and ready for anything.

If you need wisdom---if you want to know what God wants you to do--ask him, and he will gladly tell you. He will not resent your asking. But when you ask him, be sure that you really expect him to answer, for a doubtful mind is as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind.

God blesses the people who patiently endure testing. Afterward they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.

If you are wise and understand God's ways, live a life of steady goodness so that only good deeds will pour forth. And if you don't brag about the good you do, then you will be truly wise!...

But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure. It is also peace loving, gentle at all times, and willing to yield to others. It is full of mercy and good deeds. It shows no partiality and is always sincere. And those who are peacemakers will plant seeds of peace and reap a harvest of goodness.

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

Have a wonderful weekend , remembering those who served and died for us and those who are serving our country now.

Love and hugs,
Amaryllis