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 beautiful, cool day in paradise! We have had Fallish weather all week and it is wonderful! The air is so dry, we have fire warnings and this close to the gulf and on a peninsula, we just don't have 35% humidity very often. We are blessed!
After my wonderful bike trip Tuesday, I decided I needed to do a little household work yesterday, so, while I did get out for a little bit, I mostly stayed home and vacuumed and did laundry... oh, and watched the Rays lose. I am hoping for better results today for them.
I went to the Park, to enjoy the beauty and great day... no clouds and lots of sunshine. All was quiet with just a few people walking and running, but the usual anhinga with wings folded this time hanging out on the log. That's the same log I saw a turtle on a couple days ago, and what I think are leeches. Ewww, they give me the creeps! There were two very fat ones on the log just below the turtle, but God made all creatures and God is good!
From the Promise Bible NLT:
Romans 15:2
We should please others. IF we do what helps them, we will build them up in the Lord.For even Christ didn't please himself. As the Scriptures say, "Those who insult you are also insulting me." Such things were written in the Scriptures long ago to teach us. They give us hope and encouragement as we wait patiently for God's promises.
May God, who gives this patience and encouragement, help you live in complete harmony with each other-each with the attitude of Christ Jesus toward the other. Then all of you can join together with one voice, giving praise and glory to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
We accept each other just as Christ has accepted you, then God will be glorified. Remember that Christ came as a servant to Jews to show that God is true to the promises he made to their ancestors. And he came so the Gentiles might also give glory to God for his mercies to them. ..
...So I pray that God, who gives you hope, will keep you happy and full of peace as you believe in him. May you overflow with hope through the power of the Holy Spirit.
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
Thursday, October 7, 2010
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
Great Adventure #3
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! Wow! 66 this morning! That doesn't seem chilly to most folks, but what a change for us! Low humidity and lots of sunshine and blue skies..perfect! Yesterday was perfect, too, and I was blessed to be second choice for David to take for a long bike ride. Cheryl had papers to work on for class, so at 8 AM off we went!
David has a GPS on the Gold Wing, and he kept showing me the route, but most of the time, I had no clue where we were. I know we went to New Port Richey to connect with his brother, Ed, and then Ed rode along with us to a MacDonald's somewhere for a mid-morning snack. It was a very clean Mickey D's with a lady cleaning constantly. I told her she was doing a good job. Then we took off again to go to Deep South Barbeque, only to find it was not open until Thursday. But, meantime, we enjoyed riding on country roads. I was so glad to see fields with cows and goats, and horses and open spaces, after the built-up roads and noise of the city. Lots of talking, listening to music, talking, and just enjoying friendship and God's Creation. We came home about 3 PM. It was a long, enjoyable ride. Oh, instead of Barbeque we went to a place near Dunnellon called Coney Island for hot dogs, fried pickles and onion rings. Not my usual diet, but really good. God is so good!
Ecclesiastes 5:9-13
Two people can accomplish more than twice as much as one; they get a better return for their labor. If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But people who are alone when they fall are in real trouble. And on a cold night, two undeer the same blanket can gain warmth from each other. But how can one be warm alone? A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back to back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken.
5:19 It is a good thing to receive wealth from God and the good health to enjoy it. To enjoy your work and accept your lot in life-that is indeed a gift from God. People who do this rarely look with sorrow on the past, for God has given them reasons for joy.
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
David has a GPS on the Gold Wing, and he kept showing me the route, but most of the time, I had no clue where we were. I know we went to New Port Richey to connect with his brother, Ed, and then Ed rode along with us to a MacDonald's somewhere for a mid-morning snack. It was a very clean Mickey D's with a lady cleaning constantly. I told her she was doing a good job. Then we took off again to go to Deep South Barbeque, only to find it was not open until Thursday. But, meantime, we enjoyed riding on country roads. I was so glad to see fields with cows and goats, and horses and open spaces, after the built-up roads and noise of the city. Lots of talking, listening to music, talking, and just enjoying friendship and God's Creation. We came home about 3 PM. It was a long, enjoyable ride. Oh, instead of Barbeque we went to a place near Dunnellon called Coney Island for hot dogs, fried pickles and onion rings. Not my usual diet, but really good. God is so good!
Ecclesiastes 5:9-13
Two people can accomplish more than twice as much as one; they get a better return for their labor. If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But people who are alone when they fall are in real trouble. And on a cold night, two undeer the same blanket can gain warmth from each other. But how can one be warm alone? A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back to back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken.
5:19 It is a good thing to receive wealth from God and the good health to enjoy it. To enjoy your work and accept your lot in life-that is indeed a gift from God. People who do this rarely look with sorrow on the past, for God has given them reasons for joy.
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
Roamin' thru Romans 16
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 writing this in the evening, because tomorrow morning I am going on another great adventure with David. This was unexpected, as I just found out about it tonight, but I am always ready for another bike ride! You will be sure to hear about it tomorrow!
I went to the Park today after I got all my errands run, and it was lovely and cool with turtles sunning on the logs and lots of people out walking. I did not have time to walk, which I should have done early in the morning, but maybe Wed. I will be able to.
We had a good Bible study tonight and lots of friends having a good time with each other. Chuck Swindoll will talk about the lack of spontaneous affection in the church this week. He has titled his sermons, "Love and Kisses." about the holy kiss in church. This is not true in my church, where displays of affection between guys and gals is always shown when greeting each other. I receive "holy kisses" just about every week. God's love is always evident. God is good!
From the Promise Bible NLT:
Romans 16:14 And please give my greeting to Asyneritus, Phlegon, Hermes, Patrobas, Hermas and the brothers and sisters who are with them. Greet each other in Christian love. All the churches of Christ send you their greetings.
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 today after I got all my errands run, and it was lovely and cool with turtles sunning on the logs and lots of people out walking. I did not have time to walk, which I should have done early in the morning, but maybe Wed. I will be able to.
We had a good Bible study tonight and lots of friends having a good time with each other. Chuck Swindoll will talk about the lack of spontaneous affection in the church this week. He has titled his sermons, "Love and Kisses." about the holy kiss in church. This is not true in my church, where displays of affection between guys and gals is always shown when greeting each other. I receive "holy kisses" just about every week. God's love is always evident. God is good!
From the Promise Bible NLT:
Romans 16:14 And please give my greeting to Asyneritus, Phlegon, Hermes, Patrobas, Hermas and the brothers and sisters who are with them. Greet each other in Christian love. All the churches of Christ send you their greetings.
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
Monday, October 4, 2010
Be Humble
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, are all windows open? This is the cool weather we have all been waiting for. It is 69 outside at my house and only 72 inside without the A/C! Perfect!
Good news over the weekend for the Rays! Champions of the ALE. PLayoffs this week. Not so good news for Gators fans, though. They need a lot of practice this week and hopefully, will do better Saturday. But, one thing remains the same and that is that God loves us and we can always rely on His blessings.
I walked Saturday out to the first shelter in the Park, just to look at the baby gators, which are very hard to see, due to all the undergrowth and water, I did spy a couple of them because they were moving and Mama was taking it easy in the bushes off to the right. She only comes out when she thinks the babies are in danger. Just as I was leaving, the crowds started coming in with lots of happy children making loud noises, That is when she feels threatened.
I found out the name of the yellow blossomed tree. It is Golden Rain, and that is just what it does. The blooms only last for a short time and then it rains down. I also walked back to the butterfly garden at the park and saw that the Beauty Berry bush was full of dark red berries. Ah, lots of food for the birds! I could see they had been eating, because of all the purple splotches on the sidewalk. God is Good!
From the little devotional book, Knowing God:
1 Peter 5:6 NIV Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.
On the road to spiritual growth, pride is an enormous roadblock. The more prideful you are, the more difficult it is to know God. When you experience success, it's easy to puff out your chest and proclaim, "I did that!" Easy , but wrong.
Dietrich Bonhoeffer observed, "It is very easy to overestimate the importance of our own achievements,," and he was right. So the next time you're tempted to take too much credit for something you've done, resist the temptation . Instead of hogging all the glory, give God His fair share of the credit...and His share, by the way, is far bigger than your share.
Great Thoughts;
God exalts humility. When God works in our lives, helping us to become humble, he gives us a permanent joy. Humility gives us a joy that cannot be taken away.
Max Lucado
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
Good news over the weekend for the Rays! Champions of the ALE. PLayoffs this week. Not so good news for Gators fans, though. They need a lot of practice this week and hopefully, will do better Saturday. But, one thing remains the same and that is that God loves us and we can always rely on His blessings.
I walked Saturday out to the first shelter in the Park, just to look at the baby gators, which are very hard to see, due to all the undergrowth and water, I did spy a couple of them because they were moving and Mama was taking it easy in the bushes off to the right. She only comes out when she thinks the babies are in danger. Just as I was leaving, the crowds started coming in with lots of happy children making loud noises, That is when she feels threatened.
I found out the name of the yellow blossomed tree. It is Golden Rain, and that is just what it does. The blooms only last for a short time and then it rains down. I also walked back to the butterfly garden at the park and saw that the Beauty Berry bush was full of dark red berries. Ah, lots of food for the birds! I could see they had been eating, because of all the purple splotches on the sidewalk. God is Good!
From the little devotional book, Knowing God:
1 Peter 5:6 NIV Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.
On the road to spiritual growth, pride is an enormous roadblock. The more prideful you are, the more difficult it is to know God. When you experience success, it's easy to puff out your chest and proclaim, "I did that!" Easy , but wrong.
Dietrich Bonhoeffer observed, "It is very easy to overestimate the importance of our own achievements,," and he was right. So the next time you're tempted to take too much credit for something you've done, resist the temptation . Instead of hogging all the glory, give God His fair share of the credit...and His share, by the way, is far bigger than your share.
Great Thoughts;
God exalts humility. When God works in our lives, helping us to become humble, he gives us a permanent joy. Humility gives us a joy that cannot be taken away.
Max Lucado
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
Friday, October 1, 2010
God's Creation
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! Finally, our cool air is here, well, we can call in the seventies cool, because that is definitely a change from the lows in the eighties! And the air is dry! Usually means good hair days! :o)
I was so inspired by the air that I took a walk yesterday just before supper. I really did not intend to walk very far..no walking stick and no walking shoes, but I walked out to the first shelter at the park, and saw big mama gator and lots of little babies. When I got there a man and his small son were just leaving, so I had it to myself for awhile, then I went on to the tower and even climbed the stairs, just to see if I could. No problem, but I really hung on to the rails. The wind was blowing and I was grateful, because I was quite warm, by the time I had walked through the sunny parts of the boardwalk into the shade. I stood for awhile hoping for some ospreys, but they didn't show up.
I have finally gotten most of my strength back from the surgery in Feb., but it has really taken a long time.
By the time I started my walk back, the boardwalk was filling up with families and noisy children excited over the babies. Mama gator gets pretty disturbed when there is a lot of noise, so she came out from her hiding place in the shrubs and was really guarding them. I just kept walking and headed for the car and blessed A/C. Whew! I headed for the shower! Brian stopped by on his way home and did a few things for me that needed doing and showed me his bandaged temple from a basal cell carcinoma removal yesterday. Seems like that must run in the family. But God is good!
From the devotional book, Knowing God:
Take a look at God's Creation
You are the God of miracles and wonders! You demonstrate your awesome power among the nations. Psalm 77:14 NLT
If we want to know God, we should examine His handiwork. And when we consider God's glorious universe, we marvel a the miracle of nature. The smallest seedlings and grandest stars are all part of God's infinite creation. God has placed His handiwork on display for all to see, and if we are wise, we will make time each day to celebrate the world that surrounds us.
Today as you fulfill the demands of everyday life, pause to consider the majesty of heaven and earth. It is as miraculous as it is beautiful, as incomprehensible as it is breathtaking.
The Psalmist reminds us that the heavens are a declaration of God's glory. May we never cease to praise the Father for a universe that stands as an awesome testimony to His presence and His power.
Because God created the Natural-invented it out of His love and artistry-it demands our reverence.
-C.S. Lewis
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
I was so inspired by the air that I took a walk yesterday just before supper. I really did not intend to walk very far..no walking stick and no walking shoes, but I walked out to the first shelter at the park, and saw big mama gator and lots of little babies. When I got there a man and his small son were just leaving, so I had it to myself for awhile, then I went on to the tower and even climbed the stairs, just to see if I could. No problem, but I really hung on to the rails. The wind was blowing and I was grateful, because I was quite warm, by the time I had walked through the sunny parts of the boardwalk into the shade. I stood for awhile hoping for some ospreys, but they didn't show up.
I have finally gotten most of my strength back from the surgery in Feb., but it has really taken a long time.
By the time I started my walk back, the boardwalk was filling up with families and noisy children excited over the babies. Mama gator gets pretty disturbed when there is a lot of noise, so she came out from her hiding place in the shrubs and was really guarding them. I just kept walking and headed for the car and blessed A/C. Whew! I headed for the shower! Brian stopped by on his way home and did a few things for me that needed doing and showed me his bandaged temple from a basal cell carcinoma removal yesterday. Seems like that must run in the family. But God is good!
From the devotional book, Knowing God:
Take a look at God's Creation
You are the God of miracles and wonders! You demonstrate your awesome power among the nations. Psalm 77:14 NLT
If we want to know God, we should examine His handiwork. And when we consider God's glorious universe, we marvel a the miracle of nature. The smallest seedlings and grandest stars are all part of God's infinite creation. God has placed His handiwork on display for all to see, and if we are wise, we will make time each day to celebrate the world that surrounds us.
Today as you fulfill the demands of everyday life, pause to consider the majesty of heaven and earth. It is as miraculous as it is beautiful, as incomprehensible as it is breathtaking.
The Psalmist reminds us that the heavens are a declaration of God's glory. May we never cease to praise the Father for a universe that stands as an awesome testimony to His presence and His power.
Because God created the Natural-invented it out of His love and artistry-it demands our reverence.
-C.S. Lewis
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
Thursday, September 30, 2010
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! So, today is the day we say farewell to September and really look forward to "October's Bright Blue "weather, (from a poem I sorta remember from my school days). We had cloudy weather yesterday, which suits me because I have to be cautious of the sun, anyway. Then it turned into rain and we had a nice shower in the evening. It was most welcome, because the huge staghorn hanging from our big oak tree needed water. I know it is mostly an air plant, but it looks droopy sometimes when it is dry.
While I was sweeping acorns off the front porch, my Cambodian neighbor from up the street, Mr. Soon, he says just call him "Soon", stopped on his way to the school, to chat a bit. He is hard for me to understand because of his accent, but he is a little dismayed that I am living alone, now. His household consists of I don't know how many adults and four or five little elementary grandkids. He had a heart attack about a year ago and now cannot work any more. He used to bring me flowers on Friday nights on his way home from work driving a flower truck. He walks to school twice a day to take the grandkids and see that they get home safely, and takes a long walk in the evening for his health. He is a very nice man.
I saw two anhingas in the park drying wings, and one large snapping turtle right below the anhinga on the weir. Lots of dog walkers and people enjoying the slightly cooler air. God is good!
From the Promise Bible NLT:
The heavens tell of the glory of God
The skies display his marvelous craftsmanship.
Day after day they continue to speak,
night after night they make him known.
They speak without a sound or a word,
their voice is silent in the skies,
yet their message has gone out to all the earth,
and their words to all the world.
The sun lives in the heavens
where God placed it.
It bursts forth like a radiant bridegroom
after his wedding.
It rejoices like a great athlete
eager to run the race.
The sun rises at one end of the heavens
and follows its course to the other end.
Nothing can hide from its heat.
The decrees of the Lord are trustworthy
making wise the simple.
The commandments of the Lord are right,
bringing joy to the heart.
The commands of the Lord are clear,
giving insight to life...
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
While I was sweeping acorns off the front porch, my Cambodian neighbor from up the street, Mr. Soon, he says just call him "Soon", stopped on his way to the school, to chat a bit. He is hard for me to understand because of his accent, but he is a little dismayed that I am living alone, now. His household consists of I don't know how many adults and four or five little elementary grandkids. He had a heart attack about a year ago and now cannot work any more. He used to bring me flowers on Friday nights on his way home from work driving a flower truck. He walks to school twice a day to take the grandkids and see that they get home safely, and takes a long walk in the evening for his health. He is a very nice man.
I saw two anhingas in the park drying wings, and one large snapping turtle right below the anhinga on the weir. Lots of dog walkers and people enjoying the slightly cooler air. God is good!
From the Promise Bible NLT:
The heavens tell of the glory of God
The skies display his marvelous craftsmanship.
Day after day they continue to speak,
night after night they make him known.
They speak without a sound or a word,
their voice is silent in the skies,
yet their message has gone out to all the earth,
and their words to all the world.
The sun lives in the heavens
where God placed it.
It bursts forth like a radiant bridegroom
after his wedding.
It rejoices like a great athlete
eager to run the race.
The sun rises at one end of the heavens
and follows its course to the other end.
Nothing can hide from its heat.
The decrees of the Lord are trustworthy
making wise the simple.
The commandments of the Lord are right,
bringing joy to the heart.
The commands of the Lord are clear,
giving insight to life...
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
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
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! The prediction is for cooler weather and less humidity this weekend, which really sounds good to me, however this morning when I stepped outside, the air was definitely cooler and it would have been nice to take a walk. Hopefully, I can do that later. We had some rain yesterday after I got through with my errands. IT wasn't much, but we can use more, because we really haven't had much this month.
It looks like the ospreys are having mating time again. I saw the old, ragged nest atop a light pole in the Gateway parking lot, was being built up again and an osprey was sitting on it while I went into Publix and was still there when I came out, It may be the one I frequently see on the line across Turner's creek by the Burger King.
Also, there is a nest atop a light pole at Sawgrass school, and that one is active again. So soon there will be little ospreys flying around again. I was fascinated as I drove to the park yesterday evening, to see a forming waterspout from a very dark and threatening cloud. I was able to watch it get a little bigger and then all at once, it disappeared. Wouldn't have done me any good to have a camera, since I was driving, but I was wishing for a picture of it.
Not many people were at the park, because it was threatening rain, but an anhinga was on the weir with wings totally outstretched, and also one was on the log right by the bridge, posing the same way. No sun, but I guess the wind was drying the feathers. 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, and with plenty or little.
Joy is a choice. We may not realize it, but we choose our moods and our attitudes. God's promises in Christ are the basis for choosing joy no matter what we face.
James 1:2 Dear brothers and sisters, whenever trouble comes your way, let it be an 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
It looks like the ospreys are having mating time again. I saw the old, ragged nest atop a light pole in the Gateway parking lot, was being built up again and an osprey was sitting on it while I went into Publix and was still there when I came out, It may be the one I frequently see on the line across Turner's creek by the Burger King.
Also, there is a nest atop a light pole at Sawgrass school, and that one is active again. So soon there will be little ospreys flying around again. I was fascinated as I drove to the park yesterday evening, to see a forming waterspout from a very dark and threatening cloud. I was able to watch it get a little bigger and then all at once, it disappeared. Wouldn't have done me any good to have a camera, since I was driving, but I was wishing for a picture of it.
Not many people were at the park, because it was threatening rain, but an anhinga was on the weir with wings totally outstretched, and also one was on the log right by the bridge, posing the same way. No sun, but I guess the wind was drying the feathers. 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, and with plenty or little.
Joy is a choice. We may not realize it, but we choose our moods and our attitudes. God's promises in Christ are the basis for choosing joy no matter what we face.
James 1:2 Dear brothers and sisters, whenever trouble comes your way, let it be an 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
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