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! , W ell, I left the quilt on the bed last night and was warm and cozy, even though the covers were heavy. It is cold! My temp read 48 this morning on the outside and 66 on the inside. The furnace is working overtime, and I may even have to build a fire in the fireplace! Speaking of that, I saw a couple of carts in Publix yesterday with packages of firewood, so looks like other people are using their fireplaces. Problem is, while I like the fire, I don't enjoy cleaning out the ashes!
I enjoyed looking at the Christmas lights on my way home from Faith Group last night. On one street nearly every house has lights, but the other side of the street has none...hmmm, a divided neighborhood!
Well, I have decided, since I am so far behind, that the most important thing is to remember what Christmas is all about. Celebrating Jesus' birth is the reason for the season, not whether or not the house is decorated, with garlands strung. Having family home and enjoying hearing the Christmas Carols sung and just enjoying each other is the best way to celebrate.
I did get to the Park yesterday and there was the fat gator in the usual spot, sunning and an anhinga and a couple turtles on the other side. I counted only five cars there , because it was cold with the wind blowing! Not even the tourists were walking! Winter in Florida, but God is good!
From the little devotional book Knowing God:
The Lord is my strength and my song: he has become my victory.
He is my God, and I will praise him.
Exodus 15:2 NLT
Where do you go to find strength? The gym? The health food store? the espresso bar? There's a better source of strength, of course, and that source is God. He is a neverending source of strength and courage if you call upon Him.
Have you "tapped in" to the power of God? Have you turned your life and your heart over to Him, or are you muddling along under your own power? The answer to the question will determine the quality of your life here on earth and the destiny of your life throughout all eternity. So start tapping in--and remember that when it comes to strength, God is the Ultimate source.
Great Thoughts;
All the power of God--the same power that hung the stars in place and put the planets in their courses and transformed Earth--now resides in you to energize and strengthen you to become the person God created you to be
Anne Graham Lotz
- Today's Prayer-
Dear Heavenly Father, You are my strength and my protector. When I am troubled, You comfort me. When I am discouraged, You lift me up. When I am afraid, You deliver me. Let me turn to You, Lord, when I am weak. In times of adversity, let me trust your plan, Lord and whatever my circumstances, let me look to you for any strength and my salvation. Amen
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
Monday, December 6, 2010
Psalm 100
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! Actually, it was so chilly (45) this morning, that I woke up shivering under all my blankets and got up and put another one on the bed. It's supposed to be even colder tonight! Well, we don't have any white stuff, anyway, just leaves. The wind is my friend, because the driveway is blown clean ...bad side, they are all on the porch!
I saw lots of pretty Christmas lights on my way to a church meeting last night. I drove by Lynch Lake and the lights were reflected in it...very pretty! Mine won't be up until Thursday, when my yardman is coming to do some chores. However, Brian is coming over tomorrow to rescue a butcher knife I tried to cut an acorn squash with. I got it halfway in, and now it is stuck in the squash and I can't pull it out. Sounds silly, but stranger things have happened!
As I drove in the park Sat. I saw the fat gator sunning on the mud of the lake on the right side and the usual turtles on the left. Still lots of birds soaring around, escaping from the cold north, to the cold south. A flock of ducks and ibis pecking around and squirrels all fattened up on the plentiful acorns! God is good!
From the Promise Bible NLT:
A psalm of thanksgiving;
Shout with joy to the Lord, O earth!
Worship the lord with gladness.
Come before him , singing with joy,
Acknowledge that the Lord is God!
He made us, and we are his.
We are his people; the sheep of his pasture.
Enter his gates with thanksgiving;
go into his courts with praise.
Give thanks to him and bless his name.
For the Lord is good.
His unfailing love continues forever,
and his faithfulness continues to
each generation.
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
I saw lots of pretty Christmas lights on my way to a church meeting last night. I drove by Lynch Lake and the lights were reflected in it...very pretty! Mine won't be up until Thursday, when my yardman is coming to do some chores. However, Brian is coming over tomorrow to rescue a butcher knife I tried to cut an acorn squash with. I got it halfway in, and now it is stuck in the squash and I can't pull it out. Sounds silly, but stranger things have happened!
As I drove in the park Sat. I saw the fat gator sunning on the mud of the lake on the right side and the usual turtles on the left. Still lots of birds soaring around, escaping from the cold north, to the cold south. A flock of ducks and ibis pecking around and squirrels all fattened up on the plentiful acorns! God is good!
From the Promise Bible NLT:
A psalm of thanksgiving;
Shout with joy to the Lord, O earth!
Worship the lord with gladness.
Come before him , singing with joy,
Acknowledge that the Lord is God!
He made us, and we are his.
We are his people; the sheep of his pasture.
Enter his gates with thanksgiving;
go into his courts with praise.
Give thanks to him and bless his name.
For the Lord is good.
His unfailing love continues forever,
and his faithfulness continues to
each generation.
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
Friday, December 3, 2010
Wisdom from Paul
Good mid-morning, Dear Friends and Prayer Partners! Guess the cold weather makes me move slower. But this is the day that the Lord has made and we will rejoice and be glad in it! I arose at my usual time of around 6:30am, but by the time, I showered and dressed and put on something warm, and ate breakfast, and prayed and checked emails, Here it is almost noon and nothing much accomplished. Well, some mornings are like that! Oh, I also took a phone call and encouraged and gave advice to a young friend.
Yesterday was a busy day, also, I had to leave my friend doing yard work and covering the gutters with wire, and take off for the dentist clear across town, then went to Sears and finally got home about 1:30, and ate lunch just before 3. Stopped by the park, and noticed the water lilies had been sprayed and are now dying. I do hope the little moorhens will stick around, because they like the hydrilla to build nests around.
While I was driving and waiting for lights, I noticed flocks of hundreds of blackbirds, I think, swooping and changing directions but basically heading north, and then flocks of doves at another intersection. this always happens when the weather is cold. But God is good!
Colossians 2, and 3 NLT
Don't let anyone lead you astray with empty philosophy and high-sounding nonsense that come from human thinking and from the evil powers of this world and not from Christ, For in Christ the fullness of God lives in a human body, and you are complete through your union with Christ, He is the Lord over every ruler and authority in the universe....
You must make allowance for each other's faults and forgive the person who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. And the most important piece of clothing you must wear is love. Love is what binds us all together in perfect harmony. And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body, you are all called to live in peace and always be thankful.
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
Yesterday was a busy day, also, I had to leave my friend doing yard work and covering the gutters with wire, and take off for the dentist clear across town, then went to Sears and finally got home about 1:30, and ate lunch just before 3. Stopped by the park, and noticed the water lilies had been sprayed and are now dying. I do hope the little moorhens will stick around, because they like the hydrilla to build nests around.
While I was driving and waiting for lights, I noticed flocks of hundreds of blackbirds, I think, swooping and changing directions but basically heading north, and then flocks of doves at another intersection. this always happens when the weather is cold. But God is good!
Colossians 2, and 3 NLT
Don't let anyone lead you astray with empty philosophy and high-sounding nonsense that come from human thinking and from the evil powers of this world and not from Christ, For in Christ the fullness of God lives in a human body, and you are complete through your union with Christ, He is the Lord over every ruler and authority in the universe....
You must make allowance for each other's faults and forgive the person who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. And the most important piece of clothing you must wear is love. Love is what binds us all together in perfect harmony. And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body, you are all called to live in peace and always be thankful.
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
Thursday, December 2, 2010
Prayer and assorted thoughts
Good cold morning, Dear Friends and Prayer Partners! This is the day that the Lord has made and we will rejoice and be glad in it! When I arose this morning, the temp outside was 49, but a nice, warm 69 in my northside bedroom. The heat was kicking on regularly all night. It is warming up some but the wind is blowing and that makes it feel a lot colder.
I got a little more done around the house yesterday preparing for Christmas, but the problem is, most of the items are stored too high for me to reach, so I have to call in help, because it is not wise for me to climb on a stool any more. But, it will all get done one way or another. because God is good!
Not much going on in the park yesterday, and I was surprised not to see the barricades up for the boardwalk, because the wind was really blowing! Of course, with the shortage of help, there was no one to put up the signs. I saw a few turtles sunning and the anhinga drying out the wings on the tree stump by the bridge, but no other critters were visible. Maybe today the gators will come out for sun, but the water is probably warmer than the outside air!
A prayer from a friend:
Dear Jesus,
I long for my spiritual and physical life to become such a blend that I can not separate the two. I also desire to be a Lighthouse for your love with friends, neighbors, and extended family. I want to be able to do more for others than what I can accomplish on my own. I am so thankful for how I have been pulled out of the darkness and into the light. I am so thankful that You regenerate and prepare me for each day. What an awesome thought to know that I am your brother- and God's child. I so desire to receive power and direction from You in sharing hope and direction with other people. I come to You and give You my life today - seeking the love, guidance, power, and majesty of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
Amen
Thoughts regarding Haggai, which scripture I sent Monday, I think;
God's word is full of promises for His children, but there can be conditional clauses. We can make the mistake to read a portion of His word that we want to lay claim to, only to miss out on His blessings because of our self-centeredness.
The words of Haggai are a warning as well as a blessing. We need to focus on the author of our faith and less on our own selfish ways. When we are able to focus our worship on HIM and on HiS plan for our lives, then the "details" of our lives get sorted out according to HIS will.
( Thanks again to my friend who sent this in 2003. Timeless truths.)
I always give thanks for you remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
I got a little more done around the house yesterday preparing for Christmas, but the problem is, most of the items are stored too high for me to reach, so I have to call in help, because it is not wise for me to climb on a stool any more. But, it will all get done one way or another. because God is good!
Not much going on in the park yesterday, and I was surprised not to see the barricades up for the boardwalk, because the wind was really blowing! Of course, with the shortage of help, there was no one to put up the signs. I saw a few turtles sunning and the anhinga drying out the wings on the tree stump by the bridge, but no other critters were visible. Maybe today the gators will come out for sun, but the water is probably warmer than the outside air!
A prayer from a friend:
Dear Jesus,
I long for my spiritual and physical life to become such a blend that I can not separate the two. I also desire to be a Lighthouse for your love with friends, neighbors, and extended family. I want to be able to do more for others than what I can accomplish on my own. I am so thankful for how I have been pulled out of the darkness and into the light. I am so thankful that You regenerate and prepare me for each day. What an awesome thought to know that I am your brother- and God's child. I so desire to receive power and direction from You in sharing hope and direction with other people. I come to You and give You my life today - seeking the love, guidance, power, and majesty of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
Amen
Thoughts regarding Haggai, which scripture I sent Monday, I think;
God's word is full of promises for His children, but there can be conditional clauses. We can make the mistake to read a portion of His word that we want to lay claim to, only to miss out on His blessings because of our self-centeredness.
The words of Haggai are a warning as well as a blessing. We need to focus on the author of our faith and less on our own selfish ways. When we are able to focus our worship on HIM and on HiS plan for our lives, then the "details" of our lives get sorted out according to HIS will.
( Thanks again to my friend who sent this in 2003. Timeless truths.)
I always give thanks for you remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
Walking in the Light
Good Morning, Dear Friends and Prayer Partners, and Happy December first! This is the day that the Lord has made and we will rejoice and be glad in it! We are in the midst of a cold front coming through, but it didn't bring much rain. Just a small sprinkle during the early morning hours. But the wind is blowing and now along with the acorns, the leaves are falling. My friend, David C. got half of the gutters covered before running out of wire, but he will finish the rest when he comes tomorrow, and I am sure the gutters will be full again , with the part that was still open. There is already a big layer of acorns on the ground, so the squirrels don't even have to dig any more.
I saw a congregation of different water birds around Lynch Lake yesterday. Lots of ibis, the lonesome woodstorks, off by themselves, seagulls, and , of course, the regular ducks, all gathered together. The woodstorks don't seem to socialize with the other birds.
Then I went to the park and it was almost empty of people, but a pretty day and the water looked serene.
I visited an auto parts store yesterday for some wiper blades and the young clerk took them out to the van to install them and asked me if I had been a member of St. James Church. I said, "Yes, how did you know?" He just said I looked familiar and then proceeded to name numerous people who had been there when I attended. Now, this was thirty years ago, and the kid was not more than twenty and actually looked like a teen-ager, so he wasn't even born when I left to be at Faith Covenant. We had an interesting conversation and I left thinking that had to be a God encounter, because he had some good ideas about why we should go to church..to worship, not because of people or the preacher, but because of God's presence. Very wise. God is good!
From the little book Knowing God:
I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.
John 8:12 NIV
God's Holy Word instructs us that Jesus is, "the way, the truth, and the life" (John 14:6-7.
Without Christ, we are as far removed from salvation as the east is removed from the west. And without Christ, we can never know the ultimate truth: God's truth.
Truth is God's way. He commands His believers to live in truth, and He rewards those who do so. Jesus is the personification of God's liberating truth, a truth that offers salvation to mankind.
Do you seek to walk with God? Do you seek to feel His presence and His peace? Then you must walk in truth; you must walk in the light; you must walk with the Savior. There is simply no other way.
The Christian faith is meant to be lived moment by moment. It isn't some broad, general outline-it's a long walk with a real Person. Details count; passing thoughts, small sacrifices, a few encouraging words. little acts of kindness, brief victories over nagging sins.
Joni Eareckson Tada
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
I saw a congregation of different water birds around Lynch Lake yesterday. Lots of ibis, the lonesome woodstorks, off by themselves, seagulls, and , of course, the regular ducks, all gathered together. The woodstorks don't seem to socialize with the other birds.
Then I went to the park and it was almost empty of people, but a pretty day and the water looked serene.
I visited an auto parts store yesterday for some wiper blades and the young clerk took them out to the van to install them and asked me if I had been a member of St. James Church. I said, "Yes, how did you know?" He just said I looked familiar and then proceeded to name numerous people who had been there when I attended. Now, this was thirty years ago, and the kid was not more than twenty and actually looked like a teen-ager, so he wasn't even born when I left to be at Faith Covenant. We had an interesting conversation and I left thinking that had to be a God encounter, because he had some good ideas about why we should go to church..to worship, not because of people or the preacher, but because of God's presence. Very wise. God is good!
From the little book Knowing God:
I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.
John 8:12 NIV
God's Holy Word instructs us that Jesus is, "the way, the truth, and the life" (John 14:6-7.
Without Christ, we are as far removed from salvation as the east is removed from the west. And without Christ, we can never know the ultimate truth: God's truth.
Truth is God's way. He commands His believers to live in truth, and He rewards those who do so. Jesus is the personification of God's liberating truth, a truth that offers salvation to mankind.
Do you seek to walk with God? Do you seek to feel His presence and His peace? Then you must walk in truth; you must walk in the light; you must walk with the Savior. There is simply no other way.
The Christian faith is meant to be lived moment by moment. It isn't some broad, general outline-it's a long walk with a real Person. Details count; passing thoughts, small sacrifices, a few encouraging words. little acts of kindness, brief victories over nagging sins.
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
Haggai 1
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 seems like everything is quiet and just waiting for the wind and rain that's coming. The wind is just now starting to pick up and blow and should bring some much needed rain. It has been storming and rainy in Tenn. for a couple days, getting ready to come visit us. Maybe I won't have to water the staghorn if God does it, instead.
I did a little Christmas shopping yesterday and stopped at Chic-Filet for a sandwich to take home... now I have to find the energy to finish decorating the house. Just think, tomorrow will be December! Not that many days until we celebrate Christ's birth!
I stopped at the Park for awhile and saw a couple turtles and a lot of people hanging over the bridge rail looking down in the water. Something about the water is fascinating , even if you just watch the fish swimming around. God is good!
This is a good message for this time of the year, borrowed from an email sent me in 2003;
Haggai 1:5-11
Now this is what the Lord Almighty says: "Give careful thought to your ways. You have planted much, but have harvested little. You eat, but never have enough. You drink, but never have your fill. You put on clothes, but are not warm. You earn wages, only to put them in a purse with holes in it." This is what the Lord Almighty says: "Give careful thought to your ways. Go up into the mountains and bring down timber and build the house, so that I may take pleasure in it and be honored," says the Lord. "You expected much, but see, it turned out to be little. What you brought home, I blew away. Why?" declares the Lord Almighty. "Because of my house, which remains a ruin, while each of you is busy with his own house. Therefore, because of you the heavens have withheld their dew and the earth its crops. I called for a drought on the fields and the mountains, on the grain, the new wine, the oil and whatever the ground produces, on men and cattle, and on the labor of your hands."
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
I did a little Christmas shopping yesterday and stopped at Chic-Filet for a sandwich to take home... now I have to find the energy to finish decorating the house. Just think, tomorrow will be December! Not that many days until we celebrate Christ's birth!
I stopped at the Park for awhile and saw a couple turtles and a lot of people hanging over the bridge rail looking down in the water. Something about the water is fascinating , even if you just watch the fish swimming around. God is good!
This is a good message for this time of the year, borrowed from an email sent me in 2003;
Haggai 1:5-11
Now this is what the Lord Almighty says: "Give careful thought to your ways. You have planted much, but have harvested little. You eat, but never have enough. You drink, but never have your fill. You put on clothes, but are not warm. You earn wages, only to put them in a purse with holes in it." This is what the Lord Almighty says: "Give careful thought to your ways. Go up into the mountains and bring down timber and build the house, so that I may take pleasure in it and be honored," says the Lord. "You expected much, but see, it turned out to be little. What you brought home, I blew away. Why?" declares the Lord Almighty. "Because of my house, which remains a ruin, while each of you is busy with his own house. Therefore, because of you the heavens have withheld their dew and the earth its crops. I called for a drought on the fields and the mountains, on the grain, the new wine, the oil and whatever the ground produces, on men and cattle, and on the labor of your hands."
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
Monday, November 29, 2010
Prayer Pause
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 hard to believe that colder weather is coming this week, when today is supposed to be near the eighties again! But that's Ok, puts us in the Christmas mood!
Yesterday, I went to the Park after church and saw the usual big and little turtles sunning on the bank of the weir and on the other side, the fat gator was sunning. Someone was standing near him taking pictures, inside the stay out sign. Some people just don't care about their own safety...
Also, it looks like the woodstorks have decided to make the Lynch Lake their winter home. They are there every day, along with the ibis and the ducks. But I like it when once in a while the roseate spoonbill is present with them. I like pink! God is good!
From the Quiet Moments with God devotional book;
Uphold me according to your promise that I may live. Psalm 119:116 AMP
A coffee break is a good time for Prayer!
When we pray at the outset of our day, our prayer is often for general guidance and help from the Lord. When we pray in the midst of our day, our prayer is much more likely to be specific and aimed at immediate needs and concerns. By the time a coffee break rolls around, we have a much better idea of what our day holds, including what particular dangers, difficulties, or temptations we are going to face! It is with that knowledge, born of experience, that this prayer of Saint Patrick takes on even greater meaning:
May the wisdom of God instruct me,
the eye of God watch over me,
the ear of God hear me,
the word of God give me sweet talk,
the hand of God defend me,
the way of God guide me.
Christ be with me.
Christ before me.
Christ in me.
Christ under me.
Christ over me.
Christ on my right hand.
Christ on my left hand.
Christ on this side.
Christ on that side.
Christ in the head of everyone to whom I speak.
Christ in the mouth of everyone who speaks to me.
Christ in the eye of every person who looks upon me.
Christ in the ear of everyone who hears me today,
Amen
Take time in the middle of your day to ask the Lord for His wrap-around presence, His unending encouragement, and His all-sustaining assistance. And in return, be a vessel that carries His presence, encouragement, and assistance to others.
Do not look upon the vessel, but
upon what it holds.
Hebrew Proverb
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love.
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
Yesterday, I went to the Park after church and saw the usual big and little turtles sunning on the bank of the weir and on the other side, the fat gator was sunning. Someone was standing near him taking pictures, inside the stay out sign. Some people just don't care about their own safety...
Also, it looks like the woodstorks have decided to make the Lynch Lake their winter home. They are there every day, along with the ibis and the ducks. But I like it when once in a while the roseate spoonbill is present with them. I like pink! God is good!
From the Quiet Moments with God devotional book;
Uphold me according to your promise that I may live. Psalm 119:116 AMP
A coffee break is a good time for Prayer!
When we pray at the outset of our day, our prayer is often for general guidance and help from the Lord. When we pray in the midst of our day, our prayer is much more likely to be specific and aimed at immediate needs and concerns. By the time a coffee break rolls around, we have a much better idea of what our day holds, including what particular dangers, difficulties, or temptations we are going to face! It is with that knowledge, born of experience, that this prayer of Saint Patrick takes on even greater meaning:
May the wisdom of God instruct me,
the eye of God watch over me,
the ear of God hear me,
the word of God give me sweet talk,
the hand of God defend me,
the way of God guide me.
Christ be with me.
Christ before me.
Christ in me.
Christ under me.
Christ over me.
Christ on my right hand.
Christ on my left hand.
Christ on this side.
Christ on that side.
Christ in the head of everyone to whom I speak.
Christ in the mouth of everyone who speaks to me.
Christ in the eye of every person who looks upon me.
Christ in the ear of everyone who hears me today,
Amen
Take time in the middle of your day to ask the Lord for His wrap-around presence, His unending encouragement, and His all-sustaining assistance. And in return, be a vessel that carries His presence, encouragement, and assistance to others.
Do not look upon the vessel, but
upon what it holds.
Hebrew Proverb
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love.
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
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