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 was awakened by lightning flashing and thunder booming this morning, a welcome sound, but that just gave me the incentive to stay in bed awhile. All this sorely needed rain is bringing a cold front in, after all the beautiful weather we have had. Hard to believe that although it is 66 now, tonight it will drop to 48. At least, that's the prediction!
All the pollen is now wet and we have relief for awhile until it dries out. I wish it would also take away the worms, but I am happy for the pollen dampening. I tried to sweep off the porch yesterday, and got a lot of pollen dust blowing.
I drove to Walmart to fill the tank and was glad to find the price was lower than most gas stations...not low, but lower. The wind was blowing so hard that I thought I would lose all my hair! After I left there. I stopped at the park and saw quite a few people out , enjoying the sun and wind. I watched an egret stroll up to a picnic table, and look longingly at the people eating, hoping for a tid-bit. The squirrels always beg, and now it looks like the egrets have picked up the habit. But God is good!
From Quiet Moments with God:
The desire of a man is his kindness. Proverbs 19:22 KJV
How much sweeter everyday life would be if teatime manners were valued! Tea-time manners are more than waving a pinkie in the air, knowing which fork to use, or remembering where to place one's napkin after a meal. These are secondary to the real reason we have manners.
Manners are merely behaving as though Jesus were our honored Guest--as if eveery other person we meet were His personal emissary. It means doing and saying what makes others feel comfortable.
Some years ago, the members of an entire church in Scotland were able to produce one of the most remarkable preachers of the time just by showing him Christlike manners. Here's what happened:
Ian Maclaren, author of Beside the Bonnie Brier Bush, was learning to preach without notes at his first church assignment in the Highlands. At times, he would stop in the middle of a sermon and say to the congregation, "Friends, that is not very clear. It was clear in my study on Saturday, but now I will begin again."
After one particular service when his memory had failed him, Maclaren was approached by a gaunt elder who took him by the hand and said, "when you are not remembering your sermon, just call out a psalm and we will be singing that while you are taking a rest; for we all are loving you and praying for you."
With such parishioners, how could Ian Maclaren have done anything other than grow in his preaching abilities and pulpit composure? That first Highland church made Ian Maclaren. Years later he said, "I am in the ministry today because of those country folk, those perfect gentlemen and Christians."
If one has developed a sinse of manners, then he or she is less likely to have to stop and say, "What would Jesus do in this situation?"
Little drops of water, little grains of sand.
make the mighty ocean and the pleasant
land. Little deeds of kindness, little
words of love, help to make earth happy
like the heaven above.
Julia A. Fletcher-Carney
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
Thursday, March 10, 2011
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
Have a healthy fear of God
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! We are still having beautiful, sunshiny, somewhat windy weather, but I remember that March came in like a lamb, and may go out like a lion. I do wish the winds would blow the oak tree worms away...little green worms, hanging from silken threads, all over the yard. Not pleasant at all! I googled them yesterday and it looks like another month of them, before they are gone. Eat up, mockingbirds!!
On a more pleasant note, I visited my dear friend yesterday and got my hair done. Mari has been doing my hair for over thirty years. She knows my hair better than I do. She is such an encourager, I always feel better when I leave her company, not to mention, also looking good. On my way home I went by the Taco Bus and saw a line of people clear out on the sidewalk, so decided not to get my lunch there. I went as far as 16th St. on Central and looked like all the merchants were busy.
I also drove into the park on my way home and saw a flock of ibis and quite a few people enjoying this wonderful weather. I also saw another osprey and a wood stork by Lynch Lake in front of the school. God is good!
From the little devotional book Knowing God:
Since we are receiving a Kingdom that cannot be destroyed, let us be thankful and please God by worshiping him with holy fear and awe.
Hebrews 12:28 NLT
Do you have a healthy, fearful respect for God's power? If so, you are both wise and obedient. And, because you are a thoughtful believer, you also understand that genuine wisdom begins with a profound appreciation for God's limitless power.
God praises humility and punishes pride. That's why God's greatest servants will always be those humble men and women who care less for their own glory and more for God's glory. In God's kingdom, the only way to achieve greatness is to shun it. And the only way to be wise is to understand these facts. God is great; He is all-knowing; and He is all powerful. We must respect him, and we must humbly obey His commandments, or we must accept the consequences of our misplaced pride.
A healthy fear of God will do much to deter us from sin.
When true believers are awed by the greatness of God and by the privilege of becoming His children, then they become sincerely motivated, effective evangelists.
Dear Lord, let my greatest fear be the fear of displeasing You. I will strive, Father, to obey Your commandments and seek Your will this day and every day of my life. Amen
I always give thanks for you, remembering you with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
On a more pleasant note, I visited my dear friend yesterday and got my hair done. Mari has been doing my hair for over thirty years. She knows my hair better than I do. She is such an encourager, I always feel better when I leave her company, not to mention, also looking good. On my way home I went by the Taco Bus and saw a line of people clear out on the sidewalk, so decided not to get my lunch there. I went as far as 16th St. on Central and looked like all the merchants were busy.
I also drove into the park on my way home and saw a flock of ibis and quite a few people enjoying this wonderful weather. I also saw another osprey and a wood stork by Lynch Lake in front of the school. God is good!
From the little devotional book Knowing God:
Since we are receiving a Kingdom that cannot be destroyed, let us be thankful and please God by worshiping him with holy fear and awe.
Hebrews 12:28 NLT
Do you have a healthy, fearful respect for God's power? If so, you are both wise and obedient. And, because you are a thoughtful believer, you also understand that genuine wisdom begins with a profound appreciation for God's limitless power.
God praises humility and punishes pride. That's why God's greatest servants will always be those humble men and women who care less for their own glory and more for God's glory. In God's kingdom, the only way to achieve greatness is to shun it. And the only way to be wise is to understand these facts. God is great; He is all-knowing; and He is all powerful. We must respect him, and we must humbly obey His commandments, or we must accept the consequences of our misplaced pride.
A healthy fear of God will do much to deter us from sin.
When true believers are awed by the greatness of God and by the privilege of becoming His children, then they become sincerely motivated, effective evangelists.
Dear Lord, let my greatest fear be the fear of displeasing You. I will strive, Father, to obey Your commandments and seek Your will this day and every day of my life. Amen
I always give thanks for you, remembering you with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
Paul's final advice
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, they have arrived. The worms, I mean. No more walking in the yard without a hat or protecting cover. Seems like the yard won't get cleaned up for awhile with all the worms hanging around. And I do mean "hanging". The webs are gently blowing in the breeze all over with a worm at the end. "EEEW!
But with all the worms, the birds should be happy if the worms suit their taste. I saw an osprey on top of a light pole finishing off his lunch yesterday. He was close to the nest at Sawgrass Elem., so he may have been grabbing a bite before continuing with the job of feeding the babies. I saw in the Times yesterday that the Hillsborough State Park was one of the few places where you can see ospreys nest, but in this neighborhood there are two big nests right now, so we don't have to go that far.
The gator was back on the bank of the lake at the park yesterday and the anhinga was waddling along the top of the weir. I say "waddling" because they are definitely not graceful. Their knees bend backward and they sort of sit on them between steps. Kind of comical. But God makes all creatures great and small, (even the worms) and He is Good!
From the Promise Bible NLT:
1 Thessalonians 5:12-23
Dear brothers and sisters, honor those who are your leaders in the Lord's work. They work hard among you and warn you against all that is wrong. Think highly of them and give them your wholehearted love because of their work. And remember to live peaceably with each other.
Brothers and sisters, we urge you to warn those who are lazy. Encourage those who are timid. Take tender care of those who are weak. Be patient with everyone.
See that no one pays back evil for evil, but always try to do good to each other and to everyone else.
Always be joyful. Keep on praying. No matter what happens, always be thankful, for this is God's
will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.
Do not stifle the Holy Spirit. Do not scoff at prophesies, but test everything that is said. Hold on to what is good. Keep away from every kind of evil.
Now may the God of peace make you holy in every way, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless until that day when our Lord Jesus comes again. God, who calls, you, is faithful; he will do this....
And may the grace of the Lord be with you.
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
But with all the worms, the birds should be happy if the worms suit their taste. I saw an osprey on top of a light pole finishing off his lunch yesterday. He was close to the nest at Sawgrass Elem., so he may have been grabbing a bite before continuing with the job of feeding the babies. I saw in the Times yesterday that the Hillsborough State Park was one of the few places where you can see ospreys nest, but in this neighborhood there are two big nests right now, so we don't have to go that far.
The gator was back on the bank of the lake at the park yesterday and the anhinga was waddling along the top of the weir. I say "waddling" because they are definitely not graceful. Their knees bend backward and they sort of sit on them between steps. Kind of comical. But God makes all creatures great and small, (even the worms) and He is Good!
From the Promise Bible NLT:
1 Thessalonians 5:12-23
Dear brothers and sisters, honor those who are your leaders in the Lord's work. They work hard among you and warn you against all that is wrong. Think highly of them and give them your wholehearted love because of their work. And remember to live peaceably with each other.
Brothers and sisters, we urge you to warn those who are lazy. Encourage those who are timid. Take tender care of those who are weak. Be patient with everyone.
See that no one pays back evil for evil, but always try to do good to each other and to everyone else.
Always be joyful. Keep on praying. No matter what happens, always be thankful, for this is God's
will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.
Do not stifle the Holy Spirit. Do not scoff at prophesies, but test everything that is said. Hold on to what is good. Keep away from every kind of evil.
Now may the God of peace make you holy in every way, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless until that day when our Lord Jesus comes again. God, who calls, you, is faithful; he will do this....
And may the grace of the Lord be with you.
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
Friday, March 4, 2011
Loving one another
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 was just outside with Dave, my yardman, and the wind is really blowing from the south and then from the east..can't seem to make up its mind. Everything looks so good and clean now, but in a few minutes, I won't be able to tell he was here. The pollen is still falling and coating everything. I have not had the van parked under any trees, but the back window was covered with yellow dust!
Yesterday, I went over to the park, but did not get out, because everything is covered with oak dust, just like my yard. I saw the anhinga airing the wings on the weir and also on the dead tree branch in the water. People find them fascinating and stand and watch them for several minutes. I haven't seen the gopher tortoise lately, but he was a showpiece for all the school children, when he was close to the parking lot. I saw the teacher with several classes, looking at him several days in a row.
Also, the screech owl wooden house is now full of bees which have taken up residence there. No room for the owls! I guess I will have to do my walking inside a large store or mall until the pollen count is lower. But God is good!
From the Promise Bible NLT:
1 John 4:7-12
Dear Friends, let us continue to love one another, for love comes from God. Anyone who loves is born of God and knows God. But anyone who does not love does not know God--for God is love.
God showed how much he loved us by sending his only son into the world so that we might have eternal life through him. This is real love. It is not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as a sacrifice to take away our sin.
Dear Friends, since God loved us that much, we surely ought to love each other. No one has ever seen God. But if we love each other, God lives in us, and his love has been brought to full expression through us.
Ephesians 3:20-21
Now glory be to God! By his mighty power at 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
Yesterday, I went over to the park, but did not get out, because everything is covered with oak dust, just like my yard. I saw the anhinga airing the wings on the weir and also on the dead tree branch in the water. People find them fascinating and stand and watch them for several minutes. I haven't seen the gopher tortoise lately, but he was a showpiece for all the school children, when he was close to the parking lot. I saw the teacher with several classes, looking at him several days in a row.
Also, the screech owl wooden house is now full of bees which have taken up residence there. No room for the owls! I guess I will have to do my walking inside a large store or mall until the pollen count is lower. But God is good!
From the Promise Bible NLT:
1 John 4:7-12
Dear Friends, let us continue to love one another, for love comes from God. Anyone who loves is born of God and knows God. But anyone who does not love does not know God--for God is love.
God showed how much he loved us by sending his only son into the world so that we might have eternal life through him. This is real love. It is not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as a sacrifice to take away our sin.
Dear Friends, since God loved us that much, we surely ought to love each other. No one has ever seen God. But if we love each other, God lives in us, and his love has been brought to full expression through us.
Ephesians 3:20-21
Now glory be to God! By his mighty power at 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
Thursday, March 3, 2011
Psoaring thru Psalm 121
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 was listening to the monotonous cooing of a dove and the answering call of another while I was having my quiet time this morning. I believe it is mating time, since the weather has been so nice. They were probably wooing, (an old fashioned term).
Yesterday, I drove to the park after shopping and going to the audiologist. I saw a couple turtles sunning on the bank of the weir and the younger gator was sunning on the other side of the road, in his usual spot on the bank of the lake. It was a beautiful day and the park is greening up nicely with all the new leaves on the trees, but the pollen was covering the road and still blowing off the trees. It has also piled up on my front porch, and I am waiting for my yard man to come and blow it all off, because if I get the broom out to sweep,, it will fall in my hair and I will also start sneezing. Ah, spring! But God is good!
From the Promise Bible NLT:
Psalm 121
I look up to the mountains--
does my help come from there?
My help comes from the Lord,
who made the heavens and the earth!
He will not let you stumble and fall;
The one who watches over Israel
never tires and never sleeps.
The Lord himself watches over you!
The Lord stands beside you as your
protective shade.
The sun will not hurt you by day,
nor the moon at night.
The Lord keeps you from all evil
and preserves your life.
The Lord keeps watch over you as you
come and go,
both now and forever.
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
Yesterday, I drove to the park after shopping and going to the audiologist. I saw a couple turtles sunning on the bank of the weir and the younger gator was sunning on the other side of the road, in his usual spot on the bank of the lake. It was a beautiful day and the park is greening up nicely with all the new leaves on the trees, but the pollen was covering the road and still blowing off the trees. It has also piled up on my front porch, and I am waiting for my yard man to come and blow it all off, because if I get the broom out to sweep,, it will fall in my hair and I will also start sneezing. Ah, spring! But God is good!
From the Promise Bible NLT:
Psalm 121
I look up to the mountains--
does my help come from there?
My help comes from the Lord,
who made the heavens and the earth!
He will not let you stumble and fall;
The one who watches over Israel
never tires and never sleeps.
The Lord himself watches over you!
The Lord stands beside you as your
protective shade.
The sun will not hurt you by day,
nor the moon at night.
The Lord keeps you from all evil
and preserves your life.
The Lord keeps watch over you as you
come and go,
both now and forever.
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
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!
As I watch the drips pouring off the roof, it seems that the sky is crying tears for Officer David Crawford whose services are being held in just and hour and a half. My fervent prayer is that this is the last service in St. Petersburg for a fallen officer! What a way to start a new month!
Because of the falling pollen, I am happy for the rain, hoping it will dampen down all the stuff floating around in the air, although it is just a light sprinkle. Every little bit helps! I have given up walking in the park, because of all the pollen, and my sneezing. I still ride through every day, just so I can see what is going on and watch the azaleas blossoming out. Also, I like to see the gators and turtles. Yesterday I looked out my window at home and saw the yard was filled with ibises and right in the middle was a little squirrel, happily munching on an acorn. The ibis went on pecking and the squirrel kept on munching. They were happily co-existing...a good example for all of us! God is good!
From the Promise Bible NLT:
Controlling the tongue...James 3
Dear brothers and sisters, not many of you should become teachers in the church, for we who teach will be judged by God with greater strictness.
We all make many mistakes, but those who control their tongues can also control themselves in every other way. We can make a large horse turn around and go wherever we want by means of a small bit in its mouth, And a tiny rudder makes a huge ship turn wherever a pilot wants it to go, even though the winds are strong. So, also, the tongue is a small thing, but what enormous damage it can do. A tiny spark can set a great forest on fire. And the tongue is a flame of fire. It is full of wickedness that can ruin your whole life. It can turn the entire course of your life into a blazing flame of destruction, for it is set on fire by hell itself.
People can tame all kinds of animals and birds and reptiles and fish, but no one can tame the tongue. It is an uncontrollable evil, full of deadly poison. Sometimes it praises our Lord and Father, and sometimes it breaks out into curses against those who have been made in the image of God. And so blessing and cursing come pouring out of the same mouth. Surely, my brothers and sisters, this is not right! Does a spring of water bubble out with both fresh water and bitter water? Can you pick olives from a fig tree or figs from a grapevine? No, and you can't draw fresh water from a salty pool...(more tomorrow)
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
As I watch the drips pouring off the roof, it seems that the sky is crying tears for Officer David Crawford whose services are being held in just and hour and a half. My fervent prayer is that this is the last service in St. Petersburg for a fallen officer! What a way to start a new month!
Because of the falling pollen, I am happy for the rain, hoping it will dampen down all the stuff floating around in the air, although it is just a light sprinkle. Every little bit helps! I have given up walking in the park, because of all the pollen, and my sneezing. I still ride through every day, just so I can see what is going on and watch the azaleas blossoming out. Also, I like to see the gators and turtles. Yesterday I looked out my window at home and saw the yard was filled with ibises and right in the middle was a little squirrel, happily munching on an acorn. The ibis went on pecking and the squirrel kept on munching. They were happily co-existing...a good example for all of us! God is good!
From the Promise Bible NLT:
Controlling the tongue...James 3
Dear brothers and sisters, not many of you should become teachers in the church, for we who teach will be judged by God with greater strictness.
We all make many mistakes, but those who control their tongues can also control themselves in every other way. We can make a large horse turn around and go wherever we want by means of a small bit in its mouth, And a tiny rudder makes a huge ship turn wherever a pilot wants it to go, even though the winds are strong. So, also, the tongue is a small thing, but what enormous damage it can do. A tiny spark can set a great forest on fire. And the tongue is a flame of fire. It is full of wickedness that can ruin your whole life. It can turn the entire course of your life into a blazing flame of destruction, for it is set on fire by hell itself.
People can tame all kinds of animals and birds and reptiles and fish, but no one can tame the tongue. It is an uncontrollable evil, full of deadly poison. Sometimes it praises our Lord and Father, and sometimes it breaks out into curses against those who have been made in the image of God. And so blessing and cursing come pouring out of the same mouth. Surely, my brothers and sisters, this is not right! Does a spring of water bubble out with both fresh water and bitter water? Can you pick olives from a fig tree or figs from a grapevine? No, and you can't draw fresh water from a salty pool...(more tomorrow)
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
Friday, February 25, 2011
Scriptures from 1 Corinthians and Nahum
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, spring is here, even though the calendar does not say so. The azaleas are blooming and I just looked out the window and the very old azalea bush in the back of the house has thrived even though neglected, and has beautiful deep rose blooms on it. It is probably about forty years old. I only noticed the front ones when I went out to check the leaf situation when Dave was here to blow all the fallen leaves into the dumpster. Guess I am not very observant! The driveway and front porch looked good for about fifteen minutes yesterday, but, of course, the leaves are still falling so, already the ground is covered again
I went to the park yesterday, on my way back from shopping, still in shock over the price of gas, and saw the roads were covered in oak leaves. I mean they were really thick! But the azaleas there were also blooming, and , the ibis were pecking as usual in the mud. Their feathers are always such a pristine white, but the beaks are covered in mud. Quite a contrast! I saw another osprey flying across from the Burger King in the busy city. I think it is the one who has the nest high on a light pole in the parking lot. God is good!
From the Promise Bible NLT and the NIV:
1 Corinthians 3:7 The ones who do the planting or watering aren't important, but God is important because he is the one who makes the seed grow. The one who plants and the one who waters work as a team with the same purpose. Yet they will be rewarded individually, according to their own hard work. We work together as partners who belong to God. You are God's field, God's building, not ours.
Because of God's special favor to me, I have laid the foundation like an expert builder. Now others are building on it. But whoever is building on this foundation must be very careful. For no one can lay any other foundation than the one we already have--Jesus Christ. Now anyone who builds on that foundation may use gold, silver, jewels, wood, hay or straw. But there is going to come a day of testing at the judgment day to see what kind of work each builder has done. Everyone's work will be put through the fire to see whether or not it keeps its value. If the work survives the fire. that builder will receive a reward. But if the work is burned up, the builder will suffer great loss. The builders themselves will be saved, but like someone escaping through a wall of flame....
Nahum 1:7
The Lord is good, a stronghold in times of trouble. He cares for you who trusts in Him.
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! Well, spring is here, even though the calendar does not say so. The azaleas are blooming and I just looked out the window and the very old azalea bush in the back of the house has thrived even though neglected, and has beautiful deep rose blooms on it. It is probably about forty years old. I only noticed the front ones when I went out to check the leaf situation when Dave was here to blow all the fallen leaves into the dumpster. Guess I am not very observant! The driveway and front porch looked good for about fifteen minutes yesterday, but, of course, the leaves are still falling so, already the ground is covered again
I went to the park yesterday, on my way back from shopping, still in shock over the price of gas, and saw the roads were covered in oak leaves. I mean they were really thick! But the azaleas there were also blooming, and , the ibis were pecking as usual in the mud. Their feathers are always such a pristine white, but the beaks are covered in mud. Quite a contrast! I saw another osprey flying across from the Burger King in the busy city. I think it is the one who has the nest high on a light pole in the parking lot. God is good!
From the Promise Bible NLT and the NIV:
1 Corinthians 3:7 The ones who do the planting or watering aren't important, but God is important because he is the one who makes the seed grow. The one who plants and the one who waters work as a team with the same purpose. Yet they will be rewarded individually, according to their own hard work. We work together as partners who belong to God. You are God's field, God's building, not ours.
Because of God's special favor to me, I have laid the foundation like an expert builder. Now others are building on it. But whoever is building on this foundation must be very careful. For no one can lay any other foundation than the one we already have--Jesus Christ. Now anyone who builds on that foundation may use gold, silver, jewels, wood, hay or straw. But there is going to come a day of testing at the judgment day to see what kind of work each builder has done. Everyone's work will be put through the fire to see whether or not it keeps its value. If the work survives the fire. that builder will receive a reward. But if the work is burned up, the builder will suffer great loss. The builders themselves will be saved, but like someone escaping through a wall of flame....
Nahum 1:7
The Lord is good, a stronghold in times of trouble. He cares for you who trusts in Him.
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
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