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 chilly morning, but warming up today, lots of sunshine and that north wind blowing again. I started shivering during the night, and got up to put another blanket on the bed, til I was toasty.
The yard looks good for awhile, because my yard man came yesterday, and not only picked up all the branches, but put up the outside Christmas lights and then inspected my flat roof trying to discern where the leak is coming from. If God keeps the rain away for another week, I will have it fixed. After I made him and myself lunch, I took off shopping and got a good walk in at the Neighborhood Market. As I came out, I stopped to put a donation in the Salvation Army bucket. A little ways away, there was a lottery tent and giveaways and people were swarming to buy tickets. I told the bellringer that it was too bad the money was going to the lottery instead of his bucket, where it would do more good.
After I got home I went to the park, where a lot of people were enjoying the cool, sunshiny weather, walking dogs and just enjoying the outdoors. God is good!
From the Promise Bible NLT:
John 8:12-20
Jesus said to the people, "I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won't be stumbling through the darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life."
The Pharisees replied, "You are making false claims about yourself!" Jesus told them, "These claims are valid even though I make them about myself. For I know where I came from and where I am going, but you don't know this about me. You judge me with all your human limitations, but I am not judging anyone. And if I did, my judgment would be correct in every respect because I am not alone--I have with me the Father who sent me. Your own law says that if two people agree about something, their witness is accepted as fact. I am one witness, and my Father who sent me is the other." "Where is your father?" they asked. Jesus answered, "Since you don't know who I am, you don't know who my Father is. If you knew me, then you would know my Father, too." Jesus made these statements while he was teaching in the section of the Temple known as the Treasury. But he was not arrested, because his time has not yet come.
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
Friday, December 2, 2011
Wednesday, November 30, 2011
A call to Persevere
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 kind of overcast today with high thin clouds, and a very cool wind blowing. The cold snap definitely came in last night, so I have the heat on for a little while.
I made up for staying home out of the rain, Monday, by running lots of errands yesterday. After an hour and a half in the dentist's chair for my six month cleaning, x-rays, and gum check, I was tired of lying down for such a long time, and glad to go! I have a very nice hygienist who has a five month old baby girl. The last time I saw her, she was ready to take maternity leave, but now, she is back at work with pics of her family on the wall.
So, that chore over, I went home to have lunch and then did the rest of my running around, which included a drive to the park. Everything looked refreshed after the rain and lots of people were out. I have mentioned before how the squirrels were gathered under one of the oak trees...well, there is now a sign there, telling people that for the health of the little critters, they should not be fed. Aha! So that was why they were gathered there! I did not see the usual anhingas, egrets or ibises, so it must have been the wrong time of day, but God is good!
From the Promise Bible NLT:
Hebrews 10:25
And so, dear brothers and sisters, we can boldly enter heaven's Most Holy Place because of the blood of Jesus. This is the new, life-giving way that Christ has opened up for us through the sacred curtain, by means of his death for us.
And since we have a great High Priest who rules over God's people, let us go right into the presence of God, with true hearts fully trusting him. For our evil consciences have been sprinkled with Christ's blood to make us clean, and our bodies have been washed with pure water.
Without wavering, let us hold tightly to the hope we say we have, for God can be trusted to keep his promise. Think of ways to encourage one another to outbursts of love and good deeds. And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage and warn each other, especially now that the day of his coming back again is drawing near.
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
I made up for staying home out of the rain, Monday, by running lots of errands yesterday. After an hour and a half in the dentist's chair for my six month cleaning, x-rays, and gum check, I was tired of lying down for such a long time, and glad to go! I have a very nice hygienist who has a five month old baby girl. The last time I saw her, she was ready to take maternity leave, but now, she is back at work with pics of her family on the wall.
So, that chore over, I went home to have lunch and then did the rest of my running around, which included a drive to the park. Everything looked refreshed after the rain and lots of people were out. I have mentioned before how the squirrels were gathered under one of the oak trees...well, there is now a sign there, telling people that for the health of the little critters, they should not be fed. Aha! So that was why they were gathered there! I did not see the usual anhingas, egrets or ibises, so it must have been the wrong time of day, but God is good!
From the Promise Bible NLT:
Hebrews 10:25
And so, dear brothers and sisters, we can boldly enter heaven's Most Holy Place because of the blood of Jesus. This is the new, life-giving way that Christ has opened up for us through the sacred curtain, by means of his death for us.
And since we have a great High Priest who rules over God's people, let us go right into the presence of God, with true hearts fully trusting him. For our evil consciences have been sprinkled with Christ's blood to make us clean, and our bodies have been washed with pure water.
Without wavering, let us hold tightly to the hope we say we have, for God can be trusted to keep his promise. Think of ways to encourage one another to outbursts of love and good deeds. And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage and warn each other, especially now that the day of his coming back again is drawing near.
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
Tuesday, November 29, 2011
The Magnificat: Mary's Song of Praise
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! Yesterday's rain has passed through and today we have sunshine and a much cooler breeze. I did not leave the house at all because of wet weather and there was really no reason to get out in it. However, I have a dental appointment this morning, so I will have to go clear across town right near the Mall. I don't look forward to that!
So when I went out in the garage and looked out, I saw the tiny wrens that come down from the north each winter. They were flitting about on the ground and in and out of the hibiscus next door. They are smaller than canaries and brown, and they have a tiny chirp, when they are talking with each other. Very cute. God is good!
From the Promise Bible NLT:
Luke 1:47-55
Oh, how I praise the Lord. How I rejoice in God my Savior! For he took notice of his lowly servant girl, and now generation after generation will call me blessed. For he, the Mighty One, is holy, and he has done great things for me. His mercy goes on from generation to generation, to all who fear him. His mighty arm does tremendous things! How he scatters the proud and haughty ones! He has taken princes from their thrones and exalted the lowly. He has satisfied the hungry with good things and sent the rich away with empty hands. And how he has helped his servant Israel! He has not forgotten his promise to be merciful. For he promised our ancestors - Abraham and his children - to be merciful to them forever.
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs, Amaryllis
So when I went out in the garage and looked out, I saw the tiny wrens that come down from the north each winter. They were flitting about on the ground and in and out of the hibiscus next door. They are smaller than canaries and brown, and they have a tiny chirp, when they are talking with each other. Very cute. God is good!
From the Promise Bible NLT:
Luke 1:47-55
Oh, how I praise the Lord. How I rejoice in God my Savior! For he took notice of his lowly servant girl, and now generation after generation will call me blessed. For he, the Mighty One, is holy, and he has done great things for me. His mercy goes on from generation to generation, to all who fear him. His mighty arm does tremendous things! How he scatters the proud and haughty ones! He has taken princes from their thrones and exalted the lowly. He has satisfied the hungry with good things and sent the rich away with empty hands. And how he has helped his servant Israel! He has not forgotten his promise to be merciful. For he promised our ancestors - Abraham and his children - to be merciful to them forever.
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs, Amaryllis
Monday, November 28, 2011
Paul's Thanksgiving and Prayer
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 wonderful Thanksgiving and are now looking forward to celebrating the birth of our Lord!
As I said before, Brian and I went to Dunnellon to be with family, and had a joyful time of catching up and eating too much! We had a perfect day, with no clouds in the sky at all as we made good time on the Suncoast Parkway. Very little traffic, and a few people biking, jogging or walking on the Suncoast Trail.
Then Brian took me out to dinner yesterday at the Collonnade (sp) in Tampa, because it was my and Louis' 64th wedding anniversary. Or would have been...
I got to the park a couple times over the weekend, and saw that the outside mowing crew mowed a lot of territory that they have neglected for a year, and it certainly looks better! Just as I mentioned a few days ago, that I had not seen any woodstorks at the park, sure enough, one was standing on the weir, near the anhinga that is usually there! Lots of people were there, Saturday, quite a few walking down the middle of the road, totally oblivious to the cars, including me, wanting to get around them. I was polite and did not toot the horn.
I got to watch the Broncos/Chargers game yesterday and cheered when Tim Tebow took the team, in overtime, close enough so the kicker could get a field goal to win the game! The best part was watching Tim kneel to pray and then give thanks after the win! What a witness! God is good!
From the Promise Bible NLT:
Philippians 1:3-11
Every time I think of you, I give thanks to my God. I always pray for you, and I make my requests with a heart full of joy because you have been my pratners in spreading the Good News about Christ from the time you first heard it until now. And I am sure that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work util it is finally finished on that day when Christ Jesus comes gack again.
It is right that I should feel as I do about all of you, for you have a very special place in my heart. We have shared together the blessings of God, both when I was in prison and when I was out, defending the truth and telling others the Good News. God knows how much I love you and long for you with the tender compassion of Christ Jesus. I pray that your love for each other will overflow more and more, and that you will keep on growing in your knowledge and understanding. For I want you to understand what really matters, so that you may live pure and blameless lives until Christ returns. May you always be filled with the fruit of your salvation--those good things that are produced in your life by Jesus Christ--for this will bring much glory and praise to God.
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs, Amaryllis
As I said before, Brian and I went to Dunnellon to be with family, and had a joyful time of catching up and eating too much! We had a perfect day, with no clouds in the sky at all as we made good time on the Suncoast Parkway. Very little traffic, and a few people biking, jogging or walking on the Suncoast Trail.
Then Brian took me out to dinner yesterday at the Collonnade (sp) in Tampa, because it was my and Louis' 64th wedding anniversary. Or would have been...
I got to the park a couple times over the weekend, and saw that the outside mowing crew mowed a lot of territory that they have neglected for a year, and it certainly looks better! Just as I mentioned a few days ago, that I had not seen any woodstorks at the park, sure enough, one was standing on the weir, near the anhinga that is usually there! Lots of people were there, Saturday, quite a few walking down the middle of the road, totally oblivious to the cars, including me, wanting to get around them. I was polite and did not toot the horn.
I got to watch the Broncos/Chargers game yesterday and cheered when Tim Tebow took the team, in overtime, close enough so the kicker could get a field goal to win the game! The best part was watching Tim kneel to pray and then give thanks after the win! What a witness! God is good!
From the Promise Bible NLT:
Philippians 1:3-11
Every time I think of you, I give thanks to my God. I always pray for you, and I make my requests with a heart full of joy because you have been my pratners in spreading the Good News about Christ from the time you first heard it until now. And I am sure that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work util it is finally finished on that day when Christ Jesus comes gack again.
It is right that I should feel as I do about all of you, for you have a very special place in my heart. We have shared together the blessings of God, both when I was in prison and when I was out, defending the truth and telling others the Good News. God knows how much I love you and long for you with the tender compassion of Christ Jesus. I pray that your love for each other will overflow more and more, and that you will keep on growing in your knowledge and understanding. For I want you to understand what really matters, so that you may live pure and blameless lives until Christ returns. May you always be filled with the fruit of your salvation--those good things that are produced in your life by Jesus Christ--for this will bring much glory and praise to God.
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs, Amaryllis
Wednesday, November 23, 2011
Now Thank Thee All our 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! Looks like we have some rain coming in about noon today, but tomorrow should be good for Thanksgiving!
And because of that special day, this will be short this morning and I will take the day off tomorrow. Brian and I will be going out of town to join family in celebrating and eating too much!
From Hymns for the Family of God:
Now thank we all our God
with hearts and hands and voices.
Who wondrous things has done,
In whom His world rejoices.
Who from our mother's arms,
Hath blessed us on our way
with countless gifts of love,
And still is ours today.
All praise and thanks to God
the Father now be given.
The Son, and Him who reigns
With them in highest heaven.
The one eternal God,
Whom earth and heaven adore.
For thus it was, is now,
And shall be ever more. Amen
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs and Happy Thanksgiving,
Amaryllis
And because of that special day, this will be short this morning and I will take the day off tomorrow. Brian and I will be going out of town to join family in celebrating and eating too much!
From Hymns for the Family of God:
Now thank we all our God
with hearts and hands and voices.
Who wondrous things has done,
In whom His world rejoices.
Who from our mother's arms,
Hath blessed us on our way
with countless gifts of love,
And still is ours today.
All praise and thanks to God
the Father now be given.
The Son, and Him who reigns
With them in highest heaven.
The one eternal God,
Whom earth and heaven adore.
For thus it was, is now,
And shall be ever more. Amen
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs and Happy Thanksgiving,
Amaryllis
Tuesday, November 22, 2011
Jesus' prayer of Thanksgiving
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 some or all of you were able to view the sunrise this morning! It was a beautiful pink as the clouds were stretched across the eastern sky! Painted as only God can! I still have the A/C on as it continues to be warm and humid, but soon the cool weather will return.
Yesterday, I visited the Sweetbay super market on 4th St. where massive remodeling is going on. I thought it would probably be the least crowded of all the markets and it was. A couple cashiers were open with lines, so I went to one at the beginning where she was not doing anything, and got checked out right away. After she told me my total I asked if I could add 10 dollars to feed a family for a day. This is a program that they have going for Thanksgiving and Christmas. She seemed flustered and had to collect her thoughts to reach for the package and scan it, so apparently, they are not pushing the program much. This is too bad because it is very little to give.
After that, I went to the park and enjoyed the peacefulness, away from traffic and people. A couple of turtles were sunning on the bank of the weir, and an egret was standing near a lily pad watching for lunch to swim by. Since school is out, a couple of children were there on bikes and several families were starting out for a walk. God is good!
From the Promise Bible NLT:
Matthew 11:25-30
Then Jesus prayed this prayer: "O Father, Lord of Heaven and Earth, thank you for hiding the truth from those who think themselves so wise and clever, and for revealing it to the childlike. Yes, Father, it pleased you to do it this way!
My Father has given me authority over everything. No one really knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him."
Then Jesus said, "Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke fits perfectly, and the burden I give you is light."
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
Yesterday, I visited the Sweetbay super market on 4th St. where massive remodeling is going on. I thought it would probably be the least crowded of all the markets and it was. A couple cashiers were open with lines, so I went to one at the beginning where she was not doing anything, and got checked out right away. After she told me my total I asked if I could add 10 dollars to feed a family for a day. This is a program that they have going for Thanksgiving and Christmas. She seemed flustered and had to collect her thoughts to reach for the package and scan it, so apparently, they are not pushing the program much. This is too bad because it is very little to give.
After that, I went to the park and enjoyed the peacefulness, away from traffic and people. A couple of turtles were sunning on the bank of the weir, and an egret was standing near a lily pad watching for lunch to swim by. Since school is out, a couple of children were there on bikes and several families were starting out for a walk. God is good!
From the Promise Bible NLT:
Matthew 11:25-30
Then Jesus prayed this prayer: "O Father, Lord of Heaven and Earth, thank you for hiding the truth from those who think themselves so wise and clever, and for revealing it to the childlike. Yes, Father, it pleased you to do it this way!
My Father has given me authority over everything. No one really knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him."
Then Jesus said, "Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke fits perfectly, and the burden I give you is light."
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
Monday, November 21, 2011
Belonging
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 cool morning and a warm afternoon in store for us. Actually, my yard and staghorn fern could use some water. Guess I will have to use the hose sometime when I don't mind getting all wet, because it leaks.
Heard a good sermon yesterday and then drove through the park on the way back home. A flock of ibis was by Lynch Lake on my way to church along with one lone woodstork, with feathers all ruffled from the wind. At the park, lots of people were hanging over the bridge rail looking at the gator, always hanging around there. He is growing up right in plain sight. Also, a lady was standing right in front of one of the gopher holes, apparently looking at him. I guess they are quite unusual to our northern visitors.
I missed the chili dinner at church last night, because I took a nap and woke up too late to take the chili and go. As a result I have a lot of white chicken chili left over, which is pretty tasty! God is good!
From the Promise Bible NLT:
Belonging
What happens to those who belong to God?
Isaiah 26:19
We have this assurance; Those who belong to God will live; their bodies will rise again! Those who sleep in the earth will rise up and sing for joy! For God's light of life will fall like dew on his people in the place of the dead!
Belonging to God is an eternal relationship, not merely for this world, but for the world to come. The grave is not the last chapter, merely the transitional one.
John 15:9-17 I have loved you even as the Father has loved me. Remain in my love. When you obey me, you remain in my love just as I obey my Father and remain in his love. I have told you this so that you will be filled with my joy. Yes, your joy will overflow! I command you to love each other in the same way that I love you. And here is how to measure it--the greatest love is shown when people lay down their lives for their friends. You are my friends if you obey me. I no longer call you servants, because a master doesn't confide in his servants. Now you are my friends, since I have told you everything the Father told me. You didn't choose me, I chose you. I appointed you to go and produce fruit that will last, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask for using my name. I command you to love each other.
When we belong to God we belong to each other. Jesus' command to love is rooted in his promise of love for us. The fact that we belong to Jesus compels us to love one another. As friends of God we are responsible to all our fellow believers.
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
Heard a good sermon yesterday and then drove through the park on the way back home. A flock of ibis was by Lynch Lake on my way to church along with one lone woodstork, with feathers all ruffled from the wind. At the park, lots of people were hanging over the bridge rail looking at the gator, always hanging around there. He is growing up right in plain sight. Also, a lady was standing right in front of one of the gopher holes, apparently looking at him. I guess they are quite unusual to our northern visitors.
I missed the chili dinner at church last night, because I took a nap and woke up too late to take the chili and go. As a result I have a lot of white chicken chili left over, which is pretty tasty! God is good!
From the Promise Bible NLT:
Belonging
What happens to those who belong to God?
Isaiah 26:19
We have this assurance; Those who belong to God will live; their bodies will rise again! Those who sleep in the earth will rise up and sing for joy! For God's light of life will fall like dew on his people in the place of the dead!
Belonging to God is an eternal relationship, not merely for this world, but for the world to come. The grave is not the last chapter, merely the transitional one.
John 15:9-17 I have loved you even as the Father has loved me. Remain in my love. When you obey me, you remain in my love just as I obey my Father and remain in his love. I have told you this so that you will be filled with my joy. Yes, your joy will overflow! I command you to love each other in the same way that I love you. And here is how to measure it--the greatest love is shown when people lay down their lives for their friends. You are my friends if you obey me. I no longer call you servants, because a master doesn't confide in his servants. Now you are my friends, since I have told you everything the Father told me. You didn't choose me, I chose you. I appointed you to go and produce fruit that will last, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask for using my name. I command you to love each other.
When we belong to God we belong to each other. Jesus' command to love is rooted in his promise of love for us. The fact that we belong to Jesus compels us to love one another. As friends of God we are responsible to all our fellow believers.
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
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