Good Morning, Dear Friends and Prayer Partners! This is the day that the Lord had made and we will rejoice and be glad in it! Well, yesterday did not bring the showers which were predicted and more of the same is predicted for today, but, so far, we just have clouds and a stiff breeze.
I had a good weekend. After church on Sunday, I stopped at Winn Dixie for flowers and chatted briefly with Jane, a friend who has been caring for her husband, who just got home after forty days in the hospital! She is always so positive and smiling! A Loving person! Then I drove out to Bay Pines Cemetery, where hundreds, maybe thousands of flags had been placed on the graves of the service men and women who had been buried there. It was an inspiring and moving sight. To my surprise, there were no vases left to put my flowers in. I drove to several vase containers and found none any where, so just had to lay the flowers on Louis' stone. I noticed several other people had done the same thing, The wind was blowing so hard, it almost took my hat off several times, so the second time I got out of the car, I just left it off and as a result, got a little sunburn...a no-no for me.
Chairs were set up for the ceremonies to take place yesterday and I saw a report in the Times that over 3000 attended. That's why I went Sunday...to avoid the crowd. When Brian drove out there after returning from his TN trip, he said there were still quite a few people there.
I cruised into the park yesterday and even though it was late in the day, there were still quite a few cars there and probably, it had been really crowded earlier, with picnickers and walkers. I noticed two ibis slowly walking by a car, looking as if they were waiting for food. I hate to think that they are beggers like the squirrels! But God is good!
From the little devotional book Knowing God:
Too Busy?
Be careful not to forget the Lord.
Deuteronomy 6:12 HCSB
Each day has 1,440 minutes--do you value your relationship with God enough to spend a few of those minutes with Him? He deserves that much of your time and more. But if you find that you're simply "too Busy" for a daily chat with your Father in heaven, it's time to take a long, hard look at your priorities and your values.
If you've acquired the unfortunate habit of trying to "squeeze" God into the corners of your life, it's time to reshuffle the items on your to-do list by placing God first. God wants your undivided attention, not the leftovers of your day. So, if you haven't already done so, form the habit of spending quality time with your Creator. He deserves it...and so, for that matter, do you.
Great Thoughts
The prayer of the feeblest saint who lives in the Spirit and keeps right with God is terror to Satan. The very powers of darkness are paralyzed by prayer. It is no wonder that Satan tries to keep our minds fussy in active work till we cannot think in prayer.
Oswald Chambers
Today's Prayer
Dear Lord, when the quickening pace of life leaves me with little time for worship or for praise, help me to reorder my priorities. When the demands of the day leave me distracted and discouraged, let me turn to Jesus for the peace that only He can give. And then, when I have accepted the spiritual abundance that is mine through Christ, let me share His message, and His love with all who cross my path. Amen
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, Joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
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 had a fierce storm last night for about an hour, which left some trash in the yard which had just been mowed and cleaned up. But I am thankful for the rain, so no complaints.
Brian has left for Sanford where the airport is, so he can catch a flight for Chattanooga to visit Daryl and Matthew, and hopefully, see Shea and the family for the weekend. They will have hot weather, as we will, but, at least, he will be away and get to relax for a couple days. Brian has really been working long hours preparing for the bank merger, so he needs a rest.
As I mentioned, the yard got mowed and cleaned up, even though my yard mans back has been bothering him. I felt a bulge in his spine, which I pray will be fixable without surgery. He is too young to be disabled with a bad back. I went to Subway again and got us some lunch, for when he was finished. Lots of traffic, but I chose a different route and cut off waiting time at a couple lights...getting smarter in my old age. Sometimes wisdom comes with age. :o) God is good!
Because of Memorial Day I chose 2 Chronicles 7:13-14 NLT for a reminder and thanks to all who have served and given the ultimate sacrifice for us:
At times I may shut up the heavens so that no rain falls, or I might command locusts to devour your crops, or I might send plagues among you. Then if my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sins and heal their land.
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
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 ditto day in the string of same weather days! I enjoyed watching a squirrel climb up the hedge outside my window and leap over to the roof, then to an oak in the backyard, and who knows where from there! Later I saw one stop and look at me when I opened the garage door, so I threw some peanuts out on the driveway, and, of course, a bluejay, swooped down and picked one up and off he went! They are really thieves!
I was happy to find gas was 3.25 a gal. at Walmart yesterday! That was with my card, but it takes 5 cents off, so it was still lower than elsewhere.After left there, I drove in search of lunch...went to Wendy's and discovered cars lined up on 4th st. waiting in line for the drive thru, so I left there and wound up at Subway in Pinellas Park at their drive-thru.
I visited Sawgrass and saw a few more people there, but none out in the sun. An anhinga was drying off at the berm, which is still piled high with trash from the storm and fast moving water a few days ago. The teacher was tending to some things in her car and she will probably be packing up soon, since the end of school is near.
Well, my yard man is coming today, even though his back is still bothering him. The grass has really grown since the rain, and really needs to be trimmed. Seems like our bodies do wear out, sooner than we would like, but God is still good!
From the Promise Bible NLT:
Matthew 25:31-40
The Final Judgment
But when the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit upon his glorious throne. All the nations will be gathered in his presence, and he will separate them as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. He will place the sheep at his right hand and the goats at his left. Then the King will say to those on the right , "Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry, and you fed me. I was thirsty, and you gave me a drink. I was a stranger and you invited me into your home. I was sick and you cared for me. I was in prison and you visited me."
Then these righteous ones will reply, "Lord, when did we ever see you hungry and feed you? Or thirsty and give you something to drink? Or a stranger and show you hospitality? Or naked and give you clothing?
When did we ever see you sick or in prison and visit you? And the King will tell them, "I assure you, when you did it to one of the least of these, my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me!"
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
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 can ditto today's weather with yesterdays . The only thing different is the lack of wind right now, but we always have breezes, so that will probably pick up later on.
I heard a truck while I was making my breakfast, and looked out to see a large tree trimmer's truck and mulcher pulling out of the driveway as he turned around. Hmm. Well, no damage done, but that was a little nervy.
The only adventure I had yesterday was going to Sweetbay super market and realizing as I checked out, that I did not include my debit card when I changed purses. I keep it, along with credit cards in a separate case. So, not having enough cash, I told the very sweet cashier I would go home and be back shortly. She said it happens all the time, so they took my few items and put them in the cooler while I made my trip to get the needed card. I wasn't gone thirty minutes, and when I came back, the cashier was getting ready to go home. She had to rescan all the items, but I only had a few. I haven't gone off without my cards for ages. Must be old age creeping up!
I drove to the very quiet park and missed a squirrel racing across in front of me, and saw a funny sight. A very large snapper turtle had climbed out of the canal, and was headed into the woods for some reason, while a large blackbird stood on the ground behind him and looked just like he was trying to puzzle out what the turtle was doing there on the ground! No one was walking and only one picnic table was in use, so it was quiet and peaceful. God is good!
From the Promise Bible NLT:
Ephesians 3:14-21
When I think of the wisdom and scope of God's plan, I fall to my knees and pray to the Father, the Creator of everything in heaven and on earth. I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will give you mighty inner strength through his Holy Spirit. And I pray that Christ will be more and more at home in your hearts as you trust in him. May your roots go down deep into the soil of God's marvelous love. And may you have the power to understand, as all God's people should, how wide, how long, how high and how deep his love really is. May you experience the love of Christ, though it is so great you will never fully understand it. Then you will be filled with the fullness of life and power that comes from God.
Now glory be to God! By his mighty power at work within us, he is able to accomplish infinitely more than we would every 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
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! Still air and bright sunshine with temps once again near ninety are in store today. The same as yesterday, actually. Today I need to sweep off the porch which still has a few leaves on it from the storm a few nights ago
I had an appointment with my cardiologist yesterday, whose office complex is squeezed between the new St. Anthony's ER and the building on the other side... all a part of the big St. Anthony's buildings. Since I had not been there in six months (praises) I did not know there is another huge building project going on, so, once again, I had to sort of feel my way to the correct entrance and have the valet park my van. My doc is outspoken and sometimes profane, but he is tops in his field and extremely fit. He has done the ironman marathon in Hawaii in his younger years. He crams a lot of talk and info into his 15 or 20 minutes with me, even talking about shoes.
Apparently ekgs are not always accurate, since mine showed I had had a big heart attack some time ago, so he checked with my last year's and it showed the same thing, so he marked it as didn't happen, since to my knowledge, I have never had a heart attack. Can't always rely on machines!
When I came out to collect my van, there was a mix-up with the tickets. I had my half, but the half attached to my keys was for a Hyundai and the numbers did not match, so after waiting about fifteen minutes for them to figure it out, I got the van, which was blistering hot by that time, since it had been sitting in the sun for over an hour. I was in good humor about the whole thing and I think the two guys, who were blaming each other for the mix up appreciated that.
So, after that, I drove the route home which avoided the school zones and visited the park to check it out. The water was still high, and the shadows and sun were contrasting nicely and all was serene. God is good!
From the Promise Bible NLT:
Romans 15:1-10
Living to please others
We may know that these things make no difference, but we cannot just go about and do them to please ourselves. We must be considerate of the doubts and fears of those who think these things are wrong. 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 also 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 the 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....
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
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! Brilliant sunshine today and a cool breeze this morning, but Friday we had a totally unexpected, (at least to me) thunderstorm, that lasted over an hour with strong winds and pelting rain! I know I just had the house washed, but believe me, it got washed again!
I noticed the high water mark around Lynch Lake, as I was on my way to church yesterday morning. It was about 4 feet above what the usual level is. That's a lot of water! God always answers prayers in a big way! My grass is finally growing and needs mowing, so, hopefully, that will get done this week.
I enjoyed a graduation celebration at Cheryl's house yesterday, greeting a lot of old friends and new people, with lots of food and laughter. Afterwards, I went to the park and noticed the grass has greened up more and the water was high again in the canal from the rain. An egret was just taking off in graceful flight and the usual anhinga was airing out his wings after swimming underwater. God is good!
I have been very interested in the story of how preparations have been made for the moving of a hundred year old oak tree to make way for construction. Every precaution was taken to move it on a dolly after the excavation around the roots was done, so I thought it appropriate for this devotional today...
From Quiet Moments with God:
"Other seeds fell into the good
soil and as they grew up and
increased, they yielded a crop
and produced thirty, sixty, and a hundredfold."
Mark 4:8 NASB
The story goes that a century ago a German princess lay dying. While on her deathbed, she requested that her grave be covered with a large granite slab and that stone blocks be placed all around the slabs to seal the grave. Se also gave orders for the granite and stones to be held together with large fasteners made of iron. At her request, the inscription in the top of the stone read, " The burial place, purchased to all eternity, must never be opened."
Apparently during the burial, a tiny acorn found its way into the grave. Sometime later, a small shoot began to push its way up through t thin crack in the granite slab. The acorn was able to absorb in just enough nourishment to grow. After years of growth, the mighty oak tree broke through the aging iron clamps. The iron was no match for the oak, and the clamps burst, exposing the grave that was never to be opened. New life sprang forth from a deathbed and one tiny seedling.
Every day we are given numerous opportunities to take advantage of fresh new starts. New beginnings often come when something else has ended. When we allow sin to die in our hearts, we find new life in Christ. Perhaps it is no accident that the mighty oak, which is one of the tallest and strongest trees in the world, starts from a tiny little seed.
What seems to be the end
may really be a new beginning.
Unknown
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
Good Morning, Dear Friends and Prayer Partners! This is the day that the Lord has made and we will rejoice and be glad in it! The sun is shining brightly, no, or very, few clouds in the sky , birds are chirping, squirrels are scampering and digging, and it is a beautiful day in the neighborhood!
The sun as it shines through the high crescent shaped window in my front door is blinding for a little while early in the morning as I walk across the living room. But in a little while it rises enough so it gets above the window...nice while it lasts!
I had a good night's sleep in contrast to the sleepless one Wed. night., so already today is a better day. Well, the graduation announcements keep coming in and amaze me with how fast the kids are growing up. So far, I have 3, not counting the college announcement from a friend who has worked hard to get her degree after raising her kids, and one more invitation to come in, from a great nephew!
I went to the park yesterday and almost clipped a squirrel who was stretched out leaping across in front of the car! The water is up after our nice rain, the moss was swaying in the breeze and the mowing crew was doing their job with a long piece of moss hanging from one of the ride on mowers brace across the back. It was kinda funny! And the man who lives in his car, was pulling everything out of the vehicle and had bags all over the top and hood of the car, cleaning it out, I guess. The car is absolutely packed with all his stuff. But, God loves him and God is good!
From the devotional book Quiet Moments with God for teachers:
"From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded and from the one who has been entrusted with much , much more will be asked."
Luke 12:48
Mrs. Gibson's kindergarten class filed onto the stage. This was the day they had all waited and practiced for . The children bounced with excitement, every boy and girl dressed in his or her Christmas best. The stage was a plethora of red, white, green, smiles, and wiggles!
The program progressed smoothly. Mrs. Gibson smiled at the children, and they smiled back. They seemed to remember every instruction she had given them before they went on stage. Mrs. Gibson began to relax and enjoy the presentation.
Chris was one of the last children to speak and stepped proudly to the microphone. He took a deep breath and began. "The Wise Men brought their best gifts to Jesus. They brought Gold, Frankenstein, and Smurfs."
Chris got quite an ovation. He lingered for a moment behind the microphone, chest thrust out, all smiles. He had done his best.
That is all any of us can do. God gave His very best gift to us. When we bring our gifts to Jesus, they don't have to be perfect. They just need to be our best, given from a heart of love.
Give of you best to the Master,
Naught else is worthy His love.
He gave Himself for your ransom,
Gave up his glory above. Laid down
His life without murmur.
You from sin's ruin save;
Give Him your heart's adoration.
Give Him the best that you have.
Howard B. Grose
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love.
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
