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 heard rain all night and saw flashes of light through my closed eyelids, and while everything is dripping this morning, still the sun has been shining and nice breeze blowing. But more rain is predicted, so, sure enough, we are in the throes of the rainy season!
Well, I guess I watched the Tour de France a little too long this morning, so I'm late doing everything! I am fascinated with the scenery and the endurance of the bikers. Some evil person or persons spread tacks on a portion of the road the other day, and 48 bikes were affected to the tune of $10,000! So unnecessary! I took a tour of the park yesterday to check on the water, and it is really high and flowing well. Almost all of the lilies and other growth which was choking up the water are gone, washed away by the current. I watched a great blue heron fishing, avoided a few squirrels and saw flocks of ibis busily pecking for grubs, etc, with heads down. The other day I saw a twin pair perched precariously on a telephone wire, looking pretty silly, swaying to keep their balance, but God is good!
From the Promise Bible NLT:
James 1:2:
Dear Brothers and sisters, whenever trouble comes your way, let it be an opportunity for joy. For when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be strong in character and ready for anything.
If you need wisdom--if you want to know what God wants you to do--ask him and he will gladly tell you. He will not resent your asking. But when you ask him, be sure that you really expect him to answer, for a doubtful mind is as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. People like that should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. They can't make up their minds. They waver back and forth in everything they do.
Christians who are poor should be glad, for God has honored them. And those who are rich should be glad, for God has humbled them. They will fade away like a flower in the field. The hot sun rises and dries up the grass, the flower withers, and its beauty fades away. So also, wealthy people will fade away with all of their achievements.
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
(some of these scriptures may be recent repeats, because I don't keep track of when they are used.)
Tuesday, July 17, 2012
Monday, July 16, 2012
Paul's Prayer for Spiritual Wisdom
Good Morning, Dear Friends and Prayer Partners! This is the day that the Lord has made and we will rejoice and be glad in it! The prediction yesterday was for a wet Monday, but, obviously, from the bright sunshine and puffy clouds here and there, ...wrong again! It has been nice all weekend, except for a shower as I went to bed Sat, night, and a shower Sat. afternoon that did not last long. My grass, what little I have is enjoying the showers and really growing!
Brian and I went to Vienna Cafe for dinner Sat. evening for the first time, and, while the food was enjoyable, if you like Austrian cuisine, the service was a little slow, but the place was pretty crowded while we were there, and then thinned out. The servings were enough for a family, I thought, so I had plenty to bring home for a meal the next day!
We had a powerful sermon yesterday and a very moving song, which I had never heard before. I don't know the name of it, but hope to get the lyrics. It brought tears, it was so meaningful. Sometimes music speaks to me like nothing else can. After church, I went to the park, and saw several families there having picnics, walking their dogs, and just enjoying being outdoors. God is good!
From the Promise Bible NLT:
Ephesians 1:15-23
Ever since I first heard of your strong faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for Christians everywhere, I have never stopped thanking God for you. I pray for you constantly, asking God, the glorious Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, to give you spiritual wisdom and understanding, so that you might grow in your knowledge of God. I pray that your hearts will be flooded with light so that you can understand the wonderful future he has promised to those he called. I want you to realize what a rich and glorious inheritance he has given to his people.
I pray that you will begin to understand the incredible greatness of his power for us who believe him. This is the same mighty power that raised Christ from the dead and seated him in the place of honor at God's right hand in the heavenly realms. Now he is far above any ruler or authority or power or leader or anything else in this world or in the world to come. And God has put all things under the authority of Christ, and he gave him this authority for the benefit of the church. And the church is his body; it is filled by Christ, who fills everything every where with his presence.
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
Brian and I went to Vienna Cafe for dinner Sat. evening for the first time, and, while the food was enjoyable, if you like Austrian cuisine, the service was a little slow, but the place was pretty crowded while we were there, and then thinned out. The servings were enough for a family, I thought, so I had plenty to bring home for a meal the next day!
We had a powerful sermon yesterday and a very moving song, which I had never heard before. I don't know the name of it, but hope to get the lyrics. It brought tears, it was so meaningful. Sometimes music speaks to me like nothing else can. After church, I went to the park, and saw several families there having picnics, walking their dogs, and just enjoying being outdoors. God is good!
From the Promise Bible NLT:
Ephesians 1:15-23
Ever since I first heard of your strong faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for Christians everywhere, I have never stopped thanking God for you. I pray for you constantly, asking God, the glorious Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, to give you spiritual wisdom and understanding, so that you might grow in your knowledge of God. I pray that your hearts will be flooded with light so that you can understand the wonderful future he has promised to those he called. I want you to realize what a rich and glorious inheritance he has given to his people.
I pray that you will begin to understand the incredible greatness of his power for us who believe him. This is the same mighty power that raised Christ from the dead and seated him in the place of honor at God's right hand in the heavenly realms. Now he is far above any ruler or authority or power or leader or anything else in this world or in the world to come. And God has put all things under the authority of Christ, and he gave him this authority for the benefit of the church. And the church is his body; it is filled by Christ, who fills everything every where with his presence.
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
Friday, July 13, 2012
Colossians 1:9-14 A 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! nice breezes and bright sunshine is a good start to the day! The yard is freshly mowed and everything blown off the porch. Jason even took the paper off the roof, because he was tired of seeing it up there! I was hoping the hard rain would wash it down, but instead, it just got wet and heavy and stuck.
I had to go to the super market yesterday for a long list of things I was out of, and since we had no rain, I did not have to worry about getting caught in it. I bought some delicious Rainier cherries and enjoyed a few while putting away the groceries. They are yummy!
While going around Lynch Lake, I saw a pretty roseate spoonbill, which gave me a lift. They are so lovely and pink! And then I had to stop and let mama duck and about 2 dozen babies cross the street in front of me. They immediately stopped to splash around in the gutter water. Mama gave me the evil eye when I drove around her fuzzies. I drove on to the park where three big school buses were parked , but I did not see any sign of kids around. They all must have been out on the boardwalk. Other than that the park was quiet...hot and still. There was a flock of ibis pecking around as usual, and, of course, the squirrels were busy racing back and forth. I think a new crop must have been born, because some of the squirrels look small and new. But God is good!
From the Promise Bible NLT:
Colossians 1:9-14
So we have continued praying for you ever since we first heard about you. We ask God to give you a complete understanding of what he wants to do in your lives, and we ask him to make you wise with spiritual wisdom. Then the way you live will always honor and please the Lord, and you will continually do good, kind things for others. All the while you will learn to know God better and better.
We also pray that you will be strengthened with his glorious power so that you will have all the patience and endurance you need. May you be filled with joy, always thanking the Father, who has enabled you to share the inheritance tht belongs to God's holy people, who live in the light. For he has rescued us from the one who rules in the Kingdom of his dear Son. God has purchased our freedom with his blood and has forgiven all our sins.
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
I had to go to the super market yesterday for a long list of things I was out of, and since we had no rain, I did not have to worry about getting caught in it. I bought some delicious Rainier cherries and enjoyed a few while putting away the groceries. They are yummy!
While going around Lynch Lake, I saw a pretty roseate spoonbill, which gave me a lift. They are so lovely and pink! And then I had to stop and let mama duck and about 2 dozen babies cross the street in front of me. They immediately stopped to splash around in the gutter water. Mama gave me the evil eye when I drove around her fuzzies. I drove on to the park where three big school buses were parked , but I did not see any sign of kids around. They all must have been out on the boardwalk. Other than that the park was quiet...hot and still. There was a flock of ibis pecking around as usual, and, of course, the squirrels were busy racing back and forth. I think a new crop must have been born, because some of the squirrels look small and new. But God is good!
From the Promise Bible NLT:
Colossians 1:9-14
So we have continued praying for you ever since we first heard about you. We ask God to give you a complete understanding of what he wants to do in your lives, and we ask him to make you wise with spiritual wisdom. Then the way you live will always honor and please the Lord, and you will continually do good, kind things for others. All the while you will learn to know God better and better.
We also pray that you will be strengthened with his glorious power so that you will have all the patience and endurance you need. May you be filled with joy, always thanking the Father, who has enabled you to share the inheritance tht belongs to God's holy people, who live in the light. For he has rescued us from the one who rules in the Kingdom of his dear Son. God has purchased our freedom with his blood and has forgiven all our sins.
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
Thursday, July 12, 2012
Psoaring thru Psalm 37
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 looks like another day of sunshine in the morning and clouds and thunderstorms in the afternoon. Everything outside is still wet from the rain yesterday and my yard crew has not come yet, so maybe it is too wet for them. I know they have to play catch up when the weather prevents them from working. But the paper is still on the roof, so it hasn't rained hard enough to dislodge it, yet!
I noticed the water in the bowl I keep for the birds and squirrels was down quite a bit, yesterday, so I filled it, and although the street gutters are filled with water, the birds still like to drink out of the bowl and take baths in it! My plumbago really likes the rain, I has beautiful blue blooms on it and seems to be thriving since it was pruned back a couple months ago. Also the crepe myrtle is still blooming with the pink blossoms. Very pretty! God is good!
From the Promise Bible NLT:
Psalm 37 3-9
Trust in the Lord and do good.
Then you will live safely in the land and prosper.
Take delight in the Lord,
and he will give you your heart's desires.
Commit everything you do to the Lord.
Trust him, and he will help you.
He will make your innocence as clear as the dawn,
and the justice of your cause will shine
like the noonday sun.
Be still in the presence of the Lord,
and wait patiently for him to act.
Don't worry about evil people who prosper
or fret about their wicked schemes.
Stop your anger!
Turn from your rage!
Do not envy others----
it only leads to harm.
For the wicked will be destroyed,
but those who trust in the Lord will
possess the land.
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, love and joy!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
I noticed the water in the bowl I keep for the birds and squirrels was down quite a bit, yesterday, so I filled it, and although the street gutters are filled with water, the birds still like to drink out of the bowl and take baths in it! My plumbago really likes the rain, I has beautiful blue blooms on it and seems to be thriving since it was pruned back a couple months ago. Also the crepe myrtle is still blooming with the pink blossoms. Very pretty! God is good!
From the Promise Bible NLT:
Psalm 37 3-9
Trust in the Lord and do good.
Then you will live safely in the land and prosper.
Take delight in the Lord,
and he will give you your heart's desires.
Commit everything you do to the Lord.
Trust him, and he will help you.
He will make your innocence as clear as the dawn,
and the justice of your cause will shine
like the noonday sun.
Be still in the presence of the Lord,
and wait patiently for him to act.
Don't worry about evil people who prosper
or fret about their wicked schemes.
Stop your anger!
Turn from your rage!
Do not envy others----
it only leads to harm.
For the wicked will be destroyed,
but those who trust in the Lord will
possess the land.
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, love and joy!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
Wednesday, July 11, 2012
Follow Your Conscience
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 sunshine in the morning, and thunderstorms in the afternoon, day. Wow! What a storm we had yesterday! Loud thunder and pouring rain and high winds! The power flickered a couple times, but I was glad it did not stay off, unlike some areas. When Brian got home from work, the power was off in his apartment building. Not a happy homecoming after a long day! I heard from the weatherman that we can expect more of the same today, so I will have to do my shopping and errands earlier. But it did not rain hard enough to wash the newspaper off my roof where it was delivered the other day!
After I did my errands yesterday, I went to the park and noticed that the grass has not been mowed all over. I thought it would be yesterday, but I think the trucks have been working on clearing and trimming trees, because I followed the big truck out. I saw the egret in the usual place looking for a tasty fish. Although, I guess they don't taste the fish, since they swallow them whole. A squirrel was dashing across in front of the car and racing me along the road, just as fast as he could go. I won, though! Deep shadows and brilliant sunshine are the contrasts always in the park, A calm place to be.! God is good!
From the little devotional book Knowing God:
Let us come near to God with a sincere heart and a sure faith,
because we have been made free from a guilty conscience,
and our bodies have been washed with pure water.
Hebrews 10:22 NCV
God gave you a conscience for a very good reason; to make your path conform to His will. Billy Graham correctly observed, "Most of us follow our conscience as we follow a wheelbarrow. We push it in front of us in the direction we want to go."To do so, of course, is a profound mistake. Yet all of us , on occasion, have failed to listen to the voice that God planted in our hearts, and all of us have suffered the consequences.
Wise believers make it a practice to listen carefully to that quiet internal voice. Count yourself among that number. When your conscience speaks, listen and learn. In all likelihood, God is trying to get His message through. And in all likelihood, it is a message that you desperately need to hear.
Spiritual life without guilt would be like physical life without pain.
Guilt is a defense mechanism; it's like an alarm that goes off to lead
you to confession when you sin.
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
After I did my errands yesterday, I went to the park and noticed that the grass has not been mowed all over. I thought it would be yesterday, but I think the trucks have been working on clearing and trimming trees, because I followed the big truck out. I saw the egret in the usual place looking for a tasty fish. Although, I guess they don't taste the fish, since they swallow them whole. A squirrel was dashing across in front of the car and racing me along the road, just as fast as he could go. I won, though! Deep shadows and brilliant sunshine are the contrasts always in the park, A calm place to be.! God is good!
From the little devotional book Knowing God:
Let us come near to God with a sincere heart and a sure faith,
because we have been made free from a guilty conscience,
and our bodies have been washed with pure water.
Hebrews 10:22 NCV
God gave you a conscience for a very good reason; to make your path conform to His will. Billy Graham correctly observed, "Most of us follow our conscience as we follow a wheelbarrow. We push it in front of us in the direction we want to go."To do so, of course, is a profound mistake. Yet all of us , on occasion, have failed to listen to the voice that God planted in our hearts, and all of us have suffered the consequences.
Wise believers make it a practice to listen carefully to that quiet internal voice. Count yourself among that number. When your conscience speaks, listen and learn. In all likelihood, God is trying to get His message through. And in all likelihood, it is a message that you desperately need to hear.
Spiritual life without guilt would be like physical life without pain.
Guilt is a defense mechanism; it's like an alarm that goes off to lead
you to confession when you sin.
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
Tuesday, July 10, 2012
Roamin' thru Romans
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 went to sleep with the sound of thunder and rain falling last night, but today, although everything is still dripping, the sun is shining and it promises to be another hot, sunshiny day!
I was able to do some shopping yesterday, and even though I make a list, I always seem to forget something. Oh, well, just means another trip! I drove downtown a few days ago, and saw many people sitting at outdoor tables and doing shopping. Downtown is a lively place in the" Burgh" these days!
Yesterday I went to the park and was surprised to find it almost deserted. The mowing crews were across the canal with large trucks and the chipper on a trailer. Then I saw two of the large mowers working back in the woodsy area around the circle. But only one picnicker and about five cars total . It was hot for one thing and it seems like not so many tourists are around right now. But I saw a very pretty sight that was typical Florida with an egret leaning and looking into the water. It was good to see him making such a nice picture. God is good!
From the Promise Bible NLT:
Romans 12:14-21
If people persecute you because you are a Christian, don't curse them; pray that God will bless them. When others are happy, be happy with them. If they are sad, share their sorrow. Live in harmony with each other. Don't try to act important, but enjoy the company of ordinary people. And don't think you know it all!
Never pay back evil for evil to anyone. Do things in such a way that everyone can say you are honorable. Do your part to live in peace with everyone, as much as possible.
Dear friends, never avenge yourselves,. Leave that to God. For it is written,
"I will take vengeance
I will repay those who deserve it, "says the Lord.
Instead do what the Scriptures say:'
"If your enemies are hungry, feed them.
If they are thirsty, give them something to drink,
and they will be ashamed of what they have done to you,"
Don't let evil get the best of you, but conquer evil by doing good.
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
I was able to do some shopping yesterday, and even though I make a list, I always seem to forget something. Oh, well, just means another trip! I drove downtown a few days ago, and saw many people sitting at outdoor tables and doing shopping. Downtown is a lively place in the" Burgh" these days!
Yesterday I went to the park and was surprised to find it almost deserted. The mowing crews were across the canal with large trucks and the chipper on a trailer. Then I saw two of the large mowers working back in the woodsy area around the circle. But only one picnicker and about five cars total . It was hot for one thing and it seems like not so many tourists are around right now. But I saw a very pretty sight that was typical Florida with an egret leaning and looking into the water. It was good to see him making such a nice picture. God is good!
From the Promise Bible NLT:
Romans 12:14-21
If people persecute you because you are a Christian, don't curse them; pray that God will bless them. When others are happy, be happy with them. If they are sad, share their sorrow. Live in harmony with each other. Don't try to act important, but enjoy the company of ordinary people. And don't think you know it all!
Never pay back evil for evil to anyone. Do things in such a way that everyone can say you are honorable. Do your part to live in peace with everyone, as much as possible.
Dear friends, never avenge yourselves,. Leave that to God. For it is written,
"I will take vengeance
I will repay those who deserve it, "says the Lord.
Instead do what the Scriptures say:'
"If your enemies are hungry, feed them.
If they are thirsty, give them something to drink,
and they will be ashamed of what they have done to you,"
Don't let evil get the best of you, but conquer evil by doing good.
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
Monday, July 9, 2012
Roamin' thru Romans 12
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! Barely a breeze this morning, but lots of sun and promises of a hot day to come! I noticed the dark clouds yesterday and heard the thunder, but nothing happened in this neighborhood. I also heard thunder this morning, but nothing here.
I had an interesting weekend...I started out to go to Gateway Mall for shopping, but almost right away, noticed the car shuddering. When it car doesn't act right, I always start being nervous for fear of a breakdown. When it got worse as I started up from a red light, I changed my route and headed for Cartek, praying Ray would not have left for lunch, since it was about noon on Friday. Well, he hadn't and so he took it for a short drive and diagnosed the problem as a spark plug or coil failure. He turned the van over to Danny, and Danny discovered that it was the coil, so he called Honda and had to leave to get the park, leaving me in charge of answering the phone should it ring, because Ray went on to lunch. Thankfully, the phone didn't ring, and Danny was back in a few minutes, installed the coil, and I was off again to do the shopping I had originally planned to do. I am so thankful for a place where I know the mechanics to be reliable and honest, and also thank God that the problem happened during a weekend day while they were open!
I went to the park a couple times, but it was just too hot to get out of the car. The squirrels don't mind the heat, and the egrets and moorhens enjoy the water. While the shade is somewhat cooler, people were still enjoying picnics.It is a cool looking place with all the shade trees and canal, but very hot in the sun. But we have a mighty God, and He is good!
From the Promise Bible NLT:
A Living Sacrifice to God
Romans 12:1-5
And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice----the kind he will accept. When you think of what he has done for you, is this too much to ask?
Don't copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will know what God wants you to do, and you will know how good and pleasing and perfect his will really is.
As God's messenger, I give each of you this warning: Be honest in your estimate of yourselves, measuring your value by how much faith God has given you. Just as our bodies have many parts and each part has a special function, so it is with Christ's body. We are all parts of his one body, and each of us has different work to do. And since we are all one body in Christ, we belong to each other, and each of us needs all the others...
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
I had an interesting weekend...I started out to go to Gateway Mall for shopping, but almost right away, noticed the car shuddering. When it car doesn't act right, I always start being nervous for fear of a breakdown. When it got worse as I started up from a red light, I changed my route and headed for Cartek, praying Ray would not have left for lunch, since it was about noon on Friday. Well, he hadn't and so he took it for a short drive and diagnosed the problem as a spark plug or coil failure. He turned the van over to Danny, and Danny discovered that it was the coil, so he called Honda and had to leave to get the park, leaving me in charge of answering the phone should it ring, because Ray went on to lunch. Thankfully, the phone didn't ring, and Danny was back in a few minutes, installed the coil, and I was off again to do the shopping I had originally planned to do. I am so thankful for a place where I know the mechanics to be reliable and honest, and also thank God that the problem happened during a weekend day while they were open!
I went to the park a couple times, but it was just too hot to get out of the car. The squirrels don't mind the heat, and the egrets and moorhens enjoy the water. While the shade is somewhat cooler, people were still enjoying picnics.It is a cool looking place with all the shade trees and canal, but very hot in the sun. But we have a mighty God, and He is good!
From the Promise Bible NLT:
A Living Sacrifice to God
Romans 12:1-5
And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice----the kind he will accept. When you think of what he has done for you, is this too much to ask?
Don't copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will know what God wants you to do, and you will know how good and pleasing and perfect his will really is.
As God's messenger, I give each of you this warning: Be honest in your estimate of yourselves, measuring your value by how much faith God has given you. Just as our bodies have many parts and each part has a special function, so it is with Christ's body. We are all parts of his one body, and each of us has different work to do. And since we are all one body in Christ, we belong to each other, and each of us needs all the others...
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
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