Friday, December 7, 2012

Be Still

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 is overcast and damp and cool this morning, but I think the sun will soon be shining and warm things up a bit. There is a very slim chance of rain, but not much. But I was able to get the flag out, because today is Pearl Harbor Day. I remember exactly where I was, when I heard the news that Pearl Harbor had been attacked by the Japanese. From that time on, we read the Times every day to see the casualties list. Lucky Strike green went to war, and we had ration stamps for sugar, Also for gasoline. Praise God that war was over a lot sooner that the Vietnam war!

Yesterday I went to the Walmart N.S. and had some interesting experiences there. I was handed a long stemmed carnation in the produce dept., was complemented by a woman on my earrings, listened to a man of color about the state of different sexual lifestyles, (caused by a young man I had stopped for, because he was texting and not looking where he was going). He looked "different". The one talking to me never said anything offensive; just that his mother had seven sons, and wanted to raise them to be men. Shopping may be a pleasure at Publix, but Walmart has it beat for "different". :o)

Later in the afternoon, I got to the peaceful park and enjoyed the squirrels scampering up the trees and the people walking and taking photos with their cameras.God is good!

From the little devotional book Knowing God:

Be still and know that I am God.
Psalm 40:10 NKJV


The Bible teaches that a wonderful way to get to  know God is simply to be still and listen to Him. But sometimes you may find it hard to slow down and listen. As the demands of everyday life weigh down upon you, you may be tempted to ignore God's presence  or-worse yet- to rebel against His commandments. But, when you quiet yourself and acknowledge His presence, God touches your heart and restores your spirits. So why not let Him do it right now? If you really want to know Him better, silence is a wonderful place to start.

                                                                      Great Thoughts

I have come to recognize that He never asks us to do  anything He has not already done. He never takes us any place where he has not been ahead of us. What he is after is not performance, but a relationship with us.
Gloria Gaither

                                                                       Today's Prayer

Lord, your Holy Word is a light unto the world; let me study it , trust it , and share it with all who cross my path. Let me discover You, Father, in the quiet moments of the day. And, in all that I say and do, help me to be a worthy witness as I share the Good News of your perfect Son and Your perfect Word. Amen.

I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!


Love and hugs,
Amaryllis

Thursday, December 6, 2012

Isaiah 40

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 have a few clouds this morning, so maybe that means some rain, some time, some where. One can only hope and pray!

I am expecting my pest control man to come soon, and yesterday, my lawn guy was here, and then the cleaning ladies in the afternoon. so I stuck close to home for most of the day. I did get out to the park for a little while late in the afternoon, but I really do not like to drive around 4 PM, if I have to head west. The sun is low enough that it comes under my visor and is blinding. But I caught a glimpse of the gator resting on the bank of the lake and then ibis in the circle. There were a few people walking and looking over the bridge, and just enjoying leisure time. God is good!

From the Promise Bible NLT:

Isaiah 40:28-31

Don't you know that the Lord is the everlasting God,
 the Creator of all the earth?
He never grows faint or weary. No one can measure the depths
 of his understanding. He gives power to those 
who are tired and worn out; he offers strength
to the weak. Even youths will become exhausted,
and young men will give up. But those who wait 
on the Lord will find new strength. They will fly
high on wings like eagles. They will run and not 
grow weary. They will walk and not faint.

I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!


Love and hugs,
Amaryllis

Wednesday, December 5, 2012

Joggin' thru Jude

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! This is another beautiful day, but dry! My doctor said yesterday that he thought Florida was going to turn into a desert, because of the lack of rain. He is seeing many more allergies, earlier this year than most. I know I have sneezing, blowing episodes every day..seems to be normal with me.

Well, I got some more inside decorating done yesterday, but still have not uncovered where I stashed my candle rings last year. I'm afraid they are up high with all the Christmas tree decorations. Oh, well, I still have time to get things done.

After I left the doc's office, I drove to the park, and saw a couple turtles on the side of the weir, and across the way, the gator was back  sunning himself on the bank of the lake. All was quiet by the bridges, with very few cars parked and no people in sight. But I still did not see any ibis pecking around. Very unusual, but God is good!

From the Promise Bible NLT:

Jude 1:20-25

But you, dear friends must continue to 
build your lives on the foundation of your
holy faith, and continue to pray as directed
by the Holy Spirit. Live in such a way
that God's love can bless you as you wait
for the eternal life that our Lord Jesus Christ
in his mercy is going to give you.  Show mercy
to those who faith is wavering. Rescue others
by snatching them from the flames of judgement.
There are still others to whom you need to show
mercy, but be careful that you aren't contaminated
by their sins.

A Prayer of Praise


And now, all glory to God, who is able to keep
you from stumbling, and who will bring you into his
glorious presence innocent of sin and with
great joy. All glory to him, who alone is God our
Savior. through Jesus Christ our Lord. Yes, glory,
majesty, power, and authority belong to him, in the
beginning, now, and forevermore. Amen.

I always give thanks for you, remembering you  in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!


Love and hugs,
 Amaryllis

Tuesday, December 4, 2012

Psoaring thru Psalm 25

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! Seems like it is a couple degrees cooler this morning, but still it is in the low seventies and going up again to the eighties again. One meteorologist said he expected this weather to last all the way through Christmas! We will only see a white Christmas if we go way north!

After going to CVS yesterday, and visiting with two friends I came across...seems like God puts people in my path that I know, in unexpected places.. I drove on to the park and, Strangely enough, I did not see a single bird, water fowl, or squirrel! That is a first! However, there were a lot of people enjoying this beautiful weather. 

I was given a papaya when I walked into church Sunday, by a friend who has a papaya tree in her yard. She said she planted a seed and it grew and has been quite prolific in bearing fruit! My daddy used to grow papaya trees when I was a kid and I always liked them. I sometimes buy the slices in Publix, when they have them in their fruit salad dept. This one should last quite a while, because it is big! God is good!

From the Promise Bible NLT:

Psalm 25: 6-13

Remember, O Lord, your unfailing love and compassion,
which you have shown from long ages past.
Forgive the rebellious sins of my youth
look instead through the eyes of your unfailing love,
for you are merciful, O Lord.

The Lord is good and does what is right;
he shows the proper path to those who go astray.
He leads the humble in what is right, teaching them his way.
The Lord leads with unfailing love and faithfulness
all those who keep his covenant and obey his decrees.

I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!


Love and hugs,
 Amaryllis

Monday, December 3, 2012

Psoaring thru Psalm 25

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 is hard to believe that this is the first week in December and our temps are going up to the low eighties this afternoon! Yesterday was just beautiful, with lots of sunshine

. After I left church, and had lunch, I went over to the park and expected to see lots of people there, enjoying the day. I was not disappointed, because families were there with children, who were very excited to see all kinds of birds and other wildlife. What I saw were ibis, anhingas and egrets in the canal. The usual squirrels were begging at the picnic tables, which they always do whenever I have a bite to eat there. Well, last week was full of appointments of one kind or another, so far, this week, I only have one scheduled. I don't like to have so many in one week!

 When I drove around Lynch Lake on the way to church, once again, ducks were gathered under the only shade, and a wood stork was off by himself, gazing at the water. The lake surface was like a mirror, very still and calm. God is good!

From the Promise Bible NLT:

Psalm 25

To you, O Lord, I lift up my soul.
I trust in you, my God!
Do not let me be disgraced,
or let my enemies rejoice in my defeat.
No one who trusts in you will ever be disgraced.
But disgrace comes to those who try
to deceive others.

Show me the path where I should walk, O Lord.
point out the right road for me to follow.
Lead me by your truth and teach me,
for you are the God who saves me,
All day long I put my hope in you...

I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!


Love and hugs,
 Amaryllis

Friday, November 30, 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! Another beautiful, dry day is ahead of us and I have an appointment with my dentist. Not my idea of a good way to spend the morning. Well, it comes around every six months and this is the day.

I hope you all who have had clear skies have been able to see Jupiter beside the full moon night before last. Last night, Jupiter was way off to the right of the moon, but still shining brightly! "The majesty and glory of his name". What a sight!

The icicle lights are up all around the house,thanks to Rick, but nothing much has been done to the inside, yet. Putting up the all the time things and getting out the decorations is the hardest. My friend, Cheryl, from across the street gave me a timer to use for the outside lights, and set it to go on and then off. After a couple glitches, it worked, so I don't have to go in the garage to turn the lights off, when I go to bed. She is always doing things for me. I am blessed to have her.
I ran errands yesterday, including to the cleaners and then went to the park. where I did not see nearly as many birds as I saw around Lynch Lake. Ibis, ducks, wood storks and moor hens, all were gathered around and in the lake yesterday. God is good!

From the NASB

Romans 15:
We then who are strong ought to bear with the scruples of the weak, and not to please ourselves. Let each of us please the neighbor for his good leading to edification.

For even Christ did not please himself, but as it is written, "The approaches of those who reproached You fell on me."...

Now may the God of patience and comfort grant you to be like-minded  toward one another, according to Christ Jesus, that you may with one mind and one mouth glorify the God and Father.

I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!


Love and hugs,
 Amaryllis
 

Of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Wednesday, November 28, 2012

The Advantage of Companionship

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 lot of fog earlier, but now the sun is shining and it is warming up. Another beautiful day!

Rick, my handy man came early and put up the outside Christmas lights, cleaned out the rain gutter, which was full of leaves and acorns, and changed a bulb in the kitchen. He is a good man, and I am blessed to know someone who can do work for me. He said he is two weeks behind in his work, so I am not the only one who relies on him.

I went to Cartek yesterday when I noticed I had a front tire which looked a little soft, and Ray checked all the tires and said they were a little low on air. Tomorrow I take the car in for service. Ray is a good man, too! After I left the shop, I stopped in at the Park, to check it out and saw three wood storks standing along the bank of the canal, just looking in the water. That's a little unusual,seeing them there, because they usually do not hang out at the park. I also saw the usual anhinga drying wings and a few ibis pecking along. God is good!

From the Promise Bible NLT:

Ecclesiastes 4:7-12

I observed yet another example of meaningless in our world. 
This is the case of a man who is all alone, without a child or a brother,
 yet who works hard to gain as much wealth as he can.
But then he asks himself, Who am I working for?
Why am I giving up so much pleasure now? It is all so 
meaningless and depressing.

Two people can accomplish more than twice as much
as one; they get a better return for their labor. 
 If one person falls, the other can reach out and help.
 But people who are alone when they fall are in real
trouble. And on a cold night, two under the same 
blanket can gain warmth from each other. But how
can one be warm alone? A person standing alone 
can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand 
back- to- back and conquer. Three are even better,
for a triple- braided cord is not easily broken.

I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!


Love and hugs,
Amaryllis