Still 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! The weather forecast is for a "sticky and hot" day, since the temp is supposed to reach the nineties again today. Yesterday, just about dark, we had a thunderstorm which was very noisy for about thirty minutes, so everything was still wet this morning. Thank you, God, for air conditioning!

Well, the food poisoning, or whatever it was, seems to finally be cleared up. It kept me in for a couple days, since I was afraid to venture very far from home. I don't know what caused it, but I don't want a recurrence!

I was mentioning my hope that the mango next door, would drop on my property and when I told my cleaning ladies that yesterday, they offered me mangos that one of their customers gave them, so I now have three of the ripe fruit in my fridge! Kim also brought over a big slice of the Publix chocolate cake that her sister bought for her.  Since my innards seem to be settled, I will certainly enjoy the "fruits of their labors". (Sorry)

And speaking of Publix, I think more companies are copying their vignette commercials. I especially like the Bright House commercial about the fireman and his daughter, which is so sweet. Usually I mute commercials, but not those.

I took a trip to the library after the girls left, and parked in a handicapped space under a large oak tree. A homeless man was dozing on a bench there in the heat and a woman in a wheelchair from the nursing home across the street was also moving around. Apparently they had been feeding ducks and crows and a few seagulls, for when I came out with my books, I had a splattered windshield. I was not happy about it, but wiped the worst off with a couple tissues and washed the rest off with the washer fluid. After that I did a couple more errands and then headed for home. God is good!

From the Promise Bible NLT:

Romans 12:12-15
Be glad for all God is planning for you. Be
patient in trouble and always be prayerful.
When God's children are in need, be the one
to help them out. And get into the habit of inviting
guests home for dinner, or, if they need lodging,
for the night.

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 other 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 see you are honorable.
Do your part to live in peace with everyone as much as possible.

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

Love and hugs,
 Amaryllis

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! Last night I heard a brief shower falling about 10 PM but then it stopped and everything was dry this morning,  So, we have lots of sun and it is very warm already, with temps supposed to be in the nineties today.

I did not go out yesterday, due to my upset innards, but I finished up Nicholas Sparks latest novel, and did laundry and a  few other chores. I was expecting my yard crew to come, but they came this morning, instead. I spoke to Jim, and he said he was tweaking his schedule, so he will be here Tues. or Wed. from now on. Business must be good, because he has two helpers!

I can see two ripe mangos from my bedroom window. Trouble is, they are on the neighbor's tree. I keep hoping the wind will blow them this way so they will land in my yard. I like mangos! I remember as a kid always having mango trees accessible in the neighborhood and being warned not to get the sap on us or eat green ones because they are poison. I don't know if that was the truth or not, but I was never poisoned, because I followed the admonition!
So, God is good!

From the Promise Bible NLT:

Romans 12:1,2
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.

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

Love and hugs,
 Amaryllis

God's Mercy for Everyone

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 rain sometime during the night; I could tell because of the puddles on the porch and everything looked wet on the driveways. So it looks like the same thing today. Lots of sun, humidity, and maybe some rain.

I am late this morning, but glad to be feeling all right. About 1:30 this morning, I had to race out of bed to the bathroom, with  upset innards. I finally got back in bed, only to get up again and again. I was finally able to get a couple hours sleep and feel pretty good right now, but still have a few problems. I will probably get very drowsy after lunch.

Well, I got some banking done yesterday, and learned the changeover from my bank to the new one , due to the merger, has gone smoothly so far. Except for misinformation from the employees who seemed to be as confused as I, actually, all has gone well. As long as procedures keep going well, I will be very pleased.

After taking care of business, I drove on to the Park and saw a flock of ibis, and an egret. Speaking of egrets, there is one at Boston Market who is always looking in the door, hoping for a handout. If people are sitting at a table beside the door, he will stand and look at them. I don't think I would be comfortable eating knowing he was staring at me! But God is good!

From the Promise Bible NLT:

Romans 11:33-36
Oh, what a wonderful God we have!
How great are his riches and wisdom
and knowledge! How impossible it is
for us to understand his decisions and
his methods! For who can know what
the Lord is thinking? Who knows enough
to be his counselor? And who could ever
give him enough that he would have to pay
it back?For everything comes from him; every
thing exists by his power and is intended for
his glory. To him be glory for evermore. Amen

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

Love and hugs,
 Amaryllis

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! We have our usual morning sun and a good breeze, but thundershowers are once again predicted for this afternoon and evening.

I was disappointed last night at the timing of the rain, because I had hoped to attend the meeting at church, but since I cannot carry an umbrella and use the walker at the same time, I thought it prudent to stay home. I used to know what was going on at the church, but now, things happen without me, which is okay, because I know God has placed good leaders in position to make decisions and I trust them.

Saturday, after I finished with my hair cut, I drove on out to Wendy's to pick up a small salad, and saw more building going on on 4th St. Since that is a main corridor to downtown St. Pete., lots of restaurants are opening nearly every month. Some go out of business and others open up in their space. Looks like lots of people eat out every day!

I was interested to see a young man at church yesterday who I had not seen in a couple months. He is very shy, and very soft spoken, but I know his name is Michael. I used to speak to him whenever he passed by and he would speak to me for a few minutes, but very briefly. Unfortunately, with all the talking around me, it is very difficult for me to understand him, but, anyway, I was glad to see him and he actually gave me a small wave as he looked for a seat.

I visited Sawgrass park a couple times over the weekend, and saw a flock of ibis, and anhinga and lots of two legged humans walking around, enjoying the outdoors. God is good!

From the Promise Bible NLT:

Proverbs 3:21-26
My child, don't lose sight of good planning and insight.
Hang on to these for they bring you honor and respect.
They keep you safe on your way and keep your feet
from stumbling. You can lie down without fear and
enjoy pleasant dreams. You need not be afraid of
disaster or the destruction that comes upon the wicked,
for the Lord is your security. He will keep your foot
from being caught in a trap.

Wisdom produces honor in our lives and protects us from trouble. Wise people know the difference from right and wrong and choose to do what's right. More than that, wisdom is choosing to apply God's truth and principles to our daily relationships and situations.

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

Love and hugs,
 Amaryllis

Paul's 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! This is another bright, hot, beautiful morning, with the usual forecast of afternoon showers and thunderstorm. However, even though we had severe weather warnings yesterday afternoon, and heard thunder, it missed this area again, so no rain.

Well, I did something unusual for me this morning. I drove over to MacDonald's and bought a cheese, bacon and egg biscuit for my breakfast, with O,J. I have only done this once before as near as I remember, and that was because I had had fasting lab work done in the same shopping strip. I was back home enjoying the food ten minutes later, because the fast food place is in my neighborhood!

I had an appointment with my podiatrist yesterday afternoon, and there was no one in the waiting room when I arrived, so I guess his business has fallen off for the summer. He is really busy in the winter. He said he and his girl friend went to Savannah, and Charleston and NC on vacation last month. Ah, memories. I love those places!

I left for the Park after that and parked for a few minutes just absorbing the heat and trees and the ibis flitting around. Plus the dog walkers and people who were enjoying walking in the heat! God is good!

From the Promise Bible NLT:

Ephesians 1:19-23
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
the authority for the benefit of the church. And
the church is his body; and it is
filled by Christ, who fills everything everywhere
 by his presence.

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

Love and hugs,
 Amaryllis

Psoaring thru Psalms

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 another hot but beautiful day with lots of sunshine and a few puffy white clouds already. Yesterday, we did not have our usual rain shower in the late afternoon, so, today, who knows? But grass is growing as are the shrubs, so we are pretty good in the rain department!

My yard crew came Tuesday and cleaned up the branches that had broken off the Oaks, and stuffed them in the trash can, so the yard looks clean for awhile. I think it's about time to get the tree guys out to trim a little on one tree, which hangs low over the driveway when it is wet with rain.

My cleaning ladies were here yesterday and brought me three huge, red tomatoes from the restaurant where they had lunch. The manager is always giving them his extras, which I appreciate. Kim also told me about a house near here which has a mannequin officer standing in the front yard with his hand reaching for his weapon. So, I had to go look for myself and, sure enough, it is life sized and dressed like a highway patrolman. On the front door there is a sign that says."There is nothing inside worth dying for!" That is some deterrent!

I visited the park and saw quite a few cars and an egret looking into the canal for lunch. Then I went to Checkers and got a caramel cheesecake choc. crunch shake just because it was a hot day. Yum. God is good!

From the Promise Bible NLT:

Psalm 77:18-20
When the Red Sea saw you, O God,
its waters looked and trembled!
The sea quaked to its very depths.
The clouds poured down their rain;
the sun rolled and crackled in the sky.
Your arrows of lightning flashed.
Your thunder roared from the whirlwind;
the lightning lit up the world!
The earth trembled and shook.
Your road let through the sea.
Your pathway through the mighty
waters---
a pathway no one knew was there!
You led your people along that road like a
flock of sheep,
with Moses and Aaron as their shepherds.

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

Love and hugs,
 Amaryllis

Strength

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! More sun, more heat, but , so far, not a cloud in the sky. That will all change later in the afternoon, because this is the time of year we get our afternoon-late evening thunder showers.

I can't imagine what it is like to have to abandon your home because of a sinkhole happening under it, but that is what happened in a small city near here, yesterday. It is 15 ft. wide and 30 or more ft. deep, so the people had to evacuate, along with about four other homes. Bad or unexpected things happen every day, but this is so unexpected! My heart goes out to these people!

Yesterday, I returned a book to the drop box at the library. There are two drop boxes, one lower than the other, (which has been plowed into by a vehicle) and the high one is just right for me to reach from the van. I often use it for the convenience. Then, I left there and drove on to the park to see what was going on. An anhinga was perched on the weir drying its wings, and further on, a white egret was spotted on a tree hanging over the canal. Quite a few people were enjoying the freedom of the park, even though it was quite warm! God is good!

From the Promise Bible NLT:

Isaiah 40:28-31
Have you never heard or understood?
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 depth 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 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