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! Sort of a peculiar looking sky this morning... the sun is coming up, but the sky has lots of clouds, and the sunrise paints them yellowish.
The Park has lots of water now, almost over the weir, so all the gators should be happy. I saw a roseate spoonbill right beside the street preening at the lake near our home, as I was coming home, so I stopped and took a photo, but I am not sure it will turn out. The pink feathers are so pretty! God's Creation is good!
From the Promise Bible:
How can I best use time?
Psalm 90:12 "Teach us to make the most of our time, so that we may grow in wisdom."
Ecclesiastes 3:1-11 "There is a time for everything; a season for every activity under heaven. A time to be born and a time to die. A time to plant and a time to harvest. A time to kill and a time to heal. A time to tear down and a time to rebuild. A time to cry and a time to laugh. a time to grieve and a time to dance. A time to scatter stones and a time to gather stones.. A time to embrace and a time to turn away. A time to search and a time to lose. A time to keep and a time to throw away. A time to tear and a time to mend. A time to be quiet and a time to speak up. A time to love and a time to hate. A time for war and a time for peace. What do people really get for all their hard work? I have thought about this in connection with the various kinds of work God has given people to do. God has made everything beautiful for its own time. He has planted eternity in the human heart, but even so, people cannot see the whole scope of God's work from beginning to end."
Valuing time begins with seeing it from God's perspective. When we do this, we learn that there is always time for accomplishing God's plans for our lives.
Ephesians 5:15-20 "Be careful how you live, not as fools but as those who are wise. Make the most of every opportunity for doing good in these evil days. Don't act thoughtlessly, but try to understand what the Lord wants you to do. Don't be drunk with wine, because that will ruin your life. Instead, let the holy Spirit fill and control you. Then you will sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs among yourselves, making music to the Lord in your hearts. And you will always give thanks for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ."
Time is a gift. God gives us time so that we have the opportunity to serve Him. When we give our time back to the Lord, he promises that it will not be wasted.
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
Tuesday, July 24, 2007
Monday, July 23, 2007
Double Blessings
Good morning, Dear friends and Prayer Partners! This is the wet day that the Lord has made and we will rejoice and be glad in it! Yes, we have already had some rain, but it looks like the clouds are moving out for a little while. We had a drought for so long, and now God is bringing plentiful rain.
The water at the Park is up and that's good for the fishing of the water birds. I saw a great blue heron pluck a fish from the canal yesterday, and gulp it down, without even turning it around. It must feel funny swimming around in the gullet!
2 Peter 1:7
"In your godliness, brotherly kindness, and in your brotherly kindness, love."
From Quiet Moments:
Cecil Rhodes, British statesman and financier, and endowed the famous Rhodes Scholarships, was known as a stickler for correct dress - but not at the expense of someone else's feelings.
Once it was told that Rhodes invited a young man to an elegant dinner at his home. The guest had to travel a great distance by train and arrived in town only in time to go directly to Rhodes's home in his travel-stained clothes. Once there, he was distressed to find that dinner was ready to begin and the other guests were gathered in their finest evening clothes. But Rhodes was nowhere to be seen. Moments later, he appeared in a shabby old blue suit. The young man later learned that his host had been dressed in evening clothes but put on the old suit when he heard of his guest's embarrassment.
Rabbi Samuel Holdenson captured the spirit behind Rhode's gesture, saying:
"Kindness is the inability to remain at ease in the presence of another person who is ill at ease, the inability to remain comfortable in the presence of another who is uncomfortable, the inability to have peace of mind when one's neighbor is troubled.'"
The simplest act of kindness not only affects the receiver in profound ways, but brings blessings to the giver as well. It makes us feel good to make others feel good. So do something nice for yourself today-commit a random act of kindness!
You cannot do a
kindness too soon
because you never
know how soon it
will be too late.
Ralph Waldo Emerson
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
The water at the Park is up and that's good for the fishing of the water birds. I saw a great blue heron pluck a fish from the canal yesterday, and gulp it down, without even turning it around. It must feel funny swimming around in the gullet!
2 Peter 1:7
"In your godliness, brotherly kindness, and in your brotherly kindness, love."
From Quiet Moments:
Cecil Rhodes, British statesman and financier, and endowed the famous Rhodes Scholarships, was known as a stickler for correct dress - but not at the expense of someone else's feelings.
Once it was told that Rhodes invited a young man to an elegant dinner at his home. The guest had to travel a great distance by train and arrived in town only in time to go directly to Rhodes's home in his travel-stained clothes. Once there, he was distressed to find that dinner was ready to begin and the other guests were gathered in their finest evening clothes. But Rhodes was nowhere to be seen. Moments later, he appeared in a shabby old blue suit. The young man later learned that his host had been dressed in evening clothes but put on the old suit when he heard of his guest's embarrassment.
Rabbi Samuel Holdenson captured the spirit behind Rhode's gesture, saying:
"Kindness is the inability to remain at ease in the presence of another person who is ill at ease, the inability to remain comfortable in the presence of another who is uncomfortable, the inability to have peace of mind when one's neighbor is troubled.'"
The simplest act of kindness not only affects the receiver in profound ways, but brings blessings to the giver as well. It makes us feel good to make others feel good. So do something nice for yourself today-commit a random act of kindness!
You cannot do a
kindness too soon
because you never
know how soon it
will be too late.
Ralph Waldo Emerson
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
Friday, July 20, 2007
Psoaring thru Psalm 34
Good morning, Dear Friends and Prayer Partners! This is another warm day that the Lord has made and we will rejoice and be glad in it! I couldn't see the stars this morning for the haziness, but now the sun is coming up and casting beautiful light on everything.
Not many people were out at the Park yesterday, except the regulars. There's a lady who walks around the boardwalk four times each morning..doctor's orders, I think, and the old man who shuffle-jogs around a couple times..never looks up, just keeps on shuffling. The man with the foreign accent who is fit and uses weights when he walks and is very friendly to all. Most of these people have been coming for a couple years and try to stay healthy with their walking. Trouble is, they don't take time to "smell the roses". I stop and look and listen and linger sometimes, just admiring God's handiwork. Life is good!
From the Promise Bible:
I will praise the Lord at all times.
I will constantly speak his praises.
I will boast only in the Lord;
Let all who are discouraged take heart.
Come, let us tell of the Lord's greatness,
let us exalt his name together.
I prayed to the Lord, and he answered me,
freeing me from all my fears.
Those who look to him for help will be radiant with joy:
no shadow or shame will darken their faces.
I cried out to the Lord in my suffering
and he heard me.
He set me free from all my fears,
For the angel of the Lord guards all who fear him,
and he rescues them.
Taste and see that the Lord is good.
Oh, the joys of those who trust in him!
Let the Lord's people show him reverence.
for those who honor him will have all they need.
Even strong young lions sometimes go
hungry, but those who trust in the Lord
will never lack any good thing....
...The eyes of the Lord watch over those who do right
his ears are open to their cries for help.
But the Lord turns his face against those who do evil:
he will erase their memory from the earth.
The Lord is close to the brokenhearted
he rescues those who are crushed in spirit.
Praise the Lord!
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
Perhaps today!
Not many people were out at the Park yesterday, except the regulars. There's a lady who walks around the boardwalk four times each morning..doctor's orders, I think, and the old man who shuffle-jogs around a couple times..never looks up, just keeps on shuffling. The man with the foreign accent who is fit and uses weights when he walks and is very friendly to all. Most of these people have been coming for a couple years and try to stay healthy with their walking. Trouble is, they don't take time to "smell the roses". I stop and look and listen and linger sometimes, just admiring God's handiwork. Life is good!
From the Promise Bible:
I will praise the Lord at all times.
I will constantly speak his praises.
I will boast only in the Lord;
Let all who are discouraged take heart.
Come, let us tell of the Lord's greatness,
let us exalt his name together.
I prayed to the Lord, and he answered me,
freeing me from all my fears.
Those who look to him for help will be radiant with joy:
no shadow or shame will darken their faces.
I cried out to the Lord in my suffering
and he heard me.
He set me free from all my fears,
For the angel of the Lord guards all who fear him,
and he rescues them.
Taste and see that the Lord is good.
Oh, the joys of those who trust in him!
Let the Lord's people show him reverence.
for those who honor him will have all they need.
Even strong young lions sometimes go
hungry, but those who trust in the Lord
will never lack any good thing....
...The eyes of the Lord watch over those who do right
his ears are open to their cries for help.
But the Lord turns his face against those who do evil:
he will erase their memory from the earth.
The Lord is close to the brokenhearted
he rescues those who are crushed in spirit.
Praise the Lord!
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
Perhaps today!
Thursday, July 19, 2007
The People Factor
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 another short thunderstorm in the middle of the afternoon yesterday, but the yard got mowed, anyway, and it looks nice, but growing fast!
I had an earlier walk yesterday, and could not see Mama gator. She may have been behind the nest or have left for lunch, but she can go for a month without eating. I watched the osprey circle lazily over the lake, hoping, once again, I could see it hover, but it wasn't interested in food, I guess. Even though we have had rains, not a lot of water has come down at the Park, so the water is still receding, but God brings rain in His time! God is Awesome!
From Quiet Moments:
...Often we wonder if what we do throughout our day has any significance at all. In many cases, it takes more strength to do the trivial tasks than the monumental ones.
If the job we do is difficult, we must ask God to show us how to make the job less strenuous. If the job is dull, we need to ask God to reveal ways to make it more interesting. If we think our work is unimportant, we need to remember that being in God's will and doing a good job for Him, will not only bring blessing to others, but will bless us now and for eternity.
Often it is the People factor that keeps us motivated. God gives us purpose and makes our lives meaningful, but he is always working to bless us, so we can turn around and bless other people.
The tasks you face today are significant as you work to meet a need or to see growth in others. You will see God's love moving through your life to others in everything you do for them-from putting a bandage on a child's skinned knee to inventing a machine that helps people with asthma breathe.
"All service ranks the same with God."
Robert Browning
"Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends."
John 15:13 KJV
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
We had another short thunderstorm in the middle of the afternoon yesterday, but the yard got mowed, anyway, and it looks nice, but growing fast!
I had an earlier walk yesterday, and could not see Mama gator. She may have been behind the nest or have left for lunch, but she can go for a month without eating. I watched the osprey circle lazily over the lake, hoping, once again, I could see it hover, but it wasn't interested in food, I guess. Even though we have had rains, not a lot of water has come down at the Park, so the water is still receding, but God brings rain in His time! God is Awesome!
From Quiet Moments:
...Often we wonder if what we do throughout our day has any significance at all. In many cases, it takes more strength to do the trivial tasks than the monumental ones.
If the job we do is difficult, we must ask God to show us how to make the job less strenuous. If the job is dull, we need to ask God to reveal ways to make it more interesting. If we think our work is unimportant, we need to remember that being in God's will and doing a good job for Him, will not only bring blessing to others, but will bless us now and for eternity.
Often it is the People factor that keeps us motivated. God gives us purpose and makes our lives meaningful, but he is always working to bless us, so we can turn around and bless other people.
The tasks you face today are significant as you work to meet a need or to see growth in others. You will see God's love moving through your life to others in everything you do for them-from putting a bandage on a child's skinned knee to inventing a machine that helps people with asthma breathe.
"All service ranks the same with God."
Robert Browning
"Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends."
John 15:13 KJV
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
Wednesday, July 18, 2007
Abundance
Good morning, Dear Friends and Prayer Partners! This is the warm, humid day that the Lord has made and we will rejoice and be glad in it! When I stepped outside this morning, I expected to feel a little coolness, but not this morning! Looks like another very warm day, but this is Florida in July! Thank God for air conditioning!
I had the garage door open yesterday while tending to laundry, and glanced up at the car, to see the bluejay perched there, looking at me expectantly for peanuts. Sorry, but I don't intentionally feed bluejays!
They were working on the entrance bridge at the Park yesterday..seems like there is always repair and fix up work to do..keeps the crew busy. I heard and saw an anhinga fly up into a tree to dry out the wings for awhile,so it could dive once again and seek the fish for a tasty meal. The hawks don't seem to be as visible any more, since the babies are out of the nest. God is good!
From the Promise Bible:
Abundance
Under what circumstances does God promise abundance to us?
Malachi 3:10-11 "Bring all the tithes into the storehouse so there will be enough food in my Temple. "If you do," says the Lord Almighty, "I will open the windows of heaven for you. I will pour out a blessing so great you won't have enough room to take it in! Try it! Let me prove it to you! Your crops will be abundant, for I will guard them from insects and disease. Your grapes will not shrivel before they are ripe." says the Lord Almighty.
Philippians 4:19 "This same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus."
God's abundant provision is a gracious gift. When we give what God requires we receive more than we could ever desire.
Deuteronomy 30:9 "The Lord your God will make you successful in everything you do. He will give you many children and numerous livestock, and your fields will produce abundant harvests, for the Lord will delight in being good to you as he was to your ancestors."
God is not stingy and resentful in supplying our needs. He loves to lavish his abundance on those with grateful hearts.
Why does God give us abundant gifts?
2 Corinthians 9:8 "God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others."
God wants us to have everything we need, But we don't get to keep what we receive: we get to give it away. God is looking for us to share his abundance with others.
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
I had the garage door open yesterday while tending to laundry, and glanced up at the car, to see the bluejay perched there, looking at me expectantly for peanuts. Sorry, but I don't intentionally feed bluejays!
They were working on the entrance bridge at the Park yesterday..seems like there is always repair and fix up work to do..keeps the crew busy. I heard and saw an anhinga fly up into a tree to dry out the wings for awhile,so it could dive once again and seek the fish for a tasty meal. The hawks don't seem to be as visible any more, since the babies are out of the nest. God is good!
From the Promise Bible:
Abundance
Under what circumstances does God promise abundance to us?
Malachi 3:10-11 "Bring all the tithes into the storehouse so there will be enough food in my Temple. "If you do," says the Lord Almighty, "I will open the windows of heaven for you. I will pour out a blessing so great you won't have enough room to take it in! Try it! Let me prove it to you! Your crops will be abundant, for I will guard them from insects and disease. Your grapes will not shrivel before they are ripe." says the Lord Almighty.
Philippians 4:19 "This same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus."
God's abundant provision is a gracious gift. When we give what God requires we receive more than we could ever desire.
Deuteronomy 30:9 "The Lord your God will make you successful in everything you do. He will give you many children and numerous livestock, and your fields will produce abundant harvests, for the Lord will delight in being good to you as he was to your ancestors."
God is not stingy and resentful in supplying our needs. He loves to lavish his abundance on those with grateful hearts.
Why does God give us abundant gifts?
2 Corinthians 9:8 "God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others."
God wants us to have everything we need, But we don't get to keep what we receive: we get to give it away. God is looking for us to share his abundance with others.
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
Tuesday, July 17, 2007
Stress, con't.
Good morning, Dear Friends and Prayer Partners! This is the calm day after the storm that the Lord had made and we will rejoice and be glad in it! Lots of lightning and thunder just at supper time last night, gave the grass another good soaking and now it really needs mowing!
I had to look closely yesterday to see Mama Gator. She was almost hidden-just her eyes showing, but the water is receding because of not much rain,so I don't know how much longer she will hang around the nest. In a way, the trash and limbs that are broken and almost covering her hidey-hole, are a good thing because she can hide under the stuff.
I heard lots of birds singing and felt a coolness in the shade, but was still drippy when I finished my walk. Oh, well, that's summer!
I am blessed that I still have the ability to walk and see and hear and enjoy God's Creation! God is good!
From the Promise Bible:
What do we learn from stress?
Stress exposes our human limitations so that we can better realize God's limitless power and love.
Galatians 6:9 Don't get tired of doing what is good. Don't get discouraged and give up, for we will reap a harvest of blessing at the appropriate time."
We keep going because God has promised a rich harvest in his perfect time.
Romans 5:3-4 "We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they are good for us-they help us learn to endure. And endurance develops strength of character in us, and character strengthens our confident expectations of salvation."
James 1:2-4 "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, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be strong in character and ready for anything."
While stress exposes our true character, it also helps develop our true character.
Even when we fall short of the mark, God has promised to work within us, shaping us into the image of Christ.
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
I had to look closely yesterday to see Mama Gator. She was almost hidden-just her eyes showing, but the water is receding because of not much rain,so I don't know how much longer she will hang around the nest. In a way, the trash and limbs that are broken and almost covering her hidey-hole, are a good thing because she can hide under the stuff.
I heard lots of birds singing and felt a coolness in the shade, but was still drippy when I finished my walk. Oh, well, that's summer!
I am blessed that I still have the ability to walk and see and hear and enjoy God's Creation! God is good!
From the Promise Bible:
What do we learn from stress?
Stress exposes our human limitations so that we can better realize God's limitless power and love.
Galatians 6:9 Don't get tired of doing what is good. Don't get discouraged and give up, for we will reap a harvest of blessing at the appropriate time."
We keep going because God has promised a rich harvest in his perfect time.
Romans 5:3-4 "We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they are good for us-they help us learn to endure. And endurance develops strength of character in us, and character strengthens our confident expectations of salvation."
James 1:2-4 "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, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be strong in character and ready for anything."
While stress exposes our true character, it also helps develop our true character.
Even when we fall short of the mark, God has promised to work within us, shaping us into the image of Christ.
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
Monday, July 16, 2007
Stress
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! Not a breeze was stirring when I stepped outside earlier, but now, a slight one is blowing and it doesn't feel as humid as the past few days.
I had a real treat when I walked Saturday. Not only was Mama gator stirring around amidst all the branches and trash that almost covers her now, but I discovered that the old nest is trampled at the bottom and freshly dug at the top, which leads me to think that she has laid her eggs and now we just have to wait a few months.
The treat was, as I was walking back I saw a HUGE gator across the canal, on the bank. He was about 11 feet long and very fat. As I watched, he slid backward into the water with something in his jaws. I couldn't tell what it was, but Pa gator took it in the water and held it for a minute or two, then slowly sank out of sight. God's Creation is great!!
From the Promise Bible:
Should I be surprised by the stress of life?
John 16:33 "I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world."
Jesus warned us to expect stress. This world is filled with trials and sorrows that generate stress in our lives. Christ gives us lasting peace because his power and grace are able to overcome all sources of stress in our lives.
What can I do to find relief from stress and anxiety?
Isaiah 41:10 "Don't be afraid for I am with you. Do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you. I will help you. I will uphold you with my victorious right hand."
We can turn from fear and anxiety to faith and peace. God promises to supply the power to get us through the hard times.
Matthew 11 28:29 "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."
Resting in Christ breaks the hold of stress. When we are yoked together in service to him, we are free from the unrealistic and destructive expectations that can overwhelm us. Jesus' humility and gentleness overcome every conflict and stress in this life.
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
I had a real treat when I walked Saturday. Not only was Mama gator stirring around amidst all the branches and trash that almost covers her now, but I discovered that the old nest is trampled at the bottom and freshly dug at the top, which leads me to think that she has laid her eggs and now we just have to wait a few months.
The treat was, as I was walking back I saw a HUGE gator across the canal, on the bank. He was about 11 feet long and very fat. As I watched, he slid backward into the water with something in his jaws. I couldn't tell what it was, but Pa gator took it in the water and held it for a minute or two, then slowly sank out of sight. God's Creation is great!!
From the Promise Bible:
Should I be surprised by the stress of life?
John 16:33 "I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world."
Jesus warned us to expect stress. This world is filled with trials and sorrows that generate stress in our lives. Christ gives us lasting peace because his power and grace are able to overcome all sources of stress in our lives.
What can I do to find relief from stress and anxiety?
Isaiah 41:10 "Don't be afraid for I am with you. Do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you. I will help you. I will uphold you with my victorious right hand."
We can turn from fear and anxiety to faith and peace. God promises to supply the power to get us through the hard times.
Matthew 11 28:29 "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."
Resting in Christ breaks the hold of stress. When we are yoked together in service to him, we are free from the unrealistic and destructive expectations that can overwhelm us. Jesus' humility and gentleness overcome every conflict and stress in this life.
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
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