Good morning, Dear Friends and Prayer Partners! This is the beautiful day that the Lord has make and we will rejoice and be glad in it! I stepped outside this morning and saw a misty Venus dimly sparkling through the trees, with all the other stars not as bright because of the mist.
As I walked yesterday, enjoying the solitude and listening to the birds chirping, I stopped and looked for the baby gators, which were not visible and Mama wasn't either. Would you believe someone has climbed over the shelter rails and gone down in the mud just to get at the gators!? There are several footprints in the mud all put there around six in the evening according to Francia.
But, on to the tower and on my way, I was delighted to see the osprey pair soaring and gliding and HOVERING over the lake. I just caught my breath and marveled at the way God created them to be able to hang in the air in one spot and flap their wings rapidly and just hover for a few seconds! God is Awesome!
From the Promise Bible NLT:
What do I do when I feel overwhelmed?
Joshua 23:10 "Each one of you will put to flight a thousand of the enemy, for the Lord your God fights for you... just as he has promised."
Be encouraged that the power of God is for us, regardless of the number of enemies against us. God used David to overcome Goliath, Gideon's three hundred soldiers to defeat the armies of Midian, and one hundred and twenty disciples to establish the church in Acts. He joys when working through our weaknesses and limitations.
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
Tuesday, November 13, 2007
Friday, November 9, 2007
Flower Power
Good morning, Dear Friends and Prayer Partners! This is another chilly day that the Lord has made and we will rejoice and be glad in it! When I stepped outside in the pre-dawn hours, Venus was brilliant in the eastern sky and the clear sky showed off the beauty of the other stars! God is Awesome!
I enjoyed my walk yesterday with a heavier jacket on, which I soon took off on the way back. It doesn't take long to warm up. I stopped at the first shelter to check on the babies, but couldn't see any, so went on my way, heard a hawk, but didn't see it. I could hear the little gallinule couple, but they must have been under the tower.
On my way back the Mama gator was visible just under the shelter, and five babies were very actively swimming about just at the edge of the shelter.
Sometimes the boardwalk can be a holy place. I overheard a man praying for two women who seemed to have problems with evil, and, of course, that is the place where our grandson asked Jesus into his heart. God is very present wherever we are.
From Quiet Moments with God:
Butchart Gardens is one of the most famous tourist attractions in Victoria, British Columbia. Since 1904, when Jenny Butchart decided to transform her husband's limestone quarry into a sunken garden. It is open all year and includes a botanical display of breathtaking beauty. (We had the pleasure of visiting it some years ago.)
Walking through the delightful grounds, it is impossible to choose the most outstanding exhibition. The plants are obviously healthy and well attended. Each provides colorful blossoms that are distinct, yet make a significant contribution in the overall scheme and design.
Likewise, part of our spiritual growth is to realize our importance in god's garden, especially when we exercise the talents and abilities He has given. Many feel inferior about their own gifts and they compare themselves unfavorably with others. And yet God designs different people just as He created various kinds of flowers. The lily and the rose each have their own features. In fact, every blossom has its own unique characteristics. Tulips, lilacs, and hyacinths are not alike yet each kind of flower adds a particular fragrance and beauty to any arrangement.
The same is true in life. Take a few moments to make an inventory of your gifts. Then ask the Holy Spirit to guide you. Through His power, you can make a difference in the lives of others as will as your own.
"We dare not make ourselves of the number, or compare ourselves with some that commend themselves: but they measuring themselves by themselves, among themselves, are not wise. "
2 Corinthians 10:12 KJV
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
I enjoyed my walk yesterday with a heavier jacket on, which I soon took off on the way back. It doesn't take long to warm up. I stopped at the first shelter to check on the babies, but couldn't see any, so went on my way, heard a hawk, but didn't see it. I could hear the little gallinule couple, but they must have been under the tower.
On my way back the Mama gator was visible just under the shelter, and five babies were very actively swimming about just at the edge of the shelter.
Sometimes the boardwalk can be a holy place. I overheard a man praying for two women who seemed to have problems with evil, and, of course, that is the place where our grandson asked Jesus into his heart. God is very present wherever we are.
From Quiet Moments with God:
Butchart Gardens is one of the most famous tourist attractions in Victoria, British Columbia. Since 1904, when Jenny Butchart decided to transform her husband's limestone quarry into a sunken garden. It is open all year and includes a botanical display of breathtaking beauty. (We had the pleasure of visiting it some years ago.)
Walking through the delightful grounds, it is impossible to choose the most outstanding exhibition. The plants are obviously healthy and well attended. Each provides colorful blossoms that are distinct, yet make a significant contribution in the overall scheme and design.
Likewise, part of our spiritual growth is to realize our importance in god's garden, especially when we exercise the talents and abilities He has given. Many feel inferior about their own gifts and they compare themselves unfavorably with others. And yet God designs different people just as He created various kinds of flowers. The lily and the rose each have their own features. In fact, every blossom has its own unique characteristics. Tulips, lilacs, and hyacinths are not alike yet each kind of flower adds a particular fragrance and beauty to any arrangement.
The same is true in life. Take a few moments to make an inventory of your gifts. Then ask the Holy Spirit to guide you. Through His power, you can make a difference in the lives of others as will as your own.
"We dare not make ourselves of the number, or compare ourselves with some that commend themselves: but they measuring themselves by themselves, among themselves, are not wise. "
2 Corinthians 10:12 KJV
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
Thursday, November 8, 2007
Psoaring thru Psalms
Good chilly morning, Dear Friends and Prayer Partners! This is the winter day that the Lord has made and we will rejoice and be glad in it!
Well, we have the heater going this morning! I stepped outside and the wind was very chilly even though the temp is in the fifties, after all our warm weather it seems very chilly. We are just not used to this!
I zipped up my jacket on my way to the first bridge yesterday, because the wind was blowing in my face, but I soon warmed up with a brisk walk. I hung over the railing at the first shelter, looking for the babies and Ma, but didn't see them, so I finished my walk going to the tower, and noticed the gallinule couple were back, busily pecking around.
Then as I came back to the shelter, a couple there told me where to look. I still didn't see the babies, but hung around looking and soon Mama came to get some bread the couple had thrown in. Tsk, tsk. When she came swimming out from under the shelter, the babies scrambled to get out of the way. There were only two, though. But God is good!!
Psalm 20 from the Promise Bible NLT:
"In times of trouble, may the Lord respond to your cry. May the God of Israel keep you safe from all harm.
May he send you help from his sanctuary and strengthen you from Jerusalem. May he remember all your gifts and look favorably on your burnt offerings.
May he grant your heart's desire and fulfill all your plans. May we shout for joy when we hear of your victory, flying banners to honor our God. May the Lord answer all your prayers....
Some nations boast of their armies and weapons, but we boast in the Lord our God.Those nations will fall down and collapse, but we will rise up and stand firm.
Give victory to our king, O Lord!
Respond to our cry for help."
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
Well, we have the heater going this morning! I stepped outside and the wind was very chilly even though the temp is in the fifties, after all our warm weather it seems very chilly. We are just not used to this!
I zipped up my jacket on my way to the first bridge yesterday, because the wind was blowing in my face, but I soon warmed up with a brisk walk. I hung over the railing at the first shelter, looking for the babies and Ma, but didn't see them, so I finished my walk going to the tower, and noticed the gallinule couple were back, busily pecking around.
Then as I came back to the shelter, a couple there told me where to look. I still didn't see the babies, but hung around looking and soon Mama came to get some bread the couple had thrown in. Tsk, tsk. When she came swimming out from under the shelter, the babies scrambled to get out of the way. There were only two, though. But God is good!!
Psalm 20 from the Promise Bible NLT:
"In times of trouble, may the Lord respond to your cry. May the God of Israel keep you safe from all harm.
May he send you help from his sanctuary and strengthen you from Jerusalem. May he remember all your gifts and look favorably on your burnt offerings.
May he grant your heart's desire and fulfill all your plans. May we shout for joy when we hear of your victory, flying banners to honor our God. May the Lord answer all your prayers....
Some nations boast of their armies and weapons, but we boast in the Lord our God.Those nations will fall down and collapse, but we will rise up and stand firm.
Give victory to our king, O Lord!
Respond to our cry for help."
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
Wednesday, November 7, 2007
Matthew 6:34
Good morning, Dear Friends and Prayer Partners! This is another cool day that the Lord has made and we will rejoice and be glad in it! Once again the early morning sky is brilliant with the myriads of stars, but the moon is hidden now. The clear sky is lovely, but we really need the clouds and rain. We trust in God to provide in His time.
I walked yesterday afternoon, due to a morning appointment with the dentist, :o(, and enjoyed the still cool air and the warm sun. I watched for a few minutes at the first shelter, because I didn't see the baby gators nor Mama, and soon, I saw the super-sized lizard crawl out of the puddle where he had been disguised and there was another one just below him. Since they are black and white striped, God has cleverly disguised them from some of the predators which are around. I saw another branch lying where the babies are, so another someone had torn it off and thrown it at them. What joy can that bring? Sigh.
Francia, the teacher, does her best to educate people about gator habits and all the other creatures, including spiders. Her tag is 6-spider. :o)
Matthew 6:34
"Do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own."
From the book Quiet Moments with God:
There was a man, who at the end of each workday, would visit an old tree in his front yard before entering his home. As he passed the tree, he would reach out to gently touch the trunk and branches.
He did this so he could mentally "hang is troubles" on the branches so that he would not take them inside to his wife and children. He left his troubles with the assumption that if the problems were important, they would still be hanging there when he came out the next morning. But many mornings, he found they had disappeared.
Of course, hanging your troubles on the worry tree is not always easy.
In his book, "Still Married, Still Sober," David Mackenzie describes another practical method for remembering to cast one's cares on God.:
To act out the principle of turning prayers over to God, we took a paper bag, wrote "God" on it, and taped it up high on the back of our kitchen door. As I prayed about matters such as my career, my role as a father, my abilities to be a good husband, I would write down each concern on a piece of paper. Then those pieces of paper would go in the bag. The rule was that if you start worrying about a matter of prayer that you've turned over to God, you have to climb up on a chair and fish it out of the bag, I don't want to admit how much time I spent sifting through those scraps of paper.
Using God as your "Worry Tree" takes practice, but it's a skill worth developing. And your effort will be rewarded with the peace of knowing God is with you, ready to handle your heavy load-if you will only let Him.
Worry is like a rocking chair.
It gives you something to do
but doesn't get you anywhere.
Bernard Meltzer
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
I walked yesterday afternoon, due to a morning appointment with the dentist, :o(, and enjoyed the still cool air and the warm sun. I watched for a few minutes at the first shelter, because I didn't see the baby gators nor Mama, and soon, I saw the super-sized lizard crawl out of the puddle where he had been disguised and there was another one just below him. Since they are black and white striped, God has cleverly disguised them from some of the predators which are around. I saw another branch lying where the babies are, so another someone had torn it off and thrown it at them. What joy can that bring? Sigh.
Francia, the teacher, does her best to educate people about gator habits and all the other creatures, including spiders. Her tag is 6-spider. :o)
Matthew 6:34
"Do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own."
From the book Quiet Moments with God:
There was a man, who at the end of each workday, would visit an old tree in his front yard before entering his home. As he passed the tree, he would reach out to gently touch the trunk and branches.
He did this so he could mentally "hang is troubles" on the branches so that he would not take them inside to his wife and children. He left his troubles with the assumption that if the problems were important, they would still be hanging there when he came out the next morning. But many mornings, he found they had disappeared.
Of course, hanging your troubles on the worry tree is not always easy.
In his book, "Still Married, Still Sober," David Mackenzie describes another practical method for remembering to cast one's cares on God.:
To act out the principle of turning prayers over to God, we took a paper bag, wrote "God" on it, and taped it up high on the back of our kitchen door. As I prayed about matters such as my career, my role as a father, my abilities to be a good husband, I would write down each concern on a piece of paper. Then those pieces of paper would go in the bag. The rule was that if you start worrying about a matter of prayer that you've turned over to God, you have to climb up on a chair and fish it out of the bag, I don't want to admit how much time I spent sifting through those scraps of paper.
Using God as your "Worry Tree" takes practice, but it's a skill worth developing. And your effort will be rewarded with the peace of knowing God is with you, ready to handle your heavy load-if you will only let Him.
Worry is like a rocking chair.
It gives you something to do
but doesn't get you anywhere.
Bernard Meltzer
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
Tuesday, November 6, 2007
1 Thessalonians 5:18
Good morning, Dear Friends and Prayer Partners! This is the cool, clear day that the Lord has made and we will rejoice and be glad in it! When I stepped outside very early this morning, I noticed the brilliant crescent moon shining brightly just under Venus, just as brilliant. What a beautiful, breath-taking sight in the eastern sky! God is Awesome!
I had an enjoyable walk yesterday, a little later than usual. There were more people walking, but for the most part, I enjoyed the solitude. I once again heart the mewing chirp of the catbird, and saw the shrubbery move, but did not catch a glimpse of it. They are very elusive!
The young Mama gator was guarding her babes, which were nowhere in sight, but I guess she knew where they were. The water has receded to the point where they will have to craw; through mud to get to their nest.
I spoke with Francia, who was setting up her classroom for the day. Every afternoon, she takes the three little screech owls home, along with the tarantula and other assorted critters, then brings them back the next school day. She loves her work!
From Quiet Moments:
"Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." 1 Thessalonians 5:18
Most of us at some time indulge in the endless chase for perfection in our lives: perfect home, perfect job, no conflicts. And most of us discover quickly the futility of such expectations.
Every year Dear Abby prints a familiar story written by Emily Kingsley called, "Welcome to Holland." Emily, a writer, lecturer, and talented mother of an adult child with Down syndrome, knows about expectations. Others have asked her what it's like raising a child with disabilities. In her story, Emily uses a metaphor. She compares the expectation of a child's birth to planning a vacation trip to Italy. She mentions the joy of deciding on tourist spots to visit and the anticipation of all the sights you would see upon your arrival.
She then describes the scenario upon landing in your vacation spot. Surely a mistake has been made, because the stewardess on your plane welcomes you not to Italy, but to Holland. You argue, but nothing changes. You are in Holland, and there you will stay.
Anyone who has ever been to Holland knows that tulips, windmills, and Remrbandts make Holland a beautiful place. Emily points out that it's just not what you expected. You planned on going to Italy.
In her poignant illustration, Kingsley challenges the reader to focus not on unmet expectations (Italy), but on the beauty of where you are (Holland).
When life doesn't turn out perfectly--the way we planned--we have a choice. Whether it's as minor as a holiday gone awry or as major as a prince charming that turned into an ugly frog, God wants us to celebrate that "very special, very lovely thing" about our circumstance.
Nothing with God can be accidental.
Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
I had an enjoyable walk yesterday, a little later than usual. There were more people walking, but for the most part, I enjoyed the solitude. I once again heart the mewing chirp of the catbird, and saw the shrubbery move, but did not catch a glimpse of it. They are very elusive!
The young Mama gator was guarding her babes, which were nowhere in sight, but I guess she knew where they were. The water has receded to the point where they will have to craw; through mud to get to their nest.
I spoke with Francia, who was setting up her classroom for the day. Every afternoon, she takes the three little screech owls home, along with the tarantula and other assorted critters, then brings them back the next school day. She loves her work!
From Quiet Moments:
"Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." 1 Thessalonians 5:18
Most of us at some time indulge in the endless chase for perfection in our lives: perfect home, perfect job, no conflicts. And most of us discover quickly the futility of such expectations.
Every year Dear Abby prints a familiar story written by Emily Kingsley called, "Welcome to Holland." Emily, a writer, lecturer, and talented mother of an adult child with Down syndrome, knows about expectations. Others have asked her what it's like raising a child with disabilities. In her story, Emily uses a metaphor. She compares the expectation of a child's birth to planning a vacation trip to Italy. She mentions the joy of deciding on tourist spots to visit and the anticipation of all the sights you would see upon your arrival.
She then describes the scenario upon landing in your vacation spot. Surely a mistake has been made, because the stewardess on your plane welcomes you not to Italy, but to Holland. You argue, but nothing changes. You are in Holland, and there you will stay.
Anyone who has ever been to Holland knows that tulips, windmills, and Remrbandts make Holland a beautiful place. Emily points out that it's just not what you expected. You planned on going to Italy.
In her poignant illustration, Kingsley challenges the reader to focus not on unmet expectations (Italy), but on the beauty of where you are (Holland).
When life doesn't turn out perfectly--the way we planned--we have a choice. Whether it's as minor as a holiday gone awry or as major as a prince charming that turned into an ugly frog, God wants us to celebrate that "very special, very lovely thing" about our circumstance.
Nothing with God can be accidental.
Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
Monday, November 5, 2007
Cruisin' thru Corinthians
Good chilly morning, Dear Friends and Prayer Partners! This is the day that the Lord has made and we will rejoice and be glad in it!
Well, I don't know about you, but I had to get up in the wee hours and put another blanket on the bed. Not complaining, mind you, but just wish I had done it before turning in for the night! Tonight I will put a heavier blankie on and then have to throw it off if I get too warm.
But the weather is beautiful. However, I can't quite get used to the sunshine so early in the morning... makes me feel like I should have been up hours ago!
We had a nice quiet afternoon yesterday. Because of the sky-rocketing price of gas, we did not go anyplace, except church in the morning.
I enjoyed the walk Saturday and will go again this morning, to see how the baby gators are doing in the chilly weather. I am sure the water is warmer than the air, but gators are usually scarce in winter. God is good!
From the Promise Bible NLT:
1 Corinthians 3:7-9
"The ones who do the planting or watering aren't important, but God is important because he is the one who makes the seed grow. The one who plants and the one who waters work as a team with the same purpose. Yet they will be rewarded individually, according to their own hard work. We work together as partners who belong to God."
"But there is going to come a time of testing at the judgment day to see what kind of work each builder has done. Everyone's work will be put through the fire to see whether or not it keeps its value. If the work survives the fire, the builder will receive a reward. But if the work is burned up, the builder will suffer great loss The builders themselves will be saved, but like someone escaping through a wall of flames."
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
Well, I don't know about you, but I had to get up in the wee hours and put another blanket on the bed. Not complaining, mind you, but just wish I had done it before turning in for the night! Tonight I will put a heavier blankie on and then have to throw it off if I get too warm.
But the weather is beautiful. However, I can't quite get used to the sunshine so early in the morning... makes me feel like I should have been up hours ago!
We had a nice quiet afternoon yesterday. Because of the sky-rocketing price of gas, we did not go anyplace, except church in the morning.
I enjoyed the walk Saturday and will go again this morning, to see how the baby gators are doing in the chilly weather. I am sure the water is warmer than the air, but gators are usually scarce in winter. God is good!
From the Promise Bible NLT:
1 Corinthians 3:7-9
"The ones who do the planting or watering aren't important, but God is important because he is the one who makes the seed grow. The one who plants and the one who waters work as a team with the same purpose. Yet they will be rewarded individually, according to their own hard work. We work together as partners who belong to God."
"But there is going to come a time of testing at the judgment day to see what kind of work each builder has done. Everyone's work will be put through the fire to see whether or not it keeps its value. If the work survives the fire, the builder will receive a reward. But if the work is burned up, the builder will suffer great loss The builders themselves will be saved, but like someone escaping through a wall of flames."
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
Saturday, November 3, 2007
Glorious morning!
Good morning, Dear friends and Prayer Partners! Just couldn't help sending a greeting on this glorious morning that the Lord has made. I have already rejoiced in it because I took a walk and saw two of the baby gators, but no Mama in sight. I believe that this is a younger mama because she is much smaller than old Mama. I counted 7 Wednesday and saw several last evening, hiding under the orange tree branch that was thrown at them.
I rounded the corner and heard the pounding on a tree, so I stopped and looked up and finally spied the very large red-headed woodpecker pecking away at a maple. I also heard the catbird mewing, but didn't seen it.
I hope you all are enjoying this wonderful weather. We have been waiting a long hot summer for cool air!
"The Lord is good, His mercy is everlasting, and His peace endures forever!"
I always thank God for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
I rounded the corner and heard the pounding on a tree, so I stopped and looked up and finally spied the very large red-headed woodpecker pecking away at a maple. I also heard the catbird mewing, but didn't seen it.
I hope you all are enjoying this wonderful weather. We have been waiting a long hot summer for cool air!
"The Lord is good, His mercy is everlasting, and His peace endures forever!"
I always thank God for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
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