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 this morning, I enjoyed looking at the half moon shining brightly in the pre-dawn sky, almost eclipsing the stars, We are having January cool weather, but the azaleas, petunias and impatiens are blooming (in other peoples gardens) and the city looks beautiful.
We visited three parks over the weekend and saw a big, fat, armored armadillo, walking beside the road in one park and a hawk landing on a light pole. On the way in to Sawgrass, three peacocks were pecking around in the grass, with the male dragging his gorgeous plumage around. I think God made them beautiful and then gave them raucous calls to keep them from being conceited. :o) God is good!
From the book Quiet Moments for Teachers:
Faith is a Verb
" We live by faith, not by sight."2 Corinthians 5:7
In "You Can't Afford the Luxury of a Negative Thought" , John Roger and Peter McWilliams offered a new description of faith. They chose the word "faithing" to describe their proactive approach to confidence in life"s outcomes.
In their thinking, faithing works in the present, acknowledging that there is a purpose to everything and that life is unfolding exactly as it should. It is actively trusting that God can handle our troubles and needs better thank we can. All we must do is let them go so that He can do His work.
The Two Boxes
I have in my hand two boxes
Which God gave me to hold.
He said, "Put all your sorrows in the black,
And all your joys in the gold."
I heeded His words, and in the two boxes
Both my joys and sorrows I store,
But though the gold became heavier each day
the black was as light as before.
With curiosity, I opened the black
I wanted to find out why
And I saw, in the base of the box, a hole
Which my sorrows had fallen out by.
I showed the hole to God, and mused aloud,
"I wonder where all my sorrows could be."
He smiled a gentle smile at me,
"My child, they're all here, with Me."
I asked, "
"God, why give me the boxes,
Why the gold, and the black with the hole?"
"My child, the gold is to count your blessings,
the black is for you to let go."
Faith can put a candle in the darkest night.
Margaret Sangster
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers, with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
Monday, January 28, 2008
Friday, January 25, 2008
Roamin' Thru Romans
Good chilly morning, Dear Friends and Prayer Partners! This is the windy, cold day that the Lord has made and we will rejoice in it! Well, even though it is 51 outside, the sky is clear and sunshine will soon warm us up! So, things could be worse!
I watched a tiny wren flitting about in the freshly cut grass in the front yard yesterday, and a squirrel was eying me from the roof, trying to decide if he could make the leap from roof to tree limb. He finally decided it was too far.
I took a short stroll through the park yesterday, as far as the first shelter and noticed maple seeds on the boardwalk, even though the trees are still shedding. The warm weather has them fooled. I looked over the railing and watched ripples in the water, but couldn't tell if an otter was there or not. They really like the cool weather. Also, the azaleas I mentioned yesterday have started to bloom, so, even though it is still winter, we will have colorful flowers. Lots of homes have impatiens blooming in the flower beds. I wish I did! But God is good!
From the Promise Bible NLT:
Justice: What can I do when I suffer injustice?
Romans 12:17-19 "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. 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."
Proverbs 20:22 "Don't say, "I will get even for this wrong. Wait for the Lord to handle the matter."
God teaches us to respond differently to injustice than the world does. Vengeance and retribution are the way of the world. God teaches us to trust in him and allow him to settle the score.
How can I respond to persecution?
Matthew 5:11-12 "God blesses you when you are mocked and persecuted and lied about because you are my followers. Be happy about it! Be very glad! For a great reward awaits you in heaven. And remember, the ancient prophets were persecuted, too."
2 Thessalonians 1:5-6 "God will use this persecution to show his justice. For he will make you worthy of his Kingdom, for which you are suffering, and in his justice he will punish those who persecute you."
Persecution is part of what it means to be a follower of Jesus. God blesses those who bear dishonor and hardship for his sake.
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
I watched a tiny wren flitting about in the freshly cut grass in the front yard yesterday, and a squirrel was eying me from the roof, trying to decide if he could make the leap from roof to tree limb. He finally decided it was too far.
I took a short stroll through the park yesterday, as far as the first shelter and noticed maple seeds on the boardwalk, even though the trees are still shedding. The warm weather has them fooled. I looked over the railing and watched ripples in the water, but couldn't tell if an otter was there or not. They really like the cool weather. Also, the azaleas I mentioned yesterday have started to bloom, so, even though it is still winter, we will have colorful flowers. Lots of homes have impatiens blooming in the flower beds. I wish I did! But God is good!
From the Promise Bible NLT:
Justice: What can I do when I suffer injustice?
Romans 12:17-19 "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. 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."
Proverbs 20:22 "Don't say, "I will get even for this wrong. Wait for the Lord to handle the matter."
God teaches us to respond differently to injustice than the world does. Vengeance and retribution are the way of the world. God teaches us to trust in him and allow him to settle the score.
How can I respond to persecution?
Matthew 5:11-12 "God blesses you when you are mocked and persecuted and lied about because you are my followers. Be happy about it! Be very glad! For a great reward awaits you in heaven. And remember, the ancient prophets were persecuted, too."
2 Thessalonians 1:5-6 "God will use this persecution to show his justice. For he will make you worthy of his Kingdom, for which you are suffering, and in his justice he will punish those who persecute you."
Persecution is part of what it means to be a follower of Jesus. God blesses those who bear dishonor and hardship for his sake.
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
Thursday, January 24, 2008
From a Tiny Seed
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! When I stepped outside before dawn, it looked like the fog was just overhead, waiting to sink down on us silently. We are still wet from the good rain that blew through, and although yesterday was very warm, today is supposed to be cooling down again.
Our azaleas are blooming more and more and making the front yard look colorful. Soon they will be blooming at the park, where lots of hedges and flower beds bloom this time of year.
I drove to the park yesterday... big mistake! A really bad accident had happened just beyond the street that leads to the park, and people kept driving down the street thinking they could drive around the site, but there is no outlet in that neighborhood, so they had to turn around and get in a looong line, waiting for the officer to let us out. I prayed that no one was seriously injured in the overturned pickup.
But God is good and even though more glitches have turned up in the bathroom renovation, I am sure they will be fixed today! Praise God!
From the devotional Quiet Moments with God:
"Other seeds fell into the good soil and as they grew up and increased, they yielded a crop and produced thirty sixty, and a hundredfold."
Mark 4:8 NASB
The story goes that a century ago a German princess lay dying. While on her deathbed, she requested that her grave be covered with a large granite slab and that stone blocks be placed all around the slabs to seal the grave. She also gave orders for the granite and stones to be held together with large fasteners made of iron. At her request, the inscription in the top of the stone read, "The burial place, purchased to all eternity, must never be opened."
Apparently during the burial, a tiny acorn found its way into the grave. Sometime later, a small shoot began to push its way up through a thin crack in the granite slab. The acorn was able to absorb in just enough nourishment to grow. After years of growth, the mighty oak tree broke through the aging iron clamps. The iron was no match for the oak, and the clamps burst, exposing the grave that was never to be opened. New life sprang forth from a deathbed and one tiny seedling.
Every day we are given numerous opportunities to take advantage of fresh new starts. New beginnings often come when something else has ended. When we allow sin to die in our hearts, we find new life in Christ. Perhaps it is no accident that the mighty oak, which is one of the tallest and strongest trees in the world, starts from a tiny little seed.
What seems to be the end
may really be a new beginning.
Unknown
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
Our azaleas are blooming more and more and making the front yard look colorful. Soon they will be blooming at the park, where lots of hedges and flower beds bloom this time of year.
I drove to the park yesterday... big mistake! A really bad accident had happened just beyond the street that leads to the park, and people kept driving down the street thinking they could drive around the site, but there is no outlet in that neighborhood, so they had to turn around and get in a looong line, waiting for the officer to let us out. I prayed that no one was seriously injured in the overturned pickup.
But God is good and even though more glitches have turned up in the bathroom renovation, I am sure they will be fixed today! Praise God!
From the devotional Quiet Moments with God:
"Other seeds fell into the good soil and as they grew up and increased, they yielded a crop and produced thirty sixty, and a hundredfold."
Mark 4:8 NASB
The story goes that a century ago a German princess lay dying. While on her deathbed, she requested that her grave be covered with a large granite slab and that stone blocks be placed all around the slabs to seal the grave. She also gave orders for the granite and stones to be held together with large fasteners made of iron. At her request, the inscription in the top of the stone read, "The burial place, purchased to all eternity, must never be opened."
Apparently during the burial, a tiny acorn found its way into the grave. Sometime later, a small shoot began to push its way up through a thin crack in the granite slab. The acorn was able to absorb in just enough nourishment to grow. After years of growth, the mighty oak tree broke through the aging iron clamps. The iron was no match for the oak, and the clamps burst, exposing the grave that was never to be opened. New life sprang forth from a deathbed and one tiny seedling.
Every day we are given numerous opportunities to take advantage of fresh new starts. New beginnings often come when something else has ended. When we allow sin to die in our hearts, we find new life in Christ. Perhaps it is no accident that the mighty oak, which is one of the tallest and strongest trees in the world, starts from a tiny little seed.
What seems to be the end
may really be a new beginning.
Unknown
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
Wednesday, January 23, 2008
Temptations
Good cloudy morning, Dear Friends and Prayer Partners! This is the day that the Lord has made and we will rejoice and be glad in it! What a nice rain we had last evening and this morning, early. God always supplies what we need when we need it, even if we have to wait awhile!
I mentioned the woodstorks yesterday and saw the flock again by a canal near our house. There were six or seven, some lying down and some standing with heads down. They seem to form colonies, but they are really interesting to watch.
I saw lots of people at the park yesterday, because it turned out so warm in the afternoon. Since we are still in the midst of the bathroom makeover, I have been sticking closer to home, but we are almost finished! Praise God for good people who are conscientious about their work! Thanks, Brian S.!
From the Promise Bible NLT:
Do I have the power to resist overwhelming temptation?
Matthew 4:5-7 "The devil took him to Jerusalem, to the highest point of the Temple, and said, "If you are the Son of God, jump off! For the Scriptures say, "He orders his angels to protect you. And they will hold you with their hands to keep you from striking your foot on a stone." Jesus responded, " The Scriptures also say, "Do not test the Lord your God."
James 4:7 "Humble yourselves before God. Resist the Devil, and he will flee from you."
The devil can tempt us, but we can resist him just as Jesus did - by responding to the temptation with the truth of God's word.
1 John 4:4 "You belong to God my dear children. You have already won your fight with these false prophets, because the Spirit who lives in you is greater than the spirit who lives in the world."
1 John 5:4-5 "Every child of God defeats this evil world by trusting Christ to give the victory. And the ones who win this battle against the world are the ones who believe that Jesus in the Son of God."
We can break free from temptation when we change our focus and our minds. Instead of thinking about our weakness, we can fill our minds with the presence of God's strength. In Christ we have power. We must never forget that the Holy Spirit is great enough to overcome any threat against us.
Jude 1:24-25 "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."
Our ultimate confidence is in the Lord. As we depend more and more fully on him, he will give us the power to resist temptation.
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers, with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and Hugs,
Amaryllis
I mentioned the woodstorks yesterday and saw the flock again by a canal near our house. There were six or seven, some lying down and some standing with heads down. They seem to form colonies, but they are really interesting to watch.
I saw lots of people at the park yesterday, because it turned out so warm in the afternoon. Since we are still in the midst of the bathroom makeover, I have been sticking closer to home, but we are almost finished! Praise God for good people who are conscientious about their work! Thanks, Brian S.!
From the Promise Bible NLT:
Do I have the power to resist overwhelming temptation?
Matthew 4:5-7 "The devil took him to Jerusalem, to the highest point of the Temple, and said, "If you are the Son of God, jump off! For the Scriptures say, "He orders his angels to protect you. And they will hold you with their hands to keep you from striking your foot on a stone." Jesus responded, " The Scriptures also say, "Do not test the Lord your God."
James 4:7 "Humble yourselves before God. Resist the Devil, and he will flee from you."
The devil can tempt us, but we can resist him just as Jesus did - by responding to the temptation with the truth of God's word.
1 John 4:4 "You belong to God my dear children. You have already won your fight with these false prophets, because the Spirit who lives in you is greater than the spirit who lives in the world."
1 John 5:4-5 "Every child of God defeats this evil world by trusting Christ to give the victory. And the ones who win this battle against the world are the ones who believe that Jesus in the Son of God."
We can break free from temptation when we change our focus and our minds. Instead of thinking about our weakness, we can fill our minds with the presence of God's strength. In Christ we have power. We must never forget that the Holy Spirit is great enough to overcome any threat against us.
Jude 1:24-25 "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."
Our ultimate confidence is in the Lord. As we depend more and more fully on him, he will give us the power to resist temptation.
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers, with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and Hugs,
Amaryllis
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
More Work
Good morning, Dear Friends and Prayer Partners! This is the warmer day that the Lord has made and we will rejoice and be glad in it! I hope some of you early risers saw the brilliant full moon shining in the western sky this morning. The cloud edge was in a semi-circle away from the moon, so it really framed it. God is Awesome!
I have noticed a lot more woodstorks around our lakes and canals lately. More so than past winters. Yesterday I saw a flock of about six looking very depressed together. Something about the woodstorks always looks like they are in mourning..heads down and all huddled up.
But, we have an azalea blooming, and it is bright and beautiful and the other birds sing and look happy! The ibis at the park always look industrious and busy and soon the trees will be sending out new leaves. Spring is coming! God has made everything beautiful in His time!
From the Promise Bible NLT:
What does the Lord promise to those who work hard?
Proverbs 22:29 "Do you see any truly competent workers? They will serve kings rather than ordinary people."
Faithful work makes a way for us to do greater work. God promises to bless us as we use the gifts he has given us.
Proverbs 10:4 "Lazy people are soon poor; hard workers get rich."
Proverbs 21:5 "Good planning in hard work lead to prosperity, but hasty shortcuts lead to poverty."
Psalm 145:14 "The Lord helps the fallen and lifts up those bent beneath their loads."
As with any burden we bear, we can trust God to hilp us on the job.
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
I have noticed a lot more woodstorks around our lakes and canals lately. More so than past winters. Yesterday I saw a flock of about six looking very depressed together. Something about the woodstorks always looks like they are in mourning..heads down and all huddled up.
But, we have an azalea blooming, and it is bright and beautiful and the other birds sing and look happy! The ibis at the park always look industrious and busy and soon the trees will be sending out new leaves. Spring is coming! God has made everything beautiful in His time!
From the Promise Bible NLT:
What does the Lord promise to those who work hard?
Proverbs 22:29 "Do you see any truly competent workers? They will serve kings rather than ordinary people."
Faithful work makes a way for us to do greater work. God promises to bless us as we use the gifts he has given us.
Proverbs 10:4 "Lazy people are soon poor; hard workers get rich."
Proverbs 21:5 "Good planning in hard work lead to prosperity, but hasty shortcuts lead to poverty."
Psalm 145:14 "The Lord helps the fallen and lifts up those bent beneath their loads."
As with any burden we bear, we can trust God to hilp us on the job.
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
Monday, January 21, 2008
Work
Good morning, Dear Friends and Prayer Partners! This is the chilly day that the Lord has made and we will rejoice and be glad in it! They sky is blue and the wind is sharp, but the day promises to be warmer and brighter!
Yesterday, after church, I drove through the Park, seeing very few people, but a fat, shiny gator sunning on the bank of one of the lakes. A flock of ibis were gathered in one spot under the almost bare trees and a large tri-colored heron standing majestically beside the river. God's creation is awesome!
Well, today I am another day older, and our son Brian, took us out for a birthday lunch, which I enjoyed very much. We had a nice visit, and then a quiet day, Life is good at my advanced age!!
From the Promise Bible:
How is my work important to the Lord?
1 Thessalonians 4:11-12 "This should be your ambition; to live a quiet life, minding your own business and working with your hands, just as we commanded you before. As a result, People who are not Christians will respect the way you live, and you will not need to depend on others to meet your financial needs."
Work is God's plan for our lives. Those who work diligently, experience many benefits in their own lives and bring benefits to others. God promises two basic rewards for faithful work: (1) having a more credible witness to nonbelievers and (2) having our needs met without having to financially depend on others.
Colossians 3:23-24 "Work hard and cheerfully at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people. Remember that the Lord will give you an inheritance as your reward, and the Master you are serving is Christ.."
God promises a reward to those who work hard. That reward can include - but is not limited to - financial prosperity. It may be the rewards of respect and personal satisfaction or the joy of contributing to the welfare of another.
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
Yesterday, after church, I drove through the Park, seeing very few people, but a fat, shiny gator sunning on the bank of one of the lakes. A flock of ibis were gathered in one spot under the almost bare trees and a large tri-colored heron standing majestically beside the river. God's creation is awesome!
Well, today I am another day older, and our son Brian, took us out for a birthday lunch, which I enjoyed very much. We had a nice visit, and then a quiet day, Life is good at my advanced age!!
From the Promise Bible:
How is my work important to the Lord?
1 Thessalonians 4:11-12 "This should be your ambition; to live a quiet life, minding your own business and working with your hands, just as we commanded you before. As a result, People who are not Christians will respect the way you live, and you will not need to depend on others to meet your financial needs."
Work is God's plan for our lives. Those who work diligently, experience many benefits in their own lives and bring benefits to others. God promises two basic rewards for faithful work: (1) having a more credible witness to nonbelievers and (2) having our needs met without having to financially depend on others.
Colossians 3:23-24 "Work hard and cheerfully at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people. Remember that the Lord will give you an inheritance as your reward, and the Master you are serving is Christ.."
God promises a reward to those who work hard. That reward can include - but is not limited to - financial prosperity. It may be the rewards of respect and personal satisfaction or the joy of contributing to the welfare of another.
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
Friday, January 18, 2008
Needs
Good morning, Dear Friends and Prayer Partners! This is the cloudy day that the Lord has made and we will rejoice and be glad in it! Well, it is cloudy and looks like rain again, but that's all right, because we surely need the rain.
As we drove through the Park yesterday, I noticed that the water is up, which is good, so the little rain we had did a lot of good. I saw four peacocks and admired their beautiful colors. Since our bathroom is being redecorated, I got some ideas for colors from God's Creation.
Yesterday we had a surprise visit from a young friend and that was one of God's blessings of the day. I am thankful for friends that care and for unexpected pleasures. I had to go to Home Depot, which to me, is not a pleasure, but met a very helpful sales associate, who walked to one end of the store for me, while I stayed in the middle looking at towel bars. Then I had to walk to the other back end of the store, so I was able to get my exercise indoors... not the same as the Park!! But God is good!
From the Promise Bible NLT:
How can I be sure my needs will be met?
Psalm 23:1 "The Lord is my shepherd; I have everything I need."
The starting point for our assurance is the promise of God's love. Even as sheep must depend fully on a good shepherd, we must depend fully on the Lord. He is eager to graciously lead us through life.
Romans 8:31,32 "What can we say about such wonderful things as these? If God is for us , who can be against us? Since God did not even spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all, won't God , who gave us Christ, also give us everything else?"
If someone was offering you millions of dollars, you would not hesitate to ask to ask them for just a few. God has met our greatest need by giving us His own Son to redeem us. Now his great joy is supplying all our other needs for the glory of his name.
Philippians 4:19 "The 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 resources far exceed my greatest needs.
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers, with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
As we drove through the Park yesterday, I noticed that the water is up, which is good, so the little rain we had did a lot of good. I saw four peacocks and admired their beautiful colors. Since our bathroom is being redecorated, I got some ideas for colors from God's Creation.
Yesterday we had a surprise visit from a young friend and that was one of God's blessings of the day. I am thankful for friends that care and for unexpected pleasures. I had to go to Home Depot, which to me, is not a pleasure, but met a very helpful sales associate, who walked to one end of the store for me, while I stayed in the middle looking at towel bars. Then I had to walk to the other back end of the store, so I was able to get my exercise indoors... not the same as the Park!! But God is good!
From the Promise Bible NLT:
How can I be sure my needs will be met?
Psalm 23:1 "The Lord is my shepherd; I have everything I need."
The starting point for our assurance is the promise of God's love. Even as sheep must depend fully on a good shepherd, we must depend fully on the Lord. He is eager to graciously lead us through life.
Romans 8:31,32 "What can we say about such wonderful things as these? If God is for us , who can be against us? Since God did not even spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all, won't God , who gave us Christ, also give us everything else?"
If someone was offering you millions of dollars, you would not hesitate to ask to ask them for just a few. God has met our greatest need by giving us His own Son to redeem us. Now his great joy is supplying all our other needs for the glory of his name.
Philippians 4:19 "The 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 resources far exceed my greatest needs.
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers, with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
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