Joy

Good morning, Dear Friends and Prayers Partners! This is the warmer day that the Lord has made and we will rejoice and be glad in it! As I stepped outside this morning, the moon was gone, but I could dimly see stars through the hazy mist. The weatherman promises eighties warmth today, so all the shrubs will be blooming, because it feels like spring!

Well, for all you who watched the Super Bowl, joy for the Giant fans, and gloom for the Patriot fans. I watched and was for the underdogs, the Giants, but didn't expect them to win. I was overjoyed when they did!

We saw lots of people at the Park yesterday, enjoying the warm weather, walking dogs, kids rolling down the hills and lots of family together time! God is good!

It seems to me that I cannot remember ever seeing so many wood storks around the neighborhood. I don't know where they are in the summer, but I have seen dozens at the lakes, canals, and even yards of homes. Always on the ground...I haven't seen them fly. As I have mentioned before, they never seem happy. But they are some of God's creatures!

From the Promise Bible NLT:

How can I be joyful in hard times?

Habakkuk 3:17-18 "Even though the fig trees have no blossoms, and there are no grapes on the vine, even though the olive crop fails, and the fields lie empty and barren; even though the flocks die in the fields, and the cattle barns are empty, yet I will rejoice in the Lord! I will be joyful in the God of my salvation."

Philippians 4:4, 12 "Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again-rejoice!,,,I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or in little."

Joy is a choice. We may not realize it, but we choose our moods and our attitudes. God's promises in Christ are the basis for choosing joy no matter what we face.

James 1:2 "Dear brothers and sisters, whenever trouble comes your way, let it be an opportunity for joy."

Troubles remind us of two things: first, they remind us that this is a fallen world full of futility and frustration. Second, they remind us to turn to a God who will never disappoint us. God promises lasting joy for all those who believe in him. This kind of joy stays with us despite our problems.

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

Love and hugs,
Amaryllis

Have you Forgiven?

Good morning, Dear Friends and Prayer Partners, and happy first of February! This is the windy, cloudy day that the Lord has made and we will be glad and rejoice in it!

When I stepped outside this morning, I noticed that the quarter moon was hazy, and now the wind has picked up and the skies are cloudy, so it looks like rain and another cold front moving in. After yesterday's eighty degree weather, it will be quite a change!

After a long spell of not seeing any, yesterday I saw a gator lazily floating in the canal as I went into the Park. They don't show themselves in the cooler weather, but I also saw one on Sunday curled up on the bank, almost hidden in a lake on the right as I drove in..

I noticed at the lake near our house, a flock of ibis, lots of little ducks, and woodstorks, fluffing their feathers. One little duck was busily taking a bath in the shallow water near the shore. What a great splash he made! God is good!

From the book Quiet Moments for Teachers:

Matthew 6:15 "If you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins."

One day Corrie ten Boom visited a friend in the hospital Though her friend was quite ill, Corrie noticed that she was also quite bitter.

At first, the two women spent time catching up on each other's lives. Finally the woman said that her husband disliked having a sick wife, and as a result, he had left and was living with a younger woman. Knowing that her friend was greatly distressed, Corrie asked, "Haven you forgiven him?"

The woman said, "Certainly not!"

Corrie remembered a time when she herself had been unforgiving. After World War II, she had recognized a nurse who had been cruel to her dying sister while they were detained in the Ravensbruck concentration camp. The memories flooded back, and she recalled how her sister had suffered because of this nurse.

She knew she must forgive, but she couldn't seem to bring herself to do it. So finally she had a talk with God.

"Lord," she said, "You know I cannot forgive her. My sister suffered too much because of her cruelties." The Lord revealed Romans 5:5 KJV to Corrie. '"The love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Spirit which is given unto us."Then she prayed, "Thank You, Father, that Your love in me is stronger than my bitterness."

When she finally met the nurse, Corrie told her that although she had been bitter about what happened to her sister, now she loved her. By the end of their conversation, Corrie shared the way to salvation, and the nurse accepted Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior."

Forgiving someone else is powerful. It is a blessing to the one forgiven, but it also releases the one forgiving from the bondage of bitterness. If you need to forgive someone today, ask God to show you how.

Forgiveness is man's deepest need and highest achievement.
Horace Bushnell

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

Love and hugs,
Amaryllis

Easin' Thru Ephesians

Good Morning, Dear Friends and Prayer Partners! This is the lovely day that the Lord has made and we will rejoice and be glad in it!

As I stepped outside this morning, I looked up to see the quarter moon shining brightly among the stars, but I still cannot see Venus. Not knowing much about the rotation, I don't quite know where to look. But anyway, the ones I could see, were twinkling reassuringly, seeming to say "All is well with the Universe."

I noticed on my walk yesterday, that the water level in the park has come up and the old gator hole is once more filled with water. The breeze was blowing briskly and it was so warm that I did not need a sweater. I noticed a lady ahead of me, peeling off her jacket and scarf in the brilliant sunshine.

I saw an anhinga dive into the water as I approached the bridge and stood to watch it swim and dive underwater. Four of them were drying out in the tall shrubs hanging over the water out at the tower. They seem to find plenty to eat.

I took a grapefruit pie to Terry, to share with the staff, but I don't know how much they got to eat. They all say once it gets to Terry, they don't see it! :o) I can always make another one. God is good!

From the Promise Bible NLT:

Ephesians 6

"Be strong in the Lord's mighty power. Put on all of God's armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies and tricks of the devil. For we are not fighting against people made of flesh and blood. But against the evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world; against those mighty powers of darkness who rule this world, and against wicked spirits in the heavenly realms.

Use every piece of God's armor to resist the enemy in the time of evil, so that after the battle you will still be standing firm. Stand your ground, putting on the sturdy belt of truth and the body armor of God's righteousness. For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News, so that you will be fully prepared. ....Pray at all times and on every occasion in the power of the Holy Spirit. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all Christians everywhere.

"May God give you peace , dear brothers and sisters, and love with faith from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. May God's grace be upon all who love our Lord Jesus Christ with undying love."

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! I hope some of you saw the gorgeous pink sunrise this morning, that matched the sunset last night, God has really excelled in painting the sky these days!

Another family of ducks has come to the neighborhood. Mama duck has about a dozen babies (hard to make a running count), but the other family remains at three young'uns . They are now pin-feather size and not nearly so cute as fuzzy, yellow babies. Strangely, the Muscovys do not come to the park. Maybe because there are too many predators there. They wouldn't last long with the hawks and the eagles flying around. But God is good!

From the Promise Bible NLT:

Conflict

Shouldn't those who believe in Jesus Christ be free from conflict?

Psalm 27:1-3 "The Lord is my light and my salvation-so why should I be afraid? The Lord protects me from danger-so why should I tremble? When evil people come to destroy me, when my enemies and foes attack me, they will stumble and fall. Though a mighty army surrounds me, my heart will know no fear. Even if they attack me, I remain confident."

Evil is inevitable. Because we live in a fallen world filled with broken people, we will find ourselves in many types of conflict. Our focus should not be on the dark forces that attack us but on the Lord who defends us.

Psalm 55:18 "He rescues me and keeps me safe from the battle waged against me, even though many still oppose me."

While God doesn't keep us out of all conflict, he is present with us in it.

How can I find strength to respond to conflict in God's way?

Matthew 5:9 "God blesses those who work for peace, for they will be called the children of God.

Romans 12:19-21 "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. Instead, do what the Scriptures say: "If your enemies are hungry, feed them. If they are thirsty, give them something to drink, and they will be ashamed of what they have done to you. " Don't let evil get the best of you, but conquer evil by doing good."

Peace lies in the power of love, not the love of power. If we trust in God, he promises to protect and vindicate us. Followers of Christ know better than to take revenge into their own hands. They know that fighting according to the world's ways brings even greater problems. We are to practice "the principle of paradox"; bless when cursed, give when threatened, and feed those who would take our food. This principle unleashes God's power into the situation.

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 cool day that the Lord has made and we will rejoice and be glad in it!

Oh, what a beautiful morning! The sun is shining and mostly the sky is clear. When I stepped outside this morning early, a half moon was very brightly shining, but for some reason, Venus is no longer in sight. The heavens declare the glory of God!

I had a good walk yesterday in the Park, and will be glad when the trees no longer look so stark. All the leaves are off the maples, but, of course, there is plenty of green shrubbery and trees. The wind was blowing, and making waves on the lake, but I stood at the tower and watched an osprey gliding and enjoying the thermals... he hardly flapped his wings as he soared higher and higher. God is great!

From the Promise Bible NLT:

Psalm 34

"I will praise the Lord at all times,
I will constantly speak his praises.
I will boast only of the Lord;
let all who are encouraged 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."


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

Love and hugs,
Amaryllis

Faith is a verb

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

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