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 put the heavy blanket back on the bed, expecting colder weather over the weekend and was pleasantly surprised by the warm sunshine and dry weather! So, off with the blanket again, although my 95 year old uncle says he has not planted his tomato crops yet, because he is expecting one more freeze in Alabama. Hopefully, not here!
When I walked in the park, Friday, I saw lots of baby gators and Mama gator guarding them at the first shelter. The shelter was full of people just looking and taking photos, so it was a little difficult to get to the rail to look down. But it was a beautiful day and I am getting stronger. David, who does the yard, brought me a crooked, walking stick; the kind that the teacher at Sawgrass used to carry. I think it will be helpful in giving me more balance. I am anxious to try it out!
Yesterday, I saw a baby osprey sticking its head out of a nest high atop a light pole at Sawgrass elememtary school. They build nests everywhere! Have you noticed the gorgeoous Florida orchid trees blooming all over the city? This is the time of year when the azaleas and orchid trees bloom at the same time in a riot of color. Also, I noticed that I have an amaryllis bud coming up! God is good!
From Hymns for the Family of God:
Liberation from Materialism
Forbid it, Lord, that our roots become too firmly attached to this earth, that we should fall in love with things.
Help us to understand that the pilgrimage of this life is but an introduction, a preface, a training school for what is to come.
Then shall we see all of life in its true perspective. Then shall we not fall in love with the things of time, but come to love the things that endure. Then shall we be saved from the tyranny of possessions which we have no leisure to enjoy, of property whose care becomes a burden. Give us, we pray, the courage to simplify our lives.
So may we be mature in our faith, childlike but never childish, humble but never cringing, understanding but never conceited.
So help us, O God, to live and not merely to exist, that we may have joy in our work.
In Thy name, who alone can give us moderation and balance and zest for living, we pray.
Amen
by Peter Marshall
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
Monday, April 12, 2010
Friday, April 9, 2010
LOVE
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 heard the thunder in the wee hours of the morning, and then the rain falling, and then went back to sleep, because for some reason the falling rain sound is comforting. However, it is still kind of gloomy and the yard was supposed to get mowed this morning. So, I don't know if David C. is still coming. Lots of the tall purple and lavender weeds are growing in the front and back yards and they are really pretty, but they also make the yard look unkempt, which it is!
The fallen tree in the park has been sawed through and taken away, so the tree men must have come yesterday morning. Lots of hydrilla in clumps are still floating in the canal. and I saw the airboat two days ago, and thought they must have been spraying to get rid of the hydrilla, but the clumps still look pretty healthy to me. The road is covered with oak seeds, so much so, it is hard to see where it ends. But it is still a good place to be, to watch the water fowl, the turtles and occasionally, a gator. God is good!
I enjoyed being in the company of dear friends last evening for a supper of portobello mushroom burgers! Yum! Good friends and good food. Life is good!
From the Promise Bible NLT:
1 Corinthians 13
If I could speak in any language in heaven or on earth but didn't love others, I would only be making meaningless noise like a loud gong or a clanging cymbal. If I had the gift of prophecy, and if I knew all the mysteries of the future and knew everything about everything, but didn't love others, what good would I be? And if I had the gift of faith so that I could speak to a mountain and make it move, without love I would be no good to anybody. If I gave everything I have to the poor and even sacrificed my body, I could boast about it, but if I didn't love others, I would be of no value whatsoever.
Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. Love does not demand its own way. Love is not irritable, and it keeps no record of when it has been wronged. It is never glad about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.
Love will last forever, but prophecy and speaking in unknown languages and special knowledge will all disappear. New we know only a little, and even the gift of prophecy reveals little! But when the end comes, these special gifts will all disappear....
There are tree things that will endure--faith hope and love--and the greatest of these is love.
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
The fallen tree in the park has been sawed through and taken away, so the tree men must have come yesterday morning. Lots of hydrilla in clumps are still floating in the canal. and I saw the airboat two days ago, and thought they must have been spraying to get rid of the hydrilla, but the clumps still look pretty healthy to me. The road is covered with oak seeds, so much so, it is hard to see where it ends. But it is still a good place to be, to watch the water fowl, the turtles and occasionally, a gator. God is good!
I enjoyed being in the company of dear friends last evening for a supper of portobello mushroom burgers! Yum! Good friends and good food. Life is good!
From the Promise Bible NLT:
1 Corinthians 13
If I could speak in any language in heaven or on earth but didn't love others, I would only be making meaningless noise like a loud gong or a clanging cymbal. If I had the gift of prophecy, and if I knew all the mysteries of the future and knew everything about everything, but didn't love others, what good would I be? And if I had the gift of faith so that I could speak to a mountain and make it move, without love I would be no good to anybody. If I gave everything I have to the poor and even sacrificed my body, I could boast about it, but if I didn't love others, I would be of no value whatsoever.
Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. Love does not demand its own way. Love is not irritable, and it keeps no record of when it has been wronged. It is never glad about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.
Love will last forever, but prophecy and speaking in unknown languages and special knowledge will all disappear. New we know only a little, and even the gift of prophecy reveals little! But when the end comes, these special gifts will all disappear....
There are tree things that will endure--faith hope and love--and the greatest of these is love.
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
Thursday, April 8, 2010
More Roamin' thru Romans
Good morning, Dear Friends and Prayer Partners! This is another beautiful day that the Lord has made and we will rejoice and be glad in it! I have heard lots of morning doves around the house lately, cooing their mournful songs, but not in the winter. As far as I know they do not migrate, but anyway, it is another sign spring is here. Yesterday, I heard the cardinal chirping very loudly in the oak tree. It would be really cool if they nested around here.
I enjoyed a delightful time with two dear friends who took me to lunch. We caught up on goings on and old times. They are both very committed prayer warriors. As one said, her pastor told her "Praying is a calling, not a spiritual gift." I never thought of it that way!
After our lunch at Olive Garden and they had brought me home, I went to the Park and saw people on the bridge looking down at the fish in the water. The tree is still in the canal, so, sometimes I guess a gator could use it for shelter. Maintenance does not get things done very fast these days. Lots of parks to cover for the trim crew. But God is good!
Thoughts from Romans 15 from the Promise Bible NLT:
We should please others. IF we do what helps them, we will build them up in the Lord. For even Christ didn't please himself. As the Scriptures say, "Those who insult you are also insulting me." Such things were written in the Scriptures long ago to teach us. They give us hope and encouragement as we wait patiently for God's promises.
May God, who gives this patience and encouragement, help you live in complete harmony with each other-each with the attitude of Christ Jesus toward the other. Then all of you can join together with one voice, giving praise and glory to God, the Father of our Lord, Jesus Christ.
So accept each other just as Christ has accepted you; then God will be glorified. ...
So I pray that God, who gives you hope, will keep you happy and full of peace as you believe in Him. May you overflow with hope through the power of the Holy Spirit.
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
I enjoyed a delightful time with two dear friends who took me to lunch. We caught up on goings on and old times. They are both very committed prayer warriors. As one said, her pastor told her "Praying is a calling, not a spiritual gift." I never thought of it that way!
After our lunch at Olive Garden and they had brought me home, I went to the Park and saw people on the bridge looking down at the fish in the water. The tree is still in the canal, so, sometimes I guess a gator could use it for shelter. Maintenance does not get things done very fast these days. Lots of parks to cover for the trim crew. But God is good!
Thoughts from Romans 15 from the Promise Bible NLT:
We should please others. IF we do what helps them, we will build them up in the Lord. For even Christ didn't please himself. As the Scriptures say, "Those who insult you are also insulting me." Such things were written in the Scriptures long ago to teach us. They give us hope and encouragement as we wait patiently for God's promises.
May God, who gives this patience and encouragement, help you live in complete harmony with each other-each with the attitude of Christ Jesus toward the other. Then all of you can join together with one voice, giving praise and glory to God, the Father of our Lord, Jesus Christ.
So accept each other just as Christ has accepted you; then God will be glorified. ...
So I pray that God, who gives you hope, will keep you happy and full of peace as you believe in Him. May you overflow with hope through the power of the Holy Spirit.
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
Roamin thru Romans 12
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! Another beautiful day filled with the scent of orange blossoms and citrus! My frost-bitten hibiscus is now budding on the tips of the limbs that lost their leaves, and the beauty berry bush has new green leaves all over. I hope soon the seeds will be off the oak tree so the shedding will be over with. They put a fine blanket over the whole yard.
Yesterday, I did some shopping, then went to the park. Not too many people there in the early afternoon, but the trees were giving heavy shade, the squirrels were scampering everywhere and a great gray heron was standing very still looking into the canal. I did not see the gator. I am interested in a roofing job going on at a two story house on the way into the park, The man who owns it used to walk very early about twenty years ago, when I was going on early morning walks, after taking Louis to work. The man always had his cat, Tigger, and dog, Samantha with him. He usually was carrying the cat on his shoulder, but the dog would walk beside him. Anyway, the man started taking the shingles off himself, and just before the hard rain last week. He got the black tar paper on and secured before the rain, and now is working on the cover over the front door. It is a very hard job for one person and dangerous, but he has long boards secured all over for a foot hold. I just like to watch his progress.
But, as always, God is good!
From the Promise Bible NLT:
Romans 12:1-13
And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice-the kind he will accept. When you think of what he has done for you, is this too much to ask? Don't copy the behavior and customs of the world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will know how good and pleasing and perfect his will really is.
As God's messenger I give each of you this warning; be honest in your estimate of yourselves, measuring your value by how much faith God has given you. Just as our bodies have many parts and each part has special function, so it is with Christ's body. We are all parts of his one body, and each of us has different work to do. And since we are all one body in Christ, we belong to each other, and each of us needs all the others.
God has given each of us the ability to do certain things well. So if God has given you the ability to prophesy, speak out when you have faith that God is speaking through you. If your gift is that of serving others, serve them well. If you are a teacher, do a good job of teaching. If your gift is to encourage others, do it! If you have money, share it generously. If God has given you leadership ability, take the responsibility seriously. And if you have a gift for showing kindness to others, do it gladly.
Don;t just pretend that you love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Stand on the side of the good. Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other. Never be lazy in your work, but serve the Lord enthusiastically.
Be glad for all God is planning for you. Be patient in trouble, and always be prayerful ....
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
Yesterday, I did some shopping, then went to the park. Not too many people there in the early afternoon, but the trees were giving heavy shade, the squirrels were scampering everywhere and a great gray heron was standing very still looking into the canal. I did not see the gator. I am interested in a roofing job going on at a two story house on the way into the park, The man who owns it used to walk very early about twenty years ago, when I was going on early morning walks, after taking Louis to work. The man always had his cat, Tigger, and dog, Samantha with him. He usually was carrying the cat on his shoulder, but the dog would walk beside him. Anyway, the man started taking the shingles off himself, and just before the hard rain last week. He got the black tar paper on and secured before the rain, and now is working on the cover over the front door. It is a very hard job for one person and dangerous, but he has long boards secured all over for a foot hold. I just like to watch his progress.
But, as always, God is good!
From the Promise Bible NLT:
Romans 12:1-13
And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice-the kind he will accept. When you think of what he has done for you, is this too much to ask? Don't copy the behavior and customs of the world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will know how good and pleasing and perfect his will really is.
As God's messenger I give each of you this warning; be honest in your estimate of yourselves, measuring your value by how much faith God has given you. Just as our bodies have many parts and each part has special function, so it is with Christ's body. We are all parts of his one body, and each of us has different work to do. And since we are all one body in Christ, we belong to each other, and each of us needs all the others.
God has given each of us the ability to do certain things well. So if God has given you the ability to prophesy, speak out when you have faith that God is speaking through you. If your gift is that of serving others, serve them well. If you are a teacher, do a good job of teaching. If your gift is to encourage others, do it! If you have money, share it generously. If God has given you leadership ability, take the responsibility seriously. And if you have a gift for showing kindness to others, do it gladly.
Don;t just pretend that you love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Stand on the side of the good. Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other. Never be lazy in your work, but serve the Lord enthusiastically.
Be glad for all God is planning for you. Be patient in trouble, and always be prayerful ....
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
JOY
Good morning, Dear Friends and Prayer Partners! This is the day that the Lord has made and we will rejoice and be glad in it! The sun is shining and the air is full of the scent of orange blossoms. My north bedroom window lets in all the fragrance of the blossoms from my neighbors fruit trees..gets really strong in the afternoon, but that is one sign of spring!
While I was sweeping windrows of oak tree seeds off our front porch yesterday, I happened to pause to watch two squirrels sitting on the ground eating acorns and noticed a fluttering of leaves up above. I looked up and saw a bird upside down pecking at leaves. When it turned right side up, I could see the red head. A red headed woodpecker! I had no idea they could hang upside down! Fascinating! That was a whole lot more interesting than sweeping, so I watched until it was out of sight.
I went to the park yesterday and enjoyed the wild look of the brush and water. Saw an immature ibis by itself for a change, but did not see the gator. However, I saw the peacock once again on the way in. Beautiful, as usual. God is good!
From the Promise Bible NLT:
Where does joy come from?
Nehemiah 3:17 Nehemiah continued, "Go and celebrate with a feast of choice foods and sweet drinks, and share gifts of food with people who have nothing prepared. This is a sacred day before our Lord. Don't be dejected and sad, for the joy of the Lord is your strength!"
Zephaniah 3:17 The Lord your God has arrived to live among you. He is a mighty savior. He will rejoice over you with great gladness. With his love, he will calm all your fears. He will exult over you by singing a happy song.
Our joy springs from God's love, which is not dependent on circumstances nor on our performance. When we trust in his love for us, we are far less vulnerable to the depression and despair that could come from our problems and disappointments.
Revelation 21:4 He will remove all of their sorrows, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. For the old world and its evils are gone forever.
Our joy is rooted in the certainty of heaven, where we will be fully and finally liberated from the trials and troubles of this life.
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis ( Happy Birthday, Daryl!)
While I was sweeping windrows of oak tree seeds off our front porch yesterday, I happened to pause to watch two squirrels sitting on the ground eating acorns and noticed a fluttering of leaves up above. I looked up and saw a bird upside down pecking at leaves. When it turned right side up, I could see the red head. A red headed woodpecker! I had no idea they could hang upside down! Fascinating! That was a whole lot more interesting than sweeping, so I watched until it was out of sight.
I went to the park yesterday and enjoyed the wild look of the brush and water. Saw an immature ibis by itself for a change, but did not see the gator. However, I saw the peacock once again on the way in. Beautiful, as usual. God is good!
From the Promise Bible NLT:
Where does joy come from?
Nehemiah 3:17 Nehemiah continued, "Go and celebrate with a feast of choice foods and sweet drinks, and share gifts of food with people who have nothing prepared. This is a sacred day before our Lord. Don't be dejected and sad, for the joy of the Lord is your strength!"
Zephaniah 3:17 The Lord your God has arrived to live among you. He is a mighty savior. He will rejoice over you with great gladness. With his love, he will calm all your fears. He will exult over you by singing a happy song.
Our joy springs from God's love, which is not dependent on circumstances nor on our performance. When we trust in his love for us, we are far less vulnerable to the depression and despair that could come from our problems and disappointments.
Revelation 21:4 He will remove all of their sorrows, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. For the old world and its evils are gone forever.
Our joy is rooted in the certainty of heaven, where we will be fully and finally liberated from the trials and troubles of this life.
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis ( Happy Birthday, Daryl!)
Monday, April 5, 2010
A Time for Everything
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! After a glorious Easter day, it looks like another warm, sunshiny day, full of pollen from the oak trees. My van stayed in the church parking lot for several hours, when I was taken to the hospital on Friday and it got covered with yellow dust from all the shedding oak trees there. I have seen cars on the road covered with the stuff. Guess I will have it washed again after the air clears!
I drove through the park after church yesterday and saw a gorgeous peacock in a spot of sunshine that was highlighting the "eyes" on his folded tail. The shimmering blues and greens were just beautiful...would love to have a dress with those colors! :o) I didn't see the gator in his usual spot but did see the ibis, and egrets going about their business, not knowing that it was Resurrection Day! God's Creation is beautiful and He is Good!
Thoughts from Ecclesiastes NLT:
Ecc. 3:1-8
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. So I concluded that there is nothing better for people than to be happy and to enjoy themselves as long as they can. And people should eat and drink and enjoy the fruits of their labor, for these are gifts from God.
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
I drove through the park after church yesterday and saw a gorgeous peacock in a spot of sunshine that was highlighting the "eyes" on his folded tail. The shimmering blues and greens were just beautiful...would love to have a dress with those colors! :o) I didn't see the gator in his usual spot but did see the ibis, and egrets going about their business, not knowing that it was Resurrection Day! God's Creation is beautiful and He is Good!
Thoughts from Ecclesiastes NLT:
Ecc. 3:1-8
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. So I concluded that there is nothing better for people than to be happy and to enjoy themselves as long as they can. And people should eat and drink and enjoy the fruits of their labor, for these are gifts from God.
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
Saturday, April 3, 2010
Adventures in the ER at St. Anthony's
Dear Friends and Prayer Partners,
After nearly fainting at a memorial service at church Friday, I was taken to the ER and spent an interesting 3-4 hours there. One of the episodes involved a very drunk man who was Shouting obscenities at the top of his voice, then singing "On a clear day..." then Climb every Mountain" and shouting that he needed to go to the bathroom, until someone finally took him He would not get back in bed and kicked one nurse then tried to hit a male nurse. After an hour of this and me wishing for duct tape for his mouth, a big, husky nurse came and took him off to the psych floor.
I was finally admitted for dehydration and renal failure due to the dehydration, The doctor said it could be corrected easily with IV's which I had all night. No sleep because of beeps from the breathing equipment used by the patient in the next bed and my IV every time I bent my arm.
It was discovered after tests today that I have a kidney infection, so I start an antibiotic for that tonight. I hope to be at church tomorrow, but it depends on how I feel. But God is good and he looks after us all!
Have a blessed Easter!
Love and hugs, Amaryllis
After nearly fainting at a memorial service at church Friday, I was taken to the ER and spent an interesting 3-4 hours there. One of the episodes involved a very drunk man who was Shouting obscenities at the top of his voice, then singing "On a clear day..." then Climb every Mountain" and shouting that he needed to go to the bathroom, until someone finally took him He would not get back in bed and kicked one nurse then tried to hit a male nurse. After an hour of this and me wishing for duct tape for his mouth, a big, husky nurse came and took him off to the psych floor.
I was finally admitted for dehydration and renal failure due to the dehydration, The doctor said it could be corrected easily with IV's which I had all night. No sleep because of beeps from the breathing equipment used by the patient in the next bed and my IV every time I bent my arm.
It was discovered after tests today that I have a kidney infection, so I start an antibiotic for that tonight. I hope to be at church tomorrow, but it depends on how I feel. But God is good and he looks after us all!
Have a blessed Easter!
Love and hugs, Amaryllis
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