The Message

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 hot day in store for us, but, hopefully with slight breezes. When the heat index gets up to 100, it is time to get indoors and cool down.

I drove into the park yesterday on the way back from an appointment and noticed few people, but even the squirrels were not running across the road or zipping up and down the trees. It was just hot!

Speaking of squirrels, I spied a baby squirrel sitting in the oak tree... just a tiny one. It must have ventured out of the nest for the first or second time. They are cute but can be nuisances. Another unwelcome visitor was in the garage on a bucket. One of those giant lubbers! The huge grasshoppers! That's what has been eating all the leaves off my amaryllis. No sooner than they grow new leaves, than they get eaten off. Well, needless to say, I dispatched him to wherever grasshoppers go.

So many people have been having sinus troubles, I just wonder if the beautiful, yellow blossoms are the cause of the pollen. They really are pretty, but maybe not so good to have around if you have allergies. I still have some blooms on my crape myrtle and they are a pretty pink . So, God is good!

This is from The Message

A fight to the Finish, Ephesians 1o:13
...And that about wraps it up. God is strong, and he wants you strong. So take everything the Master has set out for you , well-made weapons of the best materials. And put them to use so you will be able to stand up to everything the Devil throws your way. This is no afternoon athletic contest that we'll walk away from and forget about in a couple of hours. This is for keeps, a life-or-death fight to the finish against the Devil and all his angels.

Be prepared. You're up against far more than you can handle on your own. Take all the help you can get, every weapon God has issued, so that when it's all over but the shouting, you'll still be on your feet. Truth, righteousness, peace, faith and salvation are more than words. Learn how to apply them. You'll need them throughout your life. God's word is an indispensable weapon. In the same way, prayer is essential in this ongoing warfare. Pray hard and long. Pray for your brothers and sisters. Keep your eyes open. Keep each other's spirits up so that no one falls behind or drops out....

Good-bye, friends. Love mixed with faith be yours from God the Father and from the Master, Jesus Christ. Pure grace and nothing but grace be with all who love our Master, Jesus Christ.

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

Love and hugs,
Amaryllis

Psoaring thru Psalm 37

Good morning, dear friends and Prayer Partners! This is the day that the Lord has made and we will rejoice and be glad in it! We had a little shower for a few minutes last night...one of those unexpected blessings after a very hot day! Not a breath of air is stirring right now, but hopefully, we will have something to relieve the humidity soon. I stepped outside this morning, and felt like I was in a sauna immediately! But, once again the squirrels don't care. One was hanging upside on the tree with a large acorn in his mouth and the other went galloping across the street to see how the food was over there. There is a very large nest hanging over the street and one just above the porch. that's probably where they sleep at night. Just a guess.

Well, yesterday I had a busy day starting with a hair appointment, so I would look pretty for my photo later in the afternoon. In between times, I attended the luncheon in honor of Pat and Pastor Rick, and then took a turn as hostess for the people to be photographed. I took time to come home and freshen up and change, before going back, but I also went to the park, where very few people were out. It was just too hot to walk. But the usual ibis, squirrels and egrets were present and doing their usual thing. God is good!

From the Promise Bible NLT:

Don't worry about the wicked.
Don't envy those who do wrong
For like the grass, they soon fade away.
Like springtime flowers, they soon wither.
Trust in the Lord and do good
Then you will live safely in the land
and prosper.
Take delight in the Lord
and He will give you your heart's desires.

Commit everything you do to the Lord.
Trust Him and He will help you.
He will make your innocence as clear as
the dawn
and the justice of your cause will shine
like the noonday sun.

Be still in the presence of the Lord.
and wait patiently for him to act.
Don't worry about evil people who
prosper
or fret about their wicked schemes.

Stop your anger!
Turn from your rage!
Do not envy others--
it only leads to harm.
For the wicked will be destroyed,
for those who trust in the Lord
will possess the land...

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

Love and hugs,
Amaryllis

Psoaring thru Psalm 138

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 hot day coming up, but already a breeze is blowing, so that is always good even if it is humid. The heat doesn't seem to bother the squirrels in the yard, Yesterday I was amused to watch two little squirrels acting squirrely by chasing each other around and around the oak tree, and up in the branches and then down and around. It was pretty exhausting just to watch them.

Speaking of exhausting, I have been watching portions of the Tour de France, and seeing those racers pedaling up the Alps, drinking while on the way, and eating bars of something still pedaling, just makes me amazed to see all the energy they need. I heard that they need 4000 calories a day and gallons of water to keep hydrated! There have been wrecks and bike problems, but they just get up and keep going. Now, that's perseverance!

i saw two egrets in the park yesterday, posing like a still life, because they can stand still for so long, waiting for dinner to show up, then they strike like lightning! I also saw my old friend, the gopher tortoise, slowly making his way through the weeds, which are pretty high now, all over the park. except where the mowing crew managed to cut the grass. But, it is still enjoyable! God is good!

From the Promise Bible NLT:

Psalm 138:1-8

I give you thanks, O Lord, with all my heart;
I will sing your praises before the gods.
I bow before your holy Temple as I worship.
I will give thanks to your name.
for your unfailing love and faithfulness,
because your promises are backed
by all the honor of your name.
When I pray , you answer me;
you encourage me by giving me the
strength I need.

Every king in all the earth will give you thanks,
O Lord, for all of them will hear your words.
Yes, they will sing about the Lord's ways,
for the glory of the Lord is very great.

Though the Lord is great, he cares for the
humble,
but he keeps his distance from the proud.

Though I am surrounded by troubles, you will preserve me against
the anger of my enemies.
You will clench your fist against
my angry enemies!
Your power will save me.
The Lord will work out his plans for my life--
For your faithful love. O Lord, endures forever.
Don't abandon me, for you made me.

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

Love and hugs,
Amaryllis

Colossians

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! Where does the time go? I spent a little extra time in prayer this morning, because of new and ongoing prayer requests and needs. Lon Allison of the Billy Graham Evang. Assn. is in Rwanda this week, preaching to 10,000 nightly and needing a lot of prayer, fall programs at FCC, and the precious people on my list , including family, that I regularly pray for....Seems like God is being bombarded these days with so much going on. Good thing He hears us all and knows before we pray, what is in our minds and thoughts!

I went to the park yesterday and saw quite a few people enjoying the shade and cool, humid breeze. This was before the rain came last night. Water is still dripping off my roof from the thunderstorm, but I am always thankful for rain.

I enjoyed leftovers from Pipo's for lunch yesterday. Brian asked me out Sat. night and since I had never been to Pipo's before, I gladly accepted. They serve so much food, I could only eat a small portion of it, but, that's OK, since leftovers are always nice.
God is good!

Today's scripture is from the Message, which is a little difficult for me to read, because the book is written in paragraphs. But it does have some pointed things to say;

Colossians 3
So, chosen by God for this new life of love, dress in the wardrobe God picked out for you: compassion, kindness, humility, quiet strength, discipline. Be even-tempered, content with second place, quick to forgive an offence. Forgive as quickly and completely as the Master forgave you. And regardless of what else you put on, wear love. It's your basic, all purpose garment. Never be without it.
Let the peace of Christ keep you in tune with each other, in step with each other. None of this going off and doing your own thing. And cultivate thankfulness. Let the Word of Christ--the Message--have the run of the house. Give it plenty of room in your lives. Instruct and direct one another using good comment sense. And sing, sing your hearts to God! Let every detail in your lives--works, actions, whatever--be done in the name of the Master , Jesus, thanking God the Father every step of the way.

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

Love and hugs,
Amaryllis

Prayer

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! What a storm we had last night. Everything was dark at seven and the wind was blowing and the oak tree leaves were thrashing back and forth and the rain poured down. David C. had just mowed and blew all the driveway and porch clean. But that was yesterday. Today you would never know it. Twigs and leaves all over, but they will be easy to clean up. God is good to give us shelter and protect us when we need it!

I was kinda groggy all day from lack of sleep, but did better last night. Some nights are like that. I went to Walmart and filled the gas tank, and then stopped at the park to look around. An immature ibis and a white one were pecking side by side, but not many people were there. It was hot, for one thing. People always walk dogs around there and the dogs seem to enjoy it. The canal probably overflowed the weir last night, because a lot of water came down. I wonder where the butterflys and birds go for protection from a storm? I guess God takes care of them. God is good!

From the Promise Bible NLT:

How can I know God hears my prayers?


Psalm 145:18 The Lord is close to all who call on him, yes, to all who call on him sincerely.

The Lord invites us to make prayer our first response rather than our last resort. He always listens to those who are honest with him.

2 Chronicles 7:14 If my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and heal their land.

1 Peter 3:12 The eyes of the Lord watch over those who do right, and his ears are open to their prayers. But the Lord turns his face against those who do evil.

Since prayer is a conversation with God, we must approach God with the same love and courtesy we bring to any relationship we value. we must be humble, not arrogant. We must admit our sin and seek God's forgiveness.

1 John 5:14-15 We can be confident that he will listen to us whenever we ask him for anything in line with his will. And if we know he is listening when we make our requests, we can be sure that he will give us what we ask for.

While we may not know God's specific will for every situation, we do know that his will is to empower our obedience, to overcome evil with good, and to equip us to be his witnesses. We can also pray confidently for his power and guidance, knowing that we are asking for the very things he most longs to give.

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

Love and hugs,
Amaryllis

My Morning Prayer

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! Although it is overcast and supposed to rain today. it's still very warm and humid. But the birds and butterflies do not mind. As I was sweeping the porch off yesterday, I stopped and watched a large swallowtail butterfly flitting all over the yard and the lawn across the street. I can see out my window the mockingbirds landing in the podacarpus hedge and picking off the berries. they have plenty of them to eat!

Hopefully, I won't fall asleep while typing this. Last night I slept about two hours, then got up at 1:30am and read until three, still not feeling sleepy, and came back to bed, but finally got up at 6 and dozed all through my prayer time. Some nights are like that!

Yesterday was a quiet day for me, with no appointments, so I went shopping, and then to the park. I enjoyed seeing the green grass, shrubs and lots of hydrilla on the canal. I saw a little moorhen this side of the weir, paddling happily about. I believe that is the first time I have seen a moorhen at that particular spot. It is good to see them come back. All of the lilies were destroyed when the first cuts were made in the budget, so there was no place for them to build nests. Now that the plants are back in plenty, I believe that is why they are showing up once again. God is good!

I pray this each morning for myself and have sent it before, but it is good to repeat:

"Oh, God, for another day, for another morning, for another hour, for another minute, for another chance to live and serve Thee, I am truly grateful."

Do Thou this day free me
from all fear of the future
from all bitterness toward anyone.
from all cowardice in face of danger,
from all laziness in face of work,
from all failure before opportunity
from all weakness when Thy power is at hand.

But fill me
with Love that knows no barrier
with Sympathy that reaches all
with Courage that cannot be shaken
with Faith strong enough for darkness.
with Strength sufficient for my tasks
with Loyalty to Thy Kingdom Goal,
with Power to lift me to Thee.

Be Thou with me for another day and use
me as Thou will for Christ's sake, I pray.
Amen

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

Love and hugs,
Amaryllis

Faithfulness

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! Well, it's kinda cloudy this morning and not a breeze is stirring, so it looks like another hot day in paradise!

I have the front porch to sweep off this morning, because there are some peculiar tiny brown spots in a three foot wide circle on it. There is a squirrel nest high up over the circle. Daryl said the squirrels were probably cleaning house. If so, they certainly had a messy house and now I have a messy porch! :o)

While driving on Park Blvd yesterday after an appointment, I went by a Subway, (freestanding) and went around the block and back to it, and discovered they have a drive-thru! Since it was almost lunch time, I ordered a sandwich.I was so happy to find the drive-thru, because I dislike going in any place by myself...not used to it for one thing.

I started out to the supermarket later on, but ran into raindrops and it looked like a downpour ahead, so I came on back home and waited until the shower stopped, then tried again. I came through the park on the way back, all fresh with the rain and saw quite a few people out. Anhingas and ibis, one drying wings, the others pecking on the ground. I wonder if they ever look up? They seem to be consumed with eating all day. Since I mentioned last week that I had not seen lavender crape myrtles before, I have been noticing them everywhere! I guess God opened my eyes! :o) God is good!

From the Promise Bible NLT:

Why should I be faithful?

Psalm 1:1-3 Oh, the joys of those who do not follow the advice of the wicked, or stand around with sinners, or join in with scoffers. But they delight is doing every thing the Lord wants, day and night they think about his law. They are like trees planted along the riverbank, bearing fruit each season without fail. Their leaves never wither, and in all they do, they prosper.

The quality of our character affects the quality of our life. Integrity brings continual vitality and bears lasting fruit.

Proverbs 3:3-4 Never let loyalty and kindness get away from you! Wear them like a necklace, write them deep within your heart. then you will find favor with both God and people, and you will gain a good reputation.

One of our greatest securities in life is that of a good name. Faithfulness brings a good reputation and trust from others. When we have problems, sometimes our reputation can be the key to a positive outcome.

2 Timothy 2:11-13 This is a true saying: if we die with him, we will also live with him. If we endure hardship, we will reign with him. If we deny him he will deny us. If we are unfaithful, he remains faithful, for he cannot deny himself.

Faithfulness is not optional. When we fail and fall, we must fall to our knees. Faithfulness is seen not only in our obedience, but also in our repentance.

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

Love and hugs,
Amaryllis