Seasons

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 sky is blue and the clouds are white and puffy and so far, no rain this morning. Last night the power went off unexpectedly about 7 or 7:30, because no storms were going on and the sky was clear. Of course, I was in the kitchen, the only room without a handy flashlight, so I had to feel my way into the living room where I have a couple flashlights, and then out to the fireplace room to get my Coleman tube lantern. I also decided it was time to open up another Coleman lantern which I hadn't even taken out of the box, so I put that together with batteries. They really put out a good light.

I had called Progress Energy on my cell and the automated voice said it was damage to their equipment and it would take until 11:59 for the power to come back on. So I prayed that it would come back sooner and our faithful God heard. The power came back on two hours later! I was brushing my teeth by lantern light and happened to notice the night light was burning. Big clue that the power was back on! And instead of turning off the lights, I discovered they were blazing , so, even if I had gone on to bed, the light would have gotten me up again. God is good!

I went to the park yesterday during the heat of the day and only saw a couple ibis, and the usual anhinga stretching out his wings. Not many people were out and about in the middle of the day, but the shadows were deep under the oaks. I noticed that the maple trees are already starting to change color. A promise that fall is coming! God is good!

From Quiet Moments with God:

Now with a view to righteousness, reap in accordance with kindness. Break up your fallow ground, for it is time to seek the Lord until He comes to rain righteousness on you. Hosea 10:12 NASB

At a dinner party honoring Albert Einstein, a student asked the great scientist, "What do you actually do as a profession?"
Mr. Einstein said, "I devote myself to the study of physics."

The student then exclaimed, "You mean that you're still studying physics? I finished mine last year."

One of the very real temptations of life is to divide it into seasons and then think of each season as an end within itself. Students may think of the high school diploma as the goal and not relate it to what they want to do with their lives. Graduates may get the jobs of their choice and never consider that other jobs could be in their futures.

How often have you seen a young man and woman become engaged to be married, then spend thousands of dollars and hundreds of hours preparing for the wedding, with little or no preparation for the years of marriage ahead? Or, the couple may look forward with great anticipation to the birth of a child, with no plan for proper parenting.

The Garden of Life is a continuing cycle of seasons and years. Those who reap the greatest harvests seem to look both backward and forward. They look to the future to decide which seeds they should plant today to help them attain their goals for the future.

God is present in every segment of our lives, coaxing us to learn from both our experiences and goals, so that our gardens will reach their full potential.

Though God be everywhere
present, yet he is present to you
in the deepest and most
central part of the soul.
William Law

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

Love and hugs,
Amaryllis

Looking at Luke12

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! Imagine my surprise last night when I heard a rainstorm rumbling in about midnight! After a hot, sunshiny day I did not expect rain, so I had to get out of bed and toddle out to the garage to close the window on the side door which was already wet with rain splashing in. Then I went on back to bed after debating whether I wanted to stay up and read, but snuggling under the covers seemed more attractive, even though I was not sleepy by that time.

When I visited the Park yesterday, very few people were there, but I saw the determined lady again who runs but looks like she does not enjoy it. She has a lot of gumption, though, because I know she is very hot. More power to her! All the toadstools have disappeared, but maybe after last nights rain, they will pop up again. I walked right by a squirrel, who was chewing on something and didn't pay any attention to me, but I asked him anyway, what he was eating, because it was not a nut or acorn..looked like part of an animal. So, he dropped whatever it was, and I looked closely, but still could not make it out. As far as I know, squirrels do not eat meat, so I guess that will remain a mystery. But, God is good!

Luke 12:22

So, I tell you, don't worry about everyday life--whether you have enough food to eat or clothes to wear. For life consists of far more than food or clothing. Look at the ravens. They don't need to plant or harvest or put food in barns because God feeds them. And you are far more valuable to him than any birds!. Can all your worries add a single moment to your life? Of course not! And if worry can't do little things like that, what's the use of worrying over bigger thinks?

Look at the lilies and how they grow. They don't work or make their clothing , yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are. And if God cares so wonderfully for flowers that are here today and gone tomorrow, won't he more surely care for you? You have so little faith! And don't worry about food-what to eat and drink. Don't worry whether God will provide it for you. These things dominate the thoughts of most people, but your Father already knows your needs. He will give you all you need from day to day if you make the Kingdom of God your primary concern.

So don't be afraid, little flock. For it gives your Father great happiness to give you the Kingdom.

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

Love and hugs,
Amaryllis

Gems from 1 Thessalonians 5

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 today as it did yesterday, and it promises to be another very warm and humid day. I don't know where the time goes, I get up early and before I know it, it is already mid-morning. If I had a schedule to follow, I would probably have a lot done by now!

I had to go grocery shopping yesterday, because of the procedure I had done Friday. I could not eat Thursday and so did not need anything until the milk and bread and other necessities started to run out. I just went to Publix, where shopping is a pleasure and had the carry out service, because of heavy bags. . But there is always something I forget to put on my list, so I will have to pick up a couple things today that I forgot yesterday!

I went to the Park after supper last night. The wind was still, but it was pleasant and not too humid. Actually, I thought the humidity would make my nose feel better. It still gets very dry inside from the radiation and bleeds a lot, so anyway, as I walked along the sidewalk, a gator started swimming toward the bank by me. I stopped and watched it, and then, a larger one came swimming under the bridge, zipping along toward the second bridge. All at once, he skidded to a halt and turned in to a dead log. The object of his eye were several egrets by the log, . Aware of his presence, they kept on doing what they were doing and looked like they were getting ready to settle down for the night. I walked out on the bridge to see what the other gator was attracted to, and, hidden by the tall weeds, were two ibises. One was mature and the other dark colored and immature. The gator sank down until the eyes and nose were showing, but, once again, the birds were very aware of it and kept moving slowly away. I was really pleased that I got to see that bit of God's creation. God is good!

From 1 Thessalonians 5:12 NLT

Dear brothers and sisters, honor those who are leaders in the Lord's work. They work hard among you and warn you against all that is wrong. Think highly of them and give them your wholehearted love because of their work. And remember to live peaceably with each other.

Brother and sisters, we urge you to warn those who are lazy. Encourage those who are timid. Take tender care of those who are weak. Be patient with everyone.

See that no one pays back evil for evil, but always try to do good to each other. and to everyone else.

Always be joyful. Keep on praying, No matter what happens, always be thankful, for this is God's will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.

Do not stifle the Holy Spirit. Do not scoff at prophesies, but test everything that is said. Hold on to what is good. Keep away from every kind of evil.

Paul's Final Greetings:
Now may the God of peace make you holy in every way, and may your whole spirit and soul, and body be kept blameless until that day when our Lord Jesus Christ comes again.
God, who calls you, is faithful. He will do this.

Dear brothers and sisters, pray for us.
Greet all the brothers and sisters in Christian love.
I command you in the name of the Lord to read this letter to all the brothers and sisters.
And may the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with all of you.

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

Love and hugs,
Amaryllis

Wise words from 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! We have not had any rain for about three days, so it looks like a good day to put a coating on my flat roof that has been waiting to dry out.

I went into the tranquil park yesterday after church and was impressed as always by the serenity and calmness of the place where people can go and enjoy God's beauty and the different critters He has created. Even though it was very hot and humid, a few people were out, including the ever present squirrels. The toadstools have almost disappeared, but will be back once the rain comes again.

I really enjoyed seeing the Logue family at church yesterday! I have known them since Drew was a baby, so it's always good to see old friends. I had to explain my nose, because it is so red and ugly looking from the radiation and won't stop bleeding inside. AArrgh! But it will soon heal up and won't be so bad . God is good!

BTW, I saw a large woodstork slowly ambling along the side of the canal on 77th yesterday. He was up close and personal. I don't think they ever move fast, but he actually looked quite graceful.

Romans 12:3 -12 NLT
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 a 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 prophecy, speak out when you have faith that God is speaking through you. If your gift is 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 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.

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

Love and hugs,
Amaryllis

Explanation

Dear Friends and Prayer Partners,

For those of you who may or may not have noticed, there was no Gator Bytes this morning, Due to an early appointment I had for a colonoscopy. I should have written last night, but better late than never!
Everything is fine and I have finally thawed out from the unusually cold prep room. Bayfront had a problem with the A/C which had been set at "freeze" for three days. all the staff were wearing anything warm they had to put on.

Anyway, I hope some of you got to see the meteor shower last night. It is too light around here to see many and I went to bed a little early.

I hope you all have a blessed weekend!

Love and hugs,
Amaryllis

Shortsighted

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! Wet, wet, wet! Everything around here is wet. I am not complaining, because I remember when it was dry and I was praying for rain. Well, God supplies abundantly! I heard it raining a lot during the night, and everything is soaked today, so I guess the yard doesn't get mowed today. We have puffy clouds today and sunshine off and on, but will probably have more rain today.

Lots of really big white toadstools were popping up in the park yesterday, one of the only times I ventured out. A flock of ibis were covering one side of a berm and a few people were walking, but although there was a lot of sun in the afternoon, it was too hot for me to walk. My nose is very red now, and is very tender, but God is good!

From Quiet Moments with God:

Galatians 6:10 KJV As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men. Especially unto them who are of the household of faith.

Do you miss life-changing opportunities because of shortsightedness? Consider this example:

A fellow approached a cab driver in New York and said, "Take me to London." The cab driver told him there was no possible way for him to drive across the Atlantic. The customer insisted there was. "You'll drive me down to the pier; we'll put the taxi on a freighter to Liverpool, and you; drive me to London, where I'll pay you whatever is on the meter."

The driver agreed, and when they arrived in London, the passenger paid the total on the meter, plus a thousand dollar tip.

The driver roamed around London, not quite knowing what to do. Then an Englishman hailed him and said, "I want you to drive me to New York." The cab driver couldn't believe his good luck. How often can you pick up a person who wants to go to New York?

When the passenger began to say, "First we take a boat..."the driver cut him off.

"That I know, But where to in New York?"

The passenger said, "Riverside Drive and 104th Street."

The driver responded, "Sorry, I don't go to the west side."

Jesus was well schooled in the Scriptures, and He often followed the traditions of His heritage. He also had a daily routine of praying and ministering to the needs of the people. However, He didn't allow traditions or personal preferences to stand in the way of carrying out God's will for the day.

Look for God-given opportunities to serve Him by serving others. Don't allow your daily routines, personal biases, or shortsightedness cause you to miss what the Lord wants to do in you and through you today.

A good deed is never lost:
He who shows courtesy reaps
friendship and he who plants
kindness gathers love.
Saint Basil

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

Love and hugs,
Amaryllis

Psoaring thru Psalm 8

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 just got the weather report that gusty winds and rain are expected until about noon, and I notice that the wind is really blowing all the trees and shrubs already. Guess that's the tropical storm moving out.

But yesterday, I really enjoyed the cooler weather which never got out of the eighties. I went for a walk in the park, careful to stay in the shade because of my healing nose, which is really red this morning. I walked along the sidewalk, admiring the thick underbrush across the canal which really looked like the original Florida. There were big ripples in the water either from tilapia or unknown critters down in the deeps. Lots of white toadstools are popping up all over from all the rain, but the ibises like to get the underground critters that the rain brings out. Once in a great while I see one on top of a light pole, but for the most part, they keep their heads to the ground.

The rain is good for the plants and brings out a lot of flowers, God is good!

From the Promise Bible NLT:

Psalm 8
O Lord, our Lord, the majesty of your name fills the earth!
Your glory is higher than the heavens.

You have taught children and nursing
infants to give you praise.
They silence your enemies
who were seeking revenge.

When I look at the night sky and see the work
of your fingers--
the moon and stars you have set in place--
what are mortals that you should
think of us,
mere humans that you should care for us?
For you made us only a little lower than God
and you crowned us with glory and honor.
You put us in charge of everything you
made,
giving us authority over all things--
the sheep and the cattle
and all the wild animals,
the birds in the sky, the fish in the sea,
and everything that swims in the ocean currents.
O Lord, our Lord, the majesty of your name
fills the earth!

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

Love and hugs,
Amaryllis