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! Wow! What a storm we had last night! Lots of lightning, and thunder! I was watching the Rays game and heard the boom that turned out one bank of lights which caused a thirty minute delay in the game at the Trop. They would not have been able to play at all had they been playing in an open field. Right now the sun is shining and once more, the puffy clouds are visible all over. They may turn dark later on if more rain moves in...
I decided I wanted a Philly cheesesteak sandwich for my supper, so I drove to Subway to the drive-thru and ordered one with lots of veggies. I think they are so good when toasted! Yum! Traffic coming back was pretty crowded with the coming home crowd on the road, but I stuck to most of the off streets and had no problem.
I had stopped through the Park on the way out and saw that everything was quiet and peaceful simmering in the late afternoon heat. And it was hot! Very few people were out, and I only saw one anhinga drying his wings.There is a man from that neighborhood who always walks his dog down into the park. I have seen him for several years, smoking his pipe and walking his dog, so now we wave as I pass. God is good!
From the Promise Bible NLT:
2 Corinthians 2:14-17, 3:4,5
But thanks be to God, who made us his captives
and leads us along in Christ's triumphal procession,
Now, wherever we go, he uses us to tell others about
the Lord and to spread the Good News like a sweet
perfume. Our lives are a fragrance presented by Christ
to God. But this fragrance is perceived
differently by those being saved and by those perishing.
To those perishing, we are a fearful smell of death and
doom. But to those who are being saved we are life-giving
perfume. And who is adequate for a task such as this?
You see, we are not like those hucksters--and there are
many of them--who preach just to make money. We preach
God's message with sincerity and with Christ's authority.
And we know that the God who sent us is watching us.
3:4,5
We are confident of all this because of our great trust in
God through Christ. It is not that we think we can do
anything of lasting value by ourselves. Our only power
and success come from God.
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
Thursday, September 4, 2014
Wednesday, September 3, 2014
Living to Please Others con't.
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! Once again, the dark clouds were overhead and we had the sound effects of a storm, but no rain fell yesterday; at least in this neighborhood. Brian said they had a lot of rain in Seminole! Looks like today will be a carbon copy of yesterday...still very warm and humid!
I did a little shopping yesterday, and then drove to the Park. The water in the canal has mostly drained off from all the rain, and is now down to a trickle, but still the egrets and herons find fish to snack on, so their beaks stay muddy all the time.
I was enjoying the towering whipped cream clouds as I was coming home. Some beautiful shapes, and then the dark rain filled clouds presenting a contrast. I enjoy Paul Dellegatto's explanation of different cloud formations on Facebook. Wish I could remember them. But, as always, God is good!
From the Promise Bible NLT:
Romans 15:7-9
..So accept each other, just as Christ has accepted you, then
God will be glorified. Remember that Christ came as a servant
to the Jews to show that God is true to the promises he made
to their ancestors. And he came so the Gentiles might also give
glory to God for his mercies to them.
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with
thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
I did a little shopping yesterday, and then drove to the Park. The water in the canal has mostly drained off from all the rain, and is now down to a trickle, but still the egrets and herons find fish to snack on, so their beaks stay muddy all the time.
I was enjoying the towering whipped cream clouds as I was coming home. Some beautiful shapes, and then the dark rain filled clouds presenting a contrast. I enjoy Paul Dellegatto's explanation of different cloud formations on Facebook. Wish I could remember them. But, as always, God is good!
From the Promise Bible NLT:
Romans 15:7-9
..So accept each other, just as Christ has accepted you, then
God will be glorified. Remember that Christ came as a servant
to the Jews to show that God is true to the promises he made
to their ancestors. And he came so the Gentiles might also give
glory to God for his mercies to them.
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with
thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
Tuesday, September 2, 2014
Living to Please Others
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 you all had a great weekend doing whatever you wanted to do. The weather was good for the most part, with thunderstorms threatening in the evening. Today is sunny, with a few clouds, but the storms seem to come over the bay. Last night while Brian was visiting, it started to thunder really loud. We watched the weather forecast and thought he had better leave to beat the rain home. However, it never rained here, so I think he made it OK.
We did get rain one night, though, and as a result, the water in the canal at the Park,, came up and really looked good. Instead of a trickle, it was a good stream. The egrets were enjoying it and probably the gators, too.
We had a good church service Sunday, I think preparing us for a new senior pastor. At least it seemed to me to be pointing in that direction. I think we are getting closer to having one. The search committee is doing a good job interviewing!
I washed sheets in the morning yesterday, then remade the bed and after lunch I watched the Rays win, (Yay) and went shopping. After I finished shopping, I went to Steak and Shake and bought a steak frank for supper. Once in a great while, I indulge in junk food. I really wanted barbeque, but settled for a dog. God is good!
From the Promise Bible NLT:
Romans 15:1-4
We may know that these things make no difference,
but we cannot just go ahead and do them to please
ourselves. We must be considerate of the doubts and
fears of those who think these things are wrong. 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 for God's promises.
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
We did get rain one night, though, and as a result, the water in the canal at the Park,, came up and really looked good. Instead of a trickle, it was a good stream. The egrets were enjoying it and probably the gators, too.
We had a good church service Sunday, I think preparing us for a new senior pastor. At least it seemed to me to be pointing in that direction. I think we are getting closer to having one. The search committee is doing a good job interviewing!
I washed sheets in the morning yesterday, then remade the bed and after lunch I watched the Rays win, (Yay) and went shopping. After I finished shopping, I went to Steak and Shake and bought a steak frank for supper. Once in a great while, I indulge in junk food. I really wanted barbeque, but settled for a dog. God is good!
From the Promise Bible NLT:
Romans 15:1-4
We may know that these things make no difference,
but we cannot just go ahead and do them to please
ourselves. We must be considerate of the doubts and
fears of those who think these things are wrong. 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 for God's promises.
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
Friday, August 29, 2014
I Got It, I Got it!
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 noticed last night when I went into the kitchen, that the indoor outdoor thermometer read 87 at 8:30! This morning it is down to 83...not a big difference! But the wind is blowing and the sun is shining, so it is all good!
Well, there were three ball games on TV last night, all at the same time. So, I watched the Rays lose, flipping over to the Bucs to see them eventually lose, and watched parts of the S. Carolina game, which they lost! I guess it just wasn't my night to see my teams win. Bummer. Seems like the Rays players are making a lot of unnecessary mistakes, so they can probably kiss the playoffs goodbye! They apparently do not hear me telling them what to do as I yell at the TV!
I slept a little better last night, and expect to do even better tonight, so God is good!
From the devotional book Quiet Moments with God:
I Got it, I Got It!
No discipline seems pleasant at the time...However, it produces a
harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.
Hebrews 12:11
"No,! No! No! That's not the way," hollered the coach as he watched what
seemed like his entire T-ball team chase after the ball and fight one another
for it. While all of the outfielders and half of the infielders joyously wrestled
for the baseball, the batter ran from base to base and finally crossed home
plate.
The next batter stepped to the plate and promptly lofted the ball toward right
center field. Immediately, all four outfielders screamed, "I got it, " and the
chase for the ball was on again. An instant replay, it seemed.
Again the coach yelled, " Same team, guys, we're al on the same team. Don't
fight for the ball!"
Although it did seem like chaos most of the time, the young boys and girls
were learning the basics of the game of baseball and teamwork. By the year's
end, progress had been made. The fights for the ball with teammates were
far fewer, and the players were learning to go to positions to await throws. In
fact, they even recorded outs.
How did this happen? It happened as the coach applied discipline and enforced
rules during practice. At times the players would get their feelings hurt and even cry when they were not allowed to participate because of misbehavior or
unruliness. Yet, they did become better players.
The Christian walk also requires chastening if we are to progress from being
unruly children to successful servants. Hannah Whitall Smith says it beautifully;
"Look upon your chastening as God's chariots sent to carry your soul into the high places of spiritual achievement."
GOD WHO TRULY LOVES
WILL CHASTISE WELL.
Unknown
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving,
joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
Well, there were three ball games on TV last night, all at the same time. So, I watched the Rays lose, flipping over to the Bucs to see them eventually lose, and watched parts of the S. Carolina game, which they lost! I guess it just wasn't my night to see my teams win. Bummer. Seems like the Rays players are making a lot of unnecessary mistakes, so they can probably kiss the playoffs goodbye! They apparently do not hear me telling them what to do as I yell at the TV!
I slept a little better last night, and expect to do even better tonight, so God is good!
From the devotional book Quiet Moments with God:
I Got it, I Got It!
No discipline seems pleasant at the time...However, it produces a
harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.
Hebrews 12:11
"No,! No! No! That's not the way," hollered the coach as he watched what
seemed like his entire T-ball team chase after the ball and fight one another
for it. While all of the outfielders and half of the infielders joyously wrestled
for the baseball, the batter ran from base to base and finally crossed home
plate.
The next batter stepped to the plate and promptly lofted the ball toward right
center field. Immediately, all four outfielders screamed, "I got it, " and the
chase for the ball was on again. An instant replay, it seemed.
Again the coach yelled, " Same team, guys, we're al on the same team. Don't
fight for the ball!"
Although it did seem like chaos most of the time, the young boys and girls
were learning the basics of the game of baseball and teamwork. By the year's
end, progress had been made. The fights for the ball with teammates were
far fewer, and the players were learning to go to positions to await throws. In
fact, they even recorded outs.
How did this happen? It happened as the coach applied discipline and enforced
rules during practice. At times the players would get their feelings hurt and even cry when they were not allowed to participate because of misbehavior or
unruliness. Yet, they did become better players.
The Christian walk also requires chastening if we are to progress from being
unruly children to successful servants. Hannah Whitall Smith says it beautifully;
"Look upon your chastening as God's chariots sent to carry your soul into the high places of spiritual achievement."
GOD WHO TRULY LOVES
WILL CHASTISE WELL.
Unknown
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving,
joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
Thursday, August 28, 2014
Roamin' thru Romans
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 earlier, I was surprised by the pleasant feel of the air! There must have been lower humidity, but something was different. Felt good! More sunshine and heat today, but it will soon be September!
I baked some cheddar cheese biscuits from a Red Lobster box mix, last night for my supper, to go with some stew. I must say, they really tasted like the ones in Red Lobster! The recipe said it made ten biscuits, but I got a lot more than that, so I have some nice leftovers! This is apparently a new mix, because Publix had it prominently displayed in front of the diary stuff when I shopped on Friday. It was an impulse buy, but one that turned out well!
My cleaning ladies came earlier than I expected while I was finishing lunch. They had both forgotten their cell fones, so could not let me know, but that was no problem. They just start in the back of the house, and work toward the kitchen, They are planning to take off for a week next month for another vacation. so I will have to be careful not to mess up too much!
I drove over to the park later on, just in time to see a young gator climb out of the canal and walk across the concrete weir, and slip down the other side! He must have been about four feet long and was walking really fast! I didn't even have time to get my cell out to take a picture. But, God is good!
From the Promise Bible NLT:
Romans 8:23-28
And even we Christians, although we have the Holy Spirit within us
as a foretaste of future glory, also groan to be released from pain
and suffering. We too, wait anxiously for that day when God will
give us our full rights as his children, including the new bodies
he has promised us. Now that we are saved, we eagerly look
forward to this freedom. For if you already have something, you
don't need to hope for it. But if we look forward to something we
don't have yet, we must wait patiently and confidently.
And the Holy Spirit helps us in our distress. For we don't even
know what we should pray for, or how we should pray. But the
Holy Spirit prays for us with groanings that cannot be expressed
in words. And the Father who knows all hearts knows what the Spirit
is saying, for the Spirit pleads for us believers in harmony with
God's own will. And we know that God causes everything to work
together for the good of those who love God and are called
according to his purpose for them...
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving,
joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
I baked some cheddar cheese biscuits from a Red Lobster box mix, last night for my supper, to go with some stew. I must say, they really tasted like the ones in Red Lobster! The recipe said it made ten biscuits, but I got a lot more than that, so I have some nice leftovers! This is apparently a new mix, because Publix had it prominently displayed in front of the diary stuff when I shopped on Friday. It was an impulse buy, but one that turned out well!
My cleaning ladies came earlier than I expected while I was finishing lunch. They had both forgotten their cell fones, so could not let me know, but that was no problem. They just start in the back of the house, and work toward the kitchen, They are planning to take off for a week next month for another vacation. so I will have to be careful not to mess up too much!
I drove over to the park later on, just in time to see a young gator climb out of the canal and walk across the concrete weir, and slip down the other side! He must have been about four feet long and was walking really fast! I didn't even have time to get my cell out to take a picture. But, God is good!
From the Promise Bible NLT:
Romans 8:23-28
And even we Christians, although we have the Holy Spirit within us
as a foretaste of future glory, also groan to be released from pain
and suffering. We too, wait anxiously for that day when God will
give us our full rights as his children, including the new bodies
he has promised us. Now that we are saved, we eagerly look
forward to this freedom. For if you already have something, you
don't need to hope for it. But if we look forward to something we
don't have yet, we must wait patiently and confidently.
And the Holy Spirit helps us in our distress. For we don't even
know what we should pray for, or how we should pray. But the
Holy Spirit prays for us with groanings that cannot be expressed
in words. And the Father who knows all hearts knows what the Spirit
is saying, for the Spirit pleads for us believers in harmony with
God's own will. And we know that God causes everything to work
together for the good of those who love God and are called
according to his purpose for them...
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving,
joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
Wednesday, August 27, 2014
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! More sun and heat and still August creeps on toward Sept. But I think the butterflies like the heat, because they seem to really be flitting by toward the back yard in the mornings, where the butterfly beauty bush is growing. There are so many pretty ones!
I had a hard time getting to sleep last night. I tossed and turned and finally got up about 1:30 and took a Tylenol and read for about thirty minutes, then crawled back in bed and finally got a few hours sleep. I will probably be ready for a nap this afternoon, but my cleaning ladies will be coming then...
I did get over to the park yesterday and saw three ibis in the canal, which is overgrown with weeds and very little water. I also saw a great blue heron. They are so majestic in their stance, and when they stretch their necks! God is good!
From the Promise Bible NLT:
Colossians 3:23-27
Work hard and cheerfully as 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.
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
I had a hard time getting to sleep last night. I tossed and turned and finally got up about 1:30 and took a Tylenol and read for about thirty minutes, then crawled back in bed and finally got a few hours sleep. I will probably be ready for a nap this afternoon, but my cleaning ladies will be coming then...
I did get over to the park yesterday and saw three ibis in the canal, which is overgrown with weeds and very little water. I also saw a great blue heron. They are so majestic in their stance, and when they stretch their necks! God is good!
From the Promise Bible NLT:
Colossians 3:23-27
Work hard and cheerfully as 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.
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
Tuesday, August 26, 2014
Roamin' thru Romans
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 still have wind, but a lot of sun and more puffy, white clouds, today. Yesterday we had no rain at all but temps in the nineties! It was hot! I will be glad to see Sept. come, because Oct. follows and that means cooler weather!
I was reminded that St. Petersburg seems like a big city when you go downtown and see all the activity with shops, museums, and restaurants; condos and a beautiful waterfront. But just as we saw friends in Jack's Grill Saturday night, I was in the library yesterday and another friend came and spoke to me! Now, that seems like a small town, "(where everybody knows your name)." I have lived here all my life, having been born here, so I should have lots of friends, but I mostly stay in my own end of town these days , so friends are scattered all over...just so I am not seen in a bar...smile.
I visited the park and did not see much activity from people. School was still in session and the weather was very hot, I saw two anhingas and three spoonbills in the canal. My favorite! God is good!
From the Promise Bible NLT:
Romans 5:1-5
Therefore, since we have been made right in
God's sight by faith, we have peace with God
because of what Jesus Christ, our Lord has done
for us. Because of our faith, Christ has brought us
into this place of highest privilege where we now
stand, and we confidently and joyfully look forward
to sharing God's glory.
We can rejoice,too, when we run into problems and
trials, for we know that they are good for us--they help
us to learn to endure.. And endurance develops strength
of character in us, and character strengthens our confident
expectation of salvation. And this expectation will not
disappoint us. For we know how dearly God loves us,
because he has given us his Holy Spirit to fill our hearts
with his love.
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with
thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
I was reminded that St. Petersburg seems like a big city when you go downtown and see all the activity with shops, museums, and restaurants; condos and a beautiful waterfront. But just as we saw friends in Jack's Grill Saturday night, I was in the library yesterday and another friend came and spoke to me! Now, that seems like a small town, "(where everybody knows your name)." I have lived here all my life, having been born here, so I should have lots of friends, but I mostly stay in my own end of town these days , so friends are scattered all over...just so I am not seen in a bar...smile.
I visited the park and did not see much activity from people. School was still in session and the weather was very hot, I saw two anhingas and three spoonbills in the canal. My favorite! God is good!
From the Promise Bible NLT:
Romans 5:1-5
Therefore, since we have been made right in
God's sight by faith, we have peace with God
because of what Jesus Christ, our Lord has done
for us. Because of our faith, Christ has brought us
into this place of highest privilege where we now
stand, and we confidently and joyfully look forward
to sharing God's glory.
We can rejoice,too, when we run into problems and
trials, for we know that they are good for us--they help
us to learn to endure.. And endurance develops strength
of character in us, and character strengthens our confident
expectation of salvation. And this expectation will not
disappoint us. For we know how dearly God loves us,
because he has given us his Holy Spirit to fill our hearts
with his love.
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with
thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
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