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 this morning, the sky was overcast, so no stars were visible. But last night, I stepped outside just to look at Venus and Jupiter, still beaming brightly in the southwestern sky...and almost overhead was the three quarter moon, some distance away from the planets! Beautiful! God's Creation is awesome!
Yesterday, Terry, our retired friend from the Park, came over to put up our outside Christmas lights. He is keeping busy in retirement, and looks very relaxed in the face. It is a blessing to have friends to help us out in various ways. God is good!
Speaking of the park, we drove through and saw Ibis reflected in the still water. They looked like a still photo. Colored leaves were floating on the surface, and the usual anhingas were drying out their wings perched anywhere they could find a place to hang onto. It seems like there are a lot more woodstorks around this winter, but somehow, they don't find their way to Sawgrass.
From the Promise Bible NLT:
DEPRESSION
Psalm 42:5,6 Why am I discouraged? Why so sad? I will put my hope in God! I will praise him again--my Savior and my God! Now I am deeply discouraged, but I will remember your kindness--from Mount Herman, the source of the Jordan, from the land of Mount Mizar.
Depression is a time for soul-searching, for asking basic questions. We are often discouraged because we concentrate on our circumstances instead of on the Lord who will always care for us. The psalmist's questions awakened him to the reality that God alone is our source of comfort and hope. When we are depressed, we need to remind ourselves that God has been faithful in the past and will be faithful in the present.
Habakkuk 3:17-19 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. The Sovereign Lord is my strength! He will make me as surefooted as a deer and bring me safety over the mountains.
Much depression is caused by trusting in the things of this world instead of in God. We will be disappointed if our happiness is based on security, prestige, possessions and popularity. These things come and go. Trusting in God helps us travel through the toughest times with surefooted confidence.
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
