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! It's another foggy morning, but yesterday, the sun came out late in the afternoon, so today will probably be the same. The temp. is still 69, so these days we have not used heat or A/C. Love to see those bills come down!
My yard man did a good job of clearing out the leaves again, but it won't be the last time. The trees are still loaded with yellow leaves and the next good wind will bring them all down, plus the new green leaves will be pushing them off. We were noticing the tiny buds on the plants..the azaleas and the hedge plants, and , also, the beauty berry bush, so spring is coming! Next will probably be the Crape Myrtle.
I took a walk from the circle sidewalk, over the entrance bridge, and out to the first shelter at the park yesterday and saw a tri-colored heron, several ibis, and egrets. A stark contrast to the dull, muddy banks and dead looking trees, which are the background for the white feathers on the birds.
I also watched the six or seven different gators which were scattered all around the shelter. Mama gator was there, but I only saw a couple small gators. The others were varying ages, from about a year to two years and up. Very interesting. God is good!
From the Promise Bible NLT:
James 1:
Dear brothers and sisters, whenever trouble comes your way, let it be an opportunity for joy. For when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be strong in character and ready for anything.
If you need wisdom--if you want to know what God wants you to do--ask him, and he will gladly tell you. He will not resent your asking. But when you ask him, be sure that you really expect him to answer, for a doubtful mind is as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. People like that should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. They can't make up their minds. They waver back and forth in everything they do....
God blesses the people who patiently endure testing. Afterward they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him. And remember, no one who wants to do wrong should ever say, "God is tempting me." God is never tempted to do wrong, and he never tempts anyone else either. Temptation comes from the lure of our own evil desires. These evil desires lead to evil actions and evil actions lead to death. So don't be misled, my dear brothers and sisters.
Whatever is good and perfect comes us us from God above, who created all heaven's lights. Unlike them, he never changes or casts shifting shadows. In his goodness he close to make us his own children by giving us his true word. And we, out of all creation, became his choice possession.
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
