I watched the Capitol Fourth with lots of music, some honoring our wounded troops, who were there in wheelchairs with friends and family. It was a wonderful presentation and a good fireworks display all around the Washington monument. It brought back memories of when Louis and I visited D.C., and went to the top of the monument for a beautiful view of the city. We visited all the Memorials and Arlington National Cemetery and John Kennedy's eternal light. We even got to tour the White House. This was before all the security. Good memories!
Driving through the park yesterday, I was surprised at so few people. I thought maybe it would be full of picnickers, but since there is not playground for kids, perhaps the beaches and other parks were better choices. I did see flocks of ibis, and an egret and anhinga. I had mentioned all the toadstools..well, they were gone, but I had three clusters of dark ones pop up in my front yard. They were there one day but yesterday, I did not see them. Maybe the squirrels decided they were tasty! God is good!
From the devotional Knowing God:
Be cheerful no matter what; pray all the time;
thank God no matter what happens.
This is the way God wants you who belong to Christ Jesus to live.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
If you genuinely desire to know God, then you must pray....a lot. Is prayer an integral part of your daily life, or is it a hit-or-miss habit? Do you "pray without ceasing." or is your prayer life an afterthought? Do you regularly pray in the quiet moments of the early morning, or do you bow your head only when others are watching? If your prayers have become more a matter of habit than a matter of passion, you're robbing yourself of a deeper relationship with God. And how can you rectify this situation? By praying more frequently and more fervently. God is always near, and He's always ready to hear from you. Do don't worry about things; pray about them. God is waiting....and listening!
God makes prayer as easy as possible for us. He's completely approachable and available, and He'll never mock or upbraid us for bringing our needs before him.
Lord, we pray because You desire it and because we need it. Prayer not only changes things, it also changes us. Help us, Lord, never to face the demands of the day without first spending time with You, and help us make prayer a part of everything that we do and everything that we are. Amen
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs, Amaryllis
