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 weather is still beautiful with lots of sunshine and wind blowing this morning. However we still desperately need rain all over the state!
My day did not start off too well, I knocked over a large glass of water while I was enjoying breakfast, so had to stop and mop . Well, it could have been milk, so it wasn't all bad...just took a lot longer than I had planned. And this afternoon I go to my dermatologist where I will probably come out stinging where he freezes all the potential skin cancers that develop every six months. That goes with pale skin and living in Florida.
Yesterday I saw in my backyard, a squirrel sitting on top of the fence very still. I stood and watched him for a while, wondering if he was sick, but he just sat there sunning. I checked later and he was gone, so I guess he was just resting, which is unusual for squirrels! And over at the park, the squirrels seem to have thinned out, because the workers have to capture them for relocation after they get so aggressive from people giving them peanuts. I did not see the gator at the lake, but turtles were on the other side and lots of people were enjoying that spot of beauty very near the city. God is good!
From the Promise Bible NLT:
How Can I be joyful in hard times?
Habakkuk 3:17,18 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!
Philippians 4:4,12 Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again--rejoice! I know how to live on almost nothing, or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach, or empty, with plenty or little.
Joy is a choice. We may not realize it, but we choose our moods, and our attitudes. God's promises in Christ are the basis for choosing joy no matter what we face.
James 1:2 Dear Brothers and Sisters, whenever trouble comes your way, let it be an opportunity for joy.
Troubles remind us of two things. First, they remind us that this is a fallen world full of futility and frustration. Second they remind us to turn to a God who will never disappoint us. God promises us lasting joy for all those who believe in him. This kind of joy stays with us despite our problems.
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, love and joy!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
