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 have sunshine and clouds this morning, but what a rain last night. It did not last long, only about thirty minutes, but it just poured down, then moved off. I really believe we have had enough rain for awhile, but God's plans are not my plans. I am thankful for shelter and food and all the things God has provided for me. So while it was raining outside, I sat inside and watched the Rays win again to keep the streak going! Go Rays!
I walked outside for just a little while yesterday, and my, was it hot! I was out just long enough to get the sunshine vitamin, then came back in to the shade, and coolness of the house. I drove over to the park after all the schools were out and saw quite a few people there, enjoying the walks and fairly cool breezes. I passed a family of ducks on the way...Mama, papa, and too many ducklings to count. They were all gathered at one of the many puddles in the street. I noticed the oak trees that were bending almost into the canal, have not given up and fallen, yet, but are very close. They do not bother the wildlife, though, since I saw several ibis perched in the branches, and pecking down below.
I have another Times on the roof. Apparently, the paper carriers give a mighty toss sometimes and it goes straight up to the roof. However, this time they left another near the front door, so I did not have to call. They don't seem to know their own strength!
Well, the wind is blowing again today. like yesterday, so more thundershowers are in my future. But, as always, God is good!
From the Promise Bible NLT:
What purposes do endurance and perseverance serve in my life?
1 Peter 1:6-7 Be truly glad! There is wonderful joy ahead, even though it is necessary for you to endure many trials for a while. These trials are only to test your faith, to show that it is strong and pure. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold--and your faith is far more precious to God than mere gold. So if your faith remains strong after being tried by fiery trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world.
2 Peter 1:5-9 Make every effort to apply the benefits of these promises to your life. Then your faith will produce a life of moral excellence. A life of moral excellence leads to knowing God better. Knowing God leads to self-control. Self-control leads to patient endurance, and finally you will grow to have genuine love for everyone. The more you grow like this, the more you will become productive and useful in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. But those who fail to develop these virtues are blind, or, at least, very shortsighted. They have already forgotten that God has cleansed them from their old life of sin.
Endurance is like the fire that purifies precious metals and hardens valuable pottery. It cleanses, clarifies, and solidifies our faith.Living through the trials and tests of life is often the most significant way to discover the riches of our faith.
I always thank God for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy, and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
