Good evening, Dear Friends and Prayer Partners.
Since I have an early follow-up appointment tomorrow, I thought I would send this from a little friendship book called Bear Hugs:
The joy of being friends is just
A simple code of faith and trust.
A homey comradeship that stays
The threatened fear of darker days.
The kind of faith that brings to light
The good, the beautiful, and bright;
And best and blest, and true and rear--
is having friends who love and care!
I thank my God every time
I remember you. In all my prayers
for all of you, I always pray with joy.
Philippians 1:3-4
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
Tuesday, March 20, 2007
Righteous Fruit
Good morning, Dear Friends and Prayer Partners! This is the cool, beautiful day that the Lord has made and we will rejoice and be glad in it! I saw Venus shining brightly in the clear sky as I stepped outside this morning, and the rest of the stars were slowly fading in the growing dawn.
Yesterday I was able to walk earlier than usual, and enjoyed the quiet with fewer people around. I could hear the birds chirping as they flitted through the trees and found no gators at the tower, but a green heron very intent on finding an unwary fish swimming below him. God has given them the coloring they need to be almost invisible in the brush they hang out in at water's edge.
God always supplies just what we need.
From Quiet Moments:
The role of quiet places played a very important role in the Bible, especially in the area of faith. Christ was alone during much of His life on earth. He would retreat from the multitudes for quiet reflection. ..
The Holy Spirit often speaks to us when we are alone. Quiet places produce peace and contentment. Noise breeds confusion. Order is often regained in silence.
Our culture has become so noisy with technology, industry, entertainment, and transportation that we seldom find time and place for quiet. Yet we may yearn for times when we can think, be quiet, and listen to God. Finding time-actually, making time- for the still times is often a daunting challenge.
If righteousness is sown in peace, then the quiet times when we just sit, listen, and wait for the Lord to speak must produce what is essential for spiritual growth. Seeding quiet time for reflection helps us commune with God. As a result, His righteousness wears off on us, and we begin to pick up some of His characteristics.
The Lord has time to spend with us and is ready to grow His Spirit within us. It is up to us to make the appointment.
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
"The seed whose fruit is righteousness is sown in peace by those who made peace."
James 3:18 NASB
Yesterday I was able to walk earlier than usual, and enjoyed the quiet with fewer people around. I could hear the birds chirping as they flitted through the trees and found no gators at the tower, but a green heron very intent on finding an unwary fish swimming below him. God has given them the coloring they need to be almost invisible in the brush they hang out in at water's edge.
God always supplies just what we need.
From Quiet Moments:
The role of quiet places played a very important role in the Bible, especially in the area of faith. Christ was alone during much of His life on earth. He would retreat from the multitudes for quiet reflection. ..
The Holy Spirit often speaks to us when we are alone. Quiet places produce peace and contentment. Noise breeds confusion. Order is often regained in silence.
Our culture has become so noisy with technology, industry, entertainment, and transportation that we seldom find time and place for quiet. Yet we may yearn for times when we can think, be quiet, and listen to God. Finding time-actually, making time- for the still times is often a daunting challenge.
If righteousness is sown in peace, then the quiet times when we just sit, listen, and wait for the Lord to speak must produce what is essential for spiritual growth. Seeding quiet time for reflection helps us commune with God. As a result, His righteousness wears off on us, and we begin to pick up some of His characteristics.
The Lord has time to spend with us and is ready to grow His Spirit within us. It is up to us to make the appointment.
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
"The seed whose fruit is righteousness is sown in peace by those who made peace."
James 3:18 NASB
Monday, March 19, 2007
James
Good morning, Dear Friends and Prayer Partners! This is the cool, day that the Lord has made and we will rejoice and be glad in it! What a beautiful day yesterday was, and today promises to be the same.
We rode to Joe's Creek Park yesterday and I walked to the new covered shelter that overlooks the lake. The cool breeze was blowing, and I watched anhingas, a great blue heron, lots of turtles sunning on a log and off in the distance a couple of boys on bicycles. This is a new park and I don't understand why more people don't use it. Sawgrass was packed with tourists and families enjoying the weather and being able to exercise without snow! God is good!
From the Promise Bible:
James Chapter 1 excerpts;
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 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 to us from God above, who created all heaven's lights. Unlike them he never changes or casts shifting shadows In his goodness he chose 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
We rode to Joe's Creek Park yesterday and I walked to the new covered shelter that overlooks the lake. The cool breeze was blowing, and I watched anhingas, a great blue heron, lots of turtles sunning on a log and off in the distance a couple of boys on bicycles. This is a new park and I don't understand why more people don't use it. Sawgrass was packed with tourists and families enjoying the weather and being able to exercise without snow! God is good!
From the Promise Bible:
James Chapter 1 excerpts;
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 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 to us from God above, who created all heaven's lights. Unlike them he never changes or casts shifting shadows In his goodness he chose 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
Friday, March 16, 2007
Proverbs 3:6
Good morning, dear friends and Prayer Partners! This is the damp day that the Lord has made and we will rejoice and be glad in it!
That was a nice rainstorm we had last night, but it didn't last long enough! However, the fire danger is still high, so we will take what we can get and thank God for it.
Yesterday, as I was walking, I came across a tiny, green tree frog sitting on the boardwalk, not moving. I almost stepped on him, and then decided to take a picture of him, so I snapped two shots, one from the front and one from above. He still didn't move, so I went on hoping no one would step on him.
As I started to get in the car, a hawk started screeching right over my head, so I looked up in time to see it fly over to a dead tree with lunch in his claws. Then, on the way out, I saw a medium sized gator totally on the bank, soaking up some rays! God is awesome!
From Quiet Moments:
End of work prayer
"In all your ways acknowledge him and he will direct your paths." Proverbs 3:6
Many people are quick to pray before they eat, before they begin a new project, before they attempt something for the first time, or before they embark on a long journey. They desire to start on the right foot, so they ask for God's help, protection, creativity, and blessing. But oftentimes they forget to pray at the end of a workday, journey or task.
Simeon had lived his entire life waiting to see the Messiah-a promise the Lord had made to him. Upon seeing the infant Jesus in the temple, Simeon took him in his arms, blessed God, and said, "Lord, now You are letting Your servant depart in peace. According to Your word; For my eyes have seen Your salvation"(Luke 2:29-30 NKJV) Simeon recognized that God had been faithful to His Word, and his heart was encouraged and filled with joy.
Simeon is a wonderful example of how we need to begin and end the events of our lives with prayer. When we reach the end of a day, haggard and weary, we can remember Simeon's prayer, "Lord, let Your servant depart in peace, according to Your Word."
Knowing God was with us today and He will be with us tomorrow, we can move on to the evening hours with freedom and a sense of satisfaction.
Is prayer your steering wheel
or your spare tire?
Corrie Ten Boom
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
That was a nice rainstorm we had last night, but it didn't last long enough! However, the fire danger is still high, so we will take what we can get and thank God for it.
Yesterday, as I was walking, I came across a tiny, green tree frog sitting on the boardwalk, not moving. I almost stepped on him, and then decided to take a picture of him, so I snapped two shots, one from the front and one from above. He still didn't move, so I went on hoping no one would step on him.
As I started to get in the car, a hawk started screeching right over my head, so I looked up in time to see it fly over to a dead tree with lunch in his claws. Then, on the way out, I saw a medium sized gator totally on the bank, soaking up some rays! God is awesome!
From Quiet Moments:
End of work prayer
"In all your ways acknowledge him and he will direct your paths." Proverbs 3:6
Many people are quick to pray before they eat, before they begin a new project, before they attempt something for the first time, or before they embark on a long journey. They desire to start on the right foot, so they ask for God's help, protection, creativity, and blessing. But oftentimes they forget to pray at the end of a workday, journey or task.
Simeon had lived his entire life waiting to see the Messiah-a promise the Lord had made to him. Upon seeing the infant Jesus in the temple, Simeon took him in his arms, blessed God, and said, "Lord, now You are letting Your servant depart in peace. According to Your word; For my eyes have seen Your salvation"(Luke 2:29-30 NKJV) Simeon recognized that God had been faithful to His Word, and his heart was encouraged and filled with joy.
Simeon is a wonderful example of how we need to begin and end the events of our lives with prayer. When we reach the end of a day, haggard and weary, we can remember Simeon's prayer, "Lord, let Your servant depart in peace, according to Your Word."
Knowing God was with us today and He will be with us tomorrow, we can move on to the evening hours with freedom and a sense of satisfaction.
Is prayer your steering wheel
or your spare tire?
Corrie Ten Boom
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
Thursday, March 15, 2007
Psoaring thru Psalms
Good morning, dear Friends and Prayer Partners! This is another beautiful, dry day that the Lord has made and we will rejoice and be glad in it! The moon is sinking lower and lower in the southeast and Venus is getting higher and higher in the southwest these early mornings.
Yesterday I walked out to the tower at the Park and saw a baby gator, about 18 inches long swimming along Looking for food. I heard and stopped and looked and finally caught a glimpse of my favorite catbird and also a tiny wren flitting through the trees!
I was amused by a fuzzy headed anhinga, which apparently had dried out and was just sitting on the tree branch. They are usually very sleek and wet, which was why I was amused. God's creation is awesome!
Psalm 37
Don't worry about the wicked.
Don't envy those who do wrong.
For like grass, they soon fade away.
Like springtime flowers, they soon wither.
Trust in the Lord and do good.
Then you will live safely in the land and prosper.
Take delight in the Lord and he will give you your heart's desires.
Commit everything you do to the Lord.
Trust him and he will help you.
He will make your innocence as clear as the dawn.
and the justice of your cause will shine like the noonday sun.
Be still in the presence of the Lord
and wait patiently for him to act.
Don't worry about evil people who prosper
or fret about their wicked schemes.
vs. 23 The steps of the godly are directed by the Lord.
He delights in every detail of their lives.
Though they stumble they will not fall.
for the Lord holds them by the hand,
I always give thanks for you remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love.
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
Yesterday I walked out to the tower at the Park and saw a baby gator, about 18 inches long swimming along Looking for food. I heard and stopped and looked and finally caught a glimpse of my favorite catbird and also a tiny wren flitting through the trees!
I was amused by a fuzzy headed anhinga, which apparently had dried out and was just sitting on the tree branch. They are usually very sleek and wet, which was why I was amused. God's creation is awesome!
Psalm 37
Don't worry about the wicked.
Don't envy those who do wrong.
For like grass, they soon fade away.
Like springtime flowers, they soon wither.
Trust in the Lord and do good.
Then you will live safely in the land and prosper.
Take delight in the Lord and he will give you your heart's desires.
Commit everything you do to the Lord.
Trust him and he will help you.
He will make your innocence as clear as the dawn.
and the justice of your cause will shine like the noonday sun.
Be still in the presence of the Lord
and wait patiently for him to act.
Don't worry about evil people who prosper
or fret about their wicked schemes.
vs. 23 The steps of the godly are directed by the Lord.
He delights in every detail of their lives.
Though they stumble they will not fall.
for the Lord holds them by the hand,
I always give thanks for you remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love.
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
Wednesday, March 14, 2007
Blessings
Good morning, Dear friends and Prayer Partners, Due to early morning lab work, this is a little late today, but this is the day that the Lord has made and we will rejoice and be glad in it!
I saw five peacocks yesterday on the way to the park and took a walk out to the third bridge amidst the coolness and quietness of the ferns and oak trees. The sun was warm but the breeze was very cool. All the Nile perch have made their nests in the water and constantly watch and fan their tails to keep intruders out of the way.
This is a reading from the little book You're a Blessing to Me...
"I believe that God brings us many precious gifts during our lives-spectacular sunsets, good food, the warmth of the sunshine, and the refreshment of cool rains.
But even with all those great gifts, and many more besides, he didn't stop there. He gave us people, people like you, who bless our lives with kindness.'"
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
I saw five peacocks yesterday on the way to the park and took a walk out to the third bridge amidst the coolness and quietness of the ferns and oak trees. The sun was warm but the breeze was very cool. All the Nile perch have made their nests in the water and constantly watch and fan their tails to keep intruders out of the way.
This is a reading from the little book You're a Blessing to Me...
"I believe that God brings us many precious gifts during our lives-spectacular sunsets, good food, the warmth of the sunshine, and the refreshment of cool rains.
But even with all those great gifts, and many more besides, he didn't stop there. He gave us people, people like you, who bless our lives with kindness.'"
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
Tuesday, March 13, 2007
Challenges
Good morning, Dear Friends and Prayer Partners! This is another beautiful warm, spring day that the Lord has made and we will rejoice and be glad in it! I noticed the bright, sliver of the waning moon this morning as it sank slowly in the east and Venus was high in the southeast, very visible in the clear dark sky.
Yesterday I took a short walk in the park, which was crowded with a class of students, and birders getting a lecture about different birds. They were all in the shelter to the first bridge, which created a traffic jam of sorts.(The students were sitting on the sidewalk in front of the environmental building.)
The big attraction was a large gator sunning up on the bank, with a roseate spoonbill not far from him and several ducks beside the spoonbill. They seemed to be getting along peacefully! God is good!
From the Promise Bible:
Why does God allow challenges in our lives?
James 1:2-4 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."
Challenges that threaten and try us are the very tools that God uses to strengthen and mature us. As we endure, we gain greater wisdom, integrity, and courage to face whatever comes our way.
Are some challenges too small to bother God?
Psalm 37:5 "Commit everything you do to the Lord. Trust him, and he will help you."
Nothing is too small for God. When we commit our plans to the Lord, he commits himself and his infinite resources to us.
What has God given me to help me face my challenges?
Joshua 1:7 "Be strong and very courageous. Obey all the laws Moses gave you. Do not turn away from them, and you will be successful in everything you do."
God has given us his word to direct us. The promise of success is embedded in our commitment to obedience.
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
Yesterday I took a short walk in the park, which was crowded with a class of students, and birders getting a lecture about different birds. They were all in the shelter to the first bridge, which created a traffic jam of sorts.(The students were sitting on the sidewalk in front of the environmental building.)
The big attraction was a large gator sunning up on the bank, with a roseate spoonbill not far from him and several ducks beside the spoonbill. They seemed to be getting along peacefully! God is good!
From the Promise Bible:
Why does God allow challenges in our lives?
James 1:2-4 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."
Challenges that threaten and try us are the very tools that God uses to strengthen and mature us. As we endure, we gain greater wisdom, integrity, and courage to face whatever comes our way.
Are some challenges too small to bother God?
Psalm 37:5 "Commit everything you do to the Lord. Trust him, and he will help you."
Nothing is too small for God. When we commit our plans to the Lord, he commits himself and his infinite resources to us.
What has God given me to help me face my challenges?
Joshua 1:7 "Be strong and very courageous. Obey all the laws Moses gave you. Do not turn away from them, and you will be successful in everything you do."
God has given us his word to direct us. The promise of success is embedded in our commitment to obedience.
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
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