Good morning, Dear Friends and Prayer Partners! This is the cool start to the day that the Lord has made and we will rejoice and be glad in it! Seems like we are having one beautiful day after another and the only thing missing is rain!
Yesterday I saw a small gator basking in the sun on the bank and a larger one curled on the other side of the road on the bank of the lake. Colorful butterflies were flitting among the shrubs that were planted for their benefit. Francia has several butterfly gardens at the Park and they all attract yellow, black, large and small butterflies.
Also, the big daddy hawk was keeping a watchful eye out for food for the babies, high in a dead tree across the canal. God is good!
From Quiet Moments:
Faith is a Verb
2Corinthians 5:7 "We live by faith, not by sight."
In "You Can't Afford the Luxury of a Negative Thought," John Roger and Peter McWilliams offered a new description of faith. They chose the word "faithing" to describe their proactive approach to confidence in life's outcomes.
In their thinking, faithing works in the present, acknowledging that there is a purpose to everything and that life in unfolding exactly as it should. It is actively trusting that God can handle our troubles and needs better than we can. All we must do is let them go so that He can do His work.
The Two Boxes
I have in my hand two boxes
Which God gave me to hold.
He said, "Put all your sorrows in the black,
And all your joys in the gold".
I heeded His words, and in the two boxes
Both my joys and sorrows I store,
But though the gold became heavier each day
The black was as light as before.
With curiosity I opened the black.
I wanted to find out why
And I saw, in the base of the box, a hole
Which my sorrows had fallen out by.
I showed the hole to God, and mused aloud,
"I wonder where all my sorrows could be.
He smiled a gentle smile at me,
"My child, they're all here, with Me."
I asked, "God, why give me the boxes,
Why the gold, and the black with the hole?"
"My child, the gold is to count your blessings,
the black is for you to let go."
Faith can put a candle in the darkest night.
Margaret Sangster
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis (31 and counting)
Monday, May 21, 2007
Friday, May 18, 2007
Thoughts for the day
Good morning, Dear Friends and Prayer Partners! This is the beautiful but dry, day that the Lord has made and we will rejoice and be glad in it! We all need to be praying for rain, for everything is drying up!
Yesterday, the hawks were still attracting photographers and binocular people and will continue until they leave the nest.
We have two new families of ducks in our neighborhood. One has a running count of 17 ducklings and the other 29!! While they are cute now, I know many will not survive, and the population has reached a saturation point... I still enjoy watching the busy little critters!
This is a little story from an old FCC newsletter:
Grandpa's Drug Problem
My generation just might have been lucky. I had a "drug" problem, but I turned out all right anyway. I was drug to church on Sunday mornings. I was drug to weddings and funerals. I was drug to family reunions and community socials. I was drug out of bed early in the morning. I was drug to the woodshed when I was disrespectful to my parents. I was also drug to the woodshed when I did not put forth my best effort in everything that was asked of me. I was drug out to pull weeds in mom's garden and flower beds and out of dad's soybean fields.
Those "drugs" still run through my veins and they affect everything I do, say and think.
Signed, Grandpa
Jude 24 NLT
"And now, all glory to God, who is able to keep you from stumbling, and who will bring you into his glorious presence innocent of sin and with great joy. All glory to him, who alone is God our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Yes, glory, majesty, power, and authority belong to him, in the beginning, now, and forevermore. Amen."
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
Yesterday, the hawks were still attracting photographers and binocular people and will continue until they leave the nest.
We have two new families of ducks in our neighborhood. One has a running count of 17 ducklings and the other 29!! While they are cute now, I know many will not survive, and the population has reached a saturation point... I still enjoy watching the busy little critters!
This is a little story from an old FCC newsletter:
Grandpa's Drug Problem
My generation just might have been lucky. I had a "drug" problem, but I turned out all right anyway. I was drug to church on Sunday mornings. I was drug to weddings and funerals. I was drug to family reunions and community socials. I was drug out of bed early in the morning. I was drug to the woodshed when I was disrespectful to my parents. I was also drug to the woodshed when I did not put forth my best effort in everything that was asked of me. I was drug out to pull weeds in mom's garden and flower beds and out of dad's soybean fields.
Those "drugs" still run through my veins and they affect everything I do, say and think.
Signed, Grandpa
Jude 24 NLT
"And now, all glory to God, who is able to keep you from stumbling, and who will bring you into his glorious presence innocent of sin and with great joy. All glory to him, who alone is God our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Yes, glory, majesty, power, and authority belong to him, in the beginning, now, and forevermore. Amen."
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
Thursday, May 17, 2007
Psoaring thru Psalm 37
Good morning, Dear Friends and Prayer Partners! This is the beautiful day that the Lord has made and we will rejoice and be glad in it! Yesterday I was again frustrated in my walk on the boardwalk..the guys were power washing the bridge! I could have walked around them, but I really didn't want to get my shoes that wet, so I walked along the sidewalk and got my exercise in.
As I walked back to the building, Francia was looking at the hawk's nest and I stood and watched the babies moving around in the crowded nest. Francia gave me a little lesson on the species. She said they lay the eggs at different times, and they don't "brood" until the last egg is laid, so some of the babies are older than the others! There are three chicks in the nest and one still has a bit of yellow fuzz. God is Awesome!
From the Promise Bible:
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...
It is better to be godly and have little
than to be evil and possess much.
For the strength of the wicked will be shattered,
but the Lord takes care of the godly.
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
As I walked back to the building, Francia was looking at the hawk's nest and I stood and watched the babies moving around in the crowded nest. Francia gave me a little lesson on the species. She said they lay the eggs at different times, and they don't "brood" until the last egg is laid, so some of the babies are older than the others! There are three chicks in the nest and one still has a bit of yellow fuzz. God is Awesome!
From the Promise Bible:
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...
It is better to be godly and have little
than to be evil and possess much.
For the strength of the wicked will be shattered,
but the Lord takes care of the godly.
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
Wednesday, May 16, 2007
Easin' Thru Ephesians
Good Morning, Dear Friends and Prayer Partners! This is the blue sky day that the Lord has made and we will rejoice and be glad in it! Yes, once again the sky is blue, after about a week of the smoky haze we have had from the wildfires burning all over Florida. Now, Please God, send more rain to put out the fires and end this drought. Amen
I took a short walk yesterday, because once again, the boardwalk was taped off..this time right by the first covered shelter, and Bob was not there so I could beg him to let me through. They are putting treatment on the wood, so actually, the only reason it is blocked off is to protect the machine they were using.
But I saw an anhinga coming out from the water, with tail feathers all splayed out, and stood and watched the baby hawks moving around in the crowded nest, until Ma hawk suddenly flew out. The parents probably lose weight until the young'uns get out of the nest, because they are so busy gathering food for them. God's Creation is fascinating!
Excerpts from Ephesians from the NLT
"Work hard, but not just to please your masters when they are watching. As slaves of Christ, do the will of God with all your heart. Work with enthusiasm, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people. Remember that the Lord will reward each one of us for the good we do, whether we are slaves or free.
"So be careful how you live, not as fools but as those who are wise. Make the most of every opportunity for doing good in these evil days. Don't act thoughtlessly, but try to understand what the Lord wants you to do....Then you will sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs among yourselves, making music to the Lord in your hearts. And you will always give thanks for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ."
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
I took a short walk yesterday, because once again, the boardwalk was taped off..this time right by the first covered shelter, and Bob was not there so I could beg him to let me through. They are putting treatment on the wood, so actually, the only reason it is blocked off is to protect the machine they were using.
But I saw an anhinga coming out from the water, with tail feathers all splayed out, and stood and watched the baby hawks moving around in the crowded nest, until Ma hawk suddenly flew out. The parents probably lose weight until the young'uns get out of the nest, because they are so busy gathering food for them. God's Creation is fascinating!
Excerpts from Ephesians from the NLT
"Work hard, but not just to please your masters when they are watching. As slaves of Christ, do the will of God with all your heart. Work with enthusiasm, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people. Remember that the Lord will reward each one of us for the good we do, whether we are slaves or free.
"So be careful how you live, not as fools but as those who are wise. Make the most of every opportunity for doing good in these evil days. Don't act thoughtlessly, but try to understand what the Lord wants you to do....Then you will sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs among yourselves, making music to the Lord in your hearts. And you will always give thanks for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ."
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
Tuesday, May 15, 2007
Roamin' Thru Romans
Good Morning, Dear Friends and Prayer Partners! This is the coolish day that the Lord has made and we will rejoice and be glad in it! What a lovely, refreshing rain we had mid-afternoon yesterday! A little thunder came with it, but the grass is growing and the flowers blooming and God's timing is perfect!. Maybe we will have another rainstorm today, we pray.
I took a nice long walk yesterday in the Park, with not many people there. I was in time to see a large gator swimming along beside the first covered shelter, where he likes to hang out, and when I spoke to him, he stopped and sank, until only his eyes and nose were visible. I had been warned that the boardwalk was closed off further on, but I saw Bob and a helper finishing up for a break, and asked if I could go on out to the tower. Bob said they would be back in about 15 minutes, and I said I would be finished by then. So they fastened up the "caution tape" again and I had a nice solitary walk and got to see Mama gator in her usual spot. I just ducked under the tape when I finished my walk. God is good!
From the Promise Bible, excerpts from Romans 3
"And so, dear brother and sisters," I plead with you to give your bodies to God. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice--the kind he will accept. When you think of what he has done for you, is this too much to ask?" Don't copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will know what God wants you to do, and you will know how good and pleasing and perfect his will really is....
Just as our bodies have many parts and each part has a special function, so it is with Christ's body. We are all parts of his one body, and each of us has different work to do. And since we are all one body in Christ, we belong to each other, and each of us needs all the others.
God has given each of us the ability to do certain things well. So if God has given you the ability to prophesy, speak out when you have faith that God is speaking through you. If your gift is that of serving others, serve them well. If you are a teacher, do a good job of teaching. If your gift is to encourage others, do it! If you have money, share it generously. If God has given you leadership ability, take the responsibility seriously. And if you have a gift for showing kindness to others, do it gladly.
Don't just pretend that you love others, really love them. Hate what is wrong. Stand for the side of the good. Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other. Never by lazy in your work, but serve the Lord enthusiastically.
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
I took a nice long walk yesterday in the Park, with not many people there. I was in time to see a large gator swimming along beside the first covered shelter, where he likes to hang out, and when I spoke to him, he stopped and sank, until only his eyes and nose were visible. I had been warned that the boardwalk was closed off further on, but I saw Bob and a helper finishing up for a break, and asked if I could go on out to the tower. Bob said they would be back in about 15 minutes, and I said I would be finished by then. So they fastened up the "caution tape" again and I had a nice solitary walk and got to see Mama gator in her usual spot. I just ducked under the tape when I finished my walk. God is good!
From the Promise Bible, excerpts from Romans 3
"And so, dear brother and sisters," I plead with you to give your bodies to God. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice--the kind he will accept. When you think of what he has done for you, is this too much to ask?" Don't copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will know what God wants you to do, and you will know how good and pleasing and perfect his will really is....
Just as our bodies have many parts and each part has a special function, so it is with Christ's body. We are all parts of his one body, and each of us has different work to do. And since we are all one body in Christ, we belong to each other, and each of us needs all the others.
God has given each of us the ability to do certain things well. So if God has given you the ability to prophesy, speak out when you have faith that God is speaking through you. If your gift is that of serving others, serve them well. If you are a teacher, do a good job of teaching. If your gift is to encourage others, do it! If you have money, share it generously. If God has given you leadership ability, take the responsibility seriously. And if you have a gift for showing kindness to others, do it gladly.
Don't just pretend that you love others, really love them. Hate what is wrong. Stand for the side of the good. Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other. Never by lazy in your work, but serve the Lord enthusiastically.
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
Monday, May 14, 2007
Wayside Stops
Good hazy morning, Dear Friends and Prayer Partners! This is the day that the Lord has made and we will rejoice and be glad in it! I hope all the mothers on this list had a wonderful day being remembered for all the things that you do regularly! I had a wonderful day, from the church service to the cards from friends and sons and grandson. God blessed me!
After a provided lunch from Brian, we drove to Dunedin to see what was going on in that small city, after their Scottish celebration. It was a nice ride and a good drive.
We went through Sawgrass and a few people were there, since the air was a little clearer. I did not try to walk, though, it was too warm.
From Quiet Moments:
A sanctuary is a place of refuge and protection-a place where you can leave the world behind.
Travelers in the Middle Ages found little shrines set up along the roadway. In each shrine, a cross and the image of a saint were hung. Travelers could stop at these "sanctuaries" for rest and prayer, regaining strength to continue their journey.
We do not have wayside shrines for rest stops. But our minds and hearts still get weary. We have to devise our own wayside stops, not on actual roads, but in the road of daily life.
We need something more than a worship service on a weekend to keep us going until the next service. We need stopping places during the week, intimate sanctuaries here and there whee we can stop and let God refresh our souls with His presence.
. Reading Scripture is one such stopping place. Immerse yourself in a favorite passage or Psalm.
. A little book of devotion is a good way to restore energy.
. A trusted Christian friend with whom you can be yourself is a type of sanctuary. You can gain a great deal from the faith, encouragement, and insight of others.
. Going to a park or sitting in your own backyard and reading gives you a chance to rest while enjoying God's creation.
.Singing aloud a great hymn or praise song helps to restore your joy.
Jesus is your Example, and He often went away to a quiet place to gain strength from His Heavenly Father. Establish your own personal shrines today!
What sweet delight
a quiet life affords.
William Hawthorden Drummond
John 6:15 Jesus withdrew again to a mountain by himself.
I always give thanks for you remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
After a provided lunch from Brian, we drove to Dunedin to see what was going on in that small city, after their Scottish celebration. It was a nice ride and a good drive.
We went through Sawgrass and a few people were there, since the air was a little clearer. I did not try to walk, though, it was too warm.
From Quiet Moments:
A sanctuary is a place of refuge and protection-a place where you can leave the world behind.
Travelers in the Middle Ages found little shrines set up along the roadway. In each shrine, a cross and the image of a saint were hung. Travelers could stop at these "sanctuaries" for rest and prayer, regaining strength to continue their journey.
We do not have wayside shrines for rest stops. But our minds and hearts still get weary. We have to devise our own wayside stops, not on actual roads, but in the road of daily life.
We need something more than a worship service on a weekend to keep us going until the next service. We need stopping places during the week, intimate sanctuaries here and there whee we can stop and let God refresh our souls with His presence.
. Reading Scripture is one such stopping place. Immerse yourself in a favorite passage or Psalm.
. A little book of devotion is a good way to restore energy.
. A trusted Christian friend with whom you can be yourself is a type of sanctuary. You can gain a great deal from the faith, encouragement, and insight of others.
. Going to a park or sitting in your own backyard and reading gives you a chance to rest while enjoying God's creation.
.Singing aloud a great hymn or praise song helps to restore your joy.
Jesus is your Example, and He often went away to a quiet place to gain strength from His Heavenly Father. Establish your own personal shrines today!
What sweet delight
a quiet life affords.
William Hawthorden Drummond
John 6:15 Jesus withdrew again to a mountain by himself.
I always give thanks for you remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
Friday, May 11, 2007
A Prayer
Good morning, Dear Friends and Prayer Partners! This is the so far clear day that the Lord has made and we will rejoice and be glad in it!
The weathermen all said that we would have more smoke from the wildfires burning north of us, but when I stepped outside this morning, the air was clear and the crescent moon was shining brightly. Thanks be to God!
I walked out to the Tower at Sawgrass yesterday and enjoyed the cool wind blowing, because the sun was very hot. A very young gator was floating away from his usual spot, and we saw the large one sunning on the bank as we drove in. Mama hawk was on her very full nest and another two legged critter, named Gil, came and took photos of us. :o) God is good!
The following prayer is from a prayer service at church several years ago, which I pray daily for myself. I sent this at least once before, but it is worth repeating, I think.
Dear Heavenly Father. I honor You as my Lord. I acknowledge that you are always present with me. You are the only all powerful and only wise God. You are kind and loving in all Your ways. I love you and thank you that I am united with Jesus and spiritually alive in Him.
I thank you for the life that I have in Christ, and I ask you to fill me with your Holy Spirit that I may live my life free from sin. You are the Vine and I am the branch, apart from you I can do nothing. I take my stand against satan and command all his evil spirits to depart from me. I ask these things in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.
Ephesians 3:20
"Now glory be to God! By his mighty power at work within us, he is able to accomplish infinitely more than we would ever dare to ask or hope. May he be given glory in the church and in Christ Jesus forever and ever through endless ages. Amen
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
The weathermen all said that we would have more smoke from the wildfires burning north of us, but when I stepped outside this morning, the air was clear and the crescent moon was shining brightly. Thanks be to God!
I walked out to the Tower at Sawgrass yesterday and enjoyed the cool wind blowing, because the sun was very hot. A very young gator was floating away from his usual spot, and we saw the large one sunning on the bank as we drove in. Mama hawk was on her very full nest and another two legged critter, named Gil, came and took photos of us. :o) God is good!
The following prayer is from a prayer service at church several years ago, which I pray daily for myself. I sent this at least once before, but it is worth repeating, I think.
Dear Heavenly Father. I honor You as my Lord. I acknowledge that you are always present with me. You are the only all powerful and only wise God. You are kind and loving in all Your ways. I love you and thank you that I am united with Jesus and spiritually alive in Him.
I thank you for the life that I have in Christ, and I ask you to fill me with your Holy Spirit that I may live my life free from sin. You are the Vine and I am the branch, apart from you I can do nothing. I take my stand against satan and command all his evil spirits to depart from me. I ask these things in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.
Ephesians 3:20
"Now glory be to God! By his mighty power at work within us, he is able to accomplish infinitely more than we would ever dare to ask or hope. May he be given glory in the church and in Christ Jesus forever and ever through endless ages. Amen
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
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