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! Since I last wrote, we have turned over a new month and this time, March came in like a lamb! The old saying goes, it will go out like a lion!
I hope you early risers saw the gorgeous sight in the sky this morning. The thin crescent moon was hanging low in the southeastern sky and Venus was just a little above it. Tomorrow there won't be a moon, but Venus will still be there! And we have been having some colorful sunsets these days. God is good!
The trees are all greening out at the park, and the desolate, bare branches hanging over the water are now, all green and pretty. As soon as our trees get through shedding, they will be all newly green. Spring is here!
I have a dear friend who loves to work in her yard, because it releases anxiety, so I thought of her when I read this from Quiet Moments with God:
1 Corinthians 15:58
"My beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your toil is not in vain in the Lord."
The landscapes around a home are usually very personal and reflect the individual taste of the homeowners. Making the outside reflect the owner is a unique talent landscape architects and novice gardeners have in common....
Landscaping is indeed an art, but it is also much more. These eye-catching scenes say something about the owner. they express the preferences of the owner, giving insight into what is appreciated and worth all that effort to create.
Most gardeners will tell you that even though they love gardening, it's still work. It involves investing money, time, and hard work to create the desired results. For the first year or two, a well-landscaped yard requires just about as much work as a new baby does. It takes preparation and commitment - and a lot of hard work.
The way we live our physical lives also expresses who we are and what we appreciate. It takes preparation, the nourishment of the Word, and constant attention to the weeds in our daily lives in order to create a beautiful and satisfying spiritual landscape.
One thorn of experience is wortha whole wilderness of warning.
James Russell Lowell
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
Monday, March 3, 2008
Friday, February 29, 2008
Psoaring thru Psalm 37
Good morning, Dear Friends and Prayer Partners! This is another chilly day that the Lord has made and we will rejoice and be glad in it!
We can be thankful that the sun is shining and the wind is not quite so strong and it looks like a beautiful day ...an extra day that the Lord has given us!
I looked at an anhinga perched on a drainage pipe at the park yesterday, and noticed the black and white of its wings and feathers. I was thinking how uniquely God had formed this bird that swims underwater for its meals and then dries out its feathers so it can fly. A walker came toward me and said, "That's an ugly bird, isn't it?"
I guess it all depends on your point of view. God is Awesome!
From the Promise Bible NLT:
Psalm 37:3-9
"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.
Stop your anger!
Turn from your rage!
Do not envy others-
it only leads to harm.
For the wicked will be destroyed,
but those who trust in the Lord will
possess the land."
John Wesley advised:
do all the good you can,
by all the means you can,
in all the ways you can,
in all the places you can,
to all the people you can
as long as you can.
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
We can be thankful that the sun is shining and the wind is not quite so strong and it looks like a beautiful day ...an extra day that the Lord has given us!
I looked at an anhinga perched on a drainage pipe at the park yesterday, and noticed the black and white of its wings and feathers. I was thinking how uniquely God had formed this bird that swims underwater for its meals and then dries out its feathers so it can fly. A walker came toward me and said, "That's an ugly bird, isn't it?"
I guess it all depends on your point of view. God is Awesome!
From the Promise Bible NLT:
Psalm 37:3-9
"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.
Stop your anger!
Turn from your rage!
Do not envy others-
it only leads to harm.
For the wicked will be destroyed,
but those who trust in the Lord will
possess the land."
John Wesley advised:
do all the good you can,
by all the means you can,
in all the ways you can,
in all the places you can,
to all the people you can
as long as you can.
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
Thursday, February 28, 2008
Blessings
Good Morning, Dear Friends and Prayer Partners! This is the chilly day that the Lord has made and we will rejoice and be glad in it! The temp. was down to 47 when I stepped outside this morning, and a cold wind was blowing, but the half moon was shining brilliantly in the cloudless sky and Venus was sparkling in the southeast. So God is Awesome!
Well, the weather will soon warm up again, and we really can't complain, but hot soup and hot tea really appeal to me, now!
We saw few people at the park yesterday, but the ibis were out as usual, lined up in a row across the canal busily pecking for grubs and whatever else they eat. The trees are beginning to bloom and although the oak trees are still shedding, the new green leaves are beginning to bud. Our very old azalea bush in the back of the house is full of blooms, but no one can see them..still it is a spot of beauty. We are blessed!
From the Promise Bible NLT:
How has God promised to bless his people?
Numbers 6:24-26 "May the Lord bless you and protect you. May the Lord smile on you and be gracious to you. May the Lord show you his favor and give you his peace."
God's blessing encompasses all of life. We live in his protection, his presence,and his peace. Nothing this world offers can compare in scope or duration with the blessing of God.
Jeremiah 17:7 "Blessed are those who trust in the Lord and have made the Lord their hope and confidence."
We are tempted to base our hope and confidence on worldly circumstances such as a good job or financial security. But these cannot compare to the promises that we have in God, the creator of heaven and earth. Put your hope where it cannot and will not be shaken.
Can we do things that affect how much God blesses us?
Psalm 84:11 " The Lord God is our light and protection. He gives us grace and glory. No good thing will the Lord withhold from those who do what is right."
God promises to bless those who do what is right; he doesn't extend the same promise to those who don't do what is right.
Proverbs 19:17 "If you help the poor, you are lending to the Lord-and he will repay you!"
God promises to bless those who help the poor.
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
Well, the weather will soon warm up again, and we really can't complain, but hot soup and hot tea really appeal to me, now!
We saw few people at the park yesterday, but the ibis were out as usual, lined up in a row across the canal busily pecking for grubs and whatever else they eat. The trees are beginning to bloom and although the oak trees are still shedding, the new green leaves are beginning to bud. Our very old azalea bush in the back of the house is full of blooms, but no one can see them..still it is a spot of beauty. We are blessed!
From the Promise Bible NLT:
How has God promised to bless his people?
Numbers 6:24-26 "May the Lord bless you and protect you. May the Lord smile on you and be gracious to you. May the Lord show you his favor and give you his peace."
God's blessing encompasses all of life. We live in his protection, his presence,and his peace. Nothing this world offers can compare in scope or duration with the blessing of God.
Jeremiah 17:7 "Blessed are those who trust in the Lord and have made the Lord their hope and confidence."
We are tempted to base our hope and confidence on worldly circumstances such as a good job or financial security. But these cannot compare to the promises that we have in God, the creator of heaven and earth. Put your hope where it cannot and will not be shaken.
Can we do things that affect how much God blesses us?
Psalm 84:11 " The Lord God is our light and protection. He gives us grace and glory. No good thing will the Lord withhold from those who do what is right."
God promises to bless those who do what is right; he doesn't extend the same promise to those who don't do what is right.
Proverbs 19:17 "If you help the poor, you are lending to the Lord-and he will repay you!"
God promises to bless those who help the poor.
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
Taming the tongue
Good chilly morning, Dear Friends and Prayer Partners! This is the day that the Lord has made and we will rejoice and be glad in it! When I stepped outside this morning, I noticed the crisp, wind blowing and the clouds scooting across the sky, so that no moon or stars were visible. But while it will be cool for a day or two, soon we will be back up to eighty and wishing for cooler weather!
Because of a painful knee and foot, I didn't walk yesterday, but did drive through the park and saw the anhingas drying their wings and a very large woodstork between two lakes.. While we have oak leaves all over our front yard and driveway, the park has truckloads of leaves all over! And I noticed already the bothersome seeds are beginning to fall. Look out cars! But God is good!
From the NLT:
James 3
Dear brothers and sisters, not many of you should become teachers in the church, for we who teach will be judged by God with greater strictness.
We all make many mistakes, but those who control their tongues can also control themselves in every other way. We can make a large horse turn around and go wherever we want by means of a small bit in the mouth. And a tiny rudder makes a huge ship turn wherever the pilot wants it to go, even though the winds are strong. So, also, the tongue is a small thing, but what enormous damage it can do. A tiny spark can set a great forest on fire. And the tongue is a flame of fire. It is full of wickedness that can ruin your whole life. It can turn the entire course of your life into a blazing flame of destruction, for it is set on fire by hell itself.
People can tame all kinds of animals and birds and reptiles and fish, but no one can tame the tongue. It is an uncontrollable evil, full of deadly poison. Sometimes it praises our Lord and Father and sometimes it breaks out into curses against those who have been made in the image of God. And so blessing and cursing come pouring out of the same mouth. Surely my brothers and sisters, this is not right! Does a spring of water bubble out with both fresh water and bitter water? Can you pick olives from a fig tree or figs from a grapevine? No, and you can't draw fresh water from a salty pool.
If you are wise and understand God's ways, live a life of steady goodness so that only good deeds will pour forth. And if you don't brag about the good you do, then you will be truly wise!
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
Because of a painful knee and foot, I didn't walk yesterday, but did drive through the park and saw the anhingas drying their wings and a very large woodstork between two lakes.. While we have oak leaves all over our front yard and driveway, the park has truckloads of leaves all over! And I noticed already the bothersome seeds are beginning to fall. Look out cars! But God is good!
From the NLT:
James 3
Dear brothers and sisters, not many of you should become teachers in the church, for we who teach will be judged by God with greater strictness.
We all make many mistakes, but those who control their tongues can also control themselves in every other way. We can make a large horse turn around and go wherever we want by means of a small bit in the mouth. And a tiny rudder makes a huge ship turn wherever the pilot wants it to go, even though the winds are strong. So, also, the tongue is a small thing, but what enormous damage it can do. A tiny spark can set a great forest on fire. And the tongue is a flame of fire. It is full of wickedness that can ruin your whole life. It can turn the entire course of your life into a blazing flame of destruction, for it is set on fire by hell itself.
People can tame all kinds of animals and birds and reptiles and fish, but no one can tame the tongue. It is an uncontrollable evil, full of deadly poison. Sometimes it praises our Lord and Father and sometimes it breaks out into curses against those who have been made in the image of God. And so blessing and cursing come pouring out of the same mouth. Surely my brothers and sisters, this is not right! Does a spring of water bubble out with both fresh water and bitter water? Can you pick olives from a fig tree or figs from a grapevine? No, and you can't draw fresh water from a salty pool.
If you are wise and understand God's ways, live a life of steady goodness so that only good deeds will pour forth. And if you don't brag about the good you do, then you will be truly wise!
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
Joggin' thru James
Good windy, cloudy, morning, Dear Friends and Prayer Partners! This is the changeable day that the Lord has made and we will rejoice and be glad in it!
After yesterday's beauty with the sun and warm air, I fear that more winter is coming. The mango tree in the neighbor's yard is full of tiny mangos, so hopefully the cold will not be severe.
Yesterday I enjoyed my walk and stopped at the first covered shelter to see a gator come out of a cove and swim toward me. He stopped right below me, so I watched a while and walked on to the tower. There I looked up to see two ospreys slowly circling as the wind caused them to glide. I was hoping one of them would hover, but they were very graceful and fun to watch.
On my way back I stopped at the shelter again, just in time to see the large gator heave himself up on the bank for a few rays. God is good!
James 1:2-13 NLT
"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. Bur 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.
Christians who are poor should be glad, for God has honored them. And those who are rich should be glad, for God has humbled them. They will fade away like a flower in the field. The hot sun rises and dries up the grass, the flower withers, and its beauty fades away. So also . wealthy people will fade away with all their achievements.
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."
Hebrews 10:36
"Patient endurance is what you need now, so you will continue to do God's will. Then you will receive all that He has promised."
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
After yesterday's beauty with the sun and warm air, I fear that more winter is coming. The mango tree in the neighbor's yard is full of tiny mangos, so hopefully the cold will not be severe.
Yesterday I enjoyed my walk and stopped at the first covered shelter to see a gator come out of a cove and swim toward me. He stopped right below me, so I watched a while and walked on to the tower. There I looked up to see two ospreys slowly circling as the wind caused them to glide. I was hoping one of them would hover, but they were very graceful and fun to watch.
On my way back I stopped at the shelter again, just in time to see the large gator heave himself up on the bank for a few rays. God is good!
James 1:2-13 NLT
"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. Bur 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.
Christians who are poor should be glad, for God has honored them. And those who are rich should be glad, for God has humbled them. They will fade away like a flower in the field. The hot sun rises and dries up the grass, the flower withers, and its beauty fades away. So also . wealthy people will fade away with all their achievements.
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."
Hebrews 10:36
"Patient endurance is what you need now, so you will continue to do God's will. Then you will receive all that He has promised."
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
Monday, February 25, 2008
Roamin' thru Romans
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!
When I stepped outside this morning, the three quarter moon was mistily shining and stars were twinkling through the mist. No fog here, but hanging overhead. But the weather is warm, and now the sky is clear. God is good!
As I entered the park yesterday, a gator was lounging on the far bank of the canal, taking it easy and drying off, although there was no sun. I took a short walk, but due to the number of people on the boardwalk, pushing strollers, running children and crowds, I didn't go far. I prefer few or no people when I walk, so I can listen to the sounds and be with my thoughts. It turned out to be a very warm day!
From the book Quiet Moments with God:
The Value of Disaster
For ten years, Thomas Edison attempted to invent a storage battery. His efforts greatly strained his finances and, in December 1914, nearly brought him to ruin when a spontaneous combustion broke out in his film room. Within minutes all the packing compounds, celluloid for records and film, and other flammable goods were ablaze. Though fire departments came from eight surrounding towns, the intense heat and low water pressure made attempts to douse the flames futile. Everything was destroyed.
While the damage exceeded $2 million, the concrete building, thought to be fireproof, were insured for barely a tenth of that amount, The inventor's twenty four year old son, Charles, searched frantically for his father, afraid that his spirit would be broken. Charles finally found him, calmly watching the fire, his face glowing in the reflection, white hair blowing in the wind.
"My heart ached for him," said Charles. "He was sixty-seven-no longer a young man-and everything was going up in flames.
"When he saw me, he shouted, "Charles, where's your mother?"
When I told him I didn't know, he said, "Find her. Bring her here. She will never see anything like this as long as she lives."
The next morning, Edison looked at the ruins and said, "There is great value in disaster. All our mistakes are burned up. Thank God we can start anew."
Three weeks after the fire, Edison managed to deliver the first phonograph.
With each new day, we have the opportunity to start again, to start fresh - no matter what our circumstances. Let the Lord show you how to salvage hope from debris. You never know what joys lie ahead.
Romans 5:3
"We glory in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance."
Hope is like the sun, which, as we journey towards it, casts a shadow of our burden behind us.
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
When I stepped outside this morning, the three quarter moon was mistily shining and stars were twinkling through the mist. No fog here, but hanging overhead. But the weather is warm, and now the sky is clear. God is good!
As I entered the park yesterday, a gator was lounging on the far bank of the canal, taking it easy and drying off, although there was no sun. I took a short walk, but due to the number of people on the boardwalk, pushing strollers, running children and crowds, I didn't go far. I prefer few or no people when I walk, so I can listen to the sounds and be with my thoughts. It turned out to be a very warm day!
From the book Quiet Moments with God:
The Value of Disaster
For ten years, Thomas Edison attempted to invent a storage battery. His efforts greatly strained his finances and, in December 1914, nearly brought him to ruin when a spontaneous combustion broke out in his film room. Within minutes all the packing compounds, celluloid for records and film, and other flammable goods were ablaze. Though fire departments came from eight surrounding towns, the intense heat and low water pressure made attempts to douse the flames futile. Everything was destroyed.
While the damage exceeded $2 million, the concrete building, thought to be fireproof, were insured for barely a tenth of that amount, The inventor's twenty four year old son, Charles, searched frantically for his father, afraid that his spirit would be broken. Charles finally found him, calmly watching the fire, his face glowing in the reflection, white hair blowing in the wind.
"My heart ached for him," said Charles. "He was sixty-seven-no longer a young man-and everything was going up in flames.
"When he saw me, he shouted, "Charles, where's your mother?"
When I told him I didn't know, he said, "Find her. Bring her here. She will never see anything like this as long as she lives."
The next morning, Edison looked at the ruins and said, "There is great value in disaster. All our mistakes are burned up. Thank God we can start anew."
Three weeks after the fire, Edison managed to deliver the first phonograph.
With each new day, we have the opportunity to start again, to start fresh - no matter what our circumstances. Let the Lord show you how to salvage hope from debris. You never know what joys lie ahead.
Romans 5:3
"We glory in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance."
Hope is like the sun, which, as we journey towards it, casts a shadow of our burden behind us.
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
Friday, February 22, 2008
Time
Good morning, Dear Friends and Prayer Partners! This is the warm day that the Lord has made and we will rejoice and be glad in it! As I stepped outside this morning, I saw the glow from the full moon over the house high in the west and noticed a large misty ring glowing in its brightness. I took off my glasses, thinking my eyes were blurry, but there it was. It must have been the misty fog that created the halo effect. God is Awesome!
As I was driving into the park yesterday, I saw Mr. Peacock, once more in front of a white garage door, just folding his tail feathers, although there were no peahens present. I think he was just strutting to show off! ;o)
The clouds were threatening, but it was warm, so lots of people were taking advantage of the spring-like weather. The community service workers were raking up leaves and had a pickup truck full with lots more to rake! The leaves are falling and the pollen is floating! Allergy time is here. But, we are thankful for the good weather we have!
From the Promise Bible NLT
A Time for Everything Ecc. 3
"There is a time for everything,
a season for every activity under heaven,
a time to be born and a time to die.
A time to plant and a time to harvest.
A time to kill and a time to heal.
A time to tear down and a time to rebuild. a time to cry and a time to laugh.
A time to grieve and a time to dance.
A time to scatter stones and a time to gather stones.
A time to embrace and a time to turn away.
A time to search and a time to lose.
A time to keep and a time to throw away.
A time to tear and a time to mend.
A time to love and a time to hate.
A time for war and a time for peace."
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
As I was driving into the park yesterday, I saw Mr. Peacock, once more in front of a white garage door, just folding his tail feathers, although there were no peahens present. I think he was just strutting to show off! ;o)
The clouds were threatening, but it was warm, so lots of people were taking advantage of the spring-like weather. The community service workers were raking up leaves and had a pickup truck full with lots more to rake! The leaves are falling and the pollen is floating! Allergy time is here. But, we are thankful for the good weather we have!
From the Promise Bible NLT
A Time for Everything Ecc. 3
"There is a time for everything,
a season for every activity under heaven,
a time to be born and a time to die.
A time to plant and a time to harvest.
A time to kill and a time to heal.
A time to tear down and a time to rebuild. a time to cry and a time to laugh.
A time to grieve and a time to dance.
A time to scatter stones and a time to gather stones.
A time to embrace and a time to turn away.
A time to search and a time to lose.
A time to keep and a time to throw away.
A time to tear and a time to mend.
A time to love and a time to hate.
A time for war and a time for peace."
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)