Good morning, Dear friends and Prayer Partners! This is the cloudy day that the Lord has made and we will rejoice and be glad in it!
We usually welcome a cloudy, rainy day because of the mostly sunshine we have all the time, so even though it is windy, the air is warm and humid, so we rejoice!
No stars this morning when I stepped outside and I did all the outside errands yesterday before any rain could dampen my spirits!
I saw a big, fat, shiny black gator heave himself up on the bank of the canal yesterday at the Park in the bright sun. Guess he was hoping to warm up a bit. There is always something going on in the Park.
As I walked recently, one of the staff that I had met briefly and never conversed with, came toward me in a cart, so I stopped to let him by, and he stopped, turned off the motor, and chatted with me. There are budget cuts in the county and seventy or so employees will be laid off, or moved around, and he thinks he may be one of them, because he doesn't have many years in. I feel sorry for those who feel the pinch of the economy.
But I give praises that God has always provided for our needs and a lot of our wants! God is good!!
Excerpts from Colossians NLT:
Col. 3 "Since God chose you to be the holy people whom he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. You must make allowance for each other's faults and forgive the person who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. And the most important piece of clothing you must wear is love. Love is what binds us all together in perfect harmony. And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are all called to live in peace. And always be thankful."
"Work hard and cheerfully at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people. Remember that the Lord will give you an inheritance as your reward, and the Master you are serving is Christ."
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
Friday, March 7, 2008
Thursday, March 6, 2008
Roamin' Thru Romans
Good morning, Dear Friends and Prayer Partners! This is another cool day that the Lord has made and we will be glad and rejoice in it! When I stepped outside this morning, I could feel the cool air and was surprised that it was not as cold as I thought. I didn't want to leave the cozy bed because I thought it was colder than it is!
But the stars were glittering through the puffy clouds and shining in the darkness, so all is well.
As I drove into the Park yesterday, Terry was standing beside a huge truck talking with the supervisor who did the work on rebuilding the boardwalk, so I stopped and we greeted each other. He always asks me where I've been and I always tell him he is the one missing, because I am there every day!
There weren't too many people on the boardwalk, just a few tourists and a runner, who cheerfully greeted everyone she passed. I enjoyed the wind on my face to cool me down, and watched a tiny wren flitting around the colorful azaleas. The azaleas are really pretty this year at the Park, They usually trim them so far down that they don't bloom much, but God is Good!
From the book, Quiet Moments:
A Cork's Influence
"Let us behave decently, as in the daytime clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ." Romans 13:13-14
A tour group passed through a particular room in a factory. They viewed an elongated bar of steel, which weighed five hundred pounds, suspended vertically by a chain. Near it, an average size cork was suspended by a silk thread.
The attendant told the group they would shortly see something seemingly impossible. She said the cork was going to set the steel bar in motion.
She took the cork in her hand, pulled it only slightly to the side of its original position, and released it. The cork swung gently against the steel bark, which remained motionless.
For ten minutes the cork struck the iron bar. Finally the bar vibrated slightly. By the time the tour group passed through the room an hour later, the great bar was swinging like the pendulum of a clock!
Many of us feel we are not exerting a feather's weight of influence upon others or making a dent in the bastions of evil in the world. No so! Sometimes we don't realize how powerful the cumulative influence of God's goodness, which we walk in, is to those around us.
Not everyone is called to spread the love of Jesus through the pulpit, on the evangelistic trail, or in a full time counseling ministry., Most of us are called to live our lives as "corks", through word and example - quietly, gently tapping away through the work of our daily lives. Tap by loving tap, in God's time, even the quietest Christian can make a huge difference in the lives of those whom preachers may never reach.
As you go about your day today, remember that even a smile can warm a person's heart and draw them to Jesus.
The greatest thing a man can do for his heavenly Father is to be kind to some of his other children.
Henry Drummond
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving,. joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
But the stars were glittering through the puffy clouds and shining in the darkness, so all is well.
As I drove into the Park yesterday, Terry was standing beside a huge truck talking with the supervisor who did the work on rebuilding the boardwalk, so I stopped and we greeted each other. He always asks me where I've been and I always tell him he is the one missing, because I am there every day!
There weren't too many people on the boardwalk, just a few tourists and a runner, who cheerfully greeted everyone she passed. I enjoyed the wind on my face to cool me down, and watched a tiny wren flitting around the colorful azaleas. The azaleas are really pretty this year at the Park, They usually trim them so far down that they don't bloom much, but God is Good!
From the book, Quiet Moments:
A Cork's Influence
"Let us behave decently, as in the daytime clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ." Romans 13:13-14
A tour group passed through a particular room in a factory. They viewed an elongated bar of steel, which weighed five hundred pounds, suspended vertically by a chain. Near it, an average size cork was suspended by a silk thread.
The attendant told the group they would shortly see something seemingly impossible. She said the cork was going to set the steel bar in motion.
She took the cork in her hand, pulled it only slightly to the side of its original position, and released it. The cork swung gently against the steel bark, which remained motionless.
For ten minutes the cork struck the iron bar. Finally the bar vibrated slightly. By the time the tour group passed through the room an hour later, the great bar was swinging like the pendulum of a clock!
Many of us feel we are not exerting a feather's weight of influence upon others or making a dent in the bastions of evil in the world. No so! Sometimes we don't realize how powerful the cumulative influence of God's goodness, which we walk in, is to those around us.
Not everyone is called to spread the love of Jesus through the pulpit, on the evangelistic trail, or in a full time counseling ministry., Most of us are called to live our lives as "corks", through word and example - quietly, gently tapping away through the work of our daily lives. Tap by loving tap, in God's time, even the quietest Christian can make a huge difference in the lives of those whom preachers may never reach.
As you go about your day today, remember that even a smile can warm a person's heart and draw them to Jesus.
The greatest thing a man can do for his heavenly Father is to be kind to some of his other children.
Henry Drummond
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving,. joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
Wednesday, March 5, 2008
Philippians 4:13
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! Guess we can expect more cool days, since it isn't April yet.
This morning as I stepped outside, the moon was not visible, but Venus was high in the sky and seemed far away. A few clouds were streaking the sky, but it promises to be a beautiful day!
Because of threatening rain and strong winds, I didn't walk yesterday, but did notice woodstorks, all huddled up and a tri-colored heron by the lake. The canal is blanketed with maple seeds, oak seeds and leaves. The water is still, so the seed and leaves on top, just seem to sit there. I watched a tiny child toddling to catch up with her brother, talking baby talk all the way.
On the way in, Mr. Peacock was dragging his fanned-out feathers on the ground. They roost in trees at night, and the tail feathers hang way down! God is amazing!
From the book Quiet Moments with God:
Nothing is Impossible with God
Scientists say it can't be done! It's impossible. Aerodynamic theory is crystal clear. Bumblebees cannot fly.
The reason is because the size, weight, and shape of the bumblebee's body in relation to the total wing spread make it impossible to fly. The bumblebee is simply too heavy, too wide, and too large to fly with wings that small.
However, the bumblebee is ignorant of these scientific facts and goes ahead and flies anyway.
It was God who created the bumblebee and god who taught it how to fly. The bumblebee obviously didn't question God about the problem with aerodynamics. It simply flew. It didn't question whether God really knew what He was talking about. It simply flew. It didn't wonder if God really loved it when He gave it such small wings. It simply flew.
When God created us, He also equipped us for the life ahead. He says He knows the plans He has for our lives. Because He loves us, He has promised to be with us, to teach us, to carry us, and to be our Rock. All we have to do is trust and obey.
God is not limited by our understanding of how things happen. Just because we can't see something, doesn't mean it's not real. Faith is, indeed, the substance of things not seen. Sometimes life is inexplicable, and the impossible happens. We can't always explain everything.
And just because we don't understand how something can be done, doesn't mean our Almighty God can't do it.
God is within all things, but not included.
Outside all things, but no excluded:
Above all things, but not beyond their reach.
Pope Gregory the Great
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
This morning as I stepped outside, the moon was not visible, but Venus was high in the sky and seemed far away. A few clouds were streaking the sky, but it promises to be a beautiful day!
Because of threatening rain and strong winds, I didn't walk yesterday, but did notice woodstorks, all huddled up and a tri-colored heron by the lake. The canal is blanketed with maple seeds, oak seeds and leaves. The water is still, so the seed and leaves on top, just seem to sit there. I watched a tiny child toddling to catch up with her brother, talking baby talk all the way.
On the way in, Mr. Peacock was dragging his fanned-out feathers on the ground. They roost in trees at night, and the tail feathers hang way down! God is amazing!
From the book Quiet Moments with God:
Nothing is Impossible with God
Scientists say it can't be done! It's impossible. Aerodynamic theory is crystal clear. Bumblebees cannot fly.
The reason is because the size, weight, and shape of the bumblebee's body in relation to the total wing spread make it impossible to fly. The bumblebee is simply too heavy, too wide, and too large to fly with wings that small.
However, the bumblebee is ignorant of these scientific facts and goes ahead and flies anyway.
It was God who created the bumblebee and god who taught it how to fly. The bumblebee obviously didn't question God about the problem with aerodynamics. It simply flew. It didn't question whether God really knew what He was talking about. It simply flew. It didn't wonder if God really loved it when He gave it such small wings. It simply flew.
When God created us, He also equipped us for the life ahead. He says He knows the plans He has for our lives. Because He loves us, He has promised to be with us, to teach us, to carry us, and to be our Rock. All we have to do is trust and obey.
God is not limited by our understanding of how things happen. Just because we can't see something, doesn't mean it's not real. Faith is, indeed, the substance of things not seen. Sometimes life is inexplicable, and the impossible happens. We can't always explain everything.
And just because we don't understand how something can be done, doesn't mean our Almighty God can't do it.
God is within all things, but not included.
Outside all things, but no excluded:
Above all things, but not beyond their reach.
Pope Gregory the Great
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
Tuesday, March 4, 2008
Wisdom from James
Good morning, Dear friends and Prayer Partners! This is the day that the Lord has made and we will be glad and rejoice in it! Well, I was wrong about the moon not being visible this morning... there it was - just a sliver, but hanging upside down in the southeast. If Venus was visible it was the star some distance away. God is Amazing the way He moves the planets and stars around!
Yesterday was so warm, I took only a short walk in the Park, and watched the circles of ripples where the tilapia are bedding in the canal. There was quite a strong breeze blowing and so it cooled me down, but spring is definitely here. More and more the azaleas are blooming and putting on quite a show. God is good!
From the Promise Bible NLT:
James 5:13-20
Are any among you suffering? They should keep on praying about it. And those who have reason to be thankful should continually sing praises to the Lord.
Are any among you sick? They should call for the elders of the church and have them pray over them, anointing them with oil in the name of the Lord. And their prayer offered in faith will heal the sick, and the Lord will make them well. And anyone who has committed sins will be forgiven.
Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and wonderful results. Elijah was as human as we are, and yet when he prayed earnestly that no rain would fall, none fell for the next three and a half years! Then he prayed for rain, and down it poured. The grass turned green, and the crops began to grow again.
My dear brothers and sisters, if anyone among you wanders away from the truth and is brought back again, you can be sure that the one who brings that person back will save that sinner from death and bring about the forgiveness of many sins.
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
Yesterday was so warm, I took only a short walk in the Park, and watched the circles of ripples where the tilapia are bedding in the canal. There was quite a strong breeze blowing and so it cooled me down, but spring is definitely here. More and more the azaleas are blooming and putting on quite a show. God is good!
From the Promise Bible NLT:
James 5:13-20
Are any among you suffering? They should keep on praying about it. And those who have reason to be thankful should continually sing praises to the Lord.
Are any among you sick? They should call for the elders of the church and have them pray over them, anointing them with oil in the name of the Lord. And their prayer offered in faith will heal the sick, and the Lord will make them well. And anyone who has committed sins will be forgiven.
Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and wonderful results. Elijah was as human as we are, and yet when he prayed earnestly that no rain would fall, none fell for the next three and a half years! Then he prayed for rain, and down it poured. The grass turned green, and the crops began to grow again.
My dear brothers and sisters, if anyone among you wanders away from the truth and is brought back again, you can be sure that the one who brings that person back will save that sinner from death and bring about the forgiveness of many sins.
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
Monday, March 3, 2008
Landscapes
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
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
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
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