Psoaring thru Psalms

Good morning, Dear friends and Prayer Partners! This is the day that the Lord has made and we will rejoice and be glad in it! I realize this is very late, but I overslept this morning, after a restless night, so I will be catching up this morning! I always feel guilty when I step outside and it is already daylight. No reason to, because nothing has to be done right away. Oh, well, the aide comes this afternoon and then I will go to the Mall, I think. Freedom!!

When I went to the Park yesterday, I noticed how unkempt it looks. It is in dire need of mowing, but, apparently, that will be the case with all the county parks, with mowing only every month or so. Francia said the floor in her classroom had not been cleaned all year, so neglect has already started. But, there is not much we can do about it. Still there is beauty all around. The butterfly garden is attracting many butterflies, orange and black, yellow frittilaries, and others I cannot name. God is good!

Psalm 119:19-29 NLT:

Open for me the gates where the righteous enter,
And I will go in and thank the Lord.
These gates lead to the presence of the Lord,
and the godly enter there.
I thank you for answering my prayer and saving me!
The stone rejected by the builders
has now become the cornerstone.
This is the Lord's doing,
and it is marvelous to see.
This is the day the Lord has made.
We will rejoice and be glad in it.
Please Lord, please save us.
Please, Lord, please give us success.
Bless the one who comes in the name of the Lord.
We bless you from the house of the Lord.
The Lord is good, shining upon us.
Bring forward the sacrifice and put it on the altar.
You are my God, and I will praise you!
You are my God and I will exalt you!

Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good!
His faithful love endures forever!

I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!

Love and hugs,
Amaryllis

Encouragement

Good morning, dear friends and Prayer Partners! This is the day that the Lord has made and we will rejoice and be glad in it! When I stepped outside this morning, a little later than usual, I was immediately enveloped in a warm, moist , cushion of air. It is already 80 and will probably get even warmer when the sun breaks through the clouds. A lone heron was standing in the front yard, looking at me, but I carefully walked past him as he turned his body to keep watch, then, deciding I meant no harm, went on pecking at the ground. God is Awesome!

I went to the Park yesterday to deliver some cake, and found Francia busy cleaning out her classroom. She is all finished with classes and will be retired as soon as school is over. She is taking everything home, and what a collection she has! Dried gator heads, gator teeth, tarantulas, (already home) snakes, various spiders, turtles, and all kinds of animal artifacts. The stuffed birds have already been given away, but the little screech owls are hers and they are at her house. She was told that another teacher will be there in the fall, but I was told that the classroom will be closed. Interesting to find out just what will happen. She has devoted her teaching career to the environment and has never taught in a regular classroom. She will be missed.

From the Promise Bible NLT:

What do I do when I feel overwhelmed?

Joshua 23:10 Each one of you will put to flight a thousand of the enemy, for the Lord your God fights for you, just as he has promised.

Be encouraged that the power of God is for us, regardless of the number of enemies against us. God used David to overcome Goliath, Gideon's three hundred soldiers to defeat the armies of Midian, and one hundred and twenty disciples to establish the church in Acts. He joys when working through our weaknesses and limitations.

Colossians 1:11-14 We also pray that you will be strengthened with his glorious power so that you will have all the patience and endurance you need. May you be filled with joy, always thanking the Father, who has enables you to share the inheritance that belongs to God's holy people, who live in the light. For he has rescued us from the one who rules in the kingdom of darkness, and he has brought us into the Kingdom of his dear Son. God has purchased our freedom with his blood and has forgiven all our sins.

Our encouragement comes from what God has done for us. He has given us the power to be patient and persistent and to keep our minds set on the great hope that awaits us. When we remember that we are already free, the problems of this world lose much of their power over us.

I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!

Love and hugs,
Amaryllis

Cruisin' thru Colossians

Good morning, Dear Friends and Prayer Partners! This is the day that the Lord has made and we will rejoice and be glad in it! Once again, last night we had thunderstorms and showers, so this morning, although everything is wet and puddles are here and there, the sun is shining and a little frog was sitting on the driveway, trying to be the early bird to get the worm, I guess. David came to mow the yard yesterday, so it looks nice, even though the grass is sparse.

Speaking of David, he was telling me about an encounter he had with a large gator at Boca Ciega Park where he works. The gator was wandering too far and getting on the road, so David in the cart, tried to chase him back, and the gator got stuck in a barricade, got mad and bit down on the metal, losing several teeth in the process. The gator got loose, finally and went to one of the lakes where he should have been.David collected a couple gator teeth.

After a trip to Walmart, which made their stock go up, I went to the Park and saw green grass and trees simmering in the hot sun, people walking dogs, and just enjoying the weather. God is good!

From Colossians NLT selections:

We ask God to give you a complete understanding as to what he wants to do in your lives, and we ask him to make you wise with spiritual wisdom. Then the way you live will always honor and please the Lord, and you will continually do good, kind things for others. All the while, you will learn to know God better and better.
We also pray that you will be strengthened with his glorious power so that you will have all the patience and endurance you need.

Don't let anyone lead you astray with empty philosophy and high--sounding nonsense that come from human thinking and from the evil powers of this world and not from Christ. For in Christ the fullness of God lives in a human body, and you are complete through your union with Christ. He is the Lord over every ruler and authority in the universe.

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

Love

Good morning, Dear Friends and Prayer Partners! This is the day that the Lord has made and we will rejoice and be glad in it! Well, I went to bed hearing thunder in the distance and woke up to a clear sky and signs of rain during the night, but yesterday was warm and a good picnicking day.

We visited the cemetery where is was quiet and very warm, and ended up having hot dogs for lunch. I was flying our flag in honor of all our soldiers and armed forces people. We took a drive through the park and saw a peacock on the way in. There was a great blue heron by the bank, as usual, and people walking dogs and enjoying the good weather. It was a good day!

Then in the afternoon, I went shopping and came across two good friends,so we had a nice chat. God is good!

From the Promise Bible NLT:

How will God help me love others more?

Galatians 6:8-10 Those who live only to satisfy their own sinful desires will harvest the consequences of decay and death. But those who live to please the Spirit will harvest everlasting life from the Spirit. So don't get tired of doing what is good. Don't get discouraged and give up. for we will reap a harvest of blessing at the appropriate time. Whenever we have the opportunity, we shoulde do good to everyone, especially to our Christian brothers and sister.

The Holy Spirit awakens our love for others. We can ask God to make us willing to love others--even those who are difficult--and God will hear our prayer.


How do I show my love for God?

John 15:10-11 When you obey me, you remain in my love, just as I obey my Father and remain in his love. I have told you this so that yu will be filled with my joy. Yes, your joy will overflow!

Our obedience expresses our love for God. This should not be confused with earning God's love by good works. We obey God because we are already loved, not in order to be loved. And as we obey, we are promised joy.


I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, love and joy!

Love and hugs,
Amaryllis

Give me a Dream

Good morning, Dear friends and Prayer Partners! This is the day that the Lord has made and we will rejoice and be glad in it! When I stepped outside this morning, the clouds once more were covering the sky and everything was still wet and dripping from the strong thunderstorms we had yesterday afternoon and evening.

When we left the doctor's office mid afternoon, it had already started raining, so I put off going to the Publix, and got home just as the rain was coming down pretty hard. I really don't care to be driving in the rain!

Well, today we start with the Home Care nurse for three hours and see how that goes. I am planning to leave to have the battery in the van checked out and also to recharge my own batteries. :o) Also, a wheelchair is being delivered for Louis, so, hopefully, I can take him with me when I walk in the park! God is good!

Give me a Dream

Father,
Once I had such big dreams, so much anticipation of the future.
Now no shimmering horizon beckons me; my days are lack lustre.
I see so little of lasting value in the daily round.
Where is your plan for my life?

You have told us that without vision, we men perish. So. Father
in Heaven, knowing that I can ask in confidence for what is Your expressed will to give me, I ask You to deposit in my mind and heart that particular dream, the special vision You have for my life.

And along with the dream, will You give me whatever graces,
Patience and stamina it takes to see the dream through to fruition?

I sense this may involve adventures I have not bargained for,

But I want to trust you enough to follow even if You lead along new paths.

I admit to liking some of my ruts.

But I know that habit patterns that seem like cozy nests from the inside, from your vantage point may be prison cells.

Lord, if, you have to break down any prisons of mine before I can see the stars and catch the vision, then, Lord, begin the process now.

In joyous expectation,
Amen _- Catherine Marshall


I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!

Love and hugs,
Amaryllis

Planning

Good morning, Dear Friends and Prayer Partners! This is the day that the Lord has made and we will rejoice and be glad in it! What a wet morning! We had thundershowers last night that lasted for a long time and it looks like it might have rained all night. Well, we needed the rain and God gave it. God is good!

The van was in the shop most of the day, so we didn't get out until afternoon and then just to visit the Park between rain showers. The water is up and all the aquatic creatures are happy. The grass is green and growing, keeping the mowers busy. I saw a beautiful egret standing by the water and the ever present anhingas drying wings. It was a good respite! And later, Kris Allen won the American idol contest! Yay! He's a young man who has done mission work and sings in his church.

From the Promise Bible NLT:

How am I supposed to plan my life?

Proverbs 2:1-11 My child, listen to me and treasure my instructions,. Tune your ears to wisdom, and concentrate on understanding. Cry out for insight and understanding. search for them as you would for lost money or hidden treasure. Then you will understand what it means to fear the Lord, and you will gain knowledge of God. For the Lord grants wisdom! From his mouth come knowledge and understanding. He grants a treasure of good sense to the godly.l He is their shield, protecting those who walk with integrity. He guards the pats of justice and protects those who are faithful to him. Then you will know how to find the right course of action every time. For wisdom wil enter your heart, and knowledge will fill you with joy. Wise planning will watch over you. Understanding will keep you safe.

A plan is only as good as the information upon which it's based. Our human intellect is limited and inadequate. Apark from the Lord, our plans are liable to fail. The Lord promises wisdom to those who rely on his word and depend on the Spirit.

I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!

Love and hugs,
Amaryllis

Opposites Balanced

Good morning, Dear friends and Prayer Partners! This is the day that the Lord has made and we will rejoice and be glad in it! Another cloudy, damp day, but we prayed for rain, so God, in His kindness and provision, has provided it! The air is still cool, so the A/C has been off for a couple days. God is good!

The rain stopped, and the sun shone long enough for me to go the the library and return books and check out more. Then we drove to the park, and admired a peacock lying down (first time I have ever seen one lying on the ground.) All was pretty quiet because of the rainy day, but Ibises were pecking on the ground, and squirrels were scampering about. Rain doe not stop them! I also saw a beautiful egret keeping a vigil by the bank, looking intently for a fish. Then, back home before the rain started again.. It was good to get out .

From the book Quiet Moments with God:

The day is yours. The night also is yours. You have prepared the light and the sun. You have set all the borders of the earth. You have made summer and winter.
Psalm 74:16-17 NKJV

Much of life seems to be suspended between opposites. We grow up learning to label things as good or bad, hurtful or helpful, naughty or nice. People are kind or mean. The thermostat can be adjusted to avoid extremes of heat and cold. We look forward to the changing of seasons from summer to winter. Time is divided by day and night.

Not only are these opposites helpful to us in defining or "bordering" our lives, but they can help us release stress as well.

Very often people who are engaged in physical, muscle intensive work all day choose a mental activity with which to relax and unwind. Those who have idea intensive jobs often enjoy relaxing with hobbies that make use of their hands, such as woodcarving or needlework. Those in sterile, well ordered environments look forward to going home to weed their gardens.

Structured tasks and routines are good relaxation for those involved in the creative arts. The musician runs home to the computer. The surgeon delights in growing orchids in a hothouse. The factory worker enjoys crossword puzzles. The executive unwinds in the kitchen, preparing gourmet meals.

The Lord created us for this rhythm of opposites. God told Noah as he and his family left the ark that Noah would experience "Seedtime and harvest, And cold and heat, And winter and summer, And day and night shall not cease" (gen. *:22) Human beings were set in a world of opposites.

When you feel stressed out at day's end, try engaging in an activity that is opposite in nature to the work you have been doing. If you have been using your mind, turn to an activity that is physical. If you have been exerting physical energy, turn to an activity that is mental.

Let the pendulum swing back to rest in a central location.

Renewal and restoration are not luxuries. They are essentials.
Charles R. Swindoll

I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!

Love and hugs,
Amaryllis