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 three quarter moon had moved to just about straight up overhead. Seemed like it was lower in the west a few days ago. Anyway, it was beautiful and clear for a change.
After a restless night because of coughing, (but, thanks be to God, I was able to attend church yesterday) I will probably be drowsy the rest of the day. I chased a tiny frog in our house, no bigger than my fingernail, but leaping at least twelve inches at a time, and caught it with a tissue. I opened the door and deposited him outside. "All creatures great and small..." "The Lord God loves them all."
I saw a great blue heron in the park with his head all scrunched down...hard to tell just what he was at first. Not many people there, but it was very hot yesterday. We stayed in and kept cool. God is good to provide for all our needs
From the Promise Bible NLT:
How can I have hope when times are tough?
Hebrews 10:23 Without wavering, let us hold tightly to the hope we say we have, for God can be trusted to keep his promise.
Our hope is rooted in God's integrity and faithfulness. When everything else falls apart we can cling to the fact that God keeps his word.
John 14:1 Don't be troubled . You trust in God, now trust in me.
John 16:33 I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.
Our troubles do not surprise the Lord and should not surprise us. Trouble is rampant in this fallen world. Our focus should be on Jesus who has overcome this world and all its troubles.
Romans 15:13 I pray that God, who gives you hope, will keep you happy and full of peace as you believe in him. May you overflow with hope through the power of the Holy Spirit.
Our hope is rooted in the wonderful acts of God in creation and history. The Bible gives full testimony to the fact that God is able to deliver us from any and every circumstance. He will either get us out of it or bring us through it--for his glory and our joy.
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
Monday, August 10, 2009
Friday, August 7, 2009
Benediction
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 got up a little later this morning, but the moon was still visible, although faintly, trying to shine through a cloudy haze. All was still outside with a little promise of rain.
Yesterday, I stopped at the Park and went in to talk to Mike. I asked him how he felt about coming to work now, with all the changes, and he said he just keeps telling himself how many days he has left before retirement! He really doesn't have much left to do, now that the snakes are all gone, except two. Since they blocked off the reception windows, the large office is dark, so he thinks the teacher will be using his office, which he is trying to clear out. He is trying to stay positive, but no one has answers as to why some things have been done away with.
But, it is still a nice place to walk and see lots of birds, butterflies, and wild creatures, so God is good!
We went to the dentist yesterday for teeth cleaning, and the dentist himself, took Louis and his wheelchair out and down the temporary ramp and put him in the car. We have been patients of his for years, so he knows us pretty well. Life is good!
From the Promise Bible NLT:
A prayer of Praise:
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
Have a great weekend and remember I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
Yesterday, I stopped at the Park and went in to talk to Mike. I asked him how he felt about coming to work now, with all the changes, and he said he just keeps telling himself how many days he has left before retirement! He really doesn't have much left to do, now that the snakes are all gone, except two. Since they blocked off the reception windows, the large office is dark, so he thinks the teacher will be using his office, which he is trying to clear out. He is trying to stay positive, but no one has answers as to why some things have been done away with.
But, it is still a nice place to walk and see lots of birds, butterflies, and wild creatures, so God is good!
We went to the dentist yesterday for teeth cleaning, and the dentist himself, took Louis and his wheelchair out and down the temporary ramp and put him in the car. We have been patients of his for years, so he knows us pretty well. Life is good!
From the Promise Bible NLT:
A prayer of Praise:
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
Have a great weekend and remember I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
Thursday, August 6, 2009
Paul's Final Thoughts
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, I was surprised to see the star I have been seeing for a couple weeks now, but just below it was the setting full moon! I had not seen the moon since the last full moon and there it was! I guess the rains we had yesterday, washed the sky so that everything was more visible. God is Awesome!
We stayed home yesterday, because of the rain, but David came and mowed the yard, washed the A/C filter and took care of a wasp nest on the front porch. Then, after hot soup and sandwiches for us, our cleaning ladies came, so we had company in and out during the day. Life is good.
From the Promise Bible NLT:
Philippians 4:4-9
Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again--rejoice! Let everyone see that you are considerate in all you do. Remember, the Lord is coming soon.
Don't worry about anything, instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. If you do this, you will experience God's peace, which is far more wonderful than the human mind can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.
And now, dear brothers and sisters, let me say one more thing as I close this letter. Fix your thoughts on what is true and honorable and right. Think about things that are pure and lovely and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. Keep putting into practice all you learned from me and heard from me and saw me doing, and the God of peace will be with you.
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
We stayed home yesterday, because of the rain, but David came and mowed the yard, washed the A/C filter and took care of a wasp nest on the front porch. Then, after hot soup and sandwiches for us, our cleaning ladies came, so we had company in and out during the day. Life is good.
From the Promise Bible NLT:
Philippians 4:4-9
Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again--rejoice! Let everyone see that you are considerate in all you do. Remember, the Lord is coming soon.
Don't worry about anything, instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. If you do this, you will experience God's peace, which is far more wonderful than the human mind can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.
And now, dear brothers and sisters, let me say one more thing as I close this letter. Fix your thoughts on what is true and honorable and right. Think about things that are pure and lovely and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. Keep putting into practice all you learned from me and heard from me and saw me doing, and the God of peace will be with you.
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
Psoaring thru Psalm 19
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, I looked up in the west and saw the same star still shining amidst the vast emptiness, then I spied a tiny flashing light and followed it all across from north to south. I am certain it was an airplane and not a UFO! Then the sun came up like a huge orange ball and so it will be another very warm day.
I saw another large gopher tortoise in the Park yesterday...ambling along munching on the tall grass as he went at turtle speed. He looked very old and tough. An anhinga was also drying wings on the banks of the canal, and the typical looking Florida spot with the dead tree had no residents perched on it. There was an airboat in the canal spraying all the unwelcome lily plants and growth along the shores, so some are still working! But God is Good!
From the Promise Bible NLT:
Excerpts from Psalm 119
The decrees of the Lord are trustworthy, making wise the simple.
The commandments of the Lord are right, bringing joy to the heart.
The commands of the Lord are clear, giving insight to life.
Reverence for the Lord is pure, lasting forever.
The laws of the Lord are true.
Each one is fair.
They are more desirable than gold, even the finest gold.
They are sweeter than honey, even honey dripping from the cone.
They are a warning to those who hear them;
There is great reward for those who obey them.
How can I know the sins lurking in my heart?
Cleanse me from these hidden faults.
Keep me from deliberate sins!
Don't let them control me.
Then I will be free of guilt
and innocent of great sin.
May the words of my mouth and the thoughts of my heart be pleasing to you,O Lord, My Rock and My Redeemer.
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving,
joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
I saw another large gopher tortoise in the Park yesterday...ambling along munching on the tall grass as he went at turtle speed. He looked very old and tough. An anhinga was also drying wings on the banks of the canal, and the typical looking Florida spot with the dead tree had no residents perched on it. There was an airboat in the canal spraying all the unwelcome lily plants and growth along the shores, so some are still working! But God is Good!
From the Promise Bible NLT:
Excerpts from Psalm 119
The decrees of the Lord are trustworthy, making wise the simple.
The commandments of the Lord are right, bringing joy to the heart.
The commands of the Lord are clear, giving insight to life.
Reverence for the Lord is pure, lasting forever.
The laws of the Lord are true.
Each one is fair.
They are more desirable than gold, even the finest gold.
They are sweeter than honey, even honey dripping from the cone.
They are a warning to those who hear them;
There is great reward for those who obey them.
How can I know the sins lurking in my heart?
Cleanse me from these hidden faults.
Keep me from deliberate sins!
Don't let them control me.
Then I will be free of guilt
and innocent of great sin.
May the words of my mouth and the thoughts of my heart be pleasing to you,O Lord, My Rock and My Redeemer.
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving,
joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
Closing the Door
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, it looks like it will be another very hot day with lots of sun, just like yesterday. We had some clouds, but no rain. I stay out of the sun as much as possible with my skin that burns easily!
Yesterday, I saw a beautiful roseate spoonbill at Lynch Lake. They are such a pretty pink color! God made them for our looking pleasure. I went into the Park and noticed how neat the extra mowing made it look. All was quiet in the midday heat. Mike was out checking rain gauges or I would have spoken to him. His duties have diminished considerably lately and I will miss him when he retires.
There is a helicopter buzzing over the interstate as I type this. I hope it does not mean an accident. A short while ago, I heard sirens, so there probably was something that happened. I remember years ago, while walking in the park early in the morning, I was stopped by deputies from walking any more, because someone had hit another car and escaped over the fence around the park. They closed the park and escorted us back to our cars and we had to leave. That was the first time I met our friend, Terry. He took me back to the van and made sure I got out of the park safely. God is good!
From Quiet Moments with God:
We want each of you to show this same diligence to the very end, in order to make your hope sure.
Hebrews 6:11
Michelle looked around her office and felt a sigh rise from the depths of her soul. She had worked so hard for all of this and had put so many hours into her vision, especially at the beginning, when her company had only been a dream and her energy was committed to making the dream come true. Someone else had appreciated her creativity--a bigger, larger company that had bought her out in a forceful merger. Now all that was once hers belonged to an unseen face. It was like losing a family member.
Michelle looked out of her office window at her employees. She knew they had been looking to her, waiting to see how she would handle herself over the past four weeks. She was tempted to throw all her energy into a new pursuit, but she also knew that she had a commitment to see this old one to its end. It was a matter of integrity. The new company would never know if she spent her time--their time now--on this new pursuit. But she would know, and her employees would know. No, when she finally handed this company over, she would do so knowing that she had done her best to the very end.
Change takes place in all of our lives. One season end, and another begins. We may say good-bye to a job, a relationship, a town or a dream. With each ending, we have a choice. We can walk away without looking back, ignoring the closure and attention that's needed, or we can take the time to finish well--to tie up loose ends, to say our good-byes, to work hard right to the end. Only then can we know we have closed out the old chapter with integrity.
Is there an area of your life that needs attention today? Something that needs to be finished well? Take a moment and ask God to help you close the door. Then you can face your new beginning with confidence.
Thecrossroads are down here. Which way to pull the rein?
The left bring you but loss, the right nothing but gain.
Angelus Silesius
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
(This devotional reminds me of Pastor Don's leaving and Pastor Rick coming.)
Yesterday, I saw a beautiful roseate spoonbill at Lynch Lake. They are such a pretty pink color! God made them for our looking pleasure. I went into the Park and noticed how neat the extra mowing made it look. All was quiet in the midday heat. Mike was out checking rain gauges or I would have spoken to him. His duties have diminished considerably lately and I will miss him when he retires.
There is a helicopter buzzing over the interstate as I type this. I hope it does not mean an accident. A short while ago, I heard sirens, so there probably was something that happened. I remember years ago, while walking in the park early in the morning, I was stopped by deputies from walking any more, because someone had hit another car and escaped over the fence around the park. They closed the park and escorted us back to our cars and we had to leave. That was the first time I met our friend, Terry. He took me back to the van and made sure I got out of the park safely. God is good!
From Quiet Moments with God:
We want each of you to show this same diligence to the very end, in order to make your hope sure.
Hebrews 6:11
Michelle looked around her office and felt a sigh rise from the depths of her soul. She had worked so hard for all of this and had put so many hours into her vision, especially at the beginning, when her company had only been a dream and her energy was committed to making the dream come true. Someone else had appreciated her creativity--a bigger, larger company that had bought her out in a forceful merger. Now all that was once hers belonged to an unseen face. It was like losing a family member.
Michelle looked out of her office window at her employees. She knew they had been looking to her, waiting to see how she would handle herself over the past four weeks. She was tempted to throw all her energy into a new pursuit, but she also knew that she had a commitment to see this old one to its end. It was a matter of integrity. The new company would never know if she spent her time--their time now--on this new pursuit. But she would know, and her employees would know. No, when she finally handed this company over, she would do so knowing that she had done her best to the very end.
Change takes place in all of our lives. One season end, and another begins. We may say good-bye to a job, a relationship, a town or a dream. With each ending, we have a choice. We can walk away without looking back, ignoring the closure and attention that's needed, or we can take the time to finish well--to tie up loose ends, to say our good-byes, to work hard right to the end. Only then can we know we have closed out the old chapter with integrity.
Is there an area of your life that needs attention today? Something that needs to be finished well? Take a moment and ask God to help you close the door. Then you can face your new beginning with confidence.
Thecrossroads are down here. Which way to pull the rein?
The left bring you but loss, the right nothing but gain.
Angelus Silesius
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
(This devotional reminds me of Pastor Don's leaving and Pastor Rick coming.)
Monday, August 3, 2009
Coping Skills
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! The star that I have seen in the southwest is now in the west, but still the only one I can see shining brightly for some reason. Maybe because it is so light so early, now.
Well, The sign and map of the Park have been taken down at Sawgrass, and benches put in their place. The windows of the office are covered up with plaques of the history of Sawgrass. Guess it is to avoid vandalism, since no one will be there to keep track of who does what. The mowing has been done over a little larger area, so it looks better, but no one is there to keep the sidewalk cleared of trash after the rains. It is really sad, but God is good!
From the book Quiet Moments with God:
My times are in your hand.
Psalm 31:15 NRSV
How we handle delays tells us a lot about ourselves. How do you handle a traffic jam when you left the house already late or work? What do you do when your flight is delayed because of mechanical difficulty or bad weather? How do you respond when the register in your checkout lane runs out of tape just you get to the head of the line? Can you take a deep breath and enjoy a five minute break at the railroad crossing when the guard rail goes down to allow a train to pass?
Consider how one man handled a delay. Just as the light turned green at the busy intersection, his car stalled in heavy traffic. He tried everything he knew to get the car started again, but all his efforts failed. The chorus of honking behind him put him on edge, which only made matters worse.
Finally he got out of his car and walked back to the first driver and said, "I'm sorry, but I can't seem to get my car started. If you'll go up there and give it a try, I'll stay here and blow your horn for you."
Things rarely go as smoothly as we would like, and we don't usually schedule ourselves any extra time just in case something goes wrong.
The ability to accept disappointments, delays, and setbacks with a pleasant, generous spirit is a gift of graciousness that comes from one who has received grace from others in pressured circumstances. Life is a series of choices, and no matter what situation we are in, we always have the freedom to choose how we are going to respond.
Refuse to get out of sorts the next time your schedule gets interrupted or turned upside down. Pray for enough strength to remain calm, cheerful, relaxed, and refreshed in the midst of the crisis. And always remember: God's plans for you are not thwarted by delays!
Never become irritable while waiting: if you are patient, you'll find that you can wait much faster.
Unknown
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
Well, The sign and map of the Park have been taken down at Sawgrass, and benches put in their place. The windows of the office are covered up with plaques of the history of Sawgrass. Guess it is to avoid vandalism, since no one will be there to keep track of who does what. The mowing has been done over a little larger area, so it looks better, but no one is there to keep the sidewalk cleared of trash after the rains. It is really sad, but God is good!
From the book Quiet Moments with God:
My times are in your hand.
Psalm 31:15 NRSV
How we handle delays tells us a lot about ourselves. How do you handle a traffic jam when you left the house already late or work? What do you do when your flight is delayed because of mechanical difficulty or bad weather? How do you respond when the register in your checkout lane runs out of tape just you get to the head of the line? Can you take a deep breath and enjoy a five minute break at the railroad crossing when the guard rail goes down to allow a train to pass?
Consider how one man handled a delay. Just as the light turned green at the busy intersection, his car stalled in heavy traffic. He tried everything he knew to get the car started again, but all his efforts failed. The chorus of honking behind him put him on edge, which only made matters worse.
Finally he got out of his car and walked back to the first driver and said, "I'm sorry, but I can't seem to get my car started. If you'll go up there and give it a try, I'll stay here and blow your horn for you."
Things rarely go as smoothly as we would like, and we don't usually schedule ourselves any extra time just in case something goes wrong.
The ability to accept disappointments, delays, and setbacks with a pleasant, generous spirit is a gift of graciousness that comes from one who has received grace from others in pressured circumstances. Life is a series of choices, and no matter what situation we are in, we always have the freedom to choose how we are going to respond.
Refuse to get out of sorts the next time your schedule gets interrupted or turned upside down. Pray for enough strength to remain calm, cheerful, relaxed, and refreshed in the midst of the crisis. And always remember: God's plans for you are not thwarted by delays!
Never become irritable while waiting: if you are patient, you'll find that you can wait much faster.
Unknown
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
Friday, July 31, 2009
Roamin' thru Romans
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, with all the dark clouds and threatening thunder and wind, we did not get a drop of rain last night. It was so dark at 7:30 that it seemed like 9 o'clock. But today is bright and the sun is shining, and when I stepped outside this morning, the star that I see in the southwest overhead was valiantly trying to shine through the haze. Tod is good!
When I went to the Park yesterday, I was surprised to see that the grass had been mowed in larger strips than before, and it actually looked better than in a while. Still, the weeds and grass are high where it is not mowed, but much improved over what it has been. The berms where the picnic tables are, are kept mowed. Kids like to roll down the hills, so that is an incentive. Even the banks where the gators like to sun, were cut, so someone must have realized how neglected the Park has been looking. There is till work going on at the building, and I think the windows are being boarded up. I will find out today. Meanwhile, life goes on!
From the Promise Bible NLT, selections from Romans
Pay all your debts, except the debt of love for others. You can never finish paying that! If you love your neighbor, you will fulfill all the requirements of God's law.
...For the kingdom of God is not a matter of what we eat or drink, but of living a life of goodness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. If you serve Christ with that attitude, you will please God.
..May God, who gives this patience and encouragement, help you live in complete harmony with each other---each with the attitude of Christ Jesus toward the other. Then all of you can join together with one voice, giving praise and glory to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
So I pray that God, who gives you hope, will keep you happy and full of peace as you believe in Him. May you overflow with hope through the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13.
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
When I went to the Park yesterday, I was surprised to see that the grass had been mowed in larger strips than before, and it actually looked better than in a while. Still, the weeds and grass are high where it is not mowed, but much improved over what it has been. The berms where the picnic tables are, are kept mowed. Kids like to roll down the hills, so that is an incentive. Even the banks where the gators like to sun, were cut, so someone must have realized how neglected the Park has been looking. There is till work going on at the building, and I think the windows are being boarded up. I will find out today. Meanwhile, life goes on!
From the Promise Bible NLT, selections from Romans
Pay all your debts, except the debt of love for others. You can never finish paying that! If you love your neighbor, you will fulfill all the requirements of God's law.
...For the kingdom of God is not a matter of what we eat or drink, but of living a life of goodness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. If you serve Christ with that attitude, you will please God.
..May God, who gives this patience and encouragement, help you live in complete harmony with each other---each with the attitude of Christ Jesus toward the other. Then all of you can join together with one voice, giving praise and glory to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
So I pray that God, who gives you hope, will keep you happy and full of peace as you believe in Him. May you overflow with hope through the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13.
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
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