Good morning, Dear friends and Prayer Partners! This is the cool day that the Lord has made and we will rejoice and be glad in it! This is probably the coolest weather we will have before summer, or so the weatherman says. It is in the sixties this morning, with a cool breeze blowing. That time of year when no heat or A/C is needed. Yay!
I had quite an outing yesterday...first to the church to pick up the agenda from the annual meeting that I missed, then to the park, where I saw the tree trimmers at work on the fallen maple tree. Also, the mowing crew was there doing their limited mowing and edging. I also saw a line up of turtles on a log drying out for a little bit. the water is very high from the storm, so everything is nice and swampy.
After I left the Park, I went out to the Mall, shopped for a little while at Dillard's and then to Peltz. By the time I got on the road again, I was hungry, so went to Subway for a teriyaki chicken sandwich and came home, pretty much exhausted! God is good!
From the Promise Bible NLT
Matthew 7:1-12
Stop judging other, and you will not be judged. For others will treat you as you treat them. Whatever measure you use in judging others, it will be used to measure how you are judged. And why worry about a speck in your friend's eye when you have a log in your own? How can you think of saying, "Let me help you get rid of that speck in your eye," when you can't see past the log in your own eye? Hypocrite! First get rid of the log from your own eye; then then perhaps you will see well enough to deal with the speck in your friend's eye.
Don't give what is holy to unholy people. Don't give pearls to swine! They will trample the pearls, then turn and attack you.
Effective Prayer
Keep on asking, and you will be given what you ask for. Keep on looking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened. For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And the door is opened to everyone who knocks. You parents--if your children ask for a loaf of bread, do you give them a stone instead? Or if they ask for a fish, do you give them a snake? Of course not! If you sinful people know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give good gifts to those who ask him.
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Galatians and Ephesians
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 in the pre-dawn light, my eye caught a glimpse of something red in the oak tree, then I heard the faint "chip, chip" of the cardinal, singing his early morning song. A spot of beauty amidst all the green and gray!
Speaking of the trees, Mike came early and not only removed the hanging large branch, but also removed a lot of other dead wood and cleaned up the yard, blew everything off and stuffed it all in the dumpster. Don't know how he got it all in there, but it is gone now! God has blessed me with many friends and I am so grateful!
When I went to the park yesterday, I saw that a big maple tree was down between the building and the picnic shelter. The wind probably did more damage back in the hammock, but rain and wind don't seem to bother the squirrels. They are still scampering all over the roads, and chasing each other up, down, and all around our oak trees. They seem to have a lot of fun, while on the never ceasing hunt for acorns, toadstools and whatever else they can eat. God is good!
From the Promise Bible NLT:
Galatians 6:9, Remember that you can't ignore God and get away with it. You will always reap what you sow! 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 should do good to everyone, especially to our Christian brothers and sisters.
Ephesians 1:10 God's secret plan has now been revealed to us; it is a plan centered on Christ, designed long ago according to his good pleasure. And this is his plan. At the right time he will bring everything together under the authority of Christ--everything in heaven and on earth. Furthermore, because of Christ, we have received an inheritance from God, for he chose us from the beginning and all things happen just as he decided long ago.
I always give thanks for you,. remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
Speaking of the trees, Mike came early and not only removed the hanging large branch, but also removed a lot of other dead wood and cleaned up the yard, blew everything off and stuffed it all in the dumpster. Don't know how he got it all in there, but it is gone now! God has blessed me with many friends and I am so grateful!
When I went to the park yesterday, I saw that a big maple tree was down between the building and the picnic shelter. The wind probably did more damage back in the hammock, but rain and wind don't seem to bother the squirrels. They are still scampering all over the roads, and chasing each other up, down, and all around our oak trees. They seem to have a lot of fun, while on the never ceasing hunt for acorns, toadstools and whatever else they can eat. God is good!
From the Promise Bible NLT:
Galatians 6:9, Remember that you can't ignore God and get away with it. You will always reap what you sow! 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 should do good to everyone, especially to our Christian brothers and sisters.
Ephesians 1:10 God's secret plan has now been revealed to us; it is a plan centered on Christ, designed long ago according to his good pleasure. And this is his plan. At the right time he will bring everything together under the authority of Christ--everything in heaven and on earth. Furthermore, because of Christ, we have received an inheritance from God, for he chose us from the beginning and all things happen just as he decided long ago.
I always give thanks for you,. remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
Monday, April 26, 2010
His Love
Good morning, Dear Friends and Prayer Partners! And it is a good morning, after the storms last night! Thankfully, we were spared any damage and no tornados. I am waiting for my friend, Mike, to come an remove a dead limb that is hanging precariously over the driveway. I am calling the tree trimmers to come and thin out the oaks and remove deadwood, because when hurricane season gets here, I won't have to worry about the trees. Storms with a lot of wind always break off smaller dead wood from the trees, which I already picked up.
I hear squirrels running across the roof as I type, so they must hunker down in the branches during a storm, because they are all over the yard this morning. God takes care of even the littlest creatures.
I went to the park after church yesterday, but the wind was already blowing and my arthritic foot was bothering me, so i just enjoyed the green trees and shrubs and saw the anhinga on the maple stump and turtles sunning on the bank of the weir. God is good!
From Hymns for the Family of God:
(I have always enjoyed the music that Bill and Gloria Gaither have written. Here are the words to one of Gloria's songs. We sang this many years ago in the choir from a cantata.) If you know the melody sing it in your mind. :o)
His Love....Reaching
Right from the beginning God's love has reached, and from the beginning man has refused to understand. But love went on reaching, offering itself. Love offered the eternal ...we wanted the immediate. Love offered deep joy...we wanted thrills. Love offered freedom...we wanted license. Love offered communion with God Himself....we wanted to worship at the shrine of our own minds. Love offered peace....we wanted approval for our wars. Even yet, love went on reaching. And still today, after two thousand years, patiently, lovingly, Christ is reaching out to us today. Right through the chaos of our world, through the confusion of our minds. He is reaching....longing to share with us....the very being of God.
His love still is longing, Hes love still is reaching, right past the shackles of my mind. And the Word of the Father became Mary's little Son. And His love reached all the way to where I was.
-Gloria Gaither
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis (Had to interrupt this for half and hour because Mike came, and did a wonderful job of trimming much more than I had expected!)
I hear squirrels running across the roof as I type, so they must hunker down in the branches during a storm, because they are all over the yard this morning. God takes care of even the littlest creatures.
I went to the park after church yesterday, but the wind was already blowing and my arthritic foot was bothering me, so i just enjoyed the green trees and shrubs and saw the anhinga on the maple stump and turtles sunning on the bank of the weir. God is good!
From Hymns for the Family of God:
(I have always enjoyed the music that Bill and Gloria Gaither have written. Here are the words to one of Gloria's songs. We sang this many years ago in the choir from a cantata.) If you know the melody sing it in your mind. :o)
His Love....Reaching
Right from the beginning God's love has reached, and from the beginning man has refused to understand. But love went on reaching, offering itself. Love offered the eternal ...we wanted the immediate. Love offered deep joy...we wanted thrills. Love offered freedom...we wanted license. Love offered communion with God Himself....we wanted to worship at the shrine of our own minds. Love offered peace....we wanted approval for our wars. Even yet, love went on reaching. And still today, after two thousand years, patiently, lovingly, Christ is reaching out to us today. Right through the chaos of our world, through the confusion of our minds. He is reaching....longing to share with us....the very being of God.
His love still is longing, Hes love still is reaching, right past the shackles of my mind. And the Word of the Father became Mary's little Son. And His love reached all the way to where I was.
-Gloria Gaither
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis (Had to interrupt this for half and hour because Mike came, and did a wonderful job of trimming much more than I had expected!)
Friday, April 23, 2010
More Roamin thru Romans
Good morning, a little late, Dear Friends and Prayer Partners ! This is the day that the Lord has made and we will rejoice and be glad in it! David, came and mowed the yard and made everything neat, so I was late getting to my usual activities. He put six boxes out for me for the Salvation Army to pick up, and then I opened a drawer and filled another box and carried that out. The truck is due between 8-4 so, hopefully, earlier than later.
I watched the NFL draft last night until Tim Tebow got picked in the first round! Yay! I know he will do his best for the Denver Broncos!
Was surprised that Claussen and Colt McCoy did not get picked yet.
Yesterday, by the time I was ready to walk, it was too hot, so I enjoyed looking at the canal and watching an egret silhouetted against some water bulrushes . IF I had taken a camera with me, I could have gotten a perfect shot that looked like the real Florida. I watched a large gopher tortoise whizzing through the tall grass. :o) and saw a peacock on the way in to the park. The long tail feathers were just gorgeous glowing in the sun. God is good!
From the Promise Bible NLT:
Picking up from yesterday:
Romans 12:1-
And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice--the kind he will accept. When you think of what he has done for you, is this too much to ask? Don't copy the behavior and customs of the world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will know what God wants you to do and you will know how good and pleasing and perfect his will really is.
As God's messenger, I give each of you this warning: Be honest in your estimate of yourselves, measuring your value by how much faith God has given you. Just as our bodies have many parts and each part has a special function, so it is with Christ's body. We are all parts of his one body, and each of us has different work to do. And since we are all one body in Christ, we belong to each other, and each of us needs all the others.
Never pay back evil for evil to anyone. Do things in such a way that everyone can see you are honorable. Do your part to live in peace with everyone, a much as possible.
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis ( have a wonderful weekend, everybody)
I watched the NFL draft last night until Tim Tebow got picked in the first round! Yay! I know he will do his best for the Denver Broncos!
Was surprised that Claussen and Colt McCoy did not get picked yet.
Yesterday, by the time I was ready to walk, it was too hot, so I enjoyed looking at the canal and watching an egret silhouetted against some water bulrushes . IF I had taken a camera with me, I could have gotten a perfect shot that looked like the real Florida. I watched a large gopher tortoise whizzing through the tall grass. :o) and saw a peacock on the way in to the park. The long tail feathers were just gorgeous glowing in the sun. God is good!
From the Promise Bible NLT:
Picking up from yesterday:
Romans 12:1-
And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice--the kind he will accept. When you think of what he has done for you, is this too much to ask? Don't copy the behavior and customs of the world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will know what God wants you to do and you will know how good and pleasing and perfect his will really is.
As God's messenger, I give each of you this warning: Be honest in your estimate of yourselves, measuring your value by how much faith God has given you. Just as our bodies have many parts and each part has a special function, so it is with Christ's body. We are all parts of his one body, and each of us has different work to do. And since we are all one body in Christ, we belong to each other, and each of us needs all the others.
Never pay back evil for evil to anyone. Do things in such a way that everyone can see you are honorable. Do your part to live in peace with everyone, a much as possible.
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis ( have a wonderful weekend, everybody)
Thursday, April 22, 2010
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! We can't ask for any better weather than this! Coolish in the morning and warm in the afternoon, with the humidity bearable at this point. Just great!
Some time ago, I read that the anoles and lizards were not as plentiful because the unusual cold spells this past winter, froze many of them. Well, I have seen them running around my garage and outside lately, and in fact, watched an anole crawl across my wall last night here in the house. It inched its way across to the light coming in from the window in the door. If it hadn't been so high up, I would have tried to escort it outside. I saw it again a couple nights ago..just so it doesn't walk across my face during the night, with its sticky little feet!
I haven't seen any lizards at the park, but see the larger critters; such as a pair of egrets flying over the canal, and the usual anhinga airing out the wings on the maple tree stump. The azaleas have finished blooming at the park, but everything has greened up nicely. I noticed some more jacaranda blossoms yesterday around the neighborhood, but most of the trees are bare and frostbitten. I actually have an amaryllis blooming and another bud opening on that same plant, and another bud coming up from another plant!
Amazing, since I do not take proper care of them! God is good!
From the Promise Bible NLT:
Romans 8:24
...For if you already have something, you don't need to hope for it. But if we look forward to something we don't have yet, we must wait patiently and confidently.
And the Holy Spirit helps us in our distress,. For we don't even know what we should pray for, nor how we should pray. But the Holy Spirit prays for us with groanings that cannot be expressed in words. And the Father who knows all hearts knows what the Spirit is saying, for the Spirit pleads for us believers in harmony with God's own will. And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.
Romans 12:10
Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other. Never be lazy in your work, but serve the Lord enthusiastically.
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
Some time ago, I read that the anoles and lizards were not as plentiful because the unusual cold spells this past winter, froze many of them. Well, I have seen them running around my garage and outside lately, and in fact, watched an anole crawl across my wall last night here in the house. It inched its way across to the light coming in from the window in the door. If it hadn't been so high up, I would have tried to escort it outside. I saw it again a couple nights ago..just so it doesn't walk across my face during the night, with its sticky little feet!
I haven't seen any lizards at the park, but see the larger critters; such as a pair of egrets flying over the canal, and the usual anhinga airing out the wings on the maple tree stump. The azaleas have finished blooming at the park, but everything has greened up nicely. I noticed some more jacaranda blossoms yesterday around the neighborhood, but most of the trees are bare and frostbitten. I actually have an amaryllis blooming and another bud opening on that same plant, and another bud coming up from another plant!
Amazing, since I do not take proper care of them! God is good!
From the Promise Bible NLT:
Romans 8:24
...For if you already have something, you don't need to hope for it. But if we look forward to something we don't have yet, we must wait patiently and confidently.
And the Holy Spirit helps us in our distress,. For we don't even know what we should pray for, nor how we should pray. But the Holy Spirit prays for us with groanings that cannot be expressed in words. And the Father who knows all hearts knows what the Spirit is saying, for the Spirit pleads for us believers in harmony with God's own will. And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.
Romans 12:10
Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other. Never be lazy in your work, but serve the Lord enthusiastically.
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
Wildflower worth
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! After a few sprinkles this morning, the sun is now shining and it looks like a beautiful, warming up day! I have been turning on the A/C in the late afternoon, because the house gets stuffy even with some windows open. Summer is on its way!
I enjoyed an outdoor cookout with the Pryme Tymers from church yesterday. Colorful umbrellas were over the tables, giving welvome shade from the hot sun, but the breezes were cool and the food was good. Lots of good conversation, and good food. Life is good!
I drove to the park and watched the water rippling and saw a great blue heron patiently waiting for lunch to come along. All is peaceful but even though the park is very wet now, when the summer drought comes along, much trimming will have to be done to keep the fire danger down. Guess volunteers will have to do that. since paid help is scarce.
I also saw a large baby osprey on the nest between CVS and Publix yesterday. those giant birds build their nests on high platforms and then, gradually, all the sticks and stuff comes tumbling down until there is not much left, but the young ones still stay. God is good!
From Quiet Moments with God
Look at the lilies and how they grow. They don't work, yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are, and if God cares so wonderfully for flowers, won't he more surely care for you?
Luke 12:27-28 NLT
Each spring , wildflowers bloom in profusion at a place in Idaho called "Craters of the Moon." Nourished by snowmelt and occasional rains, the flowers spring up in the lava rock left by an eons-old volcano. It is a stunning sight to see the small, delicate wildflower blossoms bursting into life amid the huge, rugged boulders.
Sightseers can follow footpaths all through the lava rocks to discover the surprising spots that dusty maiden, dwarf monkey flower, and Indian paintbrush find to grow. the life span for the fragile flowers can be as brief as one day if the hot desert winds blow into the area.
When Jesus taught His followers, He often sat outside. Perhaps He sat among the spring wildflowers when He pointed at the lilies, encouraging the worriers not to be blinded to the fact that God takes care of all His creation, even a short-lived wildflower. If He takes care of them, He certainly will care for us.
How do we avoid worry? By increasing our faith in our God who loves us. By starting each day focusing on Him instead of our fears and remembering His loving care, even for the brief life of a wildflower.
All I could never be,
All men ignored in me-
this I was worth to God.
Robert Browning
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
I enjoyed an outdoor cookout with the Pryme Tymers from church yesterday. Colorful umbrellas were over the tables, giving welvome shade from the hot sun, but the breezes were cool and the food was good. Lots of good conversation, and good food. Life is good!
I drove to the park and watched the water rippling and saw a great blue heron patiently waiting for lunch to come along. All is peaceful but even though the park is very wet now, when the summer drought comes along, much trimming will have to be done to keep the fire danger down. Guess volunteers will have to do that. since paid help is scarce.
I also saw a large baby osprey on the nest between CVS and Publix yesterday. those giant birds build their nests on high platforms and then, gradually, all the sticks and stuff comes tumbling down until there is not much left, but the young ones still stay. God is good!
From Quiet Moments with God
Look at the lilies and how they grow. They don't work, yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are, and if God cares so wonderfully for flowers, won't he more surely care for you?
Luke 12:27-28 NLT
Each spring , wildflowers bloom in profusion at a place in Idaho called "Craters of the Moon." Nourished by snowmelt and occasional rains, the flowers spring up in the lava rock left by an eons-old volcano. It is a stunning sight to see the small, delicate wildflower blossoms bursting into life amid the huge, rugged boulders.
Sightseers can follow footpaths all through the lava rocks to discover the surprising spots that dusty maiden, dwarf monkey flower, and Indian paintbrush find to grow. the life span for the fragile flowers can be as brief as one day if the hot desert winds blow into the area.
When Jesus taught His followers, He often sat outside. Perhaps He sat among the spring wildflowers when He pointed at the lilies, encouraging the worriers not to be blinded to the fact that God takes care of all His creation, even a short-lived wildflower. If He takes care of them, He certainly will care for us.
How do we avoid worry? By increasing our faith in our God who loves us. By starting each day focusing on Him instead of our fears and remembering His loving care, even for the brief life of a wildflower.
All I could never be,
All men ignored in me-
this I was worth to God.
Robert Browning
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
The benefits of Wisdom
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! We have to enjoy the coolness of the mornings, now, because the weather will be heating up toward the end of the week, with temps near ninety! Looks like it will be a long, hot summer. Some don't like the cold and some don't like the heat, but God gives us what He wants and we should be content in all situations.
As I drove to the Park yesterday, I noticed blooms on a jacaranda tree, but very few. The Jacarandas were hit hard by the freezes we had, so I don't think there be a display like we had last year.. I am not sure about the Royal Poincianas, whether they are as sensitive to the cold as jacarandas. Just have to wait and see. But the Florida orchid trees, pink and white are in full bloom and I passed a house that had a beautiful apple blossom amaryllis in bloom in the yard. I think those are the prettiest with their pale pink and white flowers.
As I drove in the park, I almost hit a daredevil squirrel dashing across in front of me. They seem to be doing that more this year... in this neighborhood, too. I drove on and parked and walked to the canal to sit on a memorial bench and just look at the water for awhile. It was peaceful and the breeze was cool. I watched a pair of herons fly over and the ripples from the tilapia in the canal. The anhinga was air drying its wings and I actually saw a gopher tortoise on the way out! First time in a long while. God is good!
From the Promise Bible NLT:
Proverbs 2:1-10
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. He is their shield, protecting those who walk with integrity. He guards the paths of justice and protects those who are faithful to him.
Then you will understand what is right, just and fair, and you will know how to find the right course of action every time. For wisdom will enter your heart, and knowledge will fill you with joy. Wise planning will watch over you. Understanding will keep you safe.
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
As I drove to the Park yesterday, I noticed blooms on a jacaranda tree, but very few. The Jacarandas were hit hard by the freezes we had, so I don't think there be a display like we had last year.. I am not sure about the Royal Poincianas, whether they are as sensitive to the cold as jacarandas. Just have to wait and see. But the Florida orchid trees, pink and white are in full bloom and I passed a house that had a beautiful apple blossom amaryllis in bloom in the yard. I think those are the prettiest with their pale pink and white flowers.
As I drove in the park, I almost hit a daredevil squirrel dashing across in front of me. They seem to be doing that more this year... in this neighborhood, too. I drove on and parked and walked to the canal to sit on a memorial bench and just look at the water for awhile. It was peaceful and the breeze was cool. I watched a pair of herons fly over and the ripples from the tilapia in the canal. The anhinga was air drying its wings and I actually saw a gopher tortoise on the way out! First time in a long while. God is good!
From the Promise Bible NLT:
Proverbs 2:1-10
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. He is their shield, protecting those who walk with integrity. He guards the paths of justice and protects those who are faithful to him.
Then you will understand what is right, just and fair, and you will know how to find the right course of action every time. For wisdom will enter your heart, and knowledge will fill you with joy. Wise planning will watch over you. Understanding will keep you safe.
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
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