Monday, October 4, 2010

Be Humble

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, are all windows open? This is the cool weather we have all been waiting for. It is 69 outside at my house and only 72 inside without the A/C! Perfect!

Good news over the weekend for the Rays! Champions of the ALE. PLayoffs this week. Not so good news for Gators fans, though. They need a lot of practice this week and hopefully, will do better Saturday. But, one thing remains the same and that is that God loves us and we can always rely on His blessings.

I walked Saturday out to the first shelter in the Park, just to look at the baby gators, which are very hard to see, due to all the undergrowth and water, I did spy a couple of them because they were moving and Mama was taking it easy in the bushes off to the right. She only comes out when she thinks the babies are in danger. Just as I was leaving, the crowds started coming in with lots of happy children making loud noises, That is when she feels threatened.

I found out the name of the yellow blossomed tree. It is Golden Rain, and that is just what it does. The blooms only last for a short time and then it rains down. I also walked back to the butterfly garden at the park and saw that the Beauty Berry bush was full of dark red berries. Ah, lots of food for the birds! I could see they had been eating, because of all the purple splotches on the sidewalk. God is Good!

From the little devotional book, Knowing God:

1 Peter 5:6 NIV Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.

On the road to spiritual growth, pride is an enormous roadblock. The more prideful you are, the more difficult it is to know God. When you experience success, it's easy to puff out your chest and proclaim, "I did that!" Easy , but wrong.

Dietrich Bonhoeffer observed, "It is very easy to overestimate the importance of our own achievements,," and he was right. So the next time you're tempted to take too much credit for something you've done, resist the temptation . Instead of hogging all the glory, give God His fair share of the credit...and His share, by the way, is far bigger than your share.

Great Thoughts;
God exalts humility. When God works in our lives, helping us to become humble, he gives us a permanent joy. Humility gives us a joy that cannot be taken away.
Max Lucado

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

Love and hugs,
Amaryllis

Friday, October 1, 2010

God's Creation

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! Finally, our cool air is here, well, we can call in the seventies cool, because that is definitely a change from the lows in the eighties! And the air is dry! Usually means good hair days! :o)

I was so inspired by the air that I took a walk yesterday just before supper. I really did not intend to walk very far..no walking stick and no walking shoes, but I walked out to the first shelter at the park, and saw big mama gator and lots of little babies. When I got there a man and his small son were just leaving, so I had it to myself for awhile, then I went on to the tower and even climbed the stairs, just to see if I could. No problem, but I really hung on to the rails. The wind was blowing and I was grateful, because I was quite warm, by the time I had walked through the sunny parts of the boardwalk into the shade. I stood for awhile hoping for some ospreys, but they didn't show up.

I have finally gotten most of my strength back from the surgery in Feb., but it has really taken a long time.

By the time I started my walk back, the boardwalk was filling up with families and noisy children excited over the babies. Mama gator gets pretty disturbed when there is a lot of noise, so she came out from her hiding place in the shrubs and was really guarding them. I just kept walking and headed for the car and blessed A/C. Whew! I headed for the shower! Brian stopped by on his way home and did a few things for me that needed doing and showed me his bandaged temple from a basal cell carcinoma removal yesterday. Seems like that must run in the family. But God is good!

From the devotional book, Knowing God:

Take a look at God's Creation
You are the God of miracles and wonders! You demonstrate your awesome power among the nations. Psalm 77:14 NLT

If we want to know God, we should examine His handiwork. And when we consider God's glorious universe, we marvel a the miracle of nature. The smallest seedlings and grandest stars are all part of God's infinite creation. God has placed His handiwork on display for all to see, and if we are wise, we will make time each day to celebrate the world that surrounds us.

Today as you fulfill the demands of everyday life, pause to consider the majesty of heaven and earth. It is as miraculous as it is beautiful, as incomprehensible as it is breathtaking.

The Psalmist reminds us that the heavens are a declaration of God's glory. May we never cease to praise the Father for a universe that stands as an awesome testimony to His presence and His power.

Because God created the Natural-invented it out of His love and artistry-it demands our reverence.
-C.S. Lewis

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

Love and hugs,
Amaryllis

Thursday, September 30, 2010

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! So, today is the day we say farewell to September and really look forward to "October's Bright Blue "weather, (from a poem I sorta remember from my school days). We had cloudy weather yesterday, which suits me because I have to be cautious of the sun, anyway. Then it turned into rain and we had a nice shower in the evening. It was most welcome, because the huge staghorn hanging from our big oak tree needed water. I know it is mostly an air plant, but it looks droopy sometimes when it is dry.

While I was sweeping acorns off the front porch, my Cambodian neighbor from up the street, Mr. Soon, he says just call him "Soon", stopped on his way to the school, to chat a bit. He is hard for me to understand because of his accent, but he is a little dismayed that I am living alone, now. His household consists of I don't know how many adults and four or five little elementary grandkids. He had a heart attack about a year ago and now cannot work any more. He used to bring me flowers on Friday nights on his way home from work driving a flower truck. He walks to school twice a day to take the grandkids and see that they get home safely, and takes a long walk in the evening for his health. He is a very nice man.

I saw two anhingas in the park drying wings, and one large snapping turtle right below the anhinga on the weir. Lots of dog walkers and people enjoying the slightly cooler air. God is good!

From the Promise Bible NLT:

The heavens tell of the glory of God
The skies display his marvelous craftsmanship.
Day after day they continue to speak,
night after night they make him known.
They speak without a sound or a word,
their voice is silent in the skies,
yet their message has gone out to all the earth,
and their words to all the world.

The sun lives in the heavens
where God placed it.
It bursts forth like a radiant bridegroom
after his wedding.
It rejoices like a great athlete
eager to run the race.
The sun rises at one end of the heavens
and follows its course to the other end.
Nothing can hide from its heat.

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...

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

Wednesday, September 29, 2010

Joy!

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 prediction is for cooler weather and less humidity this weekend, which really sounds good to me, however this morning when I stepped outside, the air was definitely cooler and it would have been nice to take a walk. Hopefully, I can do that later. We had some rain yesterday after I got through with my errands. IT wasn't much, but we can use more, because we really haven't had much this month.

It looks like the ospreys are having mating time again. I saw the old, ragged nest atop a light pole in the Gateway parking lot, was being built up again and an osprey was sitting on it while I went into Publix and was still there when I came out, It may be the one I frequently see on the line across Turner's creek by the Burger King.

Also, there is a nest atop a light pole at Sawgrass school, and that one is active again. So soon there will be little ospreys flying around again. I was fascinated as I drove to the park yesterday evening, to see a forming waterspout from a very dark and threatening cloud. I was able to watch it get a little bigger and then all at once, it disappeared. Wouldn't have done me any good to have a camera, since I was driving, but I was wishing for a picture of it.

Not many people were at the park, because it was threatening rain, but an anhinga was on the weir with wings totally outstretched, and also one was on the log right by the bridge, posing the same way. No sun, but I guess the wind was drying the feathers. God is good!

From the Promise Bible NLT:

How can I be joyful in hard times?

Habakkuk 3:17,18 Even though the fig trees have no blossoms and there are no grapes on the vine; even though the olive crop fails and the fields lie empty and barren; even though the flocks die in the fields, and the cattle barns are empty, yet I will rejoice in the Lord! I will be joyful in the God of my salvation.

Philippians 4:4,12 Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again--rejoice!,,,.I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, and with plenty or little.

Joy is a choice. We may not realize it, but we choose our moods and our attitudes. God's promises in Christ are the basis for choosing joy no matter what we face.

James 1:2 Dear brothers and sisters, whenever trouble comes your way, let it be an opportunity for joy.

Troubles remind us of two things. First, they remind us that this is a fallen world, full of futility and frustration. Second, they remind us to turn to a God who will never disappoint us. God promises lasting joy for all those who believe in him. This kind of joy stays with us despite our problems.

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

Love and hugs,
Amaryllis

Tuesday, September 28, 2010

The Message

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 thought I heard thunder just now, but it must be the construction, (destruction) taking place at Lynch School near here. I don't understand how the students can learn with all the noise from the trucks and breaking of the concrete. Tough on teachers, too.

Well, anyway, I noticed this morning, that my huge Bird of Paradise plant in the back is just full of brilliant blooms. The bush is so thick that the blooms are almost hidden in all the long leaves. It really should be out front where it is more visible, but we never thought of that when we planted it many years ago. There is also another golden tree blooming on the way in to the park. Two different trees, both with gorgeous yellow blossoms. Messy, like the jacaranda, but so pretty! All was quiet at the Park yesterday. Just a few walkers and the usual service trucks from different companies taking a break. The squirrels and anhingas are what are most visible all the time, and, of course, the turtles. There must be hundreds of them!

We had an interesting Faith Group meeting last night. It's always good to get together with friends, new and old. God is good!

From The Message:

The Way of Love 1 Corinthians 13

If I speak with human eloquence and angelic ecstacy but don't love, I'm nothing but the creaking of a rusty gate.

If I speak God's Word with power, revealing all his mysteries and making everything plain as day, and If I have faith that says to a mountain, "Jump," and it jumps, but I don't love, I'm nothing.

If I give everything I own to the poor and even go to the stake to be burned as a martyr, but I don't love, I've gotten nowhere. So, no matter what I say, what I believe, and what I do, I'm bankrupt without love.

Love never gives up.
Love cares more for others than for self.
Love doesn't strut,
Doesn't have a swelled head,
Doesn't force itself on others.
Isn't always "me first".
Doesn't always fly off the handle, Doesn't keep score of the sins of others,
Doesn't revel when others grovel,
takes pleasure in the flowering of truth.
Puts up with anything/
Trusts God always,
Always looks for the best.
Never looks back,
But keeps going to the end.

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

Love and hugs,
Amaryllis

Monday, September 27, 2010

What to do About Evil

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 early this morning, I was refreshed by the cool wind blowing and walked a bit, admiring the pink streaked clouds as the sun came up. I saw two planes in the wild blue yonder, and birds were flitting about on their morning search for the early worm. Just a beautiful day!

When I went to the park yesterday, I saw an anhinga on the weir with its wings fully extended drying out and the day before, one was there with wings folded and just sitting. They are very ungainly looking because of their bent legs, whenever they try to walk.But they are very sleek in the water. Since they swim and fly, they are versatile.

Since I have a lot of errands to run this morning, I need to get started, but things will get done in due time. I had to pause and reflect after yesterday's church service how many friends I have who genuinely care about me. I have a heart full of thankfulness for the friends and family and their love. God is good!

What to do about Evil..
From the devotional Knowing God.

Take your stand with God's loyal community and live, or chase after phantoms of evil and die.
Proverbs 11:19 MSG

The better you get to know God, the more you'll understand how God wants you to respond to evil. and make no mistake, this world is inhabited by quite a few people who are very determined to do evil things. The devil and his human helpers are working 24/7 to cause pain and heartbreak in every corner of the globe including your corner. So you'd better beware. Your job, if you choose to accept it, is to recognize and fight it. The moment that you decide to fight evil whenever you see it, you can no longer be a lukewarm, halfhearted Christian. And when you are no longer a lukewarm Christian, God rejoices while the Devil despairs.

When will you choose to get serious about fighting the evils of our world? Before you answer that question, consider this in the battle of good versus evil, the devil never takes a day off...and neither should you.

God loves you, and He yearns for you to turn away from the path of evil. You need His forgiveness, and you need Him to come into your life and remake you from within,
--Billy Graham

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

Love and hugs,
Amaryllis

Friday, September 24, 2010

Psoaring thru Psalm 23

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! Just when I think it's time for fall (and it is according to the calendar), the weather is very warm when I step outside. And there is another tropical storm in the Caribbean named "Matthew," Well, we may get some rain from this one.

The wind came up all at once last night, and since my yard was mowed and the porch blown off, the wind took care of that. Twigs and leaves are all over it once again. Oh, well, it looked good for awhile, anyway. The Beauty berry bush is so big,now, and has grown so much this summer, with absolutely no care, but still has not had one purple berry on it. Very strange. But it was a volunteer in the first place, so I can't complain. The mockers certainly have enough berries without the bush, because the podacarpus is still full of berries and they fly in and out of it all day.

I watched a yellow butterfly chase a mockingbird yesterday. At least, that's what it looked like. The butterfly was flitting erratically and the bird was trying to fly around it. Of course, the bird won that flight!

I ran several errands yesterday after the lawn was mowed, including returning books to the library and checking out more and was tired at the end of the day. But some things never change, including the park, It just keeps growing and the canal keeps on flowing. Ibis and anhinga were present as usual and all was peaceful. God is good!

From The Message;

God, my shepherd!
I don't need a thing.
You have bedded me down in lush meadows,
you find me quiet pools to drink from.
True to your word,
you let me catch my breath
and send me in the right direction.

Even when the way goes through Death Valley.
I'm not afraid when you walk at my side.
Your trusty shepherd's crook
Makes me feel secure.

You serve me a six course dinner
right in front of my enemies.
You revive my drooping head;
my cup brims with blessing.

Your beauty and love chase after me
every day of my life.
I'm back home in the house of God
for the rest of my life.

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

Love and hugs,
Amaryllis

P.S. I hope all the punctuation is correct, because this is National Punctuation Day :o).