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! A beautiful sky this morning,; puffy clouds and blue sky in between. Yesterday started out this way, but a thunderstorm blew up in the afternoon. However, I was busy baking a cake, so it didn't bother me. I had a little trouble with the cake pan, though. The batter was so heavy, the Bundt pan came apart with the batter in it! I carefully fitted it back and other than batter cooked everywhere in the pan, so I had to soak it over an hour to get it apart, the cake turned out actually pretty good...doesn't look so pretty, though. Taste is the main thing, right?
I saw the high water in the park Saturday, and all the new trash that had washed down the canal and piled up at the weir and some of it washed over to the other side. Should be time to mow soon, because the grass is way high and all the weeds, too. There was a birthday party going on in the shelter, even though it was sprinkling, but they were dry and having a good time! The white egrets look so outstanding against the greens and the muddy banks. There is beauty everywhere if we just look.
Even in my yard..the plumbago is a pretty blue and the crape myrtle is bloomed out all over with pink flowers. God is good!
From the Promise Bible NLT:
2 Peter 1:3-9
As we know Jesus better, his divine power gives us everything we need for living a godly life. He has called us to receive his own glory and goodness! And by that same mighty power, he has given us all of his rich and wonderful promises. He has promised that you will escape the decadence all around you caused by evil desires and that you will share in his divine nature.
So make every effort to apply the benefits of these promises to your life. Then your faith will produce a life of moral excellence. A life of moral excellence leads to knowing God better. Knowing God leads to self-control. Self-control leads to patient endurance, and patient endurance leads to godliness. Godliness leads to love for other Christians, and finally you will grow to have genuine love for everyone. The more you grow like this, the more you will become productive and useful in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. But those who fail to develop these virtues are blind, or, at least, very shortsighted. They have already forgotten that God has cleansed them from their old life of sin.
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs, Amaryllis
Monday, July 18, 2011
Friday, July 15, 2011
A word from Paul
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 sunshiny, warm day to enjoy and maybe rain this weekend. This is good!
I went to the park yesterday with a peach milkshake from Steak and Shake this time. They have a 1/2 price happy hour between 2-4 which I did not know, so I bought a large shake, which was wrapped in a napkin, so no leaks and it was only 1.88! What a bargain! On the way into the park, two egrets hopped/flew across the street in front of me. I think Mr. Egret had romance on his mind, but she was playing hard to get. Then I saw the gopher tortoise plowing his way through the tall grass. I slurped on my milkshake for a little while then headed for home. God is good!
From the Promise Bible NLT:
1 Thess. 5:14-24
Brothers and sisters, we urge you to warn those who are lazy. Encourage those who are timid. Take tender care of those who are weak. Be patient with everyone.
See that no one pays back evil for evil, but always try to do good to each other and to everyone else.
Always be joyful. Keep on praying. No matter what happens, always be thankful, for this is God's will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.
Do not stifle the Holy Spirit. Do not scoff at prophecies, but test everything that is said. Hold on to what is good. Keep away from every kind of evil.
Now may the God of peace make you holy in every way, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless until the day when our Lord Jesus Christ comes again.
God, who calls you, is faithful, he will do this.
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs, Amaryllis
I went to the park yesterday with a peach milkshake from Steak and Shake this time. They have a 1/2 price happy hour between 2-4 which I did not know, so I bought a large shake, which was wrapped in a napkin, so no leaks and it was only 1.88! What a bargain! On the way into the park, two egrets hopped/flew across the street in front of me. I think Mr. Egret had romance on his mind, but she was playing hard to get. Then I saw the gopher tortoise plowing his way through the tall grass. I slurped on my milkshake for a little while then headed for home. God is good!
From the Promise Bible NLT:
1 Thess. 5:14-24
Brothers and sisters, we urge you to warn those who are lazy. Encourage those who are timid. Take tender care of those who are weak. Be patient with everyone.
See that no one pays back evil for evil, but always try to do good to each other and to everyone else.
Always be joyful. Keep on praying. No matter what happens, always be thankful, for this is God's will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.
Do not stifle the Holy Spirit. Do not scoff at prophecies, but test everything that is said. Hold on to what is good. Keep away from every kind of evil.
Now may the God of peace make you holy in every way, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless until the day when our Lord Jesus Christ comes again.
God, who calls you, is faithful, he will do this.
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs, Amaryllis
Thursday, July 14, 2011
Fearfully and wonderfully made
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 sky is blue, the slight wind is blowing and a few puffy clouds are scooting across the sky..beautiful! Yesterday was nice and hot, too, and today will be the same.
I had an appointment to get an echo gram yesterday, and after just a short wait, got called in , which was a surprise. I am used to waiting a long time for any appointment. The young man who was the techie, gave me a paper jacket to put on;, it even had grippers, which I appreciated. After birthing babies and all the exams women have to have, it is still nice to be covered up. But I was looking right at the screen and saw my heart pumping and all the parts of it and then heard the sloshing of the blood flowing, and I couldn't help thinking of how God formed us in the womb and knew us even before we were born. We are fearfully and wonderfully made!
After that, I felt like I needed a bit of refreshment, so I got myself a peach milkshake from Chick-fil-a, and Yum, was that good! I had planned to drink it in the Park, but it started melting down into the cup holder, so I drove on home to clean everything up. I did go to the park, though and the tiny, green algae leaves are completely covering the canal by the weir and the trash is still there, but this does not bother the flocks of ibis. I also saw the great gray heron standing watch for lunch swimming by. God is good!
From the Promise Bible NLT:
Psalm 139
O Lord, you have examined my heart
and know everything about me.
You know when I sit down or stand up.
You know my every thought when far away.
You chart the path ahead of me
and tell me where to stop and rest.
Every moment you know where I am.
You know what I am going to say
even before I say it, Lord.
You both precede and follow me.
You place your hand of blessing on my head.
Such knowledge is too wonderful for me,
too great for me to know!
I can never escape from your spirit!
I can never get away from your presence!
If I go up to heaven, you are there;
if I go down to the place of the dead,
you are there.
If I ride the wings of the morning,
if I dwell by the farthest ooceans,
even there your hand will guide me
and your strength will support me.
I could ask the darkness to hide me
and the light around me to become night--
but even in darkness I cannot hide from
you. To you the night shines as bright as day,
Darkness and light are both alike to you.
You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body
and knit me together in my mother's womb.
Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex!...
Search me, O God, and know my heart;
test me and know my thoughts.
Point out anything in me that offends you, and lead me along the past of everlasting life.
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs, Amaryllis
I had an appointment to get an echo gram yesterday, and after just a short wait, got called in , which was a surprise. I am used to waiting a long time for any appointment. The young man who was the techie, gave me a paper jacket to put on;, it even had grippers, which I appreciated. After birthing babies and all the exams women have to have, it is still nice to be covered up. But I was looking right at the screen and saw my heart pumping and all the parts of it and then heard the sloshing of the blood flowing, and I couldn't help thinking of how God formed us in the womb and knew us even before we were born. We are fearfully and wonderfully made!
After that, I felt like I needed a bit of refreshment, so I got myself a peach milkshake from Chick-fil-a, and Yum, was that good! I had planned to drink it in the Park, but it started melting down into the cup holder, so I drove on home to clean everything up. I did go to the park, though and the tiny, green algae leaves are completely covering the canal by the weir and the trash is still there, but this does not bother the flocks of ibis. I also saw the great gray heron standing watch for lunch swimming by. God is good!
From the Promise Bible NLT:
Psalm 139
O Lord, you have examined my heart
and know everything about me.
You know when I sit down or stand up.
You know my every thought when far away.
You chart the path ahead of me
and tell me where to stop and rest.
Every moment you know where I am.
You know what I am going to say
even before I say it, Lord.
You both precede and follow me.
You place your hand of blessing on my head.
Such knowledge is too wonderful for me,
too great for me to know!
I can never escape from your spirit!
I can never get away from your presence!
If I go up to heaven, you are there;
if I go down to the place of the dead,
you are there.
If I ride the wings of the morning,
if I dwell by the farthest ooceans,
even there your hand will guide me
and your strength will support me.
I could ask the darkness to hide me
and the light around me to become night--
but even in darkness I cannot hide from
you. To you the night shines as bright as day,
Darkness and light are both alike to you.
You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body
and knit me together in my mother's womb.
Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex!...
Search me, O God, and know my heart;
test me and know my thoughts.
Point out anything in me that offends you, and lead me along the past of everlasting life.
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs, Amaryllis
Wednesday, July 13, 2011
A Word from James
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 yesterday that we were going to have another thunderstorm, because the sky looked so dark around noon, but just a few sprinkles on the car, and that was it, Although if I had gone to Gateway Mall as I had planned, I probably would have run into the rain. I could see that it looked like it was really coming down just a few blocks up the street.
However, I got my errands run and did what I had to do, so that was good. After I finished running around, I toured the park, but not a lot of people were there. It was very hot and the sky was dark. A couple of walkers decided to walk in the street instead of the sidewalk, and they crossed right in front of me, not seeming to know there was a car behind them. I stopped to decide where they were going and one finally looked back, so they decided to stay on one side. They were not wearing ear buds, so I guess they just weren't paying attention. Good time for me to practice patience...I saw a squirrel sitting up in the yard and one at the park nibbling on acorns, and they looked so cute, I just wanted to scratch their little bellies. I also saw an anhinga, and an almost invisible tri-colored heron blending in with his surroundings. God is good!
Faith and endurance from James 1 NLT:
Dear brothers and sisters, whenever trouble comes your way, let it be an opportunity for joy. For when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be strong in character and ready for anything.
If you need wisdom--if you want to know what God wants you do do--ask him, and he will gladly tell you. He will not resent your asking. But when you ask him, be sure that you really expect him to answer, for a doubtful mind is as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. People like that should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. They can't make up their minds. They waver back and forth in everything they do....
God blesses the people who patiently endure testing. Afterward they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
However, I got my errands run and did what I had to do, so that was good. After I finished running around, I toured the park, but not a lot of people were there. It was very hot and the sky was dark. A couple of walkers decided to walk in the street instead of the sidewalk, and they crossed right in front of me, not seeming to know there was a car behind them. I stopped to decide where they were going and one finally looked back, so they decided to stay on one side. They were not wearing ear buds, so I guess they just weren't paying attention. Good time for me to practice patience...I saw a squirrel sitting up in the yard and one at the park nibbling on acorns, and they looked so cute, I just wanted to scratch their little bellies. I also saw an anhinga, and an almost invisible tri-colored heron blending in with his surroundings. God is good!
Faith and endurance from James 1 NLT:
Dear brothers and sisters, whenever trouble comes your way, let it be an opportunity for joy. For when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be strong in character and ready for anything.
If you need wisdom--if you want to know what God wants you do do--ask him, and he will gladly tell you. He will not resent your asking. But when you ask him, be sure that you really expect him to answer, for a doubtful mind is as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. People like that should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. They can't make up their minds. They waver back and forth in everything they do....
God blesses the people who patiently endure testing. Afterward they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
Psoaring thru Psalm 34:8-22
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 seem to be in our summer thunderstorm weather pattern now, as, once again, we had a short thundershower midday yesterday. The water is still very welcome after our very dry spring. Since the grass had not grown so much last week, I told Dave, the yard man, to skip last Thurs., but it really needs mowing, now!
I noticed some of the biggest trash pieces had been cleaned up from the weir at the park yesterday...a piece of a big log, bucket and other large stuff that had washed down the canal. There is still lots of small stuff, but that doesn't seem to bother the egrets who still fish there.
The toadstools don't last long. They had turned brown and dried up and probably children like to kick them over; some are really big! The ones in my yard do not last long, but I am not poking any, any more!
A strikingly, beautiful cardinal flew into the hedge outside my window, yesterday. I say strikingly beautiful because I had never seen one do that before and against the dark green of the hedge, the contrast was striking! I also saw a red-headed woodpecker in the oak tree yesterday. seems like more birds are around than I saw last winter. God is good!
From the Promise Bible NLT:
Taste and see that the Lord is good.
Oh, the joys of those who trust in him!
Let the Lord's people show him reverence,
for those who honor him will have all they need.
Even strong young lions sometimes go hungry,
but those who trust in the Lord will never lack any good thing.
Come, my children, and listen to me,
and I will teach you to fear the Lord.
Do any of you want to live a life that is long and good?
Then watch your tongue!
Keep your lips from telling lies!
Turn away from evil and do good.
Work hard at living in peace with others
The eyes of the Lord watch over those who do right.
His ears are open to their cries for help.
But the Lord turns his face against those who do evil;
he will erase their memory from the earth.
The Lord hears his people when they call to him for help.
He rescues them from all their troubles.
The Lord is close to the brokenhearted;
he rescues those who are crushed in spirit.
The righteous face many troubles,
but the Lord rescues them from each and every one.
For the Lord protects them from harm--
not one of their bones will be broken!
Calamity will surely overtake the wicked,
and those who hate the righteous will be punished.
But the Lord will redeem those who serve him.
Everyone who trusts in him will be freely pardoned.
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
I noticed some of the biggest trash pieces had been cleaned up from the weir at the park yesterday...a piece of a big log, bucket and other large stuff that had washed down the canal. There is still lots of small stuff, but that doesn't seem to bother the egrets who still fish there.
The toadstools don't last long. They had turned brown and dried up and probably children like to kick them over; some are really big! The ones in my yard do not last long, but I am not poking any, any more!
A strikingly, beautiful cardinal flew into the hedge outside my window, yesterday. I say strikingly beautiful because I had never seen one do that before and against the dark green of the hedge, the contrast was striking! I also saw a red-headed woodpecker in the oak tree yesterday. seems like more birds are around than I saw last winter. God is good!
From the Promise Bible NLT:
Taste and see that the Lord is good.
Oh, the joys of those who trust in him!
Let the Lord's people show him reverence,
for those who honor him will have all they need.
Even strong young lions sometimes go hungry,
but those who trust in the Lord will never lack any good thing.
Come, my children, and listen to me,
and I will teach you to fear the Lord.
Do any of you want to live a life that is long and good?
Then watch your tongue!
Keep your lips from telling lies!
Turn away from evil and do good.
Work hard at living in peace with others
The eyes of the Lord watch over those who do right.
His ears are open to their cries for help.
But the Lord turns his face against those who do evil;
he will erase their memory from the earth.
The Lord hears his people when they call to him for help.
He rescues them from all their troubles.
The Lord is close to the brokenhearted;
he rescues those who are crushed in spirit.
The righteous face many troubles,
but the Lord rescues them from each and every one.
For the Lord protects them from harm--
not one of their bones will be broken!
Calamity will surely overtake the wicked,
and those who hate the righteous will be punished.
But the Lord will redeem those who serve him.
Everyone who trusts in him will be freely pardoned.
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
Monday, July 11, 2011
Psoaring thru Psalm 34
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! Lots of sunshine and a nice breeze this morning means it will be a very warm day later on, but this is July, so that is to be expected. I was surprised yesterday by a heavy rain that started as I left church for home. I was not expecting it, but I drove on to the Park, anyway, and saw some very wet people running off the boardwalk to the covered shelter. I have been caught in the rain on the boardwalk before, many years ago...had to dry off with paper towels!
All the rain has made lots of toadstools spring up. I mentioned them last week, but they formed a great big semi-circle at the park. We used to call that a fairy ring when we were kids, because the little people would dance around in it. Ah, childhood! I found some small ones in my yard yesterday and noticed that they looked like little white flowers that had opened up. I made the mistake of poking a dying orange one with the broom handle...whew, big mistake! It had a very bad odor, like something dead!
My friend at church , who is a photographer for Fox 13, told me that he had done a story on the trash at Sawgrass Park, that aired Thursday. I had missed it so looked it up on their website and saw the story. It is trashy and will be that way until more volunteers are available to help clean out the canal. But, with the budget cuts, there are just not enough people to go around to all the parks. Still, there is a lot of beauty to be seen and little critters like the wet turtle who was trying to scurry across the road, while dodging cars coming toward him. I waited for him to cross, before going ahead. God is good!
From the Promise Bible NLT:
Psalm 34:1-7
I will praise the Lord at all times.
I will constantly speak his praises.
I will boast only in the Lord;
let all who are discouraged take heart.
Come, let us tell of the Lord's greatness;
let us exalt his name together.
I prayed to the Lord, and he answered me,
freeing me from all my fears.
Those who look to him for help will be radiant with joy;
no shadow of shame will darken their faces.
I cried out to the Lord in my suffering, and he heard me.
He set me free from all my fears.
For the angel of the Lord guards all who fear him,
and he rescues them...
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
All the rain has made lots of toadstools spring up. I mentioned them last week, but they formed a great big semi-circle at the park. We used to call that a fairy ring when we were kids, because the little people would dance around in it. Ah, childhood! I found some small ones in my yard yesterday and noticed that they looked like little white flowers that had opened up. I made the mistake of poking a dying orange one with the broom handle...whew, big mistake! It had a very bad odor, like something dead!
My friend at church , who is a photographer for Fox 13, told me that he had done a story on the trash at Sawgrass Park, that aired Thursday. I had missed it so looked it up on their website and saw the story. It is trashy and will be that way until more volunteers are available to help clean out the canal. But, with the budget cuts, there are just not enough people to go around to all the parks. Still, there is a lot of beauty to be seen and little critters like the wet turtle who was trying to scurry across the road, while dodging cars coming toward him. I waited for him to cross, before going ahead. God is good!
From the Promise Bible NLT:
Psalm 34:1-7
I will praise the Lord at all times.
I will constantly speak his praises.
I will boast only in the Lord;
let all who are discouraged take heart.
Come, let us tell of the Lord's greatness;
let us exalt his name together.
I prayed to the Lord, and he answered me,
freeing me from all my fears.
Those who look to him for help will be radiant with joy;
no shadow of shame will darken their faces.
I cried out to the Lord in my suffering, and he heard me.
He set me free from all my fears.
For the angel of the Lord guards all who fear him,
and he rescues them...
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
Friday, July 8, 2011
Ephesians 3
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 woke to thunder and rain and it has been raining ever since I got up. Right now, it is heavy rain, but, so far, the weather at the Cape looks like it is still a "go" for take off for Atlantis. I watched the Astro-bus take the astronauts to the shuttle and now I guess they are loaded on board. They are very brave in my opinion!
Yesterday was also a rainy day here by the time I got ready to go someplace, the rains started, so I decided to stay home and be lazy. I wasn't in the mood to clean out more closets or drawers, so read a lot and tried to exercise. I have Tim Tebow's book, so I will start on that soon. Looks like I won't get much done today, either, with all the rain coming down. But, God is good! We were dry for a very long time...now we are not!
From the Promise Bible NLT:
Paul's Prayer for Spiritual Empowering
When I think of the wisdom and scope of God's plan, I fall to my knees and pray to the Father, the Creator of everything in heaven and on earth. I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will give you mighty inner strength through his Holy Spirit. And I pray that Christ will be more and more at home in your hearts as you trust in him. May your roots go down deep into the soil of God's marvelous love. And may you have the power to understand , as all of God's people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love really is. May you experience the love of Christ, though it is so great you will never fully understand it. Then you will be filled with the fullness of life and power that comes from God.
Now glory be to God! By his mighty power at work within us, he is able to accomplish infinitely more than we would ever dare to ask or hope. May he be given glory in the church and in Christ Jesus forever and ever through endless ages.
Amen.
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
Yesterday was also a rainy day here by the time I got ready to go someplace, the rains started, so I decided to stay home and be lazy. I wasn't in the mood to clean out more closets or drawers, so read a lot and tried to exercise. I have Tim Tebow's book, so I will start on that soon. Looks like I won't get much done today, either, with all the rain coming down. But, God is good! We were dry for a very long time...now we are not!
From the Promise Bible NLT:
Paul's Prayer for Spiritual Empowering
When I think of the wisdom and scope of God's plan, I fall to my knees and pray to the Father, the Creator of everything in heaven and on earth. I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will give you mighty inner strength through his Holy Spirit. And I pray that Christ will be more and more at home in your hearts as you trust in him. May your roots go down deep into the soil of God's marvelous love. And may you have the power to understand , as all of God's people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love really is. May you experience the love of Christ, though it is so great you will never fully understand it. Then you will be filled with the fullness of life and power that comes from God.
Now glory be to God! By his mighty power at work within us, he is able to accomplish infinitely more than we would ever dare to ask or hope. May he be given glory in the church and in Christ Jesus forever and ever through endless ages.
Amen.
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
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