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, the weatherman is not always right on. We did not have the rain and thunderstorms that were predicted, although we got a light shower here and this morning the porch was puddly from a rain during the night, but now the sun is shining, and the wind is blowing. So I guess the cold wave is on its way, after all.
Yesterday, I had a doctor's follow up app't. and it was unusually quiet in the office...no patients waiting, except me, so when I was called in, the doctor, after checking me over for any complaints, said my BP was under control, and he decided to chat with me. We spent half an hour chatting about various things and I asked him about his daughter who has gone into body art. She tattoos for a living, and is living with a tattoo supplier. Seems like both his daughters are free spirits, which is all right with him, as he stuck to what he likes to do best...meeting people and talking face to face and being a healer. He seems to like to chat with me when he has time.
I left with a light sprinkle coming down and before I got home, it was a steady light rain, but I drove to the park to check it out, and was surprised to see a few people taking their time leaving, even though it was raining steadily by that time. The squirrels were still scampering about and I saw two ibis perched in one tree, hanging over the water, and three further down, perched on another limb. The grass had recently been mowed, so it looked peaceful and quiet. God is good!
From the Promise Bible NLT:
Hope in the Lord's faithfulness
Lamentations 3:19
The thought of my suffering and homelessness is bitter beyond words. I will never forget this awful time, as I grieve over my loss. Yet I still dare to hope when I remember this:
The unfailing love of the Lord never ends! By his mercies we have been kept from complete destruction. Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each day. I say to myself, "The Lord is my inheritance; therefore, I will hope in him!"
The Lord is wonderfully good to those who wait for him and seek him. So it is good to wait quietly for salvation from the Lord. And it is good for the young to submit to the yoke of his discipline.
Let them sit alone in silence beneath the Lord's demands. Let them lie face down in the dust; then at last there is hope for them. Let them turn the other cheek to those who strike them. Let them accept the insults of their enemies.
For the Lord does not abandon anyone forever.Though he brings grief, he also shows compassion according to the greatness of his unfailing love. For he does not enjoy hurting people or bringing them sorrow.
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
Wednesday, October 19, 2011
Monday, October 17, 2011
Habakkuk's Prayer
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 sun was shining when I looked out awhile ago, but now the clouds have rolled in and looks like we will get the rain tomorrow that has been predicted. Well, God is in control of the weather and everything else!
On my way to church yesterday, I went around Lynch Lake and saw a flock of ibis, and all alone, two sad looking woodstorks, I have mentioned before how depressed they always look. Some birds look happy, but not them. Then, coming back home, the flock of ibis were still there, along with three woodstorks and a bunch of ducks all gathered in front of a bench eating some crumbs someone had left for them. They all seemed to be getting along just fine together.
The ducks are very possessive about their crossing the street rights...I made it just before a group of five started crossing in front of me. Once they start, they have no fear of cars and just take their time, all in a row.
I saw the remnants of a beautiful sunset as I was coming home from a meeting at church last night...all reds and pinks, streaking across the eastern sky. Just beautiful! God is good!
From the Promise Bible NLT:
Habakkuk's Prayer (portions)
This prayer was sung by the prophet Havbakkuk:
I have heard all about you, Lord, and I am filled with awe by the amazing things you have done. In this time of our deep need, begin again to help us, as you did in years gone by. Show us your power to save us. And in your anger, remember your mercy.
I see God, the Holy one, moving across the deserts from Edom and Mount Paran. His brilliant splendor fills the heavens and the earth if filled with his praise! What a wonderful God he is! Rays of brilliant light flash from his hands. He rejoices in his awesome power. Pestilence marches before him, plague follows close behind. When he stops, the earth shakes. When he looks, the nations tremble. He shatters the everlasting mountains and levels the eternal hills. But his power is not diminished in the least! I see the peoples of Cushan and Midian trembling in terror....
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. The sovereign Lord is my strength! He will make me as furefooted as a deer and bring me safely over the mountains.
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
On my way to church yesterday, I went around Lynch Lake and saw a flock of ibis, and all alone, two sad looking woodstorks, I have mentioned before how depressed they always look. Some birds look happy, but not them. Then, coming back home, the flock of ibis were still there, along with three woodstorks and a bunch of ducks all gathered in front of a bench eating some crumbs someone had left for them. They all seemed to be getting along just fine together.
The ducks are very possessive about their crossing the street rights...I made it just before a group of five started crossing in front of me. Once they start, they have no fear of cars and just take their time, all in a row.
I saw the remnants of a beautiful sunset as I was coming home from a meeting at church last night...all reds and pinks, streaking across the eastern sky. Just beautiful! God is good!
From the Promise Bible NLT:
Habakkuk's Prayer (portions)
This prayer was sung by the prophet Havbakkuk:
I have heard all about you, Lord, and I am filled with awe by the amazing things you have done. In this time of our deep need, begin again to help us, as you did in years gone by. Show us your power to save us. And in your anger, remember your mercy.
I see God, the Holy one, moving across the deserts from Edom and Mount Paran. His brilliant splendor fills the heavens and the earth if filled with his praise! What a wonderful God he is! Rays of brilliant light flash from his hands. He rejoices in his awesome power. Pestilence marches before him, plague follows close behind. When he stops, the earth shakes. When he looks, the nations tremble. He shatters the everlasting mountains and levels the eternal hills. But his power is not diminished in the least! I see the peoples of Cushan and Midian trembling in terror....
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. The sovereign Lord is my strength! He will make me as furefooted as a deer and bring me safely over the mountains.
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
Friday, October 14, 2011
Psoaring thru Psalm 100
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 morning with low humidity and lots of sunshine and the promise of a lovely day!
Yesterday, as I was driving east, I could not help admiring the towering, white puffy clouds in the distance..looked like big piles of whipped cream! I don't what kind of clouds they were...alto-cumulus, or whatever, but they were beautiful. Thank you , Jesus! I have to remember to get out to look at the moon tonight and see Jupiter dancing with it, as Paul Delegatto says. I know it will be a sight to see!
I got a lot of indoor exercise yesterday. I stripped the bed and washed all the sheets and sheet blanket, then put them all back on the bed, one by one, as they came out of the dryer, which meant walking back and forth from bedroom to garage. Then I decided to change the quilt to the winter one. I have two handmade Amish quilts, made for me by an old order Amish friend, who, before she died, lived in Indiana across from my grandfather's farm. The spring and summer quilt is the double wedding ring pattern and the winter is colors of blue, in the triangle pattern. They are treasures!
After all that, I drove to the library, and then to the park, to check out what was going on there. I saw a large flock of ibis, doing their thing, and many squirrels still gathered around the one tree they seem to call home. An egret was posing in the fishing position and the trees were hanging gracefully over the canal, reflecting in the water. It was a peaceful scene. God is good!
This is one of my favorite Psalms. I memorized it while in Sunday school as a child;
A psalm of thanksgiving:
Shout with joy to the Lord, O earth!
Worship the Lord with gladness.
Come before him, singing with joy,
Acknowledge that the Lord is God!
He made us and we are his.
We are his people, the sheep of his pasture.
Enter his gates with thanksgiving;
go into his courts with praise.
Give thanks to him and bless his name.
For the Lord is good.
His unfailing love continues forever,
and his faithfulness continues to each generation.
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs, Amaryllis
Yesterday, as I was driving east, I could not help admiring the towering, white puffy clouds in the distance..looked like big piles of whipped cream! I don't what kind of clouds they were...alto-cumulus, or whatever, but they were beautiful. Thank you , Jesus! I have to remember to get out to look at the moon tonight and see Jupiter dancing with it, as Paul Delegatto says. I know it will be a sight to see!
I got a lot of indoor exercise yesterday. I stripped the bed and washed all the sheets and sheet blanket, then put them all back on the bed, one by one, as they came out of the dryer, which meant walking back and forth from bedroom to garage. Then I decided to change the quilt to the winter one. I have two handmade Amish quilts, made for me by an old order Amish friend, who, before she died, lived in Indiana across from my grandfather's farm. The spring and summer quilt is the double wedding ring pattern and the winter is colors of blue, in the triangle pattern. They are treasures!
After all that, I drove to the library, and then to the park, to check out what was going on there. I saw a large flock of ibis, doing their thing, and many squirrels still gathered around the one tree they seem to call home. An egret was posing in the fishing position and the trees were hanging gracefully over the canal, reflecting in the water. It was a peaceful scene. God is good!
This is one of my favorite Psalms. I memorized it while in Sunday school as a child;
A psalm of thanksgiving:
Shout with joy to the Lord, O earth!
Worship the Lord with gladness.
Come before him, singing with joy,
Acknowledge that the Lord is God!
He made us and we are his.
We are his people, the sheep of his pasture.
Enter his gates with thanksgiving;
go into his courts with praise.
Give thanks to him and bless his name.
For the Lord is good.
His unfailing love continues forever,
and his faithfulness continues to each generation.
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs, Amaryllis
Thursday, October 13, 2011
Blessings
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 already had a couple showers this morning, but after they pass through, we have the promise of less humidity and a cool and beautiful weekend! Sounds great!
I got an all clear from the NPR yesterday, so the prescription I have to do myself is get more exercise...ugh, hard for me to do these days with the shortness of breath, but if I take just short walks, I'm sure it will gradually build up my stamina.
I visited the park yesterday and was surprised to see so many people out. Mostly, moms and babies in strollers and a couple very engrossed in each other. I didn't hear the hawk, but saw lots of ibis and birds flying about. The butterfly garden is flourishing and the teacher had a class on the boardwalk, instructing them on all nature around them. Nice field trip!
Speaking of birds, I found another dead baby mocker in front of the garage, again, as I was working in the yard trying to clean up part of the mess, since my yard man is having trouble with his truck.
The strange thing is...there was not a mark on the bird and I still cannot see the nest. He was already developed to the point that while still fuzzy on the chest, his wing feathers were already grown, so I could tell it was a mocker. Well, these things happen, I guess, but God is good!
From the Promise Bible NLT:
Can we do things that affect how much God blesses us?
Psalm 84:11 The Lord God is our light and protector. He gives us grace and glory. No good thing will the Lord withhold from those who do what is right.
God promises to bless those who do what is right; he doesn't extend the same promise to those who don't do what is right.
How does the promise of blessing affect us when we are weary or discouraged?
1 Corinthians 15:57-58 How we thank God, who gives us victory over sin and death through Jesus Christ our Lord! So,my dear brothers and sisters, be strong and steady, always enthusiastic about the Lord's work, for you know that nothing you do for the Lord is ever useless.
Galatians 6:9 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.
When we are tempted to give up, new resolve comes from remembering that God promises to bring a harvest in his perfect time.
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
I got an all clear from the NPR yesterday, so the prescription I have to do myself is get more exercise...ugh, hard for me to do these days with the shortness of breath, but if I take just short walks, I'm sure it will gradually build up my stamina.
I visited the park yesterday and was surprised to see so many people out. Mostly, moms and babies in strollers and a couple very engrossed in each other. I didn't hear the hawk, but saw lots of ibis and birds flying about. The butterfly garden is flourishing and the teacher had a class on the boardwalk, instructing them on all nature around them. Nice field trip!
Speaking of birds, I found another dead baby mocker in front of the garage, again, as I was working in the yard trying to clean up part of the mess, since my yard man is having trouble with his truck.
The strange thing is...there was not a mark on the bird and I still cannot see the nest. He was already developed to the point that while still fuzzy on the chest, his wing feathers were already grown, so I could tell it was a mocker. Well, these things happen, I guess, but God is good!
From the Promise Bible NLT:
Can we do things that affect how much God blesses us?
Psalm 84:11 The Lord God is our light and protector. He gives us grace and glory. No good thing will the Lord withhold from those who do what is right.
God promises to bless those who do what is right; he doesn't extend the same promise to those who don't do what is right.
How does the promise of blessing affect us when we are weary or discouraged?
1 Corinthians 15:57-58 How we thank God, who gives us victory over sin and death through Jesus Christ our Lord! So,my dear brothers and sisters, be strong and steady, always enthusiastic about the Lord's work, for you know that nothing you do for the Lord is ever useless.
Galatians 6:9 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.
When we are tempted to give up, new resolve comes from remembering that God promises to bring a harvest in his perfect time.
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
Tuesday, October 11, 2011
Jesus, the True Vine
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 beautiful, rain free morning and a great day to be alive and outdoors for just a few minutes.
My yard is still full of trash from the oaks, but Thursday will soon be here along with Dave, the yard man, and then it will look better until the next winds! The squirrels don't mind the mess, in fact, they add to it by cutting all the twigs for their nests. I saw more of their piles this morning, so they are still busy building for the coming winter.
I went to the park yesterday, and was admiring the foliage and butterflies and the people hanging over the bridge looking at the gator underneath. I counted five squirrels under the same tree, so there must have been tasty acorns in that spot. I also saw one of the gopher tortoises standing on the pile of sand that must have come from his tunnel. God is good!
From the Promise Bible NLT:
John 15:9-16
I have loved you even as the Father has loved me. Remain in my love. When you obey me, you remain in my love, just as I obey my Father and remain in his love. I have told you this so that you will be filled with my joy. Yes , your joy will overflow! I command you to love each other in the same way that I love you. And here is how to measure it--the greatest love is shown when people lay down their lives for their friends. You are my friends if you obey me. I no longer call you servants, because a master doesn't confide in his servants. Now you are my friends, since I have told you everything the Father told me. You didn't choose me, I chose you. I appointed you to go and produce fruit that will last, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask for, using my name. I command you to love each other.
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
My yard is still full of trash from the oaks, but Thursday will soon be here along with Dave, the yard man, and then it will look better until the next winds! The squirrels don't mind the mess, in fact, they add to it by cutting all the twigs for their nests. I saw more of their piles this morning, so they are still busy building for the coming winter.
I went to the park yesterday, and was admiring the foliage and butterflies and the people hanging over the bridge looking at the gator underneath. I counted five squirrels under the same tree, so there must have been tasty acorns in that spot. I also saw one of the gopher tortoises standing on the pile of sand that must have come from his tunnel. God is good!
From the Promise Bible NLT:
John 15:9-16
I have loved you even as the Father has loved me. Remain in my love. When you obey me, you remain in my love, just as I obey my Father and remain in his love. I have told you this so that you will be filled with my joy. Yes , your joy will overflow! I command you to love each other in the same way that I love you. And here is how to measure it--the greatest love is shown when people lay down their lives for their friends. You are my friends if you obey me. I no longer call you servants, because a master doesn't confide in his servants. Now you are my friends, since I have told you everything the Father told me. You didn't choose me, I chose you. I appointed you to go and produce fruit that will last, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask for, using my name. I command you to love each other.
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
Monday, October 10, 2011
James 1
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! Water is still dripping off the roof from the all day rain yesterday, but today the sun is shining and it looks like a cool, wonderful day! I drove to church in a light rain, but by the time I parked, it was really coming down hard. I got in fairly dry with my umbrella, but found out my back was wet, which soon dried.
My yard is a mess from the high winds Saturday, which whipped the twigs and branches from the trees, so now, it really needs a clean-up, Since the growth of the grass has slowed down, I only have it mowed every two weeks, and this is the week, so it will mostly be cleaned up Thursday. I can wait. I looked out the garage side door late yesterday to see if could take trash out, and a flock of birds landed and were very busily pecking on the ground, so I did not go out, but stood and watched, I didn't recognize the kind, but then realized they must have been immature blackbirds, kind of brownish with stripes. A few very black blackbirds were with them. They soon left in a cloud and perched on the overhead wires.
As I drove to church, I saw a woodstork and an anhinga perched on the same sign on the banks of Lynch Lake, contrasting very sharply with one black and one white..a strange pair. But God is good!
From the Promise Bible NLT:
James 1:2-8
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 to 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 an 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
My yard is a mess from the high winds Saturday, which whipped the twigs and branches from the trees, so now, it really needs a clean-up, Since the growth of the grass has slowed down, I only have it mowed every two weeks, and this is the week, so it will mostly be cleaned up Thursday. I can wait. I looked out the garage side door late yesterday to see if could take trash out, and a flock of birds landed and were very busily pecking on the ground, so I did not go out, but stood and watched, I didn't recognize the kind, but then realized they must have been immature blackbirds, kind of brownish with stripes. A few very black blackbirds were with them. They soon left in a cloud and perched on the overhead wires.
As I drove to church, I saw a woodstork and an anhinga perched on the same sign on the banks of Lynch Lake, contrasting very sharply with one black and one white..a strange pair. But God is good!
From the Promise Bible NLT:
James 1:2-8
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 to 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 an 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
Friday, October 7, 2011
Like a Newborn Babe
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 wind is blowing and the air is cool and the promise of rain is in the forecast. And, we had a good shower last night after dark.. I had seen a dark cloud hovering overhead, but really did not think it would rain. But it did not last long.
I was so impressed by the sky yesterday. In addition to the contrails, white puffy clouds were floating around , contrasting with the blue of the sky. Very beautiful!
After vacuuming and getting some things done, I went to the park, and saw one woodstork, and several ibises hanging around the weir. That is unusual, because I had not seen them there before. Then, further on, I saw the old gopher tortoise. As I was growing up, we just called them gophers, and they were everywhere in the vacant lots. Now, they are protected.
On my way back home, I took a detour to Wendy's and purchased a salad and baked potato with chili cheese topping for supper. Couldn't eat all of either one, so guess I will have reruns again for lunch. But God is good!
From the devotional book Quiet Moments with God:
I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you. I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh.
Ezekiel 36:26 NKJV
In 1994, Jim Gleason underwent a life-saving heart transplant at age fifty-one. After he survived one of the most extreme surgeries imaginable, many asked how it felt to love with a new heart. His analogy was "like being born again, but with fifty years of memories and experiences built in."
He tells of coming home just ten days after his transplant. He wanted to go for a short walk around the yard. Accompanied by his daughter, he gazed in wonder at the green grass--so brilliant after weeks of drab hospital room walls. He recalls:
I stopped walking. "Look at that!" I exclaimed to Mary. I was pointing to our small maple tree, so vibrant with the colors of that crisp, clear fall day. Then I spied a grasshopper and, like the young child, exclaimed in glee, "Look at that! A grasshopper!"
Her response, in disbelief at my reaction, was an almost sarcastic, "Well, if that's exciting, look here-- a lady bug!"
After four years with his new heart. Jim still cherishes life's simple pleasures. And when is the danger of losing that gift greatest? " As friends and family wish you would return to being "Normal"". he reflects. "I struggle to never become "normal" in that sense again."
With God's help, we, too, can walk in newness of life--no surgery required. Give thanks that we don't have to be "normal".
Think not on what you lack
as much as on what you have.
Greek Proverb
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
I was so impressed by the sky yesterday. In addition to the contrails, white puffy clouds were floating around , contrasting with the blue of the sky. Very beautiful!
After vacuuming and getting some things done, I went to the park, and saw one woodstork, and several ibises hanging around the weir. That is unusual, because I had not seen them there before. Then, further on, I saw the old gopher tortoise. As I was growing up, we just called them gophers, and they were everywhere in the vacant lots. Now, they are protected.
On my way back home, I took a detour to Wendy's and purchased a salad and baked potato with chili cheese topping for supper. Couldn't eat all of either one, so guess I will have reruns again for lunch. But God is good!
From the devotional book Quiet Moments with God:
I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you. I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh.
Ezekiel 36:26 NKJV
In 1994, Jim Gleason underwent a life-saving heart transplant at age fifty-one. After he survived one of the most extreme surgeries imaginable, many asked how it felt to love with a new heart. His analogy was "like being born again, but with fifty years of memories and experiences built in."
He tells of coming home just ten days after his transplant. He wanted to go for a short walk around the yard. Accompanied by his daughter, he gazed in wonder at the green grass--so brilliant after weeks of drab hospital room walls. He recalls:
I stopped walking. "Look at that!" I exclaimed to Mary. I was pointing to our small maple tree, so vibrant with the colors of that crisp, clear fall day. Then I spied a grasshopper and, like the young child, exclaimed in glee, "Look at that! A grasshopper!"
Her response, in disbelief at my reaction, was an almost sarcastic, "Well, if that's exciting, look here-- a lady bug!"
After four years with his new heart. Jim still cherishes life's simple pleasures. And when is the danger of losing that gift greatest? " As friends and family wish you would return to being "Normal"". he reflects. "I struggle to never become "normal" in that sense again."
With God's help, we, too, can walk in newness of life--no surgery required. Give thanks that we don't have to be "normal".
Think not on what you lack
as much as on what you have.
Greek Proverb
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
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