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 mostly clear this morning and very bright blue, and the sun is shining nicely on the new roof coating, which is good!
Yesterday, instead of walking in the park, I did my walking in Home Depot. The scenery was quite different, but interesting and a favorite for contractors and diys. My friend, Terry, and I went there to get the coating for the flat roof, and then we came back and he set out to wash, blow dry and seal the shingles over the place where the leak happened. He worked about four or five hours, climbing up and down the ladder, then trimmed some branches off the oak trees in the backyard, and blew off everything. I am so blessed to have friends who do work for me! God is good!
From the Promise Bible NLT:
Romans 5:1-5
Therefore, since we have been made right in God's sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us. Because of our faith, Christ has brought us into this place of highest privilege where we now stand, and we confidently and joyfully look forward to sharing God's glory.
We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they are good for us--they help us learn to endure. And endurance develops strength of character in us, and character strengthens our confident expectation of salvation. and this expectation will not disappoint us. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love.
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs, and enjoy the fourth Sunday in Advent coming!
Amaryllis
Friday, December 16, 2011
Thursday, December 15, 2011
God doesn't Change
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 day started out with sunshine, but now it is a little overcast, but, hopefully, no rain until the flat roof gets repaired! The sunset was beautiful last night, with peach and yellow colors on the clouds..God was using his paintbrush again!
After a great lunch with two long time friends, I went to the park, where all was quiet and peaceful. The canal water level is really low, with lots of the muddy bank showing, but still enough water for the gators and anhingas to swim in. I had to almost stop to allow a squirrel to make up its mind about crossing the road.
I heard a cardinal tweeting its call outside the house after I came home, but could not see it. They are very nervous birds, never still for long, but always moving. God is good!
From the little devotional book, Knowing God:
John said, "Change your hearts and lives because the kingdom of heaven is near."
Matthew 3:2 NCV
We live in a world that is always changing, but we worship a God that never changes--thank goodness! That means that we can be comforted in the knowledge that our Heavenly Father is the rock that simply cannot be moved: "I am the Lord, I do not change." (Malachi 3:6 NKJV)
The next time you face difficult circumstances, tough times, unfair treatment, or unwelcome changes, remember that some things never change--things like the love that you feel in your heart for your family and friends...and the love that God feels for you. So instead of worrying too much about life's inevitable challenges, focus your energies on finding solutions. Have faith in your own abilities, do your best to solve your problems, and leave the rest up to God.
With God, it isn't who you were that matters; it's who you are becoming.
Liz Curtis Higgs.
Conditions are always changing; therefore, I must not be dependent upon conditions. What matters supremely is my soul and my relationship to God.
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs, Amaryllis
After a great lunch with two long time friends, I went to the park, where all was quiet and peaceful. The canal water level is really low, with lots of the muddy bank showing, but still enough water for the gators and anhingas to swim in. I had to almost stop to allow a squirrel to make up its mind about crossing the road.
I heard a cardinal tweeting its call outside the house after I came home, but could not see it. They are very nervous birds, never still for long, but always moving. God is good!
From the little devotional book, Knowing God:
John said, "Change your hearts and lives because the kingdom of heaven is near."
Matthew 3:2 NCV
We live in a world that is always changing, but we worship a God that never changes--thank goodness! That means that we can be comforted in the knowledge that our Heavenly Father is the rock that simply cannot be moved: "I am the Lord, I do not change." (Malachi 3:6 NKJV)
The next time you face difficult circumstances, tough times, unfair treatment, or unwelcome changes, remember that some things never change--things like the love that you feel in your heart for your family and friends...and the love that God feels for you. So instead of worrying too much about life's inevitable challenges, focus your energies on finding solutions. Have faith in your own abilities, do your best to solve your problems, and leave the rest up to God.
With God, it isn't who you were that matters; it's who you are becoming.
Liz Curtis Higgs.
Conditions are always changing; therefore, I must not be dependent upon conditions. What matters supremely is my soul and my relationship to God.
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs, Amaryllis
Wednesday, December 14, 2011
Deal With It!
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 already this morning, even though the air feels a little cool. Very pleasant for people who work outdoors..
Speaking of outdoors, I saw the big gator lounging on the bank of the lake yesterday. He had turned around, so his nose was facing the water. Do you suppose this is where the expression "lounge lizard" came from? :o) Anyway, as I drove further, I saw a car on the wrong side of the street, and saw the driver was looking at a large soft shell turtle right at the edge of the drive. Then, as I rounded the curve, another soft shell was on the grass, waiting for a chance to cross. For some reason they were on the move! I saw one egret in a tree overlooking the water, and a couple ibis below it, pecking along the water. It was a beautiful place to be! God is good!
From the devotional Quiet Moments with God:
"Be ye angry and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath." Ephesians 4:26 KJV
One of the most controversial events in America occurred when Bernard Goetz had had enough and decided he wasn't going to take it any more. He did what many people have wanted to do--he fought back and pulled a gun when he was attacked on the subway.
Goetz's action received an outpouring of support. He touched a nerve in people who have simply had enough of other people threatening their lives. Criticism comes, however, when we allow guns in the hands of angry, violent people. As Christians, anger can be a terrible enemy.
The beginnings of anger almost go unnoticed: petty irritations, ordinary frustrations, minor aggravations--things we experience daily. Then these small things start adding up. Pressures build and turn into rage. Without relief, pent-up anger can turn violent, with devastating consequences.
How do we keep our passions from becoming uncontrolled anger? How do we defuse the anger that makes us want to retaliate?....
There are several things we can do to take control of our anger before it takes control of us:
1. Yell at God first! He already knows you're upset.
2. Ask God to give you understanding about the situation, to show you the root of your anger, if that's the case.
3. Turn the situation over to God. Forgive those who have hurt you, and let Him deal with them. Turn His power loose in the circumstances.
4. Don't do anything without having complete inner peace from His Spirit.
Then you can sleep easily at night, knowing God can turn anything around to work for your good.
CONTROL YOURSELF! ANGER IS ONLY ONE LETTER SHORT OF DANGER!
author unknown
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs, Amaryllis
Speaking of outdoors, I saw the big gator lounging on the bank of the lake yesterday. He had turned around, so his nose was facing the water. Do you suppose this is where the expression "lounge lizard" came from? :o) Anyway, as I drove further, I saw a car on the wrong side of the street, and saw the driver was looking at a large soft shell turtle right at the edge of the drive. Then, as I rounded the curve, another soft shell was on the grass, waiting for a chance to cross. For some reason they were on the move! I saw one egret in a tree overlooking the water, and a couple ibis below it, pecking along the water. It was a beautiful place to be! God is good!
From the devotional Quiet Moments with God:
"Be ye angry and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath." Ephesians 4:26 KJV
One of the most controversial events in America occurred when Bernard Goetz had had enough and decided he wasn't going to take it any more. He did what many people have wanted to do--he fought back and pulled a gun when he was attacked on the subway.
Goetz's action received an outpouring of support. He touched a nerve in people who have simply had enough of other people threatening their lives. Criticism comes, however, when we allow guns in the hands of angry, violent people. As Christians, anger can be a terrible enemy.
The beginnings of anger almost go unnoticed: petty irritations, ordinary frustrations, minor aggravations--things we experience daily. Then these small things start adding up. Pressures build and turn into rage. Without relief, pent-up anger can turn violent, with devastating consequences.
How do we keep our passions from becoming uncontrolled anger? How do we defuse the anger that makes us want to retaliate?....
There are several things we can do to take control of our anger before it takes control of us:
1. Yell at God first! He already knows you're upset.
2. Ask God to give you understanding about the situation, to show you the root of your anger, if that's the case.
3. Turn the situation over to God. Forgive those who have hurt you, and let Him deal with them. Turn His power loose in the circumstances.
4. Don't do anything without having complete inner peace from His Spirit.
Then you can sleep easily at night, knowing God can turn anything around to work for your good.
CONTROL YOURSELF! ANGER IS ONLY ONE LETTER SHORT OF DANGER!
author unknown
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs, Amaryllis
Tuesday, December 13, 2011
A Hint of Eternity
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 sunshine in the afternoon yesterday, we have overcast skies again today, but they may clear up again and once again, we will be having very warm weather.
After the estimator came to look at my flat roof, I went on over to the park and looked for the big gator again. He was there, but partially submerged, so only the fat middle part was showing, A brave, little moorhen was swimming around him, very unconcerned. Across the street a couple turtles were sunning themselves on the weir, but no ibis. This is leaf falling time and maple leaves are all over at the park, with the boardwalk pretty much covered and oak leaves are falling here at home. I swept up a big pile from the front porch, but more will be falling today in the wind which has picked up. But, God is good!
From Quiet Moments with God:
We fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, for what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen, is eternal.
2 Corinthians 4:18
Eternity is a difficult concept for us to grasp. In human terms, it seems a matter of time---or more accurately, timelessness. But eternity is more than a measure of time. Things said to be "eternal" have a quality of permanence. The benefits of eternal things are not found solely in the hereafter; they provide an incredible sense of satisfaction in this life as well.
The late Lorado Taft, on of America's great artists, often said that a real work of art must have in it "a hint of eternity." The writer of Ecclesiastes says that God has not only made everything beautiful, but also He has set eternity in the hearts of people. When we do a good peice of work, whether it is part of our vocation or not, we may find in it a hint of eternity, the abiding value that outlasts silver or gold.
Daniel Webster, one of America's most famous statesmen, once said;
If we work on marble, it will perish,; if on brass time will efface it; if we rear temples, they will crumble into dust; but if we work on immortal souls and imbue them with principles, with the just fear of God and love of our fellowmen, we engrave on those tablets something that will brighten to all eternity.
Ascending to the top of one of the magnificent stairways in the Library of Congress, one reads this inscription on the wall" "Too low they build who build beneath the stars."
In building your life, build with God for eternity. In building the Church build to the glory of Jesus Christ for the salvation of soul.
Ask the Lord to show you this evening how to make your life and effort count for eternity. Pray for an awareness of eternity as you face every decision and task each day.
If we build to please ourselves we are building on the sand.
If we build for the love of God, we are building on the rick.
Oswald Chambers
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs, Amaryllis
After the estimator came to look at my flat roof, I went on over to the park and looked for the big gator again. He was there, but partially submerged, so only the fat middle part was showing, A brave, little moorhen was swimming around him, very unconcerned. Across the street a couple turtles were sunning themselves on the weir, but no ibis. This is leaf falling time and maple leaves are all over at the park, with the boardwalk pretty much covered and oak leaves are falling here at home. I swept up a big pile from the front porch, but more will be falling today in the wind which has picked up. But, God is good!
From Quiet Moments with God:
We fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, for what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen, is eternal.
2 Corinthians 4:18
Eternity is a difficult concept for us to grasp. In human terms, it seems a matter of time---or more accurately, timelessness. But eternity is more than a measure of time. Things said to be "eternal" have a quality of permanence. The benefits of eternal things are not found solely in the hereafter; they provide an incredible sense of satisfaction in this life as well.
The late Lorado Taft, on of America's great artists, often said that a real work of art must have in it "a hint of eternity." The writer of Ecclesiastes says that God has not only made everything beautiful, but also He has set eternity in the hearts of people. When we do a good peice of work, whether it is part of our vocation or not, we may find in it a hint of eternity, the abiding value that outlasts silver or gold.
Daniel Webster, one of America's most famous statesmen, once said;
If we work on marble, it will perish,; if on brass time will efface it; if we rear temples, they will crumble into dust; but if we work on immortal souls and imbue them with principles, with the just fear of God and love of our fellowmen, we engrave on those tablets something that will brighten to all eternity.
Ascending to the top of one of the magnificent stairways in the Library of Congress, one reads this inscription on the wall" "Too low they build who build beneath the stars."
In building your life, build with God for eternity. In building the Church build to the glory of Jesus Christ for the salvation of soul.
Ask the Lord to show you this evening how to make your life and effort count for eternity. Pray for an awareness of eternity as you face every decision and task each day.
If we build to please ourselves we are building on the sand.
If we build for the love of God, we are building on the rick.
Oswald Chambers
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs, Amaryllis
Monday, December 12, 2011
Psoaring thru Psalm 63
Good Morning, Dear Friends and Prayer Partners! This is the foggy day that the Lord has made and we will rejoice and be glad in it! The air is misty and damp, but once this burns off, it will probably be in the high seventies or low eighties! Ahh, Christmas in Florida! No snow, for sure!
Yesterday, after church I drove to the park, and noticed several ibis sitting on the weir, looking very downcast. This is strange, because I almost never see them sitting. They are always moving and pecking. And I looked across at the lake and sure enough, the big, fat gator was back on the bank. I have been looking for him every day and thought he had moved on. He is about 8-10 ft. long and very wide in the middle. Must be a grandpa to many gators around there. I went on down to see the rest of the park and saw quite a few people enjoying the sun and looking over the bridge at the small gators. God is good!
From the Promise Bible NLT:
Psalm 63:1-8
O God, you are my God;
I earnestly search for you.
My soul thirsts for you;
my whole body longs for you in this parched and weary land where there is no water.
I have seen you in your sanctuary and gazed upon your power and glory,
Your unfailing love is better to me than life itself;
how I praise you!
I will honor you as long as I live,
lifting my hands to you in prayer.
You satisfy me more than the richest of foods.
I will praise you with songs of joy.
I lie awake thinking of you,
meditating on you through the night.
I think how much you have helped me;
I sing for joy in the shadow of your protecting wings.
I follow close behind you,
your strong right hand holds me securely...
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs, Amaryllis
Yesterday, after church I drove to the park, and noticed several ibis sitting on the weir, looking very downcast. This is strange, because I almost never see them sitting. They are always moving and pecking. And I looked across at the lake and sure enough, the big, fat gator was back on the bank. I have been looking for him every day and thought he had moved on. He is about 8-10 ft. long and very wide in the middle. Must be a grandpa to many gators around there. I went on down to see the rest of the park and saw quite a few people enjoying the sun and looking over the bridge at the small gators. God is good!
From the Promise Bible NLT:
Psalm 63:1-8
O God, you are my God;
I earnestly search for you.
My soul thirsts for you;
my whole body longs for you in this parched and weary land where there is no water.
I have seen you in your sanctuary and gazed upon your power and glory,
Your unfailing love is better to me than life itself;
how I praise you!
I will honor you as long as I live,
lifting my hands to you in prayer.
You satisfy me more than the richest of foods.
I will praise you with songs of joy.
I lie awake thinking of you,
meditating on you through the night.
I think how much you have helped me;
I sing for joy in the shadow of your protecting wings.
I follow close behind you,
your strong right hand holds me securely...
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs, Amaryllis
Friday, December 9, 2011
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 is shining and the cool breezes blowing, but it is about twenty degrees warmer than yesterday at this time. So the cold spell was short lived, just as the weather guys said it would be.
I looked up in the sky yesterday and saw a beautiful pattern of dozens of contrails criss-crossing the blue, blue sky. Just took my breath away! It was a gorgeous day!
After doing some shopping, I went to the park and got out to walk on the bridge. I had seen a very wet anhinga just emerging from the water to climb up on the weir with a fish to eat, so drove on down to look at the gopher tortoise. When I got on the bridge, I looked for the gators that usually hang out there in the water, and sure enough, the young one was at the far end and started moving as I watched him. He went a little ways, then turned his head and scratched with his hind leg. I had never seen one do that before! I didn't know they itched. I had almost given up looking for the little one, but all at once I spotted him flat out on a branch sticking out of the water...eyes closed, totally relaxed with legs hanging down. So funny! God is good!
From the Promise Bible NLT! (and my paraphrase)
Psalm 23
Thank you, Lord, for being my shepherd;
Thank you for giving me everything I need.
Thank you for letting me rest in green meadows;
and for leading me beside peaceful streams.
Thank you that you renew my strength.
Thank you for guiding me along right paths,
so I can bring honor to your name.
Even when I walk through the dark valley of death,
I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me.
Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me.
Thank you for preparing a feast for me
in the presence of my enemies.
You welcome me as a guest anointing my head with oil.
You make my cup overflow with blessings.
Surely your goodness and unfailing love
will pursue me all the days of my life,
and I will live in your house forever.
Amen
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
I looked up in the sky yesterday and saw a beautiful pattern of dozens of contrails criss-crossing the blue, blue sky. Just took my breath away! It was a gorgeous day!
After doing some shopping, I went to the park and got out to walk on the bridge. I had seen a very wet anhinga just emerging from the water to climb up on the weir with a fish to eat, so drove on down to look at the gopher tortoise. When I got on the bridge, I looked for the gators that usually hang out there in the water, and sure enough, the young one was at the far end and started moving as I watched him. He went a little ways, then turned his head and scratched with his hind leg. I had never seen one do that before! I didn't know they itched. I had almost given up looking for the little one, but all at once I spotted him flat out on a branch sticking out of the water...eyes closed, totally relaxed with legs hanging down. So funny! God is good!
From the Promise Bible NLT! (and my paraphrase)
Psalm 23
Thank you, Lord, for being my shepherd;
Thank you for giving me everything I need.
Thank you for letting me rest in green meadows;
and for leading me beside peaceful streams.
Thank you that you renew my strength.
Thank you for guiding me along right paths,
so I can bring honor to your name.
Even when I walk through the dark valley of death,
I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me.
Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me.
Thank you for preparing a feast for me
in the presence of my enemies.
You welcome me as a guest anointing my head with oil.
You make my cup overflow with blessings.
Surely your goodness and unfailing love
will pursue me all the days of my life,
and I will live in your house forever.
Amen
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
Thursday, December 8, 2011
Psoaring thru Psalm 133
Good Morning, Dear Friends and Prayer Partners! This is the chilly day that the Lord has made and we will rejoice and be glad in it! My indoor/outdoor thermometer says 48 right now, and the furnace is doing its job of keeping the house warm. I have not used the fireplace, yet, and probably won't until the Tenn. part of the family comes. That is, if it is cold enough.
I was disappointed with the rain yesterday, because my flat roof is still not fixed. I am hoping no more water seeped into the leak. I am not expecting an estimate until Monday. Wish he could have come sooner,.
I did not leave the house yesterday., By the time I got laundry done and chores around the house, it had started raining, so I settled in for a cup of tea and relaxing for the rest of the afternoon. And, BTW, I read that the acorns only fall in abundance every five to seven years, so last year was the big one, because millions fell, and this year , hardly any. Very interesting. I never new that. But the squirrels are certainly not starving, nor the blue jays. Yes, I have seen them with large acorns in their beaks.
God is good!
From the Promise Bible NLT:
Psalm 133
How wonderful it is, how pleasant,
when brothers live together in harmony!
For harmony is as precious as the fragrant anointing oil
that was poured over Aaron's head,
that ran down his beard,
and onto the border of his robe.
Harmony is as refreshing as the dew from Mount Hermon
that falls on the mountains of Zion.
And the Lord has pronounced his blessing,
even life forevermore.
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
I was disappointed with the rain yesterday, because my flat roof is still not fixed. I am hoping no more water seeped into the leak. I am not expecting an estimate until Monday. Wish he could have come sooner,.
I did not leave the house yesterday., By the time I got laundry done and chores around the house, it had started raining, so I settled in for a cup of tea and relaxing for the rest of the afternoon. And, BTW, I read that the acorns only fall in abundance every five to seven years, so last year was the big one, because millions fell, and this year , hardly any. Very interesting. I never new that. But the squirrels are certainly not starving, nor the blue jays. Yes, I have seen them with large acorns in their beaks.
God is good!
From the Promise Bible NLT:
Psalm 133
How wonderful it is, how pleasant,
when brothers live together in harmony!
For harmony is as precious as the fragrant anointing oil
that was poured over Aaron's head,
that ran down his beard,
and onto the border of his robe.
Harmony is as refreshing as the dew from Mount Hermon
that falls on the mountains of Zion.
And the Lord has pronounced his blessing,
even life forevermore.
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
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