Pressing toward the Goal

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! This is another beautiful day just like yesterday, with lots of sun and white, puffy clouds drifting across the blue sky! And, we are looking forward to a bit of a taste of fall weather this weekend!

Well, I was so tired last night that I did not sleep too well. Rick, my handyman was so busy while he was here. I really did not know he was going to do so much, but he took care of things I had not thought of...cut up stuff in the backyard left from when he tore down the shed many months ago, cleaned out gutters, and the roof...washed down the porch after gutter cleaning and fixed a worn spot in the bathroom lavatory. And made a trip to Home Depot to get a new doorbell button! All this is stuff that Louis used to take care of, so it is good to have someone I can rely on.

After Rick left I ran a couple errands, then came back home and had lunch, and since I was expecting my cleaning ladies at 2:30, I ran a couple more errands. After they left, I rested a bit and then took off again. All in all, it was a busy day for me!

Then this morning, I noticed that my cleaning lady and friend, Cheryl, put my dumpster back from the front! I did not hear her, but really appreciated her doing that! She is so thoughtful!
I am blessed! God is good!

From the Promise Bible NLT:

Philippians 4:6-9
Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again---rejoice!
Let everyone see that you are considerate in all you do.
Remember, the Lord is coming soon.
Don't worry about anything, instead, pray about everything.
Tell God what you need and thank him for all he has done.
If you do this, you will experience God's peace, which is far
more wonderful than the human mind can understand. His
peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.

And now, dear brothers and sisters, let me say one more thing
as I close this letter. Fix your thoughts on what is true and
honorable and right. Think about things that are pure and lovely and
admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of
praise. Keep putting into practice all you have learned from me
and heard from me, and saw me doing, and the God of peace
will be with you.

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

Love and hugs,
 Amaryllis

Faith brings 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! So far, we have sunshine and a few clouds, so hopefully, the rain will hold off until my handy man gets through with the work he planned to do.

I am blessed to have people who come in and take care of cleaning, outside work, and anything else that needs to be done! However, that still leaves ironing, but while I grumble about it, it only takes about fifteen minutes!

I visited the park yesterday, but all was quiet. It had just rained, so puddles were all over, and the only birds I saw, were a great white heron, right beside an anhinga on the weir. 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 out 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 to 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,
 Amaryllis

God's plans

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! Yes, we had rain again yesterday, and, so far, no rain this morning, However, I saw a radar picture showing a large rain band off the coast in the Gulf again, so we will probably have more rain this evening. We are ten inches above normal, already in Sept.!

I had a phone call from my nephew, Russ, in Albany, Ga. that his brother, one of my other nephews, Paul, was in the hospital scheduled for surgery this morning for a collapsed lung and multiple other health issues. Paul is in his fifties and unsaved as far as I know. I later heard from Russ that Paul came through the surgery well. Please pray for him not only for recovery, but for salvation. I would appreciate it.

I was able to do a little shopping, and visit the park before the threatening dark clouds released their loads yesterday. Not many people were in the park but several were walking their pooches; some with two or more doggies on their leashes. I guess it was the time of day for a walk.The large, brown tortoise was looking around for a munch, and a majestic white egret was poised at the edge of the full canal, looking for lunch. God is good!

From the Promise Bible NLT:

Jeremiah 29:11-13

For I know the plans I have for you," says the Lord. "They
are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future
and a hope. In those days when you pray, I will listen.
If you look for me in earnest, you will find me when you seek me."...

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

Love and hugs,
 Amaryllis

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! We have already had a shower and now the sun is shining and I see blue sky, but more showers are expected during the day and probably thunderstorms in the afternoon. We had a really strong storm last night with lots of thunder and lightning.

Well, the yard crew is here mowing and edging the wet grass. Jim, the head guy, said he thought he would get a chance to let things dry out, but no such luck, since the sun started to shine. Seems to me they are already behind in their work, but maybe he has been able to keep up.

Brian took me to Carrabbas (?) for dinner Saturday, and it was sprinkling and looked very threatening as we went in, and, sure enough, it was pouring as we got our dinner. We could not see it, though, because Brian requested seats near the open kitchen. One of my favorite TV programs is" Chopped" on the Food Network, so as I ate a delicious meal, I was able to watch all the chefs as they were really busy preparing different dishes. We also watched Flare-ups of high flames once in a while.

After we shared a yummy dessert, we had to walk through a lot of people waiting to be seated, among them a group of young people dressed up for a special night out. I saw later that it was dance night for middle schoolers. Even though it was wet and rainy, it looked like they were out to have fun!

After church yesterday, I went to Boston Market and bought my lunch, then went to the park after eating. The large brown gopher tortoise was ambling about, and I saw a large white egret standing in the water looking hopeful. The canal is very high from all the rain, so the fish must be enjoying that! God is good!

From the Amplified Bible:

Psalm 100

Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all you lands!
Serve the Lord with gladness!
Come before his presence with singing!
Know-perceive, recognize and understand with
approval--that the Lord is God! It is He Who has
made us , not we ourselves {and we are His}! We
are His people and the sheep of His pasture. [Eph. 2:10]
Enter into His gates with thanksgiving and with a
thank offering, and into His courts with praise! Be
thankful and say so to Him, bless and affectionately praise His name!
For the Lord is good; His mercy and loving-kindness are everlasting:
His faithfulness and truth endure to all generations.

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

Love and hugs,
 Amaryllis

More wisdom from John

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 lots of sunshine this morning and although rain is predicted for sometime this weekend, it may miss this area again. I heard rumbles of thunder for a time last night, but no rain around here. It would be good if all the high schools were able to get through their games tonight with dry weather.

Well, the Rays were really bad again last night, but Derek Jeter gave the Yankees a walk off win for his big celebration night! I am hopeful the Rays will have a better season next year. Now the Gators have to win tomorrow!

As I was walking in the back yard yesterday, I noticed several birds enjoying the fruit from the Beauty Berry bush, which is really loaded!  If people still hung clothes on lines, they would have purple stains all over from the berries. Fortunately, that doesn't happen any more, but clothes really smelled good when I used to use my lines! Can't be duplicated with softening sheets...

The duck family is still hanging around the neighborhood. Funny thing, when I left the house yesterday, I waited for them to cross the street from their resting place under a tree next door, and then, saw many ducks as I drove around the lake and all were huddled down resting. There must be a siesta time for the feathered, waddling population! But God is good!

From the Promise Bible NLT:

con't. from yesterday, 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 the the Father will give you
whatever you ask for , using my name to 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

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! We have overcast skies and a bit cooler this morning, but there is bound to be some sun later on. Right now, there are different colored mushrooms and toadstools in the yard, and I see signs of earthworms in the dirt in the front yard. This is a result of all the rain we have had.

Yesterday, I pulled the Welcome mat back in front of the door, and there was a small frog hiding there! He must be the one who leaves his calling card under the light where he must enjoy a feast of bugs hanging around the outdoor light. I don't know where he went, but he was uncovered.

My cleaning ladies came an hour late yesterday, which is unusual. I had tried calling Cheryl's cell but she had left it at home, so I just had to wait until they came. But, Cheryl was bold enough to pick up the tiny lizard that had been residing in my shower for the past few days, and deposited him outside. . She is not afraid of the tiny ones, because they cannot bite.

After they left, I took off to attend to a few errands and went to the library, where I was checked out by the young librarian who put my books in my tote bag as she scanned them. I thanked her for that and told her she was very thoughtful.

Then I went on to the park and saw one roseate further down in the canal that leads from the weir, and another one near the entrance bridge. There were also a couple egrets nearby. God is good!

From the Promise Bible NLT:

John 15:5-11

Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who
remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit.
For apart from me you can do nothing. Anyone who parts
from me is thrown away like a useless branch and withers.
Such branches are gathered into a pile to be burned. But
if you stay joined to me and my words remain in you,
you may ask any request you like and it will be granted!
My true disciples produce much fruit. This brings great
glory to my Father.,

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 over flow! ....

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

Love and hugs,
 Amaryllis

Easin' thru Ephesians

Good Morning, Dear Friends and Prayer Partners! This is the day that the Lord has made and we will rejoice and be glad in it! We had no rain yesterday and today is sunshiny and a slight breeze is blowing. Also, the temp has gone down some, so fall is really here! It's 75 right now, and while that is not as cool as a lot of northern areas, still it is better than the eighties where the mornings have been!

Since it did not rain, I ran some errands I needed to do, including the Post office. My mail does not come to my house until about 6 in the evening, so sometimes I forget to get it in until around 8. Maybe because the P.O. is in the red. Email is much quicker, but it is always nice to received a written note or letter.

I stopped in at the park and saw the light brown gopher tortoise at the entrance to his tunnel and in the canal there were about three roseate spoonbills. So pretty! They are spots of beauty in the green of the foliage and the dark water. BTW, the canal is still up from all the rain. It has not drained out yet! And we still have mama duck and her grown kids waddling around in the yards and gutter water on this street. I don't know at what point in their growth, they go their separate ways, but she is still watchful and they are as big as she is. But God is good!

From the Promise Bible NLT:

Ephesians3:14-21

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 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