We Reap what We Sow

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! In contrast to yesterday, we have lots of sunshine and lots of puffy white clouds, unlike Monday's gray skies and rain.

The yard crew has already come and gone, catching up on the work they could not do because of the rain. I will have to call my handy man to come do all the trim work on the shrubs. He does an excellent job and pays attention to details..

Well, after the rain, I drove over to Publix, thinking it would not be so crowded on Monday, but there were quite a few people with the same idea I had.  I got all but two items on my list, so I am now loaded with fresh veggies and fruit. Since the handicap police guy was not cruising around the parking area, shopping was a pleasure, but I was glad to get it over with!

I was noticing the crape myrtles of different colors this year, blooming beautifully all over the area! There are lavender ones at church, I have the dark pink,; there is a beautiful large white one a few blocks away...(it looks like snow on top) . They are so pretty. It must be all the rain we have had that makes them so gorgeous! God is good!

From the Promise Bible NLT:

Galatians 6:1-10
Dear brothers and sisters, if another Christian
is overcome by some sin, you who are godly
should gently and humbly help that person
back on the right path. And be careful not to fall
into the same temptation yourself. Share each
others troubles and problems, and in this way
obey the law of Christ. If you think you are too
important to help someone in need, you are only
fooling yourself. Your are really a nobody.

Be sure to do what you should, for then you will
enjoy the personal satisfaction of having done your
work well, and you won't need to compare yourself
to anyone else. For we are each responsible for our
 own conduct.

Those who are taught the word of God should help
their teachers by paying them.
Don't be misled. Remember that you can't ignore God
and get away with it. You will always reap what your sow!
Those who live only to satisfy their own sinful desires
will harvest the consequences of decay and death. But
those who live to please the Spirit will harvest everlasting
life from the Spirit. So 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. Whenever we
have the opportunity, we should do good to everyone,
especially to our Christian brothers and sisters.

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

Love and hugs,
 Amaryllis

Paul's letter

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 Lord decided to start this day off with a loud thunderstorm and lots of rain, so I delayed my shower and using anything electric until after the heavenly fireworks moved away.

According to the weatherman, we had 31/2 to 4 inches of rain in a short time. Hopefully, there weren't too many accidents due to the wet streets and highways.I am hoping to make a trip to the Publix sometime today. I am not expecting my yard crew, since rain always delays him and messes up his schedule.

Brian invited me out to dinner Sat. night, and we visited Mama's Restaurant again. This was where he took me for Mother's day lunch. I decided on the Chicken Souvalki (sp) which was delicious, and was such a large portion, I had to bring half of it home and had it for lunch after church.

Speaking of church, I saw some dads there who don't usually come, so I guess as a favor to families, they came on Father's day. It was good to see some of whom I had not seen for a long while.

The couple times I visited the Park over the weekend, there were not many people, but plenty of squirrels and I saw a beautiful, graceful white egret standing in the midst of the canal which had lots of greenery growing in the water at the spot. It looks so typically Florida! God is good!

From the Promise Bible NLT:

Philippians 4:4-9
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

Psoaring thru Psalms

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 a lot of clouds already, but blue skies in between and it will be another hot day, until the afternoon thundershowers come.

I had a chiropractor appointment yesterday and there was a dark cloud hanging overhead as I went in, so I expected rain at any moment. Well, just as I came out to the van, the big drops started to fall, so I quickly got in. I decided to take a little ride to the park, since it is only less than a mile away, and even though, the sprinkle was getting a little more, people were still venturing out on the boardwalk. The rain does not seem to bother the squirrels or the birds, however. They were really chirping, and the squirrels were their usual scampering , climbing selves.

I took a ride to the bank, but the ATM lane was closed, so I came on home to a dry street. I hear thunder now, so we may have a morning shower, as well as afternoon. I have seen such beautiful butterflies flutter by my window the past two days...a large yellow one was followed by a yellow one with black edging on the wings. They must be going to the beauty berry bush in the backyard. Birds love it and I guess butterflies do, too.All you Dads out there, Have a Happy Father's Day! God is good!

From the Promise Bible NLT:

Psalm 57:7-11
My heart is confident in you, O God,
no wonder I can sing your praises!
Wake up, my soul!
Wake up, O harp and Lyre!
I will waken the dawn with my song.
I will thank you, Lord, in front of all the people.
I will sing your song of praises among the nations.
For your unfailing love is as high as the heavens.
Your faithfulness reaches to the clouds.

Be exalted, O God, above the highest heavens.
May your glory shine over all the earth.

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

Love and hugs,
 Amaryllis

Teaching About Money and Possessions

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 did not get the rain predicted yesterday evening, but I could hear the thunder from far off, so someone got wet.When I stepped out to get the paper, it was already very warm, so this will be another nineties day.

The closet is nearly cleaned out of shoes, now, and I found some I don't even remember buying. Some barely worn. But only one pair that is still wearable as far as feeling comfy on my feet.Cheryl looked them over and discovered she could wear three pairs of flip-flops, which she always prefers, so I told her to take them. I was glad for her to have them.

I made a quick trip to Wendy's for a small salad, after Cheryl had called to say they were running about an hour late in cleaning, and had a little fun with the cashier. He always tries to anticipate what someone will give him in cash and likes to have the correct change waiting. I like to fool him, and he gave me a dollar change before he quickly snatched it back realizing I only needed a few cents back.

After the girls left, I went over to the Park where I saw three little flags stuck up by the gopher hole and Mr. gopher tortoise was within the flagged area,, either coming or going. I also saw an egret with long neck gracefully bent toward the water as he intently looked at his lunch in the lake. Typical Florida scenery! God is good!

From the Promise Bible NLT:

Luke 12:27-31
Look at the lilies and how they grow.
They don't work or make their clothing,
yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed
as beautifully as they are. And if God cares
so wonderfully for flowers that are here today
and gone tomorrow, won't he more surely
care for you? You have so little faith! And don't
worry about food---what to eat and drink. Don't
worry whether God will provide it for you. These
things dominate the thoughts of most people,
but your Father already knows your needs. He will give
you all you need from day to day if you make
the Kingdom of God your primary concern.

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

Love and hugs,
 Amaryllis

Effective 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! We have a breezy, sunshiny warm morning, with rain expected sometime this evening. Last night a storm blew up around 7:30 with lots of thunder and lightning, but while it was close, I don't think we got a drop!

Well, I started on my closet again. I have a bag full of shoes and more to put in another bag. I think my feet are worn out from all the walking I have done in all my years, so my tootsies are particular about what I put on them. As a result, I have many pairs which I have had for years, which do not feel good any more.So, the Salvation Army will get them all.

I am still getting used to the recycling idea. I have always thought it would be a good idea, but it is work! Now I have to wash jam jars when they are empty before putting them in the recycling dumpster, and also orange juice and milk containers. I also flatten paper boxes and so forth. I am grumbling about it, but I do it.

The gecko is still in the bathroom, but he is very skinny and does not look good. And now, there is a baby one in the kitchen, and he is fast! I tried to catch him a couple times, but he races away and hides. Maybe Cheryl can get him today when she comes to clean,

I walked around to my crape myrtle tree yesterday, and it is blooming with a lot of new growth, after being cut back drastically last year. It is really pretty! And, there was a bloom on the Bird of Paradise bush in the backyard. They are lovely. God is good!

From the Promise Bible NLT:

Matthew 7:7-11
Keep on asking, and you will be given what
you ask for. Keep on looking, and you will
find. Keep on knocking and the door will be
opened. For everyone who asks, receives.
Everyone who seeks, finds. And the door is open
to everyone who knocks. You parents---if your
children ask for a loaf of bread, do you give
them a stone instead? Or if you ask for a fish,
do you give them a snake? Of course not! If
you sinful people know how to give good gifts
to your children, how much more will your
heavenly Father give good gifts to those who
ask him.

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

 Love and hugs,
 Amaryllis

Psoaring thru Psalms

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! More sunshine today, just like yesterday, but unexpectedly, as I was relaxing in the evening, I heard the rain starting, and sure enough, we had a brief shower, just about going home time for working people.I think the same thing is predicted for today.

Well, I was disappointed that the Lightning lost last night, but at least, the Rays won!
 And now the sports news will have to focus on something else for a change.

Yesterday, the yard crew came and mowed, then I was expecting my mechanic to come and look at whatever was leaking in the van, and then I had a follow up doctor's app't at 2PM.
Well, even though he ran a little late, the mechanic got here and I made it to the doctor's with a couple minutes to spare, but then had to sit in the waiting room for about fifteen minutes. After I got back to the exam room, I had to wait there for over half an hour with a stack of year old magazines. I should have brought my book. Sigh.

But I know why my doctor is late. He likes to talk, and after he decided I would probably be around to make my two months follow up, and was not so sure he would still be around, we talked about the Bucs, the Rays, the Lightning...he was not shaving his beard until the game was over, even though it was itchy...I told him I was a Packers fan, and that lead to a discussion about the ownership of said football team, Then we talked about Trader Joe's and our opinion of that store. He always asks me if I still live alone and how do I get around. I told him my own two feet and my car. He is always surprised that I still drive and am not in an assisted living facility. I told him when God was ready for me to go, I would go.

After I left there, I zipped over to Wendy's for a cool chocolate Frosty and then visited the Park, saw the gopher tortoise, and an osprey nest on the way home, but first I stopped at the hearing aid place and bought some batteries and got one aid unplugged.

Then home to enjoy the rest of my Frosty! God is good!

From the Promise Bible NLT:

Psalm 145:13
The Lord is faithful in all he says,
he is gracious in all he does.
The Lord helps the fallen
and lifts up those bent beneath their loads.
All eyes look to you for help
you give them their food as they need it.
When you open your hand
you satisfy the hunger and thirst of every living thing,
The Lord is righteous in everything he does.
He is filled with kindness.
The Lord is close to all who call on him,
 yes, to all who call on him sincerely.

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

Love and hugs,
 Amaryllis

Psoaring thru Psalms

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 great weather over the weekend, but a deluge on Friday, so our rain quota for this month is already way over average! It has been up in the nineties and is expected to stay hot the rest of the week. I had the A/C checked for the summer, and it is all ready to keep on doing the job it has been doing since May.

Church was all decorated for Vacation Bible School yesterday, so it is very busy today with all the children and volunteers going from class to music and outdoors to play. We saw a couple of puppet numbers during worship and they were well received. Lots of work and lots of love go into this project!

Well, our hockey team lost but the Rays won in a sweep over the White Sox, so we still have an interest in sports. I have a busy day going today, so am expecting my yard crew, my mechanic to come take a look at my leaking wheel, and then a doctor's appointment.

But I did get to the Park yesterday, and although things were quiet, I disturbed a flock of ibis, which flew up when the car approached. I am still showering with the gecko, who is getting skinnier from lack of food. One of these days, I will take a chance and try to pick him up, but he is still pretty fast. But God is good!

From the Promise Bible NLT:

Psalm 8
O Lord, our Lord, the majesty of your name fills the earth!
Your glory is higher than the heavens.

You have taught children and nursing infants
to give you praise.
They silence your enemies
who were seeking revenge.

When I look at the night sky and see the work of your fingers----
the moon and the stars you have set in place----
What are mortals that you should think of us,
mere humans that you should care for us?
For you made us only a little lower than God,
and you crowned us with glory and honor.
You put us in charge of everything you made,
giving us authority over all things---
the sheep and the cattle
and all the wild animals,
the birds in the sky, the fish in the sea,
and everything that swims the ocean currents.

Or lord, our Lord, the majesty of your name
fills the earth!

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

Love and hugs,
 Amaryllis