Monday, August 17, 2015

Love

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 weather pattern seems to be sunshine in the morning and dark clouds and rain in the afternoon. We have had enough rain for a good while, but the storms are what I don't like!

Brian had come over for a visit Sat. afternoon, when this terrific storm blew in and the oak trees were waving their limbs back and forth, and of course, small twigs and bigger dead branches were falling all over the place. We had thunder and lots of lightning and it seemed to hover over head for about twenty minutes, just pouring!

When it slacked off enough for Brian to leave, I heard two loud booms and wondered what in the world was exploding. I stepped out on the front porch under the overhang, just in time to see and hear another loud boom as the transformer across the street exploded with a ball of fire! I never lost my power, but probably a lot of people did.

The yard was a mess, but Brian came over yesterday and put all the limbs into the dumpster and the garbage man has already picked it up. We had another storm yesterday, but it did not last as long.

Otherwise, my weekend was good. My handyman has fixed the leaking in the pipe on the roof. The flashing was cracked, and I have a date for him to come paint the stains resulting from the leak. My friends at church are still coming to take care of the fence, since I think with the second spraying, the wasps or bees or whatever they are, should be mostly under control.

I was able to get to the park a couple times and the water is high everywhere, but that does not stop the gopher tortoises from munching and wandering, and makes for tasty lunches for the egrets when the fish swim by. God is good!

From the Promise Bible NLT:

1st Corinthians 13:3-6,13

If I gave everything I have to the poor and even
sacrificed my body, I could boast about it, but if
I didn't love others, I would be of no value whatsoever.

Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful
or proud or rude. Love does not demand its own way. Love
is not irritable , and it keeps no record of when it has been
wronged. It is never glad about injustice but rejoices when
ever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith,
is always hopeful and endures through every circumstance....

There are three things that will endure;
faith, hope and love--and the greatest of these is love.


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

Love and hugs,
 Amaryllis

Friday, August 14, 2015

Friendship

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 more sunshine and a prediction of rain, but we had no rain yesterday, even though the dark clouds came over in the afternoon.

When I walked in to Publix the dark clouds were lurking overhead, and I was hoping it would not rain before I came out. Well, when I finished the sun was shining brightly and it was sprinkling! As the stock man was putting my groceries in the car, it started coming down a little harder, but then I drove right out of it, and there was not a drop at my house.

Speaking of Publix, while in the produce section, I saw my dear friend, Judy, so we had a little chat amidst the carrots, lettuce and potatoes. One of the guys working with bananas even made a little quip about another worker. It was a pleasant encounter!

Well, as far as I know, the roof is fixed. But, of course, I won't know until we have a good rain. Rick always does a good job, so I have to take his word that the leak is sealed.

I watched the Packers win over the Patriots last night...another good reason to have access to the NFL channel! Aaron Rodgers did not play much, but looked good. Unfortunately, the game was in Foxboro, and the announcers must have been paid by the Pats, because they could not say much about anybody besides Brady. Oh, well, it's just a game...

When I drove through the Park after shopping, the only critters stirring were the squirrels and the small brown gopher tortoise strolling along the grass. but God is good!

From the Promise Bible NLT:

God provides for us through fellowship:

Acts 4:32-35
All the believers were of one heart and mind and
they felt that what they owned was not their own.
and the apostles were powerful witness to the resurrection
of the Lord Jesus and God's great favor was upon them all.
There was no poverty among them, because people who
owned land or houses sold them and brought the money
to the apostles to give to others in need.
Our fellowship with other believers is meant to provide for our needs in
the most practical ways. God's love for us moves us to share our
resources with each other. This practical expression of love unleashes
God's power and empowers our witness to the world.


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

Love and hugs,
 Amaryllis

Thursday, August 13, 2015

Prowling thru Proverbs

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 am very late because my handyman came early and got started on sealing the leak in the roof. The prediction is for rain today, so we will see if all is well. The problem was the vent which had a crack in the sealant around it, where the water got in. I am blessed to have someone I can depend on.

My cleaning ladies came yesterday afternoon, late, so I did not go out much. When I did, I drove around Lynch Lake just as a large flock of ibis came swooping in for a landing to join another group on the bank of the lake. Very graceful and beautiful! God is good!

From the Promise Bible NLT:

Proverbs 2:1-5
My child, listen to me and treasure my
instructions. Tune your ears to wisdom, and
concentrate on understanding. Search for insight
and understanding. Search for them as you
would for lost money or hidden treasure. Then
you will understand what it means to fear the Lord,
 and you will gain knowledge of God. For the Lord
grants wisdom! From his mouth come wisdom and
understanding. He grants a treasure of good sense
to the godly. He is their shield, protecting those who
walk with integrity. He guards the paths of justice and
protects those who are faithful to him.


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

Love and hugs,
 Amaryllis

Wednesday, August 12, 2015

Psoaring thru Psalms

Good Morning, Dear Friends and Prayer Partners! This is the day that the Lord had made and we will rejoice and be glad in it! Well, we had no rain yesterday even though it was predicted, and today is the same, so far. Lots of sunshine and a slight, humid breeze. I had to walk out on the front porch to retrieve the Times and I was bathed immediately by the warm, humid air. It was good to step back into the cool Air of the house.

I took a trip to CVS to pick up a few things, including an scrip. That is an easy store for me to get in and out of. ..a short walk to the carts outside and parking right in front of the door, usually. It means a lot to someone using a cane or who is otherwise handicapped. It's a longer walk to get into the Publix, and the handicapped spaces are usually full, but I still like to shop there, because I know where most everything I buy is located.

I stopped by the Park and saw a couple squirrels hanging on tree trunks, eyeing me as I went by. The canal in front of the weir is still clear of all debris from the rains, and the water has gone down just a little, but the canal under the bridge is still pretty full. However, everything looks very green and lush. God is good!

From the Promise Bible NLT:

Psalm 37:3-7
Trust in the Lord and do good.
Then you will live safely in the land and prosper.
Take delight in the Lord and he will give
you your heart's desires.

Commit everything you do to the Lord.
Trust him and he will help you.
He will make your innocence as clear as the dawn.
The justice of your cause will shine like the noonday sun.

Be still in the presence of the Lord
and wait patiently for him to act.


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

Love and hugs,
 Amaryllis

Tuesday, August 11, 2015

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 sunshine and clouds already, and it looks like we may have a shower , but these days it is hard to predict. Yesterday, I started out for the front porch to trim a hanging plant, which has grown so much, it has tendrils dragging on the floor, but much to my surprise, it was raining! The sun was shining brightly, but a gentle rain was falling!  I was told as I was growing up, that that meant it would rain tomorrow at the same time...so we will see if that comes true.

Later in the middle of the afternoon, I decided to take a ride to beautiful downtown St. Petersburg, so I drove down 16th st. to Central Avenue and all the way down to Beach Drive. It was a beautiful afternoon, but very hot. Not many strollers, but parking up and down Central was at a premium, so there must have been a lot of shoppers inside enjoying the A/C. The water was beautiful and very calm. I am glad this is my city.

I also checked out the park and Lynch Lake. Lots of ibis were around Lynch and a flock of smaller ducks were gathered in a cove. I also saw a moorhen walking around the shore.All was quiet at the park, with quite a few cars parked, which means people on the boardwalk. The speed limit is 15 from the entrance, all the way down the road, but a car behind me was on my bumper all the way, trying to get me to go faster. She finally pulled in to park at the circle and I noticed it was a young woman. Maybe she will learn to slow down and enjoy the beauty surrounding her sooner rather than later. But, anyway, God is good!

From the Promise Bible NLT:

Psalm 25:1-5
To you, O Lord, I lift up my soul.
I trust in you, my God!
Do not let me be disgraced,
or let my enemies rejoice in my defeat.
No one who trusts in you will ever be
disgraced, but disgrace comes to those who try to
deceive others.

Show me the path where I should walk,
O Lord,
point out the right road for me to follow.
Lead me by your truth and teach me,
for you are the God who saves me.
All day long I put my hope in you.


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

Love and hugs,
Amaryllis

Monday, August 10, 2015

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 did not have rain yesterday, but it was so hot! Today will be more of the same, so I will be careful not to say outside too long.

But I got to enjoy worship since the weather was so nice. It seems like the attendance was down and I can think of several people who are on vacation, but I also saw many faces I did not recognize, so new people are still coming. Pastor Dave was preaching in Pastor Kevin's absence due to a prior commitment in Detroit with a Mission's outreach. But we had good worship music with one of my favorite's "O Happy Day"!, a rousing song with a good message!

My yard man came this morning, even though he was just here last Thursday. I think he is trying to get back on schedule which has been disrupted because of the rain. Also, I am to hear back from my handy man about his schedule so he can start work on the roof. Ray and Tim stopped by unexpectedly Sat. morning to look at what needs to be done with the fence and another friend volunteered to help whenever they decide to go ahead with the repairs. I am blessed with good friends!

I drove to the Park yesterday and saw the large brown gopher tortoise speeding along on the freshly cut grass. There were lots of people out enjoying the heat and sun, and most of all, the shade from the trees. The water is still quite high in the canal and was over the weir during the heavy rain, but is now, just below the top of the weir. God is good!

From the Promise Bible NLT:

Psalm 139:1-5
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 always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!

Love and hugs,
 Amaryllis

Friday, August 7, 2015

Gems from Joshua

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 sun, white clouds and a humid breeze, the same as yesterday, greets us today. But everything is still drying out from all the rain, so we don't need any for awhile.

I had a busy day yesterday...the yard crew came and mowed, even though the grass was soggy, then I had a delightful visit with my friend David, who gave me some advice for fixing the roof and also encouragement for the wallpaper, which he says is dry and okay, so that was a big relief. I still have to have the stained ceiling painted, and the tarp over the roof removed, so the drying can begin.

Then, shortly after David left, with instructions not to open the door to strangers, which is the same thing my sons have told me over and over, I heard a knock on the door and there was a man I did not recognize. I did not answer, but then I saw him turn away and take a picture. After I saw the City emblem on the side of his car, I recognized him as the code inspector, so stepped outside and he came back to check to see if the wasps had been sprayed next door. I did not know they followed up on these things. And BTW, he was taking a pic of my giant staghorn fern to show his wife. He has never seen one that big!

So, after that, I went shopping, and by the time I finished with that, I was very tired.I have to go back today and exchange what I bought yesterday. Sigh

But I stopped in at the park, and saw a group of people looking at the brown gopher tortoise, and a graceful white egret, with its head just visible, beside the canal. The grass had been recently mowed and it looked good. God is good!

From the Promise Bible NLT:

Joshua 1:6-9
Be Strong and courageous, for you will lead my people
to possess all the land I swore to give  their ancestors.
Be strong and very courageous. Obey all the laws Moses
gave you. Do not turn away from them and you will be
successful in everything you do. Study this book of the Law
continually. Meditate on it day and night so you may be sure
to obey all that is written in it.
Only then will you succeed. I command you---be strong and
courageous. Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord
your God is with you wherever you go.


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

Love and hugs,
 Amaryllis