Good morning, Dear Friends and Prayer Partners! This is another hot day that the Lord has made and we will rejoice and be glad in it! When I stepped outside this morning, I noticed the tiny sliver of the moon, so tomorrow is the day I won't see it for awhile.
Due to the rain lately, our Mexican petunias are blooming abundantly and very pretty. The purple blooms only last for a day, but many are left to open the next day.
I had a very warm, breezeless walk yesterday and spoke to Mama gator, who was on the left side of the nest. I wonder if she is getting ready for the hatching of the babies? They should be popping out the end of this month or the first of Sept. Then as I got to the tower, I watched clear across the lake as a gator swam on the far side.
When I started back, the same small gator that had been on the bank the day before, was curled up in the same spot again. God is good!
From Quiet Moments with God
Hebrews 6:11 "We want each of you to show this same diligence to the very end, in order to make your hope sure."
...Change takes place in all our lives. One season ends and another begins. We may say good-bye to a job, a relationship, a town, or a dream. With each ending, we have a choice. We can walk away without looking back, ignoring the closure and attention that's needed, or we can take the time to finish well-to tie up loose ends, to say our good-byes, to work hard right to the end. Only then can we know we have closed out the old chapter with integrity.
Is there an area of your life that needs attention today? Something that needs to be finished well? Take a moment and ask God to help you close the door. then you can face your new beginning with confidence.
The crossroads are down here. Which way to pull the rein? The left brings you but loss. The right nothing but gain.
Angelus Silesius
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love.
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
Friday, August 10, 2007
Thursday, August 9, 2007
Psoaring thru Psalms
Good morning Dear Friends and Prayer Partners. This is the very warm day that the Lord has made and we will rejoice and be glad in it!
When I stepped outside this morning, it felt like a sauna, but the thin sliver of the moon was valiantly shining in the hazy eastern sky. Tomorrow it may not be visible.
I took a very, warm walk yesterday morning, but saw a young gator sunning on the bank across the canal, where I saw the huge one a couple weeks ago. Then I walked a little further, and saw Mama gator on the watch. Apparently, the signs are not being read, because a plastic bottle was by her head. I had talked with Terry for a few minutes before my walk, and he said the signs would not be effective. He is right.
Anyway, I kept on going to the tower and was in time to see another gator swimming quickly for the shelter of the tower, He was about 8 ft. long, and in a big hurry. As he reached the tower, he quit swimming and coasted right underneath me. I could see his legs pulled back as he coasted.
I also noticed a bit of beauty as a cardinal perched on the shelter roof and sang his happy tune for a few minutes. God is Awesome!
From the Promise Bible, Psalm 34 NLT
"I will praise the Lord at all times.
I will constantly speak his praises.
I will boast only in the Lord,
Let all who are discouraged take heart.
Come, let us tell of the Lord's greatness,
let us exalt his name together....
Taste and see that the Lord is good.
Oh, the joys of those who trust in Him!
Let the Lord's people show him reverence,
for those who honor him will have all they need.
Even strong young lions sometimes go hungry,
but those who trust in the Lord
will never lack any good thing.
Come, my children, and listen to me,
and I will teach you to fear the Lord.
Do any of you want to live
a life that is long and good?
Then watch your tongue!
Keep your lips from telling lies!
Turn away from evil and do good.
Work hard at living in peace with others.
The eyes of the Lord watch over those who do right;
his ears are open to their cries for help.
The Lord hears his people when they call to him for help.
He rescues them from all their troubles.
The Lord is close to the brokenhearted.
He rescues those who are crushed in spirit.
Blessed be the name of the Lord!!
I always thank God for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
amaryllis
When I stepped outside this morning, it felt like a sauna, but the thin sliver of the moon was valiantly shining in the hazy eastern sky. Tomorrow it may not be visible.
I took a very, warm walk yesterday morning, but saw a young gator sunning on the bank across the canal, where I saw the huge one a couple weeks ago. Then I walked a little further, and saw Mama gator on the watch. Apparently, the signs are not being read, because a plastic bottle was by her head. I had talked with Terry for a few minutes before my walk, and he said the signs would not be effective. He is right.
Anyway, I kept on going to the tower and was in time to see another gator swimming quickly for the shelter of the tower, He was about 8 ft. long, and in a big hurry. As he reached the tower, he quit swimming and coasted right underneath me. I could see his legs pulled back as he coasted.
I also noticed a bit of beauty as a cardinal perched on the shelter roof and sang his happy tune for a few minutes. God is Awesome!
From the Promise Bible, Psalm 34 NLT
"I will praise the Lord at all times.
I will constantly speak his praises.
I will boast only in the Lord,
Let all who are discouraged take heart.
Come, let us tell of the Lord's greatness,
let us exalt his name together....
Taste and see that the Lord is good.
Oh, the joys of those who trust in Him!
Let the Lord's people show him reverence,
for those who honor him will have all they need.
Even strong young lions sometimes go hungry,
but those who trust in the Lord
will never lack any good thing.
Come, my children, and listen to me,
and I will teach you to fear the Lord.
Do any of you want to live
a life that is long and good?
Then watch your tongue!
Keep your lips from telling lies!
Turn away from evil and do good.
Work hard at living in peace with others.
The eyes of the Lord watch over those who do right;
his ears are open to their cries for help.
The Lord hears his people when they call to him for help.
He rescues them from all their troubles.
The Lord is close to the brokenhearted.
He rescues those who are crushed in spirit.
Blessed be the name of the Lord!!
I always thank God for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
amaryllis
Wednesday, August 8, 2007
More Cruisin; thru Corinthians
Good Morning, Dear Friends and Prayer Partners! This is another warm day that the Lord has made and we will rejoice and be glad in it! We had an unexpected rainstorm yesterday that took me by surprise! I had no idea it had rained until I came out of the salon and saw water all over the streets!
I did not walk yesterday, because it was too hot by the time I was ready to go. However, I did drive through and saw a couple peacocks, a heron intent on finding an unwary fish in front him, and the ever present anhingas. The work seems to be progressing on time, although they had to take last Thursday off because of the rain all day.
I was pleased to look out our front window yesterday and see lots of little blackbirds pecking around on our lawn...it looked like the migration that takes place in the fall! We have more baby ducks in the neighborhood, and while they are really cute when they are fuzzy, I have to keep chasing them out of our trees, because they make an unpleasant mess on the ground. Oh, well, God created them, too!
Excerpts from 1 Corinthians 3 NLT
"...The ones who do the planting or watering aren't important, but God is important because he is the one who makes the seed grow. The one who plants and the one who waters work as a team with the same purpose. Yet they will be rewarded individually, according to their own hard work. We work together as partners who belong to God."
...."But there is going to come a time of testing at the judgement day to see what kind of work each builder has done. Everyone's work will be put through the fire to see whether or not it keeps its value.If the work survives the fire, that builder will receive a reward. But if the work is burned up, the builder will suffer great loss. The builders themselves will be saved, but like someone escaping through a wall of flames....
"God watches those who think they are wise in their own cleverness.
"The Lord knows the thoughts of the wise, and they are worthless.
...You belong to Christ and Christ belongs to God."
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
I did not walk yesterday, because it was too hot by the time I was ready to go. However, I did drive through and saw a couple peacocks, a heron intent on finding an unwary fish in front him, and the ever present anhingas. The work seems to be progressing on time, although they had to take last Thursday off because of the rain all day.
I was pleased to look out our front window yesterday and see lots of little blackbirds pecking around on our lawn...it looked like the migration that takes place in the fall! We have more baby ducks in the neighborhood, and while they are really cute when they are fuzzy, I have to keep chasing them out of our trees, because they make an unpleasant mess on the ground. Oh, well, God created them, too!
Excerpts from 1 Corinthians 3 NLT
"...The ones who do the planting or watering aren't important, but God is important because he is the one who makes the seed grow. The one who plants and the one who waters work as a team with the same purpose. Yet they will be rewarded individually, according to their own hard work. We work together as partners who belong to God."
...."But there is going to come a time of testing at the judgement day to see what kind of work each builder has done. Everyone's work will be put through the fire to see whether or not it keeps its value.If the work survives the fire, that builder will receive a reward. But if the work is burned up, the builder will suffer great loss. The builders themselves will be saved, but like someone escaping through a wall of flames....
"God watches those who think they are wise in their own cleverness.
"The Lord knows the thoughts of the wise, and they are worthless.
...You belong to Christ and Christ belongs to God."
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
Tuesday, August 7, 2007
The Love Chapter
Good morning, Dear Friends and Prayer Partners! This is another warm day that the Lord has made and we will rejoice and be glad in it!
When I stepped outside this morning, I could see the slim crescent moon shining brightly through the haze that seems to be covering the sky right now. All was quiet and dark, except for a cat bathing itself across the street.
I walked a little earlier yesterday, because it's bearable when a slight breeze is blowing and the shade is more plentiful on the boardwalk. Mama gator was missing from the apartment... perhaps she went out for breakfast, or she might have been in back of the nest where she is not visible. There are two signs taped to the railing, now, warning of the consequences if people insist on throwing trash at her. Hope they work.
As I was walking back from the tower, where the hydrilla has blown in from the rain last week, I was just in time to see a raccoon climb up out of the water, cross in front of me, and climb down the other side! It was kinda peculiar looking, not the usual black and white, but kind of yellow and brown. Always something new!! God is good!
1 Corinthians 13 NLT
" If I could speak in any language in heaven or on earth but didn't love others, I would only be making meaningless noise like a loud gong or a clanging cymbal. If I had the gift of prophecy, and if I knew all the mysteries of the future and knew everything about everything but didn't love others, what good would I be? And if I had the gift of faith so that I could speak to a mountain and make it move, without love I would be no good to anybody. 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 o record of when it has been wronged. It is never glad about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.
Love will last forever but prophecy and speaking in unknown languages and special knowledge will all disappear. Now we know only a little, and even the gift of prophecy reveals little! But when the end comes, these special gifts will all disappear.
It's like this. When I was a child, I spoke and thought and reasoned as a child does. But when I grew up, I put away childish things. Now we see things imperfectly as in a poor mirror, but then we will see everything with perfect clarity. All that I know now is partial and incomplete, but then I will know everything completely, just as God knows me now.
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
When I stepped outside this morning, I could see the slim crescent moon shining brightly through the haze that seems to be covering the sky right now. All was quiet and dark, except for a cat bathing itself across the street.
I walked a little earlier yesterday, because it's bearable when a slight breeze is blowing and the shade is more plentiful on the boardwalk. Mama gator was missing from the apartment... perhaps she went out for breakfast, or she might have been in back of the nest where she is not visible. There are two signs taped to the railing, now, warning of the consequences if people insist on throwing trash at her. Hope they work.
As I was walking back from the tower, where the hydrilla has blown in from the rain last week, I was just in time to see a raccoon climb up out of the water, cross in front of me, and climb down the other side! It was kinda peculiar looking, not the usual black and white, but kind of yellow and brown. Always something new!! God is good!
1 Corinthians 13 NLT
" If I could speak in any language in heaven or on earth but didn't love others, I would only be making meaningless noise like a loud gong or a clanging cymbal. If I had the gift of prophecy, and if I knew all the mysteries of the future and knew everything about everything but didn't love others, what good would I be? And if I had the gift of faith so that I could speak to a mountain and make it move, without love I would be no good to anybody. 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 o record of when it has been wronged. It is never glad about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.
Love will last forever but prophecy and speaking in unknown languages and special knowledge will all disappear. Now we know only a little, and even the gift of prophecy reveals little! But when the end comes, these special gifts will all disappear.
It's like this. When I was a child, I spoke and thought and reasoned as a child does. But when I grew up, I put away childish things. Now we see things imperfectly as in a poor mirror, but then we will see everything with perfect clarity. All that I know now is partial and incomplete, but then I will know everything completely, just as God knows me now.
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
Monday, August 6, 2007
Psoaring thru Psalms
Good morning, Dear Friends and Prayer Partners! This is the warm, humid day that the Lord has made and we will rejoice and be glad in it! The half-moon was struggling to shine through the haze this morning, but a few stars were visible, showing God's glory.
Our gutters are still running with water from the rain last Thursday, and the water is high in the Park, I walked Friday and spoke to Mama gator who was stretched out full length, mostly in the water that is much higher now at the base of the nest. The nest is quite high, about three feet above the water level, so no danger of it flooding.
Sonnie, a friend, told me at church yesterday, that there is a petrified bat hanging from a tree somewhere on the trail, but he didn't know where, I would really like to see it! I will investigate further to see if I can find it. God's Creation is marvelous!
From the Promise Bible NLT
Needs
How can I be sure that my needs will be met?
Psalm 23:1 "The Lord is my Shepherd; I have everything I need."
The starting point for our assurance is the promise of God's love. Even as sheep must depend fully on a good shepherd, we must depend fully on the Lord. He is eager to graciously lead us through life.
Romans 8:31-32 "What can we say about such wonderful things as these? If God is for us, who can ever be against us? Since God did not spare even His own Son, but gave him up for us all, won't God, who gave us Christ, also give us everything else?"
If someone was offering you millions of dollars, you would not hesitate to ask them for just a few. God has met our greatest need by giving us His own Son to redeem us. Now, his great joy is supplying all our other needs for the glory of His name.
Hebrews 4:16 "Let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive His mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it."
We should not hesitate to come to God because he welcomes our requests.
Philippians 4:19 "This same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus."
God's resources far exceed my greatest needs.
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
Our gutters are still running with water from the rain last Thursday, and the water is high in the Park, I walked Friday and spoke to Mama gator who was stretched out full length, mostly in the water that is much higher now at the base of the nest. The nest is quite high, about three feet above the water level, so no danger of it flooding.
Sonnie, a friend, told me at church yesterday, that there is a petrified bat hanging from a tree somewhere on the trail, but he didn't know where, I would really like to see it! I will investigate further to see if I can find it. God's Creation is marvelous!
From the Promise Bible NLT
Needs
How can I be sure that my needs will be met?
Psalm 23:1 "The Lord is my Shepherd; I have everything I need."
The starting point for our assurance is the promise of God's love. Even as sheep must depend fully on a good shepherd, we must depend fully on the Lord. He is eager to graciously lead us through life.
Romans 8:31-32 "What can we say about such wonderful things as these? If God is for us, who can ever be against us? Since God did not spare even His own Son, but gave him up for us all, won't God, who gave us Christ, also give us everything else?"
If someone was offering you millions of dollars, you would not hesitate to ask them for just a few. God has met our greatest need by giving us His own Son to redeem us. Now, his great joy is supplying all our other needs for the glory of His name.
Hebrews 4:16 "Let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive His mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it."
We should not hesitate to come to God because he welcomes our requests.
Philippians 4:19 "This same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus."
God's resources far exceed my greatest needs.
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
Friday, August 3, 2007
Protection and blessings
Good dry morning, Dear Friends and Prayer Partners! This is the beautiful day that the Lord has made and we will rejoice and be glad in it!
Looks like maybe we won't have any rain today, so I will head out for a walk very soon. Yesterday we only got caught in the rain once and that was coming from church, after working on communion.
I drove through the Park and looked at the high water covering the weir, and noticed how high the water in the canal is. I followed a car from Maine, driving very slowly down the street and they stopped right in front of me, because they noticed a gator cruising in the canal right in front of the house. Guess there aren't many gators in Maine!
Anyway, Terry is back from vacation and was very busy catching up on emails. He gave me the sad news that Ralph, the former assistant supervisor, and a very nice man, had passed away in July after a long battle with cancer. I was sad because I had just prayed for him yesterday morning. He was not a believer, but he appreciated my prayers.
Here are some scriptures I pray for most of you, daily...
Ephesians 6:10-13
Be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power.
"Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. For your struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world, and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore, put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. In addition to the armor, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one."
Ephesians 3:20,21
"Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work in you, to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus, throughout all generations, forever and ever.
Amen!
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
Looks like maybe we won't have any rain today, so I will head out for a walk very soon. Yesterday we only got caught in the rain once and that was coming from church, after working on communion.
I drove through the Park and looked at the high water covering the weir, and noticed how high the water in the canal is. I followed a car from Maine, driving very slowly down the street and they stopped right in front of me, because they noticed a gator cruising in the canal right in front of the house. Guess there aren't many gators in Maine!
Anyway, Terry is back from vacation and was very busy catching up on emails. He gave me the sad news that Ralph, the former assistant supervisor, and a very nice man, had passed away in July after a long battle with cancer. I was sad because I had just prayed for him yesterday morning. He was not a believer, but he appreciated my prayers.
Here are some scriptures I pray for most of you, daily...
Ephesians 6:10-13
Be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power.
"Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. For your struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world, and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore, put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. In addition to the armor, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one."
Ephesians 3:20,21
"Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work in you, to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus, throughout all generations, forever and ever.
Amen!
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
Thursday, August 2, 2007
Guidance
Good wet morning, Dear Friends and Prayer Partners! This is the very rainy day that the Lord has made and we shall rejoice and be glad in it! Lesson for today is; be careful what you pray for! All those prayers for rain to end the drought are being answered all at once! Psalm 68:8,9 "You sent abundant rain, O God, to refresh the weary Promised Land..." So I am not really complaining, because we really need the rain. I can almost watch the grass grow! Another good thing, I haven't had to water the yard in weeks! Yea!
I think I have mentioned this before, but we have an unusual anole living in our garage above the door. I only see her when I turn on the light after it has been dark. She is almost transparent and has those distinctive bulging anole eyes. I have no idea what the critter lives on...maybe bugs around the window, but as soon as I approach, she does her funny wiggle into any opening she is near. . God is good!
From the Promise Bible NLT:
How can I experience God's guidance?
Proverbs 3:5-6 "Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will direct your paths."
The first step in guidance is knowing where to put your trust. Travelers rely on maps when visiting new places. In the same way, we must trust God to lead us and realize our own limitations. We do not understand all the complexities of life, like the Lord does.
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 dooris opened to everyone who knocks. You parents-if your children ask for a loaf of bread, do you give them a stone instead? Or if they 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."
God invites us to pray so that we will know him more fully as our loving Father and understand ourselves more clearly as well. Even as a parent gives more and more responsibility to a child as he or she grows, so the Lord expects us to take responsibility for seeking and following his direction.
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
I think I have mentioned this before, but we have an unusual anole living in our garage above the door. I only see her when I turn on the light after it has been dark. She is almost transparent and has those distinctive bulging anole eyes. I have no idea what the critter lives on...maybe bugs around the window, but as soon as I approach, she does her funny wiggle into any opening she is near. . God is good!
From the Promise Bible NLT:
How can I experience God's guidance?
Proverbs 3:5-6 "Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will direct your paths."
The first step in guidance is knowing where to put your trust. Travelers rely on maps when visiting new places. In the same way, we must trust God to lead us and realize our own limitations. We do not understand all the complexities of life, like the Lord does.
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 dooris opened to everyone who knocks. You parents-if your children ask for a loaf of bread, do you give them a stone instead? Or if they 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."
God invites us to pray so that we will know him more fully as our loving Father and understand ourselves more clearly as well. Even as a parent gives more and more responsibility to a child as he or she grows, so the Lord expects us to take responsibility for seeking and following his direction.
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
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