Good morning, Dear Friends and Prayer Partners! This is the beautiful sunrise day that the Lord has made and we will rejoice and be glad in it!
Wow! We went to bed last night to thunder and lightning and pouring rain! That was unexpected, because I thought rain was not predicted. Oh, well, the weatherman has been wrong before!
The boardwalk at the Park was still wet from rain Sunday, so I splashed through the puddles on my walk, but, unfortunately, they did not keep me cool. I spoke to Mama gator, still guarding faithfully at the base of the nest. In case I hadn't told you, the nest is about three ft. high, and the eggs are buried at the top, with trees and stuff growing all over the mound. Not like a bird's nest or a chicken nest.
Amazingly, no trash was in the nesting area, so maybe the signs are doing some good!
As I walked to the tower, I heard the chirping of a bird and looked carefully, and saw a blackbird in a tree, just sitting there chirping. He kept it up the whole time I was looking around and seemed content to stay in one spot. God is amazing!!
From the Promise Bible NLT
Where do we find confidence for every day?
Psalm 27:1 "The Lord is my light and my salvation-so why should I be afraid?
Psalm 121:8 The Lord keeps watch over you as you come and go, both now and forever."
John 16:33 " I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world."
Many of the greatest athletes say that their real contest is a mental, not a physical one. It's the same way in our spiritual life. Our confidence comes not from looking around at our physical circumstances, but from looking to God.
How can we have confidence in the face of life's greatest hardships?
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."
When we rely on God, he will not let us down. Our limited understanding is no match for his limitless love and grace.
Philippians 4:11-13 "Not that I was ever in need, for I have learned how to get along happily whether I have much or little. I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little. For I can do everything with the help of Christ who gives me the strength I need."
Our happiness rises and falls, but our steady confidence comes from the consistency of Christ.-not in circumstances.
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
Tuesday, August 14, 2007
Monday, August 13, 2007
Phillippians 4:13
Good Morning, Dear Friends and Prayer Partners! This is the slightly cooler day that the Lord has made and we will rejoice and be glad in it! I noticed on my daily weather prediction that the heat index is not supposed to reach 100 today! What a blessing!
I had a fairly quiet weekend, trying to stay indoors and cool. We rode through the Park a couple times, and it always looks so peaceful and calm. We have had some rain, both days and that keeps the water up at the park. Speaking of that, there is a picture of a gator taken at Sawgrass, in the Times classified this morning.
Yesterday, I saw another roseate spoonbill at the lake near us. What beautiful pinks. I don't think the bird even knows how beautiful he is! God is good!!!
From Quiet Moments for Teachers:
What's the problem?
"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." Philippians 4:13
...The developer of a popular series of business training films describes the phenomenon of discovering your problem solving skills are going nowhere.
You start thinking, I'm uncomfortable, I'm anxious ..I can't do this. I should never have started to try. I'm not creative. I was never creative in school. I'm a complete failure. I'm going to be fired... in other words you start enjoying a real, good, old-fashioned panic attack.
Problems can feel ten times larger in the middle of the night. But in reality--and by daylight--solutions might not be as distant as they seem.
Inventor Charles Kettering had a unique problem-solving method. He would divide each problem into the smallest possible pieces, then research the pieces to determine which ones had already been solved. He often found that what looked like a huge problem was already 98 percent solved by others. Then he tackled what was left.
In bite-sized pieces, problems become more manageable. Remember that with God, all things are possible. He can give us peace in our darkest nights and bring wisdom with the morning.
Obstacles in the pathway of the weak become stepping stones in the pathway of the strong.
Thomas Carlyle
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
I had a fairly quiet weekend, trying to stay indoors and cool. We rode through the Park a couple times, and it always looks so peaceful and calm. We have had some rain, both days and that keeps the water up at the park. Speaking of that, there is a picture of a gator taken at Sawgrass, in the Times classified this morning.
Yesterday, I saw another roseate spoonbill at the lake near us. What beautiful pinks. I don't think the bird even knows how beautiful he is! God is good!!!
From Quiet Moments for Teachers:
What's the problem?
"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." Philippians 4:13
...The developer of a popular series of business training films describes the phenomenon of discovering your problem solving skills are going nowhere.
You start thinking, I'm uncomfortable, I'm anxious ..I can't do this. I should never have started to try. I'm not creative. I was never creative in school. I'm a complete failure. I'm going to be fired... in other words you start enjoying a real, good, old-fashioned panic attack.
Problems can feel ten times larger in the middle of the night. But in reality--and by daylight--solutions might not be as distant as they seem.
Inventor Charles Kettering had a unique problem-solving method. He would divide each problem into the smallest possible pieces, then research the pieces to determine which ones had already been solved. He often found that what looked like a huge problem was already 98 percent solved by others. Then he tackled what was left.
In bite-sized pieces, problems become more manageable. Remember that with God, all things are possible. He can give us peace in our darkest nights and bring wisdom with the morning.
Obstacles in the pathway of the weak become stepping stones in the pathway of the strong.
Thomas Carlyle
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
Friday, August 10, 2007
Change
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
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
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
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