Good morning Dear Friends and Prayer Partners! This is the cool day that the Lord has made and we will rejoice and be glad in it! When I stepped outside this morning, the wind was cool and the sky was cloudy, but Venus was visible in the East, bravely shining through the little opening through the clouds and the waning moon was also casting its light through an open spot. God is good!
I enjoyed a walk yesterday among the falling leaves and watched the gallinule pair at the tower busily pecking among the dying hyacinths for whatever they could find. Surprisingly, no birds were around and I did not hear any.
Terry is back from vacation and I spoke to him as he was catching up on the work that accumulated while he was gone. He is always willing to help us out with things around the house ... when he has time! I am thankful for good friends!
From the book Quiet Moments:
"It is God who arms me with strength and makes my way perfect". Psalm 18:12
What a pleasure it is to drive a car with a powerful engine on a level highway. Picture a sunny day when there's no traffic and you're not in a hurry to get anywhere. You sing along with your favorite CD and enjoy driving solely for driving's sake.
But is it possible to ride the rougher road and have the same peace and tranquility inside as when we drive the level highway? The Bible says it is.
The difference is simply the powerful engine, which makes the hills seem less steep and rush hour less tedious. It's a lot easier to keep moving steadily through traffic when you have a continuous hum from the motor instead of lunching, dying, starting-lurching, dying, starting in your own strength.
God is our powerful engine. He makes the difficult highway become manageable.
Perhaps your day started out smoothly, but by now you've left the easy stretch of road and come to the rolling hills. Now more than ever is the time to remind yourself that your Father in Heaven loves you and wants to help you.
With God's strength, you can stay alert and focused, maintaining an even pace and an even temperament regardless of the challenge. Ask Him, and He will help you work through any problems that arise without compromising your integrity, He may even show you some shortcuts--and the gas mileage is great!
When a man has no strength, if he leans on God, He becomes powerful.
Dwight Lyman Moody
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
Tuesday, October 30, 2007
Monday, October 29, 2007
A reminder
Good Morning, Dear Friends and Prayer Partners! This is the cloudy day that the Lord has made and we will rejoice and be glad in it!
We had a nice long rain last night that we really needed and this morning maybe the clouds will bring us more.
I noticed a red-headed woodpecker on our oak tree yesterday evening just very busy pecking at whatever it is he pecks at. I saw photographers at Sawgrass yesterday, taking photos of the ibis that were reflected in the canal and they busily pecked in the mud. There is beauty everywhere, if we only open our eyes and look around. Three peacocks added to the landscape as we drove into the park, but two were on the rooftop of a house one day and they really can do a lot of damage with their claws. Beauty among the thorns!
But God's creation is marvelous!
God's Promise from Quiet Moments:
An informal survey about the prayers of people in a church found that most people pray two types of prayers.. the first an SOS--not only "Save Our Souls", but also, "O God, help me now".
The second was SOP--"Solve Our Problems". People asked the Lord to eliminate all needs, struggles, trials, and temptations. They wanted carefree, perfect lives, and they fully believed that this is what God had promised them. The conclusion from the survey: Most people want "God to do it all."
God has not promised, however, to live our lives for us--but rather, to walk through our lives with us. Our part is to be faithful and obedient. His part is to lead us, guide us, protect us, and help us. Annie Johnson Flint recognized the true nature of God's promise in this poem;
What God Hath Promised
God has not promised
skies always blue,
Flower-strewn pathways
All our lives through:
God has not promised
Sun without rain,
Joy without sorrow,
Peace without pain.
But God has promised
Strength for the day,
Rest for the labor,
Light for the way,
Grace for the trials,
Help from above,
Unfailing sympathy,
Undying love.
Do what you know you can do today--and then trust God to do what you cannot do!
Matthew 28:20 "I am with you all the days (perpetually, uniformly, and on every occasion) to the very close and consummation of the age." (Amp)
You cannot control the length of your life, but you can control its width and depth.
Evan Esar
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
We had a nice long rain last night that we really needed and this morning maybe the clouds will bring us more.
I noticed a red-headed woodpecker on our oak tree yesterday evening just very busy pecking at whatever it is he pecks at. I saw photographers at Sawgrass yesterday, taking photos of the ibis that were reflected in the canal and they busily pecked in the mud. There is beauty everywhere, if we only open our eyes and look around. Three peacocks added to the landscape as we drove into the park, but two were on the rooftop of a house one day and they really can do a lot of damage with their claws. Beauty among the thorns!
But God's creation is marvelous!
God's Promise from Quiet Moments:
An informal survey about the prayers of people in a church found that most people pray two types of prayers.. the first an SOS--not only "Save Our Souls", but also, "O God, help me now".
The second was SOP--"Solve Our Problems". People asked the Lord to eliminate all needs, struggles, trials, and temptations. They wanted carefree, perfect lives, and they fully believed that this is what God had promised them. The conclusion from the survey: Most people want "God to do it all."
God has not promised, however, to live our lives for us--but rather, to walk through our lives with us. Our part is to be faithful and obedient. His part is to lead us, guide us, protect us, and help us. Annie Johnson Flint recognized the true nature of God's promise in this poem;
What God Hath Promised
God has not promised
skies always blue,
Flower-strewn pathways
All our lives through:
God has not promised
Sun without rain,
Joy without sorrow,
Peace without pain.
But God has promised
Strength for the day,
Rest for the labor,
Light for the way,
Grace for the trials,
Help from above,
Unfailing sympathy,
Undying love.
Do what you know you can do today--and then trust God to do what you cannot do!
Matthew 28:20 "I am with you all the days (perpetually, uniformly, and on every occasion) to the very close and consummation of the age." (Amp)
You cannot control the length of your life, but you can control its width and depth.
Evan Esar
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
Saturday, October 27, 2007
Good rainy morning!
The joy of being friends is just
A simple code of faith and trust,
A homey comradeship that stays
The threatened fear of darker days:
The kind of faith that brings to light
The good, the beautiful, and bright;
And best and blest, and true and rare---
is having friends who love and care!
From Bear Hugs
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
A simple code of faith and trust,
A homey comradeship that stays
The threatened fear of darker days:
The kind of faith that brings to light
The good, the beautiful, and bright;
And best and blest, and true and rare---
is having friends who love and care!
From Bear Hugs
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
Friday, October 26, 2007
Print it!
Good morning, Dear Friends and Prayer Partners! This is the totally cloudy day that the Lord has made and we will rejoice and be glad in it! The full moon must be above the clouds, because even when I stepped outside about 5:30am, the sky was glowing.
Yesterday was a gorgeous day for a walk, so for the first time in a week and a half, off I went! My first stop was at the first covered shelter, where one of the regulars was looking over the rail into the water. A gator was almost under the shelter, and I asked what he was looking for. He said someone told him that the baby gators were there. Well, maybe, but not yesterday.
So off I went to the tower, thoroughly enjoying the cool air and the calling of the birds. I watched Mr. and Mrs. Gallinule very busily walking on all the hyacinths that had washed in from the rain, and they were eating the lavender blossoms! What a lovely breakfast!
On my way back, I was delighted to see two catbirds flitting in front of me! They landed on the rail and I stopped and watched them for a minute, then off they flew! I heard two hawks calling and looked up in time to see both of them fly over and land on a tree across the canal.
God's Creation is awesome!
From Quiet Moments with God:
When we come to the end of the day and wonder why things went wrong, we usually don't have to look very far to discover the answer. Somehow, we lost our sense of direction and couldn't seem to get back on track. To ensure this doesn't happen again, or at least not as often, we can take some advice from National Geographic photographer Dewitt Jones:
1. If there's a problem at work that has you stymied, try looking at it from different points of view. Pray for the eyes of your understanding to be enlightened. (Ephesians. 1:18) Before he goes out to a shoot, Jones knows he has to have a good camera with the right lens... Jones experiments until he find the right one.
2. Another important factor is focus. A picture can be razor sharp, or if Jones prefers, just the subject in the foreground will be clearly in focus.
3. We sometimes become so focused on one aspect of a problem, we lose sight of the big picture--of other circumstances influencing the situation or how the problem is going to affect others if it isn't resolved properly. Look at the big picture, then consider all individuals involved. Jones allows his creative instincts to drive him to find more than one "right" way to shoot a photo. He uses about 400 rolls of film per article--and each published article uses approximately fifty photos.
4. Don't be afraid of experimenting with new ideas and methods. Ask God to show you great and mighty things that you haven't known before. (Jeremiah 33:3) When Dewitt Jones empties his camera at the end of a shoot, he knows he's given it his best shot. He's looked at the subject he's photographing in as many different ways as he can think of.
If we've found the right perspective; stayed focused on what's truly important; been willing to try something different; and refused to let fear of failure paralyze us; we, too, can look back at our day and say, "Print it!"
"Be very careful then how you live--not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity." Ephesians 5:15-16
No life ever grows great until it is focused, dedicated, disciplined.
Harry Emerson Fosdick
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
Yesterday was a gorgeous day for a walk, so for the first time in a week and a half, off I went! My first stop was at the first covered shelter, where one of the regulars was looking over the rail into the water. A gator was almost under the shelter, and I asked what he was looking for. He said someone told him that the baby gators were there. Well, maybe, but not yesterday.
So off I went to the tower, thoroughly enjoying the cool air and the calling of the birds. I watched Mr. and Mrs. Gallinule very busily walking on all the hyacinths that had washed in from the rain, and they were eating the lavender blossoms! What a lovely breakfast!
On my way back, I was delighted to see two catbirds flitting in front of me! They landed on the rail and I stopped and watched them for a minute, then off they flew! I heard two hawks calling and looked up in time to see both of them fly over and land on a tree across the canal.
God's Creation is awesome!
From Quiet Moments with God:
When we come to the end of the day and wonder why things went wrong, we usually don't have to look very far to discover the answer. Somehow, we lost our sense of direction and couldn't seem to get back on track. To ensure this doesn't happen again, or at least not as often, we can take some advice from National Geographic photographer Dewitt Jones:
1. If there's a problem at work that has you stymied, try looking at it from different points of view. Pray for the eyes of your understanding to be enlightened. (Ephesians. 1:18) Before he goes out to a shoot, Jones knows he has to have a good camera with the right lens... Jones experiments until he find the right one.
2. Another important factor is focus. A picture can be razor sharp, or if Jones prefers, just the subject in the foreground will be clearly in focus.
3. We sometimes become so focused on one aspect of a problem, we lose sight of the big picture--of other circumstances influencing the situation or how the problem is going to affect others if it isn't resolved properly. Look at the big picture, then consider all individuals involved. Jones allows his creative instincts to drive him to find more than one "right" way to shoot a photo. He uses about 400 rolls of film per article--and each published article uses approximately fifty photos.
4. Don't be afraid of experimenting with new ideas and methods. Ask God to show you great and mighty things that you haven't known before. (Jeremiah 33:3) When Dewitt Jones empties his camera at the end of a shoot, he knows he's given it his best shot. He's looked at the subject he's photographing in as many different ways as he can think of.
If we've found the right perspective; stayed focused on what's truly important; been willing to try something different; and refused to let fear of failure paralyze us; we, too, can look back at our day and say, "Print it!"
"Be very careful then how you live--not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity." Ephesians 5:15-16
No life ever grows great until it is focused, dedicated, disciplined.
Harry Emerson Fosdick
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
Thursday, October 25, 2007
Good morning, Dear Friends and Prayer Partners! Wow! Have you stepped outside yet? It is a cool 68 and finally really feels like fall! The rain-washed sky was filled with stars twinkling in all their beauty and Venus was glowing in the high eastern sky. There was a full moon last night, but it must be in the west now, because I couldn't see it.
We so enjoyed the rain yesterday. I noticed the grass in the Park already has greened up and so has ours. I saw three peacocks on the way in the park and a strange water bird that I didn't recognize. I haven't looked it up in my Peterson Guide, yet. God is so good!
From the Promise Bible NLT:
Does God have a purpose for my life?
2 Timothy 1:9 "It is God who saved us and chose us to live a holy life. He did this not because we deserved it, but because that was his plan long before the world began-to show his love and kindness to us through Christ Jesus."
Our purpose in life is rooted in God's eternal plan to redeem us and make us new creations in Christ for his glory and for his service.
John 15:16 "You didn't choose me. I chose you. I appointed you to go and produce fruit that will last, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask for, using my name."
As we pursue our purpose in Christ, he promises that our lives will have lasting significance and eternal results.
1 Corinthians 15:58 "My dear brothers and sisters, be strong and steady , always enthusiastic about the Lord's work, for you know that nothing you do for the Lord is ever useless."
As we pursue our God-given purpose, we do not get discouraged even when it seems that nothing is happening. God wastes nothing.
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
We so enjoyed the rain yesterday. I noticed the grass in the Park already has greened up and so has ours. I saw three peacocks on the way in the park and a strange water bird that I didn't recognize. I haven't looked it up in my Peterson Guide, yet. God is so good!
From the Promise Bible NLT:
Does God have a purpose for my life?
2 Timothy 1:9 "It is God who saved us and chose us to live a holy life. He did this not because we deserved it, but because that was his plan long before the world began-to show his love and kindness to us through Christ Jesus."
Our purpose in life is rooted in God's eternal plan to redeem us and make us new creations in Christ for his glory and for his service.
John 15:16 "You didn't choose me. I chose you. I appointed you to go and produce fruit that will last, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask for, using my name."
As we pursue our purpose in Christ, he promises that our lives will have lasting significance and eternal results.
1 Corinthians 15:58 "My dear brothers and sisters, be strong and steady , always enthusiastic about the Lord's work, for you know that nothing you do for the Lord is ever useless."
As we pursue our God-given purpose, we do not get discouraged even when it seems that nothing is happening. God wastes nothing.
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
Wednesday, October 24, 2007
Ephesians 4:26
Good rainy morning, Dear Friends and Prayer Partners! This is the nice, rainy day that the Lord has made and we will rejoice and be glad in it! Yes, after praying for rain, we finally have it. I woke up to rain at 4:30am and it has been raining off and on ever since. When I stepped outside during a lull I could see a few stars through the clouds, but did not expect it to rain again. Nice surprise!
The muscovy ducks were not in the tree this morning..I am so glad! I have been having a running battle with two of the many ducks that wander up and down our street. They roost in the tree at night and make a terrible mess on the driveway. I washed it off early yesterday morning, and now the rain will finish the job.
Strange as it seems, there aren't any muscovy ducks at the Park, Guess they know they would make tasty treats for the gators!
From Quiet Moments with God:
Deal With It!
...As Christians, anger can be a terrible enemy.
The beginnings of anger almost go unnoticed: petty irritations, ordinary frustrations, minor aggravations--things we experience daily. Then these small things start adding up. Pressures build and turn into rage. Without relief, pent-up anger can turn violent, with devastating consequences.
How do we keep our passions from becoming uncontrolled anger? How should we defuse the anger that makes us want to retaliate?
There is a righteous, Godly anger that energizes us to take action, to right the wrong, to defend the innocent. However, anger becomes sin when it turns into hate and resentment. Then it is often expressed in inappropriate, destructive ways. We can fly off the handle and act in ways that are as hurtful as what caused us to be angry in the first place. Worse yet, we can store up anger and become bitter and resentful.
There are several things we can do to take control of our anger before it takes control of us:
1. Yell at God first! He already knows you're upset.
2. Ask God to give you understanding about the situation, to show you the root of your anger, if that's the case.
3. Turn the situation over to God. forgive those who have hurt you, and let Him deal with them. Turn His power loose in the circumstances.
4. Don't do anything without having complete inner peace from His Spirit.
Then you can sleep easily at night, knowing God can turn anything around to work for your good.
"Be ye angry and sin not. Let not the sun go down upon your wrath."
Ephesians 4:26 KJV
Control yourself! Anger is only one letter short of danger.
Unknown
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
The muscovy ducks were not in the tree this morning..I am so glad! I have been having a running battle with two of the many ducks that wander up and down our street. They roost in the tree at night and make a terrible mess on the driveway. I washed it off early yesterday morning, and now the rain will finish the job.
Strange as it seems, there aren't any muscovy ducks at the Park, Guess they know they would make tasty treats for the gators!
From Quiet Moments with God:
Deal With It!
...As Christians, anger can be a terrible enemy.
The beginnings of anger almost go unnoticed: petty irritations, ordinary frustrations, minor aggravations--things we experience daily. Then these small things start adding up. Pressures build and turn into rage. Without relief, pent-up anger can turn violent, with devastating consequences.
How do we keep our passions from becoming uncontrolled anger? How should we defuse the anger that makes us want to retaliate?
There is a righteous, Godly anger that energizes us to take action, to right the wrong, to defend the innocent. However, anger becomes sin when it turns into hate and resentment. Then it is often expressed in inappropriate, destructive ways. We can fly off the handle and act in ways that are as hurtful as what caused us to be angry in the first place. Worse yet, we can store up anger and become bitter and resentful.
There are several things we can do to take control of our anger before it takes control of us:
1. Yell at God first! He already knows you're upset.
2. Ask God to give you understanding about the situation, to show you the root of your anger, if that's the case.
3. Turn the situation over to God. forgive those who have hurt you, and let Him deal with them. Turn His power loose in the circumstances.
4. Don't do anything without having complete inner peace from His Spirit.
Then you can sleep easily at night, knowing God can turn anything around to work for your good.
"Be ye angry and sin not. Let not the sun go down upon your wrath."
Ephesians 4:26 KJV
Control yourself! Anger is only one letter short of danger.
Unknown
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
Tuesday, October 23, 2007
Matthew 6:28-29
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! When I stepped outside this morning, besides the ducks in the tree, I actually saw a couple stars through the hazy mist. It promises to be another record-setting warm day, although the morning air is definitely cooler than last month.
Because I am still recovering my energy from the bug last week, I did not feel like walking yesterday, but once more, drove through the park and saw the men still working on the sidewalk, and scraping another path for some reason. Terry is back from vacation, so I will have to chat with him to find out what is going on.
BTW, Our beauty berry bush in the back yard is huge. It was not planted by us, and has received no extra care, water or anything, but has spread out its branches and is loaded with purple berries. It's a good thing that I don't hang out laundry anymore!! The birds love the bush! God always provides!
From Quiet Moments with God:
Matthew 6:28-29 NASB"Why are you anxious about clothing? Observe how the lilies of the field grow. They do not toil nor do they spin, yet I say to you that even Solomon in all his glory did not clothe himself like one of these."
After the mountains of Alaska begin shedding their heavy white coats, the tundra bursts forth in bloom. No one plants flowers on the mountainside, but the bloom of wildflowers is still as predictable as spring itself. Blue lupine, bright pink fireweed, and many other colorful varieties announce that winter has departed.. Dark, gloomy days are gradually replaced with more and more light. By midsummer, the days extend almost until dawn. In the twilight's glow, this mountain garden flourishes along endless miles of pristine wilderness.
Every time the sun rises, the seasons change, and the flowers bloom, all of nature seems to be announcing, "God is faithful." In a world of human-made chaos, God is dependable, not only in matters of creation, but in our personal lives as well. Remembering God's dependability is helpful, especially when circumstances are not going our way.
When divorce rips the marriage vows or the doctor diagnoses cancer or the telephone call delivers shocking news, we often wonder if God Has forgotten us. Yet when we reflect upon the past events of our lives, we can trace His faithful provision. Just as He adorns the lilies of the field, He will take care of our concerns. So, we need not be anxious. When difficulties arise, we can pray, knowing the Master Gardener is always there, year in and year out.
Just as spring follows winter and renews a harsh landscape, our Jehoval Jireh-the Lord who provides-brings peace to still the turmoil in our hearts and newfound joy with the blessing of each day..
Finding God, you have no need to seek peace, for he himself is your peace.
Frances J. Roberts
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
Because I am still recovering my energy from the bug last week, I did not feel like walking yesterday, but once more, drove through the park and saw the men still working on the sidewalk, and scraping another path for some reason. Terry is back from vacation, so I will have to chat with him to find out what is going on.
BTW, Our beauty berry bush in the back yard is huge. It was not planted by us, and has received no extra care, water or anything, but has spread out its branches and is loaded with purple berries. It's a good thing that I don't hang out laundry anymore!! The birds love the bush! God always provides!
From Quiet Moments with God:
Matthew 6:28-29 NASB"Why are you anxious about clothing? Observe how the lilies of the field grow. They do not toil nor do they spin, yet I say to you that even Solomon in all his glory did not clothe himself like one of these."
After the mountains of Alaska begin shedding their heavy white coats, the tundra bursts forth in bloom. No one plants flowers on the mountainside, but the bloom of wildflowers is still as predictable as spring itself. Blue lupine, bright pink fireweed, and many other colorful varieties announce that winter has departed.. Dark, gloomy days are gradually replaced with more and more light. By midsummer, the days extend almost until dawn. In the twilight's glow, this mountain garden flourishes along endless miles of pristine wilderness.
Every time the sun rises, the seasons change, and the flowers bloom, all of nature seems to be announcing, "God is faithful." In a world of human-made chaos, God is dependable, not only in matters of creation, but in our personal lives as well. Remembering God's dependability is helpful, especially when circumstances are not going our way.
When divorce rips the marriage vows or the doctor diagnoses cancer or the telephone call delivers shocking news, we often wonder if God Has forgotten us. Yet when we reflect upon the past events of our lives, we can trace His faithful provision. Just as He adorns the lilies of the field, He will take care of our concerns. So, we need not be anxious. When difficulties arise, we can pray, knowing the Master Gardener is always there, year in and year out.
Just as spring follows winter and renews a harsh landscape, our Jehoval Jireh-the Lord who provides-brings peace to still the turmoil in our hearts and newfound joy with the blessing of each day..
Finding God, you have no need to seek peace, for he himself is your peace.
Frances J. Roberts
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
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