Psoaring through 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! When I stepped outside in the darkness earlier, there was Venus shining brightly through the trees, and another bright star shining in the southwest. Beauty in the darkness!

Yesterday on the way in to the Park, a black, shiny gator had just crawled up on the bank to bask in the sun, and we had just passed two peacocks, just outside the park. One peacock had his fan spread out and was preening, the other had his tail feathers dragging on the ground." Beauties and the beast". I started my walk and stopped to chat with two friends who were just coming off the boardwalk. Not many people were there yet, so I walked on to the tower and watched some skimmers flying about. I was hoping to see some ospreys, but they were not present.

I walked on back, just in time to see three different groups of school children coming , so I was glad to finish, instead of being in the crowd! God is good!

I talked to Francia, the teacher, later when I took some cake to her and Mike, and she is planning to retire June 4. It won't be retiring from work, however, as she will be a full-time caregiver for her husband, whose health is failing. I don't know what will happen to the schoolroom -whether they will get another teacher or what. Stay tuned!

Psalm 18-28-30
I will love You, O Lord, my strength. The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer;
My God, my strength, in whom I will trust:
My shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.
I will call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised;
so shall I be saved from my enemies.

For You will light my lamp;
the Lord my God will enlighten my darkness.
For by You I can run against a troop,
By my God I can leap over a wall.
As for God, His way is perfect;
The word of the Lord is proven;
He is a shield to all who trust in Him.
Psalm 18:28-30

Psalm 37:4-6
Delight yourself also in the Lord,
And He shall give you the desires of your heart.
Commit your way to the Lord,
Trust also in Him,
And He shall bring it to pass.
He shall bring forth your righteousness as the light,
And your justice as the noonday.

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

Love and hugs,
Amaryllis

No one else will listen

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 early this morning, Venus was still glowing brightly in the eastern sky and, looking much farther away, the other stars were dimly visible. God is good!

I noticed one blossom on my potted hibiscus this morning. It was a gift and has a long stalk with the red flower at the end. My one last amaryllis is fading fast, but was pretty while it lasted. I noticed the neighbor across the street has a bunch of red ones in front of her house.

I still take pleasure in looking at the beautiful jacarandas in bloom everywhere. They are lovely lavender blossoms, even though they are kind of messy on the ground.The magnolias are also blooming and the new ones in the park seem to be thriving. I was there in the late afternoon, after going to a support group earlier. It didn't look like Mike was there, so I did not take any lemon cake over...his favorite. Maybe today..

From God's Promises for Men (but good for everyone)

God listens to a Person's Prayer When...
No One Else Will Listen

Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.
Matthew 7:7-8

Continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it with thanksgiving
Colossians 4:2

Rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer
Romans 12:12

Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

Again I say to you that if two of you agree on earth concerning anything that they ask, it will be done for them by My Father in heaven.
Matthew 18:19

Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; praying always with all prayers and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints.
Ephesians 6:13-18

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

Love and hugs,
Amaryllis

Protection

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, Venus was shining brightly, dimming the other stars, but the sky was clear once again and we have another beautiful day waiting for us to enjoy!

In all the busyness and overcrowded city, the birds still make their nests and carry on above all the hustle and bustle of people going about their business. The osprey nest at the Publix has their young sticking their heads out and will probably soon be out on their own, as will the one at Sweetbay. the Sawgrass school nest has heads sticking up all the time. God is good!

We went to the Park yesterday and the usual anhingas were drying their wings. I heard from Terry that the Park may be sold to the state, which would then close it as they are closing other state parks. I hope and pray that does not happen as many people enjoy it, including me! The county people are working to make the berms grass free and are planting drought resistant plants to cut down on watering and mowing. Changes are not always good. Sigh.

From the Promise Bible NLT:

Where can I find protection and safety?

Psalm 12:2-8 My help comes from the Lord, who made the heavens and the earth! He will not let you stumble and fall; the one who watches over you will not sleep. Indeed, he who watches oveer Israel never tires and never sleeps. The Lord himself watches over you! The Lord stands beside you as your protective shade. The sun will not hurt you by day, nor the moon at night. The Lord keeps you from all evil and preserves your life. The Lord keeps watch over you as you come and go, both now and forever.

Our protection is directly related to the character, competence, and capability of our protector. The Lord is unsurpassed in all areas. The Maker of heaven and earth is our personal protector. He never sleeps and never turns his attention from us. We walk securely because he guards our every step.

1 Samuel 2:9 He will protect his godly ones, but he wicked will perish in darkness. No one will secceed by strength alone.

Job 5:19 He will resscue you again and again so that no evil can touch you.

Psalm 9:9 The Lord is a shelter for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble.

Though troubles and threats will find us in this fallen, rebellious world, they are not a surprise to the Lord. He never tires of saving us.

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

Love and hugs,
Amaryllis

Blessings

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, the air was coolish and stars were dim.. it was late for me! But as I was praying over my devotions, I heard the pitter patter of little squirrel feet on the roof over my head. they climb up the oak tree and scramble over the roof until they get to the jumping off place (literally) to the trees in the back yard.

Yesterday was a quiet day for us. After church, we went to the Park, and saw a peacock, a tri-colored heron and a turtle right beside the heron on the canal bank. They co-exist peacefully. An anhinga always spreads its wings to dry in the same spot by the lake every day.

God is good!

From the Promise Bible NLT:

How has God promised to bless His people?

Numbers 6:24-26 May the Lord bless you and protect you. May the Lord smile on you and be gracious to you. May the Lord show you his favor and give you his peace.

God's blessing encompasses all of life. We live in his protection, his presence, his presence and his peace. Nothing this world offers can compare in scope or duration with the blessing of God.

Jeremiah 17:7 Blessed are those who trust in the Lord and have made the Lord their hope and confidence.

We are tempted to base our hope and confidence on worldly circumstances such as a good job or financial security. But these cannot compare to the promises that we have in God, the creator of heaven and earth. Put your hope where it cannot and will not be shaken.

2 Corinthians 12:13 The only thing I didn't do, which I do in the other churches, was to become a burden to you. Please forgive me for this wrong!

Jesus Christ blesses us with forgiveness and redemption. God the Father blesses us with the assurance that we are loved and of infinite worth. The Holy Spirit blesses us with fellowship and the continual presence of God.

Can we do things that affect how much God blesses us?

Psalm 34:11 The Lord God is our light and protector. He gives us grace and glory. No good thing will the Lord withold from those who do what is right.

Proverbs 19:17 If you help the poor, you are lending to the Lord-and he will repay you!

God promises to bless those who help the poor.

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

Love and hugs,
Amaryllis

Psoaring thru Psalm 5

Good 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! The sky is clear and the air is cool right now, but soon the day will warm up and be ideal for beach goers, or bikers or anything that can be done outdoors. We still need rain, but the days are really nice. God is good!

Yesterday as I drove into the Park, a big, fat, shiny black gator climbed out of the canal and was resting his head on the grass, trying to get some rays. He was something to look at. He was right across from where all the new trees have been planted. I saw anhingas drying their outspread wings and dirty-beaked ibises prodding the ground. I took Mike a couple pieces of cake, which he is always glad to have, but Francia was not there. Because Mike was talking to someone, I didn't get to ask about her. Maybe next time.

From the Promise Bible NLT:

Psalm 5

O Lord, hear me as I pray:
pay attention to my groaning.
Listen to my cry for help,
my King and my God,
for I will never pray to anyone but you.
Listen to my voice in the morning, Lord.
Each morning I bring my requests to
you and wait expectantly.

O God, you take no pleasure in wickedness;
You cannot tolerate the slightest sin.
Therefore , the proud will not be allowed
to stand in your presence,
for you hate all who do evil.
You will destroy those who tell lies.
The Lord detests murderers and deceivers.

Because of your unfailing love, I can enter your house;
with deepest awe I will worship at your Temple.
Lead me in the right path, O Lord;
or my enemies will conquer me.
Tell me clearly what to do
and show me which way to turn.

...But let all who take refuge in you rejoice; let them sing joyful praises forever.
Protect them, so all who love your name may be filled with joy.
For you bless the godly, O Lord,
surrounding them with your shield of love.

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

Love and hugs,
Amaryllis

The Value of Disaster

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, sure enough, the moon was gone, but Venus was shining brightly in the east, and way off in the heavens, a tiny light was flashing on and off. Was it an UFO or a plane ? Only God knows.

But a few minutes later, I looked out the window and saw white fog... very strange. "The fog crept in on little cat feet.." Yesterday, more trees were being planted in the Park, magnolias, among others. Pretty soon, the open area in the newly opened park of the Park will be filled with a small forest of trees. It will look much better than it does now, and will provide much needed shade.

We saw Mr. Peacock strutting his stuff with tail feathers spread, while Miss Peahen just looked at him and did her own thing. God is good!

From Quiet Moments with God:

For two years Thomas Edison attempted to invent a storage battery. His efforts greatly strained his finances, then in December 1914, nearly brought him to ruin when a spontaneous combustion broke out in his film room. Within minutes all the packing compounds, celluloid for records and film, and other flammable goods were ablaze. Though fire departments came from eight surrounding towns, the intense heat and low water pressure made attempts to douse the flames futile. Everything was destroyed.

While the damage exceeded $2 million the concrete buildings, thought to be fireproof, were insured for barely a tenth of that amount. The inventor's 24 year old son Charles searched frantically for his father, afraid that his spirit would be broken. Charles finally found him, calmly watching the fire, his face glowing in the reflection, white hair blowing in the wind.

"My heart ached for him," said Charles. "He was 67--no longer a young man--and everything was going up in flames . When he saw me, he shouted, "Charles, where's your mother?" When I told him I didn't know, he said, "Find here. Bring her here. She will never see anything like this as long as she lives."

Te next morning, Edison looked at the ruins and said, "There is great value in disaster. All our mistakes are burned up. Thank God we can start anew." Three weeks after the fire, Edison managed to deliver the first phonograph.

With each new day, we have the opportunity to start again, to start fresh-no matter what our circumstances. Let the Lord show you how to salvage hope from debris. You never know what joys are ahead.

We also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance.
Romans 5:3 NKJV

Difficulties are meant to
rouse not discourage. The human
spirit is to grow strong by conflict.
William Ellery Channing

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

Grow in Your Christian Walk

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! Did you see the slim crescent moon this morning with Venus about a foot below it? It was awesome!! It was low in the east and shining brightly, although that was the last of the moon until the new moon. There is something to be said about getting up early...:o)

Several new trees have been planted in the park in the part that has been opened recently. Arborvitae, and maple, I think, to fill in the bare spots. Of course, they will need water, but it honors Earth day. Lots of people were there, even though it was a work day, Saturday, a bridal party was there having their photos taken. It was a beautiful day for a wedding. Always something going on there.

From the book, God's Promises:

Teach me, O Lord, the way of Your statutes,
And I shall keep it to the end.
Give me understanding, and I shall keep Your law;
Indeed, I shall observe it with my whole heart.
Make me walk in the path of your commandments,
For I delight in it.
Psalm 119:33-35

Now by this we know that we know Him, if we keep
His commandments. He who says, "I know Him,"
and does not keep His commandments,
is a liar, and the truth is not in him.
But whoever keeps His word, truly the love
of God is perfected in him. By this we know
that we are in Him. He who says he abides in Him
ought himself also to walk just as He walked.
1 John 2:3-6

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

Love and hugs,
Amaryllis