Good Morning, Dear Friends and Prayer Partners! This is the rainy day that the Lord has made and we will rejoice and be glad in it! Yes, I mean rainy!! The sound of thunder is rumbling all around and the morning is dark, so far. It is great! Not so good for those who have to drive to work, however.
We spent a quiet Sunday yesterday..not going to church because of a difficult Saturday night, with changed sleeping patterns in hubby's confused mind. But, hopefully, we will overcome that problem this week and be back to normal. (for us)
We went out for awhile and drove through the greener Park. I noticed that the water was almost up to the road across the weir, and saw evidence that the water had been over the road. All the grass is growing and green and things are looking much better! God is good!
We also watched the Rays interesting and unusual game with the mobbing on the field, and DH mix up. Fun!
From the Promise Bible NLT:
Romans 8:24.
For if you already have something, you don't need to hope for it. But if we look forward to something we don't have yet, we must wait patiently and confidently.
And the Holy Spirit helps us in our distress. For we don't even know how we should pray, nor what we should pray for. But the Holy Spirit prays for us with groanings that cannot be expressed in words. And the Father who knows all hearts knows what the Spirit is saying, for the Spirit pleads for us believers in harmony with God's own will. And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
Monday, May 18, 2009
Friday, May 15, 2009
Proverbs
Good morning, Dear Friends and Prayer Partners! This is the day that the Lord has made and we will rejoice and be glad in it! Well, another beautiful thunderstorm and rain last night. When I stepped outside this morning, the trees were still dripping and water was in the gutter. I heard what sounded like cicadas humming across the street, but the half moon was shining through the haze and everything looked fresh and green!
David mowed our yard yesterday, what's left of it, and it looks good. He always does a good job.
When I went into the park, we passed a peacock, with his tail feathers gleaming in the sun. I had never noticed before how iridescent the colors are when the light is on them. Beautiful! God is good!
That was the beautiful, but the ugly was all the trash that washed down from behind the houses that border the park. The canal was full of it. Not a good thing! But I am hoping it will soon be cleaned up.
I had a good walk in Walmart and picked a good day to go. While the parking lot seemed full, the store had not so many people in it, so I didn't have a problem getting through the aisles. Seems like they have widened the aisles and have less merchandise.. Hmmm.
From the Promise Bible NLT:
Proverbs 2 The benefits of Wisdom
My child, listen to me and treasure my instructions. Tune your ears to wisdom, and concentrate on understanding. Cry out for insight and understanding. Search for them as you would for lost money or hidden treasure. Then you will understand what it means to fear the Lord, and you will gain knowledge of God. For the Lord grants wisdom! From his mouth come knowledge and understanding. He grants a treasure of good sense to the godly. He is their shield, protecting those who walk with integrity. He guards the paths of justice and protects hose who are faithful to him. then you will understand what is right, just, and fair, and you will know how to find the right course of action every time. For wisdom will enter your heart and knowledge will fill you with joy. Wise planning will watch over you. Understanding will keep you safe.
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
David mowed our yard yesterday, what's left of it, and it looks good. He always does a good job.
When I went into the park, we passed a peacock, with his tail feathers gleaming in the sun. I had never noticed before how iridescent the colors are when the light is on them. Beautiful! God is good!
That was the beautiful, but the ugly was all the trash that washed down from behind the houses that border the park. The canal was full of it. Not a good thing! But I am hoping it will soon be cleaned up.
I had a good walk in Walmart and picked a good day to go. While the parking lot seemed full, the store had not so many people in it, so I didn't have a problem getting through the aisles. Seems like they have widened the aisles and have less merchandise.. Hmmm.
From the Promise Bible NLT:
Proverbs 2 The benefits of Wisdom
My child, listen to me and treasure my instructions. Tune your ears to wisdom, and concentrate on understanding. Cry out for insight and understanding. Search for them as you would for lost money or hidden treasure. Then you will understand what it means to fear the Lord, and you will gain knowledge of God. For the Lord grants wisdom! From his mouth come knowledge and understanding. He grants a treasure of good sense to the godly. He is their shield, protecting those who walk with integrity. He guards the paths of justice and protects hose who are faithful to him. then you will understand what is right, just, and fair, and you will know how to find the right course of action every time. For wisdom will enter your heart and knowledge will fill you with joy. Wise planning will watch over you. Understanding will keep you safe.
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
Thursday, May 14, 2009
Psoaring thru Psalm 23
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! What a storm we had last night! Be careful what you pray for, because God will answer in a most unexpected way. We had pouring rain for about an hour... streets were flooded, lightning flashing, thunder booming, it was great!! It is still raining in our front yard, because the trees are wet and dripping every time the wind blows.
Yesterday was kind of unusual in that the phone rang a lot, and one of the calls was from an old school days friend who missed me at the reunion last week and just called to check up on me. We really have not kept in touch, but were friends in high school. She now has my email address and has already sent an email. It was good to hear from her.
I am eager to get over to the park to see how fresh and green everything will look after the rain. Yesterday all was simmering in the heat and not many people were out. But, I saw the gopher tortoise I had been missing! He was munching on the grass in his usual spot. An ibis glided gracefully in front of the car and came to a landing, only to be scared by a feisty squirrel. God is good!
Psalm 23 NLT
The Lord is my shepherd;
I have everything I need.
He lets me rest in green meadows;
He leads me beside peaceful streams.
He renews my strength.
He guides me along right paths,
bringing honor to his name.
Even when I walk
through the dark valley of death,
I will not be afraid,
for you are close beside me.
Your rod and your staff
protect and comfort me.
You prepare a feast for me
in the presence of my enemies,
you welcome me as a guest,
anointing my head with oil.
My cup overflows with blessings.
Surely your goodness and unfailing love
will pursue me
all the days of my life,
and I will live in the house of the Lord forever.
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
amaryllis
Yesterday was kind of unusual in that the phone rang a lot, and one of the calls was from an old school days friend who missed me at the reunion last week and just called to check up on me. We really have not kept in touch, but were friends in high school. She now has my email address and has already sent an email. It was good to hear from her.
I am eager to get over to the park to see how fresh and green everything will look after the rain. Yesterday all was simmering in the heat and not many people were out. But, I saw the gopher tortoise I had been missing! He was munching on the grass in his usual spot. An ibis glided gracefully in front of the car and came to a landing, only to be scared by a feisty squirrel. God is good!
Psalm 23 NLT
The Lord is my shepherd;
I have everything I need.
He lets me rest in green meadows;
He leads me beside peaceful streams.
He renews my strength.
He guides me along right paths,
bringing honor to his name.
Even when I walk
through the dark valley of death,
I will not be afraid,
for you are close beside me.
Your rod and your staff
protect and comfort me.
You prepare a feast for me
in the presence of my enemies,
you welcome me as a guest,
anointing my head with oil.
My cup overflows with blessings.
Surely your goodness and unfailing love
will pursue me
all the days of my life,
and I will live in the house of the Lord forever.
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
amaryllis
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
Rescue Part 2
Good Morning, Dear Friends and Prayer Partners! This is the day that the Lord has made and we will rejoice and be glad in it! I didn't really want to get out of bed this morning, but finally did, a little after six. When I stepped outside, it was already daylight and still the lopsided moon was in the same place as yesterday...guess it didn't move in twenty four hours. :o)
Yesterday afternoon was really busy..I went to the support group meeting, left early, so John could go to work, and then the rep from the Home Care org. came to talk to us about hiring a person for three hours a week. That took almost all the rest of the afternoon, so no walks in the park yesterday. But this morning, so many birds were chirping, it sounded like a heavenly choir all singing a different song. God is good!
From the Promise Bible NLT:
Why can't we depend on our own resources and rescue ourselves?
Psalm 33:16-22 The best-equipped army cannot save a king, nor is great strength enough to save a warrior. Don't count on your warhorse to give you victory--for all its strength, it cannot save you. But the Lord watches over those who fear him, those who rely on his unfailing love. He rescues them from death and keeps them alive in times of famine. We depend on the Lord alone to save us. Only he can help us, protecting us like a shield. In him our hearts rejoice, for we are trusting in his holy name. Let your unfailing love surround us. Lord, for our hope is in you alone.
When trouble comes, our first reaction is usually to try and solve the problem using our financial assets, human connections, talents, and abilities. Though these will all fail us in time, God never will. God alone is our greatest defense. God alone has the infinite resources we need.
Is there anything we can do to rescue ourselves?
2 Chronicles 7:14 If my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked way, I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and heal their land.
There are times when we bring problems on ourselves through our own disobedience. Our rescue depends on our faith and obedience. God call us to humility and repentance to make way for his rescue.
How does God rescue us from the spiritual forces of evil and darkness?
Matthew 6:13 Don't let us yield to temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.
Prayer is a primary means by which God rescues us.
Ephesians 6:10-13 Be strong with the Lord's mighty power. Put on all of God's armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies and tricks of the Devil. For we are not fighting against people made of flesh and blood, but against those mighty powers of darkness who rule this world, and against wicked spirits in the heavenly realms. Use every piece of God's armor to resist the enemy in the time of evil, so that after the battle you will still be standing firm.
Matthew 10:1 Jesus called his twelve disciples to him and gave them authority to cast out evil spirits and to heal every kind of disease and illness.
Though we are embroiled in a spiritual war with this world, we stand tall because we have full confidence in Christ's authority. We stand strong in the strength and protection of the Lord. This faith overcomes all fear.
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
Yesterday afternoon was really busy..I went to the support group meeting, left early, so John could go to work, and then the rep from the Home Care org. came to talk to us about hiring a person for three hours a week. That took almost all the rest of the afternoon, so no walks in the park yesterday. But this morning, so many birds were chirping, it sounded like a heavenly choir all singing a different song. God is good!
From the Promise Bible NLT:
Why can't we depend on our own resources and rescue ourselves?
Psalm 33:16-22 The best-equipped army cannot save a king, nor is great strength enough to save a warrior. Don't count on your warhorse to give you victory--for all its strength, it cannot save you. But the Lord watches over those who fear him, those who rely on his unfailing love. He rescues them from death and keeps them alive in times of famine. We depend on the Lord alone to save us. Only he can help us, protecting us like a shield. In him our hearts rejoice, for we are trusting in his holy name. Let your unfailing love surround us. Lord, for our hope is in you alone.
When trouble comes, our first reaction is usually to try and solve the problem using our financial assets, human connections, talents, and abilities. Though these will all fail us in time, God never will. God alone is our greatest defense. God alone has the infinite resources we need.
Is there anything we can do to rescue ourselves?
2 Chronicles 7:14 If my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked way, I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and heal their land.
There are times when we bring problems on ourselves through our own disobedience. Our rescue depends on our faith and obedience. God call us to humility and repentance to make way for his rescue.
How does God rescue us from the spiritual forces of evil and darkness?
Matthew 6:13 Don't let us yield to temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.
Prayer is a primary means by which God rescues us.
Ephesians 6:10-13 Be strong with the Lord's mighty power. Put on all of God's armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies and tricks of the Devil. For we are not fighting against people made of flesh and blood, but against those mighty powers of darkness who rule this world, and against wicked spirits in the heavenly realms. Use every piece of God's armor to resist the enemy in the time of evil, so that after the battle you will still be standing firm.
Matthew 10:1 Jesus called his twelve disciples to him and gave them authority to cast out evil spirits and to heal every kind of disease and illness.
Though we are embroiled in a spiritual war with this world, we stand tall because we have full confidence in Christ's authority. We stand strong in the strength and protection of the Lord. This faith overcomes all fear.
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
Rescue! The Lord.
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! It is getting daylight earlier and earlier these days. When I stepped outside at six it was already daylight, but the moon was still in place and shining brightly. God is good!
After running errands yesterday morning, including stopping at the library to return books and checking out more, it was already too warm to walk, so I drove through the park to see what was going on, and saw an egret, standing by the water, like a sentinel keeping watch. An anhinga was perched on the banks of the weir getting in place to spread its wings, but still no sign of the gopher tortoise. I hope nothing has happened to it. He is huge and very old.
P.S. I already read and finished one of the books I checked out... couldn't wait! But the ironing is still waiting!!
From the Promise Bible NLT:
How will God rescue those who depend on him?
Psalm 91:9-16 If you make the Lord your refuge, if you make the Most High your shelter, no evil will conquer you; no plague will come near your dwelling. For he orders his angels to protect you wherever you go. They will hold you with their hands to keep you from striking your foot on a stone. You will trample down lions and poisonous snakes; you will crush fierce lions ans serpents under your feet. The Lord says, "I will rescue those who love me. I will protect those who trust in my name. When they call on me, I will answer; I will be with them in trouble. I will rescue them and honor them. I will satisfy them with a long life and give them my salvation."
The Lord gives us absolute assurance: "I will rescue those who love me." This passage does not give us license to be reckless. But it gives us the promise that when people and circumstances turn against us, God is for us.
Psalm 72:12-14 He will rescue the poor when they cry to him; he will help the oppressed, who have no one to defend them. He feels pity for the weak and the needy and he will rescue them. He will save them from oppression and from violence, for their lives are precious to him.
2 Corinthians 1:8-10 I think you ought to know, dear brothers and sisters, about the trouble we went through in the province of Asia. We were crushed and completely overwhelmed, and we thought we would never live through it. In fact, we expected to die. But as a result, we learned not to rely on ourselves, but on God who can raise the dead. And he did deliver us from mortal danger. And we are confident that he will continue to deliver us.
No situation is too difficult for the Lord. The greater our need, the greater the depth of his love and compassion is for us.
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
After running errands yesterday morning, including stopping at the library to return books and checking out more, it was already too warm to walk, so I drove through the park to see what was going on, and saw an egret, standing by the water, like a sentinel keeping watch. An anhinga was perched on the banks of the weir getting in place to spread its wings, but still no sign of the gopher tortoise. I hope nothing has happened to it. He is huge and very old.
P.S. I already read and finished one of the books I checked out... couldn't wait! But the ironing is still waiting!!
From the Promise Bible NLT:
How will God rescue those who depend on him?
Psalm 91:9-16 If you make the Lord your refuge, if you make the Most High your shelter, no evil will conquer you; no plague will come near your dwelling. For he orders his angels to protect you wherever you go. They will hold you with their hands to keep you from striking your foot on a stone. You will trample down lions and poisonous snakes; you will crush fierce lions ans serpents under your feet. The Lord says, "I will rescue those who love me. I will protect those who trust in my name. When they call on me, I will answer; I will be with them in trouble. I will rescue them and honor them. I will satisfy them with a long life and give them my salvation."
The Lord gives us absolute assurance: "I will rescue those who love me." This passage does not give us license to be reckless. But it gives us the promise that when people and circumstances turn against us, God is for us.
Psalm 72:12-14 He will rescue the poor when they cry to him; he will help the oppressed, who have no one to defend them. He feels pity for the weak and the needy and he will rescue them. He will save them from oppression and from violence, for their lives are precious to him.
2 Corinthians 1:8-10 I think you ought to know, dear brothers and sisters, about the trouble we went through in the province of Asia. We were crushed and completely overwhelmed, and we thought we would never live through it. In fact, we expected to die. But as a result, we learned not to rely on ourselves, but on God who can raise the dead. And he did deliver us from mortal danger. And we are confident that he will continue to deliver us.
No situation is too difficult for the Lord. The greater our need, the greater the depth of his love and compassion is for us.
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
Monday, May 11, 2009
Window of the World
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 brilliant moon was beaming in the cloudless sky and one bright star was in the southeast. Beautiful! God is Good!
We had a wonderfully, quiet day yesterday after a meaningful worship service aimed toward mothers. Brian brought in dinner from Applebee's and ran an errand for me. Then John, a young friend, brought flowers from his Mom to me. Such thoughtfulness!
We drove through the Park after church and I saw a peacock with tail feathers spread, and just inside the park, a great, blue heron, standing very still and tall waiting for a fish to come along. Alongside him, was a white egret, also waiting. All kinds of activity in the park, early, with families staking out tables for picnics for Mom. It was a very good day!
From Quiet Moments with God:
O Lord, I pray. Open his eyes that he may see.
2 Kings 6:17 NASB
A story from England called, "The Wonderful Window" tells about a London clerk who worked in drab and depressing circumstances. His office building was in a rundown part of the city and had not been maintained.
But that ordinary clerk was not about to let his outlook on life be determined by the dreariness of his surroundings. So one day he bought a beautiful, multicolored Oriental window painted with an inspiring scene.
The clerk took his window to his workplace and had it installed high up on the wall in his office. When the hardworking, dispirited clerk looked through his window he did not see the familiar slum scenes, with dark streets and dirty marketplaces. Instead he saw a fair city with beautiful castles and towers, green parks and lovely homes on wide tree-lined streets. On the highest tower of the window there was a large white banner with a strong knight protecting the fair city from a fierce and dangerous dragon.This wonderful window put a "halo" on the everyday tasks of the young man.
Somehow as he worked long hours at tedious book work and accounting, trying to make everything balance, he felt he was working for that knight on the banner. this feeling produced a sense of honor and dignity. He had found a noble purpose helping the knight keep the city happy, beautiful, properous, and strong.
You don't have to let your circumstances or surroundings discourage you, either. God has sent you to your place of work-whether it is at home, in an office, at a school, or in a factory-to do noble work for Him. You are His worker, bringing His beauty to everyone around you.
It is our best work that God wants, not the dregs of our exhaustion. I think He must prefer quality to quantity.
Gordon MacDonald
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
We had a wonderfully, quiet day yesterday after a meaningful worship service aimed toward mothers. Brian brought in dinner from Applebee's and ran an errand for me. Then John, a young friend, brought flowers from his Mom to me. Such thoughtfulness!
We drove through the Park after church and I saw a peacock with tail feathers spread, and just inside the park, a great, blue heron, standing very still and tall waiting for a fish to come along. Alongside him, was a white egret, also waiting. All kinds of activity in the park, early, with families staking out tables for picnics for Mom. It was a very good day!
From Quiet Moments with God:
O Lord, I pray. Open his eyes that he may see.
2 Kings 6:17 NASB
A story from England called, "The Wonderful Window" tells about a London clerk who worked in drab and depressing circumstances. His office building was in a rundown part of the city and had not been maintained.
But that ordinary clerk was not about to let his outlook on life be determined by the dreariness of his surroundings. So one day he bought a beautiful, multicolored Oriental window painted with an inspiring scene.
The clerk took his window to his workplace and had it installed high up on the wall in his office. When the hardworking, dispirited clerk looked through his window he did not see the familiar slum scenes, with dark streets and dirty marketplaces. Instead he saw a fair city with beautiful castles and towers, green parks and lovely homes on wide tree-lined streets. On the highest tower of the window there was a large white banner with a strong knight protecting the fair city from a fierce and dangerous dragon.This wonderful window put a "halo" on the everyday tasks of the young man.
Somehow as he worked long hours at tedious book work and accounting, trying to make everything balance, he felt he was working for that knight on the banner. this feeling produced a sense of honor and dignity. He had found a noble purpose helping the knight keep the city happy, beautiful, properous, and strong.
You don't have to let your circumstances or surroundings discourage you, either. God has sent you to your place of work-whether it is at home, in an office, at a school, or in a factory-to do noble work for Him. You are His worker, bringing His beauty to everyone around you.
It is our best work that God wants, not the dregs of our exhaustion. I think He must prefer quality to quantity.
Gordon MacDonald
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
Friday, May 8, 2009
Problems
Good morning, dear Friends and Prayer Partners! This is the day that the Lord has made and we will rejoice and be glad in it! The wind has calmed down and the air is warm and moist, so it looks like another very warm day in Paradise. Guess I will have to go out and water some plants today to help them survive. Please, Dear God, send rain!
We still have the hyper squirrel in our trees. I threw out a peanut to one squirrel who was looking at me and coming closer, so the little hyper one started chasing him up the limbs, over to the other tree, as fast as they could run, out on the branch close to the roof, gave a mighty leap to the house and the one with the peanut in his mouth, flattened out on the gutter to rest for a minute, while the hyper one crept closer and closer. Then off and running, leaping to the branch, racing down the tree trunk and finally, the little one got tired and the peanut holder ran off to the neighbor's yard to eat in peace, or bury the peanut. Such entertainment! All the time, I had another peanut for the hyper one, but he would rather chase the nice one. Happens every time!
Not much going on at the park, on a quiet afternoon. We had to be gone from the house for two hours while my two neighbors came in to clean. What a blessing to come home to a sparkling, clean house! They do cleaning for a living and do it well. God is good!
From Hymns for the Family of God:
So be glad-yes, actually be glad that you have problems. Be grateful for them as implying that God has confidence in your ability to handle these problems with which He has entrusted you. Adopt this attitude toward problems and it will tend to syphon off the depression you may have developed from a negative reaction to them. And as you develop the habit of thinking in hopeful terms about your problems, you will find yourself doing much better with them.
This will add to your enjoyment of life too, for one of the few greatest satisfactions of this life is to handle problems efficiently and well. Moreover, this successful handling tends to build up your faith that, through God's help and guidance, you have what it takes to deal with anything that may ever face you.
Norman Vencent Peale
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
Happy Mother's Day to all the Moms
We still have the hyper squirrel in our trees. I threw out a peanut to one squirrel who was looking at me and coming closer, so the little hyper one started chasing him up the limbs, over to the other tree, as fast as they could run, out on the branch close to the roof, gave a mighty leap to the house and the one with the peanut in his mouth, flattened out on the gutter to rest for a minute, while the hyper one crept closer and closer. Then off and running, leaping to the branch, racing down the tree trunk and finally, the little one got tired and the peanut holder ran off to the neighbor's yard to eat in peace, or bury the peanut. Such entertainment! All the time, I had another peanut for the hyper one, but he would rather chase the nice one. Happens every time!
Not much going on at the park, on a quiet afternoon. We had to be gone from the house for two hours while my two neighbors came in to clean. What a blessing to come home to a sparkling, clean house! They do cleaning for a living and do it well. God is good!
From Hymns for the Family of God:
So be glad-yes, actually be glad that you have problems. Be grateful for them as implying that God has confidence in your ability to handle these problems with which He has entrusted you. Adopt this attitude toward problems and it will tend to syphon off the depression you may have developed from a negative reaction to them. And as you develop the habit of thinking in hopeful terms about your problems, you will find yourself doing much better with them.
This will add to your enjoyment of life too, for one of the few greatest satisfactions of this life is to handle problems efficiently and well. Moreover, this successful handling tends to build up your faith that, through God's help and guidance, you have what it takes to deal with anything that may ever face you.
Norman Vencent Peale
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
Happy Mother's Day to all the Moms
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