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 hope some of you were up early enough to see the glorious sunrise taking place right now! Earlier, the crescent moon was making beauty in the morning sky, and now it is painted with lots of pinks and peaches colors. God is Awesome!
Yesterday, I took advantage of the overcast sky and not too warm temps. to walk in the park. Since the sun was hidden, I thought it would be ok for my nose. I enjoyed walking out to the first covered shelter and saw two ibis, one dark and one white go zooming by on a straight line down the canal. I also watched the ripples in the water which turned out to be the giant turtle which has been hanging out there for ages. After I finished my walk, I sat on a memorial bench and read a book beside the canal. Mike came walking along (he has only two more weeks) asking if I had seen any gators. He had a large class and all the kids wanted to see a gator. I think they were probably disappointed. It was a good morning. God is good!
This is a scripture I read each morning for a number of people on my prayer list and also, a prayer that I pray for myself:
Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.
Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes.
For your struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers , against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world, and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore, put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. In addition to the armor, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Ephesians 6:10-13
Dear Heavenly Father:
We honor You as our Lord. We acknowledge that you are always present with us. You are the only all powerful and only wise God. You are kind and loving in all Your ways. We love you and we thanks you that we are united with Jesus and spiritually alive in Him.
We thank you for the life that we have in Christ, and we ask you to fill us with Your Holy Spirit that we may live our lives free from sin. You are the Vine and we are the branches, apart from You we can do nothing, We take our stand against Satan and command all his evil spirits to depart from us. We ask these thing in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Amen.
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
Monday, September 14, 2009
Worry
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 earlier, the crescent moon was getting low in the eastern sky, getting ready to disappear for a while, and washboard clouds were about to cover it. For those who don't know what a washboard is, they are kind of ripply. All the mocking birds and squirrels are busy already and the driveway is getting covered with acorns once again, so fall is almost here.
The Park looks lush, overgrown and green with all the rain we have had. I did not see many water fowl around, and few people were there, but it was a beautiful morning and most of the afternoon. God is good!
From the Promise Bible NLT:
Who can help me when I grow weary?
Psalm 68:35 God is awesome in his sanctuary. The God of Israel gives power and strength to his people. Praise be to God!
Psalm 145:14 The Lord helps the fallen and lifts up those bent beneath their loads.
Isaiah 40:29-31 He gives power to those who are tired and worn out; he offers strength to the weak. Even youths will become exhausted, and youn men will give up. But those who wait on the Lord will find new strength. They will fly high on wings like eagles. they will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.
Jeremiah 31:25 I have given rest to the weary and joy in the sorrowing.
The Lord is the source of our rest and strength. When we come to him in praise, he refreshes our heart, mind, soul, and body. We release the burdens of life and draw strength from our Lord.
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving , joy and love.
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
When I stepped outside earlier, the crescent moon was getting low in the eastern sky, getting ready to disappear for a while, and washboard clouds were about to cover it. For those who don't know what a washboard is, they are kind of ripply. All the mocking birds and squirrels are busy already and the driveway is getting covered with acorns once again, so fall is almost here.
The Park looks lush, overgrown and green with all the rain we have had. I did not see many water fowl around, and few people were there, but it was a beautiful morning and most of the afternoon. God is good!
From the Promise Bible NLT:
Who can help me when I grow weary?
Psalm 68:35 God is awesome in his sanctuary. The God of Israel gives power and strength to his people. Praise be to God!
Psalm 145:14 The Lord helps the fallen and lifts up those bent beneath their loads.
Isaiah 40:29-31 He gives power to those who are tired and worn out; he offers strength to the weak. Even youths will become exhausted, and youn men will give up. But those who wait on the Lord will find new strength. They will fly high on wings like eagles. they will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.
Jeremiah 31:25 I have given rest to the weary and joy in the sorrowing.
The Lord is the source of our rest and strength. When we come to him in praise, he refreshes our heart, mind, soul, and body. We release the burdens of life and draw strength from our Lord.
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving , joy and love.
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
Friday, September 11, 2009
The Temptation to Quit
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!
Once again, a pleasant breeze greeted me as I stepped outside in the darkness this morning. Fall is surely right around the corner, and although our weather stays warm into October, it seems to be just a few degrees cooler now. Good news!
The sun was very hot as I took Louis to a doc app't yesterday. Getting him out in the wheelchair takes a few minutes, and I was hurrying to get into the shade! We went to the park afterwards and saw Mrs. Peahen resting on the grass as we drove in and then the great blue heron once more on the banks of the canal. Not too many people there in the heat of the afternoon, but the children were not out of school yet. We have not had any rain for four days, but everything is still very green. God is good!
From Hymns For the Family of God:
The Temptation to Quit
The program of God through history is like a relay race. Let one runner drop out and the whole team loses. Let one runner lose the baton and the whole team is eliminated. Let one runner break the rules and the whole team is disqualified. The work of no runner counts until every runner does his share and the anchor man has hit the tape at the finish line.
The phrase "let us keep our eyes fixed on Jesus" is the day. The idea is clear. There are lots of distractions as we run. Bypaths beckon us; false goals attract us; competition discourages us; opposition causes us to falter. Jesus, however, a tried and trusted leader who blazed the trail of faith by His own obedience and perseverance and who finished the course in a burst of glory is both our guide and our goal. We look away from everything else to Him, if we want to run well.
David Hubbard
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, love and joy!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
Once again, a pleasant breeze greeted me as I stepped outside in the darkness this morning. Fall is surely right around the corner, and although our weather stays warm into October, it seems to be just a few degrees cooler now. Good news!
The sun was very hot as I took Louis to a doc app't yesterday. Getting him out in the wheelchair takes a few minutes, and I was hurrying to get into the shade! We went to the park afterwards and saw Mrs. Peahen resting on the grass as we drove in and then the great blue heron once more on the banks of the canal. Not too many people there in the heat of the afternoon, but the children were not out of school yet. We have not had any rain for four days, but everything is still very green. God is good!
From Hymns For the Family of God:
The Temptation to Quit
The program of God through history is like a relay race. Let one runner drop out and the whole team loses. Let one runner lose the baton and the whole team is eliminated. Let one runner break the rules and the whole team is disqualified. The work of no runner counts until every runner does his share and the anchor man has hit the tape at the finish line.
The phrase "let us keep our eyes fixed on Jesus" is the day. The idea is clear. There are lots of distractions as we run. Bypaths beckon us; false goals attract us; competition discourages us; opposition causes us to falter. Jesus, however, a tried and trusted leader who blazed the trail of faith by His own obedience and perseverance and who finished the course in a burst of glory is both our guide and our goal. We look away from everything else to Him, if we want to run well.
David Hubbard
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, love and joy!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
Thursday, September 10, 2009
With attitude
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, once again it looks like a rain free day! The moon is getting smaller, although still bright, and the stars were all in place which is comforting, so all is well for right now. God is good!
I went for my radiation treatment yesterday, (the nose is quite pink now with a pronounced dimple in it.) I like dimples, but not on the top of my nose! Anyway, one of the employees owns a Smart Car, which is painted with zebra stripes. It is really cute! As I walked to the van with a cup of Calm tea in one hand and a snack bar in the other, I glimpsed a white head in front of the car. I walked to the front and peered around and it was a white ibis, just wandering around looking things over! Very cute! I drove through the park on the way home, and saw a few people enjoying the outdoors, but no gopher tortoises or gators. They have been scarce lately. But God is good!
From the book Quiet Moments with God for Teachers:
Whatever you do, do it all to the glory of God. 1 Corinthians 10:31
"To love what you do and feel that it matters--how could anything be more fun?" asks Katharine Graham. That's what we all desire, isn't it?
No matter what work we do, our attitude toward our work is vital to our basic sense of self-worth. The ideal for us all is to love the work we do and feel that it has significance. While no job is enjoyable or pleasant all the time, it is possible to derive satisfaction from what we bring to a job--the attitude with which we perform our tasks.
Brother Lawrence, the seventeenth-century Carmelite, found joy in his job washing dishes at the monastery. In the monotony of his routine work, he found the opportunity to focus on God and feel His presence.
Modern day entrepreneurs Ben Cohen and Jerry Greenfield make and sell ice cream with a purpose. The bottom line of Ben & Jerry's Homemade Inc. is "How much money is left over at the end of the year?" and" How have we improved life in the community?"
"Leftover money" goes to fund the Ben & Jerry's Foundation, which distributes funds to worthy nonprofit causes. ...By helping others with their profits, Ben and Jerry put more meaning into their ice cream business.
The Scriptures reach that all service ranks the same with God, because it is not what you do that matters, but the Spirit in which you do it. A street sweeper who does his work to serve God and bless the people who travel on the streets is as pleasing to Him as the priest or pastor who teaches and nurtures his congregation.
If you feel your work is insignificant, ask God to open your eyes! When you do all for Him and to serve others, no task is unimportant!
Every gift which is given,
even though it be small,
is great if given with affection.
Pindar
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
I went for my radiation treatment yesterday, (the nose is quite pink now with a pronounced dimple in it.) I like dimples, but not on the top of my nose! Anyway, one of the employees owns a Smart Car, which is painted with zebra stripes. It is really cute! As I walked to the van with a cup of Calm tea in one hand and a snack bar in the other, I glimpsed a white head in front of the car. I walked to the front and peered around and it was a white ibis, just wandering around looking things over! Very cute! I drove through the park on the way home, and saw a few people enjoying the outdoors, but no gopher tortoises or gators. They have been scarce lately. But God is good!
From the book Quiet Moments with God for Teachers:
Whatever you do, do it all to the glory of God. 1 Corinthians 10:31
"To love what you do and feel that it matters--how could anything be more fun?" asks Katharine Graham. That's what we all desire, isn't it?
No matter what work we do, our attitude toward our work is vital to our basic sense of self-worth. The ideal for us all is to love the work we do and feel that it has significance. While no job is enjoyable or pleasant all the time, it is possible to derive satisfaction from what we bring to a job--the attitude with which we perform our tasks.
Brother Lawrence, the seventeenth-century Carmelite, found joy in his job washing dishes at the monastery. In the monotony of his routine work, he found the opportunity to focus on God and feel His presence.
Modern day entrepreneurs Ben Cohen and Jerry Greenfield make and sell ice cream with a purpose. The bottom line of Ben & Jerry's Homemade Inc. is "How much money is left over at the end of the year?" and" How have we improved life in the community?"
"Leftover money" goes to fund the Ben & Jerry's Foundation, which distributes funds to worthy nonprofit causes. ...By helping others with their profits, Ben and Jerry put more meaning into their ice cream business.
The Scriptures reach that all service ranks the same with God, because it is not what you do that matters, but the Spirit in which you do it. A street sweeper who does his work to serve God and bless the people who travel on the streets is as pleasing to Him as the priest or pastor who teaches and nurtures his congregation.
If you feel your work is insignificant, ask God to open your eyes! When you do all for Him and to serve others, no task is unimportant!
Every gift which is given,
even though it be small,
is great if given with affection.
Pindar
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
Doubt
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 three quarter moon was shining very brightly overhead, but could not dim the radiance of the stars which were very visible all over! Venus was bright in the east and myriads of stars were all overhead. A gorgeous sight! It is the first time in a very long while that the sky has been clean enough to see all the beauty of God's Creation! Glorious!
We have not been out much in the past several days, but I did get to the park and saw the debris on the weir from the last rain. The great blue heron was standing guard over the water, waiting for lunch...ever on the alert. I also spotted an osprey on a line over Turner's creek right beside busy Gateway Mall. They have to adjust to their surroundings nowadays.But God is good!
From the Promise Bible NLT:
How can I really believe that God cares about me?
Luke 12:6-7 What is the price of five sparrows? A couple of pennies? Yet God does not forget a single one of them. And the very hairs on your head are all numbered. So don't be afraid; you are more valuable to him than a whole flock of sparrows.
Psalm 139:13-17 You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body and knit me together in my mother's womb. Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex! Your workmanship is marvelous---and how well I know it. You watched me as I was being formed in utter seclusion, as I was woven tegether in the dark of the womb. You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in your book. Every momeht was laid out before a single day had passed. How precious are your thoughts about me, O God! They are innumerable!
We think too little of our worth. The Bible assures us time and time again that we are God's precious children, the treasure of his eye. God is not so important that he doesn't care about us. He is too great not to care!
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
We have not been out much in the past several days, but I did get to the park and saw the debris on the weir from the last rain. The great blue heron was standing guard over the water, waiting for lunch...ever on the alert. I also spotted an osprey on a line over Turner's creek right beside busy Gateway Mall. They have to adjust to their surroundings nowadays.But God is good!
From the Promise Bible NLT:
How can I really believe that God cares about me?
Luke 12:6-7 What is the price of five sparrows? A couple of pennies? Yet God does not forget a single one of them. And the very hairs on your head are all numbered. So don't be afraid; you are more valuable to him than a whole flock of sparrows.
Psalm 139:13-17 You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body and knit me together in my mother's womb. Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex! Your workmanship is marvelous---and how well I know it. You watched me as I was being formed in utter seclusion, as I was woven tegether in the dark of the womb. You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in your book. Every momeht was laid out before a single day had passed. How precious are your thoughts about me, O God! They are innumerable!
We think too little of our worth. The Bible assures us time and time again that we are God's precious children, the treasure of his eye. God is not so important that he doesn't care about us. He is too great not to care!
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
Friday, September 4, 2009
Be a blessing
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, I finally saw the full moon! There it was in the west sitting low and trying to brightly shine through the fast- moving clouds! I knew it was full because I had a very difficult time sleeping last night. I finally got up at 3:30am and read a while before returning to bed.
I saw the most beautiful sight yesterday on the way home from running errands...A roseate spoonbill was flying across Lynch Lake right near us. Oh, the beauty of the pink widespread wings! There's something about pink, right, Cheryl? God is good!
And now, may the God of peace, who brought you again from the dead, our Lord Jesus, equip you with all you need for doing his will. May he produce in you, through the power of Jesus Christ, all that is pleasing to him . Jesus is the great Shepherd of the sheep by an everlasting covenant, signed with his blood. to him be glory forever and ever. Amen
Hebrews 13:20,21 NLT
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
I saw the most beautiful sight yesterday on the way home from running errands...A roseate spoonbill was flying across Lynch Lake right near us. Oh, the beauty of the pink widespread wings! There's something about pink, right, Cheryl? God is good!
And now, may the God of peace, who brought you again from the dead, our Lord Jesus, equip you with all you need for doing his will. May he produce in you, through the power of Jesus Christ, all that is pleasing to him . Jesus is the great Shepherd of the sheep by an everlasting covenant, signed with his blood. to him be glory forever and ever. Amen
Hebrews 13:20,21 NLT
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
Thursday, September 3, 2009
Stress and Serenity
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, I could see a couple of stars, but still no moon and it will be full tomorrow. Where is the moon? I know, high in the sky, but I wish I could see it! Now, it is bright daylight and maybe no rain today. Yesterday morning it rained, cleared off enough for me to go for radiation treatment, and then poured down right at supper time. But God is always good!
The park is overgrown, but the walking spots are kept mowed, so it looks lush and green. The usual anhinga and white egrets were fishing hopefully and on the way in, we saw a peacock standing on the edge of a bird bath. He must have been thirsty!
From the book Quiet Moments with God for Teachers:
After He had sent the crowd away, He went up on the mountain by himself to pray,
and when it was evening He was there alone.
Matthew 14:21 NASB
Stress has become a buzzword for Americans, especially in the last decade. At some point in our lives, we are all overcome with hectic schedules and perfectionistic tendencies.
In his article, "Confessions of a Workaholic," psychiatrist Paul Meier wrote, "Having grown up with an overdose of the Protestant work ethic, I was an honor student who was somewhat overzealous..I was a first-class workaholic and I was proud of myself for being one. I thought that was what God wanted of me."
But later through the help of friends, the conviction of the Holy Spirit, and biblical teaching, Dr. Meier established new priorities. At the top of his list was:" Know God personally."
He observed, "I've learned to accept living in an imperfect world. Every need is not a call for my involvement. I have learned to trust God instead of myself to rescue the world. He can do a much better job of it anyway."
Jesus, too, must have been exhausted by demands placed upon Him. When He departed to pray in quiet solitude, He left a significant example for us to follow--daily.
Ask the Father to help you make quietness a priority so that, regardless of the time of day, you can go to the garden alone and hear his voice.
Do not look forward to what may
happen tomorrow: the same everlasting
Father, who cares for you today
will take care of you tomorrow, and every day
either He will shield you from suffering
or he will give you unfailing strength
to bear it.
Saint Francis of Sales
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
The park is overgrown, but the walking spots are kept mowed, so it looks lush and green. The usual anhinga and white egrets were fishing hopefully and on the way in, we saw a peacock standing on the edge of a bird bath. He must have been thirsty!
From the book Quiet Moments with God for Teachers:
After He had sent the crowd away, He went up on the mountain by himself to pray,
and when it was evening He was there alone.
Matthew 14:21 NASB
Stress has become a buzzword for Americans, especially in the last decade. At some point in our lives, we are all overcome with hectic schedules and perfectionistic tendencies.
In his article, "Confessions of a Workaholic," psychiatrist Paul Meier wrote, "Having grown up with an overdose of the Protestant work ethic, I was an honor student who was somewhat overzealous..I was a first-class workaholic and I was proud of myself for being one. I thought that was what God wanted of me."
But later through the help of friends, the conviction of the Holy Spirit, and biblical teaching, Dr. Meier established new priorities. At the top of his list was:" Know God personally."
He observed, "I've learned to accept living in an imperfect world. Every need is not a call for my involvement. I have learned to trust God instead of myself to rescue the world. He can do a much better job of it anyway."
Jesus, too, must have been exhausted by demands placed upon Him. When He departed to pray in quiet solitude, He left a significant example for us to follow--daily.
Ask the Father to help you make quietness a priority so that, regardless of the time of day, you can go to the garden alone and hear his voice.
Do not look forward to what may
happen tomorrow: the same everlasting
Father, who cares for you today
will take care of you tomorrow, and every day
either He will shield you from suffering
or he will give you unfailing strength
to bear it.
Saint Francis of Sales
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
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