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! Once again, blankets on the bed felt good because it is still chilly outside. We haven't had the heat on, yet, and it is supposed to warm up again toward the end of the week and be in the high eighties, so winter is not here permanently! God is good!
I thought the squirrels did all their family planning in the spring, but they have been building nests in our oak trees, as evidenced by all the twigs on the ground today. I stepped outside earlier and saw a very large mess of them under the tree. The squirrels were scampering around and around the large oak yesterday, playing, I thought, Maybe not. :o) Anyway, more work to clean up the yard.
Yesterday, as I drove into the Park, I saw a gator sunning on the bank of the lake where the gator attacked the woman walking her dog. First time I have seen one there in months! And on the other side on the bank of the weir, three turtles were catching some rays. The mowers were at work, tidying up the places where most of the people hang out, especially on the berms by the canal, where children like to roll down the hill. It was a lovely day and people were enjoying it!
From the little book God's Promises:
We Rely on God to guide our lives:
Have you not known?
Have you not heard?
The everlasting God, the Lord,
the Creator of the ends of the earth,
Neither faints nor is weary.
His understanding is unsearchable.
He gives power to the weak,
And to those who have no might He increases strength.
Even the youths shall faint and be weary,
And the young men shall utterly fall,
But those who wait on the Lord
Shall renew their strength;
They shall mount up with wings like eagles,
They shall run and not be weary,
They shall walk and not faint.
Isaiah 4o:28-31
Fear not, for I am with you;
Be not dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you,
Yes, I will help you.
I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.
Isaiah 41:10
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Monday, October 19, 2009
Psalm 23
Good chilly morning, dear Friends and Prayer Partners! I stepped outside this morning to a very chilly wind and 56 degree temps. I know it will warm up to the seventies today and later in the week will be much warmer, but I really was snuggled under the blankets this morning! But this is the day that the Lord has made and we will rejoice and be glad in it!
We went for a walk in the Park Saturday, because it was a glorious, cool overcast day, so I pushed the wheelchair as far as I could without my shoulders beginning to feel the strain and we both enjoyed the water and the green colors. The butterfly bushes that were planted a year ago to stop erosion by the bank of the canal are now towering overhead and bright with red blossoms. We actually saw a gator floating just a few feet from the bridge and lots of people hanging over looking at it. It has been a long time since I saw a gator in that water. God is good!
From the Promise Bible NLT:
Some of you may prefer the KJV of this Psalm, which is the way I memorized it as a child, but this is also a good version.
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
We went for a walk in the Park Saturday, because it was a glorious, cool overcast day, so I pushed the wheelchair as far as I could without my shoulders beginning to feel the strain and we both enjoyed the water and the green colors. The butterfly bushes that were planted a year ago to stop erosion by the bank of the canal are now towering overhead and bright with red blossoms. We actually saw a gator floating just a few feet from the bridge and lots of people hanging over looking at it. It has been a long time since I saw a gator in that water. God is good!
From the Promise Bible NLT:
Some of you may prefer the KJV of this Psalm, which is the way I memorized it as a child, but this is also a good version.
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
Friday, October 16, 2009
Psoaring thru Psalm 33
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! I saw no moon or stars this morning when I stepped outside; in fact, about 3 AM I was awakened by flashes of light through the drapes, which meant lightning and rain. The cold front is on its way! Guess I will have to go without the A/C tomorrow. Yay!
We had a quiet day yesterday. No outside experience, except the sewing machine man who is quite a character. He looks like a throw back to the hippie days and if I had not known him previously, I would not have let him in the house. He takes the bus every where, and collapsed into a chair as soon as he walked in the door, because of the heat and long walk he had. I gave him a bottle of water while he rested. He wears John Lennon like dark glasses and cowboy boots and a leather vest which he shed because it was so warm. But, he knows sewing machines from the inside out, and oiled and cleaned mine and got it in tip top shape even though it is very old and I hardly ever use it anymore.
God brings strange people into our lives sometimes. God is good!
From the Promise Bible NLT:
Let the godly sing with joy to the Lord,
for it is fitting to praise him.
Praise the Lord with melodies on the lyre;
make music for him on the ten-stringed harp.
Sing new songs of praise to him;
play skillfully on the harp and sing with joy.
For the word of the Lord holds true,
and everything he does is worthy of our trust.
He loves whatever is just and good.
and his unfailing love fills the earth.
The Lord merely spoke,
and the heavens were created.
He breathed the word,
and all the stars were born.
He gave the sea its boundaries
and locked the oceans in vast
reservoirs. ...
Taste and see that the Lord is good.
Oh, the joys of those who trust in him...
Even strong young lions sometimes go hungry
but those who trust in the Lord will never
go hungry.
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
P.S. We are having a downpour right now!
We had a quiet day yesterday. No outside experience, except the sewing machine man who is quite a character. He looks like a throw back to the hippie days and if I had not known him previously, I would not have let him in the house. He takes the bus every where, and collapsed into a chair as soon as he walked in the door, because of the heat and long walk he had. I gave him a bottle of water while he rested. He wears John Lennon like dark glasses and cowboy boots and a leather vest which he shed because it was so warm. But, he knows sewing machines from the inside out, and oiled and cleaned mine and got it in tip top shape even though it is very old and I hardly ever use it anymore.
God brings strange people into our lives sometimes. God is good!
From the Promise Bible NLT:
Let the godly sing with joy to the Lord,
for it is fitting to praise him.
Praise the Lord with melodies on the lyre;
make music for him on the ten-stringed harp.
Sing new songs of praise to him;
play skillfully on the harp and sing with joy.
For the word of the Lord holds true,
and everything he does is worthy of our trust.
He loves whatever is just and good.
and his unfailing love fills the earth.
The Lord merely spoke,
and the heavens were created.
He breathed the word,
and all the stars were born.
He gave the sea its boundaries
and locked the oceans in vast
reservoirs. ...
Taste and see that the Lord is good.
Oh, the joys of those who trust in him...
Even strong young lions sometimes go hungry
but those who trust in the Lord will never
go hungry.
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
P.S. We are having a downpour right now!
Thursday, October 15, 2009
Prayer and Action
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 sun is shining brightly on some towering white clouds, but earlier the crescent moon was cupped in the east and the stars are now shining brighter because of the disappearance of the moonlight. It looks like a gorgeous day ahead, even with more heat, but coolness is coming this weekend. God is good!
I watched a great blue heron at the Park, gazing intently at the water for his lunch. And then saw an anhinga drying out on the dead stump at the spot which looks like old Florida. Everything is very green and healthy looking from all the rain we had, but the grass has slowed down it growth, so winter must be coming on. It will be a nice change.
From HYMNS FOR THE FAMILY OF GOD:
God is not a personage who orders us to prostrate ourselves before him
-a radically false position-
but one who says: "-Stand up, here is my task for you,
take it and get on with it."
God does not require incense from us;
what he does require
is that we should listen and take action-
the true response of love.
God did not stop speaking two thousand years ago
He speaks to you personally today
every time an inward voice asks you to do a kind and generous deed
or to suffer for the sake of someone else.
It is to you personally that God speaks at this moment,
and it is through you that he speaks when he inspires you to do some service.
Be brave enough to listen at first hand to what God says to you.
- John Harvey and Christina Yates
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
I watched a great blue heron at the Park, gazing intently at the water for his lunch. And then saw an anhinga drying out on the dead stump at the spot which looks like old Florida. Everything is very green and healthy looking from all the rain we had, but the grass has slowed down it growth, so winter must be coming on. It will be a nice change.
From HYMNS FOR THE FAMILY OF GOD:
God is not a personage who orders us to prostrate ourselves before him
-a radically false position-
but one who says: "-Stand up, here is my task for you,
take it and get on with it."
God does not require incense from us;
what he does require
is that we should listen and take action-
the true response of love.
God did not stop speaking two thousand years ago
He speaks to you personally today
every time an inward voice asks you to do a kind and generous deed
or to suffer for the sake of someone else.
It is to you personally that God speaks at this moment,
and it is through you that he speaks when he inspires you to do some service.
Be brave enough to listen at first hand to what God says to you.
- John Harvey and Christina Yates
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
1 Thessalonians
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 thin sliver of the moon is still very bright in the early morning sky and not quite dimming the glory of the stars shining, but the air is not much cooler yet, although the weatherman says the next couple days will bring fall again. Can hardly wait!
I watched a large white egret land on the bank by the lake at the park yesterday and the anhinga was drying his wings while resting on a dead log. Squirrels were dashing madly in front of the car as i drove on the road. I think they like to play "chicken"! But all was quiet and simmering in the heat and bright sunshine. God is good!
From the Promise Bible NLT:
For all you Gator fans, this is the verse Tim Tebow wore on his cheek pads Saturday; 1 Thess. 5:18
Brothers and sisters, we urge you to warn those who are lazy,. Encourage those who are timid. Take tender care of those who are weak. Be patient with everyone.
See that no one pays back evil for evil, but always try to do good to each other and to everyone else.
Always be joyful. Keep on praying. No matter what happens, always be thankful, for this is God's will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.
Do not stifle the Holy Spirit. Do not scoff at prophecies, but test everything that is said. Hold on to what is good. Keep away from every kind of evil.
Now may the God of peace make you holy in every way, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless until that day when our Lord Jesus Christ comes again.
God, who calls you, is faithful; he will do this....
And may the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with all of you.
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
I watched a large white egret land on the bank by the lake at the park yesterday and the anhinga was drying his wings while resting on a dead log. Squirrels were dashing madly in front of the car as i drove on the road. I think they like to play "chicken"! But all was quiet and simmering in the heat and bright sunshine. God is good!
From the Promise Bible NLT:
For all you Gator fans, this is the verse Tim Tebow wore on his cheek pads Saturday; 1 Thess. 5:18
Brothers and sisters, we urge you to warn those who are lazy,. Encourage those who are timid. Take tender care of those who are weak. Be patient with everyone.
See that no one pays back evil for evil, but always try to do good to each other and to everyone else.
Always be joyful. Keep on praying. No matter what happens, always be thankful, for this is God's will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.
Do not stifle the Holy Spirit. Do not scoff at prophecies, but test everything that is said. Hold on to what is good. Keep away from every kind of evil.
Now may the God of peace make you holy in every way, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless until that day when our Lord Jesus Christ comes again.
God, who calls you, is faithful; he will do this....
And may the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with all of you.
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
More joy
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 thought I felt just a hint of coolness in the breeze. Could it be that real fall weather is coming again soon? The moon was still bright and has moved over to the east in preparing for its disappearance in a few days, and the stars were still twinkling brightly. God is good!
When I went to the Park yesterday, I was struck by the absence of birds, or animals in sight. I usually see an anhinga and squirrels but did not even see movement. Kinda strange, but maybe it was due to the heat. The weeds have grown very tall where the path that was opened where the woman was attacked by a gator happened. The path is now closed, but the gator is gone. My own thoughts are that the path should never have been opened. Just my humble opinion. But God is good and is Lord of all!
From the Promise Bible NLT:
How can I be joyful in hard times?
Philippians 4:4 Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again---rejoice! ..I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little.
Joy is a choice. We may not realize it, but we choose our moods and our attitudes . God's promises in Christ are the basis for choosing joy no matter what we face.
James 1:2 Dear Brothers and sisters, whenever trouble comes your way, let it be an opportunity for joy.
Troubles remind us of two things. First, they remind us that this is a fallen world full of futility and frustration. Second, they remind us to turn to a God who will never disappoint us. God promises lasting joy for all those who believe in Him. This kind of joy stays with us despite our problems.
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
When I went to the Park yesterday, I was struck by the absence of birds, or animals in sight. I usually see an anhinga and squirrels but did not even see movement. Kinda strange, but maybe it was due to the heat. The weeds have grown very tall where the path that was opened where the woman was attacked by a gator happened. The path is now closed, but the gator is gone. My own thoughts are that the path should never have been opened. Just my humble opinion. But God is good and is Lord of all!
From the Promise Bible NLT:
How can I be joyful in hard times?
Philippians 4:4 Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again---rejoice! ..I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little.
Joy is a choice. We may not realize it, but we choose our moods and our attitudes . God's promises in Christ are the basis for choosing joy no matter what we face.
James 1:2 Dear Brothers and sisters, whenever trouble comes your way, let it be an opportunity for joy.
Troubles remind us of two things. First, they remind us that this is a fallen world full of futility and frustration. Second, they remind us to turn to a God who will never disappoint us. God promises lasting joy for all those who believe in Him. This kind of joy stays with us despite our problems.
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
Monday, October 12, 2009
Joy
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 last quarter of the moon was shining clearly and the stars were visible still. No sign of the clouds that brought a short thunderstorm last night. It rained for about five minutes after dark. But we welcome the rain no matter how short!
We drove to beautiful downtown St. Petersburg the other day and admired the expensive yachts moored at the Vinoy basin and then cruised by the Kopsick garden and further on saw a wedding party at the water's edge. The minister was just crossing the street with robe flying and the male attendants were impressive in dress whites. It was a lovely warm day for a wedding.
I also was delighted to see a roseate spoonbill take off right beside me as I was traveling along a busy street. It soared around in front of the van and zoomed off toward the north! What a beautiful pink! God is good!
From the Promise Bible NLT:
JOY
Where does joy come from?
Nehemiah 8:10 Nehemiah continued, "Go and celebrate with a feast of choice foods and sweet drinks, and share gifts of food with people who have nothing prepared. This is a sacred day before our Lord. Don't be dejected and sad, for the joy of the Lord is your strength!"
Zephaniah 3:17 The Lord your God has arrived to live among you. He is a mighty savior. He will rejoice over you with great gladness. With his love, he will calm all your fears. He will exult over you by singing a happy song.
Our joy springs from God's love, which is not dependent on circumstances nor on our performance. When we trust in his love for us, we are far less vulnerable to the depression and despair that could come from our problems and disappointments.
Revelation 21:4 He will remove all of their sorrows, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. For the old world and its evils are gone forever.
Our joy is rooted in the certainty of heaven, where we will be fully and finally liberated from the trials and troubles of this life.
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
We drove to beautiful downtown St. Petersburg the other day and admired the expensive yachts moored at the Vinoy basin and then cruised by the Kopsick garden and further on saw a wedding party at the water's edge. The minister was just crossing the street with robe flying and the male attendants were impressive in dress whites. It was a lovely warm day for a wedding.
I also was delighted to see a roseate spoonbill take off right beside me as I was traveling along a busy street. It soared around in front of the van and zoomed off toward the north! What a beautiful pink! God is good!
From the Promise Bible NLT:
JOY
Where does joy come from?
Nehemiah 8:10 Nehemiah continued, "Go and celebrate with a feast of choice foods and sweet drinks, and share gifts of food with people who have nothing prepared. This is a sacred day before our Lord. Don't be dejected and sad, for the joy of the Lord is your strength!"
Zephaniah 3:17 The Lord your God has arrived to live among you. He is a mighty savior. He will rejoice over you with great gladness. With his love, he will calm all your fears. He will exult over you by singing a happy song.
Our joy springs from God's love, which is not dependent on circumstances nor on our performance. When we trust in his love for us, we are far less vulnerable to the depression and despair that could come from our problems and disappointments.
Revelation 21:4 He will remove all of their sorrows, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. For the old world and its evils are gone forever.
Our joy is rooted in the certainty of heaven, where we will be fully and finally liberated from the trials and troubles of this life.
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
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