Jesus was a Servant (and you must be, too)

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!  Already we can feel the air cooling down as the cold front gradually moves through, but nothing like the deep South which is still snow covered. Schools are still out in TN and I think the snow on the ground will last a few more days.

We only got a sprinkle of rain yesterday, but the clouds looked so threatening, I thought we would get a really hard shower. I had such an unexpected surprise yesterday! Terry called while I was on my way home from shopping, and wanted to know if he and his wife could take me to lunch. Well, I try never to turn down an invitation to eat, so after I got home we went to Red Lobster and I ordered the lobster pizza, since I didn't get my pizza the day before. God is good!

Then, afterwards, Terry drove through Sawgrass Park, to look over the not-so-good changes, since he used to be superintendent there before retiring. Even though the article in the Sunday paper was mostly positive, the truth is, most of the landscaping was ripped out because of maintenance , such as the low hedge around the house and entrance . Well, it is still a nice retreat for those looking for exercise, or a place to walk their dogs.

Another surprise was a box of Honeybells that arrived from my niece, Kim. She had ordered them for a Christmas gift, knowing that they are not ready until January. So, I had a glass of freshly squeezed orange juice with breakfast this morning. God is good!

From the little devotional book Knowing God:

Be strong and of good courage, and do it; do not fear nor be dismayed, for the Lord God-my God- will be with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you, until you have finished all the work for the service of the house of the Lord.
1 Chronicles 28:20 NKJV
If you want to know God, you should do your best to imitate His Son. How? One way you can do it is by being a humble servant, just like Jesus was.

You live in a world that glorifies power, prestige, fame, and money. But the words of Jesus teach us that the most esteemed men and women are not the widely acclaimed leaders of society; the most esteemed among us are the humble servants of society.

So here's your choice; you can serve yourself (and follow the ways of the world) or you can serve your friends and neighbors (and follow Jesus.) If you really want to know the Father and the Son, you must choose the latter.

                    -GREAT THOUGHTS-
There are times when we are called to love, expecting nothing in return. There are times when we are called to give money to people who will never say thanks, to forgive those who won't forgive us, to come early and stay late when no one else notices.
                                              Max Lucado
                                    
                                       -Today's Prayer-
Dear Lord, let me help others in every way that I can. Jesus served others; I can too. I will serve other people with my good deeds and with my prayers. and I will give thanks for everybody who helps me. Amen

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

Love and hugs, Amaryllis

1 Peter

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! We should really be glad about our weather this morning,! I just finished talking with Daryl, who is snowed in for the first time, and could not get out to work! Seven inches on the ground and still falling. Matthew has been messaging me on Facebook and says he is going to try snowboarding. He lives on a very hilly street, so should be fun. Atlanta is at a standstill, and my nephew, who is a police captain in Albany, Ga, said their power is down, and every officer who does not wear a uniform, has been sent home to get into uniform, so they can get out on the streets to help. This is a bad ice/snow storm!

So, I told Daryl the temp. here and he said "That's right, rub it in!" :o)

Well, last night I really got hungry for pizza for supper. I hardly ever eat pizza, because it's too much for me by myself, but I have had a single slice from Little Italy. However, they don't deliver, so I wound up with a bowl of cereal...not at all like pizza. Looks like pizza is in my future today...

We had a great worship yesterday, and looks like Pastor Jim is plunging right in to work with the children. He will be a blessing, I'm sure. He has a way with the little ones.

I went to the park after church and saw the turtles clustered together on the bank of the weir and the fat gator on the other side. There was an interesting article about Sawgrass Park in the Neighborhood Times yesterday, which two people told me about at church. I had not read the paper, yet.. BTW, the wind is blowing hard here, probably bringing the cold with it, but God is good!

From the Promise Bible NLT:

1 Peter 1:7

These trials are only to test your faith, to show that it is strong and pure. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold--
and your faith is far more precious to God than mere gold. So if your faith remains strong after being tried by fiery trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world.
2 Finally, all of you should be of one mind, full of sympathy toward each other, loving one another with tender hearts and humble minds. Don't repay evil for evil. Don't retaliate when people say unkind things about you. Instead, pay them back with a blessing. That is what God wants you to do, and he will bless you for it. For the Scriptures say,
"If you want a happy life and good days,
keep your tongue from speaking evil,
turn away from evil and do good.
Work hard at living in peace with others.
The eyes of the Lord watch over those
who do right
and his ears are open to  their prayers.
But the Lord turns his face
against those who do evil."

1 Peter 1 "May you have more and more of God's special favor and wonderful peace."

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

Love and hugs,
 Amaryllis

Decisions

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, the leaves are falling and it looks like a beautiful day, though a little chilly.

I saw a young peacock yesterday on my way in to the park . I had not seen one in months, and thought maybe someone had removed them. It was beautiful with the sun shining on the gorgeous blue and green feathers.
Then when I went through the gate, there was a black, young gator on the bank of the canal beyond the weir, and the usual fat one on the other side, so looks like they enjoyed the rain. also. The water was up in the canal, so the rain did some good. God always provides and God is good!

From the Promise Bible NLT :

What do we do when we don't know what to do?

2 Chronicles 20:12 O our God, won't you stop them? We are powerless against this mighty army that is about to attack us. We do not know what to do. but we are looking to you for help.
We don't have to know what to do, but we do need to know where to look. As the saying goes, it isn't so much what we know but who we know!

Proverbs 3:5-7 Trust in the Lord with all your heart, do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will direct your paths. Don't be impressed with your own wisdom.Instead, fear the Lord and turn your back on evil.
Trust the Lord to direct your steps, even when the way is confusing. God will guide you.

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

Love and hugs, and have a wonderful weekend!
Amaryllis

A Benediction

Good rainy morning, Dear Friends and Prayer Partners! This is the day that the Lord has made and we will rejoice and be glad in it! Although the thunder, lightning, and rain have stopped it is still overcast. Kinda good to have a gloomy day for a change. But then a cold front will move through later this afternoon, so we enjoy while we can.

I had a quiet morning yesterday, and then ran a few errands, went to Publix, snacked on the sample fish dish the Apron lady cooked up, which was simple and very good, so I think I will try it. I went to the park, and saw the anhinga and assorted turtles on the bank of the weir, but no gator on the other side. There was a very large, almost invisible great gray heron standing in the canal, and several ibis and no woodstork, for a change. But God is good!

From the Promise Bible NLT:

Jude; A Prayer of Praise

All glory to God who is able to keep you from
stumbling, and who will bring you
into His glorious presence innocent
of sin and with great joy.
All glory to Him. who alone is God our Savior,
Though Jesus Christ our Lord.
Yes, glory, majesty, power, and authority
belong to him in the beginning, now,
and forevermore.
Amen

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

Love and hugs,
Amaryllis

Praise Him!

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, the temp is still in the sixties this morning, although the prediction is for colder weather to come. I have had the heat on for a short time only once or twice in the last week or so. Great weather!

Yesterday, I did something different for me. I went to Mari's salon to be a cheerleader while she worked putting the place back together, after she nearly wore herself out doing spring cleaning in the winter! She and a handy-man scrubbed walls, took all the decor down and now she is rearranging everything except the permanent fixtures. I had a great time just looking at all her glass crystals which usually hang from the ceiling, and which she washed. She must have climbed up and down her step ladder a hundred times while I was there. Such energy!! But watching someone else work didn't make me any more ambitious. Unfortunately, energy is not catching!

I also went to the park and saw some beautiful egrets standing in the shallow water in the canal. Their white feathers are beautiful and especially contrast with the mud and drab colors now that all the leaves are gone and the bleak (to me) winter look is there. I call it stark, but a friend of mine really likes the winter look. He lives up north, where shrubs and trees do get bare in the winter.But I have heard some people say that they are really surprised when they come to Florida and see all the green. This is true, because I can look out my window and see green shrubs all around me. God is good!

From the little devotional book, Knowing God:

I will praise you with my whole heart. Psalm 138:1 NKJV

If you're like most folks on the planet, you're busy. Your life is probably hectic, demanding , and complicated. And when the demands of life leave you rushing from place to place with scarcely a moment to spare, you may not take time to praise your Creator. Big mistake.

The Bible makes it clear: it pays to praise God.

Worship and praise should be a part of everything you do. Otherwise, you quickly lose perspective as you fall prey to the demands of everyday life.

Do you sincerely desire to know God in a more meaningful way? Then praise Him for who He is and for what He has done for you. And please don't wait until Sunday morning-praise Him all day long, every day, for as long as you live ...and then for all eternity.

- GREAT THOUGHTS-
Praise opens the windows of our hearts, preparing us to walk more closely with God. Prayer raises the window of our spirit, enabling us to listen more clearly to the Father.
Max Lucado

Most of the verses written about praise in God's Word were voiced by people faced with crushing heartaches, injustice, treachery, slander and scores of other difficult situations.
-Joni Eareckson Tada-

Today's Prayer

Heavenly Father, I come to You today with hope in my heart and praise on my lips. I place my trust in You. Dear Lord, knowing that with You as my protector, I have nothing to fear. I thank you,Lord, for your grace, for Your love, and for Your Son. Let me follow in Christ's footsteps today and every day that I live. And then, when my work here is done, let me live with You forever.
Amen

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

Psalm 32

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, the leaves are falling, and falling, and falling. Yes, it seems more like spring , but the leaves will fall then, too. I was sweeping the porch yesterday, and decided to keep them in a pile and add to it. Then I will get a bag and put them in it, because if I sweep them in the yard, they just have to be raked up from there. So, since they have only just started to shed, I will add more daily.

Yesterday, I did more putting away of Christmas, so I feel things are almost back to normal. I took time to run a couple errands and then went to the park, and saw again the big and little turtles clinging to the side of the weir and on the other side, the gator was curled up enjoying the sun. I've noticed he only does that when the water in the lake is low enough that there is mud for him to lie on. When the water is high, he doesn't come. The canal bank was lined with ibis busily pecking away, and the lone woodstork.

As I was sweeping yesterday, I noticed and heard lots of birds flying around and through the oaks. A red-headed woodpecker was circling one tree and what looked like a larger bird came swooping in. I decided it was only a dove, but a large one. I also saw a tiny wren on the ground flitting about. Looks like lots of birds have come down from the north. No delays in their flight schedules! God is good!

From Psalm 32 NLT:

Oh, what joy for those
whose rebellion is forgiven,
whose sin is put out of sight!
Yes, what joy for those whose record the Lord
has cleared of sin.
whose lives are lived in complete
honesty!

5 Therefore, let all the godly confess their
rebellion to you while there is time.
that they may not drown in the floodwaters of judgment.
For you are my hiding place;
you protect me from trouble.
You surround me with songs of victory.

The Lord says, "I will guide you along the
best pathway for your life.
I will advise you and watch over you.
Do not be like a senseless horse or mule
that needs a bit and bridle to keep it
under control.

Many sorrows come to the wicked,
but unfailing love surrounds those who
trust the Lord.
So rejoice in the Lord and be glad, all you
who obey him!
Shout for joy, all you whose hearts are pure!

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

Love and hugs,
Amaryllis

Prepare to Dare

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! We had a shower yesterday morning in this neighborhood and rain in the church neighborhood, and it is overcast today, so maybe we will really get much needed rain today. But it will come for sure when God decides to let it.

I hope you all had a good New Year's Eve celebration and New Year's Day. After Brian came over and helped put away Christmas decorations, and then took down the outside lights, things are beginning to look a lot better. I still have tablecloth and buffet cover to put away, but it is looking more normal. Brian had an invitation to attend and so did I, so a lot of activity both days, plus football games to watch. I am grateful for God's loving care in sending new friends for me to love and receive love from.

I was in the park yesterday and although the sun was not shining, several large turtles were on the bank of the weir, and the large fat gator was attracting a lot of attention on the other side of the road. Cars were parked and people were taking photos of him. Kind of a mini-jam, but lots of people were out enjoying the afternoon.

I had made Hoppin'John to take to my dinner invitation, and finished it off at home in a way I was not happy with. I was going to enjoy it with cornbread , but when I took it out of the fridge in its corning ware dish, the dish slipped off the counter and smashed on the floor. Of course, tiny pieces of the casserole went everywhere! I finally got it all cleaned up and then had cornbread and stew. (I even found a tiny piece of the dish on the carpet this morning). But God is good, and I can always make more of the black-eyed pea dish!

From the Quiet Moments with God devotional book:

Every prudent man acts out of knowledge, but a fool exposes his folly. Proverbs 13:16

Trying something new can be frightening and may even be dangerous. That's why it's much smarter to take a calculated risk than a reckless plunge.

A calculated risk is what Charles Lindbergh took when he decided to fly across the Atlantic, alone, in a single-engine plane. Was Lindbergh fearful? He certainly had known nothing about planes. If he hadn't trusted the builder of his plane or his mechanics, he also would have had a good reason to be anxious. And if he had decided to make the trip on a whim, without advance planning he certainly would have been labeled foolish.

But none of those factors were true in Lindberfgh's case. He was an experienced pilot and mechanic who personally spent months overseeing the construction of his plane. He participated in in the planning of every detail of his historic flight. The end result was a safe trip, finished ahead of schedule with fuel to spare.

To a great extent "Lucky Lindy" made his own luck.

Likewise, heroic spiritual moments nearly always are grounded in advance preparation.....

David was part of Saul's royal court and married to Saul's daughter. This was part of his preparation for assuming the throne one day. The years he spent in the wilderness prepared him spiritually to trust God, and God alone, to preserve him, protect him, and help him rule an empire. Esther prepared herself for a year before she won the "contest" to be queen.

You may not see clearly what God's purpose is for your life, but you can trust in the fact that He is preparing you for it. He will not waste a moment of your life.

So make every relationship and experience count today, knowing He is grooming you for future greatness!

Every experience God gives us, every person He puts in our lives, is the perfect preparation for the future that only He can see.
-Corrie Ten Boom-

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

Love and hugs,
Amaryllis