Monday, April 11, 2011

Psoaring thru Psalm 145

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! Looks like this will be another beautiful, warm day in paradise, with birds singing, and squirrels zipping up and down the trees; all seems right with the world. At least this little part of the world. Other places on the planet, not so good.

We had a really moving sermon yesterday, especially the last part. I am happy for a pastor who preaches the Word, and also lives it! I have a story of my own to tell of God's faithfulness and protection:

                  The Not-So- Great Adventure #4
Saturday I was ready for my motorcycle ride to Burger King, where David was to meet up with a couple hundred bikers for a rally around Leesburg. We took off from my house at 7:30 and he said he had to go to his house to work on the Gold Wing. So he told me to go take a look at the project he had been working on, which was the paver deck he had put in around his pool and also, the pergola he had built. I had the helmet on, which was feeling very heavy, and walked on back to where he was still working on the bike and started feeling very hot, and not so good. So he helped me get the helmet off, and I sat on the bike...still don't know how I got on it... told him I was hot, ran my hand over my forehead, which was wet, and that's the last I remember, until I opened my eyes and saw Kevin's face right in front of mine. He was telling me to smile, then hold out my arms, which I did. Kevin is a paramedic trainee, which was all part of God's plan.

I had been to my cardiologist a few days before, and he had put me on a new BP medication, which I obviously had a bad reaction to.

The amazing thing is...I could have been on the road and passed out, which would have been disastrous. As it was, David had called 911 and they came in just a few minutes, and transported me to St. Anthony's ER. David rode with me, and sat with me until Brian came. So I spent 6 not so happy hours in the ER, most of it just waiting for lab reports and discharge papers. Diagnosis was that it was the medication and everything else is fine or normal for me.

This whole episode was an example of God's perfect timing and His care for us! God is Good!

Psalm 145:13-18
The Lord is faithful in all he says;
He is gracious in all he does."
The Lord helps the fallen and lifts up those bent beneath their loads.
All eyes look to you for help;
you give them their food as they need it.
When you open your hand,
you satisfy the hunger and thirst of every living thing.

The Lord is righteous in everything he does;
he is filled with kindness.
The Lord is close to all who call on him,
yes, to all who call on him sincerely,...

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


Love and hugs,
 Amaryllis (praising God who is always there, and gives us friends who care)

Friday, April 8, 2011

Psoaring thru Psalm 63

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! Blue skies, slight wind and rising temps, make for a glorious morning! I actually turned the A/C on yesterday because the house was stuffy and warm. Actually, I have had it on for almost a month, off and on. Seems like we had a short, cold winter and now we are in for a long and very warm summer. But that's Florida, and St. Pete is my home town, so I should be used to it.

I remember when schools had no A/C  and most stores did not either. We used to go to the Florida Theater downtown and see a double feature, a cliff hanger, previews, and a newsreel, all for a dime. And the films were never rated, because they were all suitable for families. Ah, those were the days! My sister, brother and I were coming out of the La Plaza Theater on the Sunday afternoon when WW2 was declared because Japan had bombed Hawaii. Don't remember the movie, but remember the day!

Well. enough of living in the past..Yesterday I saw an amusing sight at the Park. A beautiful egret came in for a landing beside the first bridge and missed the log, splashing into the water. He hastily flapped back up onto the log, and I could almost see his beak turning pink with embarrassment because he had an audience on the bridge! There were not many people there for such a pretty day, but it was probably crowded later on. God is good!

From the Promise Bible NLT:

Psalm 63
O God, you are my God;
I earnestly search for you.
My soul thirsts for you;
my whole body longs for you
in this parched and weary land
where there is no water.

I have seen you in your sanctuary,
and gazed upon your power and glory.
Your unfailing love is better to me than life itself,
how I praise you!
I will honor you as long as I live,
lifting up my hands to you in prayer.
You satisfy me more than the richest of foods.
I will praise you with songs of joy.

I lie awake thinking of you,
meditating on you through the night,
I think how much you have helped me;
I sing for joy in the shadow of your protecting wings.
I follow close behind you;
your strong right hand holds me securely.

But those plotting to destroy me will come to ruin,
They will go down into the depths of the earth.
They will die by the sword and become the food of jackals,
But the king will rejoice in God.
All who trust in him will praise him,
while liars will be silenced.

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


Love and hugs,
 Amaryllis


Great Adventure #4 tomorrow!!

Thursday, April 7, 2011

The Beatitudes

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! Even though it is hazy this morning, it is a bit cool, but definitely higher humidity than yesterday. Puffy white clouds and a light breeze are making for a delightful day.

Yesterday, I was determined to take a walk, and enjoy the coolness of the air, while I could, so I walked along the sidewalk at the park, and noticed the water has gone down already. I could see the bottom through the murky water, which did not stop a large turtle from swimming along.  I think all turtles are vegetarians, but the soft shelled ones must eat the greenery growing under water and on top, like hydrilla. Whatever they eat, it really agrees with them, because they grow so big!

I also stopped and watched a very large great blue heron wade and slowly move along, keeping his head down. The water was pouring out of the pipe leading from Arrow Lake to the canal, so perhaps he was looking for a fish to come shooting out. I didn't see any ibis, and that is very unusual. The usual turtle was sunning on a dead log, and an anhinga came along and perched beside it. God is good!

From the Promise Bible NLT:

Luke 6:20
Then Jesus turned to his disciples and said,

God blesses you who are poor,
for the Kingdom of God is given to you.
God blesses you who are hungry now,
for you will be satisfied.
God blesses you who weep now,
for the time will come when you will laugh with joy.
God blesses you who are hated and excluded
and mocked and cursed
because you are identified with me, the Son of Man.

When this happens, rejoice! Yes, leap for joy, for a great reward awaits you in heaven. And, remember, the ancient prophets were also treated that way by your ancestors....

Love for Enemies
 

But if you are willing to listen, I say, love your enemies. Do good to those who hate you. Pray for the happiness of those who curse you. Pray for those who hurt you. If someone slaps you on the cheek, turn the other cheek. If someone demands your coat, offer your shirt also. Give what you have to anyone who asks you for it; and when things are taken away from you, don't try to get them back. Do to others as you would like them to do for you.

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

Love and hugs, Amaryllis


Great Adventure #4 coming Saturday! Stay tuned!

Wednesday, April 6, 2011

Double Blessings

Good morning, Dear friends and Prayer Partners! This is the day that the Lord has made and we will rejoice and be glad in it! Well, it is a little cooler for a change. The rain we had yesterday brought in a cold front just as predicted. Maybe this will be the last for awhile, but  the dry air is very welcome.

After spending a couple hours studying, I stretched and decided to go to Publix to pick up some needed groceries yesterday. I looked for the osprey nest high on the pole there and sure enough, saw two little heads pop up, so the rain and wind did not topple the osprey nest. Praise the Lord! Even though the nests look like a mass of twigs and stuff, they must be knit together pretty sturdily. Afterwards, I went on to the park and saw more trash piled up against the weir, and a lone anhinga standing in the middle of it. Not many people were out, because it was still very overcast and threatening. But it is good that we had the rain, and soon the temps will pop back up to nearly ninety! God is good!

From Quiet Moments with God devotional:

IN your godliness, brotherly kindness, and in  your brotherly kindness, love.
2 Peter 1-7 NASB
British statesman and financier Cecil Rhodes, whose fortune acquired from diamond mining in Africa endowed the world famous Rhdes Scholarships, was know as a stickler for correct dress-but not at the expense of someone else's feelings.

Once it was told that Rhodes invited a young man to an elegant dinner at his home. The guest had to travel a great distance by train and arrived in town only in time to go directly to Rhodes home in his travel-stained clothes. Once there, he was distressed to find that dinner was ready to begin and the other guests were gathered in the finest evening clothes. But Rhodes was nowhere to be seen. Moments later, he appeared in a shabby old blue suit. The young man later learned that his host had been dressed in evening clothes , but put on the old suit when he heard of his guest's enbarrassnent.

Rabbi Samuel Holdenson captured the spirit behind Rhodes's gesture, saying:  Kindness is the inability to remain at ease in the presence of another person who is ill at ease, the inability to remain comfortable in the presence of another who is uncomfortable, the inability to have peace of mind when one's neighbor is troubled.

The simplest act of kindness not only affects the receiver in profound ways, but brings blessings to the giver as well. It makes us feel good to make others feel good. So do something nice for yourself today--commit a random act of kindness!

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


Love and hugs, Amaryllis

Tuesday, April 5, 2011

Psoaring thru Psalm 66

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 waited until the storm passed to write this, because I don't like to be on the PC when wind, thunder and lightning are flashing about. God was good to me again and this was not as bad as last Thursday's storm. The front yard does not look bad at all, compared to all the twigs and trash that was on it last week. Water is still pouring off the roof and it is still very overcast, with the sound of thunder in the distance, but for the most part, the storm is over! Bless the Lord!

The water should be up in the park again, which had not gone down, yet from the deluge last week, so I don't know if the work on the lake has been delayed or not, but the ibis, herons, and gators like the rain! Yesterday, I saw a large soft-shell turtle hanging onto the bags of the weir and an anhinga drying the wings, in the midst of all the trash that washed up and over. Well, the saying is; April showers bring May flowers. We already have flowers, some bloomed out already, but more will be coming.

I had a sad thing happen yesterday on my way to church for my training session. A squirrel dashed across the road right under the car, and the wheel hit it. I have had them dash in front of the car many times, but not under. I had no chance to avoid it and I felt so badly about it.  Our lesson for the day was about suicide, so that may have been what the squirrel had in mind. (just kidding.)
Anyway, God is still Good!

From the Promise Bible NLT:

Shout joyful praises to God, all the earth!
Sing about the glory of his name!
Tell the world how glorious he is.
Say to God, "How awesome are your deeds!
Your enemies cringe before your mighty power.
Everything on earth will worship you;
They will sing your praises,
shouting your name in glorious songs."

Come and see what our God has done,'
What  awesome miracles he does for his people!
He made a dry path through the Red Sea."
and his people went across on foot .
Come, let us rejoice in what he is.
For by his great power he rules forever.
He watches every movement of the nations;
Let no rebel rise in defiance.

Let the whole world bless our God
and sing aloud his praises.
Our lives are in his hands,
and he keeps our feet from stumbling.
You have tested us, O God,
You have purified us like silver melted in a crucible.
You captured us in your net
and laid the burden of slavery on our backs.
You sent troops to ride across our broken bodies.
We went through fire and flood.
But you brought us to a place of great abundance....

I always thank God for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!


Love and hugs,
 Amaryllis

Friday, April 1, 2011

Put Faith Above Feelings

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 contrast between todays weather and yesterdays. Today the sun is shining brilliantly, although water is still dripping off the roof and trees and the wind has died down, so it looks like the peace after the storm.

I watched two squirrels chasing each other around and around the trees, leaping from branch to branch and even flying through the air to the neighboring hedge! They are fearless! I have often wondered where the small critters go during a storm like we had yesterday. But the birds are flying, so they must take shelter some place. I will check on the ospreys that I see nesting high on poles in the neighborhood,because they are really vulnerable  to all kinds of weather. But God is good to take care of all his creation!

From the little devotional book, Knowing God:

Put Faith Above Feelings

Now the just shall live by faith.
Hebrews 10:38 NKJV
Hebrews 10:38 teaches that we should live by faith. Yet sometimes, despite our best intentions, negative feelings can rob us of the peace and abundance that would otherwise be ours through Christ. When anger or anxiety separates us from the spiritual blessings that God has in store, we must rethink our priorities and renew our faith. And we must place faith above feelings. Human emotions are highly variable, decidedly unpredictable, and often unreliable. Our emotions are like the weather, only far more fickle. So we must learn to live by faith, not by the ups and downs of our own emotional roller coasters.

Sometime during this day, you will probably be gripped by a strong negative emotion. Distrust it. Reign it in.Test it. And turn it over to God. Your emotions will inevitably change; God will not. So trust him completely as you watch your feelings slowly evaporate into thin air-which, of course, they will.

                                                      -Great Thoughts-
      I do not need to feel good or be ecstatic in order to be in the center of God's will.
                                                                                   -Bill Bright-

                                                       -Today's Prayer=
Heavenly Father, You are my strength and my refuge, As I journey through this day, I will encounter events that cause me emotional distress. Lord, when I am troubled, let me turn to You. Keep me steady, Lord, and in those difficult moments, renew a right spirit inside my heart. Amen.

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


Love and hugs, Amaryllis

Happy April Fool's Day!!

Thursday, March 31, 2011

Peace in the Midst of the Storm

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 am late this morning, because I have been watching the TV meteorologists tracking all the tornadoes and the storms that are threatening this area. Fox 13 has just about all their weather crew on duty, just like during a hurricane.

There is another big cell heading right for us, so I am staying in and safe, like I did yesterday. It's good that this is spring break for the schools here right now, but I know this is not the kind of weather the kids want when they don't have school. No fun! But it also means that the school buses are not on the roads and the students don't have to wait in the bad weather, so God is Good!

I went out a while ago and picked up some dead branches that broke off from the oaks and dragged them over into the side yard. The rain had stopped at that time, although I went to sleep about 2 AM with the thunder and lightning all around. Looks like a nap is in my future today!

From Hymns for the Family of God Hymnal:
 

          - PEACE-

I know not what I shall become; it seems to me that peace of soul and repose of spirit descend on me, even in sleep. To be without the sense of this peace, would be affliction, indeed....

I know not what God purposes with me, or keeps me for; I am in a calm so great that I fear naught. What can I fear when I am with Him; and with Him, in His presence, I hold myself the most I can. May all things praise Him. Amen
                                                                                  -Brother Lawrence-

Mosie Lister wrote a great old hymn "Til the Storm Passes By'; This is the chorus,
Til the storm passes over, 

Til the thunder sounds no more.
Til the clouds roll forever across the sky,
Hold me fast, Let me stand in the hollow of Thy hand;
Keep me safe 'til the storm passes by.
As I type this, the thunder is rumbling and the wind is blowing the trees in all directions, but I am safe in the hollow of His hand.

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


Love and hugs,
 Amaryllis