Ask 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! Another beautiful day of sunshine and heat, but no rain. Well, tomorrow a "cold" front will move in for a couple days and we will have less humidity and a couple degrees cooler temps. That will be welcome!

I went to the library yesterday, to exchange some books and the short walk to the door was in the sun, and very hot! Our North Branch has expanded to house some large rooms with lots of computers, and usually most are busy! Students, people looking for jobs, and those communicating with family and friends...who knows what they are used for? And people just sitting and browsing newspapers, and there are always two or three patrons looking through the DVD's . I saw two copies of "A Beautiful Mind" on the shelf last week and was tempted to check it out, since I did not see the movie, but maybe later. There are a wealth of resources in the library. I am glad it is so close!

I also went to the park, and watched a photographer take photos of a great blue heron perched on a dead branch sticking out of the water. There wasn't any movement, so I don't know what he was waiting for, but he was very patient. It looks like the hydrilla has been sprayed, because a big clump of it is turning brown, and it really was growing huge!

After I came home, I noticed two ibis and a squirrel in the yard...the ibis pecking very deeply, for whatever they could find, and the squirrel happily munching on acorns, that he was digging up. So the ground was getting aereated!  God is good!

From the little devotional book Knowing God:

And yet the reason you don't have what you want is that you don't ask God for it. 
James 4:2 NLT

If you want to know more about God, ask for His help.
 
When you ask sincerely  -and repeatedly-He will answer your request.
 
How often do you ask God for His guidance and His wisdom? Occasionally? Intermittently? Whenever you experience a crisis? Hopefully not. Hopefully, you've acquired the habit of asking for God's assistance early and often. And hopefully, you have learned the seek His guidance in every aspect of your life.

Do you sincerely seek to know God's unfolding plans for you? If so, ask Him for direction, for protection, and for strength-and then keep asking Him every day that you live. "Whatever your need, no matter how great or small, pray about it and have faith.God is not just near; He is here, and He's perfectly capable of answering your prayers. Now, it's up to you to ask.

                                                - Great Thoughts-

We honor God by asking for great things when they are a part of His promise. We dishonor Him and cheat ourselves when we ask for molehills where He has promised mountains.
                                                            Vance Havner

We get into trouble when we think we know what to do and we stop asking God if we're doing it.
                                                            Stormie Omartian

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

Love and hugs, Amaryllis

Meaningful Scriptures

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 have had such a series of beautiful days that it seems a shame to pray for rain, but we do really need it. Everything has greened up so beautifully since the freezy days we had in the winter, that the rain would really help. I have a well, but I think the motor needs replacing or repair, because it won't pump any more so I can water the yard. Well, God will take care of it in His time!

It was so hot yesterday, when I went shopping, I didn't stay long outside and put on sunblock before going in the sun. So I did some chores around the house and felt good about getting those done. I also filled out a survey letter from St. Anthony's about my treatment in the ER about three weeks ago. Over all, it was OK if you have to be there, but lasted way too long! My thanks again to David for riding in the ambulance with me when Brian could not be reached.

I saw a line of ibis along the canal yesterday when I went to the park, and then the usual anhinga drying out wings..one on the weir and one on a dead limb sticking out of the canal. They can put their webbed feet on the smallest objects and balance there! There were not many people there yesterday..I only counted seven cars even though it was such a pretty day, but more probably came in later. It is a peaceful place to be. God is good!

These are scriptures that have meant a lot to me over the years from the NLT Promise Bible:

Paul's Prayer for Spiritual Empowering

Ephesians 3:14-21

When I think of the wisdom and scope of God's plan, I fall to my knees and pray to the Father, the Creator of everything in heaven and on earth. I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will give you mighty inner strength through his Holy Spirit. And I pray that Christ will be more and more at home in your hearts as you trust in him. May your roots go down deep into the soil of God's marvelous love. And may you have the power to understand, as all God's people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love really is. May you experience the love of Christ, though it is so great you will never fully understand it. Then you will be filled with the fullness of life and power that comes from God.

Now glory be to God! By his mighty power at work within us, he is able to accomplish infinitely more than we would ever dare to ask or hope. May he be given glory in the church and in Christ Jesus forever and ever through endless ages. Amen

(this scripture was underlined in a NLT Bible presented to me by Don Logue after I directed VBS one year)

Ezekiel 36:26
I will give you a new heart with new and right desires, and I will put a new spirit in you. I will take out your stony heart of sin, and give you a new obedient heart."

Romans 15:13
So I pray that God, who gives you hope, will keep you happy and full of peace as you believe in him. May you overflow with hope through the power of the Holy Spirit.

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

Love and hugs,
 Amaryllis

After Darkness, Dawn

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 humidity is lower and the breeze feels cool so far this morning, so this is a wonderful day!

Yesterday was a good day,too, with a good sermon and communion and lots of shoes all over the church to be sent all over the world, for people who cannot afford shoes. A good project! When I think of the devastation in Alabama, Tenn. and Georgia, I know many of those people will need shoes, along with everything else. I can't even imagine being without everything. I am blessed!

When I went to the park yesterday, I had to go around a paramedic truck which was on a call to the sidewalk. Apparently, from what I could see, someone in a motorized wheelchair needed assistance, and when I came out of the park there was  a sheriff's cruiser and a FHP patrol car just drove up. I said a prayer for whoever needed help and drove on.

But when I was in the park, I saw a great blue heron waiting patiently for a fish, and an anhinga drying out the wings. Not many people were there, but lots was going on in town and in Tampa to draw people out. I keep looking for the old gopher tortoise, but have not seen him for a couple weeks. But God is good!

From the book Quiet Moments with God devotional:

You are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.
1 Peter 2:9

At the turn of the century there was a city worker whose youth had been spent in evil ways. But one night during a revival meeting, he was spiritually born anew. Soon after, he ran into one of his old drinking pals. Knowing his friend needed Jesus, he attempted to witness to him about his newly found peace. His friend rebuffed him rudely and made fun of him for "turning pious."

"I'll tell you what," said the new Christian, "you know that I am the city lamplighter. When I go 'round turning out the lights, I look back, and all the road over which I've been walking is blackness. That's what my past is like." He went on, "I look on in front, and there's a long row of twinkling lights to guide me, and that's what the future is like since I found Jesus."

"Yes," says the friend, "but by-and-by you get to the last lamp and turn it out, and where are you then?"

"Then" said the Christian, "why, when he last lamp goes out it's dawn, and there ain't no need for lamps when the morning comes."

Many children carry their fear of the dark into adulthood in the form of other kinds of fears-fear of failure, rejection, loss, pain, loneliness, or disappointment. Each of these fears seems to grow in darkness. Darkness is a metaphor for many things; death, night, uncertainty, evil--but in all of them, Jesus is the Light that brings illumination and comfort.

When light shines, not only is darkness eliminated, but fears are relieved as well. Indeed, not only does Jesus give you as much light as you need to proceed in faith, but because of His sacrifice at Calvary, you can be assured of His eternal dawn when the last lamp goes out! Like the lamplighter said, "And there ain't no need for lamps when the morning comes."

O for a closer walk with God. A calm and heavenly frame.
A light to shine upon the road that leads me to the lamb!
                      William Cowper

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

Love and hugs,
Amaryllis  (Happy Cinco de Mayo, Gil!)

Paul's final advice

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!  Last night I couldn't get to sleep because of the flashes of lightning and distant sound of thunder, and this morning the sky is still overcast. We got a little rain because the porch was a little puddly, but the streets were dry already. Maybe we will get some more today, as we could use it.

Well, romance is in the air! I did not get up at 4, but a couple hours later. However, I saw most of the royal wedding and  the royal couple looked very happy. Being practical, I think when do they get to use the bathroom? But, I am sure all that is taken care of. :o) It brought back memories of my own wedding...much different, with no pomp or circumstance, no singing, and just family attending in a Baptist church . My sister was my maid of honor and a good friend was Louis' best man. But our marriage lasted 62 years, and as others, we had lost a child, but had two wonderful sons, and it lasted through sickness and health. I was married to a very affectionate, loving man who was a good father. God is good!

From the Promise Bible NLT:

1 Thessalonians 5:12-26

Dear brothers and sisters, honor those who are your leaders in the Lord's work. They work hard among you and warn you against all that is wrong. Think highly of them and give them your wholehearted love because of their work. And remember to live peaceably with each other.

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, if faithful; he will do this.

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

Love and hugs, Amaryllis

Don't Get Tired of Doing the Right Thing

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, our weather has been much different than the weather yesterday going through the south. I was watching the weather channel most of last night, because Daryl had called and said he had seen two tornadoes in Cleveland, Tn and another was on the way. I watched videos of the huge one in Birmingham and Tuscaloosa and people are still digging out, with many deaths. I thank God that my family in Tenn. was spared and have prayed for the ones who were not.

We will be having storms tonight, so the prediction goes, but sometimes the weather man does not get it right. We could use the rain, but not the bad weather! Hopefully, the weather stays good for the last flight of the Endeavor.. But God is still good!

From the little devotional book Knowing God:

Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.
Galatians 6:9 NIV
The world you live in has a way of testing your faith, your courage, and your intentions. If you intend to follow God (and if you follow through on those intentions) you'll be rewarded...richly rewarded. But if you give in at the first sign of temptation, you're headed for trouble, and fast.

Whose steps will you follow today? Will you honor God as you strive to follow His Son? Or will you join the lockstep legion that seeks to discover happiness and fulfillment through worldly means? If you are righteous and wise, you will follow Christ. You will follow Him today and every day. You will seek to walk in His footsteps without reservation or doubt. When you do so, you will be "right with God" precisely because you are walking with His only begotten Son.

                              -Great Thoughts-

"In the fulfillment of your duties, let our intentions be so pure that you reject from your actions any other motive than the glory of God and the salvation of souls.
                                 Angela Merici

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

Love and hugs, Amaryllis

Psoaring thru Psalm 34

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 is blowing, but we don't have the storms that are going through Tenn. and up through the east coast, so I am happy about that. Just sunshine and blue skies here.

I had a long afternoon yesterday spent at the doctor's office for a routine check up. But, God is so good to always send someone my way to help pass the time. A couple from the past who we were good friends with, were there, and the man talked with me for half and hour catching up on past events in our lives. That's about the third time old friends  and I have caught up in the waiting room, which has turned out to be God's waiting room.

When I finally was able to get to the park, I found few people there, but someone had a fire going in the bar-b-que and it smelled so good! It looked like a family was living in their van, because the back end was open and it was stacked with baskets of clothing and all kinds of things. No telling what their story was, but at least, they had something to eat.

I saw two little heads sticking up out of the osprey nest at Sawgrass Elem. waiting for mom or dad to bring home some food, so they are still nesting atop light poles and the tall platforms that are erected for them. God is good!

From the Promise Bible NLT:

I will praise the Lord at all times.
I will constantly speak his praises.
I will boast only in the Lord;
let all who are discouraged take heart.
Come, let us tell of the Lord's greatness;
Let us exalt his name together.

I prayed to the Lord, and he answered me,
freeing me from all my fears.
Those who look to him for help will be radiant with joy;
no shadow of shame will darken their faces.
I cried out to the Lord in my suffering and he heard me.
He set me free from all my fears.
For the angel of the Lord guards all who fear him.
And he rescues them.

Taste and see that the Lord is good.
Oh, the joys of those who trust in him!
Let the Lord's people show him reverence,
for those who honor him will have all they need.
Even strong young lions sometimes go hungry,
but those who trust in the Lord will
never lack any good thing...

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

Love and hugs,
 Amaryllis

Wise words from Ecclesiastes

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, we missed another chance last night...the thunder was booming all around, just like Sunday night, but we did not get a drop. Just a few miles from here that area got four inches. Sigh. I am sure our turn will come soon. But, at least, we can enjoy the sunshine and breezes for a beautiful day!

I saw a few people at the park yesterday, looking over the bridge at the anhinga drying his wings, while perched on the dead stump. Several people walking dogs, some with two to walk, You get lots of exercise when you are a dog owner! I saw the inert body of a squirrel lying in a driveway as I drove by. I don't know if someone threw it there, or if it got hit by a car, and crawled there to die. Anyway, I was sad to see it. I know we have lots of squirrels in the neighborhood, but I still don't like to see them hurt. Louis used to set in his chair outside and they would crawl up his pant leg and sit on his lap to get peanuts. He really enjoyed that! I think the ones we have now in the trees are a different family, because they are not so friendly. But God is good!

From the Promise Bible NLT;

Ecclesiastes 4:9-12, 5:19-20
 
Two people can accomplish more than twice as much as one; they get a better return for their labor. If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But people who are alone when they fall are in real trouble. And on a cold night, two under the same blanket can gain warmth from each other. But how can one be warm alone? A person standing alone fan be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back to back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken.

And it is a good thing to receive wealth from God and the good health to enjoy it. To enjoy your work and accept your lot in life-that is indeed a gift from God. People who do this rarely look with sorrow on the past, for God has given them reasons for joy.

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

Love and hugs, Amaryllis