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 what I guess are fog clouds hanging over us, but the wind is blowing and it is a lot more humid. Predictions are that there is a cold front coming in the next day or two, so we will see..,.
I notice that the mango trees next door are blooming, so it looks like they will have a good crop again. The neighbors have two big trees right by the street, so It is probably a temptation to passers by to just help themselves. I grew up with a huge mango tree across the alley from our house and we were always climbing up in it. We were always warned not to eat the green mangos or get the sticky sap on us, because of mango poisoning. I'm not sure if that would have really happened, but green mangos are so hard, it is impossible to bite them without breaking a tooth! Ah, the joys of childhood!
I see a lot of schoolkids and a couple of adults pushing themselves along on the metal scooters, now. When I was a kid, we used to make our own out of boards my Dad always had on hand, and old skate wheels. We had a long concrete driveway which was ideal for wheels of any kind. No electronic games then, so we created our own toys.
I tried to get the van detailed yesterday, and had an appointment, but when I got to the place, the guy said they had no one there to take me home (the gift card says pick up and delivery) and I had my cleaning ladies coming, so I decided to reschedule. A little frustrating, but it all worked out.
So, later, I went to the park and saw the black turtles sunning on the bank of the weir and a group of students gathered around the turtle, or whatever it is, in the cage, with the teacher teaching about their habits. (The turtle, that is.) The azaleas are just beautiful at the park and in front of the various houses around the neighborhood. God is good!
From Quiet Moments with God devotional book:
Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you.
Isaiah 60:1 NASB
While camping deep in the woods, the first sense to attract our attention each morning is...smell. The aromatic whiffs of food cooked over an open flame are a wonderful treat to awakening senses. The savory aroma of bacon, sausage, and especially a fresh pot of coffee, gently moves through the forest and rests overhead just long enough to rouse the sleeping camper and produce a memory like no other. Years later campers talk about that experience as if they were reliving it, almost capable of smelling the coffee right then. It's a wake up call campers fondly cherish.
Each of us has moments like these that provide a platform for memories past that are special to us. These classic times of pleasure linger in our minds, much like the smells of a delicious breakfast on a long ago camping trip. The first call of the morning brings us into the new day and helps to set the pace and tone for the tasks ahead.
Could it be that as followers of Christ, we experience wake-up calls in our lives that are for more than just reminiscing? Our wake-up calls, lessons, learned and "deserts crossed" with God's help and presence, can turn these experiences into opportunities that allow God's loving plans for our lives to shine through us to a lost and depraved world.
Isaiah shouted, "Arise, shine!". Share the joy of knowing Christ with others. There are many who would otherwise never awaken to become a child of God unless you share the joy of knowing Christ with them.
Become the aroma of Christ.
A CANDLE LOSES NOTHING BY
LIGHTING ANOTHER CANDLE
Proverb
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
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! It is a little overcast today, but since I am taking the van in for detailing, I am hoping for no rain, at least, until I get it back and in the garage!
The yard will get mowed Friday, and surprisingly, it needs it. It has been a couple months since the last mowing, but since the grass is covered with oak leaves, it doesn't show much. The spring colors are really showing around town, with lots of blooms, so this is a colorful time of year.
As I drove around Lynch Lake yesterday, I saw a large flock of ibis, and a couple of woodstorks hanging around, along with the usual ducks. Then I went to the park and saw people standing at the edge of the lake looking at the big gator. The cars park right in the street, which is not good for traffic, but there is not a lot of traffic all the time, so it doesn't take long to pass. Another gopher was sitting on his front porch watching the traffic go by down by the canal, although with his eyes on the side of his head, I don't know just what he sees!
I dropped by my friend's David and Cheryl's, house to see David's latest toy...a jet ski, and chatted with them awhile. It is always good to see dear friends, who live so close! God is good!
From the little devotional book, Knowing God:
But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I, myself, should become disqualified.
1 Corinthians 9:27 NKJV
Are you a self-disciplined person? If so, congratulations...your disciplined approach to life can help you build a more meaningful relationship with God. Why? Because God expects all His believers (including you) to lead lives of disciplined obedience to Him...and He rewards those believers who do.
God doesn't reward laziness, misbehavior, or apathy. God is less concerned with your party time than He is with your prayer time. And God wants all His followers (including you) to behave with dignity and self-control.
So if you want to know God more intimately, try becoming a more disciplined person. When you do, you'll be rewarded-richly rewarded- for your efforts.
-Great Thoughts-
Simply stated, self-discipline is obedience to God's Word and willingness to submit everything in life to his will, for His ultimate glory.
John MacArthur
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
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! A little cooler this morning, but sunshiny and beautiful! The azaleas are in full bloom in the park and my hidden one in the back of the house is gorgeous because of its dark pink colors. Only one in front has bloomed so far, but they have really grown this spring. I noticed an oak in the neighborhood yesterday that had the long seeds all over it, so that means lots of pollen in the air. I have started on Nasalchrom for my allergy to the pollen, which caused me to sneeze about a dozen times. But I managed to sweep off the porch without too much discomfort, because the leaves were damp, which really helped to keep the dust down.
I was pleased with myself because I managed to get some chores done around the house, that I usually have no trouble putting off, with a free conscience. I felt even better knowing I had them done! I went shopping after that for a few needed items and stopped in at the park, and saw a couple walking where it is forbidden because of a gator attack a few years ago. they were looking at the big gator sunning. The license said they were from out of town, so guess they are used to ignoring signs. Not saying which state.
Further down I spotted the very large, old brown gopher tortoise lumbering along, and lots of people enjoying the great weather! God is good!
My Morning Prayer
"Oh, God, for another day, for another morning, for another hour for another minute, for another chance to live and serve Thee, I am truly grateful."
Do Thou this day free me from all fear of the future from all bitterness toward anyone.
From all cowardice in face of danger from all laziness in face of work, from all failure before opportunity from all weakness when Thy power is at hand.
But fill me with Love that knows no barrier
with Sympathy that reaches all
with Courage that cannot be shaken
with Faith strong enough for darkness,
With Strength sufficient for my tasks
with Loyalty to Thy Kingdom Goal,
with Power to lift me to Thee.
Be Thou with me for another day and use
me as Thou will for Christ's sake, I pray.
Amen
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs, Amaryllis
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! Bright sunshine, a few clouds and a gentle wind is what it looks like on this cool President's Day. Yesterday, I took my umbrella in to church because it was sprinkling pretty well when I arrived, but by the time I came out, the rain had stopped, although the clouds were very dark and threatening. I used most of the rest of my Boston Market gift card from Daryl and had a good lunch, and also, a senior discount card! Good things do happen when you get older!
Saturday, when I came home from errands, I saw something in the driveway, so parked, and sure enough, it was another dead baby bird, in the same spot others have fallen. It is a mystery, because there is no nest over head where the birds lie. This one had pinfeathers already, and looked like a mockingbird. I moved it out of the driveway, and because I was not through running errands, left it by the driveway.
When I came back, it was gone, so something took care of it...
When I went to the park, the big gator was on the right, and a anhinga on the left, drying out the wings. They are comical when they walk, but very sleek in the water! Lots of people were out each weekend day!
Our sermon yesterday was about the futility of worrying, which is what I try not to do, since God has so beautifully surrounded me with wonderful sons, caring friends and provision. God is good!
James 1:2-8
Dear Brothers and sisters, when ever trouble comes your way, let it be an opportunity for joy. For when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be strong in character and ready for anything.
If you need wisdom,--if you want to know what God wants you to do--ask him and he will gladly tell you. He will not resent your asking. But when you ask him, be sure that you really expect him to answer, for a doubtful mind is as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. People like that should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. They can't make up their minds. They waver back and forth in everything they do.
Christians who are poor, should be glad, for God has honored them. And those who are rich should be glad, for God has humbled them....
God blesses the people who patiently endure testing. Afterward they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
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 haven't seen the sun yet this morning, but lots of clouds and I know the weather map showed lots of showers in the gulf heading this way, so maybe we will get some rain, praise God! If the oak leaves are wet, then the pollen won't bother me so much.
I got lots of walking in yesterday, when I shopped at Walmart Neighborhood store. I am not too familiar with their layout yet, so I had to double back a couple times to find what was on my list, but, actually, it is more convenient than the super Walmart a mile or two further north, and not nearly so busy. They had left over Valentine's candy at half price, but I only bought one small box of chocolates! Such discipline I displayed!
I stopped in at Sawgrass later, and saw the big gator stretched out on the bank, sunning and across the street on the weir, more turtles. The large gopher tortoise was just coming out of his tunnel home and a large group of people were walking down the sidewalk. Students, I think. It was a beautiful, warm, sunshiny day. God is good!
From the Promise Bible NLT:
Psalm 98
Sing a new song to the Lord,
for he has done wonderful deeds.
He has won a might victory
by his power and holiness.
The Lord has announced his victory and has revealed his righteousness to every nation! He has remembered his promise to love and be faithful to Israel. The whole earth has seen the salvation of our God.
Shout to the Lord, all the earth, break out in praise and sing for joy! Sing your praise to the Lord with the harp, with the harp and melodious song, with trumpets and the sound of the ram's horn. Make a joyful symphony before the Lord the King!
Let the sea and everything in it shout His praise!
Let the earth and all living things join in.
Let the rivers clap their hands in glee!
Let the hills sing out their songs of joy before the Lord.
For the Lord is coming to judge the earth.
He will judge the world with justice, and the nations with fairness.
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
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 sunny, cool day with wind picking up and maybe some rain later. But, the wind makes more leaves come off the oak trees and yesterday I discovered that it is not good for me to sweep or rake leaves. My nose starts dripping and I start sneezing, so I have finally developed another allergy or sensitivity! Well, I will just have to get someone to do the job for me.
Yesterday, I was driving around Lynch Lake and saw a large flock of ducks or anhingas, I could not tell which, on the grass all looking up. It was a funny sight to see all the beaks pointed up. If I had not been driving, I would have been tempted to look up to see what they were so interested in!(BTW, speaking of looking up, last night just after sunset, I went outside to look up and saw Jupiter and Venus putting on a show high in the sky! Beautiful! ) I drove on to the park later on, and saw the fat, wet, black gator on one side and several turtles on the other side, enjoying the warm sunshine. God is good!
From the little devotional book Knowing God:
Be Still
Be still, and know that I am God.
Psalm 46:10 NKJV
The Bible teaches that a wonderful way to get to know God is simply to be still and listen to Him. But sometimes, you may find it hard to slow down and listen. As the demands of everyday life weigh down upon you, you may be tempted to ignore God's presence or-worse yet- to rebel against His commandments. But, when you quiet yourself and acknowledge His presence, God touches your heart and restores your spirits. So why not let Him do it right now? If you really want to know Him better, silence is a wonderful place to start.
-Great Thoughts-
I have come to recognize that He never asks us to do anything He has not already done. He never takes us anyplace where he has not been ahead of us. What he is after is not performance, but a relationship with us.
Gloria Gaither
- Today's Prayer-
Lord, your Holy Word is a light unto the world; let me studay it, trust it, and share it with all who cross my path. Let me discover You, Father,, in the quiet moments of the day. And, in all that I say and do, help me to be a worthy witness as I share the Good News of Your perfect Sond and Your perfect Word. Amen.
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
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! At last, we have our warm weather back again! I know lots of people like the cold, but as I get older, I am not so much liking it. It makes my bones ache. So, it is good to have the heat off and a couple windows open later.
Yesterday, I spent a couple hours at Mari's salon getting my hair done and watching different people get attended to. She is a whirlwind of activity as she colors, shampoos, curls and trims all day. There was a big, burly man getting a color, and cut ,another man got a trim, and a couple ladies had already been in as she opened early for them. I have known her for thirty years, and she has only slowed down once and that was when she was ill. She is a precious friend!
On my way home, I stopped for a Biff-Burger, for the first time, and I was not impressed. I rarely eat burgers, but I know what I like and that was not it. Oh, well, lesson learned. On the way down to Mari's I had a few obstacles...first, 34th St. is being repaved at the overpass, then further on, several cop cars were doing a drug bust, at a closed motel right across from Taco Bell and in the middle of the street at 5th Ave., a lady had run out of gas, and two police cars were parked behind her, while her son ran across the street to get a can of gas. Then, I had to wait to get in Mari's parking lot for a delivery van to close the door so I could get by. After that, I found no parking spaces left in front, so had to park right by the alley, until some people pulled out. But it was all worth it!
After lunch, I stopped in at the park and saw a couple turtles on the bank of the weir, but no big gator at that time, and on in the park. lots of students waiting for their bus, and people walking and enjoying a beautiful day! God is good!
From the Promise Bible NLT:
Romans 8:18-28
Yet what we suffer now, is nothing compared to the glory he will give us later. For all creation is waiting eagerly for that future day when God will reveal who his children really are. Against its will, everything on earth was subjected to God's curse. All creation anticipates the day when it will join God's children in glorious freedom from death and decay. For we know that all creation has been groaning in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. And, we Christians, although we have the Holy Spirit within us, as a foretaste of future glory, also groan to be released from pain and suffering. We too, wait anxiously for that day when God will give us our full rights as his children, including the new bodies he has promised us...
And the Holy Spirit helps us in our distress. For we don't even know what we should pray for, nor how we should pray, but the Holy Spirit prays for us in groanings that cannot be expressed in words....
And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
