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! While it is nice and warm and sunny, the report is that a cold front will be moving through and Saturday will be much cooler! I even heart mention of 48 degrees Sat. morning. Well, maybe it will warm up again very fast!
I watched most of the Jets/ Titans game last night and while Tim Tebow was in for only one play while I was watching, I think if the coach would have put him in for more plays, maybe they would have won. He certainly could not have been worse than Sanchez! Just my opinion, for what it's worth.
Because of Tim's faith, even the announcer quoted his scripture for the survivors of the horrible event at Newtown. . That is one tiny bit of good that has come out of this. Even Obama quoted scripture in his speech!
I ran some errands yesterday, and patiently waited in line at the Christian bookstore for the only cashier??? Why only one at a busy time is beyond me! After I got most of my running around done, I headed for the park and saw a few people there, the school bus leaving and turtles on the bank of the weir. Before I left, I noticed a large white egret across the street with the long, neck undulating as it studied the shrubs for a tasty tidbit.
After that, he gracefully ambled across their driveway and disappeared from my view. God is good!
Psalm 145:13-21
The Lord is faithful in all he says;
he is gracious is all he does.
The Lord helps the fallen
and lifts up those bent beneath their loads.
When you open your hand,
you satisfy 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.
He fulfills the desires of all those who fear him,
He hears their cries for help and rescues them.
The Lord protects all those who love him
but he destroys the wicked.
I will praise the Lord,
and everyone on earth will bless his holy name
forever and ever.
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
Tuesday, December 18, 2012
Monday, December 17, 2012
Opportunities
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! Cool these mornings with sunshine, and warm later in the day, seems to be the constant weather report lately. There is quite a strong breeze now, but when I went outside a while ago, it was already in the seventies!
I was out and about quite a bit over the weekend, which is unusual for me, but since I am expecting my son and grandson here this weekend, I have many things to get done. As I was going around Lynch Lake one of the days, the ibis flock was spilling out into the street, it was so large. A couple just took their time walking ahead of the car, before they got out of the way. I also saw moorhens and ducks splashing around, Then, when I went to the park, the black, shiny gator was sunning on the lake bank both days, with lots of turtles on the bank of the weir and the spread-wing anhinga in the middle. Driving around the circle, I saw a couple taking photos of the gopher tortoise, which was perched at the edge of his tunnel home.
Yesterday we had a most moving end to the sermon, with a video Pastor Rick put together as a background to the song he composed, "When Does God Weep". The photos were of scenes from the terrible tragedy in Newtown. I think most everyone was weeping. But we know that God is still in control and He is Good!
From the Promise Bible NLT:
How do I know if an opportunity is from the Lord?
Joshua 1:7-0 Be strong and very courageous. Obey all the laws Moses gave you. Do not turn away from them, and you will be successful in everything you do. Study the book of the Law continually. Meditate on it continually. Meditate on it day and night so you may be sure to obey all that is written in it. Only then will you succeed. I command you - be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.
Ephesians 5:15-20 Be careful how you live, not as fools but as those who are wise. Make the most of every opportunity for doing good in these evil days. Don't act thoughtlessly, but try to understand what the Lord wants you to do. Don't be drunk with wine, because that will ruin your life. Instead, let the Holy Spirit fill and control you. Then you will sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs among yourselves, making music to the Lord in your hearts. And you will always give thanks for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. God's opportunities conform to his word Anything that contradicts God's word is not an opportunity from God.
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
I was out and about quite a bit over the weekend, which is unusual for me, but since I am expecting my son and grandson here this weekend, I have many things to get done. As I was going around Lynch Lake one of the days, the ibis flock was spilling out into the street, it was so large. A couple just took their time walking ahead of the car, before they got out of the way. I also saw moorhens and ducks splashing around, Then, when I went to the park, the black, shiny gator was sunning on the lake bank both days, with lots of turtles on the bank of the weir and the spread-wing anhinga in the middle. Driving around the circle, I saw a couple taking photos of the gopher tortoise, which was perched at the edge of his tunnel home.
Yesterday we had a most moving end to the sermon, with a video Pastor Rick put together as a background to the song he composed, "When Does God Weep". The photos were of scenes from the terrible tragedy in Newtown. I think most everyone was weeping. But we know that God is still in control and He is Good!
From the Promise Bible NLT:
How do I know if an opportunity is from the Lord?
Joshua 1:7-0 Be strong and very courageous. Obey all the laws Moses gave you. Do not turn away from them, and you will be successful in everything you do. Study the book of the Law continually. Meditate on it continually. Meditate on it day and night so you may be sure to obey all that is written in it. Only then will you succeed. I command you - be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.
Ephesians 5:15-20 Be careful how you live, not as fools but as those who are wise. Make the most of every opportunity for doing good in these evil days. Don't act thoughtlessly, but try to understand what the Lord wants you to do. Don't be drunk with wine, because that will ruin your life. Instead, let the Holy Spirit fill and control you. Then you will sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs among yourselves, making music to the Lord in your hearts. And you will always give thanks for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. God's opportunities conform to his word Anything that contradicts God's word is not an opportunity from God.
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
Friday, December 14, 2012
Jesus, the True Vine
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 got our cooler weather last night. My thermometer read 58 outside for this morning, but the prediction is for warming up into the seventies as soon as the foggy overcast burns off.. So we will have great weather for awhile longer!
I drove over to the park during a cloudy afternoon and saw a worse problem with leaves and acorns than I have! Of course, there are a lot more trees than I have, but since the drive is not blown off any more, it stays full of all kinds of oak dust, which is why I keep sneezing and blowing. So, you take the good with the bad. I saw a couple of ibis in the bare trees along the canal and noticed the water is still high from the rain a couple days ago.
Well, I loaded up the back of the van with the bag of clothes from the closet cleaning and another bag of belts. Things really do accumulate! Now, I am determined to put about six irons, still working, in with the clothes and take everything over to the Salvation Army. Someone will get some good from these things! God is good!
From the Promise Bible NLT:
John 15:5-8
Yes, I am the vine, you are the branches.
Those who remain in me, and I in them,
will produce much fruit,. For apart from me
you can do nothing. Anyone who parts from
me is thrown away like a useless branch
and withers. Such branches are gathered
into a pile to be burned. But if you stay
joined to me and my words remain in you,
you may ask any request you like, and it will
be granted! My true disciples produce much
fruit. This brings much glory to my Father.
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
I drove over to the park during a cloudy afternoon and saw a worse problem with leaves and acorns than I have! Of course, there are a lot more trees than I have, but since the drive is not blown off any more, it stays full of all kinds of oak dust, which is why I keep sneezing and blowing. So, you take the good with the bad. I saw a couple of ibis in the bare trees along the canal and noticed the water is still high from the rain a couple days ago.
Well, I loaded up the back of the van with the bag of clothes from the closet cleaning and another bag of belts. Things really do accumulate! Now, I am determined to put about six irons, still working, in with the clothes and take everything over to the Salvation Army. Someone will get some good from these things! God is good!
From the Promise Bible NLT:
John 15:5-8
Yes, I am the vine, you are the branches.
Those who remain in me, and I in them,
will produce much fruit,. For apart from me
you can do nothing. Anyone who parts from
me is thrown away like a useless branch
and withers. Such branches are gathered
into a pile to be burned. But if you stay
joined to me and my words remain in you,
you may ask any request you like, and it will
be granted! My true disciples produce much
fruit. This brings much glory to my Father.
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
Thursday, December 13, 2012
Psoaring thru Psalm 84
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 already had sunshine, but now the clouds are building up, and it feels like a change is in the air. Hopefully, it will not be too drastic, too fast. Yesterday, while my cleaning ladies were here, I turned the A/C on , because it was warm in the house. It didn't take long to dry out and cool off, do the rest of the day was comfy.
I just did ironing, and worked on the closets some more and did not really have a reason to go out, so stayed in all day. So, that means I will have to run errands and catch up, soon! It's probably good for me to stay out of traffic as much as possible these busy days, anyway..but God is good!
From the Promise Bible NLT:
Psalm 84:10-13
A single day in your courts is better than a thousand anywhere else!
I would rather be a gatekeeper in the house of my God
than live the good life in the homes of the wicked.
For the Lord is our light and protector. He gives us grace and glory.
No good thing will the Lord withhold from those who do what is right.
O Lord Almighty, happy are those who trust in you.
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
I just did ironing, and worked on the closets some more and did not really have a reason to go out, so stayed in all day. So, that means I will have to run errands and catch up, soon! It's probably good for me to stay out of traffic as much as possible these busy days, anyway..but God is good!
From the Promise Bible NLT:
Psalm 84:10-13
A single day in your courts is better than a thousand anywhere else!
I would rather be a gatekeeper in the house of my God
than live the good life in the homes of the wicked.
For the Lord is our light and protector. He gives us grace and glory.
No good thing will the Lord withhold from those who do what is right.
O Lord Almighty, happy are those who trust in you.
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
Wednesday, December 12, 2012
Don't Fall Prey to Envy
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! Happy 12/12/12! I have already read several postings about the date which is the last I will see in my lifetime..But today is sunshiny so far, however, the weatherman says rain this afternoon, as the cold front is sneaking in. It is already quite cool north of here, but I had the A/C on for a little while this morning, because the house seemed stuffy after my shower. My cleaning ladies always notice the temp in the house as they work so hard they get quite warm!.
I found my candle rings! I decided to put them some place easier to find and store last year, but then could not remember where that place was. Yesterday, I looked high up in a closet and there they were, so I climbed up on a stool (carefully holding on to shelves) and got them down, put candles in them, and placed them where I wanted them. Another job done! I am already receiving some Christmas cards, but I have dropped most of my card mailing in the last few years. I still like to read the ones that come in, though.
After sweeping off the wet porch, which I practically had to shovel, because the leaves were so wet; I drove over to the park for a little bit. The anhinga was airing out the wings, even though it had started raining, and I saw two egrets standing on the bank of the canal by the bridge. The water was up high after the rain from the day before and it looked good. People were leaving, because it had started coming down pretty hard. But God is good!
From the little book of devotions Knowing God:
We can't afford to waste a minute, must not squander these
precious daylight hours in frivolity and indulgence,
in sleeping around and dissipation, in bickering and grabbing
everything in sight. Get out of bed and get dressed!
Don't loiter and linger, waiting until the very last minute.
Dress yourselves in Christ, and be up and about!
Because we are imperfect, we are sometimes envious of others.
but to be envious is to be foolish. So we must guard ourselves
against the natural tendency to feel resentment and jealousy
when other people experience good fortune. Rather than
succumbing to feelings of envy, we should focus on the marvelous
things that God has done for us (and we should refrain from
preoccupying ourselves with the blessings that God has chosen
to give others.)
St. John Chrysostom offered thses words of caution: "As a moth
gnaws a garment, so does envy consume a man."
Count your own blessings and let your neighbors count theirs.
It's the best way to live.
What God asks, does, or requires of others is not my business, it is His.
Kay Arthur
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers, with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
I found my candle rings! I decided to put them some place easier to find and store last year, but then could not remember where that place was. Yesterday, I looked high up in a closet and there they were, so I climbed up on a stool (carefully holding on to shelves) and got them down, put candles in them, and placed them where I wanted them. Another job done! I am already receiving some Christmas cards, but I have dropped most of my card mailing in the last few years. I still like to read the ones that come in, though.
After sweeping off the wet porch, which I practically had to shovel, because the leaves were so wet; I drove over to the park for a little bit. The anhinga was airing out the wings, even though it had started raining, and I saw two egrets standing on the bank of the canal by the bridge. The water was up high after the rain from the day before and it looked good. People were leaving, because it had started coming down pretty hard. But God is good!
From the little book of devotions Knowing God:
We can't afford to waste a minute, must not squander these
precious daylight hours in frivolity and indulgence,
in sleeping around and dissipation, in bickering and grabbing
everything in sight. Get out of bed and get dressed!
Don't loiter and linger, waiting until the very last minute.
Dress yourselves in Christ, and be up and about!
Because we are imperfect, we are sometimes envious of others.
but to be envious is to be foolish. So we must guard ourselves
against the natural tendency to feel resentment and jealousy
when other people experience good fortune. Rather than
succumbing to feelings of envy, we should focus on the marvelous
things that God has done for us (and we should refrain from
preoccupying ourselves with the blessings that God has chosen
to give others.)
St. John Chrysostom offered thses words of caution: "As a moth
gnaws a garment, so does envy consume a man."
Count your own blessings and let your neighbors count theirs.
It's the best way to live.
What God asks, does, or requires of others is not my business, it is His.
Kay Arthur
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers, with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
Tuesday, December 11, 2012
Encouraging words from Old and New Testaments
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 sunshiny with blue skies this morning, but yesterday was overcast all day and last night we had a loud thunderstorm and tornado warning, with some good heavy showers. We had been two months with no rain at all, so that was very welcome. One not very pleasant result of the strong winds is that the front porch is covered with leaves, wet leaves, which means that my sweeping job yesterday did not last very long. Sigh. To look at the positive side, there are fewer left on the trees! Oh, well, I will get to that later.
I did not take the van out yesterday. Instead, I stayed in and got much inside work done, that I had been putting off. Daryl and Matthew will be coming down from TN a week from Friday, so I need to finish up with preparations for their coming.
My front porch light burned out again and I had a phone call from my across the street friend, telling me it was not on. I told her I had turned it on before the Christmas lights came on, but I did not notice when it burned out. I am so blessed to have a friend who looks out for me! God is good!
From the Promise Bible NLT:
Deuteronomy 7:9
Understand, therefore, that the Lord your God is indeed God.
He is a faithful God who keeps his covenant for a
thousand generations and constantly loves
those who love him and obey his commands.
Jude 20-24
But you, dear friends, must continue to build
your lives on the foundation of your holy faith.
And continue to pray as you are directed by the
Holy Spirit. Live in such a way that God's love
can bless you as you wait for the eternal life
that our Lord Jesus Christ in his mercy is going
to give you. Show mercy to those whose faith
is wavering. Rescue others by snatching them
from the flames of judgement. There are still
others to whom you need to show mercy, but
be careful that you are not contaminated by
their sins.
And now, 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, through 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
I did not take the van out yesterday. Instead, I stayed in and got much inside work done, that I had been putting off. Daryl and Matthew will be coming down from TN a week from Friday, so I need to finish up with preparations for their coming.
My front porch light burned out again and I had a phone call from my across the street friend, telling me it was not on. I told her I had turned it on before the Christmas lights came on, but I did not notice when it burned out. I am so blessed to have a friend who looks out for me! God is good!
From the Promise Bible NLT:
Deuteronomy 7:9
Understand, therefore, that the Lord your God is indeed God.
He is a faithful God who keeps his covenant for a
thousand generations and constantly loves
those who love him and obey his commands.
Jude 20-24
But you, dear friends, must continue to build
your lives on the foundation of your holy faith.
And continue to pray as you are directed by the
Holy Spirit. Live in such a way that God's love
can bless you as you wait for the eternal life
that our Lord Jesus Christ in his mercy is going
to give you. Show mercy to those whose faith
is wavering. Rescue others by snatching them
from the flames of judgement. There are still
others to whom you need to show mercy, but
be careful that you are not contaminated by
their sins.
And now, 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, through 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
Monday, December 10, 2012
Jesus and Zacchaeus
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's kind of a changeable day today, with clouds, sun and wind and maybe rain later on. But temps are still in the low seventies and after watching the Packers game yesterday, played in what looked like a blizzard to me. I will take this weather any day! I cannot imagine sitting for three hours in freezing temps to watch a football game and there was even one guy who was bare-chested! Wonder how much frost bite he has today...
While driving to and from a church meeting last night, I was able to see lots of pretty Christmas decorations, so people are getting in the spirit early. Even my house looked pretty with the icicle lights twinkling all around the front. Rick did a good job hanging them. I am slowly getting the inside of the house decorated, but I keep forgetting where I stored everything last year. While getting out some decorations from a closet, I decided I might as well clean out some more clothes I had not worn in a year or so, so now I have a big pile to bag up. One thing leads to another...
I took a ride down into the park after church and saw the gopher tortoise emerging from his cave. I was glad to see him. There were quite a few turtles sunning on the bank of the weir, and an anhinga was stretching out his wings just above them. the moor hens were also swimming around, so all was well. God is good!
As I was reading scripture this morning, I came across this story, which I used to read to my boys from children's books:
Luke 19:1-10
Jesus entered Jericho and made his way
through the town. There was a man there
named Zacchaeus. He was one of the most
influential Jews in the Roman tax collecting
business,and he had become very rich. He
tried to get a look at Jesus, but he was too short
to see over the crowds. So he ran ahead and
climbed a sycamore tree beside the road, so he
could watch from there.
When Jesus came by he looked up at Zacchaeus
and called him by name. "Zacchaeus!" he said.
"Quick, come down! For I must be a guest in your
home today."
Zacchaeus quickly climbed down and took Jesus
to his house in great excitement and joy. But the crowds
were displeased." He has gone to be the guest of a
notorious sinner," they grumbled.
Meanwhile, Zacchaeus stood there and said to the Lord,
"I will give half my wealth to the poor, Lord, and if I have
overcharged people on their taxes, I will give them back four
times as much!"
Jesus responded, "Salvation has come to this home today.
For this man has shown himself to be a son of Abraham.
"And I, the Son of Man, have come to seek and save those
like him who are lost."
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
While driving to and from a church meeting last night, I was able to see lots of pretty Christmas decorations, so people are getting in the spirit early. Even my house looked pretty with the icicle lights twinkling all around the front. Rick did a good job hanging them. I am slowly getting the inside of the house decorated, but I keep forgetting where I stored everything last year. While getting out some decorations from a closet, I decided I might as well clean out some more clothes I had not worn in a year or so, so now I have a big pile to bag up. One thing leads to another...
I took a ride down into the park after church and saw the gopher tortoise emerging from his cave. I was glad to see him. There were quite a few turtles sunning on the bank of the weir, and an anhinga was stretching out his wings just above them. the moor hens were also swimming around, so all was well. God is good!
As I was reading scripture this morning, I came across this story, which I used to read to my boys from children's books:
Luke 19:1-10
Jesus entered Jericho and made his way
through the town. There was a man there
named Zacchaeus. He was one of the most
influential Jews in the Roman tax collecting
business,and he had become very rich. He
tried to get a look at Jesus, but he was too short
to see over the crowds. So he ran ahead and
climbed a sycamore tree beside the road, so he
could watch from there.
When Jesus came by he looked up at Zacchaeus
and called him by name. "Zacchaeus!" he said.
"Quick, come down! For I must be a guest in your
home today."
Zacchaeus quickly climbed down and took Jesus
to his house in great excitement and joy. But the crowds
were displeased." He has gone to be the guest of a
notorious sinner," they grumbled.
Meanwhile, Zacchaeus stood there and said to the Lord,
"I will give half my wealth to the poor, Lord, and if I have
overcharged people on their taxes, I will give them back four
times as much!"
Jesus responded, "Salvation has come to this home today.
For this man has shown himself to be a son of Abraham.
"And I, the Son of Man, have come to seek and save those
like him who are lost."
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
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