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 wet Valentine's Day! As I type this, rain is dripping down from my roof, after a short shower, but since we need the rain, I am happy for it. A good day to reflect on our blessings and the love of friends and family. My seventeen year old grandson's birthday is today. What a special day!
Unfortunately, he is in TN, so I cannot bake a cake for him, but his mom probably will.
My cleaning lady friends came yesterday, and we had a good time catching up. They know all the eating places around, since they have to stop and eat during their day of cleaning houses, so I hear of lots of places I would not know of otherwise. God is good!
From the Promise Bible NLT:
1 Corinthians 13:4
Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful
or proud or rude. Love does not demand its own way.
Love is not irritable, and it keeps no record of when it
has been wronged. It is never glad about injustice, but
rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives
up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures
through every circumstance.
Love will last forever, but prophecy and speaking in
unknown languages and special knowledge will all
disappear. Now we know only a little, and even the gift
of prophecy reveals little. But when the end comes, these
special gifts will all disappear.
It's like this: when I was a child I spoke and thought and
reasoned as a child does, but when I grew up, I put away
childish things. Now we see things imperfectly as in a poor
mirror, but then we will see everything with perfect clarity.
All that I know now is imperfect and incomplete, but then
I will know everything completely, just as God knows me now.
There are three things that will endure--faith, hope and love--and
the greatest of these is Love.
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
Thursday, February 14, 2013
Wednesday, February 13, 2013
Temptation
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 a change in the weather coming, and since I have gotten used to the balmy days we have been having, I don't know if I will like having it much colder! Guess I'll have to take whatever comes, anyway! We are supposed to start getting rain this evening, and then by Sunday, it will be very cold! I am just spoiled.
I was out and about a lot more than usual yesterday, running errands. I started with a haircut at Mari's , which is always a pleasure with my cheerful friend,Then I went to Walgreen's on 4th St. and shopped a cart load of sale items. I have not been a customer of Walgreen's for a long time, because CVS is nearer and all my scrips are filled there, but I must say I am impressed by the service at Walgreen's. Very helpful and friendly associates, while at CVS, you are lucky if someone speaks to you! So, anyway, it was a pleasant experience. Then I drove to Disston shopping plaza and did some business there. That is always a busy place. Yesterday I was there about noon and the smell of pizza was fragrant in the air, making me hungry for a Little Italy pizza!
I managed to make it over to the park, and saw the gator tucked into the shrubs again,but no turtles on the other side. The ibis were moving around the circle pecking and grubbing, and a few people were out and enjoying the beautiful, warm weather. God is good!
From the Promise Bible NLT:
Ash Wednesday
Do I have the power to resist overwhelming temptation?
Matthew 4:5-7 The devil took him to Jerusalem, to the highest point of the
Temple, and said, "IF you are the Son of God, jump off! For the Scriptures say
"He orders his angels to protect you. And they will hold you with their hands
to keep you from striking your foot on a stone." Jesus responded, "The scriptures
also say "Do not test the Lord your God."
James 4:7 Humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil , and he will flee from
you.
The devil can tempt us, but we can resist him just as Jesus did--by responding
to temptation with the truth of God's Word.
1 John 4:4 You belong to God, my dear children. You have already won your fight
with these false prophets, because the Spirit who lives in you is greater than the
spirit who lives in the world.
1 John 5:4,5
Every child of God defeats this evil world by trusting Christ to give the victory. And
the ones who win this battle against the world are the ones who believe that Jesus
is the Son of God.
We can break free from temptation when we change our focus and our minds.
Instead of thinking about our weakness, we can fill our minds with the promise of
God's strength. In Christ we have power. We must never forget that the Holy Spirit
is great enough to overcome any threat against us.
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 a lot more than usual yesterday, running errands. I started with a haircut at Mari's , which is always a pleasure with my cheerful friend,Then I went to Walgreen's on 4th St. and shopped a cart load of sale items. I have not been a customer of Walgreen's for a long time, because CVS is nearer and all my scrips are filled there, but I must say I am impressed by the service at Walgreen's. Very helpful and friendly associates, while at CVS, you are lucky if someone speaks to you! So, anyway, it was a pleasant experience. Then I drove to Disston shopping plaza and did some business there. That is always a busy place. Yesterday I was there about noon and the smell of pizza was fragrant in the air, making me hungry for a Little Italy pizza!
I managed to make it over to the park, and saw the gator tucked into the shrubs again,but no turtles on the other side. The ibis were moving around the circle pecking and grubbing, and a few people were out and enjoying the beautiful, warm weather. God is good!
From the Promise Bible NLT:
Ash Wednesday
Do I have the power to resist overwhelming temptation?
Matthew 4:5-7 The devil took him to Jerusalem, to the highest point of the
Temple, and said, "IF you are the Son of God, jump off! For the Scriptures say
"He orders his angels to protect you. And they will hold you with their hands
to keep you from striking your foot on a stone." Jesus responded, "The scriptures
also say "Do not test the Lord your God."
James 4:7 Humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil , and he will flee from
you.
The devil can tempt us, but we can resist him just as Jesus did--by responding
to temptation with the truth of God's Word.
1 John 4:4 You belong to God, my dear children. You have already won your fight
with these false prophets, because the Spirit who lives in you is greater than the
spirit who lives in the world.
1 John 5:4,5
Every child of God defeats this evil world by trusting Christ to give the victory. And
the ones who win this battle against the world are the ones who believe that Jesus
is the Son of God.
We can break free from temptation when we change our focus and our minds.
Instead of thinking about our weakness, we can fill our minds with the promise of
God's strength. In Christ we have power. We must never forget that the Holy Spirit
is great enough to overcome any threat against us.
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs.
Amaryllis
Tuesday, February 12, 2013
Hebrews
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 kinda overcast this morning, but that may be fog that has not burned off, yet. I must have gotten up about twenty minutes earlier than I thought, because my bedside clock has one time on it and the clocks on the other side of the bed have a different time. My PC says 9:39m but my clock says 10:02. Hmm, something is wrong with my clock. It is only about forty years old...a clock, radio, telephone. I bought it from Penney's when the old Pinellas Park Mall was still standing. Sigh. Some changes are good.
Yesterday I ran some errands and ended up at the park, looking for a little peace. I saw a flock of ibis pecking around a picnic table where a man was peacefully enjoying his lunch. The ibis were not looking for handouts; in fact, they were only passing by on their never ending quest to find grubs. The canal was so peaceful and calm, reflecting the trees along side it. Since school was just getting out, there were not too many people, yet.
I was watching the leaves falling, as I was having my devotions this morning, and, since I have not swept the porch off yet, it is getting more and more leaves. But that's okay, because there will be a lot more on it by this afternoon. My azaleas are much prettier this year than I expected, and the old bush in the backyard is just gorgeous, with beautiful deep pink flowers! God is good!
From the Promise Bible NLT:
Hebrews 6:7-12
When the ground soaks up the rain that falls
on it and bears a good crop for the farmer, it has
the blessing of God. But if a field bears thistles and
thorns, it is useless. The farmer will condemn that field
and burn it.
Dear friends, even though we are talking like this,
we really don't believe that it applies to you. We are
confident that you are meant for better things, things
that come with salvation. For God is not unfair. He will
not forget how hard you have worked for him and how
you have shown your love to him by caring for other
Christians, as you still do. Our great desire is that you will
keep right on loving others as long as life lasts, in order
to make certain that what you hope for will come true.
Then you will not become spiritually dull and indifferent.
Instead, you will follow the example of those who are
going to inherit God's promises because of their faith
and patience.
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
Yesterday I ran some errands and ended up at the park, looking for a little peace. I saw a flock of ibis pecking around a picnic table where a man was peacefully enjoying his lunch. The ibis were not looking for handouts; in fact, they were only passing by on their never ending quest to find grubs. The canal was so peaceful and calm, reflecting the trees along side it. Since school was just getting out, there were not too many people, yet.
I was watching the leaves falling, as I was having my devotions this morning, and, since I have not swept the porch off yet, it is getting more and more leaves. But that's okay, because there will be a lot more on it by this afternoon. My azaleas are much prettier this year than I expected, and the old bush in the backyard is just gorgeous, with beautiful deep pink flowers! God is good!
From the Promise Bible NLT:
Hebrews 6:7-12
When the ground soaks up the rain that falls
on it and bears a good crop for the farmer, it has
the blessing of God. But if a field bears thistles and
thorns, it is useless. The farmer will condemn that field
and burn it.
Dear friends, even though we are talking like this,
we really don't believe that it applies to you. We are
confident that you are meant for better things, things
that come with salvation. For God is not unfair. He will
not forget how hard you have worked for him and how
you have shown your love to him by caring for other
Christians, as you still do. Our great desire is that you will
keep right on loving others as long as life lasts, in order
to make certain that what you hope for will come true.
Then you will not become spiritually dull and indifferent.
Instead, you will follow the example of those who are
going to inherit God's promises because of their faith
and patience.
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
Monday, February 11, 2013
Living in the Light
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! Lots of sun, cool breezes and a few clouds are a good way to start a Monday! The same weather we have had and the same weather for a couple days in the future! We are blessed! I have seen photos of the snow in the NE and read on Facebook experiences of people living through the blizzard. I have to say that I am so glad I live in Florida!
We had a powerful service at church yesterday, which is still running through my mind, so I am remembering my sins and repenting. Does me good and, hopefully, I will not repeat. After church, I went to Boston Market for my lunch and was very pleased that they have squash casserole back on the menu. That is one of my favorites! I went to the park and saw lots of people enjoying the good weather and a beautiful white egret standing on the far bank of the canal , looking like a Florida painting. Someone had taken time to blow the leaves off the road, which was covered the other day. My porch was blown clean a couple days ago, but now has a windrow of leaves on it again. I made the mistake of parking under the oak trees at church yesterday, and as a result, my van was covered with the seeds and dust. Guess I learned my lesson! But God is good!
From the Promise Bible NLT:
1 John 1:5-10 2 John 1-3
This is the message he has given us to announce
to you. God is light and there is no darkness in him
at all. So we are lying if we say we have fellowship
with God but go on living in spiritual darkness. We are
not living in the Truth. But if we are living in the light
we have fellowship with each other, and the blood
of Jesus, his Son, cleanses us from every sin.
If we say we have no sin, we are only fooling ourselves and
refusing to accept the truth. But if we confess our sins
to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us and to cleanse
us from every wrong. IF we claim we have not sinned,
we are calling God a liar and showing that his word
has no place in our hearts.
My dear children, I am writing this to you so that you
will not sin. But if you do sin, there is someone to
plead for you before the Father. He is Jesus Christ, the
one who pleases God completely. He is the sacrifice for
our sins. He takes away not only our sins, but the sins
of all the world.
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
We had a powerful service at church yesterday, which is still running through my mind, so I am remembering my sins and repenting. Does me good and, hopefully, I will not repeat. After church, I went to Boston Market for my lunch and was very pleased that they have squash casserole back on the menu. That is one of my favorites! I went to the park and saw lots of people enjoying the good weather and a beautiful white egret standing on the far bank of the canal , looking like a Florida painting. Someone had taken time to blow the leaves off the road, which was covered the other day. My porch was blown clean a couple days ago, but now has a windrow of leaves on it again. I made the mistake of parking under the oak trees at church yesterday, and as a result, my van was covered with the seeds and dust. Guess I learned my lesson! But God is good!
From the Promise Bible NLT:
1 John 1:5-10 2 John 1-3
This is the message he has given us to announce
to you. God is light and there is no darkness in him
at all. So we are lying if we say we have fellowship
with God but go on living in spiritual darkness. We are
not living in the Truth. But if we are living in the light
we have fellowship with each other, and the blood
of Jesus, his Son, cleanses us from every sin.
If we say we have no sin, we are only fooling ourselves and
refusing to accept the truth. But if we confess our sins
to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us and to cleanse
us from every wrong. IF we claim we have not sinned,
we are calling God a liar and showing that his word
has no place in our hearts.
My dear children, I am writing this to you so that you
will not sin. But if you do sin, there is someone to
plead for you before the Father. He is Jesus Christ, the
one who pleases God completely. He is the sacrifice for
our sins. He takes away not only our sins, but the sins
of all the world.
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
Friday, February 8, 2013
Encouragement
Good Morning, Dear Friends and Prayer Partners! This is the the day that the Lord has made and we will rejoice and be glad in it! What a beautiful blue sky we have this morning after the sprinkles and then thunder and rain last night! Yes, we finally got some much needed rain! I went to bed with thunder rumbling in the distance and it was such a comfort. I like the sound of thunder!
Well, I had a good breakfast of pumpkin Eggos with strawberries and bananas. Yum!
I had my yard man and pest control guy here at the same time yesterday morning. I had asked Steve, the pest control guy, if he could install some new florescent lights in the bathroom for me, and he was very obliging to do it. They were fluttering and just about to drive me crazy every time I turned them on. I started out with Steve, the grandfather, many years ago, then Steve, the son, took over the business, and now Steve, the grandson, is doing the work. I am blessed to have people to do the work I need to have done.
My friend, Carole, sent me an email with a photo of another tabebuia tree, this time yellow, so I looked them up and there are about three colors of blossoms, all just lovely. I have no idea why I have not noticed them before!
I drove over to the park and saw a lot of people out before the rain, although the wind was really blowing. I saw a lovely, great white heron in the canal, and the gopher was plopped beside his hole, while a man and his dog walked very near to him. The black turtles were flattened against the bank of the weir again, enjoying the sun. God is good!
From the Promise Bible NLT:
What do I do when I feel overwhelmed?
Leviticus 26:8 Five of you will chase a hundred, and a hundred of you will chase
ten thousand! All your enemies will fall beneath the blows of your weapons.
Joshua 23:10 Each one of you will put to flight a thousand of the enemy, for the Lord
your God fights for you, just as he has promised.
Be encouraged that the power of God is for us, regardless of the number of enemies
against us. God used David to overcome Goliath, Gideons' three hundred soldiers
to defeat the armies of Midian, and one hundred and twenty disciples to establish
the church in Acts. He joys when working through our weaknesses and limitations.
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
Well, I had a good breakfast of pumpkin Eggos with strawberries and bananas. Yum!
I had my yard man and pest control guy here at the same time yesterday morning. I had asked Steve, the pest control guy, if he could install some new florescent lights in the bathroom for me, and he was very obliging to do it. They were fluttering and just about to drive me crazy every time I turned them on. I started out with Steve, the grandfather, many years ago, then Steve, the son, took over the business, and now Steve, the grandson, is doing the work. I am blessed to have people to do the work I need to have done.
My friend, Carole, sent me an email with a photo of another tabebuia tree, this time yellow, so I looked them up and there are about three colors of blossoms, all just lovely. I have no idea why I have not noticed them before!
I drove over to the park and saw a lot of people out before the rain, although the wind was really blowing. I saw a lovely, great white heron in the canal, and the gopher was plopped beside his hole, while a man and his dog walked very near to him. The black turtles were flattened against the bank of the weir again, enjoying the sun. God is good!
From the Promise Bible NLT:
What do I do when I feel overwhelmed?
Leviticus 26:8 Five of you will chase a hundred, and a hundred of you will chase
ten thousand! All your enemies will fall beneath the blows of your weapons.
Joshua 23:10 Each one of you will put to flight a thousand of the enemy, for the Lord
your God fights for you, just as he has promised.
Be encouraged that the power of God is for us, regardless of the number of enemies
against us. God used David to overcome Goliath, Gideons' three hundred soldiers
to defeat the armies of Midian, and one hundred and twenty disciples to establish
the church in Acts. He joys when working through our weaknesses and limitations.
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
Wednesday, February 6, 2013
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! My day started out right in a glorious sight of the sunrise! Pink clouds scattered over the eastern sky. God's paintbrush at work again! There are a lot more clouds this morning and a prediction of maybe some rain in a couple days. Hoping...
After a good report from my doctor yesterday and the results of my lab work, with some complimentary remarks about my appearance considering my great age, I took a ride down Coffee Pot Blvd. to look at the gorgeous pink trumpet tree that many friends have told me about. They did not exaggerate! It is the only one I have ever seen and it is really beautiful!. Then I made my way back to the Park and saw the gator tucked against the brush next to the flat space that he usually suns in. A cluster of turtles were sunning against the bank of the weir again, and as I drove on to the circle, I saw many people out enjoying the beautiful day. Just perfect!
Next I went to the library where I turned in five books and checked out five more, including two Nickolas Sparks books. I have only a few pages to go in The Notebook, but can't keep my eyes dry reading it! What a way he has with words! That is why I am late this morning. I was reading while eating breakfast.
On my way to the library, I drove around Lynch Lake and saw on one side, a flock of tired looking ibis, resting and on the other side a large flock of seagulls resting. So, birds do get tired of looking for food all the time and they do have to take five! But God is good!
From the Promise Bible NLT:
1 Thessalonians 5:14-19
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 Jesus.
Do not stifle the Holy Spirit. Do not scoff at prophesies, but
test everything that is said. Hold on to what is good Keep
away from every kind of evil.
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
love and hugs,
Amaryllis
After a good report from my doctor yesterday and the results of my lab work, with some complimentary remarks about my appearance considering my great age, I took a ride down Coffee Pot Blvd. to look at the gorgeous pink trumpet tree that many friends have told me about. They did not exaggerate! It is the only one I have ever seen and it is really beautiful!. Then I made my way back to the Park and saw the gator tucked against the brush next to the flat space that he usually suns in. A cluster of turtles were sunning against the bank of the weir again, and as I drove on to the circle, I saw many people out enjoying the beautiful day. Just perfect!
Next I went to the library where I turned in five books and checked out five more, including two Nickolas Sparks books. I have only a few pages to go in The Notebook, but can't keep my eyes dry reading it! What a way he has with words! That is why I am late this morning. I was reading while eating breakfast.
On my way to the library, I drove around Lynch Lake and saw on one side, a flock of tired looking ibis, resting and on the other side a large flock of seagulls resting. So, birds do get tired of looking for food all the time and they do have to take five! But God is good!
From the Promise Bible NLT:
1 Thessalonians 5:14-19
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 Jesus.
Do not stifle the Holy Spirit. Do not scoff at prophesies, but
test everything that is said. Hold on to what is good Keep
away from every kind of evil.
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
love and hugs,
Amaryllis
Tuesday, February 5, 2013
Greetings from Paul
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 have been looking at the sky lately when I have been outside and really enjoy the different cloud formations. The high, wispy, feather like, flatness some days and one day I saw a very high contrail so high it was breath taking! Apparently, the winds have been very strong way up. Could that be the jet stream?
BTW, today is National Weathermen's Day. They probably know all the answers to questions about cloud formations.
I am currently reading the book, Safe Harbor, due out as a movie this month, and it is a very good read. This is the first book of Nicolas Spark's that I have read, but I will look for more in the library. Trouble is, when I get started on a book, it is hard for me to put it down, so not much else gets done. Oh, well, tomorrow is another day....
I went to the Park yesterday and did not see many people, but there were plenty of squirrels out, and as many leaves as I have in my yard, are falling and have fallen. I did not see the gator, but the turtles were plastered against the bank of the weir. Also, the usual ibis were missing , but lots of people at picnic tables and runners were about. God is good!
From the Promise Bible NLT:
Colossians 1:9-14
So we have continued praying for you ever since we first heard
about you. We ask God to give you a complete understanding of what he
wants to do in your lives, and we ask him to make you wise with
spiritual wisdom. Then the way you live will always honor and please
the Lord, and you will continually do good, kind things for others. All the while
you will learn to know God better and better.
We also pray that you will be strengthened with his glorious power so that
you will have all the patience and endurance you need. May you be filled
with joy, always thanking the Father, who has enables you to share the
inheritance that belongs to God's holy people, who live in the light. For he
has rescued us from the one who rules in the kingdom of darkness and
he has brought us into the Kingdom of his dear Son. God has purchased
our freedom with his blood and has forgiven all our sins.
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
BTW, today is National Weathermen's Day. They probably know all the answers to questions about cloud formations.
I am currently reading the book, Safe Harbor, due out as a movie this month, and it is a very good read. This is the first book of Nicolas Spark's that I have read, but I will look for more in the library. Trouble is, when I get started on a book, it is hard for me to put it down, so not much else gets done. Oh, well, tomorrow is another day....
I went to the Park yesterday and did not see many people, but there were plenty of squirrels out, and as many leaves as I have in my yard, are falling and have fallen. I did not see the gator, but the turtles were plastered against the bank of the weir. Also, the usual ibis were missing , but lots of people at picnic tables and runners were about. God is good!
From the Promise Bible NLT:
Colossians 1:9-14
So we have continued praying for you ever since we first heard
about you. We ask God to give you a complete understanding of what he
wants to do in your lives, and we ask him to make you wise with
spiritual wisdom. Then the way you live will always honor and please
the Lord, and you will continually do good, kind things for others. All the while
you will learn to know God better and better.
We also pray that you will be strengthened with his glorious power so that
you will have all the patience and endurance you need. May you be filled
with joy, always thanking the Father, who has enables you to share the
inheritance that belongs to God's holy people, who live in the light. For he
has rescued us from the one who rules in the kingdom of darkness and
he has brought us into the Kingdom of his dear Son. God has purchased
our freedom with his blood and has forgiven all our sins.
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
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