Planning

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 sun is shining now, but the sky was overcast a few minutes ago and water is still dripping off the roof. So I don't know whether it is from the rain last night or if we had a shower early this morning, We had a thunderstorm last night again, in this area , but it was not raining downtown, so it is still scattered thunderstorms in the forecast!

My cleaning ladies came much earlier yesterday than they had planned, so it was good to see them. I always catch up on where they have lunch. They check out all the sandwich shops, but did not know that Earl of Sandwich was open on 4th St. so I will let them check it out before I go. I showed them the group photo of all the graduates who attended the reunion last Friday and they thought everyone looked pretty good considering our advanced years.

I have what I think is a dead anole in my bathroom. He has been there for about three days, and was scooting around the room. I told him he better not come into the bedroom or be in the middle of the floor if I had to get up in the night. But now he has been in the same position for several hours and I think it is curtains for him R. I. P. anole!

I made my way to Wendy's later for a baked potato and Strawberry Fields salad. The potato I ate for my supper and I will have the salad for lunch today.  It was worth going through the construction, (destruction) going on at 83rd and 9th St.  Looks like that will going on for a good long while!

Then I took a trip to the Park and saw a feathery egret and one in the canal. I also saw three ospreys sitting on a wire at Lynch Lake Park. God is good!

From the Promise Bible NLT:

How Am I supposed to plan my life?

Proverbs 2:1-11
My child, listen to me and treasure my instructions. Tune your
ears to wisdom, and concentrate on understanding. Cry out for
insight and understanding. Search for them as you would for
lost money or hidden treasure. Then you will understand what
it means to fear the Lord, and you will gain knowledge of God.
For the Lord grants wisdom! From his mouth come knowledge
 and understanding . He grants a treasure of good sense to the
godly. He is their shield, protecting  those who walk with integrity.
He guards the paths of justice and protects those who are faithful
to him. Then you will understand what is right, just and fair and
you will know the right course of action every time. For wisdom
will enter your heart, and knowledge will fill you with joy. Wise
planning will watch over you. Understanding will keep you safe.
A plan is only as good as the information upon which it's based. Our
human intellect is limited and inadequate. Apart from the Lord, our
plans are liable to fail. The Lord promises wisdom to those who rely
on his Word and depend on his spirit.

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

Love and hugs,
 Amaryllis

Greetings from James

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 see sun and a dark cloud outside my window, so instead of the late shower we had last night, we may have an early one today. Which is fine with me, because I have laundry to do later, and don't need to go out.

Well, I called the plumber yesterday to unclog my shower, and he did a great job! The problem now is, since the tiny plastic plugs have been removed, the water comes out so forcefully that before I can rinse off, I am standing in a couple inches of water! I may have to call him back!

My cleaning ladies are not due until later this afternoon, so perhaps I can do grocery shopping before they come. I took a trip to the library and got an armload of books, then stopped and got iced tea since yesterday was National Iced Tea day.

Afterwards I drove to the peaceful park and saw that the canal was still half full with water and I could only see one egret in it! But God is good!

From the Promise Bible NLT:

James 1:2
Dear brothers and sisters, whenever trouble comes your way, let it be an opportunity
for joy. For when your faith is tested, 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....

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

Psoaring thru Psalms

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!  Just like yesterday, we have sun and a little breeze, but we had a fierce thunderstorm in the afternoon!

My handyman, Rick, was power washing the house when the storm came up, and he did not stop. By the time he got to the driveway, the rain was slanting because the wind was blowing so strongly. I was afraid he was going to get hit by lightning, but he kept on working and was soaking wet! He said it didn't bother him, but it bothered me to see him in the rain.  I must say the house looks really good, now. Dirt and cobwebs gone..looks almost like a new paint job.

Before Rick started on the house I had him work on my shower, which only had a trickle coming out of the hose. He discovered it was stopped up with residue from hard water, and this morning I was able to enjoy a full stream of water, but then suddenly it stopped, and now, hardly any water is coming out. So I called Rick, but he is out at the beaches today, so I called the plumber and hopefully he will be able to fix it permanently!

After Rick left, I did some shopping, and stopped at the Park to see more water in the canal, and a few people enjoying the aftermath of the rain Just a few ibis were around and, of course, the squirrels. I guess they just get in the trees and hang on during a strong storm! Just like the ones in my trees! But, as always, God is good!

From the Promise Bible NLT:

Psalm 57:7
My heart is confident in you, O God;
no wonder I can sing your praises!
Wake up, my soul!
Wake up, O harp and lyre!
I will waken the dawn with my song!
I will thank you, Lord, in front of all the people.
I will sing your praises among the nations.
For your unfailing love is as high as the heavens.
Your faithfulness reaches to the clouds.

Be exalted, O God, above the highest heavens.
May your glory shine over all the earth.

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

Love and hugs,
 Amaryllis

Roamin' thru Romans

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 days seem to be all the same lately...sunshine, heat and breezes, but the car gets so hot when parked in the sun for any length of time! Summer is here!

Seems like each time I think I have a free week in front of me, God has other plans. I look at my calendar and see blanks, but before I know it, activities pop up and off I go!

Some of you may have read the article in the TBT about the reunion of the class of "44 from SPHS. Well, that was my graduating class! It was historic, because we graduated the evening before D Day, when the world, as we knew it, changed. I had invited Brian as my guest at the St. Petersburg Yacht Club, so he was able to take time off work to pick me up and take me there.

There were a surprising group. larger than I had thought, and even though there were walkers, canes and wheelchairs, we all had a good time seeing old friends. Lots of pictures were taken by a pro photographer, the daughter of one of our classmates. I have not seen mine yet, but the class picture taken of all of us, turned out pretty good! I was one of the "younger" ones since I graduated when I was 17. Ah, Memories...

We had a good lively church service yesterday, with all the youth leading, including worship, singing, playing instruments and giving testimonies. Since the service ran over time, the pastor said he would hold his sermon for another time. I stayed afterward talking to Drew and Tim about iphones and how to send pics. Very helpful, but I still don't know how. Sigh.

Well, I drove to the park later on in the afternoon, after returning books to the library book drop, and saw quite a number of people there. The roseate spoonbill was there pecking away in the grassy bottom of the canal. and squirrels were zipping all around. Speaking of wild animals; I had gone to Boston Market for my dinner, and a beautiful egret was hanging around the drive thru window looking for a handout. When I was ready to go, I saw Victoria Egret's head right in front of the van. so I had to slowly keep rolling toward her, so she would keep backing up. she finally took off in the air! God is good!

From the Promise Bible NLT:

Romans 8: 35-39

Can anything ever separate us from Christ's love? Does it mean he no longer
loves us if we have trouble  or calamity, or are persecuted, or are hungry or cold
or in danger or threatened with death?( Even the scriptures say, "For your sake
we are killed every day ; we are slaughtered  like sheep." ) No, despite all these
things overwhelming victory is ours through Christ who loved us.
And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from his love. Death can't
 and life can't. The angels can't and the demons can't. Our fears for today ; our
worries about tomorrow, and even the powers of hell can't keep God's love away.
Whether  we are high above the sky or in the deepest ocean , nothing in all
creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed
 in Christ Jesus our Lord.

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

Love and hugs,
 Amaryllis

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! Lots of sunshine and not much chance of rain, and even the air is still right now, without a breeze. It will be a hot one later on, like yesterday.

Speaking of yesterday, I made it a point to be at the Lab for work early, so did not get time to send my usual blog. I walked in the door at Quest and saw a friend from church standing at the counter, so had a chance to speak with her for a few minutes. I had not made an appointment, but did not have a very long wait. Afterwards, I went over to MacDonalds for a very salty cheese, bacon, and egg biscuit. That is probably the first meal I have bought there in a few years. They are not my favorite fast food place. However, I could hardly wait to get home for my cup of tea!

Cheryl had called to say she was cleaning by herself, so she came at 10, and I did not even have time to clean up my few dishes, which she was happy to do herself. I had no energy after giving about 5 0r 6 vials of blood, so I just sat and vegetated while she was here.

I felt much revived  after lunch and drove on down to the cleaners to pick up my Amish quilt, and then visited the park on the way back home. It was very quiet, few people and cars, and peaceful and calm. I saw the tan gopher tortoise and egrets and herons in the canal. And, BTW, I have an amaryllis blooming!! They bloom around Christmas, and this is the first time I have ever had one bloom in June! God is good!

From the Promise Bible  NLT:

1 Thessalonians 5:12-19

Dear brothers 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.

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

Love and hugs,
 Amaryllis

Psoaring thru Psalms

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 had no rain yesterday, and even though it is overcast this morning, I don't think rain is in the forecast . It is still very warm, though.

I noticed from my window there are some tiny, crazy looking bugs that fly dizzyingly around and around in circles, just in front of the hedge. I don't know what purpose they serve, but, just like mosquitoes, God must have had a reason for them. Maybe they are food for some larger critter.

Well, I drove out to Walmart yesterday to gas up the van, and was pleased to see gas prices have dropped lately! The gas pumps were not very busy, so I picked a good time to go. I stopped in at the park, on my way, of course, and enjoyed the peace, deep shade and ibis, one turtle basking in the sun on the weir, egrets and herons in the canal, but did not see and roseate spoonbills. But, anyway, God is always Good!

From the Promise Bible NLT:

Psalm 92:1-4,  12-15

It is good to give thanks to the Lord,
to sing praises to the Most High.
It is good to proclaim your unfailing love
in the morning, your faithfulness in the evening
accompanied by the harp and lyre.
You thrill me, Lord, with all you have done for me!
I sing for joy because of what you have done!

But the godly will flourish like palm trees,
that grow like the cedars of Lebanon
for they are transplanted into the Lord's own house.
They flourish in the courts of our God.
Even in old age they will still produce fruit
They will remain vital and green.

They will declare, "The Lord is just!
He is my rock!
There is nothing but goodness in him!"

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

Love and hugs,
Amaryllis

Evening and Morning

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 had such a nice, long rain last night that should last us for a couple days. I was hoping it would still be raining when I went to bed, because I always like to sleep with the rain falling softly outside. But, it had quit just a little while before, but the rain was a blessing, anyway. Today is already cloudy, so maybe we will have a little more rain today!

We had our combined  worship service yesterday, which means one service for the rest of the summer. It was good to see people that have been coming to the first service, since I always attend the second.

I was so blessed by the greeting I received yesterday...Michael came out to where I parked to meet me, and as soon as I walked through the door, Dan was there to lend me his elbow and escort me to the seats. I felt so special! I still don't know why the special treatment, but I'll take it any day!

We had brunch afterward, honoring Marilou and Debbie for their 25 and 20 years of service to the church and once again, I was assisted with my plate. There were some amusing videos from the former pastors mentioning different things that happened during their tenures with FCC and the "church ladies".  Good singing, good preaching, Holy Communion. and good fellowship!  God is good!

From the Devotional Quiet Moments with God:

There was evening and there was morning---the first day.
Genesis 1:5

In the Book of Genesis, each day of creation is concluded with the
phrase, "and there was evening, and there was morning."

From the Hebrew perspective, the day begins at evening, specifically
with the setting of the sun How unlike our Western tradition, where
we start our days at the crack of dawn and consider night to be the end
of a long day!

What does it mean for the day to begin at evening?

For Hebrew people through the centuries, the transition from afternoon
to evening has been marked by prayer. Evening prayer is a Jewish custom.
After prayer, families then gather together for a meal.

The most holy day of the week, the Sabbath, begins with the lighting of
candles and a proclamation of faith, then a more formal family dinner.
After the evening  meal, Jewish families traditionally gather together
to read God's Word and discuss how His laws apply to their lives. The
evening ends in rest...

Consider the priorities evidenced by their way of life:

1. They focus on prayer and their relationship with God.
2.  The emphasize family life.
3. They study the scripture daily, making God's word the
     last thought of the day.
4. They rest and sleep.

It was only after a Hebrew talked with God, enjoyed the love and fellowship
of family, studied the Scriptures, and rested, that work was undertaken!

What would happen in your life if you adopted this strategy for your evening
hours?

Is it possible you would find yourself more renewed and refreshed, more
energetic and healthy, more creative and productive?

might the priorities you desire in your life become a reality?

Why not give it a try? Begin your next day in the evening, and wake up
knowing you're totally refreshed===spirit , soul and body---to have a full and
productive day!

Today is the tomorrow you worried about yesterday and all is well.
               - Unknown

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

Love and hugs,
 Amaryllis