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! We had some rain last night. I could tell because the porch was wet this morning. Right now it is overcast, but I didn't think there would be any rain according to the forecast, but maybe this is our "cold front" that was predicted yesterday, Smile.

Yesterday, after I washed a load of towels, I purposed to go to Publix and get some much needed groceries. I only shop about every two weeks, so I am usually out of stuff by then. My list was not so long, but I still had a lot of bags by the time I was through. I usually take my cloth bags and insulated bag in because it saves having all those plastic ones. Anyway, it was a good time to go, because there were not many people shopping, but my goodness, when I got out of the van, it was HOT! The sun was beating down, and by the time I got home and got the groceries unloaded, I was perspiring a little!

Before I went for groceries, I had driven to Walmart for gas and was happy and surprised to see the price was 3.19 per gal. With my card, it was 3.14. Daryl says it is 3.09 in Cleveland, TN, but we never get down that low.

I have seen some unusual butterflies flitting by my window this week. Yesterday, a small black and white striped one fluttered by , but I don't know the name. And there is a gorgeous purple blossoming tree a couple houses north of me, but I don't know the name of it, either. But, God is good to put all that beauty out and my eyes for me to see!

From the Promise Bible NLT:

Romans 15:7-9 15:13

So accept each other just as Christ has accepted
you; then God will be glorified. Remember that
Christ came as a servant to the Jews to show that
God is true to the promises he made to their
ancestors. And he came so the Gentiles might also give
glory to God for his mercies to them. That is what
the psalmist meant when he wrote.

"I will praise you among the Gentiles;
I will sing praises to your name."

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

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

Love and hugs,
 Amaryllis

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!  Heat, humidity, but no rain was the story yesterday, and might be the same today. It's hard to believe this is almost the end of July, which means only three months until cool weather! Yay!

I stayed home from church yesterday, because I had not slept for more than an hour for two nights, and was very tired. The reason I was awake so much, was my right foot. Occasionally, I get painful twinges every few seconds in one foot or the other, and it is impossible to sleep with that going on. So I got up and read until 4 AM one morning, and fiddled around on the computer the next night, after massaging my foot for several minutes, which did not seem to do any good. I have talked to a couple doctors about it, but they don't seem to have an explanation. Sigh. But at last, I got a good night's sleep last night and the foot is okay!

The only time I went out was to the Park for a few minutes, but saw a roseate spoonbill, and flock of ibis, pecking around the first entrance bridge. So 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 are in danger or threatened with death?( Even the
scriptures say , "For your sake we are killed every day;
we are being 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

Glory

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! Rain has finally started dripping off the roof, and thunder is still rumbling in the distance, so no sunshine right now, but there was earlier and will be again, I'm sure. Then it will be so humid it will be like a sauna!

Yesterday was a big day for my sister, Marilyn. We celebrated her 90th birthday by having lunch at Cracker Barrel with nieces and our sister-in-law. It was a fun, catching up time, with family news passed around. We all live in Pinellas County, but, unfortunately, seldom get together like we should. Phones, emails and Facebook have taken us all over, but personal contact is, and always will be, the best!

The rain started really coming down just about fifteen minutes before I left for the lunch, but by the time I arrived, it was just sprinkling a little bit, so I did not even need an umbrella. The restaurant was not crowded, so we were able to hear each other talk; and there was a lot of it!

After I left, I stopped at Audibel and bought some more batteries, then visited the park, to find all was quiet, with no animals and not many people present. But I always appreciate that this place of peace is so close to home. God is good!

From the Promise Bible NLT:

2 Corinthians 3:16-18

But whenever anyone turns to the Lord
then the veil is taken away. Now the Lord is
the Spirit, and wherever the Spirit of the Lord
is, he gives freedom. And all of us have had
that veil removed so that we can be mirrors
that brightly reflect the glory of the Lord.
And as the Spirit of the Lord works within
us, we become more and more like him and
reflect his glory  even more.

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! Another in the string of ditto days. Sunshine, puffy white clouds and maybe a chance of rain later on. Hot and humid, but nice.

When I stuck my head out the front door this morning, I saw mama duck and all seven, (I think) of her babies busy around the front yard. She was next door, snuggling in the tall grass that the neighbor doesn't cut very often, when I came home yesterday afternoon. Those little fuzz balls have an amazing amount of energy to follow her for what seems like miles all day long. I know they settle down for a few minutes at different times, but for the most part, they are on the move!

Today is my sister's 90th birthday, and her daughter is picking me up, so we can celebrate at Cracker Barrel, which is where she wants to go. That is quite a milestone these days when it seems we are all living longer. We are blessed with fairly good health for our ages! Praise God! I filled out a questionaire at the doctor's office the other day, to see if I suffered from depression. I had a zero all the way down, because I am never depressed. As long as I let God take control, I am joyful! God is good!

From the Promise Bible NLT:

Psalm 32:8-11

The Lord says, " I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you. Do not be like a senseless horse or mule that needs a bit and bridle to keep it under control.

Many sorrows come to the wicked, but unfailing love surrounds those who trust in the Lord. So rejoice in the Lord and be glad, all you who obey him! Shout for joy, all who hearts are pure!

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

Love and hugs,
 Amaryllis

A Prayer of Praise

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! More sunshine and white clouds this morning which looks just like yesterday,

I had a doctor's appointment yesterday and drove in the very hot sun, thankful for my A/C in the van. I only had a short wait, but when the doc came in, he was in a talkative mood and spent the next thirty minutes talking about his wife's parents and what they went through before they passed away and how bad he felt about the situation. He likes to talk with me, and always thanks me for the chat when he finishes. He also covered all my results from lab work and a couple minor issues I had been having. He seems to be amazed at the state of my health considering my age, but I am thankful for still being able to get around! I told him only God knew when it would be time to go!

It was starting to sprinkle when I left the office, and so I got into some heavier rain before I got home. But I made a trip to the park and felt the quietness that comes with a shower. A few ibis were snacking in the canal, which is really overgrown, and the tortoise was being photographed by a professional. I had to chuckle, because the gopher tortoise had his head raised and was posing! God is good

From the Promise Bible NLT:

Jude 24, 25

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

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 quite a shower yesterday after lunch, which lasted for about thirty minutes, and I guess the same thing will happen today. But right now the sun is shining and the humidity is rising!

After the rain, I went shopping for a bit, and then took a trip to the park. More people were there, but with puddles all around, it was a bit too humid for my taste. The rain cools while it is coming down, but when the sun comes out, it steams!

I am fascinated by the yellow and black butterflies that keep flying by my window. They must be visiting the beauty berry bush in the back yard. I don't know any but the swallowtail, but they are so beautiful! And yesterday, I saw the black snake that hangs around, slithering toward the neighbor's yard. Even though the yard men had already been working, it didn't bother him! God is good!

From the Promise Bible NLT:

Psalm 46:1-3

God is our refuge and strength,
always ready to help in times of trouble.
So we will not fear, even if earthquakes come
and the mountains crumble into the sea.
Let the oceans roar and foam.
Let the mountains tremble as the waves
surge....

The Lord Almighty is here among us,
the God of Israel is our fortress.

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

Love and hugs,
 Amaryllis

The Final Judgment

Good Morning, Dear Friends and Prayer Partners! This is the day that the Lord has made and we will be glad and rejoice in it! We had a nice, hot dry weekend and today looks like the same. Even though showers are predicted for each day, they are usually scattered, which means parts of the area are never wet.

There was a large number of people at church yesterday, and among them, was Pastor Jeff Burton! I was so glad to see him and honored that he chose to sit beside me. We had the opportunity to chat a little bit and catch up, marveling at the number of young people who have grown up and become parents, while the parents have become grandparents! I remarked about this and he said, he used to be the Youth Pastor for some! That made us both feel old!

Saturday, Brian came over and cleared up my checkbook and visited for awhile and then we had lunch at Earl of Sandwich. First time for me, and the food is pretty good. It was really crowded, but we managed to find a table and enjoyed our time people watching!

After church I stopped for my dinner at Boston Market and then visited the Park, which was fairly crowded. I saw a very large wood stork in the middle of the water in the canal. I think it is the first time I have seen one there. Also, a large flock of ibis, and an anhinga. People strolling and dog walkers with their pooches; all enjoying the beauty and peacefulness of God's beauty. God is good!

From the Promise Bible NLT:

Matthew 25:31-40

But when the Son of Man comes in his glory,
and all the angels with him, then he will sit upon
his glorious throne. All the nations will be gathered
in his presence, and he will separate them as a shepherd
separates the sheep from the goats. He will place the
sheep at his right hand and the goats at his left.. Then
the King will say to those on the right, "Come, you who
are blessed by my Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared
for you from the foundation of the world. For I was
hungry, and you fed me. I was thirsty, and you gave me
a drink. I was a stranger, and you invited me into your
home. I was sick, and you cared for me. I was in prison, and
you visited me."

Then these righteous ones will reply, "Lord, when did we ever
see you hungry and feed you? Or thirsty and give you something
to drink? Or naked and give you clothing? When did we
ever see you sick or in prison and visit you?" And the King
will tell them, "I assure you, when you did it to one of the
least of these my brothers and sisters," you were doing it to me!"

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

Love and hugs,
Amaryllis