Roamin' thru Romans

Good Morning, Dear Friends and Prayer Partners! No sunshine yet today,instead there is rain dripping off the roof. The sky was overcast when I had my breakfast, but now, I see the rain falling. But that's okay because it keeps the temp. down.

I ran some errands yesterday, including grocery shopping. It was one of those times when shopping at Publix was not a pleasure. Before I even got in the store, a handicap police guy stopped and told me something, I had to go to his suv to hear what he said. I had put the sunscreen up in the windshield and he said he could not see the handicap hangar. So I told him it was there and pulled it out and showed him. I hung it back and he circled around and stopped in front this time. and said he could not see it. So I had to unlock the car and stick it down the front of the shield to satisfy him. Sheesh!! It did nothing for my mood!

So I went on to do my shopping and discovered that they are changing groceries around. I had my list with me and got what was on the list, except for one item, which was not in its usual place. I saw a lady with a Publix pin on her shirt and asked her, so she went on a hunt and found the item way back on the side where I had already been. Well, at least I got my exercise, by walking the whole store back and forth. I was glad to get home, only to find the city had come by and left the big blue recycle dumpster on the driveway. It is very cumbersome, and I had a difficult time dragging it back to where the regular dumpster is. I don't even think they will start picking up until July and then I will have to figure out how to get it down to the curb.Oh, well, life is full of challenges!

I saw egrets and a wood stork at Lynch Lake as I drove by. They were in the shade, so maybe birds get hot, too. But God is good!

From the Promise Bible NLT:

Romans 5:1-5

Therefore, since we have been made right in God's sight
by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ
our Lord has done for us. Because of our faith, Christ has
brought us into this place of highest privilege where we now
stand, and we confidently and joyfully look forward to
sharing God's glory.

We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials,
for we know that they are good for us--they help us learn
to endure. And endurance develops strength of character
in us and character strengthens our  confident expectation
of salvation. And this expectation will not disappoint us.
For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has
given us the Holy Spirit  to fill  our hearts with his love.

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! I was noticing the contrast between the blue of the sky and the whiteness of the towering clouds yesterday. So beautiful! And today looks like more of the same. We had a short thunderstorm Saturday night, which left a broken branch in front of the garage door. I did not notice it, as I backed out to go to church and it caught under the car. I got out to see what the dragging noise was, and had to pull and pull to get it out, hoping I was not damaging anything. So far, everything seems to be all right.

I had received an invitation to a party Sunday afternoon, celebrating the promotion of my dear friend, David, so drove a few blocks to his house and had a good time eating and talking and just listening. I am sort of a wallflower when it comes to crowds. I like to listen and watch other people, rather than trying to converse in a loud crowd and have difficulty hearing. My good friend, Gil, and I exchanged thoughts and he helped me when I needed it. In fact, I have so many people looking out for me, I am totally blessed. After dark, last night, my neighbor across the street, called to tell me my porch light was not on. I had forgotten again! So, there is another friend and helper!

The birds were so loud this morning, I thought one was in the house. He must have perched right outside the window while I was having breakfast, and just sang as loud as he could! Such a happy sound! God is good!

From the Promise Bible NLT:

Psalm 100
Shout with joy to the Lord, O Earth!
Worship the Lord with gladness.
Come before him, singing with joy.
 Acknowledge that the Lord is God!
He made us, and we are his.
We are his people, the sheep of his pasture.

Enter his gates with thanksgiving,
go into his courts with praise.
Give thanks to him and bless his name.
For the Lord is good.
His unfailing love continues forever,
and his faithfulness continues to each generation.

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 have another copy of the weather that we had yesterday...lots of sun and no rain, but white clouds floating around here and there. This morning I saw a single contrail high up in the southeastern sky, and I wonder where are they going and why? Just passing thoughts.

I was interested in the section of the paper Wed. that was a "how to" on telling your story. Since I am currently struggling to write my biography, this was just what I needed to give me a boost. It is hard just to write down the bare facts, because thoughts I had at the time events happened or didn't, keep coming to mind, after I have finished with one moment in time. But I will keep plugging away, I am doing this for the newly discovered second cousin in England, who has requested it.

Yesterday I did a little shopping and then visited the park to see what was going on. Not much, but it was freshly mowed and a few people were enjoying nature and just being in a natural place so close to the heart of St. Petersburg. The trees make it a lot cooler, but in the sun, it is very hot. I saw butterflies, but no egrets or ibis. But God is good!

From the Promise Bible NLT:

Psalm 139:23,24

Search me, O God, and know my heart:
test me and know my thoughts.
Point out anything in me that offends you,
and lead me along the path of everlasting life.
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 it looks like the same weather today. Lots of sun and humidity, blue skies and white puffy clouds. Perfect!

I forgot to mention that I have a beautiful amaryllis blooming! This is a Christmas flower, so I don't know why it is just now blooming, but it has survived the yard man trimming all the leaves, a raking of mulch off it and the rest of the bulbs barely poking up. So, I am very pleased that it is showing four blossoms on the long stem. Yay, for it!  (And yes, I cautioned the yard guy about weed eating the wrong thing.)

I took a ride over to the park yesterday and saw that not much was going on. It was hot and quiet. The water was still high in the canal, so no egrets were interested in pecking around, but, as usual the squirrels were busy racing around and the mower was going. God is good!

From the Promise Bible NLT:

Psalm 37:3-9

Trust in the Lord and do good,
Then you will live safely in the land and prosper.
Take delight in the Lord,
and he will give you your heart's desires.

Commit everything you do to the Lord,
trust him and he will help you.
He will make your innocence as clear as
the dawn, and the justice of your cause will
shine like the noonday sun.

Be still in the presence of the Lord,
and wait patiently for him to act.
Don't worry about evil people who prosper
or fret about their wicked schemes.

Stop your anger!
Turn from your rage!
Do not envy others---
it only leads to harm.
For the wicked will be destroyed,
but those who trust in the Lord will
possess the land.

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! After a very warm day of sun and breezes, last night lots of thunder, lightning and rain fell in some areas. I heard a few drops start to fall here, but then it moved on and we did not get any of the heavy rain. Today is sunny and very warm, already...

I did more laundry yesterday and have another load today, just catching up after the weekend. I enjoyed the eating out we did while we were all together. We had wanted to go to one restaurant, but the rain started to pour and when we got there, it was packed with people waiting on the porch, so we were about to go home, when I remembered Jack's English Pub, which was not crowded at all, so we ordered fish and chips for Brian and Daryl and I had a pasty dish..I forget the name of it, but I could not eat it all, so brought half of it home. I should have ordered the Shepherd's Pie again.

My yard crew came yesterday, but did not stay long, and the cleaning ladies are coming today, so I will be all tidied up.  I have another gecko in the house who was sitting on the front window last night. I don't know where he is now, but maybe Cheryl will find him. She does not like lizards of any kind, but she caught a baby one a couple weeks ago and escorted him out the door.

I saw ducks in the front yard yesterday, and a flock of ibis rose up in flight from the front and took off after foraging for grubs and whatever else they eat from the ground. God is good!

from the Promise Bible NLT:

Psalm 15
Who may worship in your sanctuary, Lord?
Who may enter your presence on your holy hill?
Those who lead blameless lives
and do what is right, speaking the truth
from sincere hearts.
Those who refuse to slander others
or harm their neighbors or speak evil
of their friends.
Those who despise persistent sinners
and honor the faithful followers of the
Lord and keep their promises even when it hurts.
Those who do not charge interest on the
money they lend, and refuse to accept
bribes to testify against the innocent.
Such people will stand firm forever.

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! It is another beautiful day in the long string of them we have had. But..when the late afternoon thunderstorms come, they are noisy and scary with the lightning flashing all around!

We had a wonderful weekend! I say, "we" because Daryl drove down from TN and Brian was off Fri. thru Monday. We did lots of eating out, and Sunday after church, we visited three cemeteries. As always, we visited Louis at Bay Pines National Cemetery, where the Boy Scouts plant a flag at every grave. What an inspiring sight! The wind was blowing, so all the flags were rippling in the wind. It seems like too many more markers have been put down since the five years that Louis was  put there .

After we left Bay Pines, we went across to Seminole Cemetery, but once again, the gate was locked, so we could not get in. So we went on and toured the beaches, seeing lots of people in swim suits and others just walking and shopping. As we came back, we stopped at the Amish ice cream parlor, and went in to get one of their many flavors to enjoy. It started to rain while we were still licking and spooning the good stuff. It seemed like we brought in a lot of business, because several other ice cream patrons dropped in, some still wet from swimming, but all were wanting ice cream.

I bought a pint of vanilla  and some cheese to bring home, but the cup I ate while waiting out the rain was mint chip. YUM!

On the way back home, we stopped in at Memorial Park, where my step-father and mother are buried. So, it was a good weekend of visiting with my sister and niece who came over, and yes, my sister has recovered from her broken pelvis and seems to be doing well. We looked at some very old family photos, so it was a good visit. God is good!

From the Promise Bible NLT:

Psalm 5:11,12
But let all who take refuge in you rejoice, let them sing joyful praises forever.
Protect them; so all who love your name may be filled with joy.
For you bless the godly. O Lord, surrounding them with your shield of love.

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

Love and hugs,
Amaryllis

Fragrance of Christ

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 wind is blowing , so the surf must be up for all the people who like surfing at the beaches. Also, it is a sunny, very warm morning, so a good day to get an early start for the Memorial weekend.

I see lots of pretty butterflies floating by my window. It looks like they are on their way to the Beauty Berry Bush, which grows wild in the backyard. I don't know the names of all the different colored ones, but I do know the swallowtail and sulfur   (sp) yellow ones. I enjoy watching them.

I had to go grocery shopping yesterday to pick up a few things I was running out of. So I did not go to Publix, but instead I shopped at Winn Dixie. It was a good time to go, because the store did not seem too crowded. You're never supposed to shop when you are hungry and since it was noon, I was hungry, but did not get anything much that was not on my list. Yay for me!

After that I had to take a trip to the Park, where all was quiet, just simmering in the heat. A few brave souls were walking dogs, and out on the very warm boardwalk, but it was pleasant in the shade.

We have some towering clouds , which sometimes drift across the sun, and make it look like rain. I am praying that Daryl will not run into rain on his way down from TN tonight. It will be good to have him home for the weekend, so there will be no blog tomorrow.

But God is still good!

From the Promise Bible NLT:

2 Corinthians 2:14-17
But thanks be to God, who made us his captives
and leads us along in Christ's triumphal procession.
Now wherever we go he uses us to tell others about
the Lord and to spread the Good News like a sweet
 perfume .Our lives are a fragrance presented by Christ
to God. But this fragrance is perceived differently by
those being saved and by those perishing. To those
who are perishing we are a fearful smell of death and doom.
But to those who are being saved we are a life-giving
perfume. And who is adequate for such a task as this?
You see, we are not like those hucksters--and there are
many of them--who preach just to make money. We
preach God's message with sincerity and with Christ's
authority . And we now that the God who sent us is watching us.

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

Love and hugs,
 amaryllis