We reap what we Sow

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! Our TV weatherman posted a picture on FB of a broken record as his weather report yesterday! Very funny, but appropriate. We did not get any rain yesterday, but it sure looked like it, with a very dark cloud hanging overhead and a few sprinkles while I was out and about. Same thing today...

My yard men did not come yesterday, so I thought they would today, but no sign of them so far. My yard still looks neat compared to the next door kid's. He has not mowed for a month and the grass is about two feet high. His parents own the house, but built another one and moved out over a couple years ago, and he wanted to stay. His dad also has a car in the garage that he has been working on for years, but the son is not inclined to do upkeep on the house and yard, so the neighbors have to suffer. Sigh.

Well, it looks like the Sav-A-Lot store is finished and ready to move all the goods in at Town Plaza. It won't be a very large space, but I am sure all the people who live in the apartments there will be happy to shop there so close.

After I finished with my errands, I visited the Park, and passed a large retention pond with a large flock of ibis enjoying the water and whatever food was there for them. The canal was full at the park and one lonely anhinga was drying out his wings in the distance, perched on a bush over the lake. I have seen mockers and bluejays diving into the hedge outside my window, so the berries must be really available for them. God is good!

From the Promise Bible NLT:

Galatians 6:1-6
Dear brothers and sisters, if another Christian is
overcome by some sin, you who are godly should
gently and humbly help that person back onto the
right path. And be careful not to fall into the same
temptation yourself. Share each others troubles and
problems. and in this way obey the law of Christ. If
 you think you are too important to help someone in
 need, you are only fooling yourself. You are really a
nobody.

Be sure to do what you should, for then you will enjoy
the personal satisfaction of having done your work well,
and you won't need to compare yourself to anyone else.
For we each are responsible for our own conduct.

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

Love and hugs,
 Amaryllis

Still 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 have sunshine this morning and breezes and it continues to be hot, but thundershowers will probably be showing up sometime today.

I was afraid I would miss church because of the rain yesterday. A downpour started while I was having breakfast. I was all dressed and ready to go, but I saw blue skies off in the east and thought perhaps it was not raining at church. Well, the rain stopped an hour before I was to leave and no rain after that! Praise God!

I had a short chat with one of the teenagers who had been to CHIC, and learned what the week had meant to him. The chat was informative. I had never talked with him before, so, hopefully the commitments he made will stick and grow. I will keep praying for him.

On my way to church, I saw several ducks and ibises and a gathering of seagulls around Lynch Lake, which was pretty full after the heavy rain.
The rain is helping my Bird of Paradise to grow and it now has two blooms on it, but, unfortunately it is in the back yard, so no one else can see it. For my eyes only. My handyman came last week and did a good job of trimming, but there is more that needs doing, so he is coming back the end of the month. God is good!

From the Promise Bible NLT:

Romans 12:14-25

If people persecute you because you are a Christian,
don't curse them; pray that God will bless them.
When others are happy, be happy with them. If they
 are sad, share their sorrow. Live in harmony with
each other. Don't try to act important, but enjoy the
company of ordinary people. And don't think you know it all!
Never pay back evil for evil to anyone. Do things in such
 a way that everyone can see you are honorable. Do your
part to live in peace with everyone, as much as possible.

Dear Friends, never avenge yourselves. Leave that to God.
For it is written,

"I will take vengeance
I will repay those who deserve it",
says the Lord.

Instead do what the scriptures say:
"If your enemies are hungry, feed them.
If they are thirsty, give them something
to drink,
and they will be ashamed of what they
have done to you."

Don't let evil get the best of you, but conquer
evil by doing good.

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!  Rain, rain, rain! The weatherman was right and from the looks of radar, it will be rainy most of the day. My Times was wet because I am having a clash of wills with my carrier. I have asked numerous times for the paper to be placed in the chair right beside my front door, but although it will land in front of the door, on one side of the chair and on the other side of the chair, he (or she) will not place it in the chair. So, today, it was tossed on the porch in the puddle and got soaked through two plastic covers! I have called and will probably get a replacement sometime today. I know I could get it online, but I prefer to have it in my hands. Sigh.

Well, I have not contacted a fence company yet about repairing or replacing the back fence, so I am open to suggestions. It is just a strip across the back yard and part of that is covered by a neighbor who has a fence up against mine. Stay tuned!

The tragic developments of yesterday, in Chattanooga, took place not far from the Ferguson's store which is the headquarters for Daryl's company.. He said everything was in lockdown, and highways were closed, so the delivery truck for that store, had to make a u-turn and head for Cleveland, Daryl's store, to unload, after waiting an hour and a half. I feel so sorry for all involved and especially the families of the Marines!  I pray for peace and comfort for them.
But I am convinced that God is good!

From the Promise Bible NLT:

Psalm 119:57-64
Lord, you are mine!
I promise to obey your words!
With all my heart I want your blessings.
Be merciful just as you promised.
I pondered the direction of my life,
and I turned to follow your statutes.
I will hurry, without lingering.
to obey your commands.
Evil people try to drag me into sin,
but I am firmly anchored to your law.
At midnight I rise to thank you
for your just laws.
Anyone who fears you is my friend--
anyone who obeys your
commandments.
O Lord, the earth is full of your unfailing love.
Teach me your principles.

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

 Amaryllis

Psoaring thru Psalms

From: Amaryllis Green 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! When I got up at about 6:30, the sun was shining brightly, and it looked like a beautiful day, but now I see rain dripping off the roof and when I looked at the local radar pictures on TV, rain was all around, so more wetness. I saw a white toadstool growing by the porch wall yesterday...or maybe, it was a mushroom.

I was expecting my cleaning team about 1:30, so I did laundry in the morning, and since they were late arriving,  I took care of some bookkeeping, and then I had called my handy man who was due around three. He came just after the girls left and did a lot of trimming and getting rid of oak trees that had grown up in the hibiscus and the podacarpus hedge. He also discovered a large bee hive in the neighbor's shed, which did not like his noisy trimmer! Fortunately, he was not stung!

I had asked him to check on my fence gate which is sagging into the backyard neighbor's property, but he said it was too heavy for him to handle, and I needed to contact a fence company because the posts are rotted. Sigh. Another home owner problem.

Well, my good fairy from across the street, returned my dumpster from the curb this morning and I did not even hear her! She is so good hearted! I am blessed!  God is good!

From the Promise Bible NLT:

Psalm 119:1-8
Happy are people of integrity,
who follow the law of the Lord.
Happy are those who obey his decrees.
and search for him with all their hearts.
They do not compromise with evil.
and they walk only in his paths.
You have charged us to keep your commandments carefully.
Oh, that my actions would consistently reflect
your principles!
Then I will not be disgraced
when I compare my life with your commands.
When I learn your righteous laws,
I will thank you by living as I should!
I will obey your principles,
Please don't give up on me!

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

Love and hugs,
 Amaryllis

Prowling thru Proverbs

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! From the looks of the porch, we had an early morning rain, because puddles were still visible. The prediction yesterday was that it would rain sometime between 3 and 6 AM and that was correct!.

I mentioned the breeze yesterday, well, I was totally surprised when a heavy downpour started about eleven and kept up for over an hour! Then a loud clap of thunder made me jump a little.  During the rain, I went through more old pics and found the boys report cards from kindergarten and even class pictures from elementary school.

I found photos from our family trip out west to see my aunt Lillian in Reno, photos of the Grand Canyon, Sierra Nevada and Hoover Dam, (called Boulder Dam, then) and the Great Salt Lake. It was like a mini-vacation for me.This vacation trip was made in a '36 Ford with no seat belts or safety features, but it was up to the travel! My brother stood up nearly the whole way, hanging on to the backs of the front seats...not recommended now!

After the rain, I ran some errands and wound up at the Park where the canal was full and trees were still dripping. I only saw one anhinga drying out the wings, and a couple Mockingbirds flying about. God is good!

From the Promise Bible NLT:

Proverbs 3:21-25

My child, don't lose sight of good planning and insight.
Hang on to them, for they fill you with life and bring you
honor and respect. They keep you safe on your way and
keep your feet from stumbling. You can lie down without
fear and enjoy pleasant dreams. You need not be afraid
of disaster or the destruction that comes upon the wicked,
for the Lord is your security. He will keep your foot from
being caught in a trap.

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

Love and hugs,
 Amaryllis

Paul's Final Instructions

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! A very warm breeze is blowing and puffy white clouds are being pushed around by it, but the sun is coming through very hot. Even early in the morning, the air is very warm. I don't think I complained about being cold last winter, did I?

Yesterday, I had to go to CVS and pick up a prescription, and a few other things. More work has been done on the re-modeling, and they now have a new dairy case and stock yogurt, plus a free-standing round snack bar, which has cheeses, yogurt, soups from Panera and plastic spoons ready to use. The whole store looks more spacious and clean. They are still working on some parts. The manager was down on the floor working on a display, so he is hands on. Good to see!

I was going through some more pics and found one of my favorites. Louis and I were at the beach in our swim suits; me.in a two piece pale blue and he in plaid shorts. He was a hunk! Broad shoulders, flat stomach and muscular arms. We were about 19 in the pic, and that was probably the beginning of my skin cancer...no sun block available. Sigh.

I drove on to the Park, after leaving CVS and saw two limpkins. They are very rare and here I have seen three in the past week. One was perched on the rail by the lake, and the other was walking along the canal. the small gopher tortoise was ambling along near his tunnel and a few ibis were busy pecking along. A squirrel streaked right in front of the car, and I thought I hit him, but he made it! Silly daredevils! But God is good!

From the Promise Bible NLT:

2 Timothy 6:17-19
Tell those who are rich in this world not to be proud
and not to trust in their money, which will soon be
gone. But their trust should be in the living God, who richly
gives us all we need for our enjoyment  Tell them to use
their money to do good. they should be rich in good
works and should give generously to those in need,
always being ready to share with others whatever God
has given them. By doing this they will be storing up
their treasure as a good foundation for the future so
that they may take hold of real life.

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! We have had very hot days, but then the thunderstorms come and cool things down a bit. Yesterday, I left here for church, and it was sprinkling, but I thought I saw an end to the clouds right in the church's direction. So, I decided to drive on, but just a few blocks later, it started to pour and by the time I arrived at church, it was a downpour, so I circled around and drove back home. I could have sat in the car and waited for the rain to quit, but it is very difficult to handle a cane, a Bible and an umbrella. I really hated to miss worship, though!

Saturday I made a trip to the hair stylist and went out to Walmart where I was pleased to see that Gas prices have dropped. I filled up the tank and then visited the park on my way home. Last evening as I was waiting in line at the drive thru at Arby's, which took a long, long time, I watched as a lone ibis came strolling between the cars to the crotons and shrubbery planted around the menu sign. Totally ignoring the cars, he looked at all the plants and then plucked some critter off one of the leaves and wandered off to a large oak tree, where he pecked something off the ground. Then, on the way home, I saw a large osprey sitting on the line above Lynch Lake. God is good!

From the Promise Bible NLT:

Romans 12:6-12
God has given each of us the ability to do certain
things well. So if God has given you the ability to
prophesy , speak out when you have faith that God
is speaking through you. If your gift is that of serving
others, serve them well. If you are a teacher, do a good
job of teaching. If your gift is to encourage others, do it!
If you have money, share it generously. If God has given
you leadership ability, take the responsibility seriously.
And if you have a gift for showing kindness to others,
do it gladly.

Don't just pretend that you love others. really love them.
Hate what is wrong. Stand on the side of good. Love each
other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring
each other. Never be lazy in your work, but serve the Lord
enthusiastically.
  Be glad for all God is planning for you. Be patient in trouble,
and always be prayerful. When God's children are in need,
be the one to help them out. And get into the habit of inviting
guests home for dinner or, of they need lodging for the night.

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

Love and hugs,
 Amaryllis