Daily Archives: September 26, 2012

Best Day Trips Outside of Jacksonville, Florida

Remember Janet Jackson’s infamous ‘wardrobe malfunction’ when she performed with Justin Timberlake during the 2005 Super Bowl halftime show? Jacksonville was put on the map when it hosted that year’s Super Bowl. Located on the St. John’s River in northeast Florida, Jacksonville is an interesting city with much to offer. If you are looking for best day trips outside of Jacksonville, here are some destinations, all less than an hour’s drive away.

St Augustine, Florida
Any history buff will be thrilled to visit St Augustine! A forty-five minutes drive from Jacksonville, St Augustine is the oldest European settlement in America. The preservation of the city’s history is impressive, with restored buildings dating back as far as the early 1600s. You can see this fascinating city on a trolley or horse-drawn carriage, or you can take a walking tour. St George Street, the main thoroughfare, is lined with quaint shops, restaurants, museums and historic buildings. A few blocks away is the Castillo de San Marcos, the star-shaped Spanish fort built in the mid-1600s. The oldest masonry fortification in North America, the Castillo has withstood sieges and hurricanes over the years. Re-enactors in period costumes demonstrate the historic weapons by firing the Spanish cannons during special events and on the weekends throughout the year. Check their website for time and schedule. Other attractions include the Lightner Museum, the Fountain of Youth Archaeological ParkFlagler College (formerly Ponce de Leon Hotel) and the Casa Monica Hotel.

Fernandina Beach, Florida
Located on beautiful Amelia Island, Fernandina Beach is less than an hour’s drive northeast of Jacksonville. Like St Augustine, Fernandina Beach has its share of history, which dates back 4,000 years, when the ancient Timucuan Indians lived there. Eight flags have been flown in this town (including those of Spain, France, England, various insurgent groups, the United States and the Confederacy), reflecting its colorful past. A 50-block area of the quaint downtown is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. No doubt the white sand beaches are a big draw to this charming town. Another favorite event is the three-day Shrimp Festival, which takes place the first weekend in May.

Cumberland Island, Georgia
If you like nature, camping and hiking, a visit to the Cumberland Island National Seashore in nearby Georgia is a must. The island is accessible only by boat. You can take the ferry from St Marys, Georgia or Fernandina Beach, Florida. As you explore the island, you will find Dungeness, the ruins of the Carnegie home. You can tour Plum Orchard, the 1898 mansion built by Lucy Carnegie for her son. The mansion was donated to the park service in 1971.
A short hike to the seashore will reward you with a magnificent 17-miles of hard-packed sand beaches and dunes. The wildlife you encounter along the way include wild horses, armadillos, turtles and a vast array of birds.

For those looking seeking more action, there is always Daytona Beach and Orlando, but you would be looking at more than an hour’s drive away.

Sources
http://www.nfl.com
http://www.nps.gov
http://www.ameliaisland.com/
http://www.augustine.com/

Copyright © 2012 Yahoo! Inc. All rights reserved. | Yahoo! Travel.

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Our Daily Bread – Capture The Moment

Read: Ephesians 5:8-21

My wife, Martie, is a great shopper. When she shops for groceries, she reads all the nutrition labels and considers the best deal by looking at the price per unit. But her best trick is looking for the “use by” date. She doesn’t just grab the first gallon of milk she sees, but rather she goes for the gallon with the latest “use by” date so she can bring home the freshest milk from the store.

In a sense, our lives are marked by “use by” dates—except that none of us knows the exact date when our heart will expire or we’ll take our last breath on this planet. Given that reality, shouldn’t we try a little harder to capture the moments we’ve been given? Capturing the moment means that we’ll do things like love more deeply, forgive more quickly, listen more carefully, and speak more affirmingly.

Paul gives this good advice: “See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil” (Eph. 5:15-16). He also instructs us to “walk as children of light . . . finding out what is acceptable to the Lord” (vv.8-10).

Since none of us knows our “use by” date, we should capture the opportunities to brighten our world with the love of Christ today!

Lord, grant me grace throughout this day
To walk the straight and narrow way,
To do whatever in Thy sight
Is good and perfect, just and right. —Huisman
Live each day as if it’s your last.

Learn The Power Of Patience

by Joyce Meyer – posted September 26, 2012

For you have need of steadfast patience and endurance, so that you may perform and fully accomplish the will of God, and thus receive and carry away [and enjoy to the full] what is promised. —Hebrews 10:36

Patience is powerful because it frees you from the control of the devil and the circumstances he brings to upset us. However, patience—which is a fruit of the Spirit—only grows through trials. It is during these times that you can develop the ability to remain strong and stable.

Patience is required if you are to see the fulfillment of God’s promises in your life. So it is important to develop control over your thoughts and what you say when you are faced with challenging circumstances.

It isn’t easy, but with God’s help you can do it. Actively pursue the patience of Christ and it will lead you into His power. Then you will be able to accomplish God’s will and receive His promises.


From the book Ending Your Day Right by Joyce Meyer. Copyright © 2004 by Joyce Meyer. Published by FaithWords. All rights reserved.

Speak To Your Mountains

Today’s Scripture:

And Jesus answered them, Truly I say to you, if you have faith (a firm relying trust) and do not doubt, you will not only do what has been done to the fig tree, but even if you say to this mountain, Be taken up and cast into the sea, it will be done. – Matthew 21:21, AMP.

Today’s Word:

We’ve all had seasons when the challenges of life feel overwhelming. During those times, it’s easy to be tempted to talk about how bad things are. Maybe you received a bad medical report, or maybe you’re facing a financial obstacle. But the more you talk about something, the bigger it becomes in your mind. Instead, you’ve got to dig your heels in and say, “No, I am not going to give life to that defeat. I am not going to speak sickness over myself. I’m not going to speak lack. I’m not going to speak fear. I’m choosing a different report. I believe the report of the Lord which says I am blessed. I am favored. I am prosperous. I am healthy. I am whole. I’m a victor, not a victim.”

Remember, even if you don’t see how things could ever work out, God does. You’ve got to speak to those mountains in your life and declare favor over those situations. Instead of talking to God about how big your problems are, talk to your problems about how big your God is! As you speak to your mountains, they will be moved, and you will move forward into the victory God has prepared for you!

Prayer for Today:

Heavenly Father, thank You for Your Word which is life to my spirit. I receive Your strength today and choose to speak to the mountains so I can move forward in the victory You have in store for me in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Copyright © 2012 Joel Osteen Ministries