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Thoughts Archived > Celibacy....Mystery....Hope


12 Jan 2020

He is not here.  He is risen!

 Luke 24:6

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Who We Are

 

The Church of the Holy Spirit is a Christian church.

We believe in God the Father....our Father, Creator

In Jesus, the Messiah....our Savior and Lord
and in
Holy Spirit, our Comforter, Teacher, and Guide.
 

We believe that God made the heavens, the earth, and all creatures therein.

And that He forgives us of our sins.

 God has given all creatures His son, Jesus, who died on a cross and arose from the dead.

We believe Jesus went to heaven and is now seated at God’s right hand.

Jesus' death and resurrection has given us the opportunity to receive the gift of eternal life. 
 
God has given us Holy Spirit to teach, comfort, and guide us.
 
We believe the Bible is the inspired word of God.

 

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Jesus Christ from Nazareth, the man who was crucified, was raised from the dead by God!

Jesus has now become the cornerstone.

"There is salvation in no one else!  There is no other name in all of heaven for people to call on to save them."

 

Acts 4: 10 - 12

Holy Bible New Living Translation

  

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" For no one can build any foundation than this one we already have - Jesus Christ."

1 Corinthans 3: 11

 

 

 

Who are God, Jesus and Holy Spirit?

God is our heavenly Father who created the heavens and the earth.  He lovingly forgives our sins.  God gave us His Son, Jesus, who died on a cross, and arose from the dead.  Jesus now sits at the right hand of God.  He is the Messiah, our Savior.  He can be our Lord, if we believe in him and accept him.  He gave us the opportunity to receive eternal life.  When Jesus went to heaven, Holy Spirit was made available to us to comfort, teach, and guide us. 

God in the beginning:  Genesis 1 & 2
Jesus:  Matthew 1, 2 & 3
Holy Spirit:  John 15:26, 16:5-15

 

 

Are you one with God, Jesus and Holy Spirit?

If you have not accepted the Trinity (God, Jesus, Holy Spirit) into your life to receive all they have to give you, and you would like to, pray this prayer or use your own words from your heart:

“Dear Heavenly Father God, please forgive me of my sins known and unknown.  Jesus, please come into my life, heal me, and make me whole.  Give me a new life in and with you.  I wish to receive all that you have to give.  Baptize me in the fullness of your Holy Spirit, so that I can learn all I can about you, to love you as you love me, so I can love others, and, so I can love myself.  Holy Spirit, please fill me to overflowing with all the fruits and the gifts you have to give me to help me grow in Christ Jesus and be able to share the Trinity with others.  Thank you for giving me this new life.  Please send other Christians to surround me to help me grow and be strong to defeat Satan and the things of the world.  Help me to be worthy of your love.  Thank you God, Jesus and Holy Spirit.  In Jesus' name I pray, by and with the power of the Holy Spirit, to dear Heavenly Father God.  Amen.” 

 

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If you have prayed this prayer, or one from your heart, please email us at TrinityMissions@msn.com, so we can agree with you in prayer, praise God, and uplift you with prayer support.  We are thrilled to welcome you into the family of believers and encourage you to find a church home nearby where you can study, grow, and fellowship with others.  Someone may need your support as much as you need them.  We are commanded to come together in fellowship to worship His majesty.

If you choose to fellowship with us via the web, we are honored to welcome you to the Church of the Holy Spirit.  We pray you will be enriched and uplifted in the fullness of the Trinity to their glory.  Stay in touch and let us know how you are doing from time to time.  We hope to have a special page for this purpose.  We now have a page where you will be able to list prayers for all to see, so that we may come together praying as a body of believers, for Jesus said, ‘wherever two or more shall gather, there will I be.’   Don’t forget to send prayers of thanksgiving, as well as petitions of tears.  

 

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You are who God calls ‘The Promise Children’, as in Romans 9:25-26 NLT:

 

“Those who were not my people, I will now call my people.  And I will love those whom I did not love before.  And, once they were told, ‘You are not my people.’ But now he will say, ‘You are children of the living God.”

 

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“The Kingdom of God is near you now.”

 

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The Apostle Paul gave us this “Prayer for Spiritual Empowerment” in Ephesians 3:14-21 NLT.  It reads

“When I think of the wisdom and scope of God’s plan, I fall to my knees and pray to the Father, the Creator of everything in heaven and on earth.  I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will give you mighty inner strength through his Holy Spirit.  And I pray that Christ will be more and more at home in your hearts as you trust in him.  May your roots go down deep into the soil of God’s marvelous love.  And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love really is.  May you experience the love of Christ, though it is so great you will never fully understand it.  Then you will be filled with the fullness of life and power that comes from God.

Now glory be to God!  By his mighty power at work within us, he is able to accomplish infinitely more than we would ever dare to ask or hope.  May he be given glory in the church and in Christ Jesus forever and ever through endless ages.  Amen.”  

Jesus told us to remain in his love in John 15:9-13 NLT:

“I have loved you even as the Father has loved me.  Remain in my love.  When you obey me, you remain in my love, just as I obey my Father and remain in his love.  I have told you this so that you will be filled with my joy.  Yes, your joy will overflow!  I command you to love each other in the same way that I love you.  And here is how to measure it - the greatest love is shown when people lay down their lives for their friends." 

 

 

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January 12, 2020

Celibacy....Mystery....Hope

Matthew 19: 10-12

 

 

 

Matthew

Jesus' disciples then said to him, "Then it is better not to marry!"

"Not everyone can accept this statement," Jesus said.  "Only those whom God helps.  Some are born eunuchs, some have been made that way by others, and some choose not to marry for the sake of the Kingdom of Heaven.  Let anyone who can, accept this statement."

 

 

 

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 Thoughts....

 

 

Title:  Retired Pope Lauds Celibacy as Francis Mulls Married Priests.  Per an article on MSN.com January 13, 2020, Retired Pope Benedict XVI is in support of celibacy.  Apparently he also co-authored a book with Guinean Cardinal Robert Sarah.  Although Benedict XVI initially blamed the sexual abuse crisis in the church on the sexual revolution of the 1960's, they state, "It is urgent and necessary for everyone - bishops, priests and lay people - to stop letting themselves be intimidated by the wrong-headed pleas, the theatrical productions, the diabolical lies and the fashionable errors that try to put down priestly celibacy."  They go on to state, "It is urgent and necessary for everyone - bishops, priests, and lay people - to take a fresh look within the eyes of faith at the Church and at priestly celibacy which protects her mystery."  

While Pope Francis has long affirmed the gift of celibate priesthood in the Latin rite church, he has stressed that celibacy is a tradition, not a doctrine, and therefore can change, and that there could be pastoral reasons to allow for a exception in a particular place.  It has long been known that there are married priests in the Catholic church who were approved to join the faith as such to fill in areas where priests are lacking.  Hence, the current reason this topic might have been precipitated, the area of the Amazon is lacking.  Pope Francis has considered allowing the embrace of those in the area to join as married priests to fill the slots.

So lets go to the Bible and see what information we can glean.  

Matthew 8:14-15

'When Jesus arrived at Peter's house, Peter's mother-in-law was in bed with a high fever.  But when Jesus touched her hand, the fever left her.  Then she got up and prepared a meal for him.'  

So, Peter, the first Pope, and leader of the Apostles, per the Catholic Church, was married.   

1 Corinthians 9:5

Paul says, "Don't we have the right to bring a Christian wife, along with us as the other disciples and the Lord's brothers and Peter do?  Or is it only Barnabas and I who have to work to support ourselves?  

This seems pretty clear and confirms what Matthew knew to be true regarding Peter having a wife. 

And did you catch the implication that wives were working to help support the men....Apostles, Teachers?  

1 Timothy 3:2-5 talks about how elders and deacons have wives.  So why would it be okay for them and not the leader of the church?  The Pope is the leader of the Catholic Church and therefore has an immense amount of spiritual responsibility over all folks beneath him, let alone above him....God, Jesus, Holy Spirit, hence the need for focus.  Elders and Deacons govern, so have responsibility, but not full time 24/7 spiritual focus so much as organizing and legal authority, so to speak.  They help direct the play, if you will.

1 Corinthians 7:1-2

Now about the questions you asked in your letter.  Yes, it is good to live a celibate life.  But because there is so much sexual immorality, each man should have his own wife, and each woman should have her own husband.  

I guess Benedict XVI kinda missed this reference....historically documented a 'few' years before the sexual revolution of the 1960's.  But Paul was clear.  Clearly, he says in so many words, "Get a wife!"  He must have known the temptations along the trail.  Could the lack of a wife been the thorn in his side, or his temptations?  

1 Corinthians 7:8-9

'Now I say to those who aren't married and to widows - it's better to stay unmarried, just as I am.  But if they can't control themselves, they should go ahead and marry.  It's better to marry than burn with lust.    

No mincing of words here. 

1 Corinthians 7:32-35

'In everything you do, I want you to be free from the concerns of this life.  An unmarried man can spend his time doing the Lord's work and thinking how to please him.  But a married man can't do that so well.  He has to think about his earthly responsibilities, and how to please his wife. His interests are divided.  In the same way, a woman who is no longer married or has never been married can be more devoted to the Lord in body and in spirit, while the married woman must be concerned about her earthly responsibilities and how to please her husband.'

Paul was clear here as well.  One could say he was speaking in general terms, not about the Pope.  However, we've already learned, based on documented history in the New Testament, that, Peter, the first Pope of the Catholic Church was married.  Paul is also right in stating when one is married, one's interests are divided.   

Could he have been referring to women in the ministry, too?  Yup. 

Lets go back to 1 Corinthians 7:8-9 where Paul says "it's better to marry than burn with lust".  I have HUGE concerns about the reasoning behind why Pope Francis may want popes to be married.  I don't think he has grasped, nor surely has Benedict XVI, that having a wife is NO indication that action would preclude someone from being a pedophile.  I think they are also both confused about being married heterosexually vs married homosexually.  I have read things over time that lead me to believe that Pope Francis thinks that only homosexuals are pedophiles.  Nothing could be further from the truth.  Not to say that homosexuals cannot be pedophiles, but to include that heterosexuals most certainly are.  And there is no 'evidence' to suggest that pedophiles who are homosexual raise the bar above the amount of heterosexuals who are pedophiles.  

And the real mystery is not about celibacy, but about how anyone, let alone a body of so called Christian believers, could cover up YEARS of sexual abuse, to include a bunch of sick, twisted pedophiles.  Be aware, that although there has been a focus on pedophilia in the church, they are missing the rest of sexual abuse against adults, just as vulnerable.  

Furthermore, if any church should adopt marriage in the hope of not having pedophiles in their midst, they are truly misguided in their thinking.  Priests, nuns, and others, in position of authority or not, married or not, will still perpetrate sexual abuse on many levels, as has been the history of the church, many churches factually, in the world period, known or unknown, or ignored, or swept under the rug for YEARS.   

Giving permission to marry heterosexually, to exercise the ability/authority (?) to have intercourse, does NOT guarantee the part of the body utilized for such will be endeavored to enter into a heterosexual, 'approved', consensual with an adult marital partner positioning.

There are always going to be evil forces in the world - pedophiles, and those 'others' exercising sexual abuse and intimidation.  Granting permission for a heterosexual partner will not change the path some folks choose.

For those who don't, or cannot, realize, read the following.  For those who have been abused, or who are being abused, know this, you are not alone.  My story is one of 'kazillions', and not even the tip of the iceberg.  

My first 'encounter'....no, let me call it for what it was.....rape....was when I was 4 or 5 by a heterosexually married for years great uncle in a hidden area of his home, accessible through a secret panel in the closet of one of the bedrooms.  The second was molestation (no penetration) a few times over from elementary age to post high school, the latter of which I was able to thwart only by attempting to 'do unto others' before worse occurred to me, by the previously mentioned uncle's heterosexually married adopted son of his sister who had died.  [Watch your backs folks.  This uncle sent me a picture of myself, that was taken when I was not long out of high school, aged 19, which was about the time of the last 'event', 40 + years after the fact, when in his mid 80's, with a note calling me his 'Mona Lisa'.  And the nausea reverberated through my soul.  And then I let the emotion go for what it was worth.  NOTHING to me anymore.  He was probably an impotent old man nearing his death bed.] The third was by verbiage only, emitted and entertained by a well inebriated married for years uncle on the other side of our upstanding, socially high economic, upper middle class white family, who informed me, and I quote, 'incest is best'.  No telling what stories his children may be able to tell.  Or that of the other uncle who molested me, who himself went on to adopt 3 kids.

And this was only the beginning to my 'me, too' story, which did not end with a presumed trustworthy Catholic Priest, whose church I had just become a Catholic in and entered as a new member, as a young adult...obviously vulnerable.  I braced myself literally against this onslaught, and didn't see the rest coming, but redirected it, verbally advising him he needed a LOT of prayer and to get help.  It was years before I brought it up to anyone else, and even more years before I learned, at literally the last minute, that there could be recompense for his actions, for which I got nowhere in the courts when everyone/thing was going to trial at the time.

If this sounds as if I am angry, please know that I am not.  I am grieved because I lost so much, and by the choices I made, because of what I learned.  But I am okay.  I wouldn't be the loving woman I am and have been, nor the Pastor/Minister (grounded and founded Christian in/on the Word of God) who preaches truth, knows compassion/empathy and shares it, were it not for the journey.  I am saddened that the world is as it is, that Popes, Ministers, Rabbis, Leaders of many faiths, the law, and families, don't understand the reality of those who abuse. 

But I am grateful to know, on some level, that there are still naive people in the world, because it presumes, if only on my part, that they have not been hurt.  And for that I am sincerely glad for them.  That someone cannot even conceptualize the thoughts I've put on paper is a blessing. But it's also a curse, because it means that many others may suffer from their lack of understanding the difference in definitions of actions vs people, how some choose to live their lives in truth and love, or evil and perversion, and, how it prevents them from making the evil stop on a level in which people reach out for our God, Savior, and Comforter of love and truth, or theirs through a different faith walk, but may have been met with such pain, sorrow, violation, distrust that it has taken them away from those most meant to help.  

You, have the power to stop abuse with your voice.  It may not stop in the world, or even around you right away.  But by exhibiting/exercising your power, it will stop for you, and lessen it's hold on you.  The first release of the inner pain and torment will allow you the beginning of peace to be able to make decisions for yourself, to help you begin to rise from the ashes of another, or others, and the attempt to make the same of your life.  So remember this - GET OUT, GET AWAY, GET HELP....SPEAK UP and SPEAK OUT.  Fight for your rights, your safety, your peace of mind, your joy, your peace, your future and those you will someday seek to love and allow to love you.  Even if you are a child, there will be someone who will listen.  Abuse comes in many levels.  If you feel it, it IS happening.   Trust yourself, and find someone else you can trust.  But don't take long.  You must act on your behalf.    

Life isn't easy....for anyone, despite appearances.  And don't think it does not, or cannot, happen in your church....it is probably ongoing on some level in your church right now.  And if it's coming at you from someone in your church, speak up, speak out, get out, get away, get help.  But know this - God still has the final word.  Remember to 'let go and let God', too.  He's always on your side. 

Pray, people.  No church, no person, no victim should be alone on their path from abuse.  If someone speaks, listen.  Nor should the abuser be alone on any level.  They must be thwarted, whatever that means, however scary that is, whatever backlash that might bring.  

Online the other day I saw a story about a young girl who told her Mom that she was being abused by her Mom's husband.  She was not believed, so she finally, years later, though still in her youth, videotaped the abuse, to include towards the family dog and showed it.  Please people, don't let this type of thing occur in your home.  LISTEN, BELIEVE, TAKE ACTION.  Ask more questions later to learn facts....all of them....for further action.  You may lose someone you hold dear, but at what cost?  To lose someone you gave birth to?  And do NOT presume that abuse only occurs by men.  Or only to children.  It does not. 

Years ago I saw an entertainment show where kids were singing to wind a huge financial prize, and there was this one young girl who sang "If I Was a Boy".  I tried everything I could to get in touch with productions to alert them to a child being hurt. The family dynamics were obvious.  [I hold a degree in Christian Counseling, too.]  The child was so unhappy and wanted to win to have the money to protect herself and her sibling, tho' that was not clearly stated for obvious reasons.  Both parents were female and it was clear one was a perpetrator.  As hard as I tried, I got nowhere in trying to reach anyone to get help for the child.  Sad, that I didn't think to JUST trust God at first.  Ultimately, I did take it to God in prayer.  I can only hope, to this day, that she found avenues for herself an dher sibling to get out and get safe.  

Bottom lines for todays 'Thoughts'....based on historical documentation from Scripture, Pope Francis and all Protestants won this round on celibacy from a foundational perspective.  I would think that he, and I, and others who preach would also agree with Scriptures given, that the focus on the Lord changes if you are married and with family.  And love.  If you are being abused, GET OUT, GET AWAY, GET HELP, SPEAK UP, SPEAK OUT.  Also, if someone is telling you they are being abused, learn to LISTEN, BELIEVE, TAKE ACTION.  Do NOT say you love as an excuse for abuse, or try to wash it over with those words.  If you are an abuser, you know you are....GET OUT/AWAY and GET HELP.  And Pray, everyone, for everybody, when you are done praying for yourself.    

Know that my heart is with anyone and everyone who has been abused, or is actively being abused.  Chin up....the beauty of the day lies before you....and there is SO much good left to come in your life.  You will be amazed at the peace, love, and joy you will feel as you grow along the journey.

Be healed in the name of Jesus, and be blessed !   Amen.

 

Healing Rain

By Michael Smith 2004

Lyrics are not transmitting - please Google and listen to this healing song. 

 

 

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Let Us Pray

 

 

 

Dear God, Jesus, Holy Spirit, there are many in the world hurting.  I am hurting from being abused.  You know, Lord.  Help me.  Forgive me for my sins....not that I did anything to cause any abuse.  Help me to forgive the person/persons who have hurt me, for my soul, not theirs.  Cleanse me so that this won't hurt me going forward.  Restore peace, and joy, safety, trust, and the ability to love back into my life.  Help those who have to hear the truth, that they, too, may be set free.  Together we are stronger.  And thank you, for getting me this far.  I look forward to the day when I will be free from the abuse and the pain.  Continue to walk with me, carry me, and be my strength.  I believe I feel your arms around me now, as I cry with the tears you gave me to help me be cleasned.  Open me fully to Holy Spirit, so I may be comforted, and taught the right ways to go, and receive the fruits and gifts he so wants to give me.  I thank you.  I praise you.  I love you.  Amen,    

 

 

 

Majesty....worship His Majesty....JESUS !

 

 

 

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 More love.... 

 

 

  Benediction....Blessing

 

Let us hear from Paul as he prays:  

When I think of the wisdom and scope of God's plan, I fall to my knees and pray to the Father, the Creator of everything in heaven and on earth.  I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will give you mighty inner strength through his Holy Spirit.  And I pray that Christ will be more and more at home in your hearts as you trust in him.  May your roots go down deep into the soil of God's marvelous love.  And may you have the power to understand, as all God's people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love really is.  May you experience the love of Christ, though it is so great you will never fully understand it.  Then you will be filled with the fullness of life and power that comes from God.

Now glory be to God!  By his mighty power at work within us, he is able to accomplish infinitely more than we would ever dare to ask or hope.  May he be given glory in the church and in Christ Jesus forever and ever through endless ages.  Amen.  Ephesians 3:14-21 NLT         

 

 

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Scroll down to read Jesus' Prayer of Thanksgiving...'The Unforced Rhythms of Grace'.

 

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Definition of a Christian:  Anyone who believes in God, Jesus and Holy Spirit, and accepts Jesus as Lord and Savior.  Regardless of church name or religious affiliation. 

'All who have been united with Christ in baptism have been made like him.  There is no longer Jew or Gentile, slave or free, male or female.  For you are all Christians - you are ONE in Christ Jesus.'  Galatians 3: 27

 

  It is not how we worship, but that we worship....the Trinity!

 

Teach tolerance....reach in acceptance....worship as one!

 

Respect....Embrace....Encourage!

 

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Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you.  And be sure of this:

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It is time to reach into the community and the world around you to see wherein lies the greatest need.  As you choose to focus on these areas, do so with a servant's heart.  Whether the need is for children, adults, animals, the earth, or any cause in between that will help those in need, ask God how you can best serve his needs, what path you must take, and how long you should persevere.  Sometimes we are to be in the lives of others merely as stepping stones.  Sometimes we are to touch those lives forever.  Whatever journey you are called to take, whatever team you will be a member, know this:  God is with you always...even til the end of time.  He loves you, is grateful for you, and will help you along life's way, especially if you are helping others along theirs, persevering with a servant's heart.  

    

Please accept my sincerest thanks....and God's....and may God richly bless you ! 

 

 

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  One last thing....

 

 

Jesus' Prayer of Thanksgiving

'The Unforced Rhythms of Grace'

 

 

"Abruptly Jesus broke into prayer:  "Thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth.  You've concealed your ways from sophisticates and know-it-alls, but spelled them out clearly to ordinary people.  Yes, Father, that's the way you like to work."

Jesus resumed talking to the people, but now tenderly.  "The Father has given me all these things to do and say.  This is a unique Father - Son operation, coming out of Father and Son intimacies and knowledge.  No one knows the Son the way the Father does, nor the Father the way the Son does.  But I'm not keeping it to myself; I'm ready to go over it line by line with anyone willing to listen."

"Are you tired?  Worn out?  Burned out on religion?  Come to me.  Get away with me and you'll recover your life.  I'll show you how to take a real rest.  Walk with me and work with me - watch how I do it.  Learn the unforced rhythms of grace.  I won't lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you'll learn how to live freely and lightly.

 

Matthew 11:  25-30

  The Message

 

And the people said,

"Amen."

 

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I now write most prayers in the position of ' I ' (first person) because most people are sitting at their computer alone, not in groups, and it allows those reading and praying to personalize the prayer as coming from them going to God.  Variations may appear on holidays when families may wish to use the prayer provided.  I encourage you to pray your own prayers as well.

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Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright 1996.  Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois 60189.  All rights reserved.

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NOTE:  I said it long ago, but let me say it again.  If you are wanting to lead a group, start a church, or are confined in an institution, or live in a country where the Gospel is not preached, and you don't know what to say or how to say it, and yet feel led to share, teach, or preach, besides just reading straight out of the Bible and sharing what God puts on your heart, please feel free to share any or all of what I've written, if it will help you, as long as you include where it comes from, due to copyright laws.  Jesus gave God's love and healing freely, as well as his message.  Our responsibility is to get the Word out to those who need to hear it.  If what I've written....by the power and direction of the Holy Spirit....or what he has said through me....has helped you, it may help others that you know.  You are welcome to share it.  God calls all of us to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ with the world.  Please share it with the fullness of love that God, Jesus, Holy Spirit....and I....have given it.  Amen!

 

 

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