Category Archives: Thanksgiving

A Month Of Gratitude? #10 Bible Ballistics: Vol. 14 No. 15

24 Sunday Nov 2019

Posted by in A Father's Love, Abundant Life In Jesus, Choices And Consequences, Confidence, Dependence, Faithful is He that has Promised!, Gratitude, IN Jesus!, Independence, Thankful, Thanksgiving

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Bible Ballistics: Vol. 14 No. 15   A Month Of Gratitude??? #10

 

Dependent Or Independent?  I thank God, not only in this time set aside for gratitude, but every day, for His perfect provision!  What does that have to do with “dependence”?  Well, it is most significant to our successful walk with Jesus, yet we must make a decision of our will whether we will walk in obedience or rebellion.  It can affect our daily walk, as well as our prayer life, both of which are oft neglected and distorted, by the flesh today.

“After this manner therefore pray ye:

Our Father

which art in heaven,

Hallowed be thy name.

10 Thy kingdom come.

Thy will be done

in earth,

as it is in heaven.”  Matthew 6:9-10

Jesus told His disciples that prayer wasn’t for our own selfish whims, but for the glory of God, to draw us closer to Him, to seek to know HIS will, His desires, and to increase HIS kingdom—not our own!  Jesus told us that our desire in prayer was and is to praise God—”Hallowed be thy name”; we are to seek God’s glory as we praise Him, not our own ‘independent’way!

We are to pray for God’s kingdom to come—not our own! Yet so many today are being taught and led to believe that we can manipulate God by using certain words, by having enough, or a right kind of faith, or claiming what we want in a particular way!  But Jesus calls us to pray seeking God’s kingdom and God’s will to be accomplished in this worldly realm.  We are never called to pray for God to endorse our plans, but we are to pursue God’s will, His ways, being willing to wait for His timing.  Not the easiest thing to do; but the thing that will grow us into the “image” of Jesus!  (See Romans 8:28-29)

“But they that wait upon the LORD

shall renew their strength;

they shall mount up

with wings as eagles;

they shall run,

and not be weary;

and they shall walk,

and not faint.”  Isaiah 40:31

Oh, how hard it is to learn to “wait upon the LORD”—yet it is the pathway to strength, courage, stamina, endurance—for God has a plan that we can never know except to walk in His light.

“There is a way that seemeth right

unto a man,

but the end thereof

are the ways of death.”  Proverbs 16:25

As we walk “in the Spirit”, we can avoid the pitfalls of the flesh; learning and pursuing God’s pathway of light, and His direction, as we yield to HIS Spirit’s work in us. (See Gal. 5:16,25)

“Enter ye in at the strait gate:

for wide is the gate,

and broad is the way,

that leadeth to destruction,

and many there be which go in thereat:

14 Because strait is the gate,

and narrow is the way,

which leadeth unto life,

and few there be that find it.”   Matthew 6:13-14

Jesus goes on in this passage to remind us that just “saying so” doesn’t make it so; but a right relationship with God through Jesus Christ The Son.

“Not every one that saith unto me,

Lord, Lord,

shall enter into the kingdom of heaven;

but he that doeth the will of my Father

which is in heaven.

22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord,

have we not prophesied in thy name?

and in thy name have cast out devils?

and in thy name done many wonderful works?

23 And then will I profess unto them,

I never knew you:

depart from me,

ye that work iniquity.”   Matthew 7:21-23

Just as the proverb told us, there is “a way” that seems right—our own way–yet God calls us to walk HIS way—the way of light.

“Thy word is a lamp

unto my feet,

and a light

unto my path.”  Psalm 119:105

The Apostle John also called us to walk in God’s pathway of light.

“This then is the message

which we have heard of him,

and declare unto you,

that God

is light,

and in him

is no darkness at all.

6 If we say that we have fellowship with him,

and walk in darkness,

we lie, and do not the truth:

7 But if we walk in the light,

as he is in the light,

we have fellowship one with another,

and the blood of Jesus Christ

his Son

cleanseth us from all sin.”   1 john 1:5-7

Oh, what precious words, ”the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin”.  One of my favorite passages clearly displays the contrast between walking in “dependence” upon God, and the “independent” person who chooses to forsake God and go his own way.  We are free to choose but remember there is a test!  Choose wisely—you can be independent and trust to your own “goodness” to save you—or you can trust to God’s provided salvation in Jesus. There is only One Way—and His name is Jesus!

“For what is a man profited,

if he shall gain the whole world,

and lose his own soul?

or what shall a man give

 in exchange for his soul?”   Matthew 16:26

And the beautiful Psalm 1:

“Blessed is the man

that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly,

nor standeth in the way of sinners,

nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.

2 But his delight

is in the law of the LORD;

and in his law

doth he meditate day and night.

3 And he shall be like a tree

planted by the rivers of water,

that bringeth forth his fruit

in his season;

his leaf also

shall not wither;

and whatsoever he doeth

shall prosper.

4 The ungodly are not so:

but are like the chaff

which the wind driveth away.

5 Therefore the ungodly

shall not stand

in the judgment,

nor sinners

in the congregation

of the righteous.

6 For the LORD knoweth

the way of the righteous:

but the way of the ungodly

shall perish.”  Psalm 1:1-6

And remember that the only righteousness that will give us a right standing with God is the Righteousness of Jesus, imparted by God, to those who come to Jesus, in repentance and faith!  It’s His blood that “cleanseth us from all sin”!  Are you cleansed and depending on His grace; or are you living independent from God!  Thank YOU Lord, that we can depend on YOU!

“Now then we are ambassadors

for Christ,

 as though God did beseech you by us:

we pray you

in Christ’s stead,

be ye reconciled to God.

21 For he hath made him

to be sin for us,

who knew no sin;

that we might be made

 the righteousness of God

in him.”   2 Corinthians 5:20-21

Jesus will be your righteousness, if you will depend on HIM:

“Take my yoke upon you,

and learn of me;

for I am meek and lowly in heart:

and ye shall find rest unto your souls.”  Matthew 11:29

Amen and Amen!!!

Bible Ballistics: BBs #605 A Month Of Gratitude? #9 Courage

22 Friday Nov 2019

Posted by in Abundant Life In Jesus, By His Grace, Courage, Finishing Well, Gratitude, Gratitude Is Timeless, Great is Thy Faithfulness, Testify, Thankful, Thanksgiving, That They May Know, Witness

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Bible Ballistics: BBs #605  A Month Of Gratitude??? #9 Courage

 

On this Friday before the big “Thanksgiving” day celebration, a dear friend is being laid to rest—and she is the inspiration for this post today.  Miss Carolyn was one of the most faithful, godly and courageous women I have ever known. In these last few years when I got to know her, she was frail in body, but her heart and soul were mighty before God, even though she wrestled with a chronic and debilitating ailment, but her spirit soared before God and man!, partly (I believe) because she understood what Paul reminded the Corinthians of, where our courage comes from:

“For though we walk in the flesh,

we do not war after the flesh:

4 (For the weapons of our warfare

are not carnal,

but mighty through God

to the pulling down of strong holds;)

5 Casting down imaginations,

and every high thing

that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God,

and bringing into captivity

every thought

to the obedience of Christ;”  2 Corinthians 10:3-5

I am so grateful to God for the faithful influences that He has brought into my life, and Miss Carolyn is one of those at the top of my list of blessings and encouragers—her presence will be sorely missed by many.  She was an amazing teacher, a wife, who still grieved for her beloved “Jim” (with whom she is now reunited), a wonderful mother, grandmother and great-grandmother!  So many lives touched by the influence of her devotion to God, His Word and His ways!

Thank you, Lord, for those great, holy, and powerful men and women of faith that You send, and have sent, into our lives.  I think this is what the author of Hebrews wanted to remind us of.

“Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about

with so great a cloud of witnesses,

let us lay aside every weight,

and the sin

which doth so easily beset us,

and let us run

with patience

the race

that is set before us,

2 Looking unto Jesus

the author

and finisher of our faith;

who for the joy that was set before him

endured the cross,

despising the shame,

and is set down

at the right hand

of the throne of God.

3 For consider him

that endured such contradiction

of sinners

against himself,

lest ye be wearied

and faint in your minds.” Hebrews 12:1-3

This passage isn’t picturing some “great stadium in the sky” where the saints of God are cheering on as spectators of the events on earth—no way!  It is picturing the faithful witness that God’s servants, who have just been described in the chapter 11’s ‘hall of faith’, have exhibited before the world for their good and ours!!  It is referring to the testimony of faithful witnesses (witnesses which we all are—be it a good witness or a poor one—ever a witness of what/who we “really” believe); those who have run the race, fought the fight, stood their ground, and kept their eyes on the prize—Jesus!  The passage goes on to remind us of the faithful example of service, love and obedience that our Lord demonstrated.

What a mighty God we serve—He not only sent Jesus to live a perfect life, pay the sacrifice for our sin, to be raised from the dead for our salvation, but He has given believers His precious Holy Spirit to dwell within us empowering us to be an example for others—yet the cost is higher  for some than it is for others.  Miss Carolyn paid a price for her faithful service—pain in her physical body—but she was ever pressing on for Jesus, and the people she loved—a witness to the power and provision of God –as a faithful warrior not a spectator, even with her physical limitations. She was a great teacher, a prayer warrior for so many who knew her, and I count it an honor to have been one who depended on and benefitted from her faithful prayers!  Thank You Jesus!

May we ever remember the witness of our Lord, and the encouraging testimony of those He places in our path?  May we strive to follow their example, ever keeping the cross in sight that we might reflect its glory, power and grace!

“For what glory is it, if,

when ye be buffeted for your faults,

ye shall take it patiently?

but if,

when ye do well,

and suffer for it,

ye take it patiently,

this is acceptable with God.

21 For even hereunto were ye called:

because Christ also suffered for us,

leaving us an example,

that ye should follow his steps:

22 Who did no sin,

neither was guile found in his mouth:

23 Who, when he was reviled,

reviled not again;

when he suffered,

 he threatened not;

but committed himself

to him that judgeth righteously:

24 Who his own self

bare our sins

in his own body

on the tree,

that we,

being dead to sins,

should live unto righteousness:

by whose stripes

ye were healed.”  1 Peter 2:20-24

We have been empowered by HIS stripes which “healed” us from our sin disease!  Let’s run the race that HE has set before us that we might also be found faithful in His service.

“Let this mind be in you,

which was also in Christ Jesus:

6 Who, being in the form of God,

 thought it not robbery

to be equal with God:

7 But made himself

of no reputation,

and took upon him

the form of a servant,

and was made

in the likeness of men:

8 And being found in fashion as a man,

he humbled himself,

and became obedient

unto death,

even the death of the cross.

9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him,

and given him a name

which is above every name:

10 That at the name of Jesus

every knee should bow,

of things in heaven,

and things in earth,

and things under the earth;

11 And that every tongue should confess

that Jesus Christ is Lord,

to the glory of God the Father.”  Philippians 2:5-11

Thank You Lord for the faithful witness of your servants, and the encouragement and instruction that they pass on to us.  As the song says, “may those who come behind us find us faithful”!  (From “Find Us Faithful” by Steve Green)!

Blessings on your day, and don’t forget to not only thank God for those special people in your life, but a phone call, note, card, email, text, or even a visit is in order to let them know how they’ve blessed you/me!  Go—be thankful—spread that “attitude of gratitude”!

Amen and Amen!

 

 

 

A Month Of Gratitude??? #7. Bible Ballistics: Vol. 14 No. 14

17 Sunday Nov 2019

Posted by in Abiding In Jesus, Attitude of Gratitude, Blessed by God, Follow Jesus, Friends, Friendship, Gratitude, Gratitude Is Timeless, Jesus Is The Only Way!, Thankful, Thanksgiving, That They May Know, The Crucified Life

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Bible Ballistics: Vol. 14 No. 14   A Month Of Gratitude??? #7

 

Friendship: I thank God for friendship!  First of all, I thank Jesus for taking me not only as His child but also to be my best friend!

“Henceforth I call you not servants;

for the servant knoweth not

what his lord doeth:

but I have called you friends;

for all things that I have heard of my Father

I have made known unto you.

16 Ye have not chosen me,

but I have chosen you,

and ordained you,

that ye should go

and bring forth fruit,

and that your fruit should remain:

that whatsoever ye shall ask

of the Father in my name,

he may give it you.

17 These things I command you,

that ye love one another.

18 If the world hate you,

ye know that it hated me

before it hated you.

19 If ye were of the world,

the world would love his own:

but because ye are not of the world,

but I have chosen you

out of the world,

therefore the world

hateth you.

20 Remember the word that I said unto you,

The servant is not greater than his lord.

If they have persecuted me,

they will also persecute you;

if they have kept my saying,

they will keep yours also.

21 But all these things will they do

unto you

for my name’s sake,

because they know not him

that sent me.”  John 15:15-21

Having Jesus as my Lord and Savior isn’t about having a magic lamp, or a genie—it means being crucified with the One who loves me and gave Himself that I might have life!  He did it all for me and having Jesus as my friend means not only identifying with Him as my Lord and Savior, but also loving Him and yielding to His work in my life; that the world may see Jesus in me and be drawn to Him; and I can only do that as I die to self and live to HIM!

“I am crucified with Christ:

nevertheless I live;

yet not I,

but Christ liveth in me:

and the life which I now live

in the flesh

I live by the faith of the Son of God,

who loved me,

and gave himself for me.”   Galatians 2:20

Jesus has given all for me, what less could I give to and for Him?  And Jesus Himself told us that the cross is the issue—He died that I might live, and I live by the power of His cross!  My friend, Jesus, gave His life for me—how could I thank Him for His sacrifice with less than my all?

“Then said Jesus unto his disciples,

If any man will come after me,

let him deny himself,

and take up his cross,

and follow me.

25 For whosoever will save his life

shall lose it:

and whosoever will lose his life

for my sake

shall find it.

26 For what is a man profited,

if he shall gain the whole world,

and lose his own soul?

or what shall a man give

in exchange for his soul?”  Matthew 16:24-26

Because I am grateful for the ONE who gave His life for me, I desire to please Him, and to hear His “Well done, thou good and faithful servant.” when He calls me to Himself, or when He returns for His own!  Do you have such a friend?

I am also thankful for the precious friends in this life whom God has blessed me with!  I truly believe if you/I have one “real” friend, then we are abundantly blessed.  If you have more than one, then you are greatly blessed; and I count myself as one of those abundantly showered with faithful friends!  I have been so greatly blessed by those whom God has sent into my life—some for most of my life—some for a season—some for a short time.  Some are still here, some have gone on before me; but regardless of when, or where, or how long we had in close proximity, I am blessed beyond measure to have shared my life, love and labors with these unique precious ones.

God’s Word says a lot about friends, and I’d like to share just a few of those principles and truths with you today.

“A man that hath friends

must shew himself friendly:

and there is a friend

that sticketh closer than a brother.” Proverbs 18:24

“A friend loveth

at all times,

and a brother

is born for adversity.”   Proverbs 17:17

“Open rebuke

is better than secret love.

6 Faithful are the wounds

of a friend;

but the kisses of an enemy

are deceitful.”   Proverbs 27:6-7

To have good friends, we must be willing to be a good friend; one who is there through thick and thin; one who stands fast in good times and adversity; one who is willing to hold you accountable to God’s Word; one whose advice is for your ultimate good rather than your momentary satisfaction!  How grateful I am that God has sent those kinds of people into my life—He has also allowed me to help those who stayed for a time; as well as those who stayed only as long as it was beneficial to them; and He has sent me those who have stayed the course despite my humanity!  God is so faithful and His love and care for me, as well as His faithfulness to grow me in His Word have helped me be a better friend, and I pray that I can always be that “friend that sticketh closer than a brother”! While I praise God for my siblings (whom I love and am thankful for also), we have often had great distances between us, and God has sent me friends who have stood by me in that “closer than a brother” kind of way!  My heart’s desire is that I will be that kind of friend to others.

Sometimes friendship has a cost, and just as Jesus paid the price for our salvation out of His great love for us; we ought to share with others that same kind of love in friendship!  True friends live and share the love of Jesus with one another, helping each other to become the best that we can be—to glorify our Lord!

“Iron sharpeneth iron;

so a man sharpeneth

the countenance of his friend.” Proverbs 27:17

Are we being that “iron” sharpening “iron” by our walk with Jesus, or are we leading our friends down a path of compromise, indulgence and selfish, fleshly lusts?  It’s a tough question because it makes me assess my own walk with Jesus; am I growing in the grace of Jesus and helping others to keep our “eyes on the prize”—Jesus Christ Himself!

“But grow in grace,

and in the knowledge

of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

To him be glory

both now

and for ever. Amen.”  2 Peter 3:18

Oh, to stand fast in “the evil day” and bring glory to The Lord Jesus, to encourage those He sends to us, being grateful for each one HE sends into our lives, imparting grace, courage and love!

“Not as though I had already attained,

either were already perfect:

but I follow after,

if that I may apprehend that

for which also I am apprehended

of Christ Jesus.

13 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended:

but this one thing I do,

forgetting those things

which are behind,

and reaching forth

unto those things which are before,

14 I press toward the mark

for the prize

of the high calling of God

in Christ Jesus.

15 Let us therefore,

as many as be perfect,

be thus minded:

and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded,

God shall reveal even this unto you.

16 Nevertheless,

whereto we have already attained,

let us walk by the same rule,

let us mind the same thing.

17 Brethren, be followers

together of me,

and mark them

which walk so

as ye have us for an ensample.”  Philippians 3:12-17

May we ever pursue the example of our Lord—He loved us first!  Loving others as He loves us—may we be the friend to others that Jesus is to us!  Thank you to all my wonderful friends—and a special thank you to those of you who have stood with me through the years—you are a treasure rare—and I truly “thank my God upon every remembrance of you”!  Blessings on your week! (Thank God and be sure and thank a friend!)

“In this was manifested the love of God

toward us,

because that God sent his only begotten Son

into the world,

that we might live

through him.

10 Herein is love,

not that we loved God,

but that he loved us,

and sent his Son

to be the propitiation

for our sins.

11 Beloved,

if God so loved us,

we ought also

to love one another.”  1 John 4:9-11

Amen and Amen!!!

A Month Of Gratitude??? #5 Prayer Bible Ballistics: BBs #603

15 Friday Nov 2019

Posted by in Gratitude, Gratitude Is Timeless, Prayer, Thankful, Thanksgiving, The Word

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Bible Ballistics: BBs #603    A Month Of Gratitude??? #5 Prayer

 

I am most grateful for the privilege of prayer!  It is the greatest gift of communication that we could have, and God has extended not only His ear, but His heart and compassion to us—24/7/365.

“For we have not an high priest

which cannot be touched

with the feeling of our infirmities;

but was in all points tempted

like as we are,

yet without sin.

16 Let us therefore come boldly

unto the throne of grace,

that we may obtain mercy,

and find grace to help

in time of need.”   Hebrews 4:15-16

I’d like to share an ‘amplified’ version of the 23rd Psalm that I did several years ago, may it remind us that the One that we pray to hears, guides and provides according to His perfect will—for HE knows what is ahead, and we can trust HIM.  Is HE your shepherd?

“The Lord

King of Kings–

Lord of Lords–

Creator and sustainer of the universe–

Lover of my soul–

The “ONLY” way–

The “ONLY” truth—

The “ONLY” life, blood bought at Calvary—

And because of Calvary the victor over death—

is my shepherd;

He belongs to me; He is MY shepherd—

Because I belong to Him through the cross—

As He gave HIS life’s blood for the sheep—

My keeper—

My guard—

My teacher—

My protector—

My dearest friend–

I shall not want.

Because my God is watching over me—

He knows my needs before I do—

My heart is set on Him—

If it pleases my Shepherd, it pleases me—

Because He “loves” me—

I can trust Him and His tender care—

I can trust HIS perfect will in all things–

2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures:

He provides for my sustenance—

When I follow Him, all is well with my soul—

His pastures (like His will) provide the best care—

In His pastures I can rest my weary soul–

he leadeth me beside the still waters.

His water is still so I can drink to the full—

His still waters will never overwhelm me—

His waters will never drag me down in the mire—

His waters are still for my nourishment–

my safety—

my security– 

3 He restoreth my soul:

My shepherd knows my soul needs restoring—

He leads me to quiet places even in the storm—

He can restore simply by HIS presence—

If we’ll but seek Him—

If we’ll but listen—

If we’ll but rest in Him—

If we’ll but trust and believe—

He’ll never send us out powerless–

He’ll never send us out unprotected—

he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.

My shepherd leads my every step if I’ll go—

My shepherd knows the way before me—

My shepherd gives me a lamp for my feet—

My shepherd gives me a light for my path—

My shepherd provides for my way at Calvary—

His blood imparts His righteousness to me—

I can walk in those paths because HE lives—

4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,

And we all will die physically—

But with my shepherd death is only a door—

A door that leads to “LIFE” for eternity with HIM—

And because of that—

I will fear no evil:

Because I belong to the Sovereign Lord of ALL—

Because the “joy of the Lord” is my strength—

Because I have “righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.”- 

for thou art with me;

Just as He promised,

to never leave me—

to never forsake me—

The indwelling Holy Spirit is in me—

Jesus has come in to dine with me—

I can dine with Him regardless of time or place—

thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.   

He is conforming me into the image of the SON—

Whether in reproof or instruction He is there—

He is working all things for my good—

As HE conforms me to the image of Jesus—

So, I can take comfort in the discipline of God—

Whether it’s instruction or correction—

It will bring comfort to my soul–              

5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: 

When others may come against me, God knows—

God wants my responses to reflect HIS glory, for—

God is weaving me into a tapestry of holiness—

He IS doing HIS work IN me, HIS child—

He often does His best work under duress—

I can trust to HIS ways, public and private– 

thou anointest my head with oil;   

My shepherd will reveal that I am His—

He will verify my work for HIM—

He will identify me as HIS own—

He will welcome me home, my real home—

Because of ALL HE IS…..

my cup runneth over.

I am overwhelmed with joy and gratitude—

The abundance of my soul bursts with love—

His love that HE places within me—

My fullness of joy affects everything around me—

To lead others to know my wonderful Shepherd—

And the results are always in HIS hands.

And the results of knowing and following my dear Shepherd are incomparable:

6 Surely goodness and mercy 

shall follow me all the days of my life: 

and I will dwell in the house of the Lord 

for ever.  Psalm 23

May you ever bask in the joy of this Shepherd who loves you and laid down His life for you? If you know Him, trust Him with it all—HE cares. If you don’t know Him, I pray that you will call on Him to today, in repentance and faith, believing that His perfect life sacrificed for you is sufficient to forgive and cleanse you of all sin. God bless your journey to HIM and with HIM! The choice is still yours.

Amen and Amen!!!

A Month Of Gratitude–Mothering Bible Ballistics: BBs

14 Thursday Nov 2019

Posted by in Gratitude, Thanksgiving

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This is a post from 5 years ago, but I am sharing it with you today instead of my regular post. It is as true today as it ever has been….. Blessings on you all…

November 14, 2014
I thank God for the privilege of being a mother. Mothering-“to look after kindly and protectively”. I gave birth to 4 children, but I have mothered many more than that. For those of you who have desired to ‘give birth’ but haven’t, it means that you can be a ‘mother’ without giving birth. God gives us opportunities to affect the lives of others. To pour into them the love, encouragement and godly influence of a loving mother. I thank God for the joys and sorrows that I have experienced as a mother—the joys are immeasurable, and the sorrows have helped to make me the person that I am today. Because I am able to share with others that which God has done for me:

“Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,

the Father of mercies,                                                                       and the God of all comfort;

4 Who comforteth us in all our tribulation,

that we may be able to comfort them

which are in any trouble,

by the comfort wherewith

we ourselves are comforted

of God.” 2 Corinthians 1:3-4

Thank you Lord for my children, grandchildren and all those you have allowed me to love and care for. What a blessing!!

Amen and Amen!!!