Category: Relationship

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A Secret Hiding Place

After writing yesterday’s blog I realized that many times when we have been wrongly judged we create a “hiding place”. It becomes a place to go when we are feeling vulnerable and we don’t want others to see our insecurity and weakness.

Some retreat to a place emotionally and others find an actual physical place to hide.

About thirty-five years ago there was a song in Christian circles by the artist, Twilla Parris. It was entitled, “Secret Place”. The words of this song still minister to me today. It asks, if we will let the Lord into your secret place? It’s that place we don’t think anyone knows about. The place where we can hide bitterness, the sting of rejection, fear of unworthiness and secret sins. These are things that we keep secluded and we don’t even want the Lord to know about. (But He does.) When we think about these things now they hurt as much as the day they occurred. Our secret place might seem safe but in reality it keeps us locked in or imprisoned to those circumstances.

MY HEART IS LIKE A HOUSE, ONE DAY I LET THE SAVIOR IN
THERE ARE MANY ROOMS WHERE WE WOULD VISIT NOW AND THEN.
BUT THEN ONE DAY HE SAW THAT DOOR I KNEW THE DAY HAD COME TOO SOON
I SAID JESUS I’M NOT READY FOR US TO VISIT IN THAT ROOM

THERE’S A PLACE IN MY HEART WHERE EVEN I WOULDN’T GO
I HAVE SOME THINGS HIDDEN THERE I DON’T WANT NO ONE TO KNOW
BUT HE HANDED ME THE KEY WITH TEARS OF LOVE ON HIS FACE
HE SAID I WANT TO MAKE YOU FREE LET ME GO IN YOUR SECRET PLACE.

SO I OPENED UP THE DOOR AND THE TWO OF US WALKED IN
I WAS SO ASHAMED I’D REVEALED MY HIDDEN SIN.
BUT WHEN I THINK ABOUT THAT ROOM NOW I’M NOT AFRAID ANYMORE
FOR I KNOW MY HIDDEN SIN NO LONGER HIDES BEHIND THAT DOOR.

THERE WAS A PLACE IN MY HEART WHERE EVEN I WOULDN’T GO
I HAD SOME THINGS HIDDEN THERE I DIDN’T WANT NO ONE TO KNOW
BUT HE HANDED ME THE KEY WITH TEARS OF LOVE ON HIS FACE
HE MADE ME FREE I LET HIM IN MY SECRET PLACE.

I had a room in my heart like that. It was filled with bitterness and anger. Every time I thought of a certain situation and the person who controlled it I would flare up again. It was so hurtful. So yes, I kept it locked away and didn’t deal with it.

One day as I was praying about something completely different those memories came flooding in. I remember saying “Lord, that’s not what I’m praying about.” and I felt the Lord say to me “But this is what we need to deal with”. I began to weep, I confessed my bitterness and felt Him heal my heart. I was free!

Then the Lord showed me that He has a secret place for me to come to when I’m frightened or insecure, when I’ve been hurt. There’s no lock on the door. His secret place is for my safety and protection.

“He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. 2 I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress; My God, in Him I will trust.” Psalm 91:1-2 NKJV

“37 However, those the Father has given me will come to me, and I will never reject them.” John 6:37 NLT

Following the Lord doesn’t mean that we won’t face obstacles, battles or persecution but it does mean that the Lord will walk with us through the storms, give us strength and peace and bring us out to a place of victory.

“Lord, Reveal to me any “secret” places that I have kept back from You and give me the courage to let You shine the light of Your love into that darkness and bring me out into the warmth of your protection and healing. You are my God and I place my trust in You!”

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Is Someone Judging You?

Have you ever been misjudged? Maybe it was your appearance; maybe your age or maybe it was the region you came from? Better yet let me ask this question, have you ever misjudged someone?

Either way – judging or being judged – is detrimental.

Years ago I worked at a community college and a young man worked under my supervision. My best description of him was he could have been a character from a pirates movie. I judged him on his appearance. In a few weeks I came to know him better and found that he was a real evangelist on campus. I repented quickly for judging.

Samuel was a priest and God sent him on a mission. He was to find and anoint a king for Israel. Saul, the reigning king, had turned his back on God’s instruction and then he lied about it. He even consulted a witch instead of the Lord. The Lord told Samuel to find and anoint a new king.

Samuel went where the Lord sent him, to Bethlehem. There he found Jesse who had seven sons. Samuel told Jesse why he was there and so each son was brought before Samuel. Samuel saw one who looked like he would be God’s chosen but the Lord didn’t agree. Six sons came before Samuel and the Lord rejected each of them.

Jesse, David’s father, didn’t even have David come to meet the priest. How do you like that? His own father judged David unqualified, he was just a kid! But look what the Lord said.

“But the Lord told him, “Samuel, don’t think Eliab is the one just because he’s tall and handsome. He isn’t the one I’ve chosen. People judge others by what they look like, but I judge people by what is in their hearts.” I Samuel 16:7 CEV

“Jesse sent for David. He was a healthy, good-looking boy with a sparkle in his eyes. As soon as David came, the Lord told Samuel, ‘He’s the one! Get up and pour the olive oil on his head.’ 13 Samuel poured the oil on David’s head while his brothers watched. At that moment, the Spirit of the Lord took control of David and stayed with him from then on.” I Samuel 16:12-13 CEV

If you’ve been judged unfairly by others, take heart! Really! Take your heart for God and know that even though men reject you God has chosen you. The Pharisees and religious rulers thought Jesus wasn’t qualified to be the Messiah because “can anything good come from Nazareth”. He was judged ineffective simply because of where He lived.

When God gives you a task to do His is the only opinion that matters.

We must be careful not to judge others. Jesus told us plainly to “judge not lest we be judged”. God qualifies and equips those He chooses. Did you see what the verse said about King David? “the Spirit of the Lord took control of David and stayed with him from then on.”

It doesn’t matter if we’re young or old, rich or poor, educated or not, male or female, religious or common, our God looks on the heart! The only question should be – how is my heart?

Lord, I desire to have my heart pure in Your site. In Jesus name.

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Congratulations Class of 2020!

I want to take this morning to say congratulations to all who are graduating this year. You did it!

Each one of you are unique and have talents and abilities that no one else does. Your perspective, sense of humor, compassion, strength and skills have made you one-of-a-kind. As parents, grandparents, educators, family and friends we want to encourage you as you continue on this road of life.

God made you complete; an individual who will add to this world and not take away from it. The person you are now and in the process of becoming is as distinctive as your fingerprints. Without you we would all be missing out.

Parents, from the time our graduates were born we guided them in their development. It was our job to nurture them and help them see their God-given talents. As this door on their education closes and they step out into a waiting world we know there is nothing common about them. They have a calling, a plan and a purpose that is exclusively theirs.

“‘I say this because I know the plans that I have for you.’ This message is from the Lord. ‘I have good plans for you. I don’t plan to hurt you. I plan to give you hope and a good future. 12 Then you will call my name. You will come to me and pray to me, and I will listen to you.'” Jeremiah 29:11-12 ERV

Trust God to direct your path; as you pursue His plan your lives will be filled with peace, protection and wisdom. He has designed this day from the beginning of time and He desires nothing but good for you.

Any plan that God designs is excellent. Trust Him with your future. You are valuable to your heavenly Father; it makes no difference your profession. We need you – trades persons, educators, first responders, professionals, ministers, musicians, bankers, clerks, artists, designers, homemakers – we need you all.

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. 6 Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take. 7 Don’t be impressed with your own wisdom. Instead, fear the Lord and turn away from evil. 8 Then you will have healing for your body and strength for your bones.” Proverbs 3:5-8 NLT

We are celebrating you, the graduates, today. College, High School, Trade School, Junior High and yes, even kindergarten. God’s love and provision is never limited – not by age, class, race, gender or education. He has made a promise to each and everyone of us – He will never leave us or abandon us – never!

Go with God! Follow His path.

Congratulations!

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Lord, It’s Morning!

Listen…No stop right now and listen for 10 seconds.

If you’re anything like me your morning starts with the sound of the coffee pot, the hum of the computer fan and a myriad of other noises all competing for your attention. I am blessed to live in rural Arizona where there are no sounds of traffic, sirens, planes or other such noises, just the birds and the coyotes. When we lived in Montana I would hear the momma cows calling to their calves and the horses nickering as they waited for morning feed. But it hasn’t always been that way.

I know what it’s like to wake to the alarm clock. Have kids that need to get up, be fed and taken to school on my way to the office in the busy traffic. Radios playing, tv spilling the morning news, emails to read, FB to check in on – so much noise. It can be deafening.

When you stopped to listen did you hear the voice of God?

I wake up each morning and say “I love you Father, I love you Jesus, I love you Holy Spirit” and then I can hear that inner voice say “We love you too”. WOW!!

“Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.” Psalm 46:10

We spend so much time looking for the big, the spectacular, the miraculous and we miss the simple, still, small voice of God trying to lead us and give us insight. How many times have we said, “I knew I shouldn’t have done that” or “It just dawned on me” or “I was just thinking about that very thing” and we don’t realize that God is trying to get through to us?

When David, the anointed king, was running from Saul in desert he continually inquired of the Lord. Should I go or stay? Should I attack or refrain? The Bible tells us that David was a man “after God’s own heart”. He wanted to be led by God in all he did. He knew that his well-being was entirely in God’s hands.

“I will call to God for help, and the Lord will save me. 17 I speak to God morning, noon, and night. I tell him what upsets me, and he listens to me! 18 I have fought in many battles, but he has always rescued me and brought me back safely.” Psalm 55:16-18 ERV

The most important thing we’ll hear each morning, if we listen, will be the still, small voice of the Lord. Sssssh – just listen!

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Made Right – Ready for Use

I know everyone has bought an item at one time or another and found one of those “inspected by” tags. Do you ever wonder who “inspected by No. 46” is? And if you find a flaw in the product, were they having a bad day and just didn’t do their job right? I know it’s silly but I wonder about those things.

However, I have never wondered if God was having a bad day when He told the Holy Spirit to put His seal of approval on us – we are made right and ready for use.

“It’s in Christ that you, once you heard the truth and believed it (this Message of your salvation), found yourselves home free—signed, sealed, and delivered by the Holy Spirit. This signet from God is the first installment on what’s coming, a reminder that we’ll get everything God has planned for us, a praising and glorious life.” Ephesians 1:13-14 MSG

This signet that Paul is talking about was the seal which was placed on every document that came directly from the king or ruler. Hot wax was pour on the parchment and the king’s ring was pressed in to it, leaving an impression to authenticate His approval.

We have been sealed by the Holy Spirit; this marking says we have been made right and are ready for use.

“So that one sin of Adam brought the punishment of death to all people. But in the same way, Christ did something so good that it makes all people right with God. And that brings them true life. 19 One man disobeyed God and many became sinners. But in the same way, one man obeyed God and many will be made right.” Romans 5:18-19 ERV

Made right! When God the Father sees us, He sees that we have been made right! No junk or second rate product here. We are completely new in our life with Him.

“When anyone is in Christ, it is a whole new world. The old things are gone; suddenly, everything is new!” II Corinthians 5:17 ERV

We’re not good enough to do this on our own. No, we have to accept what Jesus has done. There was a time when we were so strapped financially that we couldn’t pay the electric bill. There wasn’t enough money and we didn’t know what we were going to do. A dear friend offered to pay it for us. We could have refused His offer but we didn’t and the bill was marked “paid in full”. Jesus paid the price for our sin and God has marked the account “paid in full”.

“For God made Christ, who never sinned, to be the offering for our sin, so that we could be made right with God through Christ.” II Corinthians 5:21 NLT

Because of Jesus we have been “made right” and are ready for use!

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The Treasure Hunt

When we lived in Montana there was an old ghost town only a few miles up the road. It was always an adventure to visit there and learn about the early mining history of our state. We could walk through the buildings, down the streets and even visit the cemetery. Thousands of people had lived there during the gold strike and then almost over night the gold played out and a new strike was found about seventy miles away in Virginia City. Off the residents went in search of riches.

During the summer, visitors to Bannack are welcome to try their hand at prospecting using a gold pan and some dirt from the nearby, gold enriched, Grasshopper Creek. Gold panning is fun but it’s hard work too. For the diligent there is the possibly of finding a nugget or two and at the very least a few flakes.

The mound of dirt that’s brought in doesn’t look like much – just regular old dirt. Add some to your pan and the treasure hunt begins. Sloshing and swirling of water, removing the larger rocks, more washing, but more gently now. The black dirt settles in the bottom of the pan, a little more water, swirl it gently and there in the bottom of the pan garnets, rubies and even gold appears.

Prospecting is nothing more than looking for something valuable among the common. I know of no better prospector than the Lord.

“Jesus told the people another story: What will a woman do if she has ten silver coins and loses one of them? Won’t she light a lamp, sweep the floor, and look carefully until she finds it? 9 Then she will call in her friends and neighbors and say, “Let’s celebrate! I’ve found the coin I lost.” 10 Jesus said, “In the same way God’s angels are happy when even one person turns to him.” Luke 15:8-10 CEV

He searches for us. Digging through the dirt, He washes away what is worthless to reveal our true value. We are precious to Him! We are his treasure.

Our heavenly Father came looking for us when we were at our worst. Once again I am overwhelmed by the Father’s love for us! He has covered our lives with His unconditional love and forgiveness.

“Christ died for us at a time when we were helpless and sinful. 7 No one is really willing to die for an honest person, though someone might be willing to die for a truly good person. 8 But God showed how much he loved us by having Christ die for us, even though we were sinful.

9 But there is more! Now that God has accepted us because Christ sacrificed his life’s blood, we will also be kept safe from God’s anger. 10 Even when we were God’s enemies, he made peace with us, because his Son died for us. Yet something even greater than friendship is ours. Now that we are at peace with God, we will be saved by his Son’s life. 11 And in addition to everything else, we are happy because God sent our Lord Jesus Christ to make peace with us.” Romans 5:6-11 CEV

Because of His love and the sacrifice of Jesus we are at peace with God and precious in His sight.

“He feels pity for the weak and the needy, and he will rescue them. 14 He will redeem them from oppression and violence, for their lives are precious to him.” Psalm 72:13-14 NLT

We are precious to the Father. We are His treasure!

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Are You Thirsty?

A number of years ago we lived in the panhandle of Idaho. We had one particular summer that was very dry. The catch ponds were drying up and the springs were only a trickle.

One afternoon the dogs put us on alert and when we looked out our windows, this is what we saw. A cow moose had wandered into our yard with her twins in search of water. Our sprinklers were running and they provided the much needed water that she was seeking. After they drank their fill, they rested in the shade of the tall pines. At first she was very cautious, looking about after every sip and then as her calves rested quietly, she found rest herself.

Have you been that thirsty, thirsty for God? Thirsty enough to “search” outside your comfort zone? To be willing to leave the familiar way of doing things and to find the answers you need in God’s word?

God asked Abraham to leave his family and his homeland. His descendants were the originators of the Jewish race. Ruth left all and followed after Naomi to a new land where God blessed her with a husband and a child. Christ was in their line of descendants. Peter left his fishing nets to follow Christ. Paul gave up his prestige as a Pharisee to follow Jesus and preach His word.

“As a deer pants for flowing streams, so pants my soul for you, O God. 2 My soul thirsts for God, for the living God.” Psalm 42:1-2 ERV

When we seek God, we will find Him and we will find that He fills our lives with so much more than we ever dreamed possible.

“Then you will call my name. You will come to me and pray to me, and I will listen to you. 13 You will search for me, and when you search for me with all your heart, you will find me. 14 I will let you find me.” This message is from the LORD.” Jeremiah 29:12-13 ERV

Jesus ministered to a crowd on a hillside one day and he told them. ““Continue to ask, and God will give to you. Continue to search, and you will find. Continue to knock, and the door will open for you. 8 Yes, whoever continues to ask will receive. Whoever continues to look will find. And whoever continues to knock will have the door opened for them. 9 “Do any of you have a son? If he asked for bread, would you give him a rock? 10 Or if he asked for a fish, would you give him a snake? Of course not! 11 You people are so bad, but you still know how to give good things to your children. So surely your heavenly Father will give good things to those who ask him.” Matthew 7:7-11 ERV

God is loving, kind and gracious and when we seek Him we will find that to be true. He put all of our punishment and judgement on Jesus so that we could have a wonderful relationship with Him.

“When anyone is in Christ, it is a whole new world. The old things are gone; suddenly, everything is new! 18 All this is from God. Through Christ, God made peace between himself and us. And God gave us the work of bringing people into peace with him. 19 I mean that God was in Christ, making peace between the world and himself. In Christ, God did not hold people guilty for their sins. And he gave us this message of peace to tell people.” II Corinthians 5:17-19. ERV

Someone needs to know today that God isn’t mad at you! He loves you and if you seek Him, you will find Him waiting with arms of love open wide. Seek for Him like that momma moose who came to our yard seeking water.

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We’re Champions

We all want to feel special. We want to know there is something about us that “entitles” us to the little extras. A bigger piece of pie, an extra scoop of ice cream, more money per hour at work, the bigger bouquet, the nicer car, the corner office and the list goes on.

However, I’ve never been one to win the trophy buckle, to graduate valedictorian, be promoted to executive team or even win the state championship. But there is one thing I’ve done that puts me in the top group every time!

This trophy buckle pictured here is my husband Dave’s. When we were preaching on working ranches and at youth rodeos he wore it all the time. We wanted all who came to realize that when we have Christ as our Savior we are all champions. The first step is to kneel at the cross.

“Yes, God loved the world so much that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him would not be lost but have eternal life. ” John 3:16 ERV

Yes, I’m a member of the world – I’m an everyone! That makes me a recipient of the Father’s love and a participant in life eternal.

“Training your body helps you in some ways. But devotion to God helps you in every way. It brings you blessings in this life and in the future life too. 9 Here is a true statement that should be accepted without question: 10 We hope in the living God, the Savior of all people. In particular, he is the Savior of all those who believe in him. This is why we work and struggle. 11 Command and teach these things.” I Timothy 4:8-11 CEV

Father God provides salvation for ALL but He’s given us a part to play. We must BELIEVE that Jesus provided our salvation as a free gift.

If I came to your house with a big box wrapped in beautiful paper and tied up with a gorgeous ribbon and I had put your name on the box, would that present be yours? Well of course it would!

If you took that present and set it on the dining room table and looked at it, each day, admiring how pretty it was and how nice it was of me to bring it, would it benefit you? No, not really. It’s not until you open the gift, fully accept it, that it truly becomes yours and is a benefit to you.

Many people have seen the gift the Father brought them; the gift of forgiveness and restoration but for what ever reason have failed to open it and appropriate it for themselves.

“My dear children, I write this letter to you so that you will not sin. But if anyone sins, we have Jesus Christ to help us. He always did what was right, so he is able to defend us before God the Father. 2 Jesus is the way our sins are taken away. And he is the way all people can have their sins taken away too.” I John 2:1-2 CEV

“no matter if that person is a Jew or a Gentile. There is only one Lord, and he is generous to everyone who asks for his help. 13 All who call out to the Lord will be saved.” Romans 10:12-13 CEV

So you see if you are a whosoever, an everyone, an “all people”, the gift is yours! Accept it and take advantage of what is being given – it definitely makes you a winner!

Christ has made us champions – we are victorious!

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Awful or Awe-filled

Just a week or so ago I was reading a post that went into great detail, listing all the things around the world that are awful. That word caught my attention, awful. But, in times like these we need to change our focus from the awful to the awe-filled.

Did you see last night’s sunset? Did you take time to watch a bird building a nest or the ant moving a crumb across the rocky ground? Did you watch your child sleeping peacefully or feel the tender touch of your loved one’s hand?

These things are awe-filled moments!

There is so much in life which inspires and encourages. We just have to look for it. God has positioned the wonders of the universe so that we have a sense of just how awesome He is.

“The heavens keep telling the wonders of God, and the skies declare what he has done.
2 Each day informs the following day; each night announces to the next. 3 They don’t speak a word, and there is never the sound of a voice. 4 Yet their message reaches all the earth,  and it travels around the world.” Psalm 19:1-4 CEV

“No one can stare at the sun after a breeze has blown the clouds from the sky. 22 Yet the glorious splendor of God All-Powerful is brighter by far. 23 God cannot be seen— but his power is great, and he is always fair.” Job 37:21-23 CEV

Our loving, heavenly Father wants us to be constantly aware that He is here and always ready to comfort and to guide. He doesn’t leave us to flounder on our own. He replaces what is awful with what is the awe-filled revelation of His presence.

“God, you give true peace to people who depend on you, to those who trust in you. So trust the Lord always, because in the Lord Yah* you have a place of safety forever.” Isaiah 26:3 ERV *Yah means mighty rock

Some years back I was sitting in a small community church. The song leader said that he would take requests from those in attendance. A sweet, unpretentious man raised his hand to make a request. Donald had been living on the streets; alcohol and drugs had stolen his family, his job and self-esteem. But one day someone introduced him to Jesus and his life changed. He was so aware of the Father’s loving presence. He said, “I hope we can sing ‘Our God is an Awesome God’. I don’t really know the tune very well but I do know that God is really awesome and that He loves me”. His matter-of-fact statement brought tears to my eyes.

We can look at the awful or we can seek our Awesome God and have each day filled with awe!

“O Lord, you are a great and awesome God! You always fulfill your covenant and keep your promises of unfailing love to those who love you and obey your commands.” Daniel 9:4 NLT

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Look for the Signs

We live in a rural area; one where coyotes and javelina forage at night. Rarely do we see them during the day but we hear them at night – sometimes in the lot next door or across the street. We see the tracks of the javelina in the morning and before the fence went in, those tracks would be in our backyard.

The javelina eat our cactus and other desert foliage. The coyotes are on the prowl looking for some small rodent to prey upon. We are alerted to their presence by the barking of the neighborhood dogs. Their barking is constant and loud. They sense a danger and are trying to warn us.

It’s annoying when we are awaken from a sound sleep and even more so when we aren’t able to get back to sleep…

Why is it we get annoyed by warnings?

Right now, we are bombarded with warnings. Wash your hands, wear a mask, stay at least six feet apart. But before all this there were signs everywhere. At Disneyland we are told if we have heart problems, are pregnant, under a certain height, etc. we can’t ride certain rides. There are railroad crossing signs, the icy road sign, the do not touch wet paint or slippery when wet signs, the speed limit postings; we have an aversion to all of these and think they apply to others and not to us. So we go blissfully on our way ignoring the warnings and most of the time suffer no consequences. We will master our own universe!

Some people feel the same way about reading the Bible or attending church because they say it cramps their style. It’s just a bunch of rules. Following Jesus is never about rules, it’s relationship!

I may ignore warnings from people I don’t know but if Dave calls me and tells me to stay off the road because there’s a storm headed my way or to stay away from the wood pile because there’s a snake under it, I heed his warning. He loves me and I know he is concerned for my welfare.

When Jesus gave warnings and instructions throughout His ministry He wasn’t being mean. He was showing how much He loves us.

“A thief comes only to rob, kill, and destroy. I came so that everyone would have life, and have it in its fullest. 11 I am the good shepherd, and the good shepherd gives up his life for his sheep.” John 10:10-11 CEV

Paul gives us instruction for living in a way that will keep our blood pressure down, help our heart stay healthy and will please God.

“Stop being bitter and angry and mad at others. Don’t yell at one another or curse each other or ever be rude. 32 Instead, be kind and merciful, and forgive others, just as God forgave you because of Christ. Do as God does. After all, you are his dear children. 2 Let love be your guide. Christ loved us and offered his life for us as a sacrifice that pleases God.” Ephesians 4:31-5:2 CEV

As we go through our day let’s pay attention to the warnings around us and not ignore them.

God has a wonderful life designed just for us and He wants us to be safe!

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