Missions

Weekend Activities

A. Knight

Yes….we had a good time….YES I was mentally and PHYSICALLY exhausted when they went home….boys are boys…and there was some wrestling….running….playing….and even some major whining (not all of it was mine either)….and the little cutiepie that is the youngest says, “I not you best fwend anymore”(he says YOU not your)….EVERY TIME he gets upset with you….or if he doesn’t get his way. So…I have only 2 best friends now….the older two. But even they weren’t my best friend the whole time they were here either.

I still don’t think I have unclinched my teeth from the stress….(I have a tendency to do that in my sleep)…and Jeff said I snored last night. I told him…”Well, at least I was able to sleep”. A little bit. My headache is still close enough that I know it’s there….my throat hurts when I swallow and yes, I am whining. So, Jeff, you still gonna be my best fwend?

Can I file a report for hurricane “Grandson” damage??? Anyone??? help?

I’ll be on the Sisters of Faith site tomorrow…..Lord willing.

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90 Days with Jesus Bible Study

Day Sixty-Four

A. Knight

Read Matthew 18:1-9

After I read the scripture for today, I thought about all the choices people make. Some choices can hurt us, some can help us, or some can hinder us. I don’t want to ever cause someone to stumble because of my actions.

The choices we make today does affect those around us. One day, my husband, two children, and myself were out on the boat fishing. My husband talking to the kids, took a rock and threw it in the water and said, “Did you see that rock go in the water, and all the waves and ripples it made in the water? Well, I had control of the rock going into the water, but I could not control the ripples and where they would go and how far out they might reach. That is just like the choices we make, we never know who it might affect, so, we must be wise in our decisions.” I thought about that illustration a lot, it had a good message. Later on, when my son was going out one night, his dad handed him a rock and said, “Son put this in your pocket as a reminder of making wise choices.” A few days later, my husband asked our son if he still had the rock, and he said, “No, I gave it to a friend that had a big decision to make.”

Children, have such a special place in the heart of God. They have the purest praises to Him. It hurts my heart to think of children being abused. I could never work for the DCF (Dept. of Children and Families) or HRS, because I’m afraid I would get so angry at people that abuse their children and want them locked-up immediately, and I would want to bring the children all home with me and love them! I’ve always thought that’s what vs. 6 was talking about. It seemed to me, God didn’t have alot of patience with child abusers either.

People often try to blame their sin on someone and past experiences. “My momma spanked me too much, I didn’t have a father at home, or my parents never told me they loved me, so that’s why I did what I did.” Lots of excuses for their sin. But the bottom line is they took the bait satan set for them. Beth talked about the “trapper and being trapped” and how all the blame shouldn’t be on the “trapper,” because when we take the bait from satan, “we are still responsible for: 1.) Repenting of the sin of taking the bait. 2.) Learning why we took the bait. 3.) Asking God to mend and fortify the weak places in the fabric of our heart, soul, and mind so we will not continue life as a victim.”

Vs. 8&9 talk about getting rid of the things in our life that might cause us to stumble or keep us from living the life God rewards. I once heard it said, “if it takes it, ride the altar all the way to Glory.” In other words, “keep praying”. If it means going to Him daily with the same circumstance or issues until victory comes. Pray like Hannah did in I Samuel chapter 1, persistently making our requests known to God. We can give birth to our “baby”, if we keep knocking!

Dear Lord, I love you and praise you for a beautiful day you’ve given us today. We worship and honor you and give you praise for you alone are worthy of our praise. Walk with us today and whisper your words of guidance in our ears. May we not be a stumbling block to someone else, but help us be a stepping stone to draw them closer to you. I pray that when others look at our lives they see a reflection of you. Bless all the dear sisters and their loved ones in Jesus name I pray–Amen.

Keeping the Faith,

Aimee

Devotion, Life, love

Prison of a Prodigal

A. Knight

My mother has a “serious business” prayer….when it is “serious business”. It’s called the “whatever it takes” prayer. The words of this prayer mean e-x-a-c-t-l-y that! WHATEVER IT TAKES….LORD—SAVE THEIR SOUL.

I don’t take this prayer lightly. I have prayed this prayer three times in my life. When this prayer is prayed….well, as the saying goes—”Katie– bar the door!” Or —you better look out!

I remember as a young woman, praying this prayer about my dad. He was a dad….running as hard as he could from God. He had been in and out of church all of his “decision making life”. When he became old enough to decide for himself whether or not to go….well, it was hit and miss.
I can clearly remember kneeling in a small church, at the front pew, and a sweet elderly lady kneeling beside me and asking me what I was praying for. I told her simply, “my dad”. “I want him to know Christ.” In the way that his mother before him had known Him.

When I was a young teen he had left our home—never to return as a resident. My parents divorced by the time I was sixteen and I remember how hard that decision was for my mother. I remember how hard that was for all of us. But my mother continued to bring up her children in the way of the Lord. To teach us “right from wrong”. I believe she succeeded. But I digress.

I prayed this prayer, “Lord, whatever it takes, save my dad. Don’t let him die and go to hell.” That was my fear. I knew that he was much like the prodigal son. He had taken what was his and left to live his life for himself. But he was still prayed for. He was prayed for by his mother. A very godly woman that never laid her head on her pillow at night without calling out the name of each of her children to the Lord. He was prayed for by my mother. Even though their lives together would never be the same, she still cared. He was prayed for by his children. He was dad after all. He was loved.

The prodigal path that he chose, became the “whatever it takes”. The “whatever it took” had an impact on all of our lives. But when you pray that prayer, you really don’t think of what it might actually take. The prodigal pig pen became a prison for the prodigal .

A prison can be a place of real physical metal bars, but can also be a place of steel deep in the mind and heart, created by the enemy. A place that seems to over take your life in such a way, you see no way out. That is exactly what the enemy of your soul wants you to see. He wants you to believe that “your family no longer cares”. He wants you to feel that “you are too far gone”. That you’ve done too much “sinning”, that you cannot be forgiven. That surely, by now, you are not important. Maybe he has even told some prodigals that they have even been replaced.

A child can never be replaced by another. This prodigal son was just as important to the frail praying mother as her other children. The tears that stung her eyes for the other children, fell just as hard for this prodigal. The “whatever it takes prayer” was taking a long time.

How much longer Lord? Isaiah 40:31 tells us this:

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.

Waiting is hard to do. Praising and worshiping while waiting, is even more difficult. But His word says “wait”.

I would like to tell you that it was just “a little while” before he gave his life to God. But the road to realization is sometimes a long one. It was many years. Many battles—many heartaches. And many prison bars. The battles and heartaches are felt not only by the “prayed for”, but by the “individuals on their knees”.

Max Lucado is a favorite author of mine. In his book “Grace for the Moment”, on March 7, these words are his… “Though the road to the palace takes a detour through a prison it eventually ends up at the throne.”

When the prodigal comes home….every battle, every scar, every trial is worth it. His mother would tell you that. But she’d have to lean over the portals of heaven to do so. But she would. She would tell you that every night spent in anguishing prayers over her son was worth the fact that he did finally come to know her Lord and Savior…. I was reminded this past week, we don’t pray for the convicting power of the Holy Spirit over their hearts like folks did when I was growing up. Why? What happened? Did we feel that was too harsh? Is there such a thing when it comes to a lost soul? I am asking your opinion. I for one, want the Holy Spirit to continually speak to my heart and mind about things I say or do that are not Christlike. I am praying for Holy Ghost conviction over my loved ones as well.

Father in heaven, I am so thankful that as I kneel before your throne, I am joined by those that have prayed that “hard prayer”. That “whatever it takes” prayer. For some, it took a lot. For others, they came more swiftly. But Lord, no matter how long it takes, we continue in prayer for those that are lingering on the edges of the most important decision of their lives. We ask that you simply keep talking to their hearts. Keep stirring up their sleep! May the Holy Spirit convict them continually, of everything that is standing in the way of them giving it all up to You. Until they all come home. I love you Father —- and am thankful that You never left. You stayed through all the tough times. You have always been my Father. I will always be your daughter. In Jesus most precious name I pray~Amen.

Picture: Art.com (Charles Schulz)

90 Days with Jesus Bible Study

Day Sixty-One

A. Knight

Luke 13:31-33

As I read Beth’s observations from this passage, I thought of my “child” that has the determination—which some called stubbornness. Hard headedness. Strong willed. As difficult as it may have been in raising her, the streak of set-determined-will, paid off in her young adult life. When she accepted Christ as her personal Savior as a young child, she never thought of another path. It was her determined purpose to live for Him. She was never a “follower” as my older child, and while she might not necessarily “lead” others, she certainly was not put off by those whose path did not align with hers. She had her mind made up. Don’t think her perfect—she will be the first one to tell you “loudly” she is not. But her heart follows closely to Christ Jesus.

The determination which Christ spoke in verse 32 had to shake the leaves on the trees. That’s what I imagine anyway. I see His eyes flash and His cheeks flush with the determination of a made up mind. Then He lays out His path, clear and straight. Absolutely no room for changing.

What if we lived every day with such a determined purpose? How would the day flow? I think right now, it seems almost impossible for me. The weather has a lot to do with it. Weather? Yes, crazy as it sounds—it’s a fact of my life. The colder the weather, the further down I bury myself in the covers. Snuggling deeper into the thick warmth, prolonging the fact down to several minutes after the fact I should have already been up!

When it rains…same thing. Knowing full well I need to be up and going…getting myself prepared for the day ahead. The sooner I am ready and leave the house, the sooner I get an hour of solitude with Christ. But I linger. Because of the weather.

What about you? What stumbles your feet in your day? When your plans run amuck, does it throw your whole day into somersaults of confusion? Or, is your plan of heart so set that you find some way to fulfill what God is calling you to no matter what.

I want the set determination that Christ had that day. For Him, the plans were made. I often say, something is or is not “in concrete.” To me, either it’s changeable or it’s not. On the Sisters of Faith Retreat, I had prayed for weeks for the Lord to direct our steps, plans and anoint the time together. He did. Although I planned certain things for certain days, the weather hindered the schedule. Did I panic? Nope. I learned a lesson about 5 years ago—give your day to God, allow Him to do the scheduling and leading —and it can’t go wrong. Try and do it all by yourself…the ship will sink every single time. The day it rained on our retreat, we simply switched the plans from one day to the other. And God anointed our time.

He has a plan and purpose for each heart and life that seeks to follow Him. I long to fulfill His purpose. I want to be usable in His divine plan of leading souls to Him.

Father God, You see our hearts. You see the day while the stars are yet twinkling. I ask You this morning, take our days and work Your perfect plan into each of our lives. Show us ways where we can bring You ultimate delight! I give you my today, my tomorrows—thanking You for the forgiveness of my yesterdays. Go with each one this weekend and give us a word over the next few days, directing us into what You desire. We continually seek Your face—for Your will. Not ours. In Christ holy name~Amen.

Keeping the Faith,

Angie

I hope you all have a blessed weekend. Not many days left. I have been missing Regina and Gail. Girls, you are loved and prayed for. I hope to hear from you to know that you are all right 🙂

Denise and Denise, Bernadine, Regina, Janice and Gail (and all those who have read along–but kept silent 🙂 )–you all have no idea how much it has meant to Aimee and myself to have you join us each morning/day in this time of study. The days of study that are coming are so good. I would like you all to join with us in prayer for one another—for our study to “sink in” to our hearts. For us to be able to meditate on His word–and what He accomplished for us. I love you all!
90 Days with Jesus Bible Study

Day Sixty

A. Knight

Luke 12:41-48

When I read these scriptures I always think about those that have known and had a relationship with Christ and have turned away. Possibly, this is even someone you know who has been brought up in church and the ways of God and walked the opposite direction. Paul speaks of a “falling away” in 2 Thessalonians 2:3. “Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition.” Sadly, we have already been seeing some “falling away.” I want to have my full armour on and be found ready!

This past weekend on our “Sister’s Retreat” we focused on “being a servant,” and this is what our lives should be about, serving others as unto the Lord. It’s not about us–it’s all about Him!

In vs. 41 of our study today, Peter asked who He was speaking to with the parable. Vs. 42, Jesus explains the servants, as all of us, being ready and working diligently for, and seeking Him.

Looking at vs. 47, He speaks of one that knew God’s will, but didn’t carry it forth- they will be punished. Beth asks a question today about- are those in leadership held to higher standards. I believe God expects more from those that have heard and know His word. In the Old Testament, God expected a bigger and better sacrifice from the Priests than the layman. Leadership is a big responsibility.

Let’s remember to pray for our leaders. We need to join together as Christians and pray for one another. His coming is drawing nearer.

Obviously, we can’t stand around outside everyday looking at the Eastern Sky, but we can work for Christ and His kingdom as we know our days here are limited…He’s coming soon! I love to sing the words- “This World is not my home, I’m only passing through, my treasures are laid up, somewhere beyond the blue…..” Hold on my sisters, He is coming soon!
I love you Lord, and I’m honored to get to work for you, as a servant. I love you more everyday! Your retirement benefits are “out of this world!” Many of us have lost loved ones and we want them to make it in. Please, deal with their hearts- soften their hearts and change their minds. Help us not be swayed by the enticements of this world. Thank you for all the dear sisters that you’ve blessed us with. You are so good to us. I praise your holy name. May we continue to wear your armour everyday to “fight the good fight of faith.” In Jesus name–Amen.
Keeping the Faith,
Aimee
Thankful Thursdays

Swallowing a MOOSE??

A. Knight

Hey everybody~ my friend Heather…from Swallowing a Moose has created a special Thanksgiving Blog…just for TESTIMONIES! I think it is awesome! It’s called Giving Thanks on Thanksgiving!

It is a culmination of all our Thankful Thursdays (sort of)!

Iris of Grace Alone began Thankful Thursdays and it is growing and glorifying Christ in the heart of every single visitor! WE are encouraged to look up! To be thankful! To lift the chin of another! Which is exactly what the LORD wants us to be doing! While it is yet day!

But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness. Hebrews 3:13 NIV

I am so thankful for shared sunsets! The beauty of the evening sky was captured by us amateur photographers on our Sisters of Faith Retreat! The palette of colors used by God is so magnificent, it is not found in any box of Crayola’s!

I am thankful for the beauty that He shines into our lives when we take the time to look! (This was one thing touched on Wednesday night during Bible Study.)

I am thankful for healing of my Aunt Evielean and my dear friend Susan! I am believing God to complete His perfect work in their lives and bodies!

I am thankful for the opportunity to meet Julie on our trip and help her celebrate her birthday…no we didn’t discuss numbers! That’s not important! Since my coming birthday will mean forty-sssssseeeeeevvvvvveeeeeennnnn years of blessings….we don’t go there.

I am thankful for friends, family and faith. I am thankful for salvation. For while I was yet a sinner, Christ had already made provision that I might have eternal life. In GLORY!

I am thankful for ALL He is teaching me as we are on this journey of dedication of time and heart with the 90 Days With the One and Only by Beth Moore. I have wept over many of the pages of words as they have penetrated my heart and soul. Christ is giving us a clear picture of ourselves—-and an even greater picture of what He desires us to be IN HIM. Through the pages of His life and journey while on this earth. So, if you have been thinking…”Angie just ain’t writing anymore”… honey, let me tell you, ask Jeff. I have had my face in the book(s) and in front of the computer every single night, along with my sister Aimee. You just have to trot over to the “Sister’s House” to find us! Sisters of Faith!

I am thankful for the dedicated hearts that have joined….as well as the lurkers, who simply read and pray along with us. (They think we don’t know they’re out there….) Thank you all!

I am thankful for YOU. For each blog I read, the Lord confirms over and over His amazing love for each heart and life. He shows me continually that each heart, touching another heart is part of His divine plan and purpose! YOU have touched my heart…just by stopping by!

Have a blessed weekend! Be sure and drop by Iris’ place for more thankful hearted testimonies of God’s goodness!

90 Days with Jesus Bible Study

Day Fifty-Nine

A. Knight

Scripture Reference Luke 12:35-40

Have you heard the commercial for a certain motel chain? “We’ll leave the light on for ya!” I thought of this when I was reading Beth’s comments.

How do they know what time I will arrive? They don’t. But they are prepared. The bed is made. The towels are clean and everything needed is at hand. I’ve only visited that particular chain of motels once or maybe twice in my life. They had the essentials. Nothing extra. I like the breakfast bar. The fresh coffee and cereal or biscuits in the morning. Sorry. This post is not about that. It’s about being found ready. Let’s move on.

When we were growing up, our mother worked as a bookkeeper in a nearby city. About a 25 minute drive from our house. We knew that every single day she expected the house to be neat and if she had something laid out for supper, and had given me instructions on preparing it, she expected to smell it when she walked in.

Well…you know we were kids. I was (still am), the oldest. Then Wanda, Aimee and finally, bringing up the rear was the baby brother. The ONLY boy. Got the picture? He was a mite bit spoiled. Didn’t have to do anything much…except be a bit annoying at times. THANKFULLY he grew up! Thankfully….we all did! (We really had a great family of kids—and mother was the icing on the cake!)

We had it timed down to the last minute. Mother got off work at 5. That meant that we had to hustle if we started at 5 to have everything “sloppily done” by 5:30. Most of the time it was done right. But I am SURE there were those few times that it was just slopped through. We would goof off watching TV—Gilligan’s Island, Beverly Hillbillies (this was when they were only re-runs in the afternoon…before any such thing as Nick at Nite or TVLand) or we’d be playing…and sometimes…doing homework! (Imagine that!)

But I think back to those days and wonder at our silliness. Why didn’t we just do as we were told? So many distractions. The TV. Games. Fun stuff to keep us otherwise occupied. A time or two, the 5:00 alarm just sneaked up on us!

There will be no warning alarm. We are told in the Word to “be found ready”. Be prepared.

So then, dear friends, since you are looking forward to this, make every effort to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with him. 2 Peter 3:14 NIV(emphasis mine)

But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything in it will be laid bare.
Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming. 2Peter 3:10-12(a) (emphasis mine)

That pretty much tells it all. Right? I am praying daily for the Lord to show me where I need to change my attitude—repent—renew my mind! I want to be found doing what He has called to the best of my ability. I want to be found ready. Not on the way to getting ready. The 5:00 alarm will not give us a 30 minute warning.

Let’s get busy for Him. Doing what He has called us to do.

Father in heaven, I am here. Again. Asking You to use me—to fulfill Your desire for my life. Show me where I need to be molded into a fashion that You set out for me from the beginning. Pull my path back in line with Yours. Keep me straight. Help me have the vision that You have. Help me have the love and compassion that You desire in each of us. Teach me. I thank You for each heart that stops by here to read and study. I want more of Your word than ever before! Fill me up! In the holy name of Jesus I pray—believing with all my heart!~Amen.

Keeping the Faith,

Angie

90 Days with Jesus Bible Study

Day Fifty-Eight

A. Knight

Luke 12:1-34

Good morning sisters. I hope after you read the scriptures for today you felt the same hug I did from the Lord. He loves us so much He said in vs. 7, “…ye are of more value than many sparrows.” This reminds me of a cute little story I read some time ago in a book entitled: “Messies 2” by Sandra Felton. In the introduction, Sandra shared the story of a South Sea islander named Johnny Lingo that fell in love and went to the parent’s home to bargain for his bride. It was written that she was “a very shy girl and just a shade short of homely. The going price a groom had to pay for a bride was between two and five cows. The women often compared the prices

they had brought.” Well, it ended up in the story he offered and paid eight cows for her. They went off on their honeymoon and when they came back a man came to deliver a package to their hut. Johnny had purchased an ornate mirror for his new bride and it was delivered to her. When the delivery guy saw Johnny’s bride, she didn’t look like the same “homely” girl he had always known. She was a “radiant beauty, basking in the confidence of her husband’s love and esteem.”

When she went in the hut, the man asked Johnny how she had changed so much, and Johnny answered, “I have loved her since she was young,” he said. “I have always wanted to marry her, but I knew she felt unworthy to be my bride. I bought her for eight cows so that she would know and all the village would know how valuable she is to me. That knowledge brought the change you see.”

That story reminds me of what God paid for us… His only Son. We are valuable to Him. Some people just don’t see how much we are worth to Him–more than eight cows my sisters! I love vs. 27. He tells us he clothes the lilies. He wants us to seek Him first. Vs. 31 says: But rather seek ye the kingdom of God; and all these things shall be added unto you. (When we seek Him first, all those other things will be taking care of.)

So many times we worry, and it does not change a thing. I once told my mother, when she was reminding me to turn a situation over to God I was worrying about, “Let me worry about it a little and then I’ll turn it over to Him.” We both laughed. But I admit, that’s what I do, if only I would go ahead and give it to Him from the beginning, I would save myself a lot of stress. I guess, I try to think I could fix it or figure out a way the Lord should fix it and save Him some time. (Ha!) My Father knows best. He is right 100% of the time! Friend, let us continue to seek Him, and remember vs. 34: “For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.”

Thank you Lord for reminding me today of your love. Help me not be a greedy person that wants to hoard up treasures down here. Help me lay treasures in Heaven…lasting ones. If there is a sister that is feeling worthless or has listened to the lies of satan, remind her of the price you paid for her. We are your bride, help us reflect the attitude of your name. Since we carry the name Christian, may everything we do, honor you and serve you. Father, sometimes I get busy with the cares of this life and I forget to seek you first. Forgive my slackness and help me look for you in everything I do- first of all, I humbly pray. In Jesus name– Amen.

All you “eight cow” women come back tomorrow for more of “90 Days with Jesus.” Angie will be sharing Day 59.

Keeping the Faith,

Aimee
90 Days with Jesus Bible Study

Day Fifty-Seven

A. Knight

Luke 11:24-28

“We were created by God to be inhabited by His Spirit. We were not created to be empty. The vacuum in every human life does not yearn to be fixed. It yearns to be filled.” Beth Moore.

This past weekend, we spent a glorious time in what some might call “extreme fellowship” with one another! It was fantastic! Aimee and I gathered with several ladies that are precious to us—some related by blood–all are related in Christ! One thing we shared on Friday during one of our sharing sessions was the fact that in these days…more of God is needed in our lives than ever before.

There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death. Proverbs 14:12 NIV I am afraid that there are many that feel that the way they have chosen is the right way, simply because they don’t participate in things that are harmful or evil. But unless you bring your whole heart and soul before Jesus, in a posture of repentance….the way you have chosen does not lead to life…but rather to death. Eternally.

I want my Father to do the “path choosing” in my life. It’s not enough to just not participate in the activities that can be harmful that the world participates in…we must fill our lives with people and activities that are beneficial to our Christian walk. Fellowship with like-minded believers. That’s what this is. We gather here with one mind and one goal. To learn more about Jesus Christ. More about the life He lived. More about the live He gave. Willingly.

I shared with the ladies that not only do I have to not watch excessive amounts of TV, but I have to read and study excessive amounts of His Word. If I want it to saturate my soul. And I do. I want more of Jesus in my heart and life than ever before. I have only scratched the surface. There is so much more. He wants to be so much more.

I expressed my desire for Him to so fill my heart and soul, that there is no room for anything else. I want my desires to be what He desires for me.

I read these passages of Scripture and I immediately thought of my sweet husband. When he gave his life to Christ Jesus, he was bound by a life of sin and drugs. When God touched his heart and life and Jeff knelt at an altar of true repentance, the desire for that lifestyle left him. He began to desire the things of God. I didn’t know him at the time, but had the opportunity to meet the minister that lead him to the Lord. He discipled Jeff in his new walk with Christ, as well as his younger brother, Cliff. God has done amazing things in our lives since then.

I won’t tell you that it has been a picnic. It hasn’t. But it has not been alone.
The enemy tried various things to try and lure him back to a life of sin. But God gave him strength. As we fill the places of our lives with Christ, where we were once bound in sin, He can give us the full coverage protection that is needed! It is so far better than AllState. They just think they are the good hands people. I know the GOOD HANDS FATHER! He never leaves His children unprotected! We are fully covered!

Thank You Lord for keeping Your mighty hand on each of our lives. YOU and YOU alone are the Source of our strength. I give my all to You. Take our lives and use us to fulfill the desire You have for each life. You path and plan is the best way, show us that way. Lead us on that path. Thank You for putting each life in this study together. I praise You awesome holy name!~Amen.

Keeping the faith,


Angie