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| Topic: COFFEEHOUSE CHAT FOR CHRISTIANS | |
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Merry Christmas JB Hope the Holidays bring much joy and love....
Debb |
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Merry Christmas y'all blessings for all of you
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"I heard the bells on Christmas day
On July 9, 1861, Henry Wadsworth Longellow's wife, Fanny, was near an open window sealing the locks of her daughter's hair in a packet, using hot sealing wax. The exact cause of the fire was unknown. It may have been a spark from a match or the sealing wax. Suddenly she was engulfed with flames. Her husband, in the next room, came to her aid but was unable to save his Fanny. Henry was severely burned on his face and hands. She, slipped into a coma the next day and died. Due to his own injuries he was unable to attend her funeral. He seemed to lock the anguish within his soul. Only his family knew of his personal suffering. They could see it in his eyes and observe his long periods of silence. Although a legend in his own time, he still needed the peace that God gives to His children. On Christmas Day, three years following the horrible accident-at age 57-he sat down to capture, if possible, the joys of the season. He began: "I heard the bells on Christmas day. Their old familiar carol play, And wild and sweet the words repeat Of peace on earth, good will to men" This was during the time of the Civil War, when the Battle of Gettysburg was not long past. How was he to write about 'peace on earth, good will to men' in a war-torn country, where brother fought against brother and father against son?" He wrote: "And in despair I bowed my head: 'There is no peace on earth', I said, 'For hate is strong, and mocks the song Of peace on earth, good will to men!" Wadsworth turned his thoughts to God, the only One who can give true and perfect peace, and continued writing: "Then pealed the bells more loud and deep: God is not dead, nor doth He sleep; The wrong shall fail, the right prevail, With peace on earth, good will to men." A musician, J. Baptiste Calkin, wrote the musical setting. May the peace of God be with you. 
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Most beautiful Britty thank you.
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Well, we have Wadsworth to thank for it. Even in sadness, loss or pain, there can be joy. Words that can soothe the soul of others.
Amazing how God works. 
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Yes it sure is......and I think He the Lord and Savior should be thanked on a daily basis......
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Thank you Lord for this day.
Happy Christmas everyone, may you know the joy and peace of the Lord. Happy Christmas Debs, JB, Eljay, Spider, TLW, CountryAngel, TiffaIrishgirl and all who visit here. |
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I came across an interesting piece about the song
The twelve Days of Christmas: http://www.wf-f.org/Hymns-carols.html This carol originated as a Hebrew hymn, which begins, "In those twelve days ..." The hymn was originally arranged as a dialogue between cantor and choir. In the Middle Ages, the song was rewritten in Latin with Christian images. Tell me, what are the twelve things? Twelve apostles; Eleven stars seen by Joseph; Ten Commandments of God; Nine choirs of angels; Eight beatitudes; Seven sacraments; Six water jars in Cana Galilee; Five Books of Moses; Four Evangelists; Three Patriarchs; Two Testaments; One God who reigns in Heaven. By 1645, an English version of the Latin hymn had appeared, and by the 18th Century, that had, in turn, become the Christmas carol we know today. (The English Carol, by Erik Routley) It is said to have been used as a catechetical mnemonic device Catholics used to teach their children the truths of the faith during the years that the Catholic faith was suppressed in England. The numerical symbolism, which follows closely on the Latin version, goes like this: Partridge -- The One True God; Two turtle doves -- Old and New Testaments; Three French hens -- Three Persons of the Trinity (or the Three Patriarchs -- Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.) Four colley birds (colley means black) -- the Four Evangelists, Matthew, Mark, Luke and John; Five gold rings -- the first five books of the Bible, believed to be written by Moses, called the Pentateuch; Six geese -- six jars of water, turned to wine by Jesus at the wedding at Cana; Seven swans -- seven Sacraments; Eight maids a-milking -- eight Beatitudes; Nine ladies dancing -- nine Choirs (or ranks) of Angels; Ten lords a-leaping -- Ten Commandments; Eleven pipers -- eleven faithful disciples (not including Judas), or the eleven stars seen in the Old Testament account of Joseph's dream; Twelve drummers -- twelve Apostles, or the twelve tribes of Israel. ___________ On the first day of Christmas My true love gave to me A partridge in a pear tree. On the second day of Christmas, My true love gave to me Two turtle doves And a partridge in a pear tree. On the third day of Christmas, My true love gave to me Three French hens, Two turtle doves, And a partridge in a pear tree. On the fourth day of Christmas, My true love gave to me Four colley birds, Three French hens, Two turtle doves, And a partridge in a pear tree. On the fifth day of Christmas, My true love gave to me Five gold rings, Four colley birds, Three French hens, Two turtle doves, And a partridge in a pear tree. On the sixth day of Christmas, My true love gave to me Six geese a-laying, etc... Seven swans a-swimming ... Eight maids a-milking ... Nine drummers drumming ... Ten pipers piping ... Eleven ladies dancing ... Twelve lords a-leaping ...
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Good tidings on the day of our Savior's birth!
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Good tidings to you too, JB
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How funny that you brought that up Britty. We had a coffeehouse at Church on Saturday night and two ladies that sand the 12 Days of Christmas explained the meaning. I loved it.
Can you separate fact from fiction in the Christmas story? Test your knowledge by answering "T" or "F" to each statement. "T" would indicate that the fact can be found in Holy Scripture. "F" would indicate that the fact cannot be found in the Bible. Copy and paste your answers and I will tell you later ho you did. There are no records of Joseph speaking in the Christmas story. Answer: The wise men were three kings from the orient. Answer: The little drummer boy came to the manger after the other shepherds. Answer: The star did not appear above the manger. Answer: Jesus' ancestors include a prostitute, an adulterer, people who committed incest, and two non-Israelites. Answer: The angel Gabriel appeared to Mary first and then Gabriel appeared to Joseph. Anwswer: Mary rode a donkey from Nazareth to Bethlehem. Answer: Joseph and Mary went to Bethlehem because of a decree by Caesar Augustus. Answer: The wise men followed the star as it moved from their eastern land to Israel. Answer: The wise men did not arrive on the night of Jesus' birth. Answer: God sent a choir of chubby angels to announce Jesus' birth to the shepherds. Answer: Shepherding was considered a very noble occupation. Answer: Both Joseph and Mary were told that the baby was to be named "Jesus." Answer: When Herod heard about Jesus he was the only one concerned about this new king. Answer: The wise men found Jesus lying in a manger in the town of Bethlehem. Answer: After the angels announcement the shepherds went straight to Bethlehem to see Jesus. Answer: Joseph married Mary immediately after the angel appeared to him. Answer: Some of the shepherds doubted and refused to believe the message they heard from the angels. Answer: Love you all and Many Blessings on this most special day. Happy Birthday sweet Jesus |
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There are no records of Joseph speaking in the Christmas story.
Answer: T The wise men were three kings from the orient. Answer: F The little drummer boy came to the manger after the other shepherds. Answer: F The star did not appear above the manger. Answer: In the east Jesus' ancestors include a prostitute, an adulterer, people who committed incest, and two non-Israelites. Answer: T The angel Gabriel appeared to Mary first and then Gabriel appeared to Joseph. Answer: T Mary rode a donkey from Nazareth to Bethlehem. Answer: F Joseph and Mary went to Bethlehem because of a decree by Caesar Augustus. Answer: To pay their taxes The wise men followed the star as it moved from their eastern land to Israel. Answer: F The wise men did not arrive on the night of Jesus' birth. Answer: It would appear so God sent a choir of chubby angels to announce Jesus' birth to the shepherds. Answer: A star Shepherding was considered a very noble occupation. Answer: F Both Joseph and Mary were told that the baby was to be named "Jesus." Answer: F When Herod heard about Jesus he was the only one concerned about this new king. Answer: F The wise men found Jesus lying in a manger in the town of Bethlehem. Answer: F In a house After the angels announcement the shepherds went straight to Bethlehem to see Jesus. Answer: F Joseph married Mary immediately after the angel appeared to him. Answer: F Some of the shepherds doubted and refused to believe the message they heard from the angels. Answer: F Love you all and Many Blessings on this most special day. Happy Birthday sweet Jesus How did I do without peeking in my Bible? |
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There are no records of Joseph speaking in the Christmas story. Answer: T The wise men were three kings from the orient. Answer: F The little drummer boy came to the manger after the other shepherds. Answer: F The star did not appear above the manger. Answer: In the east RIGHT ANSWER.....IT APPEARED ABOVE THE HOUSE WHERE JOSEPH'S FAMILY WAS LIVING (Matthew 2:9-11\ Jesus' ancestors include a prostitute, an adulterer, people who committed incest, and two non-Israelites. Answer: T The angel Gabriel appeared to Mary first and then Gabriel appeared to Joseph. Answer: T RIGHT ANSWER: Tick question....The angel Gabriel appeared to Mary first and then Gabriel appeared to Joseph. The first part is true Mary was first and the angel was Gabriel. But we don't know the name of the angel who appeared to Jospeh (Matthew 1:20) It might have been Harold you know, "Hark the Harold Angel Sings." So can't affirm that Gabriel appeared to both Mary and Joseph, the statement is false. Mary rode a donkey from Nazareth to Bethlehem. Answer: F Joseph and Mary went to Bethlehem because of a decree by Caesar Augustus. Answer: To pay their taxes RIGHT ANSWER: T The wise men followed the star as it moved from their eastern land to Israel. Answer: F The wise men did not arrive on the night of Jesus' birth. Answer: It would appear so God sent a choir of chubby angels to announce Jesus' birth to the shepherds. Answer: A star RIGHT ANSWER: F god sent an army of warrior angels Luke 2:13...Company and host are military terms. Shepherding was considered a very noble occupation. Answer: F Both Joseph and Mary were told that the baby was to be named "Jesus." Answer: F RIGHT ANSWER: True See Matthew 1:21 and Luke 1:31 In Judaism, babies were always named by their father. Here e see God the Father (not Joseph) giving Jesus his name, by the way, "Jesus" is the Greek form of the Hebrew name "(Joshua," the successor of Moses. (Joshua means "Yahweh saves') When Herod heard about Jesus he was the only one concerned about this new king. Answer: F The wise men found Jesus lying in a manger in the town of Bethlehem. Answer: F In a house After the angels announcement the shepherds went straight to Bethlehem to see Jesus. Answer: F RIGHT ANSWER: TRUE They were excited, they did not hesitate. Luke 2:15-16\ Joseph married Mary immediately after the angel appeared to him. Answer: F RIGHT ANSWER: True Yes his obedience was quick, cheerful and complete. (Matthew 1:24) Some of the shepherds doubted and refused to believe the message they heard from the angels. Answer: F Love you all and Many Blessings on this most special day. Happy Birthday sweet Jesus How did I do without peeking in my Bible? |
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HAPPY BIRTHDAY DEAR LORD JESUS WE SING ON THIS CHRISTMAS DAY. YOUR GOD'S GIFT TO EVER PLEASE US IT WON'T EVER PASS AWAY. ETERNAL LIFE DOES COME WITH YOU WHEN YOU COME INTO OUR HEART. YOU TRANSFORM THE OLD INTO NEW AND NEW GIFTS TO US IMPART. CHORUS HAPPY BIRTHDAY, HAPPY BIRTHDAY FOR ALL TIME THIS SONG WE'LL SING. YOUR COMING MADE THIS A MIRTH DAY WE REJOICE IN YOU OUR KING. HAPPY BIRTHDAY DEAR LORD JESUS WE'RE SO GRATEFUL THAT YOU CAME. YOU BROUGHT SALVATION THAT FREES US IF WE JUST TRUST IN YOUR NAME. WE'LL PRAISE YOUR NAME LORD FOREVER FOR YOU CAME GOD'S BEST TO GIVE. FROM YOUR LOVE NOTHING CAN SEVER YOU DIED SO THAT WE MIGHT LIVE. |
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I received a note from a friend when I arrived back home this evening. I would like to share:
Jesus Christ, The Gift for ManKind Merry Christmas! "Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you." (Luke 6:38) Thanks be to God for His will for our lives; thanks be to God for tugging your heart to be here to give me many gifts for me and my family today. This morning I'll watch with joyful anticipation as my family opens the gifts that I've given them; the only problem is the gifts were not from me, they were from my employer, from some family and friends and from my Pastor and his family, and the secret Santa that provided some cash! I could not wait to see the look on my son's face this morning and thanks to our own family tradition I did not have to, as we open our gifts on Christmas Eve at Midnight. Ej's face was lit up with the TOYS he received so many at that that he did not know which to open first. I was surprised at all the wonderful gifts that he received, the pleasure that I endured as he said "mommy look" will be forever be in my heart and gratefulness of all the people in my life that provided these gifts will forever be remembered. It is times like these I understand why Jesus said, "It is more blessed to give than to receive" (Acts 20:35). Thanks be to God for putting such wonderful people in my path. God is a gift-giver! And He always knows the exact perfect gift to give. For this reason I know you are all my gift because; "Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows" (James 1:17). In return for all these worldly gifts, I want to invite you to the most glorious gift of all, that the Lord our God has provided; "For God so Loved the world that He gave His only begotten son...." (John 3:16). Here are some of the awesome gifts He has given us; He's given us physical life: Genesis 2:7 He's given us eternal life: John 3:16 He's given us family: Psalm 68:6 He's blessed us with good and perfect gifts (You): (James 1:17) He's blessed us with the gift of giving: (Acts 20:35) He's given us wisdom: James 1:5 He's given us peace: John 14:27 He's given us joy: 1 Thessalonians 1:6 He's given us rest: Matthew 11:28 He's given us a personal counselor: John 14:16 He's given us an inheritance: Colossians 3:24 And He's given us freedom: 1 Corinthians 1:30 He's given us so much I can't list them all, but these are my personal favorite gifts. I can't think of a better gift this Christmas than to respond with gratefulness and enjoy the act of giving and receiving from the Lord. May God provide you with all the great and wonderful gifts today as you provided for me and my family --Merry Christmas!
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A male friend was talking about the reasons for divorce and your post came to mind JB, see around 11/27/07 your post and then my response. What are your thoughts. I would like a male perspective on that.
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Edited by
JBTHEMILKER
on
Wed 12/26/07 03:35 AM
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JB said
I know this is a forum of people looking to find someone. We all have our advertisements for ourselves on this site saying that we are looking. I think most of us are here for similar reasons as myself. (Correct me if I am in error on this) We have been married, failed, and are now looking to try again. Can I ask a question?  Is it right for people such as myself to seek out a new mate? What does the Bible, the King James Bible, the Word of God advise us? These are the words of Jesus. Matthew 5: 31. It hath been said, Whosoever shall put away his wife, let him give her a writing of divorcement: 32. But I say unto you, That whosoever shall put away his wife, saving for the cause of fornication, causeth her to commit adultery: and whosoever shall marry her that is divorced committeth adultery. When the Pharisees confronted Jesus about marriage and divorce, this is what He had to say. Matthew 19:3. The Pharisees also came unto him, tempting him, and saying unto him, Is it lawful for a man to put away his wife for every cause? 4. And he answered and said unto them, Have ye not read, that he which made them at the beginning made them male and female, 5. And said, For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and they twain shall be one flesh? 6. Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder. 7. They say unto him, Why did Moses then command to give a writing of divorcement, and to put her away? 8. He saith unto them, Moses because of the hardness of your hearts suffered you to put away your wives: but from the beginning it was not so. 9. And I say unto you, Whosoever shall put away his wife, except it be for fornication, and shall marry another, committeth adultery: and whoso marrieth her which is put away doth commit adultery. 10. His disciples say unto him, If the case of the man be so with his wife, it is not good to marry. 11. But he said unto them, All men cannot receive this saying, save they to whom it is given. 12. For there are some eunuchs, which were so born from their mother's womb: and there are some eunuchs, which were made eunuchs of men: and there be eunuchs, which have made themselves eunuchs for the kingdom of heaven's sake. He that is able to receive it, let him receive it. Mark in his gospel also recounts what the Lord had to say about marriage and divorce. Mark 10 1. And he arose from thence, and cometh into the coasts of Judaea by the farther side of Jordan: and the people resort unto him again; and, as he was wont, he taught them again. 2. And the Pharisees came to him, and asked him, Is it lawful for a man to put away his wife? tempting him. 3. And he answered and said unto them, What did Moses command you? 4. And they said, Moses suffered to write a bill of divorcement, and to put her away. 5. And Jesus answered and said unto them, For the hardness of your heart he wrote you this precept. 6. But from the beginning of the creation God made them male and female. 7. For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and cleave to his wife; 8. And they twain shall be one flesh: so then they are no more twain, but one flesh. 9. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder. 10. And in the house his disciples asked him again of the same matter. 11. And he saith unto them, Whosoever shall put away his wife, and marry another, committeth adultery against her. 12. And if a woman shall put away her husband, and be married to another, she committeth adultery. In the Gospel of Luke: Luke 16: 14. And the Pharisees also, who were covetous, heard all these things: and they derided him. 15. And he said unto them, Ye are they which justify yourselves before men; but God knoweth your hearts: for that which is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of God. 16. The law and the prophets were until John: since that time the kingdom of God is preached, and every man presseth into it. 17. And it is easier for heaven and earth to pass, than one tittle of the law to fail. 18. Whosoever putteth away his wife, and marrieth another, committeth adultery: and whosoever marrieth her that is put away from her husband committeth adultery. Paul in his first epistle to the church at Corinth said this: 1 Corinthians 7 1. Now concerning the things whereof ye wrote unto me: It is good for a man not to touch a woman. 2. Nevertheless, to avoid fornication, let every man have his own wife, and let every woman have her own husband. 3. Let the husband render unto the wife due benevolence: and likewise also the wife unto the husband. 4. The wife hath not power of her own body, but the husband: and likewise also the husband hath not power of his own body, but the wife. 5. Defraud ye not one the other, except it be with consent for a time, that ye may give yourselves to fasting and prayer; and come together again, that Satan tempt you not for your incontinency. 6. But I speak this by permission, and not of commandment. This entire seventh chapter of the first epistle to the Corinthians is worth a study. 24. Brethren, let every man, wherein he is called, therein abide with God. 25. Now concerning virgins I have no commandment of the Lord: yet I give my judgment, as one that hath obtained mercy of the Lord to be faithful. 26. I suppose therefore that this is good for the present distress, I say, that it is good for a man so to be. 27. Art thou bound unto a wife? seek not to be loosed. Art thou loosed from a wife? seek not a wife. 39. The wife is bound by the law as long as her husband liveth; but if her husband be dead, she is at liberty to be married to whom she will; only in the Lord. These verses were rattling around in my head today as I was painting. I knew I had set about to find a new mate. There is a part of me that feels doing this is not right. There is another list of verses I could come up with that tell us to find a help meet and to treat her as we treat our own bodies. Ephesians 5 28. So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself. 29. For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church: 30. For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones. 31. For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh. 32. This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church. 33. Nevertheless let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself; and the wife see that she reverence her husband. I would be interested in what other God fearing mate seekers think about this. Lord, give me wisdom to know what is right. JB  |
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Britty said
That has to be a difficult personal question for every Christian who earnestly wants to do God's will. My husband died, however I feel confident that there are sometimes unavoidable reasons for divorce and although God does not like divorce his mercy is greater than the law. That being said: Paul letter to the Galatians points out that legalism is anything that causes us to think that we must do certain things put ourselves in a right relationship with God. We do not have to be bound by that type of thinking; Christ makes us right with God. (Gal. 5:1). Many of us suffer the weight of guilt and shame over past sin. As a result we attempt to live perfect lives. When things go bad we scramble to discover the sin in our lives that caused God to withhold blessing. This is bondage. We need to strive to be godly (God-honoring), but godliness isn't the elimination of sin in our lives; godliness is how we deal with the sin in our lives. Biblical reasons for divorce: Adultery: Matt 19:9 - Abandonment: 1 Cor 7:15 - to me that does not just mean a spouse that physically leaves the home. I believe if one spouse is Christian and as acted as an unbeliever; in that they have broken their covenant with their spouse that is abandonment, and if reconciliation is not therefore possible, the other party is free to remarry. If the spouse left without a biblical reason the other spouse is free to remarry If the spouse has died you are free to remarry ================================== Romans 8:35-39 reminds us that nothing can separate us from the love of God. =================================== |
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Romans 8
35. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? 36. As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. 37. Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. 38. For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, 39. Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. |
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*'Twas The Day After Christmas*
Twas the day after Christmas, and all through the house, Every creature was hurting-- even the mouse. The toys were all broken, their batteries dead; Santa passed out, with some ice on his head.  Wrapping and ribbons just covered the floor, while Upstairs the family continued to snore. And I in my T-shirt, new Reeboks and jeans, Went into the kitchen and started to clean. When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter, I sprang from the sink to see what was the matter. Away to the window I flew like a flash, Tore open the curtains, and threw up the sash. When what to my wondering eyes should appear, But a little white truck, with an oversized mirror. The driver was smiling, so lively and grand; The patch on his jacket said "U.S. POSTMAN." With a handful of bills, he grinned like a fox Then quickly he stuffed them into our mailbox. Bill after bill, after bill, they still came. Whistling and shouting he called them by name: "Now Dillard's, now Broadway's, now Penney's and Sears Here's Levitz's and Target's and Mervyn's--all here!! To the tip or your limit, every store, every mall, Now chargeaway-chargeaway-chargeaway all!" He whooped and he whistled as he finished his work. He filled up the box, and then turned with a jerk. He sprang to his truck and he drove down the road, Driving much faster with just half a load. Then I heard him exclaim with great holiday cheer, "ENJOY WHAT YOU GOT ... YOU'LL BE PAYING ALL YEAR!" Author Unknown Sharing the peace of the Lord with someone, giving of one's time to help others, just being there, providing a meal, there are many ways to express love, and pass along the joy we feel when we know Jesus.
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