Monday, August 31, 2015

MY WILD WEST VACATION


"The Hub" and I just got back from a few days' vacation in southern Utah.

There is some beautiful scenery in this area.

Zion National Park, Bryce Canyon National Park, Cedar Breaks National Monument, and Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument are all within driving distance.

Beautiful red rock vistas, crystal-clear rivers, secret canyons and waterfalls, towering mountains, and wide-open spaces – a feast for the eyes!  We've visited them all, and reveled in the beauty of God's creation.

But, this trip we were on a different sort of adventure.

We *journeyed* to the Old West instead!!

Once a year, "The Hub" and I make the trek to Kanab, Utah, to attend a Western Festival.

It's such a great time!  

Four days of music, movies, shopping, food, and fun!

And, just to make our time more "authentic," we dress up!  "The Hub" – who many think bears a striking resemblance to Sam Elliott – puts on his Virgil Earp garb.  And I wear my city-girl lavender satin dress.

What a pair!!  (Check out the photos of us at the end of this post!)

One of our favorite things to do at this event is visit with the *stars.*

Many of you will probably remember such movie and TV stars as Bruce Boxleitner, Don Collier, Barry Corbin, Cheryl Rogers Barnett (daughter of Roy Rogers and Dale Evans), Wyatt McCrea (grandson of Joel McCrea), and Clint Walker.

Well, we got to visit with them all!

And the one thing that always impresses us is how very kind, polite, and respectful these people are.  They are genuinely interested in what you have to say, and they are very generous with their time.

These people portrayed characters from a different time who truly embodied something called, "The Code of the West."


A little background on the "Code":

It was first chronicled by the famous western writer, Zane Grey, in his 1934 novel "The Code of the West."  Although no actual, written code ever existed, the tough and hardy pioneers who lived in the West abided by a set of "rules" – rules that centered on hospitality, fair play, loyalty, and respect for the land.

Ramon Adams, a Western historian, explained it best in his 1969 book, "The Cowman and His Code of Ethics," saying:

"Back in the days when the cowman with his herds made a new frontier, there was no law on the range.  Lack of written law made it necessary for him to frame some of his own, thus developing a rule of behavior, which became known as the "Code of the West."  These homespun laws, being merely a gentleman's agreement to certain rules of conduct for survival, were never written into statutes, but were respected everywhere on the range."

There are many versions of the "Code" – but they all have one thing in common.

They closely parallel Biblical principles.


So, without further ado, here's a short version of "The Code of the West"and some spiritual *rules* I think we can all follow:


1. Live Each Day with Courage

We are called to be courageous, and exhorted often to "Fear not."  I find it so difficult to be fear-less, but I think it's crucial as believers not to be fear-ruled. The enemy's kingdom is dominated by fear.  But God's Kingdom is ruled by love.

As children of the King, we should live like it!

"…be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged.  For the LORD your God is with you wherever you go." (Joshua 1:9)


2. Take Pride in Your Work

My dad always said, "If it it's worth doing, it's worth doing well."  A great work ethic, but an even better spiritual principle to live by.  We speak volumes to others when we take our duties, our jobs, our responsibilities seriously. Displaying a thoughtful attitude about everything we do is crucial to our witness.

For in fact, we work for the Lord, and for His Kingdom.

"Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord…" (Colossians 3:23)


3. Always Finish What you Start

Lazy, irresponsible people do not make good Christian witnesses.  We are called to integrity and excellence in all we do.  God does not want tepid, half-hearted workers for the great harvest He is preparing.  He calls us to persevere and endure, to complete the tasks He assigns.

So, let's be strong to the finish of the race of faith.

"Now you should finish what you started.  Let the eagerness you showed in the beginning be matched now…" (2 Corinthians 8:11)


4. Do What Has to Be Done

The walk of faith is not easy.  It can be full of hardship and suffering. Following the Lord takes dedication and devotion.  And sometimes we are called to do difficult things.  In all of this, God calls us to do what has to be done – always giving of our time, our resources, ourselves.

Let's strive to be good and faithful servants.

"Fear God and obey his commands, for this is everyone's duty." 
(Ecclesiastes 12:13)


5. Be Tough, But Fair

Tough love.  Every parent knows that it is sometimes required.  And in the Body of Christ, we are also called to confront sin.  We are not to be conformed to this world, and that means we are to stand firm on issues of Truth.  Let us do everything in the name of love, but let's never slide down the slippery slope of compromise.

Pray for wisdom and discernment, and when called to do so, stand tall!

"This is what the LORD says: Be fair-minded and just.  Do what is right!" (Jeremiah 22:3)


6. When You Make a Promise, Keep It

I don't know about you, but it seems to me that fewer and fewer people value the virtues of honesty, honor, and sincerity.  Never is this more apparent than when this country approaches election year.  Do you believe anything anyone says anymore?!  God calls us to something greater.  He calls us to Truth.

Therefore, we should be people of our word, because we are People of His Word!

"The godly are directed by honesty…" (Proverbs 11:5)


7. Ride for the Brand

When I look around me, when I look within me, I sometimes question God's plan to make us His representatives.  What was He thinking?!  We are all too often very poor reflections of his Son.  We must realize that being a Christian is much more than just a title.  It is a responsibility to the Lord to let Him do His work through us.

Pray for the will and the power to represent Him well.

"So we are Christ's ambassadors; God is making his appeal through us.  We speak for Christ…" (2 Corinthians 5:20)


8. Talk Less and Say More

Can anyone tame the tongue?!  (Correct answer = NO!)  In fact, we must constantly be aware of our tendency to speak too much.  We must be aware of our power to hurt and wound with careless words.  Rather, we must allow the Holy Spirit to direct this mighty weapon.

May we allow the Lord to speak through us, and to silence us when we should not speak.

"…I will watch what I do and not sin in what I say.  I will hold my tongue…" (Psalm 39:1)


9. Remember That Some Things Are Not For Sale

We must never forget that we are a redeemed people, purchased and bought with the blood of Christ.  Therefore, we must be oh-so-careful to remember that we are living temples of the Holy Spiritand we are admonished to behave accordingly.

Guard your heart, protect your reputation, shield your mind, respect your body.

"You do not belong to yourself, for God bought you with a high price.  So you must honor God with your body." (1 Corinthians 6:19-20)


10. Know Where to Draw the Line

The very best *roadmap* in life is The Word of God.  Full of wise counsel, its words will guide us.  No, we are no longer living under the tyranny of the Law – the Lord has set us free from slavery to sin.  However, He has not given us a license to exercise bad behavior!

Know His rules, obey His regulations, and freedom will reign.

"Keep watch and pray, so that you will not give in to temptation." 
(Matthew 26:41)


Yup, we would do well to follow the "Code of the West" – but it's much better to follow the "Code of the Word."

Which just might be summed up by Paul's words in Philippians:

"And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing.  Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.  Keep putting into practice all you learned and received from me – everything you heard from me and saw me doing.  Then the God of peace will be with you." 
(Philippians 4:8-9, AMP)


Happy Trails, pardners…

See you on down the road!







If it's not yours,
don't take it.
If it's not true,
don't say it.
If it's not right,
don't do it. 




"Don't be afraid, for I am with you.  Don't be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you.  I will hold you up with my victorious right hand." (Isaiah 41:10, NLT)

"This is why we work hard and continue to struggle, for our hope is in the living God, who is the Savior..." (1 Timothy 4:10, NLT)

"However, I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me – the task of testifying to the good news of God's grace." (Acts 20:24, NIV)

"His master said to him, 'Well done, good and faithful servant.  You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much.  Enter into the joy of your master.'" (Matthew 25:23, ESV)

"...we will speak the truth in love, growing in every way more and more like Christ, who is the head of his body, the church...So stop telling lies.  Let us tell our neighbors the truth, for we are all parts of the same body." 
(Ephesians 4:15, 24, NASB)

"A man who makes a vow to the LORD or makes a pledge under oath must never break it.  He must do exactly what he said he would do." 
(Numbers 30:2, NLT)

"Not that we are sufficient in ourselves to claim anything as coming from us, but our sufficiency is from God, who has made us sufficient to be ministers of a new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit." (2 Corinthians 3:5-6, ESV)

"In the same way, the tongue is a small thing...the tongue is a flame of fire. It is a whole world of wickedness, corrupting your entire body.  It can set your whole life on fire, for it is set on fire by hell itself...If you are wise and understand God's ways, prove it by living an honorable life, doing good works with the humility that comes from wisdom." (James 3:5-6, 13, NLT)

"Just as our bodies have many parts and each part has a special function, so it is with Christ's body.  We are many parts of one body, and we all belong to each other." (Romans 12:4-5, NLT)

"No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind.  And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear.  But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it." (1 Corinthians 10:13, NIV)




Are you living by "The Code of the Word"?



Linked with:

SHARING HIS BEAUTY, PLAYDATES WITH GOD, SMALL WONDER, MONDAY'S MUSINGS, MONDAYS AT SOUL SURVIVAL, GRATEFUL HEART MONDAY, REFLECT LINKUP, WORDS WITH WINTER, MOM 2 MOM MONDAY, WORDS OF COMFORT MONDAY, TELL ME A TRUE STORY, SOLI DEO GLORIA, TITUS 2 TUESDAY, THE ART OF HOMEMAKING MONDAYS, LIFE GIVING LINKUP, TESTIMONY TUESDAY, TELL IT TO ME TUESDAYS, WOMEN HELPING WOMEN, UNITE, RA RA LINKUPTUESDAY TALK, INTENTIONAL TUESDAY, TELL HIS STORY, WHOLEHEARTED WEDNESDAYA LITTLE R & R WEDNESDAYS, WISE WOMAN, COFFEE & CONVERSATION, SO MUCH AT HOME, WAITING ON WEDNESDAY, THE (NOT JUST) HOMEMAKING PARTY, WORD FILLED WEDNESDAY, THREE WORD WEDNESDAY, COFFEE FOR YOUR HEART, WOMEN WITH INTENTION, JOYHOPELIVE LINKUP, THURSDAY FAVORITE THINGS, THOUGHT-PROVOKING THURSDAY, LITTLE THINGS THURSDAY, LIVE FREE THURSDAY, THEOCENTRIC THURSDAYS, EVERYDAY JESUS, GRACE AT HOME, SHINE, THOUGHTFUL THURSDAYS, FROM HOUSE TO HOME, FRIENDSHIP FRIDAYLOOKING UP LINKUP, FAITH FILLED FRIDAY, EVERYDAY TESTIMONY, COUNTING MY BLESSINGS, SPIRITUAL SUNDAYS, MAKE MY SATURDAY SWEET, GRACE & TRUTH, FELLOWSHIP FRIDAY, DANCE WITH JESUS, SATURDAY SOIREE, STILL SATURDAY, WEEKEND WHISPERS, LIVING PROVERBS, SUNDAY STILLNESS, GIVE ME GRACE



BLOG = "Blessedly Leaning On God!"

45 comments:

  1. I'm driving out to see my son next week on my vacation. On the way, I'm stopping at Winterset Iowa to visit John Wayne's birthplace and museum. Looking forward to that!

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  2. What a cute thing you and hubby participate in yearly, Sharon, and its nice to know that stars are just "normal" people and that you enjoyed your time with them too.

    I love your Code of the Word; definitely something to print out and meditate on it. That's how I want to live my life!

    betty

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  3. I love these shots of you two; I do hope you are going to frame them....Always a pleasure to visit and know that you are going to point to the creator, The Lord God Almighty......We have to live in this world but we know this is not our home....I hope you have a great week....

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  4. Stopping by from #Reflect and reflecting on the Code of the Word. I grew up in AZ. As a matter of fact my mom knows family members from both side of the OK shoot out in TombStone. I think Wyatt would agree that You got the Wild West captured in your code. https://www.wyattearp.biz/we_wyatt_bio_contemporary.html

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  5. Yippie kai yay... Sharon ... love those Wild West celebrity photos of you and Hubs! You both definitely deserve a get away and look so authentic! Wah-hoo! Each part of that Wild West Code has part of the Code of the Word if we'd apply it to good. I love how you connected these "codes"! Our current society sure could use these as their code of ethics which we definitely need more of and God's Word. Well, pardner ... so glad you and Earp moseyed on home, back to your corral safely and enjoy this annual Western tradition together! I hope you shared this Code of the Word with Hubs :) so he can see the correlation you have illustrated so well. Since he likes the "west" - a little bit of God added to his interest may peak some further inquiry into God and salvation. Reckon it's time for me to mosey on ... Giddy up and may the Lord shine brightly on you both from sun-up to sun down with His Son with the 'Yee Haw' summation of Philippians as a grand finale ... Peace! ~ as always, Peggy

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  6. Sharon, what fun to learn about the parallels of the the code of the West and the code of the Word! I didn't know there were Western festivals like the one you attended, although it really shouldn't have surprised me. Those are fun photos of you and your husband! Happy trails to you, too.
    your neighbor at Small Wonder and Playdates with God

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  7. Good words Sharon. Have to admit your "hub" does look like Sam Elliot. Is that a real mustache? i was really interested in the West and its lifestyle several years ago. One thing I noticed is they would have a hanging and invite the kids to watch because they wanted them to see what happened to crooks. Now we shield them. i also like Clint Walker. He had a short-lived show called Kodiak that I only saw one episode of. I understand he is a Christ-follower in real life.

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  8. such fun times you, and your hubby share.

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  9. The vacation looks like a blast, and the "Code..." well, your parallel is spot-on!
    (Visiting from SDG)

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  10. What a great post, Sharon! Loved visiting with you this morning! Thanks for sharing! Peace and many blessings to you, Love! :-)

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  11. Oh, he does look like Sam Elliott! Looks and sounds like great fun! I always enjoy your posts, Sharon. And those are some good rules to live by.

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  12. Aha! Now I know why you've been MIA...you were having too much fun! Oh my goodness, what a handsome (and beautiful) couple you two make! You, my dear Sharon, look absolutely stunning in your purple dress and Hub looks amazing in his Wyatt Earp garb. From the first moment I saw him on your blog, Sam Elliot came to mind. What a blast this must be to attend and I love way you related the Code of the West to the way we should live our everyday lives! Wonderful post!

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  13. what a cool trip! love your outfits!

    stop by and chat ♥ http://storybookapothecary.com

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  14. This is absolutely my favorite blogpost of the day. I just got back from a honeymoon in St. Thomas myself and I totally understand learning from the folk of the land. God bless you in your life's journey and ministry. I am definitely tweeting this blog. Great job!

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  15. What great pictures! My husband and I dressed up and had a Wild West picture taken on our honeymoon, it's so funny. I'm glad you got a break Sharon and made time for some fun!

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  16. Such a fun trip! I love that Code of the West. Yes, it does mirror Biblical guidelines as well. We visited parts of that area a few years back and it was breathtakingly beautiful! Thanks for sharing, Sharon.

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  17. I love your outfit and hubby looks nice too. What a fun holiday and being about to chat with the "Stars." Your Laws of the West do apply to our every day walk with Jesus. Your rule "finish what you started" caused me to pause and go put my sheets in the drier. I really liked them all especially talk less and say more. Thanks for sharing with us here at Tell me a Story. I am tweeting your post and also sending it to Face Book. We have that ability right on the icon of each post here.

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  18. Hi Sharon! I LOVE the photographs!! You and your husband make such a handsome couple, maybe the stars thought you were actors too? Love the color of your dress too.
    'Ride for the brand' is something I really related to. That, and knowing that even though no rules were written down, everyone knew what the were. Kind of like the early people of the bible. No one was literate, but they all knew what God expected of them.
    I'm so glad you got out and saw such beauty in our country. With all the tough stuff in the news these days, its good to know that we still have a wonderful land, and wonderful people. (Of which, you are a part!)
    Blessings,
    Ceil

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  19. A great post, Sharon! Right up my alley with the re-enacting and dressing up in period attire! You both look fab and I enjoyed all the details of your trip. Though, I would have loved to have seen more photos with some of the old western actors. I have fond memories of a few of them--so cool that they maintain a connection with the genre and the fans of same. Your Code of the West essay is right on as being founded on biblical principles. Many of these pioneer families settling in the West were Christians. There were the wild folk--but even they had a cursory respect for God and faith and they understood right from wrong. I loved how you drew out the principle with the Scripture. Much to chew on here. Oh--but for more photos!
    Joy!
    Kathy

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  20. Well, I loved this post too! Love the idea of the code of the West/ Word. ( my maiden name is West, I'll remember this. ) While each part of the code made me think, I too copied 7, Ride for the Brand. I need to practice that more. Glad you had a wonderful trip and the pictures of you and the Hub are priceless!

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  21. Oh I just love the photos of you and your hubs. Awesome!! And sounds like a wonderful time away. Because I have Bible Study Fellowship very much on my mind this week, each of the "rules" you listed where ones I know I can apply directly to BSF. Those in a nice little bookmark to keep with me would come in handy. :)

    I think of you often, friend.

    Miss you.
    xoxo

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  22. Oh, Sharon .... I love this post. And the hubs is, indeed, a look-alike of one of my favorites ... the rugged and handsome Sam Elliot. And you, my dear, look mahvelous!

    We have friends who used to manage one of the RV campgrounds in Kanab. Small world.

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  23. I love this!! And your purple dress.
    God's Word is the final say on any subject!
    Here from While I'm WAiting Wednesday.

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  24. Excellent, Sharon! The Code of the Word, love it! By the grace of God may we live it! So glad you and the hubs were able to get away. You've needed some cut loose time! Good for you! Have a blessed week!

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  25. What a fun trip back in time! If only more people still followed the rules!

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  26. This looks so FUN! I am glad you had an amazing time with you husband, doing something you love. And I agree - the code sounds much like Jesus.

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  27. Sounds like you had a blast! Visiting you from Theocentric Thursdays. God bless!

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  28. that sounds like a fun trip. Glad you guys enjoyed.

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  29. I LOVE the pics! Sam Eliot and Annie Oakley! Too cute Sharon.

    The words fit. What a good blog. You have such a gift of making everything come back to the real point, and there are some good ones here. I could paste them all on my own forehead! :)

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  30. Those old west codes are biblical and I can't help but wonder if people lived by them well. Were they like today or more respectful? These are great points and I think would bring peace to any group of people!

    Love the pics; so cute!

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  31. What a fun festival! There's a park called Frontier Town about an hour away that I used to love visiting as a kid and now want to go back.

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  32. How fun and I absolutely love the pictures! The connection of the code to Biblical principles was great. Glad you shared this at Weekend Whispers.

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  33. Love this - it is so fun to "dress up" and celebrate a time in history where a man's word was his bond. Glad you had a good time !!!

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  34. Your adventure sounds like so much fun ( and your dress is so lovely!) This code, it was a part of the fabric of our history. I think that is what makes it so endearing. As we look at the principles He has laid out in His Word, we can see that His ways employed in all our ways leave legacies that teach through the years.
    Blessings,
    Dawn

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  35. You look so pretty. And that code is really so similar to Biblical principles. Happy trails to you Sharon!

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  36. love these wonderful photos my friend. I do my best to live the code,Thank you for sharing at the Thursday Favorite Things blog hop xo

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  37. Thanks for linking up with #JoyHopeLive

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  38. You guys looks awesome. I love those four rules. Sounds like a great time. I think my husband would enjoy going to that. I like your code of the west! I have to copy this list and go over it daily.......

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  39. This is excellent Sharon! We love the Old West in our home and I love the way you wove God's code into it! Perfect :) I am happy to have you join us in the Art of Home-Making Mondays! I hope your summer was lovely :)

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  40. What a fun adventure and great "rules" to follow! Thanks for linking up at #ThreeWordWednesday ... last week. I'm glad to finally make my way here!

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  41. Wow, that sounds awesome! I will have to look into this--my son would love it!

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  42. I love it. I would so like to attend a festival like the one you went to! I really liked how you used it to share Spiritual truths. Thanks for sharing!

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  43. Super cute photos! Glad you could get a way for some vacation time!

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  44. LOVE the spiritual applications you expressed here! And the pictures??? Oh, my, you two look like the real deal. And, I agree, the hubs definitely looks like Sam Elliott! You make a wonderful couple, and I am so thankful you had such a great time! God bless you, my friend. :)

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  45. Thank you for sharing with us at #JoyHopeLive!

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"So [I] have been greatly encouraged in the midst of [my] troubles and suffering, dear brothers and sisters, because you have remained strong in your faith. It gives [me] new life to know that you are standing firm in the Lord. How [I] thank God for you!" (1 Thessalonians 3:7-9)

Thanks for your comments - it is such a joy to be sharing my journey with friends like YOU!

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