Category: John

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Moving Mountains

Have you had days when you felt weak and undone? Just didn’t know if you could go on for another day? I know, I have had those days too. Believe it or not Jesus had days like that too.

God, the Father, is a God of faith. Jesus Christ walked this earth as a man of faith. The Holy Spirit’s presence fills us so we can be men and women of faith.

God the Father spoke “Light be and there was light”. He didn’t speak just hoping something would happen, but He spoke in faith.

Jesus lived a life of faith while He was here. He pleased the Father. “And he that sent me is with me: the Father hath not left me alone; for I do always those things that please him. 30 As he spake these words, many believed on him.” John 8:29-30

The writer of Hebrews tells us that without faith it is impossible to please God; so if Jesus pleased the Father it was because he was living by faith. “But without faith no one can please God. We must believe that God is real and that he rewards everyone who searches for him.” Hebrews 11:6

When we are adopted into God’s family, we are saved by faith in God’s grace. Our faith is in what God has done, not in our own works but in God’s grace, his kindness. The fruit of the Holy Spirit, who indwells us, is “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, 23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.” Galatians 5:22-23

Faith isn’t something we have to WORK to get, it’s something we have been given freely by God the Father. “For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.” Romans 12:3

Faith isn’t based on our effort, our goodness, our works or our holiness but faith is given to us by God. It’s a gift! A gift we unwrap, take out of the box and use. Even if we feel that we only have small faith, Jesus said it’s enough to move mountains. Once again, God kind of faith isn’t in our abilities or worthiness but it is in Him and His faithfulness to do what He says He will do.

There was a man in the Bible whose son was plagued by seizures. He brought his son to Jesus’ disciples but they couldn’t heal him so the father came to Jesus. He asked Jesus to heal his son. Here is Jesus response: “Jesus asked the boy’s father, ‘How long has this been happening to him?’ The father answered, ‘Since he was very young. 22 The spirit often throws him into a fire or into water to kill him. If you can do anything, please have pity on us and help us.’ 23 Jesus said to the father, “Why did you say ‘if you can’? All things are possible for the one who believes.” 24 Immediately the father shouted, “I do believe. Help me to believe more!” Mark 9:21-24 ERV

I’ve been like that father. I’ve come to Jesus with life’s challenges, struggles and pain. In my desperation I have said “Lord, please help.” Then the Lord reminds me of His many promises, assuring me that He will help. Like that father I have responded “Lord I believe Your word, help me trust You more”.

He’s never broken a promise. God doesn’t lie. He keeps His word.

We need to evaluate our faith today. Is it faith in ourself; in our works; in our abilities; in others? If so, that isn’t faith at all. We need to place our faith, our trust, in the Father, the same faith we used when we asked Him to forgive our sins – faith based on God and his power to save and on the love of Jesus who died and rose again.

When our faith is placed in God we will walk by faith and see life’s mountains move by the power of God.

“Lord, I believe in You. Help me be stronger in my belief.”

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World Peace

In light of our world and national situation, I felt it was appropriate to remind us of some of Jesus’ final words to His disciples.

The crucifixion is just hours away. Jesus knows the spiritual, physical and mental state of his disciples – He knows they are hoping that He will overturn the government and set up an earthly kingdom. He knows they are moved by fear. He’s had to address that several times in the past and He knows that one of his disciples will betray him for money and the others will leave Him in His darkness hour.

He not only knows their weaknesses and fears He knows ours as well. He knows our fears – the things we haven’t voiced to anyone. He knows our spiritual condition; He knows where our faith is weak and He is very aware of our physical limitations. He spoke these words to comfort and encourage the disciples.

This is what Jesus is saying to all of us as well.

“Jesus said to his disciples, “Don’t be worried! Have faith in God and have faith in me…18 I won’t leave you like orphans. I will come back to you. 19 In a little while the people of this world won’t be able to see me, but you will see me. And because I live, you will live. 20 Then you will know that I am one with the Father. You will know that you are one with me, and I am one with you. 21 If you love me, you will do what I have said, and my Father will love you. I will also love you and show you what I am like…23 Jesus replied: If anyone loves me, they will obey me. Then my Father will love them, and we will come to them and live in them. 24 But anyone who doesn’t love me, won’t obey me. What they have heard me say doesn’t really come from me, but from the Father who sent me. 25 I have told you these things while I am still with you. 26 But the Holy Spirit will come and help you, because the Father will send the Spirit to take my place. The Spirit will teach you everything and will remind you of what I said while I was with you. 27 I give you peace, the kind of peace that only I can give. It isn’t like the peace that this world can give. So don’t be worried or afraid” John 14 CEV (these verses are only a part of the chapter, I encourage you to read the whole chapter)

“I give you peace, the kind of peace that only I can give. It isn’t like the peace that this world can give. So don’t be worried or afraid.” verse 27

Jesus starts the chapter with “Don’t be worried! Have faith in God and have faith in me”. There are no truer words to be spoken today. Don’t worry, have faith in God and take my peace. When I read these words they seem to be the words of a last will and testament. It’s as if Jesus is giving us an inheritance of a worry-free, peace-filled life.

What a wonderful inheritance!

We can trust God! He promised if we put our faith in Him we will never be ashamed.

“I come to you, Lord, for protection. Don’t let me be ashamed. Do as you have promised and rescue me. 2 Listen to my prayer and hurry to save me. Be my mighty rock and the fortress where I am safe. 3 You, Lord God, are my mighty rock and my fortress. Lead me and guide me, so that your name will be honored.” Psalm 31:1-3 CEV

Let’s take His peace today – don’t be worried or afraid but trust in the One who loved us enough that He died for us! He loves us enough that He lives for us and intercedes for us from His throne in heaven!

Peace!

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VICTORY!

As I was waking up this morning I was thinking about a letter I am going to write, you know, composing it in my head. Over the years my closing signature has most always been preceded by something like this, “Victorious in Him” or “Victorious in Jesus”. I’ve been signing my letters like that for over thirty-five years.

Those of you who have read my blog for any length of time know that in the early part of my Christian life I went from one defeat to another. Disappointments and struggles were the norm but about thirty-seven years ago I began to hear teaching on the truth and power of God’s word. I learned from reading the Bible that God had designed a life of victory and blessings for us.

“We show our love for God by obeying his commandments, and they are not hard to follow. 4 Every child of God can defeat the world, and our faith is what gives us this victory. 5 No one can defeat the world without having faith in Jesus as the Son of God.” I John 5:3-5 CEV

Victory? Yes, victory.

Things began to change. The Lord put such a hunger in my heart to read His word and put it into practice. The Word became my final authority on every subject. God is infinitely greater than the wisest of men and He has promised to bring us through any situation in victory.

“But thank God for letting our Lord Jesus Christ give us the victory! 58 My dear friends, stand firm and don’t be shaken. Always keep busy working for the Lord. You know that everything you do for him is worthwhile.” I Corinthians 15:57-58 CEV

“I am grateful that God always makes it possible for Christ to lead us to victory. God also helps us spread the knowledge about Christ everywhere, and this knowledge is like the smell of perfume.” II Corinthians 2:14 CEV

The Bible is filled with stories of God intervening in the lives of every day people. But they aren’t just stories, they are examples of what God can and will do in the lives of those who put their trust in Him. I have seen true miracles and everyday blessings too numerous to count.

I have had my share of failures as I have learned to trust God’s word. The outcome hasn’t always been victorious but it’s not because God didn’t want it to be. Like Peter, who started to sink while walking on the water, I would get my eyes off the Lord and on my circumstances and fear would take over. But also like Peter, when he cried out the Lord lifted him above the waves and got him to safety, the Lord has been there to rescue me and bring me to safety. Victory has been flourishing and defeats have been diminished.

The Lord desires to do this for all of us. Did you notice in the verses from I John that it says “Every child of God can defeat the world”? Everyone! God has put all His blessings and power at our disposal when we put our trust in Him. Faith is believing that God will do what He says; trust is believing that He will do it for us.

I don’t know when or how this coronavirus will be contained but I do know that we can trust God to bring us through it victoriously!

These are the words of Jesus: “A thief comes only to rob, kill, and destroy. I came so that everyone would have life, and have it in its fullest. ” John 10:10 CEV

Join me, will you? Let’s put our signature at the bottom of today’s letter –

Victorious in Him, Kristi

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Through The Valley

I was unable to sleep, so I got up and came to my office to pray. My prayer time isn’t formal or structured, it’s just me talking to the Lord, telling Him what’s on my heart and sitting quietly. He fills my heart with peace and my mind with examples of His love and His word. I prayed for all who will read this blog this morning; I know many are anxious and even fearful.

Just a while ago my thoughts were filled with this phrase, “through the valley”. Through the valley?

Through the valley!

“You are true to your name, and you lead me along the right paths. 4 I may walk through valleys as dark as death, but I won’t be afraid. You are with me, and your shepherd’s rod
 makes me feel safe.” Psalm 23:3-4 CEV

Most of us would choose to go around the valley instead of through it. That seems to be the right tactical move. Take the high road and not give our enemies an opportunity to ambush us. Through the valley seems risky.

If we trust the Lord there will be times when we don’t understand why He is leading us through the valley but we can be assured that He will always lead us along the right path. And when He is leading we don’t need to be afraid.

When our older children were little and we were teaching them to swim we had a real struggle getting them to jump from the side of the pool into David’s arms. They had no problem wrapping their arms around our necks and floating out to the deep from the shallow and they didn’t mind sitting down on the side and sliding into our arms but jumping in was something entirely different. It took a lot of coaxing and a promise that we wouldn’t let anything happen to them before they were convinced that it would be ok. They had to go through that valley and they learned to trust us.

We are all going through a valley right now. It’s a time of uncertainty. The most important thing for us to see is that we are not alone. God is here with us, leading us through and we don’t have to be afraid. We can be at peace in even the worst circumstances.

Jesus said: “I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid.” John 14:27 NLT

This is the prayer I prayed for you this morning: “Father, in the name of Jesus, I bring all who are reading this to You. Calm their fears, fill them with Your peace – peace of mind and heart. Let them see that they can trust You to lead them through this valley. Give them confidence that You won’t abandon them or leave them on their own. I don’t only pray this for them but I also pray for all those they hold dear. We trust You to be our protection. Thank you loving Father. Amen!”

“This I declare about the Lord: He alone is my refuge, my place of safety; he is my God, and I trust him.” Psalm 91:2 NLT

He will lead us through the valley!

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Casa de Paz

I wanted to continue on with yesterday’s teaching on peace. Can we ever have too much peace? I don’t think so. As I said in my post script to yesterday’s blog, I just about lost my peace when I went to post what I had written.

My computer was acting strangely and since I’m not skilled in trouble shooting computer situations I figured it was best to save my work, exit the document, refresh the screen and return to it. Before I did that, I saved a copy of my writing and then proceed with the steps I just mentioned.

Coming back to the post I found the original work there but none of my recent edits. I “paste” the copy I had saved to the clipboard and nothing happened. The document had not saved and I had none of my changes. It was so frustrating! Why? Where did it go? I had no answers and realized the more I messed with it the more my frustration increased. So I prayed, committed it to the Lord, as is, and posted it for all of you to read.

Just moments after I clicked on the publish button another Scripture verse on peace came to mind. It is one I knew I needed to share with you. One that I pray every morning. I pray it over my children, grandchildren and now my great grandchild.

“I, the Lord, will teach your children, and they will have real peace. 14 You will be built on goodness.  You will be safe from cruelty and fear. So you will have nothing to fear. Nothing will come to hurt you.” Isaiah 54:13-14 ERV

My words each morning are these “Lord, thank you for always being with my children. ‘Great is the peace of my children this day because they are taught by You, Lord’. Teach them today. Let them know that You love them and You are there for them in every situation.”

We never really know what our children, grands and great grands need throughout the day but the Lord does and He is always there to teach them and protect them. I trust Him to do that because He says He will and He doesn’t lie!

When we moved to our current home we named it Casa de Paz, house of peace. We want it to be a place of peace for our friends and family. God wants our lives to be filled with peace also.

The message that the angels proclaimed on the night of Jesus birth was one of peace. Peace on earth; good will to men. Jesus also declared peace, peace with God, and that message still continues today.

I encourage you to pray for your families – children, grands and great grands. Pray that their lives are covered with peace. Let peace reign and rule in every situation that you face – small and large. The Lord wants us all to live in a house of peace. Remember some of the final words of Jesus, this was part of His last will and testament – it is our inheritance.

“I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid.” John 14:27 NLT

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New Passwords

It was a long and tedious day. A day where I had scheduled my time to be at the computer, a day I was not looking forward too but it was a job that needed to be done. I had to change and/or update my passwords! Egad! I would rather clean the toilets or the oven, pull weeds or wash baseboards but there it was on my “to do” list. Change passwords…

Some sites require us to change our passwords more frequently than others and these always seem to be the ones that say you can’t use a previous password. Really? I haven’t used that password since 1927 but no, I can’t use it again. I’ve seen advertising for those password randomizers, I know nothing about them, but I don’t trust them. They would give me a series of letters, numbers and characters that are unrelated to me and that wouldn’t be good. So there I sat, all day, from midmorning until later afternoon.

Was I finished? I thought so but in the middle of the night I realized there were still a few more that needed my attention so I will be back at it again today. There is one thing that gives me hope; there is one site I access often and that password never changes.

“But all who listen to me will live in peace, untroubled by fear of harm.” Proverbs 1:33 NLT

“Ask me and I will tell you remarkable secrets you do not know about things to come.” Jeremiah 33:3 NLT

“Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me. 7 If you had really known me, you would know who my Father is. From now on, you do know him and have seen him!” John 14:6-7 NLT

Access to our heavenly Father requires but one, never changing password

J E S U S

Whenever I have a problem or a special joy I want to share all I have to do is use that name and I’m in! Jesus, thank you. Jesus, help. Jesus, take the wheel. Jesus, I’m sorry. Jesus, I need ______.

I am secure! No hacker can enter. No one can counterfeit my personal data or steal my identity. He knows me. He knows my name and the number of hairs on my head. My life is protected and it’s not just for me it’s for everyone but we must all use the same password.

“But everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” Acts 2:21 NLT

Thank you Jesus!

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Miscarriage, Stillbirth, Abortion, Infertility

I will warn you. Today’s blog will be a bit heavier than most of my posts. Yesterday I was out pruning the plants in my yard. It has been a winter of heavy frosts and there was much to do. As I was pruning my geraniums I was overwhelmed. It was like someone had dropped a heavy blanket on me. I knew this was something I had to share.

In 1979, I had my first miscarriage and in 1983 I had my second. After that we decided not to try again. Our family would be complete with our son and our daughter. Our hearts were broken and we didn’t want to experience that kind of sorrow again.

We had two wonderful children. Healthy kids! A girl and a boy but we also experienced the lost of loosing two babies.

As I was pruning back the geraniums all this came flooding back. Cutting away the dead to make room for the new. At that moment I realize there are millions of families who are experiencing or have experienced the same loss.

We had some dear friends who came to visit shortly after my second miscarriage and shared God’s promise with us.

““So you shall serve the Lord your God, and He will bless your bread and your water. And I will take sickness away from the midst of you. 26 No one shall suffer miscarriage or be barren in your land; I will fulfill the number of your days.” Exodus 23:25-26 NKJV

They prayed with us that our next child, should we choose to try, would be covered with the Lord’s protection from the moment of conception. Since then we have shared that truth, the truth of God’s word, with a large number of women who thought they were barren and with those who had lost children to miscarriage, still birth and abortion.

They prayed with us that any child we would conceive in the future would be covered with the Lord’s protection from the moment of conception. Both babies we lost were lost in the first few months after conception and we didn’t even know to pray over them. Two years after this prayer we conceived our youngest daughter, Kaci. I held my breath and prayed. We waited several months before we announced her arrival to the world. These dear friends who prayed with us were there to officiate our youngest daughter’s marriage 30 years later! And now she is the mother of three beautiful children.

A number of years later my last miscarriage, about seven years, I was blessed to share with a class on childhood development at the local high school about the heartbreak of miscarriage. I was able to tell them that this was not a fetus, a blob of tissue, but a living being who became a part of our family and was gone.

I had never allowed myself to grieve. I didn’t know I should. I was the church administrator and one day I was covering the bookstore during lunch. It was slow and I grab a book from the shelves and began to read. As I read, I began to weep uncontrollably. My broken heart was allowed to speak. And healing began.

The book was “I’ll Hold You in Heaven” by Jack Hayford. He’s a wonderful Bible teacher. The entire book deals with miscarriage, still birth and abortion. It was my cry for healing and I didn’t even know I needed to be healed.

What I realized yesterday afternoon in my backyard is there are many women and their husbands who need to hear this message of healing. The pain and heartbreak have been pushed aside. There are those who are barren that feel there is no hope and those who have lost their babies before they could hold them who ache with grief. We all need to experience the Lord’s healing, comfort and hope.

If you know someone who is dealing with the anguish of barrenness, share with them the truth of God’s word. They may be a Sarah who has waited many years but they have God’s promise. He doesn’t lie!

Others may have lost a child, or two, as I did and didn’t know God’s word to cover that child with protection. The same holds true for those who have experienced a still birth. God is not a killer – He comes to bring life and not death. For those who have gone through abortion there is hope. Hope of a future.

Be kind, be compassionate, be truthful and share God’s word and His promise with those who are in sorrow.

“The thief comes only in order to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance (to the full, till it overflows).” John 10:10 AMPC

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Love Gives

Why do we do the things we do?

Why do we do things like dishes and cleaning, baking and bathing, nursing and washing, listening and comforting, going to work and then to after-school activities? Do we do these things because we have too? No.

Love gives!

“If I give everything I own to the poor and even go to the stake to be burned as a martyr, but I don’t love, I’ve gotten nowhere. So, no matter what I say, what I believe, and what I do, I’m bankrupt without love. Love never gives up. Love cares more for others than for self. Love doesn’t want what it doesn’t have. Love doesn’t strut, Doesn’t have a swelled head, Doesn’t force itself on others, Isn’t always “me first,” Doesn’t fly off the handle, Doesn’t keep score of the sins of others, Doesn’t revel when others grovel, Takes pleasure in the flowering of truth, Puts up with anything, Trusts God always, Always looks for the best, Never looks back, But keeps going to the end.” I Corinthians 13:3-7 MSG

Our actions can’t earn us love. If they could, then our lack of action would be reason for us to lose that love. Love isn’t based on our effort or the effort of those around us. True love is unconditional. Our actions are simply an expression of that love.

Love has no room for self pity or a poor me attitude. In all honesty, I have to admit that I have my times of whining and feeling put upon. But then, God’s word will correct me and I get on with loving my family and those around me.

Jesus said this to His disciples: “Let me give you a new command: Love one another. In the same way I loved you, you love one another. ” John 13:34 MSG

The love that Jesus has for us is unearned and unconditional. He showed his love for us before we were even born. He gave all He had for us. He gave up His life in heaven to come to earth; He gave up a good reputation and took on ridicule. Finally, He gave up His life to save us from death. Jesus gave all!

Let’s follow His example and His command. Let’s love the way we’ve been loved.

Love gives!

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My Favorite Place

Where do you abide?

Abide is an old fashioned word that isn’t used very often anymore. A person’s home was often referred to as their abode. Webster’s Dictionary defines the word abide as this: “to remain stable or fixed in a state; to continue in a place”. In other words, it means to stay put or be established, to put down roots.

Putting down roots is different than just going for a visit. Abiding has a sense of permanence. It implies that we are established or settled in. It can be a physical place such as our home or our city but it can also be a place of emotional stability.

Did you know that we can settle in to, be established and abide in love? We are encouraged to make it our home.

As a child I moved frequently. My dad was a construction worker; he operated heavy equipment and for years he was employed on road construction projects. As the road advanced toward the next town, we moved. The one thing that always moved with us was the love of my parents. We lived in a trailer but love was our abode.

Life surrounds us with things that are temporary but God gives us a permanent abiding place.

“I’ve loved you the way my Father has loved me. Make yourselves at home (*abide) in my love. If you keep my commands, you’ll remain (abide) intimately at home in my love. That’s what I’ve done—kept my Father’s commands and made myself at home (abide) in his love.” John 15:9-10 MSG

*abide is the word used in the old English, King James version of the Bible.

We can look at God’s love as if it were a home, our home. We can open the front door, walk in, sit down and know are welcomed there. This home of love provides us with protection and security. It protects us from life’s storms. It is a place of well-being.

“Those who live (*abide) in the shelter of the Most High will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty. 2 This I declare about the Lord: He alone is my refuge, my place of safety; he is my God, and I trust him.” Psalm 91:1-2 NLT

The door’s open – you can move in today. God’s love is a permanent place to abide!

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Playing Favorites

Yesterday there was lots of excitement at our house. First thing in the morning we learned that our first great granddaughter had been born. She is five weeks early but perfect in every way.

A few hours later our youngest daughter, son-in-love and three youngest grandchildren arrived for a weekend visit. My ninety-six year old mother is here and they came to spend some time with her and with us.

A busy house indeed.

There was a short space in time during the mid afternoon that Mom was resting and so were two of the grandkids. The youngest, 3 1/2 months old, was in my lap while I was looking at a text message with pictures of our first great grandchild. WOW! I was overwhelmed by the blessings I have received from the Father. Three children, their mates, five grandchildren and one great grandchild! My heart is full and my cup runs over.

After our first daughter was born I wondered if I would have as much room in my heart for a second child as I did for her. I found that with each child my heart grew and there was always enough love to go around. The same holds true with the grandkids; my love capacity increases with the size of our family and there are no favorites. Each one is unique, each one is treasured and each one is loved with the same depth and intensity.

Did you know our heavenly Father is like that? He has no favorites. He loves you and me as much as He loves Jesus. We are His children too. He adopted us and placed us in the family as joint-heirs with Jesus. Listen to Jesus’ prayer on the night He was taken to be crucified.

“I pray not only for these followers but also for those who will believe in me because of their teaching. 21 Father, I pray that all who believe in me can be one. You are in me and I am in you. I pray that they can also be one in us. Then the world will believe that you sent me. 22 I have given them the glory that you gave me. I gave them this glory so that they can be one, just as you and I are one. 23 I will be in them, and you will be in me. So they will be completely one. Then the world will know that you sent me and that you loved them just as you loved me.

24 “Father, I want these people you have given me to be with me in every place I am. I want them to see my glory—the glory you gave me because you loved me before the world was made. 25 Father, you are the one who always does what is right. The world does not know you, but I know you, and these followers of mine know that you sent me. 26 I showed them what you are like, and I will show them again. Then they will have the same love that you have for me, and I will live in them.” John 17:20-26 ERV

I highlighted in bold type face two specific incidents where Jesus mentioned that we have been given the same love from the Father that He received. Imagine that! God, the Father, creator of heaven and earth; all powerful, ever present, all knowing God who loved Jesus, HIs Son, and loves us with the same depth of love. We know this is for us and not just those who lived in Bible times because Jesus said it was. Those are His words, not mine.

We may feel that we have been treated unfairly in life, that our path has been skewed by partiality and favoritism. That very well may be. We may have been the last one picked for the ball team, overlooked for a promotion or completely ignored because we didn’t attend the right school or live on the right side of town. People make judgements based on prejudice, they shouldn’t but they do.

But God…God doesn’t play favorites! He loves us with an everlasting love!

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