​​First, right at the start, I want to make it clear that this post is for those who have hit bottom, and the end of their own resources to go on in their circumstances; and feel they can't be honest with anyone. Why, because everywhere you look, the TV, movies, propaganda programs on public TV, mega ministries and social arena's everywhere. What they want to see is "Let's party", and no matter what your going through, it's going to be "OK". This comes from a society drugged down, on a buzz from alcohol, and do not want to be exposed to suffering. Much of the mentality today is geared to the "SELF", and people's hearts are as hard as rocks. If you are in this category, you will be better off not reading any further.

Perhaps your a weary caregiver, totally burned out; but love the one your caring for, and don't know where to turn. A veteran who's lost a limb, or multiple limbs, and suffering from PTSD, someone in chronic pain from sickness and disease that's plagued you for years. Perhaps your terminally ill; and don't have much longer on this earth. In the midst of these circumstances, you may be paralyzed, or in emotional or psychological pain.

Perhaps your a widow; I'm talkn' about one who loved her husband; it's been a long time, years, but you still love him. Still hear his voice behind you once in a while calling your name, and you turn around suddenly, your heart beating out of your chest; hoping to see him one more time. But nothing is there. You fall into bed, hug the pillow and soak it with tears. You've learned to keep your mouth shut in the world and play the role of the one who has gotten on with life, all smiles and running to community events; but when your alone reality kicks in. When it comes to keeping up with the house repairs, vehicles, taxes, etc.,.....most of the time there is no "Bob the builder", you are it. 

Death may seem a good option. Death will come soon enough for all of us, but let's consider some things together.

King David wrote most of the Psalms. He sang of his great love and devotion to God with beautiful words of praise and worship. When you read them, he takes your spirit right into the throne room of God, and if you close your eyes, you can share the joy and exaltation that David expressed in them. But, he also wrote many that were cries of heartbreak, sorrow, grief, and yes, even anger. Your rarely hear of these from preachers, because they are not popular. But they are in there for our benefit, and learning. When he was being chased by Saul who tried relentlessly to kill him, as well as his own son Absalom. During his lifetime, David did not win every battle, he lost some. But, what did he do? He got on his face and prayed. He asked God to show him why he lost, and what had to be done about it. We are far too quick to just throw up our hands and let the devil have everything. If I fail, I take it to God; and ask for understanding and guidance. We are down here on earth to learn and grow, and learn from our mistakes; even if we live to be 120. Everything we gain and learn here, we will use in heaven some day, I am convinced of this.

When he gave into temptation, and sinned with Bathsheba, what that sin cost him. But, also realize how God forgave him and restored him. (Ps. 51) How his heart was broken when his people spoke against him, and those who slandered him. Some of his prayers against them were hair-raising. It gives me cause to evaluate many of the prayers I've heard today and come to the conclusion that we really need to spend more time in the word of God to know how to pray with power, authority, and confidence against those who oppose us.

Moses didn't want to obey what God called him to do. He tried everything he could to get out of it. When God countered every one of his objections; he finally gave in, but he was reluctant because he knew what he would be facing. I'll let you look up the story in the bible for yourself, it would benefit you greatly.

At one point he said "The people you've told me to lead want to kill me!" There was more than one time he wanted to quit, and leave them all. Put yourself in his shoes, would you have done any better?

God allowed Satan to take everything from Job, and kill his children. Satan wasn't through, he challenged God saying if he allowed Satan to bring sickness to his body, he would curse God to his face. God gave him permission, but said "save his life". So, Job sat in the midst of his suffering, scraping off the boils from his skin, while his three miserable comforters sat at a distance in silence for days. But, when they finally opened their mouth, their counsels were full of evidence of their ignorance and arrogance. His wife came to him and said; "Dost thou still retain thine integrity? curse God, and die." Job 2:9

Perhaps you can relate to this in your circumstances. I hope you keep reading.

To any onlooker, it appeared that God himself had forsaken Job.

Job's conviction in the middle of this was; Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him: but I will maintain mine own ways before him. Job 13:15

These were ordinary people like you and I. They knew the heat of the battle, and the consequences of sin, and the rejection and misunderstanding of people, even their own family. They knew about traitors, the judas' in their life, the fake friends, the tale-bearers, slanderers. They knew about getting attacked physically in their body; being wracked with pain.

What did they do?

They cried out to God. They were honest with him in their pain, in their frustration, in their discouragement, and suffering. They didn't cover it up, they didn't put on their best "happyface", and spew out phony rhetoric. They looked up and poured out their complaints, and told God what they needed, and what they were feeling; they let it all hang out. Pun intended.

If you are terminally ill, facing death, and don't have the assurance of eternal life. Just open your mouth, and talk to God. If you are unable to speak, pray in your thoughts; He hears you. Pray to him, and tell him you believe Jesus rose from the dead, that he is alive now, and coming again. Ask the Lord to come into your heart, and forgive your sins, and accept you into His Kingdom. if you do this, and believe it in your heart; you are now a child of God, and when you leave this world, you have a mansion in heaven waiting for you, and an embrace from Jesus; he loves you.

In over 40 yrs. of walking with the Lord, I can tell you when you are this open and honest with Him; you get his attention. He has never failed me, has never told me I was asking too much, or that He was angry with me for being honest. No, just the opposite; at these times I've felt the warmth of His presence, and the solid assurance of His love for me. At times he has directed me to specific scriptures that spoke directly to my problem; giving me wisdom and guidance on what to do, this always increases my faith.

I've felt His embrace deep within, and watched circumstances around me come together for my good; no matter how bad they were. I've seen his hand move mountains in my way over the years, and if there is one thing I know; MY GOD LIVES, AND I BELONG TO HIM. Knowing this, I can endure anything. When you surrender to the Lord to this degree, nothing will move you either.

I'm not sure why, but I will add this small bit of teaching I've learned in a completely different area; I know God has a reason, I hope it ministers to someone who may need this.

When I was raising and training Arabian horses I learned many lessons of great value. But the ones most profound to me were:

1. People will hate you if you win, and hate you if you lose. God taught me to want to do the very best in my training, my appearance, my teaching and showing; for God, and God alone. To keep my focus on giving glory to God, and ignore people. This is very difficult to do; but you must if your going to keep doing it with a right heart.
I will also add; If you are one who has "won" by pushing your opponents to the rail, giving them a "kick" with your inside leg when the judge is looking the other way in order to get the horse to lose it's gait,  cutting in front of the horse you are jealous of for the same reason...etc, etc,....you never really won; and in your heart you know it; and God knows it.
When I was giving riding lessons to kids and taking them to kids events; I stressed to them to keep it honest, keep it clean, learn from the lessons the skills you and your horse need, to get the best ribbon you can. Go home happy in your heart that you had good clean fun, and if the judge thought you truly earned the blue; all the better.
I believe that on Judgment day, many will be surprised to know and realize who the winners and losers truly are in God's eyes, in every arena of life.

2. If I am in a place of leadership, know that there is going to be consequences by those who oppose me; in the showring, and in the public. Rule my spirit, and use self-control; for the glory of God.

3. When a horse is giving me all he/she can, and does not make it to the top; give that horse honor and just treatment. Put the horse to good use in the category it's suited for. God cares about how we take care of our animals. It is a representation of us and our character.

4. When the horse is tired, and showing you it must rest; DO NOT push the animal beyond this point. If you do, mark my words; a bone tired horse will quit on you, in their heart. You may as well quit too, because you will never win again in the ring with him.

5. Know when it's time to stop showing the animal, and don't let pride ruin what you've accomplished.

As a down to earth person who uses every facet of life to apply wisdom to my circumstances, I see these lessons applied in times of great trial in everyday living of value now, as much as I did then.

God wants to mold his people into overcomers. The battle's we face and the scars we acquire are part and parcel of getting there. I'm not giving up now, I've come too far to back out, or turn around now. With God's help, I'll make it to the finish line, and be in that number of overcomers. You will be too, if you just don't quit. Like a poem I read once; "rest if you must, but don't you quit."

No matter what your going through, even though it may seem God has forgotten you, that you are in a mess and your alone; No, No, my friend. On the contrary; He is the nearest to you now. All you have to do is whisper his name. He is right there as close as your breath. Open your mouth and give him all that's in your heart. He's waiting, and listening.
It's my prayer that the carousel below will also minister to you in some way, and encourage you on your journey.
Lorna Couillard

There is a great many definitions of love, and everyone who is asked will give their interpretation of what love is, and it's expression.

When I think of love, these scriptures define love to me in the best sense:

2Co 6:6  By pureness, by knowledge, by longsuffering, by kindness, by the Holy Ghost, by love unfeigned,

1Pe 1:22  Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently: 

Why do I look to these scriptures the most when I think of the best definition of love?

Because of one word that's in both; unfeigned. Because if love is true, from the heart, and real, it will have these attributes:

UNFEIGNED
un-fand' (anupokritos, "unfeigned," "undisguised"):
The Greek word occurs only in the New Testament (1 Timothy 1:5; 2 Timothy 1:5) and is designative of the moral quality of faith as "the mark of transparency and simplicity of soul--the most complete and distinct exponent of a man's character--the natural hypothesis of a pure and good heart--a readiness to believe in goodness" (Martineau, Hours of Thought, First Series, 86). Compare 2 Corinthians 6:6; 1 Peter 1:22; James 3:17.

Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
(a.) Not feigned; not counterfeit; not hypocritical; real; sincere; genuine; as, unfeigned piety; unfeigned love to man.

When you really ponder these definitions, and then take a long look at what many think of as love today, you come away realizing how rare true, honest love is.

It's the same with listening to someone's conversation. People develop an art of using conversation to insert a message they want to convey; without being open and honest about it. As you stand and listen to them, it becomes plain that they are making a point to you that has nothing to do really with what is coming out of their mouth. You are left to interpret what their real meaning is; it's a mental exercise and skill you have to develop with each encounter. After you've peeled back the layers, you find they either are undermining you, fishing for information, or placing themselves as "counselor" in your life; as they spin their tale.

The older you get the more you realize this is a waste of your time, and start finding ways to avoid these kind of people. At almost 65, I want less and less to do with double-talk and double messages. After less than five minutes, I realize if the one who is speaking to me is "unfeigned", or if I'm being taken for a ride again. If I am, I look for the first opportunity to exit. The bible gives some good advice about this:

2Ti 2:16  But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness.

My mother said to me more than once; "If you have a couple of true honest friends in your lifetime, you are very fortunate. People who will be honest, and love and accept you as you are."

She was right. Unfeigned love is rare, and to be cherished.

Unfeigned love, and truth are like an oasis in the desert.
Lorna Couillard

Most people’s view on drinking is if it’s consumed in small quantities, is neither harmful nor addictive. Some doctors advocate drinking small amounts of red wine for its health benefits, especially for the heart. Consumption of small quantities of alcohol they say, is a matter of Christian freedom. But, with these freedoms comes a personal responsibility to act accordingly, and to also not be a stumbling block for others. We can’t argue that drunkenness and addiction are sins. Why? Because within the confines of scripture it tells us so.

Ephesians 5:18 tells us to avoid drunkenness

The bible condemns drunkenness and it’s affects Prov. 23:29-35, and we are not to allow our bodies to be mastered by anything 1Cor 6:12, 2Peter 2:19
We are to refrain from doing anything that makes our brother stumble in their faith, or our conscience 1Cor 8:9-21

What God commands Christians regarding alcohol is to avoid drunkenness 
But, let’s take a look at the realities of alcoholism:

As a former alcoholic, I have strong personal views, and looking at the condition of society today, I hold to the opinion; “why do it?”

As a recovered alcoholic I can’t understand why Christians would drink. I’ve only known alcohol as a way to escape reality. I don’t know why if you are drinking for the taste you wouldn’t just drink something else that tastes good. 
Christian weddings who provide alcohol open the door for people being intoxicated. For many, it only takes one glass or two. Alcohol is extremely addictive and is used to alter the mental state and “loosen up”. The results are many times things being said that can ruin relationships, inflicting pain on other’s, and yourself, and living with the regret of it.

I’ve watched this in my family all my life. There are some who are still living in denial, and want nothing to do with me, because my presence brings conviction, even if I say nothing. I just keep praying that some day they wake up and become as ashamed of themselves and as tired of wasting their life as I did, and finally want to change.

Alcohol (also grain alcohol) is a toxin that severely affects the central nervous system when ingested. Most people know that even moderate “social drinking” destroys brain cells. 

The strongest advocate of alcohol must honestly admit that its consumption does not glorify God in their body; instead, it slowly destroys body and mind, which is a clear violation of the Sixth Commandment. 

Today, “moderation” is taught with alcohol, but history has shown that moderation with an addictive drug or alcoholism is impossible. 

In the next 24 hours, alcohol will be responsible for almost half of all:
... the homicides. 
…the people who will die on the highway. 
…the people who will be admitted to the hospital. 
…the people who will be incarcerated in jail or prison. 
…the people who will be arrested for domestic violence. 
…the people who will be born with birth defects.

It will also be responsible for a quarter of all suicides. 

According to Zig Ziglar, authorities know that approximately one in sixteen people who ever take a social drink will become an alcoholic. Would you board a plane if you knew there was a one in 16 chance that it would crash and end your life? Yet, how many think nothing of getting into a car drunk, sometimes with children strapped to their car seats; and drive on the highways drunk. They are responsible at times for not only their own deaths, but the innocent victims that are in their way, as they careen down the highway, in a drunken stupor. We see the devastating results on the news all the time. Today it is not unusual to hear of car wrecks where the driver is high on both drugs and alcohol at the same time.

The great Canadian physician Sir William Osler was lecturing one day on alcohol. “Is it true,” asked a student, “that alcohol makes people do some things better?” 

“No,” replied Sir William. “It just makes them less ashamed of doing them badly.” 

Christians who drink alcohol have tarnished their testimonies to the outside world—as well as to those in the church. And the ones who are hurt the most by these compromised testimonies are the children. They see the hypocrisy, and it’s affect is unbelief. 

A quote from Paul Harvey-Tests show that after drinking three bottles of beer, there is an average of 13 percent net memory loss. After taking only small quantities of alcohol, trained typists were tested and their errors increased 40 percent. Only one ounce of alcohol increases the time required to make a decision by nearly 10 percent; hinders muscular reaction by 17 percent; increases errors due to lack of attention by 35 percent. 

Charles Spurgeon had this to say about drinking-: "I wish the man who made the law to open them had to keep all the families that they have brought to ruin. Beer shops are the enemies of the home; therefore, the sooner their licenses are taken away, the better." 

Billy Sunday-“After all is said that can be said on the liquor traffic, its influence is degrading on the individual, the family, politics and business and upon everything that you touch in this old world."

It is hypocrisy to children to see their mothers or fathers talking about their love for God, praying in church, and then watch them go home and drink. Jesus condemned this hypocrisy with the very strongest language: “But whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to sin, it would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were drowned in the depth of the sea” Matt 18:6). 

A sad story:

An anxious father approached his pastor and said, “Please, talk to my boy about drinking. He came home last night and fell sprawling on the floor—too drunk to get up. His mother cried the rest of the night.” 

“Why don't you talk to your own boy yourself?” the preacher questioned. 

But the father said, “Pastor, I can't talk to my son about it, because I am to blame. I wanted him to be a man, so I gave him his first glass of liquor. I didn't dream that he'd ever become a drunkard. Please speak to my boy. I can't talk to him.” 

I grew up in this kind of environment, so I know the reality of this kind of scenario. I was given my first taste of drink, a glass of wine, at a New Years Eve party at a relatives house. I was twelve years old. This started my road to devastation and many heartaches.

From personal experience I can tell you that if you allow people in your life to influence you to drink, take drugs, or smoke; if you become an addict, and can’t function in life anymore, they will be the first to leave you. You will not find them at your door to help you find recovery, they will leave you and continue down their own road to destruction, laughing at you as they go. Think about what I’m telling you, when you look behind you at the end of your life; what do you want to see. The choices we’ve made in life, and the people we allow in our life, are revealed by the pattern we’ve left behind us. When I first saved the verse below was one God put before me at the very beginning and taught me to evaluate people and weed out the troublemakers, for my own sake.

1Co 15:33  Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners. 

My father drank and I saw him drunken many times. I watched him abuse my mother, feeling helpless to do anything about it. I hated him for how he treated her. It was only after he was dying of lung cancer that he stopped drinking, and I got to know him. The last five years of his life God brought forgiveness between us, and he came to faith in Christ only six days before his death. God’s hand moves to redeem us, no matter how deep the pit we’ve dropped into.

I almost became one more statistic, but, thank God; He redeemed me and set me free one morning in 1978 in my living room, at the age of 25. Three month’s after my father’s death. I thank God for these many years I’ve enjoyed that  drinking did not steal from me. 
Lorna Couillard

This young man has compiled a list of very good advice for us as believer's to overcome depression and anxiety. Applying these to our life will enrich our lives, and we will find our inner man renewed, and strengthened.

I would only add a few other suggestions:
1. Take a walk, enjoy the nature around you, and pay attention to the wildlife. It brings a lot of joy to watch the antics of a squirrel, or birds playing in the trees.
2. Go fishing, take a lunch, and a lot of bug spray. But this also brings healing to the soul.
3. Gardening brings a great deal to your life, and there's benefits if you grow veggies. The exercise brings fulfillment when the flowers are in full bloom, and you are enjoying a great stir fry.
4. Listen to good music; it heals, soothes, and ministers to the broken hearted, and reminds us of God's promises. It is one of his greatest ways to bring comfort and healing to the heart and soul. King David was a psalmist, and the book of Psalms is full of his songs of praise, worship, and prayer to the Lord. In the Psalms we are also given great wisdom in how to pray, for ourselves and our adversaries, David is our example.
 
​Psa 130:1  A Song of degrees. Out of the depths have I cried unto thee, O LORD. 
Psa 130:2  Lord, hear my voice: let thine ears be attentive to the voice of my supplications. 
Psa 130:3  If thou, LORD, shouldest mark iniquities, O Lord, who shall stand? 
Psa 130:4  But there is forgiveness with thee, that thou mayest be feared. 
Psa 130:5  I wait for the LORD, my soul doth wait, and in his word do I hope. 
Psa 130:6  My soul waiteth for the Lord more than they that watch for the morning: I say, more than they that watch for the morning. 
Psa 130:7  Let Israel hope in the LORD: for with the LORD there is mercy, and with him is plenteous redemption. 
Psa 130:8  And he shall redeem Israel from all his iniquities. 
​
The young man has a Youtube channel that young believer's may find resources and ministry to help them in their walk with Christ. The link to his channel is:

Daily Bread Ministries
https://www.youtube.com/user/dailybreadministries

There are times when the best thing to do in a situation, is keep silent. The bible gives many examples of those times. The longer I live the more I am learning the wisdom of discernment, and when to say nothing.

In Ecc. Ch. 3, the “Time for everything” discourse, it tells of the time to remain silent.

Ecc 3:7 A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak; 

In Amos we are told keeping silent in times of great evil is the best decision.
​
Amo 5:12  They hate him that rebuketh in the gate, and they abhor him that speaketh uprightly. 
Amo 5:13  Therefore the prudent shall keep silence in that time; for it is an evil time. 

Here we are given wisdom during times of lawlessness, when people reject sound judgment.

During these times it’s not mere silence of tongue, but the prudent shall keep himself quiet from taking part in any public or private affairs which he can avoid: as it is “an evil time,” and one in which all law is set at naught. Eph_5:16 refers to this. Instead of impatiently agitating against irremediable evils, the godly wise will not cast pearls before swine, who would trample these, and rend the offerers (Mat_7:6), but will patiently wait for God’s time of deliverance in silent submission (Psa_39:9).

It’s important to point out that during Jesus’ ministry on earth; he at times would not answer his critics who dogged him constantly. Sometimes he outright rejected their sadistic questions by giving them another question to counter them. At other times, he ignored them. We as believer’s do not have to feel obliged to answer everyone who tries to bait us, which only leads to useless contentions.

When someone comes to salvation, and is born again, our spirits are redeemed by the blood of Christ; we are new creatures inside. But, our walk is a process, we may falter, we may fail. We get back up, repent of our sins, and keep walking with the Lord. Moses was a murderer, David an adulterer and murderer, Paul persecuted and killed Christians, Peter denied the Lord three times. Even throughout their walks with God, they still had times of failure; but also restoration. We are shown through their lives and stories a walk of faith, but not perfection. Our lives are renewed day by day; as we continue to allow the word of God to change us and mold us into the image of Christ, until we finally see Him face to face. 

But the world does not see this aspect of a Christians life, and does not care. For those in the world our mistakes and failures area fuel they use to spread gossip, slander, and condemnation. A lot of “Christians” do this as well. The instruction in Matt. Ch. 18 on dealing with correction, is rarely taken seriously.

Every time we slip in our walk with God, this is the devil’s ammunition against us. But when we fail, God does not throw us away as the world does. God is right there, keeping step with us, and helping us to learn to obey, and the benefits of heeding his word, and taking up our cross and following Christ. 

God did not abandon Moses, David, Paul, or Peter. He molded them, taught them, and sent them out again. All of them knew the consequences of their sins, and knew God dealt with them justly. They each kept silent when God judged them, knowing they were reaping the rewards for disobedience. As long as we are living in this world of sin, we will all have these times as well. 

Over the years, I’ve been accused of just about everything one could think of. Some of it is true. I’ve given my testimony, and shared my failures. But, there’s been a lot of false tale bearing too. For instance; I challenge anyone, especially in a hundred mile radius of my house, to find anyone who has ever seen me with a man alone, for any reason. You won’t find anyone. Talk to my younger brother, he will be glad to answer this also. There are other stories, but this one is enough. One day in heaven, Lynn will speak up about this; if anyone really wants the truth.

There will always be those who will never like you, will never forgive you, or care what the battles you have faced or are facing right now. You will know and experience the loneliness Jesus experienced down here. We must share his cross, if we are to understand what it really means to follow Him. We see this instruction in Phil. Ch. 2:

Php 2:5  Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: 
Php 2:6  Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: 
Php 2:7  But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: 
Php 2:8  And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. 
Php 2:9  Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: 
Php 2:10  That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; 
Php 2:11  And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. 

Before Jesus was exalted he had to taste the worst this world could do to him. He overcame; and through His shed blood, and clinging to Him in our struggles; we will overcome also. The empty tomb, and Jesus promise to never leave us or forsake us, is the promises we can count on, till we are finally home with Him.

Satan is called the god of this world Mat_4:8-9; Joh_12:31, Joh_12:40, Joh_14:30, Joh_16:11; 1Co_10:20; Eph_2:2, Eph_6:12; 1Jn_5:19 
But there is coming an end to his time here:

Rev 20:10  And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever. 

I am looking forward to that day, with great anticipation.

In the meantime, we are given these scriptures for our comfort, as it says in Romans:

Rom 15:4  For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope. 

One more example of  when it is best to remain silent, is in suffering as a Christian. This is very difficult. But it is the example Christ gave us when he faced the cross, and the trials before Pilate, chief priests and the raging crowds.

Peter gives instruction about this;

1Pe 3:9 Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing. 
1Pe 3:10  For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile: 
1Pe 3:11  Let him eschew evil, and do good; let him seek peace, and ensue it. 
The lesson is simple; If you desire to inherit blessing, you must abstain from evil. The conditions are stated by the Psalmist, Psa 34:13-17, from which the next three verses are quoted.

When it is necessary to confront a wrong; keep it simple, direct, honest, and then commit it to God.

I cannot control what people think, or do. But I can control my own spirit, my own mouth, and my own behavior; with the help and power of the Holy Spirit.

Prayer can change the situation. There is always hope, that they will look at Jesus, and what he did for them, and will open their hearts and let Him in their lives. If God can save me, he can save anyone. I remind myself of this often.

Silence; at the appropriate times, dispels a great deal of evil. Being a careful listener, and using words discreetly, and with care can become an art of skill. The benefits are well worth it.
Lorna Couillard