If you’re reading this, you’re not after surface-level faith. You want real change—more of Jesus, more love, more power, more of the Spirit alive in you. You want to stop just hearing the Word and start walking it out.
If that’s you—I see you. I’ve been you.
Maybe you’re tired. Needing breakthrough. Longing to hear God more clearly. Craving healing—real healing—not just coping. You want to love God fully, like Scripture says, but wounds, habits, and life keep getting in the way.
That was me too. Until one thing finally changed everything: Powerful. Unfiltered. Prayer.
Not the kind you open or close meetings with. Not the distracted, mind-wandering kind. I’m talking about Acts-level prayer—the kind that breaks chains, heals souls, rewires hearts, and restores destinies. That kind of prayer changed my life.
I went from drinking a bottle of wine a night, to writing books. From wandering without mission, to walking in purpose. From hopeless, to free.
And here’s the thing: there’s nothing special about me. God shows no partiality (Romans 2:11). What He did for me, He can do for you.
So I’m inviting four women to my home in Naples, FL, for a deeply personal, transformational weekend. It’s called the Transformation Prayer Intensive.
What to Expect:
Personal prayer that breaks strongholds
Healing for deep soul wounds
Connection with sisters who believe with you
A fresh sense of identity, mission, and freedom in Jesus
Time to meet with God in an intimate, Spirit-led setting
You won’t leave the same. And that’s exactly the point.
Transformation Prayer Intensive Details: Location: My Home in Naples, FL Date: Friday, July 25 – Sunday, July 27 Arrive: early Friday (7 AM), depart Sunday at noon
Included:
Lodging in my home
All meals
Personal prayer sessions
Spirit-led workshops & devotionals
Life-long heart transformation
Cost: $1600 for the full 3-day experience
Spots are extremely limited—only 4 women will attend.
If this is stirring something in you, don’t wait.
RSVP: Reply to this email to claim your spot. Please include your phone number so I can welcome you personally.
Don’t circle the same mountain one thousand times. Move the mountains standing in your way and find the rest you are searching for.
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” – Matthew 11:28
Heart-thumping, my mind tracked to the worst-case scenario. Oh great. He’ll need stitches now. How will I grab my stuff to leave this camping trip (with all the kids I’m supposed to be chaperoning) to get him to the hospital?
My mind was living miles ahead of where I was presently seated. That’s what worry does to a mind.
All the feelings of my insides demanded that I rush up to my son, tightly wrap my hands around his finger and compress it, maybe while internally freaking out a little… Instead, I sat on that dirty picnic table plank of wood with my lips zipped. I knew better than to rush in. Keep quiet, Kelly.
The leader, the skilled trip teacher, addressed my son, “Michael, you’ll be fine. Apply pressure and come back in 20 minutes if it is not better.”
I implored my heart to be still. My 13-year-old son rushed off to the woods or wherever 13-year-olds go when in the wild.
The teacher then asked me, “Kelly, was that hard for you as a mom? He’ll be fine.”
Ummm…YES!!! I wanted to scream. It was brutal.
“I have been working on believing the best, instead of immediately expecting the worst,” I told the man. “With my son, I saw myself rushing to the hospital before the worst even happened. But I am challenging myself now to believe he will be fine, instead of expecting everything will go horribly.”
It is easy for me to think things will go bad, to bunker down and to prepare for the worst, but God challenges me, because loving others is actually believing for their best.
“If I love people, I will always accept their problems. I will always believe them. I will always hope for what is best. I will always be patient in troubles.” (1 Cor. 13:7 Easy)
Love bears all things [regardless of what comes], believes all things [looking for the best in each one], hopes all things [remaining steadfast during difficult times], endures all things [without weakening]. (1 Cor. 13:7 AMPC)
I love my son by hoping the best for my son. I detract from my son by worrying, disaster planning, and by quickly jumping in.
I wonder, are any of you like me? Do you ever jump in early? Build story lines in your mind before they even happen? How might you more greatly love people as you trust God in those gaps? What would it look like to do this?
Twenty minutes passed. Thirty minutes. With no sight of my son. The teacher was right; his finger would be just fine.
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Pull yourself together! Where there’s a will, there’s a way! God doesn’t help those who don’t help themselves.
Have you ever heard these Americanized phrases? Because they sound good, we figure they should work. Because people say them so adamantly, we figure they’re our ticket. That our hard work will improve our good standing.
But I don’t know if any of you are in a situation like me?
Maybe you’ve tried… Maybe you’ve done all the good to all the people you can… Maybe you’ve worked extra hard to get a job… Maybe you’ve made every effort in your relationship…yet, still, despite all your hard work, your best effort, where you are doing your part — no progress is being made.
It’s frustrating, I know. Agonizing at times, yes.
But, the real question. is — how does the Lord have us to approach this? And, do we just give up?
Scripture says, “Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.” (1 Pet. 5:7)
When we cast something (consider a fishing line), we must let it go, lest the line go nowhere. No one ever has ever cast a line into the water while holding the hook.
You have to let go — to let God.
To effectively let go is to know that God cares for you. To let go is to say, “Father, I hand this issue to you. I release to you, my worries. I release to you the tension in my body. I let it go. I trust you to carry and to handle this situation. I know you will help. I trust your way.”
To let go is to ditch all the mental ruminations and rehashing.
God will not abandon you. He will help you and He will help me. Never once has He left a daughter behind without caring for them.
Be not discouraged.
“Unless the LORD builds the house, They labor in vain who build it; Unless the LORD guards the city, The watchman keeps awake in vain.” (Ps. 127:1 AMP)
When God builds it — it will be built well and right.
The blessing of the Lord—it makes [truly] rich, and He adds no sorrow with it [neither does toiling increase it]. (Prov. 10:22)
When God brings increase, however He chooses, He brings it the right way.
Prayer: Father, I trust you. I release to you what I am worried about. I abandon my cause to your ways. Come, help. Show me your way. I want this to be built by you not controlled by me. I surrender afresh. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.
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I woke early with a decisive plan of action. I would sneak out of the hotel room, unnoticed, and spend quality time with God. It would be lovely. Quietly tiptoeing through the room, I freshened up in the bathroom, and excitedly headed back to my phone.
Except, upon my return, my phone was gone. It wasn’t where I left it. Did my son take it? I checked under his covers. No sight of it.
Grr… My phone was my way to solace and The Scriptures.
Not knowing how it disappeared between wake-up time and now, I retraced my steps. Did I put it in the bathroom? No, not there. Is it on the floor next to the bed? Not there either. Is it under my bed? Nope. Is it in the bathroom again? Still not there.
My husband jostled awake.
“What are you doing?” he asked.
“Looking everywhere for my phone,” I replied with a tone of annoyance, “I am trying to spend some quality time with God.”
Back to the bathroom I went. Still not there. Under my bed. Not there.
Then, my daughter spoke up, “Mom? I have your phone.”
“You what?!” I unloaded. “Don’t you dare take my phone off the charger in the mornings without asking me!!!!” I went off on her.
Granted, I didn’t sleep at all the night before, but, still friends, I went off on her.
Feeling like a pile of dirt, I left the room to go downstairs via the elevator. Along the way, I jostled through all my thoughts… I’m sorry God. Why do I have to react so easily? I hate it when I unload on people. Why can’t I be more patient?
Ding!
The elevator doors opened, interrupting my thoughts. As I popped out, a woman held the elevator door open for me with her hand. How kind and unusual of her to do so, I thought. This woman cares.
Stepping out of the elevator, I glanced at her shirt. On it, it read, “Grace Unlimited.”
And, I knew, God was speaking to me…
Despite my morning mistake, there was “Grace Unlimited.” Despite my quick reaction, there is, “Grace Unlimited.” Despite a hard morning, “Grace Unlimited” still dawns.
It is impossible to outrun God’s grace when Jesus outdid sin on the cross! There is no mistake too big, no situation too large, no morning too broken, no person too out of it – for God’s grace to work.
God’s grace is UNLIMITED for every believer. This is why it is called amazing grace. The key to receiving grace is believing in grace.
For me? I had to finally forgive myself to let go and let God’s abundant, unmerited favor flood my soul.
“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9 not by works, so that no one can boast.” (Eph. 2:8-9)
God’s grace holds the door open for us, even when we’ve acted like buffoons three minutes before. It is the doorway to goodness, despite us, because of Him. It truly is amazing and unlimited.
Prayer:
Father, thank you for your amazing and unlimited grace. It is nearly too big a thing for us to comprehend… It is too wondrous a thing for us to understand how it works… But still, we are always in your good graces. We are always loved by you. We are always forgiven. Oh, how we thank you. May we never forget your grace, your love, and how your forgiveness abounds to us! It is a huge thing and a wonderful gift and we thank you for it. May grace always abound to us and out to others. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.
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Have you ever tried to get ketchup out of the bottle? I mean, the real bottle, not the plastic variety where you can squeeze it hard and it spurts out.
The glass-bottled ketchup was so impertinent, they made up a phrase, “The best things come to those who wait.”
I’ve waited for a lot of things in my life: I’ve waited for kids to be healed physically; I’ve waited to be fully accepted by friends; I’ve waited for breakthrough; I’ve waited for God to direct my paths; I’ve waited for things I dream of to come true; I’ve waited for God to change people; I’ve waited to be changed by God. For some of these, I still wait.
Scripture doesn’t shy back from addressing people in wait, those on month one of a ten-month delivery process.
Scripture tells “waiters”, like me:
“But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.” (Is. 40:31)
“Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord!” (Psalm 27:14)
“The Lord is good to those who wait for him, to the soul who seeks him.” (La. 3:25)
“But as for me, I will look to the Lord. I will wait for the God of my salvation; my God will hear me.” (Mi. 7:7)
Waits don’t equate to: You’ve messed up so much that God is withholding from you. You haven’t prayed enough so you better work up some loud prayers that put sweat on your brow. You’re always going to be this way. You’re a loser.
Waits don’t absolutely mean you’ve been disobedient; they could mean that God has a better plan. And, that you’ve been faithful.
Sometimes, I figure if I’m waiting, it is my fault. That is not always the case.
Instead, in waits God has for me: more strength; “great” all up in that thing that feels like a horrible wait; rest so I can run in the future; a listening ear and His faithfulness as Savior.
Be encouraged, your wait doesn’t mean you are late; it means that the God who is great, has something even better in store for you. Taste and see that the Lord is good. The best things come to those who wait!
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What do you do when your years-long prayers haven’t been answered?
When people haven’t been there for you the way you hoped?
When the enemy keeps hitting you when you’re down?
When you feel worn out?
When you are starting to get angry?
When people don’t understand?
When a little part in you wants to give way to sadness?
When things that you thought made sense about God seem questionable?
When you may be jaded because of what you’ve seen in church?
Paul in the bible understands:
“Five times I received from the Jews the forty lashes minus one. Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was pelted with stones, three times I was shipwrecked, I spent a night and a day in the open sea, I have been constantly on the move. I have been in danger from rivers, in danger from bandits, in danger from my fellow Jews, in danger from Gentiles; in danger in the city, in danger in the country, in danger at sea; and in danger from false believers. I have labored and toiled and have often gone without sleep; I have known hunger and thirst and have often gone without food; I have been cold and naked. Besides everything else, I face daily the pressure of my concern for all the churches.” (2 Cor. 11:24-28)
Did Paul give up? Did he shrink back? No.
How do we persevere? Mentally, we can think these three thoughts:
1. “As I persevere, that gives way for God’s promises to appear.”
“You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised. (Heb. 10:36)
There is light on the other side of your tunnel; don’t get discouraged now. Keep going in the will of God, to the glory of God. He is faithful.
2. “My time is short and my King is coming! Shrinking back is not pleasing to The Lord!”
“…In just a little while, he who is coming will come and will not delay.
“…But my righteous one will live by faith. And I take no pleasure in the one who shrinks back.” (Heb. 10:37-38)
3. I have faith and I will be saved! I trust Christ Jesus to accomplish the work on earth or in heaven.
“But we do not belong to those who shrink back and are destroyed, but to those who have faith and are saved.” (Heb 10:39)
Friends, now is not the hour to shrink back; now is the hour to trust God. Some of us have been under such mighty attacks or times of repeated trauma that the pain seems more real than God’s promises. Don’t sweat it, just look higher. Just because hard things have happened time and time again does not mean that Jesus, the Savior, will not swoop in to save. He is ready to save. He is Savior. It’s His business. Be encouraged. Keep up the good fight of faith. Sometimes, the hard things may feel like we have done something wrong, but He who makes everything beautiful in its time — is faithful.
How can I pray for you? My family and I want to lift your needs up in prayer. I will not be commenting back to everyone, but we will be praying over each request.
Love you! Don’t shrink back.
“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” (Gal. 6:9)
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I desperately needed coffee! In line to get one at a store, a man rolled up next to me. I noticed his leg. It rested on a leg crutch with wheels. In my mind, I stood at high alert. Why? Because the last time I got coffee from this place, the exact same thing happened. A man rolled up on the same sort of crutch cart. It was odd. The other man’s leg was pulled back just like this man’s leg. Both men were directly in front of me.
What’s the chance?
When I see things repeat themselves like this – in a way that defies norms – I usually take heed and pray to see if God wants me to realize something or do anything.
In this case, I prayed and didn’t know why this was happening, so I decided to talk to the young man.
I asked him, “Is your leg okay?”
“Yes,” he stated. “I am in the army. I fell out of a helicopter, hit the ground and crushed my leg in the fall.”
Ouch. Oh my….
He went on, “But, it’s actually great because I get to spend time with my family.”
I couldn’t help but notice his radical optimism.
“Wow,” I said.
He went on to tell me that he’d had multiple surgeries, and was healing from the latest one, but that he was “thankful to have grown a beard through all this.”
His blind optimism was shaking me to the core.
Here was a man who was serving his country. Here was a man risking his life for our freedom. Here was a man giving his very best. And, here was a man who had a terrible accident, a leg out of order and in pain — and he was giving thanks?
Wow.
I asked him where his optimism comes from.
He said he calls it, “reframing”. Meaning, he sees the good in the bad.
I wonder if he knew that what he was doing – was biblical…
“Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” (1 Thess. 5:18)
With God, there is always a silver lining to be found. There is always a new way of seeing things. There is always a hopeful vantage point. Do we run to see from this place? I can’t say I always do, but this man inspires me.
In Christ, there is always hope!
Prayer: Father, thank you for the continual hope we find in Jesus Christ. Thank you that there is no person or situation too far gone. Thank you that all things are possible for those who believe. Thank you that you can always do the impossible. Give us eyes to see your goodness. Give us spiritual understanding in all the small happenings of our lives. May joy overflow from our thanksgiving. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.
Standing on the tarmac, getting ready to launch off on my bike with my family, I made a random comment to my husband. Friends, I can’t remember exactly what it was now, but I do remember asking myself right after, “Man, what in the world is wrong with him?”
His reply to my random comment was both off and condescending. And, frankly, his anxiety was causing me anxiety. I didn’t like it; I didn’t like it at all! I wouldn’t have it. My husband needed to pull himself together. I wanted to enjoy this bike ride, not have it go sideways because of him. So, I arrogantly barked out, “Whatever you’re dealing with, pull it together already!”
Almost at the same time I released this behemoth demand, God tugged on my heart. It was as if He traveled me back to all the mornings that I’ve had with Him lately…
Instantly, I remembered how He revealed to me that I can sometimes project onto others what I, myself, am feeling. Why? To protect myself from having to deal with the awkwardness of myself. To keep the problem about them. To avoid embarrassment, shame, or having to change. It’s easier that way.
“Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? 4 How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? 5 You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.” (Mt. 7:3-5)
Ick. What if the problem is not him at all, but it is actually all about me?
Am I feeling anxious? I was.
Could I be projecting? Yes.
Could I have made it about him, because it’s easier than handling me? Oh gosh. That could be…
Ick.
Hiding truth keeps the problems on them and projecting keeps the horrifying spotlight off me…but neither of these are God’s way.
On that tan tarmac, I quickly snapped back to reality, and I pulled my whole family together, along with my husband.
I said, “Family, can I admit something to you? I feel anxious. I am nervous about whether we will all have fun on the ride. Can you pray for me?”
They did.
Of course, I’ll never really know if my husband was anxious or not. But what I do know is that it is not my job to fix him; it is my job to be honest before the Lord, and man, about me. It is my job to be honest. If I want freedom for my family, I must be truthful, for it is the truth that sets one free.
In this, I don’t have to hide my inadequacies; I can admit them to others and to the Lord. I don’t have to pretend I have it all together, I can admit fear and be healed. I don’t have to run away from telling others I am sorry; I can apologize.
Is it awkward? Absolutely. Who likes standing there naked?
Is it embarrassing to make a mistake? Yes. In our culture we hold up perfection like it is a statue of David.
Is it humbling? Yes, but perhaps that is the point.
We don’t worship some perfect version of us; we worship Jesus who gives us grace in our time of need. We don’t have to have it all together; His grace is enough. We don’t have to hide who we really are or tuck away from learning; confession is an integral part of being a Christian.
Who are you blaming? How are you hiding? What feels embarrassing? Perhaps, as you bring that to Him — He will give you the power to walk in humility before them.
I know it isn’t easy. But if you are looking for freedom – only truth sets one free. Ask God to protect you, ask God to lead you, and ask God to help you. Their response belongs to them, but your obedience, and the joy that comes with it, belong to you.
It’s never easy to change, but it is always worth it. What would it look like for you, today, to see the things you’ve been trying to hide away? How can you take responsibility for them before the Lord? How might you have gotten things wrong? How can you make things right? What would it look like to walk in humility?
My friends, I know it is tough to see all this. Trust me, I know. But, let’s be encouraged — God doesn’t reveal these things to chide us; He reveals these things to heal us. For then, after we have learned, we can walk in relationship in ways we have dreamed of, and we can see the hope we have searched for. We let God heal us and help us in all His ways. We find new roads and grace open to us.
It’s worth it.
The price of admission opens to us new gates of personal freedom.
Prayer: Father, I don’t like admitting things that embarrass me. I don’t like getting things wrong. I want people to think highly of me. I want to come off a certain way. Forgive me for having pride. I have defended myself too long. You are my Defender. You are My Savior. Forgive me for taking your work into my hands. I am sorry. I am guilty. Will you forgive me? Will you help me? In Jesus’ Name. Amen.
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The plant wasn’t even real; it was plastic. Maybe that’s why it wouldn’t stand upright. At the slightest sign of wind, the dang plant, and the pot it was in, would crash over. I’d walk outside and see it, yet again, knocked over. And, day after day, I picked it up.
Except for this morning… Staring at a triangular piece broken off the side of the pot from the raging war of hard winds and repeated falls, I wondered what in the world I was doing.
I decided, I can either watch this thing fall 1,000 more times, or I can get up and do something about it. Sometimes, we are waiting on God, when God may be waiting on us. God gave us two feet and two hands. With this, we always have a God-given ability to move our feet and to use our hands. To take a stand. To do something new. To use new words. To steady ourselves in God’s Word. Or, we can keep observing our own fall, and see only a defeated spirit.
With all this, I knew it was time to stop watching the falling decline of this plastic plant and my own internal defeated spirit.
So, I drove with my husband to Walmart this morning! I walked myself right into the outdoor section, studied the small variety of foliage, and I bought myself a real, sturdy, and beautiful plant.
It felt powerful.
“For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.” (2 Tim. 1:7)
I am not powerless to effect change in my life; I am powerful. The spirit that I walk in is powerfulness in Christ! And that plant, I knew, would be a continual reminder of this fact!
I am powerful to change bad habits.
I am powerful to obey God in moments of temptation.
I am powerful to exchange my barren mentalities to see God’s lush growth in my life.
I am powerful to stand strong and to resist the enemy.
I am powerful and I make progress spiritually by the power of God’s Word.
I am powerful to trust God, who is at work in me!
He is at work in you too!
What would it look like to make powerful progress in your life today? What, in the natural, may be powerfully symbolic as you make a greater move towards God?
Maybe you clean out a drawer and in the spiritual it reminds you continually of the new space you are clearing out for time with God.
Maybe you ditch the junk in your closet and it represents letting go of the shame of the past.
Maybe you buy yourself a piece of jewelry that continually reminds you of how much God loves you.
Small progress counts big. Progress doesn’t have to be a giant leap to be tremendously and spiritually impactful.
For instance, now, when I see that leafy green, knee-high plant? I see my ability to effect change through the strength God is affording me. I realize — I am not a victim in any way, shape or form; I am powerful in Christ Jesus.
I do new things and take action!
In the end, I got tired of watching that pot fall over 1,000 times. What may be falling over in your life time and time again? What small act of progress could God be calling you to that might make giant leaps in your life? What small move may encourage you to stay strong in heart and mind?
Make that move, today! And, tell me about it! I’d love to hear.
Prayer: Father, I want to thank You that You don’t leave us helpless and hopeless. We have inside of us the Hope of all Glory, Christ Jesus. Help us to stand up, to stand firm, and to fan the flame within us. We want to be strong in faith and heart. Give us power to change and grow. Give us grace to take new steps. Encourage us in all Your ways. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.
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What are you worrying about? Is there something that you can’t stop rehashing?
I’ll admit it! I’ll raise my hand to say — I’ve had some worries lately, friends. Will the kids be ok? Will their future be good? Will my future be good? Will I get them in the right school? Will my daughter’s hurt leg be okay? Will I connect and find new people in the new city I find myself in? Did I act right?
There are nights where I run circles around these questions, like a runner on a track. Round and round, I fashion and figure things out to the point of tiredness. Eventually, I fall asleep.
What a waste.
What does it serve me to do this? What does worry accomplish? Worry is a like a rocking chair. It looks like it is going somewhere, but actually moves us nowhere. Back and forth we go — thinking we’re getting somewhere. But all we’re really doing is fashioning a mental rut that we can’t get out of.
“Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to your life? Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest?” (Lu. 12:25-26)
So, what else are we to do?
“You can ask for anything in my name, and I will do it, so that the Son can bring glory to the Father.” (Jo. 14:13 NLT)
While the worry-er gets caught up rehashing and wrestling with impossible situations — the warrior starts praying and letting God handle the impossible.
Note here, in this verse, Jesus said we can ask for anything.
You know that impossible thing? That perfect solution you can’t seem to wrap your mind’s arms around? God knows how to do it.
You know that horrible situation? The one where it looks like you’ve been completely ruined? God has your way out.
You know that person that you just can’t change? God has a plan at the ready; what if prayer unleashes it?
Jesus not only tells us we can pray; He instructs us that when we do pray, we can ask for anything! Wow. He will do it!
“You can ask for anything in my name, and I will do it, so that the Son can bring glory to the Father.” (Jo. 14:13 NLT)
Not only that, but when we pray and see God make a way — He, then, gets all the glory! He gets all the praise. We give Him thanks because we know it was Him. Only He could do it!
In the end, prayer increases praise and ceases all worrying. God gets all the glory. God gets the thanks.
What if, today, you took what you were worrying about and started praying about it?
Let’s pray!
Father, I repent of worrying and wrestling with things I cannot fix. Father, only you have the way. Help me to surrender my fear. I give to you all the things I cannot work out. I lay them into your hands. Will you help me, lead me and guide me? You are the Creator. I am the created. You can make a way! I thank you and praise you for your Son. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.
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