And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him. 1 John 4:16.
All the paternal love which has come down from generation to generation through the channel of human hearts, all the springs of tenderness which have opened in the souls of men, are but as a tiny rill to the boundless ocean, when compared with the infinite, exhaustless love of God. Tongue cannot utter it; pen cannot portray it. You may meditate upon it every day of your life; you may search the Scriptures diligently in order to understand it; you may summon every power and capability that God has given you, in the endeavor to comprehend the love and compassion of the heavenly Father; and yet there is an infinity beyond. You may study that love for ages; yet you can never fully comprehend the length and the breadth, the depth and the height, of the love of God in giving His Son to die for the world. Eternity itself can never fully reveal it. Yet as we study the Bible, and meditate upon the life of Christ and the plan of redemption, these great themes will open to our understanding more and more….
It is Satan’s constant study to keep the minds of men occupied with those things which will prevent them from obtaining the knowledge of God…. The Son of the Highest has strength to fight the battle for us; and through “Him that loved us,” we may come off “more than conquerors.”—Testimonies for the Church 5:740.
With God at Dawn p. 34
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Prayer Requests
—-Please pray for Tony who has blood clots in his lungs and leg. Pray also for Amber as she is not able to be at the hospital with him due to covid rules. Rose
—-Was diagnosed with stage 3 kidney disease. Please pray for healing. Patricia
—-Please pray for healing for David’s mind and that he will be converted. Buck
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Dear Friends,
When Esther was six, we had moved from Utah to Washington. We had travelled through an area that was having an epidemic of meningitis and somehow Esther contracted the disease. She eventually recovered from the illness and seemed to suffer no ill effects. I was so very thankful as meningitis can have some very serious consequences. How happy she was when she and Ronnie Jay could play in the fields behind the house that we had rented. There were lots of tall weeds in that field and they pretended they were in a jungle. Although they loved to play there, Esther kept getting prickers from those weeds in her eyes. Over and over, I admonished her that she needed to close her eyes when she saw the weeds coming close to her eyes. At the time we did not realize that the meningitis had left her very far-sighted, so she couldn’t see the weeds when they got close to her eyes.
Many times I had to remove those tiny specks from her eyes while reminding her to close her eyes when she saw a weed coming too near. Removing them was no easy task. They were very hard to see as they were a very pale tan and when they were wet from her tears, they became almost invisible. One particular time I could not get one of those nearly microscopic prickers out. It had stuck into her eyeball. I immediately took my crying child to the emergency room. By using a strong magnifying glass, the doctor was able to find and remove the offending object. Then he prescribed some ointment to put into Esther’s eye.
How she hated that ointment! She was only six at the time and did not fully understand why she needed it. All she knew was that it stung and she couldn’t seem to understand why I was insisting that she have it. She would run away from me and hide whenever it was time to put it into her eye. It was quite a challenge to find her. She was very good at hiding. She could curl up into a tiny ball in some out-of-sight place, hold very still, and be very quiet becoming almost as invisible as those prickers had been. Hiding did her no good, however. Eventually I would find her and put the medicine in despite her protests.
Just as that eyesalve was necessary for Esther’s recovery, so our Great Physician counsels us to receive Heavenly eyesalve from Him. He pleads, “I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.” Rev 3:18 The eyesalve that He offers sometimes hurts and stings as we see our true condition—“wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked” but it is so needful. Rev 3:17 It gives us the discernment we need in order to detect the snares of the evil one. It helps us to see and avoid the weeds he puts in our path.
How much we need the Heavenly eyesalve to see the true path. The devil uses many ways to counterfeit the genuine. He has his agents to lead people into the wrong paths. Our Dear Saviour warns us, “Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.” Matt 7:15 He explained that in the last days there would be many deceivers, many deceptions. “For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall show great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.” 24:24 How much we need the spiritual eyesalve that the True Witness offers, that we might not be taken in by one of these deceivers.
It is of the utmost importance to be able to discern truth from error. Our whole future depends upon it. Jesus gives us the key. “If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God” John 7:17 Just before going to the cross, Jesus prayed, “Sanctify them through Thy truth. Thy Word is truth.” 17:17 Think of it! The same Holy Spirit Who inspired men of God to write the Scriptures, will give us the spiritual discernment that we so much need. (2 Peter 1:21) He is the Heavenly Eyesalve! He is our Comforter and Guide! Jesus says of Him, “He will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment. . . . I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now. Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will show you things to come. He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall show it unto you.” John 16:7-15
“Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word. With my whole heart have I sought thee: O let me not wander from thy commandments. Thy Word have I hid in my heart that I might not sin against Thee.” “Through thy precepts I get understanding: therefore I hate every false way.” Ps 119:9-11, 104 “The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple. The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes. The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether. More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb. Moreover by them is thy servant warned: and in keeping of them there is great reward. Ps 19:7-11 Through the Holy Spirit’s guidance, the Word of God gives us what we need to see clearly the way in which we should go. Praise His Holy Name!
May we daily ask the Faithful and True Witness for the eyesalve that He so freely offers. (Rev 3:14-21) May we allow the Holy Spirit to fill us completely with His light that we may discern truth from error. May we daily read and obey His Holy Word, that we may stand true to Him in these last days is my prayer.
Rose

Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers. Titus 1:9.
The Lord has often made manifest in His providence that nothing less than revealed truth, the Word of God, can reclaim man from sin or keep him from transgression. That Word which reveals the guilt of sin, has a power upon the human heart to make man right and keep him so. The Lord has said that His Word is to be studied and obeyed; it is to be brought into the practical life; that Word is as inflexible as the character of God,—the same yesterday, today, and forever.—Testimonies to Ministers, 80, 81.
But however much one may advance in spiritual life, he will never come to a point where he will not need diligently to search the Scriptures; for therein are found the evidences of our faith. All points of doctrine, even though they have been accepted as truth, should be brought to the law and to the testimony; if they cannot stand this test, “there is no light in them.”
The great plan of redemption, as revealed in the closing work for these last days, should receive close examination. The scenes connected with the sanctuary above should make such an impression upon the minds and hearts of all that they may be able to impress others. All need to become more intelligent in regard to the work of the atonement, which is going on in the sanctuary above…. By study, contemplation, and prayer, God’s people will be elevated above common, earthly thoughts and feelings, and will be brought into harmony with Christ and His great work of cleansing the sanctuary above from the sins of the people.—Testimonies for the Church 5:575.
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Prayer Requests
—-update—Annie’s surgery went well. Please pray for a good recovery. Rose
—-My daughter linda need miracle from God .she had a 5 way heart by pass. and now paralyzed cant dress. walk. sit up turn over. shes drugged. she was strong and now weak. Need her whole and strong and walking again. please need her home. Cleo
—-David needs your continual prayers. Buck
—-Pray for me — Sudden hearing loss– Difficulty understanding what folks are saying! Ann
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Dear Friends,
During the depression of the thirties, nearly everyone suffered. It was a struggle just to survive. Men left their families to wander the country looking for work. Most of them became beggars, knocking on doors till they found some kindhearted soul who would give them a little food. Although my grandparents did not have much, they felt blessed that my grandfather still had a job. My grandmother never turned away someone who came begging at her door.
One day a different kind of beggar came asking for food. Hearing something at the door, my grandmother opened it to find a pitiful looking dog. He was very skinny and weak. She felt very sorry for him and gave him the bone that she was planning on using for soup. He wagged his tail, took the bone in his mouth and weakly walked away. My grandmother saw him lay this bone at his mate’s feet. She began eagerly to gnaw it while he stood guard. What an example of love, devotion, and sacrifice!
Just as that poor, starving dog gave up the sustenance that he needed because he loved his mate unselfishly, so our Dear Saviour gave His all for us. Think of it! The King of Glory left Heaven where He was worshipped and adored by the myriads of angels and all the beings on worlds unfallen to come to this dark and sinful world to suffer all of the hatred that the devil and evil men could heap upon Him. How great is His love for us! It is beyond comprehension!
Just as our Great Redeemer gave up everything for us, so He bids us give up everything for Him. “He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me. He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it.” Matt 10:37-39 Paul admonishes us, “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.” Phil 2:5-8
Jesus illustrated this fact by giving two parables recorded in Matthew 13:44 He said, “the kingdom of heaven is like unto treasure hid in a field; the which when a man hath found, he hideth, and for joy thereof goeth and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field.” Perhaps the man did not realize that he would have to sell everything in order to buy that field, but it soon became apparent. His whole focus in life was to buy that field, because when he did, his whole life would change. He would have great riches, servants, and a life of ease. That thought kept him focused on his goal even when family and friends thought he had “gone off the deep end”. To his great joy, he succeeded in obtaining that which he longed for.
For emphasis, Jesus gave an almost identical parable. “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchant man, seeking goodly pearls: Who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had, and bought it.” vs. 45,46 Again the moral of the story was our need to give up everything to obtain the Pearl of Great Price no matter what the cost.
Our Great Redeemer sets before us a reward that is far better than any earthly treasure. We can have eternal life! This mortal can be given the gift of immortality! We can see God face to face! We can reign with Him! We can have close fellowship with the Creator of the Universe throughout eternity! There is no greater happiness than that!
Just as it cost the men in these parables everything they possessed, so it will cost us all. We must give up our self-centeredness. We must give up our selfish desires. We must give up our own agenda knowing that He never asks us to give up what is good for us. How important it is for us to keep our eyes on Jesus, “the author and finisher of our faith.” Our sweetest thoughts must be of Him. Our whole focus in life must be to please Him: not for the reward, but because of our gratitude and love to Him for His great sacrifice for us. “Whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him. He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked.” 1 John 2:5, 6
May we daily surrender ourselves and all that we possess to the One Who loves us so. May we serve Him with all of our mind, all of our strength, all of our whole being because He first loved us. (1 john 4:19) May we “lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. Heb 12:1, 2
Rose

Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding. For the merchandise of it is better than the merchandise of silver, and the gain thereof than fine gold. Proverbs 3:13, 14.
Since God is the source of all true knowledge, it is, as we have seen, the first object of education to direct our minds to His own revelation of Himself. Adam and Eve received knowledge through direct communion with God; and they learned of Him through His works. All created things, in their original perfection, were an expression of the thought of God. To Adam and Eve nature was teeming with divine wisdom. But by transgression man was cut off from learning of God through direct communion, and to a great degree, through His works. The earth, marred and defiled by sin, reflects but dimly the Creator’s glory. It is true that His object-lessons are not obliterated. Upon every page of the great volume of His created works may still be traced His handwriting. Nature still speaks of her Creator. Yet these revelations are partial and imperfect. And in our fallen state, with weakened powers and restricted vision, we are incapable of interpreting aright. We need the fuller revelation of Himself that God has given in His written Word….
To obtain an education worthy of the name, we must receive a knowledge of God, the Creator, and of Christ, the Redeemer, as they are revealed in the Sacred Word…. Instead of confining their study to that which men have said or written, let students be directed to the sources of truth, to the vast fields opened for research in nature and revelation. Let them contemplate the great facts of duty and destiny, and the mind will expand and strengthen.—Education, 16-18.
With God at Dawn p. 29
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Prayer Requests
—-I have an urgent prayer request for 3 family members. Rachel, my cousin, and her two babies were in a serious car accident. Mason is 5 months old and broke his back and neck. Braxton, his older brother, who is around 3 years old is also seriously injured and in ICU with his brother. Mom has a collapsed lung and cannot feel anything from her waist down. Please, please pray for this family!! Cora
—-Please pray for Annie who is having back surgery tomorrow. Rose
—-Just got word my great nephew is having surgery in few min. Harley JR. His boy parts did not fall down. A year old. Beverly
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Dear Friends,
We rarely get snow, and when we do, it is usually gone in a day or two. A couple of weeks ago, we got about six inches of snow and my grandchildren we so excited. After they woke up, they bundled up in their warmest clothes and rushed out to play. By afternoon, however, Emma stated, “I’ll be glad when there’s no more snow!” That gave me a good laugh, I assure you.
When my children were little, they, too, could hardly wait for that first snowfall. They would listen to each weather forecast with interest and hope. They would press their little nose against the window and watch for that first flake to drift lazily from the sky. When they would awaken to a world covered in white, their joy would know no bounds. Soon they would be bundled up and ready to play in the fluffy, white stuff. What had been a perfect blanket of whiteness, was soon cut up with their footprints. Snowballs flew, snowmen appeared, and Esther’s snow angels dotted the yard. Unlike Emma, they never got tired of that cold, frozen stuff.
A new year has been upon us for nearly a month. It, too, is like a blanket of new-fallen snow. It, too, will soon be cut up by our “footprints.” What will those “footprints” reveal? Will we have drawn closer to our Great Exemplar? Will we have grown spiritually through our co-operating with Him? Will we have gained the victory over those sins which so easily beset us? (Heb 12:1) What will our record be?
Praise God! Our record can be as white as the new-fallen snow! Our Great Redeemer bids us, “Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool. Isa 1:18 John assures us, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us. My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.” 1 John 1:9-2:1 Think of it! Whatever we had done to muddy up our life, our Dear Saviour offers to remove our filthy garments and clothe us with His Pure and Sparklingly White Robe of His Righteousness. (Zech 3:1-5;Rev 3:18-20)
“In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him. Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God: and every one that loveth him that begat loveth him also that is begotten of him. By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments. For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous. For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.” 1 John 4:9,10;5:1-4 “Thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ!” I Cor 15:57
Let us pray as did David, “purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.” Ps 51:7 Let us praise Him for His marvelous gift of salvation. (John 3:16,17) “Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.” 2 Tim 2:19 Let us daily “grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.” 2 Peter 3:18
Rose

For Thou, Lord, hast made me glad through thy work: I will triumph in the works of thy hands. O Lord, how great are thy works! and thy thoughts are very deep. Psalm 92:4, 5.
Many are the ways in which God is seeking to make Himself known to us and bring us into communion with Him. Nature speaks to our senses without ceasing. The open heart will be impressed with the love and glory of God as revealed through the works of His hands. The listening ear can hear and understand the communications of God through the things of nature. The green fields, the lofty trees, the buds and flowers, the passing cloud, the falling rain, the babbling brook, the glories of the heavens, speak to our hearts, and invite us to become acquainted with Him who made them all.
Our Saviour bound up His precious lessons with the things of nature. The trees, the birds, the flowers of the valleys, the hills, the lakes, and the beautiful heavens, as well as the incidents and surroundings of daily life, were all linked with the words of truth, that His lessons might thus be often recalled to mind, even amid the busy cares of man’s life of toil.
God would have His children appreciate His works, and delight in the simple, quiet beauty with which He has adorned our earthly home. He is a lover of the beautiful, and above all that is outwardly attractive He loves beauty of character; He would have us cultivate purity and simplicity, the quiet graces of the flowers. If we will but listen, God’s created works will teach us precious lessons of obedience and trust…. No tears are shed that God does not notice. There is no smile that he does not mark.— Steps to Christ, 85.
With God at Dawn p. 23
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Prayer Requests
—-Please pray for my coworker Cindy’s mom who has Covid. Wanangwa
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Dear Friends,
I thought I’d share a poem that Esther wrote for one of her classes when she was in college. It is called
Wonder

He loveth righteousness and judgment: the earth is full of the goodness of the Lord. By the word of the Lord were the heavens made; and all the host of them by the breath of his mouth. Psalm 33:5, 6.
From the stars that in their trackless course through space, follow from age to age their appointed path, down to the minutest atom, the things of nature obey the Creator’s will…. He who upholds the unnumbered worlds throughout immensity, at the same time cares for the wants of the little brown sparrow that sings its humble song without a fear. When men go forth to their daily toil, as when they engage in prayer; when they lie down at night, and when they rise in the morning; when the rich man feasts in his palace, or when the poor man gathers his children about the scanty board, each is tenderly watched by the heavenly Father.—Steps to Christ, 85.
God is constantly employed in upholding and using as His servants the things that He has made. He works through the laws of nature, using them as His instruments. They are not self-acting. Nature in her work testifies of the intelligent presence and active agency of a Being who moves in all things according to His will…. It is not by inherent power that year by year the earth yields its bounties, and continues its march around the sun. The hand of the Infinite One is perpetually at work guiding this planet. It is God’s power continually exercised that keeps the earth in position in its rotation. It is God who causes the sun to rise in the heavens. He opens the windows of heaven and gives rain…. It is by His power that vegetation is caused to flourish, that every leaf appears, every flower blooms, every fruit develops.—The Ministry of Healing, 416.
With God at Dawn p. 22
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Prayer Requests
—-Today is a new day in history of our divided country. Let us pray for peace in all cities and for all leaders. Michael
—-I need prayers and I wasn’t sure where else to go. I lost my baby at 18 weeks pregnant just over 1 year ago. I finally got pregnant and am 6 weeks. I am having complications and have to go have an ultrasound in about an hour to see if I’m having an ectopic pregnancy. I could use all your prayers for me and my sweet babe Kell
—-Pray for our daughter Carrie this morning. Having surgery this morning on her leg she broke almost three weeks ago. John and Crystal
—-Please pray for my post open heart patient. Emerson
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Dear Friends,
When my children were young, we would play a guessing game called “who am I?” The person who was “it” chose a Bible character and the rest of us took turns asking questions until we guessed correctly. It was a lot of fun. Being rather competative by nature, I would choose a little-known person in order to win. One Bible character that I used was Jephthah. His was a sad story found in Judges 11.
“Now Jephthah the Gileadite was a mighty man of valour, and he was the son of an harlot: and Gilead begat Jephthah. And Gilead’s wife bare him sons; and his wife’s sons grew up, and they thrust out Jephthah, and said unto him, Thou shalt not inherit in our father’s house; for thou art the son of a strange woman. Then Jephthah fled from his brethren, and dwelt in the land of Tob: and there were gathered vain men to Jephthah, and went out with him. And it came to pass in process of time, that the children of Ammon made war against Israel. And it was so, that when the children of Ammon made war against Israel, the elders of Gilead went to fetch Jephthah out of the land of Tob: And they said unto Jephthah, Come, and be our captain, that we may fight with the children of Ammon. And Jephthah said unto the elders of Gilead, Did not ye hate me, and expel me out of my father’s house? and why are ye come unto me now when ye are in distress?” Jephthah became their captain “and Jephthah vowed a vow unto the LORD, and said, If thou shalt without fail deliver the children of Ammon into mine hands, Then it shall be, that whatsoever cometh forth of the doors of my house to meet me, when I return in peace from the children of Ammon, shall surely be the LORD’S, and I will offer it up for a burnt offering.” It was a rash vow that never should have been vowed. He was victorious, but what a price he paid. ” And Jephthah came to Mizpeh unto his house, and, behold, his daughter came out to meet him with timbrels and with dances: and she was his only child; beside her he had neither son nor daughter. And it came to pass, when he saw her, that he rent his clothes, and said, Alas, my daughter! thou hast brought me very low, and thou art one of them that trouble me: for I have opened my mouth unto the LORD, and I cannot go back. And she said unto him, My father, if thou hast opened thy mouth unto the LORD, do to me according to that which hath proceeded out of thy mouth; forasmuch as the LORD hath taken vengeance for thee of thine enemies, even of the children of Ammon. And she said unto her father, Let this thing be done for me: let me alone two months, that I may go up and down upon the mountains, and bewail my virginity, I and my fellows. And he said, Go. And he sent her away for two months: and she went with her companions, and bewailed her virginity upon the mountains. And it came to pass at the end of two months, that she returned unto her father, who did with her according to his vow which he had vowed: and she knew no man. And it was a custom in Israel, That the daughters of Israel went yearly to lament the daughter of Jephthah the Gileadite four days in a year.”
How often when we are troubled on every side we, like Jephthah, make vows to the Lord. When our world seems to be crashing in around us, when surrounded and overwhelmed, we often promise our Great Deliverer things nearly impossible to keep if He will only deliver us; but as soon as He does, we forget our vow, or if we do keep it, we do so begrudgingly or half-heartedly. Yet, our Great Creator does not forget our promise to Him. Solomon warns us, “When thou vowest a vow unto God, defer not to pay it; for he hath no pleasure in fools: pay that which thou hast vowed. Better is it that thou shouldest not vow, than that thou shouldest vow and not pay. Suffer not thy mouth to cause thy flesh to sin; neither say thou before the angel, that it was an error: wherefore should God be angry at thy voice, and destroy the work of thine hands?…but fear thou God.” Eccl 5:4-7 Good counsel.
May we be very careful what we vow before the Lord. And, if we do vow, may we promise as did David, “I will pay thee my vows, Which my lips have uttered, and my mouth hath spoken, when I was in trouble.” Ps 66:13,14 May we “offer unto God thanksgiving; and pay [our] vows unto the most High.” Ps 50:14
Rose