Grace Gems

[nChrist]

Ready to sink and faint?

(Mason, "A Spiritual Treasury for the Children of God")

Are our hearts weak and low, ready to sink and faint?

Are our graces upon the decline?

Are our enemies strong--and our troubles increased?

To whom should we fly--but to our almighty God and
Savior, Jesus! Faith receives all its courage and strength
from its author, Jesus. It is armed with Omnipotence!

Paul says, "I can do all things!" Why? because he was
a great apostle? No! Paul was no stronger than the
weakest believer! "It is Christ who strengthens me!"

"The Sovereign Lord is my strength!" Habakkuk 3:19

____________________

From Grace Gems:
Very Old - But Beautiful and Timeless Treasures.
Everything is FREE and Public Domain.
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____________________

[nChrist]

If He denies us

(William Mason, "A Spiritual Treasury")

The swarms of corrupt lusts, worldly affections,
and carnal desires, which are found with us--are
ever opposing the glory of Jesus, and exciting us
to seek that happiness in self, which can only be
found in the spiritual reign of Jesus, in the heart.

"The Lord bestows grace and glory; no good
 thing does He withhold from those whose
 walk is blameless." Psalm 84:11

The Lord delights in the prosperity of His people;
therefore withholds no good thing from them. Yet,
it is not our erring judgment--but His unfailing
wisdom--which must determine what is best for
us. We would pray to be in the height of earthly
comfort--and on the pinnacle of worldly joy. But
in love, God answers by keeping us in the safe
valley of humility and self-abasement. Granting
our requests, is not always the effect of love.

So kind and gracious is our dear Savior--that He
crosses our wills, and denies our requests--when
they are contrary to our spiritual interest. Thus in
love, He answers our prayers--by withholding what
we ask for! He gives what He knows is best for us.
If we ask what is harmful for us to receive--shall
we complain of God's love--if He denies us?

"Those who seek the Lord will not lack any good
 thing." Psalm 34:10

____________________

From Grace Gems:
Very Old - But Beautiful and Timeless Treasures.
Everything is FREE and Public Domain.
FREE E-mail Subscription:
http://www.gracegems.org/
____________________

[nChrist]

The most effective eloquence!

(John MacDuff, "The Precepts of Jesus"
 A guide through life to immortality!)

"Let your light so shine before men, that they
 may see your good works, and glorify your
 Father who is in heaven." Matthew 5:16

What unspeakable injury has been done to the
cause of Christ, by the inconsistent lives of many
professors of religion! To unholy lives, must be
ascribed the comparatively little progress which
Christianity has hitherto made. It is this . . .
  which emboldens the scoffer,
  which encourages the profligate,
  which strengthens the hands of the infidel,
  which seals the eyes of the impenitent in
death-like slumber!

Those who bear the name of Jesus should ever
remember--that the eyes of an ungodly world
are upon them, and that their impression of the
gospel, both in its nature and results--is derived
from what they witness in the conduct of those
who are identified with it!

"The Bible," as one observes, "is God's revelation
to Christians; and Christians are God's revelation
to the world." The sacred Scriptures are not read
by the careless and ungodly multitude--but they
are eager in reading the character of the followers
of Christ!

How important is it, then, that they should give, by
their spirit and deportment--a correct representation
of our holy religion!

Great is the power of impassioned oratory, as embodied
in burning words, dramatic gestures, and flowing tears.
But, after all, the most effective eloquence--is that
of a pure, upright, consistent life! This shames the
accusers of our holy faith; and puts to silence the
ignorance of foolish men.

Christian, let it be your earnest prayer and daily
endeavor, to adorn the doctrine of your Savior,
not in some things--but in all things. Adorn it . . .
  by the purity of your conversation,
  by the blamelessness of your life,
  by the integrity of your dealings,
  by your abhorrence of all which is base or impure.

Adorn it in the various conditions
in which you may be placed--
  in prosperity or adversity;
  in obscurity or eminence;
  in health or sickness;
  in joy or sorrow;
  in youth or old age;
  in life or death.

"For this very reason, make every effort to
  add to your faith goodness;
  and to goodness, knowledge;
  and to knowledge, self-control;
  and to self-control, perseverance;
  and to perseverance, godliness;
  and to godliness, brotherly kindness;
  and to brotherly kindness, love.
For if you possess these qualities in increasing
measure, they will keep you from being ineffective
and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord
Jesus Christ." 2 Peter 1:5-8

____________________

From Grace Gems:
Very Old - But Beautiful and Timeless Treasures.
Everything is FREE and Public Domain.
FREE E-mail Subscription:
http://www.gracegems.org/
____________________

[Def]

The most effective eloquence!

(John MacDuff, "The Precepts of Jesus"
 A guide through life to immortality!)

"Let your light so shine before men, that they
 may see your good works, and glorify your
 Father who is in heaven." Matthew 5:16

What unspeakable injury has been done to the
cause of Christ, by the inconsistent lives of many
professors of religion! To unholy lives, must be
ascribed the comparatively little progress which
Christianity has hitherto made. It is this . . .
  which emboldens the scoffer,
  which encourages the profligate,
  which strengthens the hands of the infidel,
  which seals the eyes of the impenitent in
death-like slumber!

Those who bear the name of Jesus should ever
remember--that the eyes of an ungodly world
are upon them, and that their impression of the
gospel, both in its nature and results--is derived
from what they witness in the conduct of those
who are identified with it!

"The Bible," as one observes, "is God's revelation
to Christians; and Christians are God's revelation
to the world." The sacred Scriptures are not read
by the careless and ungodly multitude--but they
are eager in reading the character of the followers
of Christ!

How important is it, then, that they should give, by
their spirit and deportment--a correct representation
of our holy religion!

Great is the power of impassioned oratory, as embodied
in burning words, dramatic gestures, and flowing tears.
But, after all, the most effective eloquence--is that
of a pure, upright, consistent life! This shames the
accusers of our holy faith; and puts to silence the
ignorance of foolish men.

Christian, let it be your earnest prayer and daily
endeavor, to adorn the doctrine of your Savior,
not in some things--but in all things. Adorn it . . .
  by the purity of your conversation,
  by the blamelessness of your life,
  by the integrity of your dealings,
  by your abhorrence of all which is base or impure.

Adorn it in the various conditions
in which you may be placed--
  in prosperity or adversity;
  in obscurity or eminence;
  in health or sickness;
  in joy or sorrow;
  in youth or old age;
  in life or death.

"For this very reason, make every effort to
  add to your faith goodness;
  and to goodness, knowledge;
  and to knowledge, self-control;
  and to self-control, perseverance;
  and to perseverance, godliness;
  and to godliness, brotherly kindness;
  and to brotherly kindness, love.
For if you possess these qualities in increasing
measure, they will keep you from being ineffective
and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord
Jesus Christ." 2 Peter 1:5-8

____________________

From Grace Gems:
Very Old - But Beautiful and Timeless Treasures.
Everything is FREE and Public Domain.
FREE E-mail Subscription:
http://www.gracegems.org/
____________________

Thank you Tom,for sharing your gems
 if gems are sweet then
 these are very very sweet to me.
Love in Jesus Def.

[nChrist]

Fear Him!

(John MacDuff, "The Precepts of Jesus"
 A guide through life to immortality!)

"Who would not fear You, O King of nations?"
    Jeremiah 10:7

How reasonable it is, that this glorious Being, whose
greatness is unsearchable--should be regarded with
feelings of the profoundest reverence. It is, indeed, His
due, and as such He claims it from all His creatures.

"Concerning the sinfulness of the wicked: There
 is no fear of God before his eyes." Psalm 36:1

To have no fear of God before their eyes--is at once
the greatest injustice, and the most unutterable folly!
All who have the impudence to lift up their puny
arms in rebellion against Him, are engaged in a
conflict, which, if persisted in, is sure to terminate
in their utter destruction!

Reader, think of His incomprehensible greatness
and majesty. Think of Him as the High and Lofty
One who inhabits eternity--
  the heavens His throne,
  the earth His footstool,
  the light His garment,
  the clouds His chariot,
  the thunder His voice!

Viewing Him thus--it will be impossible for you to
treat Him with indifference, far less with scornful
disdain. If you are only brought in some measure,
to realize the fact of God's greatness and majesty,
you cannot fail to acknowledge that He is greatly
to be feared, and to be held in reverence by all
His creatures.

Just so, with all the other attributes of His nature.

Who can think of His power so mighty, so irresistible
--a power which is able to crush us into atoms with
infinitely greater ease than we can tread the crawling
worm beneath our feet--and not fear Him?

Who can think of His knowledge, nothing being
hidden from His omniscient glance, the darkness of
midnight and the splendor of noon, being altogether
alike to Him--and not fear Him?

Who can think of the terrors of His avenging justice,
and not fear Him--especially, as when He proclaims
from His exalted throne, "There is no god other than
 Me! I am the one who kills and gives life; I am the
 one who wounds and heals; no  one delivers from
 My power! As surely as I live, when I sharpen My
 flashing sword and begin to carry out justice, I will
 bring vengeance on My enemies and repay those
 who hate Me!" Deuteronomy 32:39-41
Our God is, truly, a consuming fire! It is most befitting
for us, to regard Him with reverence and godly fear!

It is not those who can deprive us of our present life,
whom we should so much dread. Limited, and of brief
duration--is the power of all mortal foes at best. "Do
not be afraid of those who kill the body and after that
can do no more. But I will show you whom you should
fear: Fear Him who, after the killing of the body, has
power to throw you into hell. Yes, I tell you, Fear
Him!" Luke 12:4-5

____________________

From Grace Gems:
Very Old - But Beautiful and Timeless Treasures.
Everything is FREE and Public Domain.
FREE E-mail Subscription:
http://www.gracegems.org/
____________________

[nChrist]

Thank you Tom,for sharing your gems
 if gems are sweet then
 these are very very sweet to me.
Love in Jesus Def.

Hello Sister Def,

You are most welcome. I enjoy them also and get a lot of good ideas for Bible Study from them.

Love In Christ,
Tom

1 Timothy 2:5-6 NASB
For there is one God, and one mediator also between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave Himself as a ransom for all, the testimony given at the proper time.

[nChrist]

When He does not punish!

(Thomas Watson, "The Comforting Rod")

"As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten."
    Revelation 3:19

God's afflicting rod has comfort in it--as it is a token of
the special favor He bears towards us. We think that
God cannot favor us--unless He pampers us in His lap.
Yet He loves and favors us--when He gives us the bitter
drink of affliction. God's chastening rod and God's love
both stand together. The rod is a token of God's love.
It is no love in God, to let men go on in sin--and never
smite. Is it love to your child--to let him run into the
water and drown? To be without the rod of God's
discipline--is a sign of a bastard child, a mark of
reprobation. "But if you are without chastisement,
then you are bastards, and not sons." Hebrews
12:8. God's rod whips us to heaven!

If God will let any fall upon the rock of ruin, then He
will allow them to go on in sin and not correct them.
"I will not punish your daughters when they commit
whoredom." Hosea 4:14. Take notice:
  God spares the rod--in anger!
  God's hand is heaviest--when it is lightest!
  God punishes most--when He does not punish!

But God smites His people--that He may save them,
and is that not love? Let me feel God's smiting hand
--so that I may have His loving heart.

The Lord comes down with a murdering axe to hew
down His enemies--but He has only a rattling rod for
His children. This is all the hell they ever shall feel.
1 Corinthians 11:32, "We are judged and disciplined
by the Lord--that we should not be condemned with
the world." Is not this comfort to know--that this is
the worst we shall have? God lays upon us a light
affliction--and saves us from wrath to come! What is
the drop of sorrow which the godly taste--compared
to the bottomless sea of wrath, which the damned
endure forever?

"Blessed is the man whom God corrects; so do not
 despise the discipline of the Almighty." Job 5:17

____________________

From Grace Gems:
Very Old - But Beautiful and Timeless Treasures.
Everything is FREE and Public Domain.
FREE E-mail Subscription:
http://www.gracegems.org/
____________________

[nChrist]

God laughs

(Thomas Watson, "Kiss the Son")

"The Lord laughs at the wicked, for He knows
 their day is coming." Psalm 37:13
"Let us break their chains," they say, "and throw
off their fetters." The One enthroned in heaven
laughs; the Lord scoffs at them. Then He rebukes
them in His anger and terrifies them in His wrath!"
Psalm 2:3-5

God laughs to see men's folly--to see poor, weak
clay strive with the Almighty Potter. But let the
wicked remember that God is never more angry
with them--than when He laughs! After His
laughing, then He shall speak to them in His wrath.
"I in turn will laugh at your disaster; I will mock
 when calamity overtakes you!" Proverbs 1:26

"Kiss the Son, lest He be angry and you be destroyed
 in your way, for His wrath can flare up in a moment!
 Blessed are all who take refuge in Him." Psalm 2:12

____________________

From Grace Gems:
Very Old - But Beautiful and Timeless Treasures.
Everything is FREE and Public Domain.
FREE E-mail Subscription:
http://www.gracegems.org/
____________________

[Def]

When He does not punish!

(Thomas Watson, "The Comforting Rod")

"As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten."
    Revelation 3:19

God's afflicting rod has comfort in it--as it is a token of
the special favor He bears towards us. We think that
God cannot favor us--unless He pampers us in His lap.
Yet He loves and favors us--when He gives us the bitter
drink of affliction. God's chastening rod and God's love
both stand together. The rod is a token of God's love.
It is no love in God, to let men go on in sin--and never
smite. Is it love to your child--to let him run into the
water and drown? To be without the rod of God's
discipline--is a sign of a bastard child, a mark of
reprobation. "But if you are without chastisement,
then you are bastards, and not sons." Hebrews
12:8. God's rod whips us to heaven!

If God will let any fall upon the rock of ruin, then He
will allow them to go on in sin and not correct them.
"I will not punish your daughters when they commit
whoredom." Hosea 4:14. Take notice:
  God spares the rod--in anger!
  God's hand is heaviest--when it is lightest!
  God punishes most--when He does not punish!

But God smites His people--that He may save them,
and is that not love? Let me feel God's smiting hand
--so that I may have His loving heart.

The Lord comes down with a murdering axe to hew
down His enemies--but He has only a rattling rod for
His children. This is all the hell they ever shall feel.
1 Corinthians 11:32, "We are judged and disciplined
by the Lord--that we should not be condemned with
the world." Is not this comfort to know--that this is
the worst we shall have? God lays upon us a light
affliction--and saves us from wrath to come! What is
the drop of sorrow which the godly taste--compared
to the bottomless sea of wrath, which the damned
endure forever?

"Blessed is the man whom God corrects; so do not
 despise the discipline of the Almighty." Job 5:17

____________________

From Grace Gems:
Very Old - But Beautiful and Timeless Treasures.
Everything is FREE and Public Domain.
FREE E-mail Subscription:
http://www.gracegems.org/
____________________

Thank you brother Tom,so so good.
  He restores my soul;
  He leads me in the paths of righteousness
   For His name's sake.(Psalm 23:3 NKJ)
Love in Jesus Def (';')

[nChrist]

Thank you brother Tom,so so good.
  He restores my soul;
  He leads me in the paths of righteousness
   For His name's sake.(Psalm 23:3 NKJ)
Love in Jesus Def (';')

Amen Sister Def!

I'm glad that I'm not the only one who enjoys these old treasures. They are a real blessing to me.

Love In Christ,
Tom

2 Timothy 2:8-10 NASB
Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, descendant of David, according to my gospel, for which I suffer hardship even to imprisonment as a criminal; but the word of God is not imprisoned. For this reason I endure all things for the sake of those who are chosen, so that they also may obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus and with it eternal glory.

[nChrist]

A complementary kiss

(Thomas Watson, "The Peace of Christ")

"Kiss the Son, lest He be angry and you be destroyed
 in your way, for His wrath can flare up in a moment.
 Blessed are all who take refuge in Him." Psalm 2:12

Kiss Christ with a kiss of obedience. This is to kiss Christ
—when we submit to Him, when we obey His laws, when
we are under His jurisdiction. There are many who give
Christ a complementary kiss. They seem devout—they
bow and cringe. O but they don't obey the Son! They kiss
Christ as their Savior—but they will not submit to Him as
their King. The truth is, they would have Christ and their
lusts together. They would embrace His promises—but
they will not obey His commands. O kiss the Son with
a kiss of subjection!

Those who will not have Christ's laws to rule them—shall
never have Christ's blood to save them! He who has no
part in the blood of the Lamb—will have a part in the wrath
of the Lamb, "They called to the mountains and the rocks
—Fall on us and hide us from the face of Him who sits on
the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb!"

Those who will not be ruled by Christ's royal scepter, His
scepter of grace—shall be broken by His rod of iron. "You
will break them with an iron rod and smash them like clay
pots!" Psalm 2:9. Those who oppose Christ, shall be as so
many ripe clusters of grapes to be cast into the great
winepress of God's wrath, to be trodden by the Son of
God until their blood flows out.

The Lord Jesus shoots His arrows very deep into the very
hearts of His enemies, "Your arrows are sharp, piercing
Your enemies' hearts." Psalm 45:5. The Persians dip their
arrows in poison—to kill more mortally. So Jesus Christ
shoots His arrows of poison; and because they cannot
endure the wrath of the Lamb all at once, they will be
enduring it to eternity. Here is terror to all those who
do not kiss the Son.

"Kiss the Son, lest He be angry and you be destroyed
 in your way, for His wrath can flare up in a moment.
 Blessed are all who take refuge in Him." Psalm 2:12

____________________

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Very Old - But Beautiful and Timeless Treasures.
Everything is FREE and Public Domain.
FREE E-mail Subscription:
http://www.gracegems.org/
____________________

[nChrist]

We must fly to God!

(Thomas Watson, "His Heart is Fixed")

"Deliver me, O Lord, from my enemies.
 I will fly to You to hide me." Ps. 143:9

Faith is the heart-strengthening grace. If we
trust in God aright, then, in all our danger--
we will fly to God.

There are some who, when trouble arises--fly
to their own wisdom and ability. Alas! Whatever
else we trust besides God, will never shelter us
in an hour of danger.

There is no trusting in riches. Proverbs 23:5,
"Cast but a glance at riches, and they are gone,
for they will surely sprout wings and fly off to
the sky like an eagle."

There is no trusting in friends; they may die,
or, which is worse, they may deceive. Our Lord
Jesus was betrayed by a friend.

There is no trusting in great men. "It is better
to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in
princes." Psalm 118:9.

There is no trusting in our own hearts. Why,
alas! the heart is full of lust, full of deceit! It
is a bosom traitor! "He who trusts in his own
heart is a fool!" Proverbs 28:26

Oh! We must fly to God! My brethren, trust in
God! He alone, is a never-failing refuge. A little
boat, while it is tied fast to a large rock--is very
safe. So, when the soul is tied by faith to Christ
Jesus, the Rock of Ages--then it is safe. "My God
is the Rock of my refuge." Psalm 46:11

Faith shores up the heart when it is likely to sink.
Oh! Get this heart-fixing grace of faith. Thus you
will be undaunted even in the worst of times and
dangers.

When Satan shoots his fiery darts of temptation,
then we must fly under Christ's wing to shelter us!

When a hawk pursues the dove, it casts itself into
the clefts of the rock--and there it hides. So, when
Satan pursues us with temptation, we get into the
bleeding wounds of Christ, these clefts of the Rock
--and there we rest and are safe.

"Deliver me, O Lord, from my enemies.
 I will fly to You to hide me." Ps. 143:9

____________________

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Very Old - But Beautiful and Timeless Treasures.
Everything is FREE and Public Domain.
FREE E-mail Subscription:
http://www.gracegems.org/
____________________

[nChrist]

Oh it is a sweet and holy life!

(Octavius Winslow, "Divine Realities" 1860)

"My times are in Your hand." Psalm 31:15

Learn to be content with your present lot--with
God's dealings with you, and His disposal of you.

You are just where His providence has, in its
inscrutable, but all wise and righteous decision,
placed you. It may be a painful, irksome, trying
position--but it is right. Oh yes--it is right!

Strive, then, to live a life of daily dependence upon
God. Oh it is a sweet and holy life! It saves . . .
  from many a desponding feeling,
  from many a corroding care,
  from many an anxious thought,
  from many a sleepless night,
  from many a tearful eye, and
  from many an imprudent and sinful scheme.

Thus you shall walk with God through this
valley of tears, until you exchange . . .
  sorrow--for joy,
  suffering--for ease,
  sin--for purity,
  labor--for rest,
  conflict--for victory,
and all earth's chequered, gloomy scenes--for the
changeless, cloudless happiness and glory of heaven!

"My times are in Your hand." Psalm 31:15

____________________

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Very Old - But Beautiful and Timeless Treasures.
Everything is FREE and Public Domain.
FREE E-mail Subscription:
http://www.gracegems.org/
____________________

[nChrist]

What a comfort is this!

(Thomas Watson, "The Good Shepherd")

"I am the good shepherd; I know My sheep."
    John 10:14

Christ knows all His sheep. His knowing His sheep
--is His loving them. This is a great consolation.

He knows every one of their names. John 10:3,
"He calls His own sheep by name."

He knows all the sighs and groans they make.
Psalm 38:9, "My groaning is not hidden from You."

Christ knows every tear they shed. "I have seen
your tears!" 2 Kings 20:5. He bottles their tears as
precious wine. Psalm 56:8, "You keep track of all
my sorrows. You have collected all my tears in Your
bottle. You have recorded each one in Your book."

He knows all their sufferings. "I have seen the
way the Egyptians are oppressing them." Ex. 3:9.
"The Lord saw the bitter suffering of everyone in
Israel." 2 Kings 14:26

Christ knows all their good works--all their works
of piety and charity. "I know all the things you do.
I have seen your hard work and your patient
endurance." Revelation 2:2

"I am the good shepherd; I know My sheep."
What a comfort is this!

"He will place the sheep at His right hand and the
 goats at His left. Then the King will say to those
 on the right--Come, you who are blessed by My
 Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from
 the foundation of the world!" Matthew 25:33-34

____________________

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Very Old - But Beautiful and Timeless Treasures.
Everything is FREE and Public Domain.
FREE E-mail Subscription:
http://www.gracegems.org/
____________________

[Def]

What a comfort is this!

(Thomas Watson, "The Good Shepherd")

"I am the good shepherd; I know My sheep."
    John 10:14

Christ knows all His sheep. His knowing His sheep
--is His loving them. This is a great consolation.

He knows every one of their names. John 10:3,
"He calls His own sheep by name."

He knows all the sighs and groans they make.
Psalm 38:9, "My groaning is not hidden from You."

Christ knows every tear they shed. "I have seen
your tears!" 2 Kings 20:5. He bottles their tears as
precious wine. Psalm 56:8, "You keep track of all
my sorrows. You have collected all my tears in Your
bottle. You have recorded each one in Your book."

He knows all their sufferings. "I have seen the
way the Egyptians are oppressing them." Ex. 3:9.
"The Lord saw the bitter suffering of everyone in
Israel." 2 Kings 14:26

Christ knows all their good works--all their works
of piety and charity. "I know all the things you do.
I have seen your hard work and your patient
endurance." Revelation 2:2

"I am the good shepherd; I know My sheep."
What a comfort is this!

"He will place the sheep at His right hand and the
 goats at His left. Then the King will say to those
 on the right--Come, you who are blessed by My
 Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from
 the foundation of the world!" Matthew 25:33-34

____________________

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Very Old - But Beautiful and Timeless Treasures.
Everything is FREE and Public Domain.
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http://www.gracegems.org/
____________________

Bonjour Tom.in My prayer book I wrote one day that i had been baptized by the tears of God and i  believe it cause the Blood of Christ were the tears of God. (his Love For the world).
Tom through you ,I would like to express my gratitude to Christians Unite for the privilege  that I could express my faith and learned through sharing
.All my brothers and sisters have help me to put  some of  the pieces of puzzle together
 how sweet you have been to me
you have Thoth me so so much  a piece here and a piece there
O their was so much light ahead of me ,surrounding me that the Light above me is there now to follow forever
so  I thank  My god in the name  of Jesus Christ for his mercy and compassion's  and I pray that He bless every one of you in a very special way and he will meet all your needs.That i am sure of..Love in Jesus (+¸+) Def