“And without faith, it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.” Hebrews 11:6 NIV (Emphasis mine)

“There is no reward from God to those who seek it from men.” Charles Spurgeon

Our first action as new Christians is to love God. Without Him, “We can do nothing.” We might make a little progress in overcoming a bad habit, committing to raising our families or a whole host of things we make a priority. But the joy? The true healing? The intimacy?  Motivation? Desire? Lessons? We will miss out and slog through obligations and duties. They will become tedious, boring and unfulfilling. No true relationship. Imagine being in a relationship, whether spouse, child or friend, and we do our duty but nothing more.

And we don’t and can’t please Him without his help. Our whole being is made to love and worship the Father first and we even need His help with this.  The monk, Brother Lawrence, shared how doing dishes in the monastery was a loving and worshipful thing. Jesus washed the disciple’s dirty feet even though He was the Creator of everything. I may not feel good about it but I know when I’m cleaning the bathroom, I’m doing it for the Father— “Doing my work heartily as unto the Lord.”

That pleases the Father. As I’m down on my knees cleaning around the commode, I thank the Father for a bathroom with running water. I thank him for all the delightful bubble baths my grandchildren had. The soft and well-worn towels embraced my grandchildren. The rescued muddy pets pouting in the tub make me smile (peanut butter helped). This bathroom is the Father’s. It’s on loan. I hang on lightly.

Musings

Richard Rohr said, “Some days even a grasshopper can convert me.” This happens because our Father rewards those who earnestly seek him. Even doing the mundane like paying the bills or doing laundry is a faith that pleases our Father. And it happens every day. Some call it serendipity but it’s a joyous reward from the Father.

Prayer

Dear Father,

Thank you for your Son who demonstrated over and over how the daily chores can be another way our faith in you is expressed. We are caring for your gracious gifts here with thanks. Help us to hold lightly the things on Earth while envisioning your Paradise.

Thank you for rewarding us. We earnestly seek you today.

Amen.

“For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” Romans 3:23 ESV

“Share your weaknesses. Share your hard moments. Share your real side. It’ll either scare away every fake person in your life or it will inspire them to finally let go of that mirage called “perfection,” which will open the doors to the most important relationships you’ll ever be a part of.”
― Dan Pearce, Single Dad Laughing

Spring cleaning! I’m committed to driving dirt from my home so I can play in garden dirt all summer. Fall cleaning isn’t as ambitious but with the holidays appearing right after Halloween, cleaning will be a “lick and a promise.” And the late comedian, George Carlin said, “Your house will never be absolutely clean.” Truth. And we will never be absolutely clean without Jesus.

Or, “close counts.” True for Horseshoes and hand grenades. Works for spring cleaning too. But close will not work with the Father.

Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth and the life.” Nothing else is good enough.

When I strive for perfection, it never happens.

Perfect means complete in the Bible. We are complete when we depend on Jesus. Jesus said, “Without me, you can do nothing.” We are free to get back up and start again because we depend on Jesus, not ourselves. We are free to risk. We are free to love, after all, Jesus is Love. And importantly, we learn to laugh at some of our mistakes. Taking ourselves too seriously means we’ve replaced our Father with another—Ourselves!

We need a sense of humor! Let’s learn from this old vaudeville performer:

Charlie Chaplin once told a joke in front of an audience.

Everyone laughed.

And he brought it back for the second time, so only some laughed.

When he brought it back for the third time, no one laughed.

Then he said beautiful lines:

“If you can’t laugh and laugh at the same joke, why do you cry and cry for the same grief and affliction?”

So enjoy every moment of your life – Charlie Chaplin left leaving a great legacy without saying a word or hurting anyone’s feelings. We remember these sentences that touch the heart.

Musings

Our Father is totally aware of our sins, flaws and shortcomings. We need to view our frustrations, tantrums and challenges with a light hand and heart remembering who is Creator and who is not. We need to focus on being excellent and joyful for one day. Tomorrow is not ours.

We are good enough because of Jesus’ work on the cross and the Holy Spirit who abides in us. Today and always.

Prayer

Dear Father,

Thank you for Your Son, Jesus, who completes us and our works. We have grown so much because of this. Help us to view ourselves and our foibles, quirks, losses and mistakes with grace and a sense of humor. Help us do this with others too. Most people are doing the very best they can, which includes us. Trying to be perfect interferes with love for you, others and ourselves.

Amen.

The Waiting

“He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end.” Ecclesiastes 3:11 NIV (Emphasis mine)

“Patience is not simply the ability to wait—it’s how we behave while waiting.” Joyce Meyer

Waiting in traffic, waiting in line, waiting to grow up, waiting for my husband to come home from war, waiting for a diagnosis, waiting for retirement, waiting for an answer to prayer, even waiting to die—all tell me about myself and my relationship with the Father. All waiting shows my faithfulness or lack.

Most of life is waiting. Our Father is an artist and waiting is a sharp and painful tool He uses to sculpt us into something beautiful. It’s also a time to get honest with the Father and ourselves—something we’re avoiding may need attention before moving on.

Most of life is beyond our control. That’s why waiting is so uncomfortable and stretches us to the limit. We can’t control most situations. Beauty is the last thing we see or experience, especially if it’s a loved one who is in trouble or ill. Faith is one of the antidotes, regardless of feelings. Reviewing our past personal rescues and experiences from the Father helps.

I waited for my son to be born and there was great happiness when he entered our lives! While I waited, I did everything I could spiritually and physically to ensure my son would arrive healthy.

I waited for my husband to die with anguish over his suffering. His death ushered in relief. Grief, to be sure, but I was relieved he was with the Father where there is no pain. Death is inevitable—such a hard truth and no control whatsoever! It has taken years to understand much of this journey and I still can’t grasp all of it. I could not fathom what God has done from beginning to end.

I wish I could say I waited patiently but I did not. There was too much drinking. Too much worrying. Too much loneliness. Too little prayer. Too many medical bills. Too little asking for help. Too little sleep and food. Too much anger at my Father and the situation. Some of my behavior I regret.

But I trust the Father will make everything beautiful in its time—with tears sometimes. Even my bad behavior. He will for you too. We may not understand all of it in this lifetime but we will see usefulness and beauty.

Musings

Waiting doesn’t mean we do nothing. We pray, we do our daily duties and live in only today. We seek help. We ask for help. We forgive ourselves when our behavior does not match our faith. We hang onto the Father’s grace, which never runs out. We read the Psalms with their feelings, wisdom and trust in God—the perfect examples of prayer. I see very ill children on TV with their weary parents waiting for a miracle. Thank God there are professionals in partnership with the Father who are there for the parents and the children. How can God make this beautiful? I don’t know. He will. He just does. He’s a sculptor.

Prayer

Dear Father,

Thank you for the beauty around us and in us. We don’t always see it or have faith to wait. But we know each time we get up, pray and go about our daily duties, our faith is in action and faith pleases You. We trust. We wait with thanks.

Amen.

But just for a little while.

“Whoever listens to you listens to me; whoever rejects you rejects me; but whoever rejects me rejects him who sent me.” Luke 10:16 ESV

“When you lose someone or something, try not to think of it as a loss, but as a gift that lightens your load so that you can better travel the path meant for you.” Marc and Angel, Hack Life

Oh! How it hurts to be rejected! From the adolescent years to old age, rejection happens. And we all have questions about ourselves, don’t we?

What did I do wrong?

Was it something I said or did?

Am I inadequate, insufficient, uneducated, stupid or naïve? (You’re not).

Some self-reflection is good but when it turns into obsessing and ruminating, we are stuck and useless.

People don’t know you well enough to judge you. Even Paul said he didn’t judge himself but entrusted himself to the Father.

If you’re truly rejected, it’s usually not personal—it probably is the other’s issue. If you’re rejected, it truly is a gift. They weren’t right for you. With Jesus, rejection was personal, they tried to trick him, lie about him and ultimately, killed him. But his death has lifted our burdens if only we will see it and act accordingly. Jesus’ yoke is easy and his burden is light.

The book I’m reading by David G. Benner, The Gift of Being Yourself, teaches that the only way to be your authentic self is through a personal relationship with the Father. And I so love authentic people! They just glow! They have strength, compassion and courage—so attractive! I think of an old ballad by Gordon Lightfoot called Everyday People, which describes the heart and love of authentic people.

If they reject you they may be rejecting the Father and Son. If so, shake the dust off your feet and be open to another. It’s not your burden. It’s theirs and the Father’s. Sometimes we call that “Detachment with Love.” Sometimes that is what it takes for change—leave them with the Father. It’s not abandonment. It’s leaving the person with the ultimate Counselor.

Musings

Surrender to the Father. Respond to His voice. Let Him transform. Instead of just knowing about God, we experience a relationship with Him. No diploma, education, high IQ or status is required, in fact, they may interfere. Many realize Jesus had no diploma, formal education or status but just went out calling his sheep even while being rejected by his own. Look what was accomplished! He was fully God and fully human and took on all rejection, even rejection from his Father from the cross.

Prayer

Dear Father,

You and Your Son have suffered rejection that is impossible to comprehend. We may not feel grateful, but we’re grateful we share in Your rejection because it transforms us to be more like Jesus and fulfills Your purpose.

Thank you for burdens that are light because of Your Son.

Amen.

“What do you want me to do for you?” Jesus asked him. The blind man said, “Rabbi, I want to see.” Mark 10:51 NIV

“Shame is the most powerful master emotion. It’s the fear that we’re not good enough.”
Brene Brown

The blind man wanted to see. I’ve pondered Jesus’ question many times, “What do you want me to do for you?” Walking the Christian journey, we realize “we were blind, but now we see.” How devastating this may be. Before our conversion, we knew we sinned. After our conversion, we are overwhelmed with the flaws, mistakes, sins and hurts we have done. Guilt or Shame?

A DUI.

Divorce.

Horrible behavior at a social or company function.

Bankruptcy.

Being a smoker, obese, uneducated, poor, addicted, having too many sexual partners and on it goes.

Guilt: the realization that what I did was wrong. A change of mind and action along with an apology works well. Grace.

Shame: the realization that I am wrong. A flawed, devastating feeling about who we are that is totally wrong. Isolates. Devastates. Lies. Paralyzes. Inauthentic. Grace doesn’t seem to quench the fire of shame.

Stuck! Stuck! Stuck! I know my life is hidden in Christ, but others? Not so much.

What to do? We are counseled to confess our sins to our Father and to another. Oh! What a big slice of humble pie this is! All is not horrible though. We are a New Creation, though our behaviors shout differently. Thank God for his patience! We need some for ourselves too. Even Paul struggled to do what he did not want to do. Grace gives us a “do-over.”

 When we confess to another Christian, one who truly has our best interests at heart, we are encouraged. Usually, a Christian will say they’ve done something similar. C.S. Lewis said, “What! You two? I thought I was the only one.” Our heart receives some peace in the company of another struggling to grow. Vulnerability: the opposite of shame.

Musings

We are New Creations. We are made in the image of God. One mistake, snafu, slip up and then roaring, condemning, shameful feelings! Sometimes I think shame is the Devil’s favorite tool. It stops us from being honest, reaching out and a wedge grows between our Father and ourselves. We don’t deserve joy, success, friends and family. Shame rips away all the wonderful things our Father wants for us. Today  I will be vulnerable. Today I will have courage and share with others. Today I will be grateful my Father made me.

Prayer

Dear Father,

You nailed shame to the cross. You make us walk in the “newness of life.” Thank you. But we are fearful. Remind us to “step into the water” of vulnerability and watch the sea part. We cannot truly love with shame dragging us down, not ourselves, another or You. We cannot be “real” with shame poisoning our hearts and lives. We give you our shameful feelings today and in faith, share our vulnerability.

Amen.

Whoever is patient has great understanding,
    but one who is quick-tempered displays folly.

A heart at peace gives life to the body,
    but envy rots the bones.

 Whoever oppresses the poor shows contempt for their Maker,
    but whoever is kind to the needy honors God.

Angry people want you to see how powerful they are. Loving people want you to see how powerful YOU are. Chief Red Eagle

We all have times when we’re angry and rightfully so. Anger is a great motivator but it can’t sustain a whole and peaceful life and it will never give life to the body.

There is righteous anger but let’s be careful—feelings aren’t to be trusted at times. Jesus was angry at the money changers and the leaders of Israel because they were in peril of Hell. They had seen his miracles, listened to his counsel and saw his humility but envy ruled.

Anger at a bad habit gets the ball rolling toward good health and peace of mind.

Anger at injustice may get us to protect the vulnerable and innocent, especially the children, disabled, elderly and animals.

Anger at want and need provides the fuel to volunteer and give.

Anger at myself gets me to do some self-reflection and prayer.

But we can’t stay there nor should we. I see angry people become possessed and dangerous with road rage or lack of responsibility and angry because they feel others owe it to them. I’ve even blamed God for my pain and anger. Anger really can be a tool for harm like blame and isolation but at what cost? Your body. Your life. Peace.

Uncomfortable truths and absent self-reflection. I read this in a popular blog post that was answering the question: Why do people repeat unprofitable and destructive behaviors? Here’s why: Who wants to hear uncomfortable truths? Who wants to self-reflect and see the dark abyss inside? Who wants to do the work that is required? Definitely not popular in a secular world! I admit I don’t enjoy it at all! But I want peace more.

But we have a Father who helps and guides us with our anger starting with a guilty conscience. Talking to a counselor, pastor or wise Christian is a good start. Writing down the anger and putting it away for a bit helps. Prayer definitely helps and is a way to decompress anger. We’re promised we will receive wisdom from the “Father of lights.” Sometimes we are angry at ourselves and it takes tons of digging to get to the heart of the matter. Our Father does not want us to live angry lives in this mixed-up and backward world. “A heart of peace gives life to the body.”

Musings

Albert Einstein said, “We can’t solve problems by using the same kind of thinking that created them.” “We have the mind of Christ” (1 Corinthians 2:16) so anger can be used properly or used for our Father’s will.

Prayer

Dear Father,

Thank you for our emotions. Some are so pleasant and some are so uncomfortable—warning lights that flash an urgent need or action.  Help us to honor all our emotions and to handle anger as your Son did with wisdom and love from above.

Amen.

“Arise, for it is your task, and we are with you; be strong and do it.” Ezra 10:4 ESV

“Without a purpose, life is motion without meaning, activity without direction and events without reason. Without a purpose, life is trivial, petty, and pointless.” Rick Warren

Get up.

Show up.

Never give up.

And that doesn’t mean you won’t stumble. As long as you get up, show up, you won’t give up. Wisdom may shout from the streets, but she is a demanding instructor.

We know what Jesus’ purpose was and is. Everything he said, did and prayed was for us. Love.

Now we must find our purpose.

Barnabas was called the Encourager. He brought many to the Christian faith. He worked with Paul and brought many Gentiles into the faith until… They parted ways because of the disagreement about John Mark. Paul did not want John Mark because he had failed him. Barnabas did want him, so he took John Mark on his expedition. He discipled John Mark who grew into a mature and effective Christian. Paul sent for John Mark in his later ministry because of this, calling John Mark useful. All things worked together for good. Purpose. They both aimed to bring many into the Christian faith, though they were very different in style and manner. However imperfectly, they loved God and learned to love others.

We start with the Great Commandment: “‘You must love the LORD your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your strength, and all your mind.’ and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’”

Then what?

That’s where passion comes into play, though it isn’t everything. We’ll get bored, discouraged and scared.

Talent? Yes, but it’s not everything.

Knowledge? Yes, but it can puff up. So can generosity.

If we love the Father and put our trust in Him, these things will become clearer.

So we get up, show up and never give up. True faith.

No one has a purpose in a vacuum. Others can point out our strengths, support and positive criticism, which is why a Christian family is so important. Prayer, of course, but bumps, entanglements and setbacks will occur. So, don’t give up!

Musings

It hurts sometimes to Get Up. Show Up. Never Give up.  It also requires a huge dose of humility, faith and patience–doesn’t every worthwhile challenge? The three questions: Is it true? Is it helpful? Is it kind? Is important too. We risk because there’s no other way. We will blow it. If our purpose is love, we’ll make a huge difference no matter the mistakes—the Bible is filled with imperfect people who had a purpose. Our Father will make it good according to His purpose.

Prayer

Dear Father,

Thank you for encouraging us every day to get up, show up and never give up. You’ve promised to be with us always, which empowers our faith daily. The little, everyday triumphs give us direction and purpose—Your purpose. It’s amazing when truly seeing how far we’ve come and how much has been accomplished!

With gratitude…

Amen.

“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.” 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 NIV

“The most beautiful people we have known are those who have known defeat, known suffering, known struggle, known loss, and have found their way out of those depths.” Elisabeth Kubler-Ross

There are no shortcuts to maturity. Suffering is another painful step toward maturity. It must be fully experienced to move forward. I watched on television a touching story of a retired Marine who helped a young Marine war veteran with unpredictable and agonizing PTSD. Both struggled greatly but they did so together. The older veteran said, “You’re not a victim. You’re a survivor.” Big difference! Their relationship became a beautiful work of faith.

Have you known someone who lost a pet and knew exactly how you felt when you lost yours?

Helping single young women start and maintain a career was my fondest and most challenging redemptive experience. Not victims. Survivors.

AA was founded by two alcoholics who could not stay sober. No longer victims of alcohol. Survivors.

Many in police work lost a loved one to crime.

Many abused children grow up and foster/counseled troubled and at-risk children. True and miraculous survivors.

Jesus was and is the perfect example of redemptive suffering. Easter. Resurrection Day!

Redemptive suffering. We become empathetic witnesses to the person suffering. A very critical step in healing. We comfort with the comfort our Lord gives.

The Apostle Paul was beaten, shipwrecked, hungry and cold to the point of death. Yet, he raised a boy from the dead (see Acts 20) and healed many but not himself. Luke seemed to be Paul’s constant companion and doctor to help heal his wounds—no quick fix for Paul. But his letters are rich with love, hope and grace, as a result of his pain. Redemptive suffering.

Musings

It stays with us, those scars of abuse, betrayal and abandonment but they’re not the whole story and not who we are. We become survivors and then Overcomers. Our stories are the redeemed feelings, wisdom and scar tissue we use to help others. We are commanded to comfort others, once we are secure with our Father and the loss. The loss you’ve experienced will not go unnoticed or prove not unfruitful, even though the understanding of our Father’s will in it may not be clear. Trust. Faith. Love.

Prayer

Dear Father,

We know that your ways are not our ways. We know leaning on our own understanding and not yours is dangerous. We can only comfort others with the comfort You abundantly pour on us. Help us be grateful despite suffering because we know You will use it for good. Now and forever.

Amen.

“Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.” Philippians 4:8

“We must accept finite disappointment but never lose infinite hope.” Martin Luther King, Jr.

Remember the story of the rich man who approached Jesus and asked how to get into the Kingdom of Heaven and Jesus told him to go and sell all he had and follow him? The rich man was so sure of himself because he kept the letter of the Law. He left very disappointed. There’s so much the rich man must have been thinking. He was humbled. Maybe he thought he could earn it (we’ve all done that). And to let go of great wealth? Wouldn’t we all struggle with that?

We all have and will be disappointed. With others, with circumstances, with God and with ourselves. Mostly expectations of how things should be and how they actually are.

We are disappointed daily with traffic, weather, loss of a client, unexpected bill and catching the flu. There are major disappointments too like someone leaving the faith, death, relapse and absent answers to prayer. Don’t “stack” your disappointments. An example of this is I woke up today with horrible allergy symptoms, the wind is roaring and the national news is awful. I just stacked these disappointments into a miserable day like a Costco warehouse!

Fixed mindset. Things shouldn’t be this way! No, they shouldn’t, but they are. We have daily mindset training, and Paul says beautifully how and what to think about in the above verse.  Martin Luther King reminds us that disappointment is everyone’s lot in life, though disappointments don’t last. Did your parents say, “The people in (some foreign country) would be glad to eat whatever food you disliked? (Peas, yuck) The start of a negative mindset. I still won’t touch peas.

There are no shortcuts to maturity. We change our minds so easily in some areas and dig our heels in others. So Paul tells us to think “about these things,” which puts us back into gratefulness. We may not feel grateful but we know we are. When I was commuting in a blizzard, anxiety and dread were strong! The vision of my car sliding into a pit was all I could see! I prayed for safety for myself and other commuters. My white-knuckling fingers relaxed on the steering wheel and the vision of having enough water in my drought-stricken area because of the snow helped me get home. Tuning the radio station dial to a positive Christian station helped. Mindset. Such a tough habit to form, especially under pressure! I have not fully accomplished this yet. A recent computer crash humbled me. Baby steps.

Self-Loathing. As the common phrase says, “Be patient with me. God isn’t finished with me yet” starts with you being patient with yourself. We have had years of disappointing thoughts and situations that it may take years to flip to hope and gratefulness consistently. I read, “It takes a day to grow a mushroom and years to grow a tree,” Our Father doesn’t change us overnight. He could but good character just isn’t an overnight achievement. With the Father’s help, we’ll have a new and positive mindset.

Musings

Sometimes we brush off disappointing circumstances and feelings but they must be faced especially our disappointments. But with grace and support, we improve much quicker and with gratefulness creative solutions appear.

Prayer

Dear Father,

We aren’t in heaven yet so disappointments are everywhere! Thank you for the discipline of centering our minds on much more fruitful and rewarding thoughts. We always have so much to be thankful for, starting with Your Son, Jesus.

Amen.

Are You Stuck Where You Don’t Belong?

“Do not cling to events of the past or dwell on what happened long ago. Watch for the new thing I am going to do. It is happening already—you can see it now! I will make a road through the wilderness and give you streams of water there.” Isaiah 43:18-19 GNTD

“You’re not stuck. You’re just committed to certain patterns of behavior because they helped you in the past. Now those behaviors have become more harmful than helpful. The reason why you can’t move forward is because you keep applying an old formula to a new level in your life. Change the formula to get a different result.” Emily Maroutian

New behaviors will need to be developed throughout all stages of life or we will be forever stuck. Thankfully, we have a Father who will help us. He clears the road and gives us refreshment and wisdom along the way. Practice makes excellence.

My latest challenge was widowhood. I needed a new formula. But what new formula? I couldn’t see past my all-encompassing pain and neediness. It truly was a wilderness!

First, I took it to my Father and prayed over and over. Finally, with support, time and awakening came acceptance. The formula I was applying to my new life wasn’t working because I didn’t “live” there anymore. Wifely responsibilities and all that come with being a wife were gone. Now I really needed my Father to show me the way. Being a wife was a description but it’s not all I am.

Patience. This one has always been a huge challenge for me in my “fix it now” world. A big, gaping hole was in my life but gently the Father showed me that first, I’m his child. He loves me more than my spouse, parents, friends and children. He has a place and works for me to do no matter my station in life.

When I became a wife, my single life formula didn’t work anymore and I willingly gave that up and practiced new behaviors, especially commitment. Will be tested.

When I became a parent, adult responsibilities became a new and challenging formula to practice. Midnight challenges from newborn feedings and colic to teenage years anxiously waiting for my teen to come home. He was way past his set curfew. Will be tested.

Retirement brings its own challenges such as loneliness, boredom, health issues and “what now” times.

Becoming a Christian is the most challenging formula, covering all of life’s stuck places with promise. Will be tested over and over. Other life changes don’t necessarily have promise. Becoming a parent can be riddled with pain. So is getting married. Starting college or a new career. Only our Father has the formula. We are to practice the new behaviors. We become unstuck. We become “New Creatures.” We practice for excellence.

Musings

Seasons of life must pass with new behaviors or we remain stuck. We’re always a parent but the relationship must change when our children grow up. Spouses may become chronically ill and our behaviors must change to care for them. Have you ever known someone in their adult years who was still acting like a child? Stuck. Same behaviors. Paul did. He said they were still on breast milk and not ready for meat in Corinthians. Immature. Ouch! Stuck. But we have the promise from the Father that there is a wonderful way for us with lots of practice and relationships.

Prayer

Dear Father,

The most important thing is to be yours and to imitate Your Son, Jesus. We fall so woefully short. Help us to relish the grace You pour upon us, especially during this holiest of times: Resurrection Day. Though we struggle to practice New Creation behaviors, we know you are there to make us more and more like Jesus. Transformation. Resurrection.

We thank you for the blood of Christ, grace and a whole new life with you.

Amen.