We are definitely PLUGGERS

-PLUGGERS 

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Moo-oo-oose!

-Yellowstone FB 

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"Every heart has its secret sorrows, 

which the world knows not, 

and often times we call a man cold, 

when he's only sad."

-Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

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Isaiah 41:10

‘Do not fear, for I am with you;

Do not anxiously look about you, 

for I am your God.

I will strengthen you, 

surely I will help you,

Surely I will uphold you 

with My righteous right hand.’

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Prodigals: Going along with the Crowd

-Yellowstone FB

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"When a prodigal son wants to follow his appetites, or the latest fashion in idols, he tells himself that he has made a careful evaluation of everything when he is in reality just going along with the crowd. At such time, the last thing he wants to listen to is wise counsel."

-Phillip E. Johnson, The Wedge of Truth

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A Foundation in Freedom

-internet photo

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"Statesmen, my dear Sir, may plan and speculate for liberty, but it is religion and morality alone which can establish the principles upon which freedom can securely stand. 

The only foundation of a free constitution is pure virtue."

-John Adams, 21 June 1776

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Obstacles in Life

-internet photo 

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God's Creation up Close

-Yellowstone bird, FB 

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We will never take our lives here for granted. 

There is always something which we see in person, or like this Yellowstone bird photo, we see and, thus, admire the LORD's creation even more so.

We can see things we have never seen before or we can see the same things over and over and still be in awe over the LORD's designs.

Sunsets seem the same, but they are never exactly the same; beautiful clouds, storm clouds, lazy wind day clouds...bird flocks seem the same, but every time the joy is more heightened because we know who created these things. 

Praising the LORD for His creation!

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John 1:1-5

"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

He was in the beginning with God.

All things came into being through Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being.

In Him was life, and the life was the Light of men.

The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it."...

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Genesis 1:1-2

"In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.

The earth was formless and void, and darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was moving over the surface of the waters."...

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Colossians 1:13-20

..."For He rescued us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.

He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation.

For by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things have been created through Him and for Him.

He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together.

He is also head of the body, the church; and He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that He Himself will come to have first place in everything.

For it was the Father’s good pleasure for all the fullness to dwell in Him, and through Him to reconcile all things to Himself, having made peace through the blood of His cross; through Him, I say, whether things on earth or things in heaven."...

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2 Corinthians 5:17-21

..."Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come.

Now all these things are from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation, namely, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and He has committed to us the word of reconciliation.

Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making an appeal through us; we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. 

He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him."...

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As Lonely as a Fox at a Train Station?

-Scottish FB site

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How lonely are you?

Psalm 147:3

..."He heals the brokenhearted

And binds up their wounds."...

Romans 8:38-39

..."For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord."

Psalm 46:1

"God is our refuge and strength,

A very present help in trouble."...

Isaiah 41:10

‘Do not fear, for I am with you;

Do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God.

I will strengthen you, surely I will help you,

Surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.’

Matthew 11:28-30

...“Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest.

Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.

For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”

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Your loneliness can be solved if you allow yourself to trust in the One and Only, Jesus Christ, Savior of our Souls!

"To trust in Jesus as your Savior, you need to personally acknowledge your need for forgiveness, 

believe that Jesus died on the cross to pay for your sins, 

and choose to accept him as your Lord and Savior by surrendering your life to him through prayer and faith; 

this can be expressed by saying a simple prayer where you confess your sins, ask for forgiveness, and invite Jesus into your heart."

Got Questions

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Our House

-Non-Sequitur 

Thanksgiving

-internet Holly Hobbie

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Thankful for our Freedom here in the USA, but eternally Thankful for our Freedom in Jesus Christ! 

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Romans 8:1-11

"Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.

For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death.

For what the Law could not do, weak as it was through the flesh, God did: sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and as an offering for sin, He condemned sin in the flesh, so that the requirement of the Law might be fulfilled in us, who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.

For those who are according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who are according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit.

For the mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace, because the mind set on the flesh is hostile toward God; for it does not subject itself to the law of God, for it is not even able to do so, and those who are in the flesh cannot please God.

However, you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. 

But if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Him.

If Christ is in you, though the body is dead because of sin, yet the spirit is alive because of righteousness.

But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you."...

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PRAISE the LORD!!!

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You Don't Have to Defend the Truth

-Grizzly Bear;Yellowstone FB

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Truth is like a lion; 

you don’t have to defend it. 

Let it loose; it will defend itself.

-Augustine of Hippo (AD 354 to AD 430)

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God's Creation in our home.

This "little Bit" of a kitty grew into an enormous, lovable, sweet boy. We have had seven wonderful years with him. He has been a great blessing to us.

But today we groaned with Creation ....

Romans 8:18-25

..."For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us.

For the anxious longing of the creation waits eagerly for the revealing of the sons of God.

For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself also will be set free from its slavery to corruption into the freedom of the glory of the children of God.

For we know that the whole creation groans and suffers the pains of childbirth together until now.

And not only this, but also we ourselves, having the first fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our body.

For in hope we have been saved, but hope that is seen is not hope; for who hopes for what he already sees?

But if we hope for what we do not see, with perseverance we wait eagerly for it."...

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Jesus saves!

Acts 4:12

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A Happy Anniversary! I miss them so!

My Parent's, Kenneth and Roberta;  

my Father's parents, Ezra and Willhelmina; 

my mother's mother, Mildred, 

1950.

A precious couple; 

a loving mother and father.

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Walking in the Truth

 

3 John 1:2-4

..."Beloved, I pray that in all respects you may prosper and be in good health, just as your soul prospers.

For I was very glad when brethren came and testified to your truth, that is, how you are walking in truth.

I have no greater joy than this, to hear of my children walking in the truth."...

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-internet photo

This was my own choice of Scripture for my own treasured children.

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These things speak and exhort and reprove.

~Yellowstone FB

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Titus 2 

"But as for you, speak the things which are fitting for sound doctrine.

Older men are to be temperate, dignified, sensible, sound in faith, in love, in perseverance.

Older women likewise are to be reverent in their behavior, not malicious gossips nor enslaved to much wine, teaching what is good, so that they may encourage the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, to be sensible, pure, workers at home, kind, being subject to their own husbands, so that the word of God will not be dishonored.

Likewise urge the young men to be sensible; in all things show yourself to be an example of good deeds, with purity in doctrine, dignified, sound in speech which is beyond reproach, so that the opponent will be put to shame, having nothing bad to say about us.

Urge bondslaves to be subject to their own masters in everything, to be well-pleasing, not argumentative, not pilfering, but showing all good faith so that they will adorn the doctrine of God our Savior in every respect.

For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men, instructing us to deny ungodliness and worldly desires and to live sensibly, righteously and godly in the present age, looking for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus, who gave Himself for us to redeem us from every lawless deed, and to purify for Himself a people for His own possession, zealous for good deeds.

These things speak and exhort and reprove with all authority. 

Let no one disregard you."

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Joy is in Its Season

Autumn is such a lovely month.

All the harvests, all the changing of colors, the fresh clean air, and all the memories of families throughout the years.

All the baking, the autumn recipe aromas, the clearing out of the yards, and the cleaning of the house to decorate for autumn. The pumpkins from your garden which surprise you, and the placing of them on the porch.

All the get togethers with friends, specials church suppers, autumn drives to see the trees, and field trips with other seniors...

Autumn is Joy in Its Season!

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People tend to say: "The Mid-west is so Flat!"

-Autumn in the Mid-West USA

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This is a bike trail UP a high slope!

No, the mid-west is not all flat.

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God's Handiwork

 Psalm 19

The heavens are telling of the glory of God;

And their expanse is declaring the work of His hands.

Day to day pours forth speech,

And night to night reveals knowledge.

There is no speech, nor are there words;

Their voice is not heard.

Their line has gone out through all the earth,

And their utterances to the end of the world.

In them He has placed a tent for the sun,

Which is as a bridegroom coming out of his chamber;

It rejoices as a strong man to run his course.

Its rising is from one end of the heavens,

And its circuit to the other end of them;

And there is nothing hidden from its heat.

The law of the Lord is perfect, restoring the soul;

The testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple.

The precepts 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 forever;

The judgments of the Lord are true; they are righteous altogether.

They are more desirable than gold, 

yes, than much fine gold;

Sweeter also than honey 

and the drippings of the honeycomb.

Moreover, by them Your servant is warned;

In keeping them there is great reward.

Who can discern his errors? 

Acquit me of hidden faults.

Also keep back Your servant from presumptuous sins;

Let them not rule over me;

Then I will be blameless,

And I shall be acquitted of great transgression.

Let the words of my mouth and 

the meditation of my heart

Be acceptable in Your sight,

O Lord, my rock and my Redeemer. 

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Autumn in Glen Lyon, Scotland

-Scotland, FB 

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What happened to the Good Old Days?

-Schulz

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Veterans are Multi-faceted

 

The Super Heroes Among Us

 

Honor Our Country's Freedom: Paid with the High Cost of Lives Lost, and for Those Who Continued to Live.

Honor our Country for it is where we have received such freedom which the rest of the world desperately desires.

Veteran's Day: Our Freedom Protected by all Branches of the Armed Forces

Thank you all!

Meanwhile, Jesus paid it ALL!

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Colossians 1:13-14 ..."For He rescued us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins."...

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Autumn at Highclear

-FB photo

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Still..not as beautiful as the Mid-West, USA!  :o) 

 

Standing on Level Ground

-Scotland FB

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Psalms 26

Vindicate me, Lord, for I have walked in my integrity,


And I have trusted in the Lord without wavering.


Examine me, Lord, and put me to the test;


Refine my mind and my heart.


For Your goodness is before my eyes,


And I have walked in Your truth.


I do not sit with deceitful people,


Nor will I go with pretenders.


I hate the assembly of evildoers,


And I will not sit with the wicked.


I will wash my hands in innocence,


And I will go around Your altar, Lord,


That I may proclaim with the voice of thanksgiving


And declare all Your wonders.

Lord, I love the dwelling of Your house,


And the place where Your glory remains.


Do not take my soul away along with sinners,


Nor my life with men of bloodshed,


In whose hands is a wicked scheme,


And whose right hand is full of bribes.


But as for me, I will walk in my integrity;

Redeem me, and be gracious to me.


My foot stands on level ground;


In the congregations I will bless the Lord."

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One Room School

-internet; Iowa One Room School, Forest Grove near Bettendorf

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Just over the Rainbow

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It is a good day for a cookie

 -internet Scotsman cookies

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The Walking Wounded

-Schulz

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Ephesians 4:21-32

"... if indeed you have heard Him and have been taught in Him, just as truth is in Jesus, that, in reference to your former way of life, you are to rid yourselves of the old self, which is being corrupted in accordance with the lusts of deceit, and that you are to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, which in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth.

Therefore, ridding yourselves of falsehood, speak truth each one of you with his neighbor, because we are parts of one another. 

Be angry, and yet do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, and do not give the devil an opportunity. 

The one who steals must no longer steal; but rather he must labor, producing with his own hands what is good, so that he will have something to share with the one who has need. 

Let no unwholesome word come out of your mouth, but if there is any good word for edification according to the need of the moment, say that, so that it will give grace to those who hear. 

Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 

All bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and slander must be removed from you, along with all malice. 

Be kind to one another, compassionate, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you."

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It's the American Way

-PLUGGERS

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"You Do Not Oppress or Mistreat Others."

 -Warthog

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The LORD doesn't just award and bless "you and you and you....."

He doesn't give everyone a "red star" so others think you are wonderful.

The LORD doesn't think "you and you and you..." are better than everyone else, and so discounts everyone else.

He doesn't think "you and you and you..." are the best Christians out there because you do "this and this and this...".

He despises those who twist His own Words to use against others...so be very careful, you who think you are better than all others!

In fact He doesn't appreciate show offs and He hates false pride.

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"He wants His servants to be people of a pure heart and a clean mind. 

That sense of character is indispensable for believers to be effective in serving Christ. "

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"According to the Bible, God wants people to be kind, humble, and have a pure heart"

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"Micah 6:8 is a clear, crisp, and simple summary of what God expects from you and me. 

These three things that matter so much to God are the three things God wants to see in us: 

justice, kindness, and humility. 

To act justly is to treat people fairly and respectfully. 

You do not oppress or mistreat others." 

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Micah 6:8

 

..."He has told you, mortal one, what is good;

And what does the Lord require of you

But to do justice, to love kindness,

And to walk humbly with your God?"...

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1 Timothy 2:3-6

..."This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who wants all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.

For there is one God, and one mediator also between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus, who gave Himself as a ransom for all, the testimony given at the proper time."...

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2 Peter 1:5-11

..."Now for this very reason also, applying all diligence, in your faith supply moral excellence, and in your moral excellence, knowledge, and in your knowledge, self-control, and in your self-control, perseverance, and in your perseverance, godliness, and in your godliness, brotherly kindness, and in your brotherly kindness, love.

For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they do not make you useless nor unproductive in the true knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

For the one who lacks these qualities is blind or short-sighted, having forgotten his purification from his former sins.

Therefore, brothers and sisters, be all the more diligent to make certain about His calling and choice of you; for as long as you practice these things, you will never stumble; for in this way the entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ will be abundantly supplied to you."...

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Hebrews 10:21-26

..."since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us approach God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.

Let’s hold firmly to the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful; and let’s consider how to encourage one another in love and good deeds, not abandoning our own meeting together, as is the habit of some people, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near.

For if we go on sinning willfully after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins,"...

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Romans 5:8

..."But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us"...

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Go then and do likewise :o)

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Living by Our Own Time

-PLUGGERS

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You encircle me with Your strength

-internet Scotland

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Psalm 18

-Abridged

“I love You, Lord, my strength.”

The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my savior,
My God, my rock, in whom I take refuge;
My shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.

I call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised,
And I am saved from my enemies.

............

In my distress I called upon the Lord,
And cried to my God for help;
He heard my voice from His temple,
And my cry for help before Him came into His ears.

..............

He also brought me out into an open place;
He rescued me, because He delighted in me.

The Lord has rewarded me according to my righteousness;
According to the cleanness of my hands He has repaid me.

For I have kept the ways of the Lord,
And have not acted wickedly against my God.

For all His judgments were before me,
And I did not put away His statutes from me.

I was also blameless with Him,
And I kept myself from my wrongdoing.

Therefore the Lord has repaid me according to my righteousness,
According to the cleanness of my hands in His eyes.

With the faithful You show Yourself faithful;
With the blameless You prove Yourself blameless;

With the pure You show Yourself pure,
And with the crooked You show Yourself astute.

For You save an afflicted people,
But You humiliate haughty eyes.

For You light my lamp;
The Lord my God illumines my darkness.

For by You I can run at a troop of warriors;
And by my God I can leap over a wall.

As for God, His way is blameless;
The word of the Lord is refined;
He is a shield to all who take refuge in Him.

For who is God, but the Lord?
And who is a rock, except our God,

The God who encircles me with strength,
And makes my way blameless?

He makes my feet like deer’s feet, And sets me up on my high places.

He trains my hands for battle,
So that my arms can bend a bow of bronze.

You have also given me the shield of Your salvation,
And Your right hand upholds me;
And Your gentleness makes me great.

You enlarge my steps under me,
And my feet have not slipped

..............

For You have encircled me with strength for battle;
You have forced those who rose up against me to bow down under me.

 

You have also made my enemies turn their backs to me,
And I destroyed those who hated me.

...............

You have rescued me from the contentions of the people;
You have placed me as head of the nations;
A people whom I have not known serve me.

................

The Lord lives, and blessed be my rock;
And exalted be the God of my salvation,

The God who executes vengeance for me,
And subdues peoples under me.

He rescues me from my enemies;
You indeed lift me above those who rise up against me;
You rescue me from a violent man.

Therefore I will give thanks to You among the nations, Lord,
And I will sing praises to Your name.

He gives great salvation to His king,
And shows faithfulness to His anointed,
To David and his descendants forever.

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A Beautiful Season

 -Internet picture

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