Church Discipline; December 12, 2020

Posted on December 14, 2020 by jgarrott

1 Timothy 1:5 The goal of this command is love, which comes from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith.

Paul has just told Timothy to exercise Church discipline, calling people down for teaching unbiblical things. That’s not an easy thing to do, particularly since Timothy was still a fairly young man. Most societies tend to honor “the voice of experience,” but later in this same letter Paul tells Timothy, “Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young.” (1 Timothy 4:12) However, commands in the Church are never to be arbitrary. Over the past year we have seen many politicians giving commands and making regulations simply because they think they can, using all sorts of excuses for what is really a power trip. Sadly, that sort of thing happens in the Church as well, and Paul was accused of it at times. Here he tells Timothy what must be remembered with every command that is given in the Church. (It would be wonderful if that were the case in society in general as well, but that will have to wait for Christ’s return.) There are times when commands are called for. Current political correctness denies that, insisting on “tolerance” and “fairness,” all the while being totally intolerant of conflicting opinions, and particularly of sticking to the absolute standards of God. It would be bad enough if that were just in secular society, but it has invaded the Church as well. However, we must not let human anger control our response. We are to be firm indeed, defending God’s truth without wavering, but doing so in love, without hypocrisy. It’s no good whatsoever to command one thing and do another, as so many politicians are doing. Church leaders must not be politicians! Actually, it’s a very good thing that some pastors, such as Tony Perkins of Family Research Council, have gotten into the political arena, but that’s not what I’m talking about. Church leaders must not act on the basis of what will “get them votes,” as so many politicians do. The Church is to be true to Christ, regardless of public opinion.

As a pastor, this certainly applies to me! I have been involved in a situation where someone was invited to step down from the church Board, (and they left the church in response) but thankfully I was not the one expressing that directly, though I agreed with it. Telling someone you love them, but they are wrong and what they are saying/doing will not be allowed, is certainly never easy! We are all flawed human beings, and it’s certainly uncomfortable to be telling someone, “You’re more flawed than I am.” The thing is, the standard is never to be me, but Christ. I am to act always in humility, but with the sharp awareness that we are all accountable to God for the authority and opportunities He has placed at our disposal. I have a very strong conflict-avoidance response, but yielding to that has never cleared situations up, but rather allowed them to fester and worsen. I am to be faithful as a steward and shepherd, even when it takes me completely out of my comfort zone.

Father, thank You for this strong reminder. I pray that I won’t need it any time soon! Thank You for all You are doing in, around, and through me. The schedule is indeed packed from now through Christmas. Help me not fail to do the task at hand over worrying about the next thing on the schedule! I ask for physical strength to do all that is needed today, and wisdom not to do my back any more damage. I pray that I may be fully useful to You for Your will do be done on Your schedule for Your glory. Thank You. Hallelujah!

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Work; December 11, 2020

Posted on December 14, 2020 by jgarrott

2 Thessalonians 3:10 For even when we were with you, we gave you this rule: “If a man will not work, he shall not eat.”

It seems to me that this verse should be inscribed over the door of several US government agencies! This isn’t at all commanding a harsh attitude toward those who are unable to work, it is simply a strict stance toward freeloaders. The thing is, we are created to work, (Ephesians 2:10) and denying that harms everyone involved. One of the worst things about the shutdowns enacted out of fear of COVID is the denial of the right to work for so many people, and government handouts certainly don’t “solve” the issue. There are all sorts of work, from the highly physical to the strictly mental, and all of them have value and honor (provided the activity is moral). Instilling a work ethic is one of the most important things a parent can do for their children. The problem is, many if not most people are naturally lazy, and need incentives for their own good. Paul was very down-to-earth about it, saying that people who simply choose not to work are not to be fed. That is the opposite of politicians who try to buy votes with “free” government programs. Not only is nothing free (somebody has to pay for it), they are destroying the very people they claim to be helping. The conservative position is accused of being “heartless,” when that is a false characterization from the start. The Bible is very clear about support for “widows and orphans,” which can apply to all who are physically unable to work, but God, who is the ultimate source of everything we need, knows that we need to make productive use of that which He supplies to us.

It is very interesting that this should come right now, because I overdid things over the past couple of days and currently have lower back pain that makes me less than enthusiastic about doing anything physical! I’m grateful that I’m not totally immobilized, but I have a degree of empathy with my wife’s pain issues beyond what I have had before! Thankfully, the work for which I am paid is far more mental than physical, but I will certainly need help in completing the cleanup of the branches from our big tree being pruned this week. To be honest, I certainly have a laze streak, as much as most people, I would think. However, I certainly recognize the satisfaction in doing a job well, whether I am paid for it or not. When my parents were missionaries, I didn’t grow up with a firm connection between doing work and being paid, and that has been a bit of a liability. Instilling a work ethic is easier in a physical-labor situation. However, I do know that we are created to be God’s instruments to do His work, even if we sometimes need a kick to get us off our duff and get moving.

Father, thank You for this reminder, both in word and through my physical pain. Help me receive Your lessons however You give them to me, growing as You intend, to be and do what You desire, for Your glory. Thank You. Praise God!

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Love and Endurance; December 10, 2020

Posted on December 13, 2020 by jgarrott

2 Thessalonians 3:5 May the Lord direct your hearts into God’s love and Christ’s perseverance.

Paul has already expressed a very kind and and tender prayer of blessing in the last two verses of the previous chapter, and here he says this. Both of Paul’s letters to the Thessalonians indicate they were experiencing a good bit of opposition and persecution, and it’s very easy to get discouraged under such circumstances. That’s why Paul specifically mentions the two things here: God’s love and Christ’s perseverance/patience/endurance. The reason to point them to God’s love is that the devil loves to lie to us and say that what is happening to us is evidence that God couldn’t possibly love us, but when we see through the lie and realize the magnitude of God’s love, we can get through anything. There are many things we don’t understand, but when we hang onto God’s love, everything else falls into place. That enables us to indeed have Christ’s endurance. As it says in Hebrews, “Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” (Hebrews 12:2) This naturally brings to mind one of the signature verses of my ministry: “In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33) Remembering God’s love and Christ’s endurance will make us aware that God’s grace is indeed all we need. (2 Corinthians 12:9)

This is a very timely Word for me. I woke up before four, strongly aware of all the things I have to do within the next few days. At the same time, right now my wife is participating online in the graveside service for the wife of one of her cousins. The cousin himself is struggling with dementia, placing a total combined load on their daughter, an only child. My troubles are nothing compared to theirs! The thing is, God’s love and Christ’s endurance will get her through, and will get me through. I’m sure she needs wisdom for countless decisions, and I need wisdom for my tasks as well. Thankfully, the Bible promises that wisdom for those who acknowledge that they need it. (James 1:5) In my case, two things that really need to be settled today are the message for this coming Sunday, and the message for the interdenominational prayer meeting the following Wednesday, that needs to be decided for the sake of the person who is preparing the program. It would be simpler if I could use the same message, but some of our members participate in the prayer meeting, and God certainly isn’t short of things He wants to say! It is only when I focus on myself that everything seems overwhelming, because God is infinite, and He is never overwhelmed. As He has reminded me so many times over the past several years, I need to rest, relax, and rejoice!

Father, thank You for this reminder. Thank You for all the things that are on my slate. Thank You that the church’s big tree was trimmed so nicely on Tuesday. Thank You for the progress I made yesterday in getting the branches cut up. My body isn’t used to that degree of exercise, but You will get me through it. Thank You that the academic term is winding down, and for the three exams I have to prepare, as well as the review material for one of the classes. Thank You for the experience I have in that area. Thank You that I have trash duty this afternoon with the neighborhood association, and for the personal connections I have through that. May I do everything with joy as unto You, rejoicing that I am not a slave but a son, as You had me write just a few days ago. (Colossians 3:23-24) May my faithful obedience bring You joy and glory. Thank You. Praise God!

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Doing the Right Thing; December 9, 2020

Posted on December 13, 2020 by jgarrott

2 Thessalonians 1:11 With this in mind, we constantly pray for you, that our God may count you worthy of his calling, and that by his power he may fulfill every good purpose of yours and every act prompted by your faith.

In reading this chapter, I’ll confess my first reaction was to write on the comments about payback for those who work evil, since such people are very much in evidence these days, but I realize that wouldn’t be very edifying, either to me or to my readers. This verse, on the other hand, should be very comforting for everyone who is anxious about whether they have heard God right and are doing the right thing. Where the NIV says “every good purpose,” the Japanese says, “every desire that earnestly seeks good,” and they agree on “work of (prompted by) faith.” In other words, the desire to do God’s will is what is most important. Frankly, we don’t always get it right, but when we are focused on God, rather than on whether we will look good, He will work it out. As Paul wrote to the Philippians, we are to “not be anxious for anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present [our] requests to God, and the peace of God, which transcends all human understanding, will guard [our] hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:6-7) Frankly, uptight Christians aren’t much fun to be around, and they don’t represent Christ very well. We certainly aren’t to play fast and loose with faith and grace, as some seem prone to do, but we are to rest in the assurance that “it is God who works in [us] to will and to act according to His good purpose.” (Philippians 2:13)

I have had my struggles with concerns over whether I was doing the right thing, but looking back over my life I can see that God has been incredibly faithful, even when I wasn’t. Among many other things, He guided me to my wife when I wasn’t very focused on Him at all! Among my Faith Declarations I have this one: “By the grace of God, each day I am doing His perfect will more completely in my life, for it is written, ‘For it is God who is at work in you both to will and to do according to His good pleasure.’” (I formulated my Faith Declarations a long time ago, when translations other than the NIV were more prominent in my memory.) As I deal with others as a pastor and counselor, this is a principle I try to impart to those who have faith. God does work in those who haven’t yet opened their hear to Him, but it’s not something I or they can rely on. For believers, the important thing is to get familiar with the Bible so that it will be easier and easier to distinguish the lying voices that try to lead us astray. Another of my Faith Declarations is, “By the grace of God, each day I am more accurately detecting and resisting Satan, for it is written ‘Resist the devil and he will flee from you.’” (Of course, that comes after one that speaks of hearing and obeying the Holy Spirit.) I certainly can’t say I have always done, or always do, the right thing in every situation, but God has taught me that I couldn’t do it in my own strength and wisdom in any case, so I’m to trust Him.

Father, this is a major issue that a lot of people struggle with. Help me share Your truth and grace in Your love, so that more and more people may walk in the joy of Your salvation, for Your glory. Thank You. Praise God!

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Depending on God; December 8, 2020

Posted on December 10, 2020 by jgarrott

1 Thessalonians 5:23-24 May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do it.

I can’t read this passage in Japanese without singing it, because it has been set to music exactly from the translation I use, and it’s a very catchy tune. This whole section, from verse 12 on, has a lot of direct statements that are quoted fairly often, but taken as a whole they can be pretty overwhelming. I mean, who does everything right? That’s why Paul wraps it up with these two verses. Verse 23 makes it clear that he is indeed talking about perfection, when perfection is impossible for human beings, but then he flips it around and says that even though it’s impossible for us, God will take care of it. The Japanese here uses a term that basically means “positively,” saying, “He will positively do this.” The composer of the musical arrangement made only one adjustment to the text, and that was to repeat the word, “positively,” singing it a total of three times for emphasis, and then repeating the whole phrase for a total of six times. We need that assurance! If we think we can make it on our own, that is hubris. That’s a term the Greeks came up with to mean “stupid pride that denies God.” If we just look at ourselves, our resources and our abilities, we’re strongly tempted to give up before we start. It is only when we rely on the only One who is perfect that we can have peace with the call to be perfect ourselves. Paul is reminding us that we are called by a perfect God, and He can be relied on to accomplish in and through us anything He calls on us to do.

Of course, this applies to me as much as it does to anyone. Hubris was the name of my game for part of my life, and when God popped that bubble, in all kindness and mercy, it was devastating. Just as I struggle with my own lack of perfection, I have to deal constantly with the lack of perfection in others. That’s actually my job, as a pastor. I am constantly to point people to Jesus, because as the song from 50 years ago says, Jesus is the answer. That applies to everything. (And no, the answer isn’t 42, though I do enjoy Douglas Adams’ books.) I am sharply aware of God’s grace toward me, and I need to be an instrument of that grace toward everyone around me. None of us deserve to have it easy, but God loves us anyway. I need to keep my focus on my Lord so consistently that everyone who looks at me may be drawn to Him as well.

Father, I’ve again stated something that is impossible in my own strength and purity. Thank You for the further reminder that I’m totally dependent on You, and that’s a good thing. I ask You to keep working in and through me, just as Paul talks about here, so that You may be glorified by all that I am, say and do. Thank You. Praise God!

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Endurance; December 7, 2020

Posted on December 10, 2020 by jgarrott

1 Thessalonians 1:3 We remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.

I know I have written on this verse multiple times in the past, but it is so outstanding that I can’t resist writing on it again. We are so prone to separate our lives, and our hearts, into little boxes, when it is all interrelated, and all important. This verse particularly speaks to the “faith vs. works” argument that has surfaced multiple times over the course of Church history. As the Thessalonians exemplified, genuine faith will prompt action, and love will make us work hard at it. However, the world is not an easy place to live, and it takes hope in Christ Jesus to give us the endurance to get through it all. One of the “signature” verses of my ministry is where Jesus addressed that last issue. “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33) Jesus knew what He was talking about! As the world has become so much more convenient, materially speaking, with computers, cell phones, microwaves, and the like, we tend to demand that everything be instant, and that’s not how it works. Having things easy fosters immaturity, and that can spoil the whole thing for us. Right now our faith and patience are being tried in relation to last month’s election in the US, but things are being uncovered more and more, and evil is being exposed. We need to exercise the things mentioned in this verse in every area of our lives, so that God’s will may be done in and through us, for His glory.

At 72, I’ve had to learn a few things about patient endurance! To be honest, I still haven’t seen the outpouring of the Holy Spirit in Japan for which I and my parents before me have labored, going back to 1934. However, I still have faith, love, and hope, and God’s grace is sufficient for me. (2 Corinthians 12:9) I don’t know how much longer I’ll be exercising those things on this earth, but Cathy had an aunt live to 100, and her current oldest aunt is 95, so I have a few examples to follow! I am not to draw back from any task the Lord sets for me, and I am to remember that He sees the end from the beginning; He knows how it all turns out. Accordingly, I am to rest, relax, and rejoice in Him as I focus on daily, faithful obedience.

Father, thank You for this reminder. Thank You for how You are working out all the details of my life. May I be anxious about none of it, but rather do everything as a sacrifice of praise and thanks to You, for Your glory. Thank You. Hallelujah!

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Slavery; December 6, 2020

Posted on December 9, 2020 by jgarrott

Colossians 3:23-24 Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.

This passage is fairly well known, being used to encourage all sorts of people, so it is actually rather shocking to realize it is addressed to slaves. This in no way justifies the practice of slavery, but slavery has in fact been endemic throughout human history. What I get from this passage, all the way through 4:1, that addresses people who own slaves, is that no human excuse can stand before God. We are experts at blaming this, that, or the other in our circumstances for how we act, but a correct reading of the Bible blows all that away. Even if we are considered the physical property of another human being, as much of an abomination as that is, we belong first to God, and we are accountable to Him. Accordingly, our lives are to be lived to and for Him, just as Paul says here. Paul uses a slavery analogy extensively in talking about sin and righteousness in Romans 6. It was an image that his readers at the time could understand very well, and it had nothing to do with race, because people of every race at that time were enslaved, quite often by people of their own race. His point there is, “Don’t you know that when you offer yourselves to someone to obey him as slaves, you are slaves to the one whom you obey–whether you are slaves to sin, which leads to death, or to obedience, which leads to righteousness?” (Romans 6:16) That ties in perfectly with what he says here. When our focus is on Christ and serving Him, then whatever we are called on to do is rewarded by Him, and all excuses evaporate.

I’ve never been in a position of physical slavery, thankfully, but I have known many people who felt trapped in their jobs, slaves in all but name. Perhaps the closest I came was when I was in the Army, when disobedience had swift consequences. At that point I wasn’t walking with the Lord, so I missed many of the benefits I could have gotten, but really, once I was out of training it wasn’t bad. Thankfully I was never sent to a war zone. Still, the idea of absolute obedience is a concept I have in my brain but don’t always live out from my heart. Honestly, I don’t always do everything as unto the Lord, even though I know that is the way of greatest blessing. I complain and grumble about all sorts of things, at least internally, when if Jesus were to appear and tell me to do something I would fall all over myself trying to get it done. I need to remember the truth of what Paul says here all the time, and walk in gratitude that I am given the opportunity to serve my Lord.

Father, thank You for this reminder. Grumbling never improves anything! You have been more than gracious toward me. Help me maintain gratitude at all times, whatever the task at hand, because that is the way of greatest blessing for me and those around me, and glory for You. Thank You. Praise God!

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Rescue; December 5, 2020

Posted on December 9, 2020 by jgarrott

Colossians 1:13-14 For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.

The Bible tells us many times in many places why Jesus was born on this earth, suffered, died, and rose again, and this is one of those places. We don’t often think in terms of dominions, but they are real nonetheless. (As a side note, it’s interesting that those three words run together have been accepted as a single word for hundreds of years, because they do express a single idea.) To use modern imagery, you could say that Jesus was God’s “seal team,” sent on a mission into enemy territory to rescue those held hostage to sin. His weapons and tactics were very different from a military unit, and they required His ultimate sacrifice, but they were totally effective. The problem is, so many of the hostages have “Stockholm syndrome,” identifying with and acting on the side of their captor. The first step in rescue is for the captives to recognize they have been captured! That’s what evangelism is all about. Most people have some idea that things aren’t right, but apart from the eye-opening work of the Holy Spirit they can’t put their finger on it, much less act to correct it. The job of those who have already accepted their “rescue” is to let others know that it is available, sharing how God intervened in their life so that others too may have the hope of salvation.

I was in the anomalous situation of being raised in a thoroughly Christian home, so I had little understanding of the “dominion of darkness,” particularly in regard to my being imprisoned by it. I loved Jesus, and at age seven I requested and received baptism, in what I think was a genuine commitment. However, after that I wandered off into enemy territory, not understanding the necessity of keeping the lines of communication open to my Commander, the Lord Jesus Christ. As a result I ignored orders, even when I heard and even recognized them, and did damage to myself and others. Now, at 10 times my age when I was baptized, I am still not immune to the tricks and deceptions of the enemy, but I know fully whose side I am on, in which kingdom I am a citizen. I am charged with inviting others to cross over, to come out of the darkness into the light of life, but I can’t force anyone to follow through. Thankfully some do, and I am to train them in the ways of God’s kingdom, since they know essentially nothing about it. In that, I am to be a good and clear example, showing others how to follow Christ by doing so myself. When I slip up, my repentance needs to be instantaneous, knowing that the Holy Spirit in me is far greater than my flesh or the devil. (1 John 4:4) That will keep me available for however my Lord wants to use me.

Father, thank You for this reminder. Thank You that Ann got off safely yesterday, and should be arriving in the US shortly. I pray that her arrival would be smooth and her recovery from jet lag swift. I pray that there would be no barriers to her reentry into her full life there, with family, church, and work. May we all be operating as Your agents doing Your will all the time, for Your glory. Thank You. Praise God!

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God’s Supply; December 4, 2020

Posted on December 7, 2020 by jgarrott

Philippians 4:19 And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.

This verse is widely quoted, with a variety of motives. Sadly, one of those motives is self-centered greed, but it actually doesn’t apply there at all. In context, the Philippian believers were obviously following what Jesus said about seeking first God’s kingdom and His righteousness in Matthew 6:33, so what He said there about God meeting needs was fully applicable. Paul wasn’t being original here! Another, often overlooked factor is that of what we actually need. A lot of people try to claim this verse in relation to their wants, rather than asking God what their true needs are. God isn’t stingy in the least, but some of the things on our “wish lists,” far from being things we need, would actually be bad for us. We are to rest in the assurance of God’s supply for our needs, but not get grabby about all the things the devil and the world dangle in front of us.

I have used this verse as part of my faith declarations for many years, and I have certainly found it to be true. At the same time, I have had to learn the difference between needs and wants, or even appetites. Just because I want something doesn’t mean that God is in any way obligated to give it to me. There have been moments when it has seemed like God had failed me, but they were simply to test my faith and teach me to place Him first in my heart and mind. I can’t say that I don’t have twinges of wondering where the money is going to come from, but God has given me every reason to rest, relax, and rejoice in Him. I have never had a huge bank balance, but if I did, I’m all too confident my focus on God as my supply would be dulled. I am all too prone to rely on what God has already provided, rather than seek Him each moment for whatever is necessary for what He wants me to do, whether that necessity is money, wisdom, or anything else. Japanese car manufacturers were NOT the ones to come up with the “just in time” supply chain! I am to focus on doing what God tells me, rather than on whatever I think I will get out of that activity. My job is obedience; rewards are His territory.

Father, thank You for this reminder. Thank You for the past three weeks with our younger daughter Ann here. Thank You for bringing everything into line for her return to her family today. I do pray that the bus ride, the flights and the layovers would be as pleasant as possible, and that she would get over jet lag promptly, “hitting the ground running” with her family, her church music ministry on Sunday, and her job from Monday morning. Thank You for her desire to bless her parents, and for the considerable effort and trouble she went to in order to do so. I ask You to reward her abundantly for this in every way, for Your glory. Thank You. Praise God!

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Knowledge; December 3, 2020

Posted on December 7, 2020 by jgarrott

Philippians 1:9-11 And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ–to the glory and praise of God.

I often quote verse six of this chapter, writing it in the Bibles of new believers and such, but these three verses flesh out what verse six is talking about. This really is the image of a well-rounded believer, someone who knows God and knows about God and lives in accordance with that knowledge. As long as we are in our fleshly bodies on this earth there are limits to how much we can really know of God, as Paul famously wrote in 1 Corinthians 13:12, but the challenge isn’t just to know more, it’s to put into practice what we do know. Because of cultural Christianity, very many Americans know the basic facts of the Gospel, but a sadly small number of them have really applied those facts to their own lives and circumstances. Japanese, on the other hand, often know next to nothing of the Gospel, but even when they hear it they have trouble grasping that it applies to them, that they are sinners in need of salvation. Our knowledge of God must translate from our head to our heart. As Paul wrote to the Corinthians, “Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up.” (1 Corinthians 8:1) The flip side of that is that love without knowledge can stop with emotion, and emotion is notoriously unreliable. Paul knew that the Philippians loved God, so he wanted their love to be rooted in an accurate understanding of God, enabling them to live lives fully pleasing to God.

This is of course what I desire for those in my care, but it’s not something I can make happen by my own efforts. I’ve got to be active in the process, but I’ve got to be fully yielded to God for Him to do the work through me, if He chooses to use me at all. I’m not to hold anything back, but share the riches of God’s Word in all love and compassion. Even so, I can’t take credit for any successes, because it is only by the Holy Spirit that God’s truth really takes root in people’s hearts. Looking back over my own life, I see that I had spiritual advantages far beyond those enjoyed by most people, but my life has been a textbook illustration of James 1:22. “Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves.” Head knowledge by itself just leads to conceit. I quoted Paul to that effect just above, and my life has been an illustration of that truth. God has had to attack my pride many times and in many ways, and I’m sure He’s not through yet, because I can be very stubborn. However, my desire for myself is identical with my desire for those in my care, and it is just as Paul has written here.

Father, thank You for this reminder, and for showing me how this can be a Christmas message. I ask for Your clear guidance and anointing as I prepare the notes, that I may say exactly what You are saying and nothing else, for the blessing of all who hear and for Your glory. Thank You. Praise God!

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