Christmas..."it's the most wonderful time of the year"! Right? That's what the song says. It's a time of celebration, of giving, of family, of traditions, of caroling... Yes, it truly is all of that - but what about those who are facing extremely difficult circumstances, for whom Christmas just seems to magnify the pain?
For instance, those who are grieving the death of a member of their family. I can't help but think of the Sproul family, who just days ago, suffered the loss of their mom/wife, to cancer. Or my friend Katie's family, who face their first Christmas without her. (I need to tell Katie's story sometime soon - I didn't know her for very long, but she made such an impact on my life. She's an incredible young woman...and I can't wait to see her again!)
For those who feel the absence of someone dearly loved, like a big, gaping hole in their heart...Christmas could become more of an ordeal, than a celebration.
There are many other things that can get in the way of the ever-elusive "perfect Christmas"...worry and stress over money problems, strained relationships, and of course, dealing with diseases - like PD, Alzheimer's, ALS, cancer, depression, anxiety, and so many more...
But when you look at the events of the first Christmas - the reason we celebrate today - the circumstances surrounding what happened were in no way "perfect". Mary, who was engaged to Joseph, was pregnant by the Holy Spirit. Mary knew this, and Joseph knew it (after an angel told him in no uncertain terms in a dream), and maybe just a few others (like Elizabeth), but to most people, Mary was a teenage, unwed mother.
The birth itself was hardly "ideal". She and Joseph were far away from home and family, there was no hospital, no doctor or midwife or even her mom, there was not an inn or a home to stay in. These two young people, who had not even consummated their marriage yet, went through labor and delivery all on their own...in a stable.
Oh, but the birth was very special - so very special! Because the Child was no ordinary human being. The Child was God, the Son - becoming flesh and blood, like us - to save us. In that dark night, as Mary endured the labor pains, and pushed with all her might, pushed through the pain, to give birth to this very special baby...everything changed.
Most of the world didn't have a clue of what a momentous event had just happened. Even those in Bethlehem just slept right through it. All except for a group of shepherds - God chose to share the good news with them - via His messengers, angels.
And the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of a great joy which shall be for all the people; for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord."
Those two little words, "for you" - they've had such an impact on me this year as I've read the Christmas story. I'm not sure I can really explain it...but when I think about what those words mean...there has been born for me a Savior...I get this warm, almost burning, awesome feeling deep in the center of my heart and soul - and it fills me with joy.
Christmas isn't about a "perfect" celebration here on earth - that's just not possible. Christmas is about a Savior who was born...for you...for me...for each and every one of us.
For the one who is grieving the death of someone dearly loved...a Savior has been born for you. He has come to conquer death and give us eternal life together with Him in God's kingdom.
For the one who is worried and stressed over money, or mistakes made...a Savior has been born for you. He has come to show us the Father's love, how He will take care of our every need, even our greatest need - forgiveness of our sins -and give us new life in His kingdom, beginning right now, here on earth.
For the one who has been hurt by others, or abused by someone in authority over them, or perhaps your heart is breaking over a child who has rejected you and is on a path of self-destruction...a Savior has been born for you. He has come to make you a part of His family, a child of God, adopted into God's kingdom, forever. He has come to forgive you of all your sin, and you in turn, can forgive others of their sins toward you. He has come to deliver you from anger and bitterness.
For the one who daily battles the degeneration of their body, mind, and/or emotions...a Savior has been born for you. He has come to save the eternal part of us - what is temporary will pass away, but He promises to hold onto that which is eternal, in fact, renew it every day, and one day, clothe that eternal "inner man" with a new body - that is imperishable.
Whatever the darkness is in your life, the good news of Christmas is that a Savior has been born...for you.
Thursday, December 15, 2011
Sunday, December 4, 2011
Good News ("Dreams", Part 2)
One more thing about the "vivid dreams" of PD (see previous post "Dreams") - I've often told my hubby that if I could write down these dreams, they would make great full-length movies. The nightmare would be along the lines of a Stephen King film...but it was far scarier than any movie I've ever seen. It was just evil. When I woke up, I was so relieved to finally "escape" the nightmare, but I was still afraid.
I reached for my Bible, started reading...and when I got to these familiar verses, that I've read and heard countless times before, they suddenly lit up my heart like the angels' sudden appearance to those shepherds out in the fields lit up the night sky:
And the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of a great joy which shall be for all the people; for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord." (Luke 2:10-11)
In the midst of my darkness and fear, the angel's announcement was good news of a great joy! With the memory of being trapped in a horrible place fresh on my mind, the angel's message that there had been born for me a Savior - and that this Savior was, in fact, Christ the Lord...mind boggling!
And it occurred to me, that we (humans) are, in many ways, living out that nightmare. We live in a world of darkness and evil, of grief and pain. There is no escaping it - just look at a newspaper, or turn on the tv for 5 minutes - it's right there. Murder, abuse, theft, hatred, lies, selfishness, deceit, etc... It goes on and on. Our family visited the Holocaust Museum last year - I'll never forget the shoes...so many shoes...shoes of those who had been thrown into the gas chambers. It was overwhelming - incredible what evil is in this world, and what man's inhumanity to man is capable of...slavery, Ku Klux Klan, the killing fields, ethnic cleansing, human trafficking, etc... And then there's poverty, natural disasters, and of course, illness and disease. There is so much suffering in this world.
Case in point, I have an uncle who is very special, and I've loved him as far back as I can remember. He's my mom's sister's husband, so he's not really related to me by blood - but that doesn't matter one bit. They've always lived far away from us, but we would often get together over the summer for vacations. The best one was when I was probably around 10 yo - we camped across the country and back - east coast to west coast and back again, hitting as many states as we could along the way. It was such an awesome trip.
I think what I associate most with Uncle Dick is laughter and joy. He's always ready with a zinger, or to laugh at one that was pointed his way. When I picture him in my mind, it's either with a smile on his face, or quietly reading with his pipe in his mouth. He's gentle, soft-spoken, so kind, and so much fun! He taught my sister and I this crazy piano duet that we'd take turns playing with him every time we got together. I knew Uncle Dick was smart, but not until I was much older did I realize how smart...he's a PhD, and although now retired, he was a professor of physiology at a major university, and specialized in some kind of research that I don't even know how to spell without looking it up.
And now, Uncle Dick has Alzheimer's - and it breaks my heart.
We live in a messed-up world. There is evil, there is darkness, there is suffering...because of sin. And we are locked in - we can't escape. There's nothing we can do about it.
That's why this is such good news:
"Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of a great joy which shall be for all the people; for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord."
Good news, indeed.
I reached for my Bible, started reading...and when I got to these familiar verses, that I've read and heard countless times before, they suddenly lit up my heart like the angels' sudden appearance to those shepherds out in the fields lit up the night sky:
And the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of a great joy which shall be for all the people; for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord." (Luke 2:10-11)
In the midst of my darkness and fear, the angel's announcement was good news of a great joy! With the memory of being trapped in a horrible place fresh on my mind, the angel's message that there had been born for me a Savior - and that this Savior was, in fact, Christ the Lord...mind boggling!
And it occurred to me, that we (humans) are, in many ways, living out that nightmare. We live in a world of darkness and evil, of grief and pain. There is no escaping it - just look at a newspaper, or turn on the tv for 5 minutes - it's right there. Murder, abuse, theft, hatred, lies, selfishness, deceit, etc... It goes on and on. Our family visited the Holocaust Museum last year - I'll never forget the shoes...so many shoes...shoes of those who had been thrown into the gas chambers. It was overwhelming - incredible what evil is in this world, and what man's inhumanity to man is capable of...slavery, Ku Klux Klan, the killing fields, ethnic cleansing, human trafficking, etc... And then there's poverty, natural disasters, and of course, illness and disease. There is so much suffering in this world.
Case in point, I have an uncle who is very special, and I've loved him as far back as I can remember. He's my mom's sister's husband, so he's not really related to me by blood - but that doesn't matter one bit. They've always lived far away from us, but we would often get together over the summer for vacations. The best one was when I was probably around 10 yo - we camped across the country and back - east coast to west coast and back again, hitting as many states as we could along the way. It was such an awesome trip.
I think what I associate most with Uncle Dick is laughter and joy. He's always ready with a zinger, or to laugh at one that was pointed his way. When I picture him in my mind, it's either with a smile on his face, or quietly reading with his pipe in his mouth. He's gentle, soft-spoken, so kind, and so much fun! He taught my sister and I this crazy piano duet that we'd take turns playing with him every time we got together. I knew Uncle Dick was smart, but not until I was much older did I realize how smart...he's a PhD, and although now retired, he was a professor of physiology at a major university, and specialized in some kind of research that I don't even know how to spell without looking it up.
And now, Uncle Dick has Alzheimer's - and it breaks my heart.
We live in a messed-up world. There is evil, there is darkness, there is suffering...because of sin. And we are locked in - we can't escape. There's nothing we can do about it.
That's why this is such good news:
"Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of a great joy which shall be for all the people; for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord."
Good news, indeed.
Saturday, December 3, 2011
Dreams
I had an awful nightmare last night. I can still remember it vividly, even though I'm trying not to. It was one of those dreams where you're experiencing everything firsthand - not a spectator - it feels like real life. And I couldn't escape...I couldn't get out. I knew what was coming, and I could not get away. The fear and horror that filled that nightmare lasted a lot longer than the dream. I was so scared. I can still feel it - it lingers.
One of the symptoms of Parkinson's, or a symptom of the medications (I forget which at the moment and I'm too tired to look it up), is vivid dreams. Check. I've definitely got that one. It's amazing how creative the mind is. These dreams are weird, wild, and always vivid. What does that mean? For me, it means they feel so real, and I remember so much of them, that when I wake up - I don't leave the dreams behind me, lost somewhere in the subconscious of my mind. They wake up with me, still in the forefront of my mind. I'd like to just shake it off, like a wet, soapy dog after (or during!) a bath, but that doesn't work. The solution I've found - is to have a Bible right there, within hand's reach, so that I can grab it and start drinking in those words of truth...and it washes the "yuck" away. Reading a Psalm, reading about Jesus' life on this earth from a Gospel, reading about an Old Testament life or event, reading a letter from Paul to a New Testament church...my heart and mind are cleansed of the remnants of the dream, and turned to praise and thanksgiving, and filled with joy and peace.
And that is a perfect example of how God works all things for good. Those dreams push me, force me - to do something that is so incredibly beneficial to my life - and yet something that I am too stubborn or too undisciplined or too weak - to do on my own. God's Word is life-transforming! And those times of reading, in my bed, in the stillness of the early morning, or the stillness of the night when I can't sleep - have become the most precious times of all!
"My soul is satisfied as with marrow and fatness,
And my mouth offers praises with joyful lips.
When I remember Thee on my bed,
I meditate on Thee in the night watches,
For Thou hast been my help,
And in the shadow of Thy wings I sing for joy.
My soul clings to Thee;
Thy right hand upholds me."
(Psalm 63:5-8)
One of the symptoms of Parkinson's, or a symptom of the medications (I forget which at the moment and I'm too tired to look it up), is vivid dreams. Check. I've definitely got that one. It's amazing how creative the mind is. These dreams are weird, wild, and always vivid. What does that mean? For me, it means they feel so real, and I remember so much of them, that when I wake up - I don't leave the dreams behind me, lost somewhere in the subconscious of my mind. They wake up with me, still in the forefront of my mind. I'd like to just shake it off, like a wet, soapy dog after (or during!) a bath, but that doesn't work. The solution I've found - is to have a Bible right there, within hand's reach, so that I can grab it and start drinking in those words of truth...and it washes the "yuck" away. Reading a Psalm, reading about Jesus' life on this earth from a Gospel, reading about an Old Testament life or event, reading a letter from Paul to a New Testament church...my heart and mind are cleansed of the remnants of the dream, and turned to praise and thanksgiving, and filled with joy and peace.
And that is a perfect example of how God works all things for good. Those dreams push me, force me - to do something that is so incredibly beneficial to my life - and yet something that I am too stubborn or too undisciplined or too weak - to do on my own. God's Word is life-transforming! And those times of reading, in my bed, in the stillness of the early morning, or the stillness of the night when I can't sleep - have become the most precious times of all!
"My soul is satisfied as with marrow and fatness,
And my mouth offers praises with joyful lips.
When I remember Thee on my bed,
I meditate on Thee in the night watches,
For Thou hast been my help,
And in the shadow of Thy wings I sing for joy.
My soul clings to Thee;
Thy right hand upholds me."
(Psalm 63:5-8)
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
It's a New Day
This morning is tough - had a pretty nasty fall yesterday, and there's an extra stiffness and soreness on top of the usual. I really don't want to move. Even more frustrating is the fog in my head - thinking clearly takes extra effort - and it's very annoying. It's so easy to get discouraged as I slowly and painfully start this day.
I have so much to do. One child is sick (and he has asthma - always an extra concern when he gets sick); one child just got braces, and she is hurting and needs my help; I need to do school with the younger three, and be here for the older two who are working hard at their jobs plus going to college - just want to make sure they're doing okay - and be available for whatever help and support they need. The list of things I want to do today to take care of my family and our home goes on and on... And here I sit. Stuck inside a body that just is not cooperating.
Thankfully, the dogs could care less how I feel - they need to go outside for their morning "constitutional". Once I get them and myself ready, we head out into the cold brisk air, and the sunshine, and the sound of birds singing...and I finally remember to "lift up my eyes"...
"I will lift up my eyes to the mountains;
From whence shall my help come?
My help comes from the Lord,
Who made heaven and earth."
Psalm 121:1-2
And as those verses come to mind, they are followed by these words of Jesus that have really caught my attention the last few days...
"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 shall find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy, and My load is light."
Matthew 11:28-30
And suddenly, I smile. The burden is lifted, I am not alone, and it's going to be okay.
It's a new day.
Thank You, Lord.
"God is our refuge and strength; A very present help in trouble." Psalm 46:1
I have so much to do. One child is sick (and he has asthma - always an extra concern when he gets sick); one child just got braces, and she is hurting and needs my help; I need to do school with the younger three, and be here for the older two who are working hard at their jobs plus going to college - just want to make sure they're doing okay - and be available for whatever help and support they need. The list of things I want to do today to take care of my family and our home goes on and on... And here I sit. Stuck inside a body that just is not cooperating.
Thankfully, the dogs could care less how I feel - they need to go outside for their morning "constitutional". Once I get them and myself ready, we head out into the cold brisk air, and the sunshine, and the sound of birds singing...and I finally remember to "lift up my eyes"...
"I will lift up my eyes to the mountains;
From whence shall my help come?
My help comes from the Lord,
Who made heaven and earth."
Psalm 121:1-2
And as those verses come to mind, they are followed by these words of Jesus that have really caught my attention the last few days...
"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 shall find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy, and My load is light."
Matthew 11:28-30
And suddenly, I smile. The burden is lifted, I am not alone, and it's going to be okay.
It's a new day.
Thank You, Lord.
"God is our refuge and strength; A very present help in trouble." Psalm 46:1
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
What do you do with a disease that won't go away?
What do you do with a disease that just won't go away?
I had a bad night last night, after an ever-increasing bad day - and I must admit, I feel better now, just being up and about. It's a new day. But the disease, with its ever-changing and increasing symptoms, hasn't gone anywhere. You just can't get away from it. It's always there - there's no break. There are ups and downs, that's for sure - and thank goodness for those "ups" - when you almost feel normal! But trying to stay "positive" or "keep your chin up" or "hang in there" - it just doesn't cut it. The reality is - despite all the medications, and procedures, and therapies, and surgeries that are available to help with the symptoms of Parkinson's (and I am thankful for every single one of them!) - the only thing that can be promised about the outlook for this disease...is that it will get worse.
So, what do you do?
You turn to the One who promises to never, ever leave you. You trust in the One who is the same - yesterday, today, and forever. You open His Word, you read His "Book of promises", and you hold them fast - because He who promised is faithful.
"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."
Isaiah 41:10
"When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;
And through the rivers, they will not overflow you.
When you walk through the fire, you will not be scorched,
Nor will the flame burn you."
Isaiah 43:2
"Nevertheless I am continually with Thee;
Thou hast taken hold of my right hand.
With Thy counsel Thou wilt guide me,
And afterward receive me to glory."
Psalm 73:23-24
"The Lord is my strength and my shield;
My heart trusts in Him, and I am helped;
Therefore my heart exults,
And with my song I shall thank Him."
Psalm 28:7
These words are truth - they satisfy my heart and soul like nothing else can. And nothing - no disease or sickness or injury or any circumstance of life - can negate them.
There's a lot being said these days about the nun who says she has been healed of her Parkinson's disease by the late Pope John Paul II. And as far as I understand it, that is considered a miracle, qualifying him for something called "beautification", and is the first of two miracles needed to make him a saint.
Many, many people rejoice over this, and will even travel to Rome for the ceremonies and celebrations. Needless to say, it will be a big deal. But there are also many people who are very angry about this - and really, looking at it through their eyes, I see their point. I've read several comments/articles from folks who have PD, but do not have faith in God. Their point is, to paraphrase - "...there is no "miracle", because there is no god - the nun probably didn't have PD at all, just something similar (there is no definitive test for PD). And, for whatever reason that this nun is healthy again - well, that's great for her - but what about all the others that still have/do have PD? Not only do we want to have nothing to do with religion, that very religion (in this case, the Catholic church) is standing in the way of our best chance for a cure - stem cell research!" (It may be phrased that way, but from what I've read, the Catholic church encourages adult stem cell research, and opposes embryonic stem cell research because the embryo - human life - is destroyed in the process.)
What do you do with a disease that just won't go away? Some look for miracles, and a miracle-worker; some look to science and research - but they're both looking for the same thing - someone to make the disease go away. From what I've read in His Word, I would humbly submit...they're both missing the point.
God, in His holiness, in all of His glory, is an awesome, powerful God. Of course, He is able to heal. But He does not promise healing - not in this world. He does promise, however, to be with us - every step of the way. And healing will come - for some, it may come on earth - but for those who are His children, in His heavenly kingdom, the promise is that we will be made new. The old things will pass away. The disease will be gone.
Many people will scoff at this - "It's just all a bunch of baloney. Only uneducated, ignorant fools believe such stuff - you can only believe what science proves." Well, I can't prove that God exists. I can't prove that He created the world. I can't prove that Jesus Christ, God's Son, came to this world, lived a sinless life, died on the cross as payment for the sins of the world, and rose again, triumphant over death. I can't prove the existence of the Holy Spirit, who God's Word says dwells in every child of His.
But I believe it.
There are lots of people smarter than me, but I'm not uneducated. I may be ignorant about some things, but I'm not "ignorant" in a general way. I study His Word, and the more I study - the more I believe it - all of it. In spite of everything that's going on with PD, and all the other trials and tribulations of living in this world... I have a joy and a peace in my heart that I know is not from me. It is His joy and His peace that He promised to those who believe in Him - it is His Spirit that is the source. It is like living water flooding my soul - and Jesus is that living water. It is an eternal, never-ending supply.
Praise be to His name!
So what do you do with a disease that just won't go away?
You take His hand, and take the next step - knowing that He will be there for every one, and that He will lead us all the way...home.
"Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, and to make you stand in the presence of His glory blameless with great joy, to the only God our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen."
Jude 24-25
I had a bad night last night, after an ever-increasing bad day - and I must admit, I feel better now, just being up and about. It's a new day. But the disease, with its ever-changing and increasing symptoms, hasn't gone anywhere. You just can't get away from it. It's always there - there's no break. There are ups and downs, that's for sure - and thank goodness for those "ups" - when you almost feel normal! But trying to stay "positive" or "keep your chin up" or "hang in there" - it just doesn't cut it. The reality is - despite all the medications, and procedures, and therapies, and surgeries that are available to help with the symptoms of Parkinson's (and I am thankful for every single one of them!) - the only thing that can be promised about the outlook for this disease...is that it will get worse.
So, what do you do?
You turn to the One who promises to never, ever leave you. You trust in the One who is the same - yesterday, today, and forever. You open His Word, you read His "Book of promises", and you hold them fast - because He who promised is faithful.
"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."
Isaiah 41:10
"When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;
And through the rivers, they will not overflow you.
When you walk through the fire, you will not be scorched,
Nor will the flame burn you."
Isaiah 43:2
"Nevertheless I am continually with Thee;
Thou hast taken hold of my right hand.
With Thy counsel Thou wilt guide me,
And afterward receive me to glory."
Psalm 73:23-24
"The Lord is my strength and my shield;
My heart trusts in Him, and I am helped;
Therefore my heart exults,
And with my song I shall thank Him."
Psalm 28:7
These words are truth - they satisfy my heart and soul like nothing else can. And nothing - no disease or sickness or injury or any circumstance of life - can negate them.
There's a lot being said these days about the nun who says she has been healed of her Parkinson's disease by the late Pope John Paul II. And as far as I understand it, that is considered a miracle, qualifying him for something called "beautification", and is the first of two miracles needed to make him a saint.
Many, many people rejoice over this, and will even travel to Rome for the ceremonies and celebrations. Needless to say, it will be a big deal. But there are also many people who are very angry about this - and really, looking at it through their eyes, I see their point. I've read several comments/articles from folks who have PD, but do not have faith in God. Their point is, to paraphrase - "...there is no "miracle", because there is no god - the nun probably didn't have PD at all, just something similar (there is no definitive test for PD). And, for whatever reason that this nun is healthy again - well, that's great for her - but what about all the others that still have/do have PD? Not only do we want to have nothing to do with religion, that very religion (in this case, the Catholic church) is standing in the way of our best chance for a cure - stem cell research!" (It may be phrased that way, but from what I've read, the Catholic church encourages adult stem cell research, and opposes embryonic stem cell research because the embryo - human life - is destroyed in the process.)
What do you do with a disease that just won't go away? Some look for miracles, and a miracle-worker; some look to science and research - but they're both looking for the same thing - someone to make the disease go away. From what I've read in His Word, I would humbly submit...they're both missing the point.
God, in His holiness, in all of His glory, is an awesome, powerful God. Of course, He is able to heal. But He does not promise healing - not in this world. He does promise, however, to be with us - every step of the way. And healing will come - for some, it may come on earth - but for those who are His children, in His heavenly kingdom, the promise is that we will be made new. The old things will pass away. The disease will be gone.
Many people will scoff at this - "It's just all a bunch of baloney. Only uneducated, ignorant fools believe such stuff - you can only believe what science proves." Well, I can't prove that God exists. I can't prove that He created the world. I can't prove that Jesus Christ, God's Son, came to this world, lived a sinless life, died on the cross as payment for the sins of the world, and rose again, triumphant over death. I can't prove the existence of the Holy Spirit, who God's Word says dwells in every child of His.
But I believe it.
There are lots of people smarter than me, but I'm not uneducated. I may be ignorant about some things, but I'm not "ignorant" in a general way. I study His Word, and the more I study - the more I believe it - all of it. In spite of everything that's going on with PD, and all the other trials and tribulations of living in this world... I have a joy and a peace in my heart that I know is not from me. It is His joy and His peace that He promised to those who believe in Him - it is His Spirit that is the source. It is like living water flooding my soul - and Jesus is that living water. It is an eternal, never-ending supply.
Praise be to His name!
So what do you do with a disease that just won't go away?
You take His hand, and take the next step - knowing that He will be there for every one, and that He will lead us all the way...home.
"Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, and to make you stand in the presence of His glory blameless with great joy, to the only God our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen."
Jude 24-25
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