FULL OF JOY! REJOICE!!

PHILIPPIANS 4:4

MY FRIEND, LISA, WHO LIVES HERE IN THE OMAHA AREA, 

HAD BEEN DOING SOME NURSING IN THE

TACOMA AREA.  SINCE I WAS RAISED

IN THAT AREA AS A KID,

AND HAVE SISTERS AND FRIENDS AND

NIECES AND NEPHEWS AND

LOTS OF OTHERS OUT THERE,

I TOOK A PLANE OUT SO

I COULD SPEND HER LAST FEW DAYS THERE WITH HER.

I WANTED TO SHOW HER AROUND 

THE PARKS AND THE PUGET SOUND AREA AND MY FAVORITE DINNER PLACE.  AND MY FAVORITE COUSINS,

MY SISTER AND FRIENDS.

WHAT A WONDERFUL TREAT TO SPEND THOSE 

DAYS LAST AUGUST TO SHOW LISA AROUND.

MY SISTER, BETTY, TOOK THE PICTURE.

 LISA GAVE BETTY, AND

MY COUSIN SHARON,

ALL THE STUFF LEFT FROM HER

LIVING PLACE WHEN SHE WAS HEADING 

TO SEA-TAC GET TO OMAHA. 

HUNDREDS OF PIECES OF FOOD AND MANY OTHER PIECES

WERE SPREAD AROUND AND SHARED.  

IT TRULY WAS A BLESSING.

SO, WHEN THERE, WE WERE FILLED WITH

THE JOY OF THE LORD

AND WE WERE REJOICING,

TOGETHER OR SEPARATELY.

SHE'S BEEN A TREAT TO ME HERE IN OMAHA

AND THEN A TREAT IN TACOMA.

I STAYED ANOTHER 3 DAYS AFTER LISA LEFT

WITH FAMILY AND FRIENDS BEFORE HEADING HOME.

MISS IT ALL SO VERY MUCH!!

AND SUDDENLY I GAINED A "GRANDSON".

WE'VE BEEN TALKING OCCASIONALLY.

WANT TO SEE HIM AGAIN WHEN I'M OUT THERE

AND I WANT HIM TO MEET MY HUSBAND, 

HIS "GRANDPA".

HE IS MY LIGHT; NO FEAR ALLOWABLE.

IN 1991, WHEN DAVE AND I, A FEW MONTHS AFTER

MY DAUGHTER HAD MARRIED,

 WE TOOK THE TWO OF THEM UP TO 

THE LAKE SUPERIOR AREA.

  WENT TO SOME REALLY WONDERFUL PLACES,

AS USUAL FOR DAVE AND I.

WELL, DAVE AND I HADN'T STOPPED AT GOOSEBERRY SP BEFORE, AND DID IT THEN.  LOOKED LIKE FUN.

HOWEVER, THE TWO OF THEM AT GOOSEBERRY

WERE STEPPING STRONGLY ONTO A

ROCKY AREA AND COULD FALL INTO THE

 STRONG STREAM AND THEN BE HIT INTO THE LAKE.

I WAS HORRIFIED AND VERY FRIGHTENED.

THINGS WORKED OUT VERY QUICKLY,

AND VERY WELL.

HOWEVER, BEFORE THEN, AND NOW, AND FOREVER...

THE LORD IS MY LIGHT AND SALVATION

AND EVEN WHEN I'M FEARING

AT SOMETHING OR SOMEONE,

HE ALWAYS BREAKS THROUGH AND

LEADS ME TO REJOICING 

AND WORSHIPING AND PRAYING

AND PRAISING HIM.

MOMENT-BY-MOMENT, DAY-BY-DAY! 

OUR HEAVENLY FATHER IS BIRDY!

WHAT A TREAT TO SEE THEM AND

TO KNOW THAT OUR HEAVENLY FATHER

TAKES CARE OF THEM...

AND, THANKFULLY,  FOR US, TOO. 

 

LOVE AND COUNT ON JEHOVAH!

 

THIS WORD HIT ME THIS MORNING AND I FOUND

A PHOTO, AFTER LOOKING THROUGH HUNDREDS

I'D TAKEN ON MY TRIPS TO THE NW.

SUDDENLY, PUTTING THIS ON,

I REALIZED I'VE USED THE WORD BEFORE

ON THE SAME PHOTO IN THE PARK AREA.

GLAD THE LORD OPENED IT TO ME AGAIN --

HEART, SOUL, AND SPIRIT, TODAY.

 AND TOOK THIS PHOTO ABOUT 8 YEARS AGO.

HE AMAZED ME AGAIN TODAY.  I'M GRATEFUL!!

DOING ALL THINGS THROUGH HIM!

THAT'S WHAT I RELY UPON AND KNOW IT'S

ABSOLUTELY TRUTHFUL IN THE WORD.

I'M A ROOT, NOT A FLOWER!

I SHOWED THIS A YEAR OR SO AGO,

AND AM SHOWING NOW, AGAIN.

IT IS TRULY ONE OF MY GOD-JOBS.

SOMETIMES I'VE WANTED TO BE ONE OF THE 

LEAVES, FLOWERS, OR A SPECIAL BRANCH.

INSTEAD, THE LORD HAS USED ME TO GO OUT

AND ABOUT AND WATCH AND STEP AND DO

WHATEVER IS NEEDED AND NECESSARY.

WITH MY PRESENT-DAY AGE THING AND

MY STRUGGLES WITH AND FOR

DEMENTIA AND VARIOUS BODY ISSUES,

ALL I CAN DO MOST OFTEN IS

WORSHIP, PRAISE, AND PRAY

FOR HIM...

MOMENT-BY-MOMENT,

DAY-BY-DAY.

AND THIS IS MY MAIN SPIRITUAL BIBLE VERSE

THAT HE LAID ON ME YEARS AND YEARS AGO.

BUT HE'S ALL THAT COUNTS, FOREVER.

THAT'S MY FOCUS!!

LOOKING FORWARD TO HEAVEN!

THE TRUTHFULNESS OF ALL OF AND FOR ALL OF US.

OUR LORD IS ALL WE CAN EVER TRULY 

LOOK FORWARD TO AND VISITING AND

DANCING AND SINGING

IN HEAVEN.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------

AND BEING IN KABUJAGERA, UGANDA, FOR A COUPLE DAYS IN

 NOVEMBER, 2003, AND BEING A PREACHING AND A TEACHING

LADY, WAS A REAL TREAT FOR ME.  THEY PUT UP WITH ME

 RE: THE SPIRITUAL WARFARE ISSUE I WAS TAKEN TO BE THERE.

 SURE WOULD LOVE TO SEE THEM AGAIN!

  

 AND MOST OF THESE MEMBERS WERE PASTORS FROM SMALL

PLACES, MILES AND MILES AND MILES OUTSIDE OF

THIS SMALL TOWN.  THEY HAD VERY LITTLE MONEY

AND THEY GOT ON BIKES OR HOPPED ONTO A 

TRUCK WITH PILES OF PEOPLE AND THINGS.

THEY TRULY WANTED TO KNOW MORE AND MORE

RE: THE SPIRITUAL WARFARE.  

MY FRIEND, TIM, HAS BEEN A VERY IMPORTANT

PASTORAL PERSON IN UGANDA AND HE'S IN

TULSA, OK, AND GOES OVER SOMETIMES AND 

CONTINUES TO PREACH AND TEACH AND ENCOURAGE

RE: AS I ALREADY SAID, SPIRITUAL WARFARE.  

AND THE PASTOR IN THE MIDDLE WITH TIM

WAS BOTH THE LOCAL PASTOR AND

THE PASTOR WHO WENT OUT TO MANY

OF THE VILLAGES, BECAUSE ALL THOSE

CHURCHES WERE ALSO SPIRITUALLY HIS.

A BLESSING TO BE WITH MY DEAR FRIENDS!
 ======================
 AND MY OTHER MAIN MOMENT WHEN

THEY HAD ME HOLD A BRAND NEW 

LITTLE GIRL  AND NAME HER!

 LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING SO MANY I'VE MET 

IN MY NEIGHBORHOOD, MY FAMILY AND FRIENDS 

MOSTLY IN THE NORTHWEST,

 AND OTHER PARTS OF OUR NATION, 

AND OTHER NATIONS DAVE AND/OR I HAVE BEEN AT.

LOVE SO MANY!  MISS SO MANY!  

MARY MAGDALENE ... MY MONOLOGUE

                        MARY MAGDALENE MONOLOGUE
                              Written January, 1985

     This has been performed a number of times, both at churches and in homes, in our nation and others, especially Uganda.  My husband has often played the hymn, “I Come to the Garden Alone” at the beginning, and, as a pianist, created music to help shift from phase to phase.  I wrote a poem called “Slave of Love” when writing the monologue.  Dave shortly after our relationship began a few months after the monologue was written and performed the first time, he immediately sat at the piano and added the music.  It is a truly beautiful song. [I now included the poem in this monologue, so it will touch your heart, just as it touched mine.]
     The monologue was based, obviously, on the Mary Magdalene Story, labeled as Scenes originally, not chapters.  At the beginning, about 32 years ago, I felt blessed to have heard the Lord tell me what to write and why to write it.  What did I understand immediately?  That it was to touch hearts, open spiritual doors, and encourage ladies who had been through difficult and disastrous times.  He would break through the hard walls that surrounded them with fear, sorrow, and sin.
     Since then, the purpose has not changed.  How could it?

==============================================

(Hymn: I Come To The Garden Alone)

     Welcome to the garden.  Isn’t it beautiful?  I come here often, but never without feeling I am on holy ground.  People think I'm foolish; they've told me, "Jesus is no longer in the Garden, you are wasting your time.  And, of course, I laugh.  I know He's not here.  I saw Him ascend.  A smile, a loving look, and suddenly, He was suspended above me, moving slowly upward, gradually encompassed by the clouds.  He even reminded us once more that He had to leave so the Comforter could come.  I didn't understand – then – but I didn't need to.  I was at peace.  My heart was so full of love towards the Father and His Son, there was no room for grief or sorrow.  But, in spite of my joy – in spite of the wonder of that day – my place of peace is this Garden.  I find visits to this quiet shaded haven refreshing and renewing.  As Abram and Jacob returned to Beth-el and found there a renewing of their covenants with God, so coming here provides a renewing of my spirit.

(Interlude)

     Jesus is my Lord and my Savior, my Brother, but, mostly, Jesus is my Friend.  In fact, He was my first friend.  Shortly before I met Him, I decided my life was worthless...less than worthless...and I would end it.  My heart was desolate.  I searched my heart – wandered endlessly through the dark, narrow bends of memory – for a reason to live, and found none.  Momentarily, I recalled the Law, and knew that to kill myself was to murder, but Law gives no hope--and without hope there is no life. 
     At night I lay staring into the murky darkness, listening to the wind rustling the leaves of the olive trees outside the window.  I longed for sleep, but true sleep was a vestige of the distant past.  Instead of relief and rest, sleep brought dreams..and voices...ghosts to taunt, looming "beings" to mock me.  

[Interlude]

     With no one to save me from my private and very real hell, I sank farther and farther into a pit of despair.  I knew so well the ugly face of sin with its bitterness, hatred and despair.  Yes, Oh, yes!! I wanted to die.

[Interlude]

     And then Jesus came.  Jesus, the teacher from Nazareth, the Healer...the rumored Restorer of Israel, and awaited Messiah.  Not only was he strong and handsome, taller than King Saul must have been, a true seed of King David, but he was the first man I'd ever seen who wasn't afraid to be tender.  When he held babies in his arms or touched people with his calloused carpenter hands, he was gentle as a summer breeze.  
     The first time I saw him he was pressed in on all sides by the crowd.  A woman holding a small child cried out "Jesus.  Jesus.  Over here", and immediately he stopped.  "What is it, Woman?" he asked with tenderness.  Tears filled her eyes.  "Master", she said, "It's his legs.  They are so bent...oh, Master, can you ... WILL you...help him?"  I watched amazed as Jesus reached out his hands and placed them gently on the child.  For a few moments He stood in silence, seemingly unaware of the crowd--and then aloud he said, "My Father, bless this mother and her son, and grant her request."  Before our very eyes, as He spoke, the child's legs straightened.
      From that time onward, I watched Him, cautiously, from the distance.  I didn't trust men...ANY man.  I agreed with the ancient observation that "the thoughts of a man's heart are only evil continually" and I was determined not to be deceived by another one.
     Occasionally, as his eyes searched the crowds, Jesus looked at me, and I knew He could see right into my soul.  It frightened me, but I could never resist him or shift my gaze.  I was certain He knew my reputation as a harlot, some of which had grown from my night-time wanderings, but some of which had a basis in fact.  I was nearly convinced that illicit "love" was better than no love at all.  It amazed me that his eyes carried no condemnation.  I sensed only that He hurt because I did.
      Early one morning, after another tormented night, I was sitting on a rock overlooking the lake.  I heard a sound on the shore behind me.  I think I knew who it was even before I turned.  My heart began beating so hard it drowned out the sound of the waves lapping against the shore and the crying of the gulls.  Tears filled my eyes and, try as I might, I couldn't keep them from spilling over and coursing down my cheeks.  I wanted to run, but I couldn't move my legs.  All he said was "Mary" and he touched my shoulder and I crumpled at his feet in the sand and cried.  All the agony of my life poured out in those tears.  I cried till there was nothing left.  And all that time, Jesus said nothing, did nothing.  Just waited.  Then he lifted me to my feet, cupped my face in His hands, and looked into my eyes.  "Mary" he said, "I know you've been hurt and I know you've sinned.  Just as you've watched me, so I've watched you.  I feel the same pain in my heart you feel.  I know rejection and fear and shame...not for myself, but for all the others who need to know the Father cares about them...their feelings...their needs...their future."  And then as he continued to hold my gaze, the very air around us became filled with rebuke, yet I knew he wasn't rebuking me.  And he said quietly, but with supreme authority, "Satan, you have harbored your demons in Mary's life, but you have no right to stay.  Leave now and never return."  And one by one, my tormentors left.  I don't know how to explain it, but I saw them leave, like shadows passing across the sun, or smoke across a glass.  And, the darkness was replaced by dazzling brightness.  The wall encasing my heart shattered and I was free.  Free to love, free to serve, free to follow. 

                                    "Slave of Love"
            
        Verse 1:  I look out now through eyes that see.
                       No fear nor hate to torture me.
                       No more unwanted or alone
                       Come now and make my heart Your throne.

        Verse 2:  I lived a life of agony,
                       Fog-shrouded pain engulfing me.
                      You touched my heart, You met my need,
                      And through Your love, my soul’s been freed.
           
        Chorus: I’m free to serve You all my days.
                       I’m freely bound to sing Your praise.
                       I’m free to chain my life to Yours.
                      A Slave of Love, forevermore.         

     
     I thought I'd die when he did.  The agony and rage I'd felt during the crucifixion were gone.  The empty cross still stood starkly outlined against the dark sky.  Joseph and Nicodemus removed the body.  Jesus' mother and John left.  I stayed.  A soldier, overseeing the removal of the thieves' bodies stood by me clearly disturbed by the day's strange events.
     "Woman", he growled.  "Go.  This so-called King of yours is dead.  He should have left well enough alone and let Caesar be God."  He swore under his breath.  "These wretched provincials.  What a God-forsaken land...a God-forsaken city."  He continued muttering and I turned to walk down the hill.  I vaguely wondered how long I would have stayed if he hadn't told me to leave.
     As I tripped over a rock, and stumbled, a hand steadied me.  For the first time I realized I wasn't alone.
      "Mary", James said, "I've been looking for you.  I thought I might find you here.  I know how much you loved him."
      I exploded at James, "NO one knows how much I love him.  He was all I had to love...the only reason for loving.  And now, there's nothing."
      I could see James was uncomfortable, even sorry for me.  He loved Jesus, too.  He was heartbroken and ashamed of deserting his friend and Master.  For the first time I felt acceptance from James.  I remembered the first time James and I met, and his barely contained anger that his Master would make friends with a woman like me.
     "Come stay with us", James said.  "It will help if we are all together.  Besides, his mother needs you."  
     I was too distraught to smile, but I became aware that a little of Jesus had been left behind in James.  James was softer, more compassionate than before.  I told him I'd stay.  I didn't want to be alone.  I had been alone for too many years.  I wanted to be with people who knew Jesus and loved him as I had.
     When we reached the house and walked inside, I saw his mother and saw so clearly the anguish on her face, the fear in her eyes, the pain in her heart.  And I, the Magdalene, the Woman of the Hard Heart, wrapped my arms around the mother of Jesus, and together we wept.

[Interlude]
 
      And then Sunday came.
      I still smile when I remember that Resurrection day.  Of course, at the time I was terrified, but in looking back I can't believe I didn't know who he was.  At the very least I should have recognized the love and acceptance in his eyes...that never changes.
     So I come here.  To rest and to remember.  Pain and suffering surround us.  People are dying--on the INside.  Not because they want to, but, like me, they simply don't know how to live. 
     I still hurt, for myself and for others.  I still question.  But I can never doubt.  No matter how black the night in my soul or looming the problems, or large the ghosts that confront me, I know that I know that I know that God loves ME.  And that one shaft of light will always cut through the darkness that occasionally surrounds me--and comfort me and bring me out on the other side of my pain, of my sorrow--to wholeness, to joy and to life. 

THE END 

     

MY REALITY WITH AND THROUGH MY LORD!

OUR LORD IS ALL I CAN COUNT ON,

FOREVER AND EVER.

TO WORSHIP AND PRAISE AND PRAY TO HIM,

AND LOVE EXCEEDINGLY! 

HIS HEALING WILL COME...TO MANY!!

CAN HARDLY WAIT AND I AM FILLED

WITH THE FACT THAT OUR LORD

WILL HEAL US, 

PERSONALLY OR NATIONALLY.

AS I SAID, I CAN HARDLY WAIT!

TRUSTING HIS WORDS!

THAT'S ALL I CAN COUNT ON...

MOMENT-BY-MOMENT,

DAY-BY-DAY,

FOREVER AND EVER.

I TRUST HIS INSIGHT AND HE'S 

SPREADING ME AROUND AND ABOUT

TO SERVE HIM AND, THROUGH HIS INSIGHT, 

TO  PROTECT AND SERVE OTHERS.

ETERNAL SALVATION!

OH, YES!!!

AND TODAY IS MY RE-BIRTHDAY OF 49 YEARS

DRAWN INTO THE LORD VERY STRONGLY

APRIL 15, 1966.

HALLELUJAH!!

49TH RE-BIRTHDAY! HALLELUJAH!!

 

One year before the Lord broke into me!

 I've shared this every year on the blogging.  So, can't not share it again.  It hits my heart every April 15th.  I rejoice for the Lord and thank Him overwhelmingly.  Because He truly is the joyfulness of my heart, soul, and spirit.

To share it, as I often say, it ain't short, but is truthful.

Bless you on my most blessed day.  My salvation changed my world, obviously, and the world of many others connected to me through my God-seed-planting since then.
 
                              =================

For most of us U.S. folks April 15th is IRS day, for better or worse, refund or payment. However, in my heart, it is MY day. On April 15, 1966, at 6:30 PM, I asked Christ into my life. Four months shy of my 21st birthday, living a life of heavy-duty sin and headed towards a significant amount of trouble, the Lord broke through. I have never doubted or questioned or regretted it. He had arranged for seed to be planted in my heart off and on since I had been very young, by school teachers, neighbors, or someone who just walked past me and said "God bless you", but the seed hardly survived. And then...

I was living in Tacoma, WA. Towards mid-March a young woman at work, Carol, 18, was suddenly without a place to live and couldn't afford to fly back to her family in the St. Louis area. Donna hollered at work, "Hey, Joanne, you have place in your apartment. Let her move in with you." I didn't know Carol very well, but knew she was a sweet person -- and I WAS NOT!!! I knew it was the right thing to do, so agreed that she could, but I also said to her: You can move in with me. But I go out when I want to go out, I come back when I want to come back, and if you don't like it, you can leave.

 Amazingly, even hearing that "jerky" statement, Carol moved in. What I didn't know was that she was a Born-Again Christian. I didn't know what that was, anyhow, so it wouldn't have sunk in. Over the next couple of weeks we yammered about religion for hours nearly every night. She couldn't always come up with answers for me, so she connected me to Stan, a man in her church, and he would hammer topics out with me on the phone. Very straight-forward, which is what works best with me most of the time. I decided to go to church with her -- Portland Avenue Baptist Church. My second Sunday, on April 10th, it was Easter.  At the end of the service, there was an altar call and I knew I was supposed to go forward. I could feel the pressure in my heart ... my whole body ... in a way I had never experienced before... but I held on tight to the back of the pew in front of me so I would be able to not step forward and give in. I left church feeling pleased that "I won the battle."

 The next Thursday, at work, Carol banged her head at a desk in our office and ended up in the hospital. She would there until Saturday. I was invited to dinner at Stan's house on Friday, and enjoyed dinner with him and his wife and four sons. After we finished eating, and Anita had cleared the table, and the boys had disappeared to the living room, Stan had me stay in the kitchen with him and he laid the facts of Christ's sacrifice out for me very clearly. Stan knew how sinful I was ... he had a similar history ... and he didn't look down his nose at me at all. He knew God could turn my awful life around, no question. I told him that I believed what he was telling me about Jesus and His sacrifice and the possibility of salvation, but I said I needed to straighten up first or I couldn't come to Him. Stan, of course, said it was the other way around -- come to Christ and the changes would start to take place. I knew he was right, and I made the commitment and invited Christ into my life. In my mind, because of all the abuse I had experienced from many others, mostly men, this was simply a "contract"... no emotional attachment to the Father or Son, just an agreement to follow the rules He laid down and, if I messed up, take the punishment that would hit me. After my prayer, Stan and I went to a young adult Bible study, so only an hour after I was saved I made the public statement and they rejoiced. I remember that the next morning when I woke up my first thoughts were about the new life I had before me.

And it was then, and has always been. Even though I was far from perfect, the Lord kept moving me along; He didn't give up on me. Stan wrote an article for a Baptist teachers magazine a year later and described someone who walked with the Lord, fell on her face in the mud, and climbed back to her feet again, and went forward and... fell on her face in the mud. How often this took place. He also said it was the climbing out of the mud and back onto her feet that made the difference. And that he trusted that as she grew in the Lord the pattern would simply be the walking.

After all these years, most of the time I can say that is true. Occasionally, I do end up with a little mud on my face, but it wipes off thoroughly ... by the blood of Jesus.

Where would I be if this all had not come to pass 49 years ago? Most certainly no one would know me today. I would have been continuing to be involved with much of the sinfulness, and would have died from violence, alcoholism, or suicide. No friends, no family, and, most certainly, no hope for my future.

So the key word every time I have during my Re-birthday is HALLELUJAH!!

===================================================
Last August, when in Tacoma with a friend, and showing her the church I had been at when coming to the Lord, she wanted to take a picture of me at it.  It has had many different church groups and much of it has needed to be rebuilt.  But 49 years ago, it was my special place.  They truly put up with me and I was there for about 4 years until I was in California, and even visited there for several more years if visiting Tacoma.  The church members also were wonderful for my sisters who are younger than I am and they were cared for and loved.  Anyhow can't not show the photo.  It's a blessing to have it with me on it last summer.

 

=================
Oh, and a month or so later after my salvation I sang a solo during the Sunday evening service.  [Yes, used to be a singer when a young 'un.]  This song had entered my heart.  A Jim Reeves fan, I bought hymns album, immediately after my salvation.  Fell in love with this and couldn't not share it then.  And will share it now.  It's definitely my heart-focus even today. [If this, somehow, doesn't go through, just look up Jim Reeves and choose the song, "I'd Rather Have Jesus".  It's a treat!]

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cgwGiF0-mlE

TRUSTING HIM IS WHAT COUNTS!

AM I NAMING THE CITY OR THE STATE OF THIS PHOTO?

NO!

WHY?

BECAUSE THE UNUSUAL "WISDOM" OF THE WORLD

IS DEMONICALLY BROKEN INTO 

A VARIETY OF NATIONS AND CITIES.

ALL WE CAN COUNT ON IS 

OUR HEAVENLY FATHER AND LORD 

BREAKING AROUND AND ABOUT

 TO THE TRUTHFULNESS.

WE CAN TRUST HIM.

THAT IS ALL.

I'M HEAVILY HEARTBROKEN BY WHAT IS OCCURRING NOW IN OUR PRESENT DAY WORLD, IN SPITE OF WHAT ST. PAUL WAS SHARING 

THIS INFORMATION WAY BACK THEN.

ALL WE CAN COUNT ON IS BEING IN HEAVEN

AND BURIED IN TRUTHFULNESS. 

 I WAS A SIGNIFICANTLY SINFUL KID FROM ABOUT 5 TO 20.  THEN THE LORD BROKE IN STRONGLY AND I ACCEPTED HIM,

I TRULY KNEW AS I WAS IN SCHOOL OR IN THE NEIGHBORHOODS

OR JUST ABOUT ANYWHERE,  THAT I WAS MUCH MORE

SINFUL THAN THE NORMAL PEOPLE.

  I'M A VERY "GRATEFUL COOKIE".

I'M ALIVE STILL AND SERVING HIM.

I WOULD HAVE DIED FROM MY SINFULNESS

ALMOST 50 YEARS AGO.

HE IS ALL I CAN COUNT ON FOREVER.