Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy Name. Thy kingdom come. THY WILL BE DONE, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but DELIVER US FROM EVIL.
For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory, forever and ever. Amen †
Posted in Uncategorized
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Happy Caturday …
And to my big cousins too …
Yakety Yak—Don’t Talk Back! – Titus 2:9
By Pastor Ricky Kurth
A wealthy man had a servant who just wasn’t working out. The man was slower than a dusty turtle. So one day the man told him, “Unless your work picks up, I’m going to have to get another servant.” The servant replied, “That’d be awesome! I could use a little help around here.”
In Bible days the Roman Empire was filled with servants and masters, many of whom were saved and attended the churches the apostle Paul had established. This led him to write to Titus:
“Exhort servants to be obedient unto their own masters, and to please them well in all things; not answering again” (Titus 2:9).
This advice was probably much needed in Pauline churches like the one in Crete where Titus was stationed, for servants who knew Pauline doctrine were sure to know that “in Christ… there is neither bond nor free” (Gal. 3:26-28). If you were a servant who got saved in those days, wouldn’t you think that this meant you didn’t have to obey your master?
The problem with that kind of thinking is that Paul went on to say that in Christ “there is neither male nor female” (v. 28). Well, if the fact that there is neither bond nor free in Christ means servants don’t have to obey their masters, then the fact that there is also neither male nor female in Christ would mean wives don’t have to obey their husbands. And if wives stop obeying their husbands, the very fabric of society begins to unravel—as we are seeing in our own day!
And God is not in the business of overturning society. God is in the business of making society better by reinforcing respect for authority in all areas of life. That’s why Paul exhorts wives to be subject to their husbands (Eph. 5:24), and tells all of us to obey the law (Rom. 13:1-7).
Now in saying these things Paul was not implying that servants and wives were somehow inferior to masters and husbands. When the Lord Jesus was twelve years old (Luke 2:42) He was “subject” unto His parents (v. 51), but He was not inferior to Joseph and Mary. If anything, He was superior to them. He was God in the flesh! So obeying them didn’t make Him inferior. It just showed He knew that God told children: “Honour thy father and thy mother” (Ex. 20:12). And it didn’t make servants inferior to their masters to obey Paul’s command to “be obedient to them that are your masters” (Eph. 6:5), and “please them well in all things” (Tit. 2:9).
Now to please someone well means to just delight them. God predicted the Lord would be a man “in whom My soul delighteth” (Isa. 42:1). But in quoting that verse, Matthew translated the word “delighteth” as “well pleased” (Mt. 12:18). So in saying servants should please their masters well, Paul was saying they should go above and beyond the call of duty by just obeying them. He was saying a servant should make himself someone who is an absolute delight to his master.
And don’t forget, this is not all dry, dusty advice for people of a bygone era. What Paul says to servants is advice that we can apply to employees in our own day. If you are gainfully employed, you should be obedient to your boss, of course. But if you want to be Pauline and go above and beyond the call of duty, you will want to make yourself a sheer delight to your employer. Christians who serve their boss like that bring joy to the drudgery of everyday life at work. Just think of what would happen if all of God’s people were to adopt this godly attitude. Imagine the testimony that this would be to how Christianity can brighten the world in every area of life.
When Paul adds that servants should serve their masters by “not answering again,” that’s a Bible phrase that only appears here. But as the Coasters sang many years ago, when parents tell children what to do and hear any “yakety yak” in response, they usually say: “Don’t talk back!” That’s what Paul was telling servants to do, to obey their masters with no backtalk. Nothing is less delightful than a servant who gives his master lip! So why not determine here and now that you will please your boss well in all things instead. You’ll be eternally glad you did.
https://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/yakety-yak-dont-talk-back/
Titus 2:9 Exhort servants to be obedient unto their own masters, and to please them well in all things; not answering
Galatians 3:26 For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.
27 For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.
28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.
Ephesians 5:24 Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing.
Romans 13:1 ¶ Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.
2 Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation.
3 For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same:
4 For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil.
5 Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake.
6 For for this cause pay ye tribute also: for they are God’s ministers, attending continually upon this very thing.
7 ¶ Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour.
Luke 2:42 And when he was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem after the custom of the feast.
Luke 2:51 And he went down with them, and came to Nazareth, and was subject unto them: but his mother kept all these sayings in her heart.
Exodus 20:12 ¶ Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee.
Ephesians 6:5 Servants, be obedient to them that are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as unto Christ;
Isaiah 42:1 ¶ Behold my servant, whom I uphold; mine elect, in whom my soul delighteth; I have put my spirit upon him: he shall bring forth judgment to the Gentiles.
Matthew 12:18 Behold my servant, whom I have chosen; my beloved, in whom my soul is well pleased: I will put my spirit upon him, and he shall shew judgment to the Gentiles.
Amen
This video reveals a Great Truth about cat logic. My kitties all regarded Ginger, Scamp, and Sweetie and just odd looking cats. They ignored the fact that dogs are, well ,different and instead pretended they were less attractive cats and so should be treated with aloof cat pity. The puppies didn’t much care and were perfectly content just being dogs. The cats, however, seriously needed their little fiction. It all worked out, however, and harmony and order prevailed. Honestly, I don’t think the dogs ever noticed.
Cute Garrison, my cat approves. ?
So … you know exactly what thoughts the Kitties are having? Most cat lovers, myself included, are of the same deluded mindset! I believe my cat can control what I’m thinking because I find myself doing things for her that I don’t approve of. No wonder people thought they were possessed!
Blessed are You, Y-h our God, eternal King, creator of all things. We thank You today for the gift of Your son Yeshua, by which You will bring final victory, regardless of what may pass before that time. We place our hope in Your promises and refuse to be demoralized by the adversary.
We thank You for the prosperity You have granted to the United States of America. In our nation, many have found the freedom to worship Your name without the interference of human corruption. By following Your will, You have lead our nation to great victories, to the destruction of evil, to the liberation of the oppressed, and to the reestablishment of Your people Israel as a nation upon the Earth, a promise so long unfulfilled that many had lost hope.
But today, we find that the hour is later than we supposed. Our nation and culture has abandoned You as our guide, trusting in our own understanding and notions of morality. We are filled with corruption and wickedness. Our leaders serve neither You nor the people they are sworn to defend, instead serving their own selfish desires. Yet we have only ourselves to blame for the environment which has allowed them to arise, through our own sin and complacency.
We are a wicked and broken nation deserving of Your judgement. We do not presume to justify ourselves or to save ourselves by our own hand. As Abraham begged for Sodom, we beg for Your mercy for the sake of those here who still seek Your face and submit themselves to You. We ask that You fill those who have chosen to fight for You with Your spirit and lead them in Your way as instruments of Your final victory. Give us the courage and strength to rid ourselves of corruption and lead those around us to a rebirth of faithfulness to You.
We ask this in the name of Yeshua Your Anointed.
Amen
Indeed and Amen.
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It’s the weekend, don’t blow it ?
Never let anybody tell you that redneck defiance is anything other than fun-scale, in-yer’-face, perfectly timed DEFIANCE!! Oh, yes, it may be a bit funny, it may be even a bit heart-tugging, but despite the sly wink-and-a-grin, it’s still defiance in it’s most pure form. You just can’t beat redneck logic.
Oh, dear me. It’s the OTHER Leicester!, the UK one! What do you say we make them at-a-distance rednecks! I really don’t think the Earls will mind.
d
Originals . . .
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pj2mk1HXsIc
A note to Sidney Powell: Although I do know that you make it to the Treehouse, I don’t know if you make it to this forum. If you do—and I think I can speak for the Treepers here—please know that we know that you are a stalwart supporter of freedom and liberty and. for that reason, a stalwart supporter of our president. Like our president, we’ve watched you stand against enormous odds, had people say terrible things, untrue things, about you. And still you stand unbowed against the fraud and corruption of our government in this time of peril.
I know that despite your great experience in law, you must also at times feel alone in this fight. But please know, too, that you also have the backing of millions of Americans who also believe in liberty and freedom and who also clearly understand just what consequences we all face from a stolen election. The Treehous is with you Sidney. We won’t forget you.
Amen Garrison. We here at the treehouse miss when you used to chime in here and know you are an indispensable warrior to save this Republic and multitudes are praying for you Sydney! ?
Well-stated, Garrison! Thank-you, and thank-you, Sidney! We ARE beside you, and equally-determined to get this country back on it’s Constitutional foundation!
Beautifully stated, Garrison. May God bless and protect this extraordinary woman and her work to uphold our Constitution, restore our free and fair elections, and protect the Office of our duly re-elected President. Sidney, you are an American hero leading the charge to preserve our Nation in these dangerous times. Words fail in the effort to express the depth of my gratitude to you. Lean on me…Lean on us.
amen
The battle of Shiloh
This battle in the west was the harbinger of things to come. No battle up to that time had come close to ferocity and casualties that marked this less well known civil war battle.
I have visited this battlefield four times and walked all of the ground in the park. The first time I was there I was 14 y/o and it was the first Civil War battleground I visited. My dad had bought 13 acres of land along the Tennessee river deep in the sticks in Hardin County, TN. I spent a summer vacation helping my 75 y/o grandfather build a two bedroom slab house on that ground. The closest town of any size was Savannah and in Cherry Mansion was where Grant established his HQ before the battle.
Preserving a Civil War Landmark – Old House Journal Magazine (oldhouseonline.com)
At the time the Mansion was owned by an old guy that had made himself a millionaire by raising worms and other bait for the many people that fished the river both commercially and for recreation. Nice man.
The house we were building would serve as a vacation spot for the family. I cherish those memories of living in a trailer with Grandpa while we worked on building that house. He was a great carpenter. Said he never built a house that squeaked. It was only later that I realized that none of the homes he had built had ever squeaked because all he had ever built were slab houses. kind of hard to get a slap of concret a foot thick to squeak. I learned much from him about many things. Our adventures included the visit to Shiloh we made one day together. Grandpa was old enough to remember the civil war veterans sitting on the park bench’s outside the courthouse telling war stories.
The last time I visited Shiloh was in 2000 when my wife and I took a week and followed Grants progression in his quest to take the Mississippi and divide the south as part of the Anaconda plan. It was only during this last visit to Shiloh was I able to finally get a handle on the events there and understand the complete scope and timeline of the battle while comparing it to what I was seeing on the ground before me. It is a difficult battle to master, to see on one’s minds eye so to speak. The markers for the units and placements of the guns marking the location of artillery batteries from both side can be very confusing because the at different times each side held the same ground during the battle. So in places there will be a gun marking the location of a Union battery facing away from the river and right beside it another gun facing the opposite direction marking the location of a Confederate Battery.
In the end, it was the sheer determination of Grant, Sherman, and several other Union commanders, combined with his ability to reinforce and get support from big guns on the steam ships on the river that won that battle.
It was a battle of redemption for the red headed Union General W.T. Sherman, who had been relieved and believed insane before he was given a second chance. It was the battle that put Grant on Lincoln’s list of those that could possibly develop to take control of the conduct of the war and propelled Grant over all other Union Generals in the west. It was the battle that cost the Confederacy the highest ranking General that either side would lose during the war. It was the battle that set the stage for Grant to begin his campaign to besiege and take Vicksburg. But above all else, this battle in the west, which was larger and far more ferocious and costly than any fought up to that time, and finally made the people on both sides realize that this was going to be a long and bloody war and that the human toll would be far beyond what anyone had ever imagined.
If you don’t read anything else at this link go to the bottom and read about the remarkable career of the little Union Drummer boy who advanced to General and retired as the last civil war Veteran in the Army.
Battle Of Shiloh (historynet.com)
Wow, wealth of knowledge and history there rah. Becomes alive when you walk those hallowed grounds and put yourself there in that time. Cool connection with your grandpa there. You are part of the history there. Passing through time as it passes by. How indeed life is but a vapor. But blessed are we for the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Keep up your excellent posts.
Do you read Shelby Foote’s multi-volume set on the Civil War?
Yes! I After WWII, more than any other US. war, our Civil War has fascinated me. My post tomorrow will involve a coincidence having a connection to the battle of Shiloh/Pittsburg Landing.
Most of what I am posting now is stuff I have previously written. For some reason I have been having more pain lately and had to start using the Hydrocodone.
My wife and I recently visited Shiloh, and she could barely bring herself to look at the size of the cemetery there. I have visited several smaller fields, but that one is indeed impressive for its scale.
Verse of the Day for Saturday, December 26, 2020
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“The wise in heart will receive commandments: but a prating fool shall fall.”
Proverbs 10:8 (KJV)
Thank You, Jesus, for blessings received and prayers answered!!!
Be My Voice
Has a babydoll southdown smile and quite a pair of ears!
PLACED IN THE LIGHT
“If we walk in the light, as He is in the light…the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin.” 1 John i. 7
To mistake conscious freedom from sin for deliverance from sin by the Atonement is a great error. No man knows what sin is until he is born again. Sin is what Jesus Christ faced on Calvary. The evidence that I am delivered from sin is that I know the real nature of sin in me. It takes the last reach of the Atonement of Jesus Christ, that is, the impartation of His absolute perfection, to make a man know what sin is.
The Holy Spirit applies the Atonement to us in the unconscious realm as well as in the realm of which we are conscious, and it is only when we get a grasp of the unrivalled power of the Spirit in us that we understand the meaning of 1 John i. 7, “THE BLOOD OF JESUS CHRIST CLEANSETH US FROM ALL SIN.” This does not refer to conscious sin only, but to the tremendously profound understanding of sin which only the Holy Ghost in me realizes.
If I walk in the light as God is in the light, not in the light of my conscience, but in the light of God – if I walk there, with nothing folded up, then there comes the amazing revelation, the blood of Jesus Christ cleanses me from all sin so that God Almighty can see nothing to censure in me. In my consciousness it works with a keen poignant knowledge of what sin is. The love of God at work in me makes me hate with the hatred of the Holy Ghost all that is not in keeping with God’s holiness. To walk in the light means that everything that is of the darkness drives me closer into the centre of the light.
Oswald Chambers
December 26th Devotional
This may be filed under ‘how things are going locally in the covid-related threads.
Not specifically Presidential related, so sharing here. This story slipped under the radar, as am just now seeing it, dated December 9, 2020, but it looks like Nevada is a guinea pig state to see how the governing authorities can arrest, jail or at least fine people for exercising their 1st Amendment rights of free speech by posting comments on social media sites.
The man in question posted, a lot, the same message on the State of Nevada governor’s facebook page, Got arrested, court case set for sometime next year.
https://networkinvegas.com/sisolak-first-amendment-arrests/
This Moderna vaccine reaction could be awkward for some; apparently some folks with facial cosmetic ‘fillers’ are having reactions to the vaccine.
https://www.newsmax.com/newsfront/moderna-facial-fillers-cosmetic/2020/12/25/id/1003151/
. . . but deliver us from the Evil One.
Prayer of Saint Ioannikios the Great (+ 846)
My hope is the Father, my refuge the Son, my protection the Holy Spirit. O Holy Trinity, glory to Thee.
The Jesus Prayer
Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy upon me, a sinner.
http://www.orthodoxinfo.com/praxis/pr_prayer.aspx
Happy Boxing Day!
Boxing Day History: The True Origins Of Why We Celebrate Boxing Day
To many parts of the world, Boxing Day is a big deal, but in others, it hasn’t caught on quite like it did in the United Kingdom, South Africa, Canada, and Australia. Contrary to what you might think, Boxing Day has less to do with throwing punches than charitable giving, so why is it called Boxing Day? What is Boxing Day, exactly?
https://historydaily.org/boxing-day-history-facts-stories-trivia
Is that Maynard G. Cat ?
Good one!
Repost from 15DEC [something happened that day]
For those who still struggle with doubt/fear, learn from the past.
Lessons learned from Kadesh-Barnea [Hebrews 3-4]
Now we have to remember that in these two chapters, especially three and four, it is a rehearsal of Israel’s rejection at Kadesh-Barnea to go in and take the Promised Land because of their unbelief. So the whole thrust of these two chapters in Hebrews is the horror of unbelief.
And I always like to point out that it was only just a few weeks previous to the Kadesh-Barnea experience that Israel stooped to the level of demanding that Aaron make a golden calf. You remember that? And in the worship of that golden calf they went down into the very abyss of moral degradation and followed in the steps of the mythological pagan worship of the Egyptians. And, of course, God dealt with it. And yet it is amazing that when they get up to the gateway of Canaan at Kadesh-Barnea and they turned away in unbelief, God doesn’t remind them of the horrible sin of the golden calf. He doesn’t remind them of any other horrible sins that they may have been guilty of, but all He is distressed with is – they could not believe what He had told them.
You see, that is the whole problem with the human race. Even today. It’s not the various sins that we are committing. [We’re not sinners because we sin, we sin because we’re sinners] It’s not the drugs, the alcohol, the immorality. It’s unbelief! Because you see, faith is the opposite of unbelief and faith does everything that squashes these things that we consider as wickedness and sin. So it boils down to the same premise. The human race’s great dilemma is simply – unbelief! source: Through the Bible with Les Feldick Book 48-1-1
We’re saved by grace through faith. Eph 2:8
Without faith, it is impossible to please him [God] Heb 11:6
Study to show yourself approved unto God [not man], a workman that need not be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth [God’s word] 2Tim 2:15
Test me now and see if I won’t open the windows of heaven and pour you out a blessing that there’s not room enough to contain it. Mal 3:10 Now that’s what I call winning.
God cannot lie. Trust God. Fear not.
thank you for posting that. I have to admit I was hoping I’d wake up to read the Potomoc had been crossed even though I knew that wasn’t going to happen. God works in his own time and in ways that are not obvious. Many of Jesus’ followers must have been disappointed not to see him ride into town on a beautiful stallion instead of a mule. Yet he still conquered death.
Saint Herman of Alaska the Wonderworker (+ 1836)
He was among the first Orthodox Christian missionaries from the Valaam Monastery in Russia who went to Alaska in 1794. He is among the Saints honored today (or yesterday on some diocesan calendars) December 13th on the traditional Calendar of the Orthodox Christian Church.
This is also the Synaxis of the First Orthodox Martyrs of North America, some of whom suffered for Christ here in North America in the 19th century or those who had lived in the USA before returning to Russia to be martyred at the hands of the Bolshevik atheists.
Justy say’n… 😉
Wishful thinking;
real deal, perhaps;
time will tell…
https://twitter.com/empire107/status/1342193284484096000
Rockefeller, not Rothchild. Rumor has it that his mother fooled around with Winthrop Rockefeller and presto, along came Bill.
Just say’n… 😉
Just say’n… ;0
Felines love a sleigh ride, too…
Just say’n… 😉
In case you missed the memo…
Just say’n… 😉
Would seem this memo still applies… 😉
https://www.ibtimes.com/well-preserved-fast-food-bar-unearthed-pompeii-3109841
“The Thermopolium of Regio V at what was a busy intersection of Silver Wedding Street and Alley of Balconies was the Roman era equivalent of a fast food snack stall.
Previously unearthed was a fresco bearing an image of a Nereid nymph riding a seahorse and gladiators in combat.”
I looked at those pictures and had to laugh, because even today you can find images like that on the walls of Italian restaurants, even pizzerias.
RATM, Rockin 1000 Killing in the Name of
Worth sticking through the end credits for Gold on The Ceiling. Following that thought …..
lilbirdee12’s prayer:
Our Heavenly Father, Your children come to you tonight to ask for healing and peace throughout our country so that we may return to being One Nation Under God. Guide us to be leaders in Your Kingdom, spreading Your Love and Salvation to all. Forgive us our sins and deliver us from evil.
Lord, we ask for a blanket of protection over all our troops and law enforcement who serve to defend and protect us. Bless our representatives with the strength and wisdom they need to achieve the path You have chosen for us.
Please place Your Guardian Angels of Protection around Donald Trump and Mike Pence and their families as they seek to lead America back to You. Also, we pray for Angels to protect and support our Sundance as he works for justice and peace.
Grant us patience, Lord, as the evil ones try to anger us and cause us to fall.
Spread blessings over Israel and Netanyahu.
We humbly ask that You please comfort those who are grieving and in pain.
Thank you Father, for Your Love and the gift of Life.
In Jesus name, we pray. Amen.
Amen.
Amen
Amen. And Lord please watch over General Flynn and his family, and all Patriots and freedom loving people around the world.
Vernon McGee’s sermon “It was Christmas When Christ was Crucified” is being broadcast on BBN in ten minutes (9 EST)
https://bbn1.bbnradio.org/english/home/all-programs/conference-pulpit-various-speakers/
Karma…
Enough said
Just say’n… 😉
Body Language Speaks Volumes… 😉
Just say’n… 😉
Just a little reminder… 😉
https://twitter.com/intheMatrixxx/status/1342919849509597185
I gave myself two news-free/internet free days as a Christmas present. In a way it was lovely. I realized how much energy it now takes to find the “real” news – and even then, I start questioning, what really is “real” news? After the reconnect, I discovered that our only diner in town is closing, but will stay open for the next two weeks, and will allow inside dining. It made me sad. They are good people. Anyways, to follow that up, for the first time in a really long time, as I went grocery shopping, I decided to ditch the mask. I was entering, with a foot already in, a hand on my mask, ready to gag myself – I looked up and saw a woman without a mask. She smiled. I looked at my hand and said “no more” – I smiled at more strangers today than I have in the last six months. It’s time to stand up and push back.
I was at my favorite junk shop a couple of days before Christmas and there was a mix of masked and unmasked shoppers. One old biddy in a mask stopped at the top of the aisle I was in and looked around and started mask shaming “Oh, dear, no one’s wearing a mask”. I looked at her and said “I’m not a communist” She said “Oh, HO!” and scurried away. I got some stares from some of the masked folks on the way out, but no one said a word.
This woman’s plea made me cry.
https://twitter.com/epigenwhisp/status/1342933849911697409
Moderna’s presentation is available for review at the CDC website. Bell’s palsy IS EXPECTED in approximately 3 out of every 10K shots of their … junk.
Here is some information derived from that Moderna presentation, using 60% of America getting the jab:
The vaccine itself would sicken 43,000,000 to the point that they miss at least 100,000,000 days of work.
2,000,000 of them would experience medically severe adverse events.
200,000 of them would experience life-threatening grade 4 fevers.
Approximately 60,000 of them would experience facial paralysis (Bell’s palsy) as a result of the vaccination.
It breaks my heart that President Trump has been TOUTING this crap, because this vaccine truly is CRAP and it’s DANGEROUS CRAP to boot.
“It breaks my heart that President Trump has been TOUTING this crap,”
For me, I feel nothing but cold fury about that. He ought to know better. And he does, but he promotes it anyway. And nobody says a word, except you and a few others. I cried, too, at that woman’s video. The Medical/Pharma complex is rotten to the core.
President Trump doesn’t wear a mask often, that’s for sure. I wonder about things as you do and I still come back to just trusting President Trump. Maybe in 2025 he’ll write a book and explain some of these things? Merry Christmas to you!
How can I log in? In the WordPress days there was a sign-in function when you posted. Now I can only post with the weird blue & white avatar. Thank you to the Treeper that responds, as I assure this question asked a lot – I have looked and looked and just cannot find the log in.
There is no log-in to CTH2.0…You get “signed-in” when you post a comment. To change your avatar, visit Gravatar.com.
Thanks!
test 4 2nite
✝️ DAILY DEVOTIONAL, December 29, 2020