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BulletinGold
#116
|
August
2010
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Vol.
10
Num.
6 |
Editors:
|
David Bragg
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Edward
Thomason
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| BulletinGold |
BulletinGold
is
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the
first
Sunday
of
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In
This
Issue:
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Articles
|
Nuggets
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Poems
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Quotes
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- How Great Thou Art!
- God - He Is My Strength,
by Bryan McAlister
- Be Honest. Is Your God A Burden? By Joe Chesser
- Look To God & Ask for Strength, by Tim Childs
- God’s Thoughts, God’s Ways, by Lance Cordle
- “God’s Glorious Glamour,” by Kyle Moses
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- In God’s Time
- God Always Has an Answer
- God is a God of... by Edd Sterchi
- God's Omnipotence
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- Dear God...
- What God Has Promised (Author Unknown)
- Spiritual ABC's
- God Knows!!!!! |
quotes & sayings
for
bulletins and signs
|
| Editorial by David Bragg |
This
issue
of
BulletinGold focuses on God. Through Him
humanity has every blessing and without Him, none. His greatness is
seen in nature, His wisdom is seen in His Word, and His goodness is
manifest in His Son.
Within this issue you will find bulletin articles,
poems, quotations, and fillers on this great theme. Thank you
for passing this material on to those who read your bulletins.
David
Bragg
http://www.davidbragg.org/
How Great
Thou Art!
Humpback whales are about 40 feet long at maturity and weigh about one
ton per foot. They carry a thousand pounds of barnacles, and when they
jump or “breach,” they extend themselves totally in the air, and then
free-fall back into the ocean. You can see the splash five miles away.
Humpback whales travel down to Hawaii
from Alaska every year to
calve in the warm Hawaiian waters. Year after year, each family comes
back to the very same place around the island. When the calves are born
(they weigh about five tons), they are born breech—or tail first. If
they were born head first, these air-breathing mammals would drown
during the birth process. As a baby whale is born, another humpback
whale comes alongside and pushes it up to the surface to help the baby
take his first breath of air.
The humpback whale sings a song that can
be heard more than 50
miles away under water. Every one of these whales sings the same song.
Each year, the song changes slightly, and every humpback whale in the
world will sing that year’s song. Amazing! Incredible! What a display
of the wonderful creative power of our God!
- Author Unknown; via the Belvedere Beacon, the weekly bulletin of the
Belvedere church of Christ, Belvedere, SC. Ken Chumbley preaches
for
this congregation, and he may be contacted at their website: http://www.belvederechurchofchrist.org
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| Panning
for Gold Feature Articles: |
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God - He Is My Strength
By
Bryan
McAlister
One of Israel’s weakest times came
during the Babylonian captivity. Babylon had descended upon
Israel,
and carried them away to lives of oppression and despair. What once was
a proud nation had been brought low as a result of their disobedience
to their God. Their lands, their homes, their property, their temple,
and their lives had fallen into the hands of those who did not respect
nor honor their heritage.
Homes could be rebuilt, gardens
replanted, property reclaimed, and even the temple of the Lord could be
repaired. One of the most, if not the single most difficult item to
rebuild is a broken spirit, a spirit which has been brought so low, so
weak, one has lost all confidence in self. It is not impossible to
rebuild a broken spirit, a weak and wounded life, but to rebuild the
spirit, to renew one’s strength demands that one return to the “Holy
One” (Isaiah 40:25).
Isaiah’s prophecy came to Israel to
remind them of their relationship with God, and what His nature
dictates He can and will do when it comes to restoring one’s life. Upon
what shall we base our understanding of the strength of God? Isaiah
asks the questions, “Who has measured the waters in the hallow of His
hand, measured heaven with a span and calculated the dust of the earth
in a measure? Weighed
the mountains in scales and the hills in a balance” (Isaiah 40:12)?
God’s strength is beyond our understanding.
If we consider the span of the waters,
God possesses them in the hollow of His hand. He knows the scope of the
heavens, the dust of the earth is common knowledge to our Lord’s mind,
and He alone is able to weigh the mountains on His scales. The strength
of the Lord is found in His nature as the Creator of the heavens and
the earth. This is our God.
Isaiah wants to know, “To whom then will
you liken God? Or what likeness will you compare to Him” (Isaiah
40:18)? Isaiah knew the singular nature of God, and was convinced in
His prophecy to Israel, they needed to be reminded, in the midst of
their hurt of a broken spirit, theirs was the God to Whom no other
could be compared. None had ever offered counsel to God (Isaiah 40:13);
no prince or power of authority could compare to the authority of the
Lord (Isaiah 40:23). From this source of Supremacy, from the One that
stood alone in greatness and authority, strength and might, the
prophecy came offering Israel to return to the strength of the Lord.
“He gives power to the weak, and to those who have no might He
increases strength” (Isaiah 40:29). Our God, the God of our strength is
the One we trust to guide us with the strong hand (Isaiah 40:10), and
hold us up, bind us up, and renew our strength on the wings of eagles
(Isaiah 40:31). To know our God in His supply of strength is to know
our God when our lives our weak, and we trust His might to supply our
own.
- Bryan McAlister preaches for the Centerville church of Christ, in
Centerville, TN. He may be contacted through the congregation's
website: http://www.centervillechurchofchrist.org
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Be Honest. Is Your God A Burden?
By
Joe Chesser
I may be wrong, but from my perspective,
most people feel that God is a burden. I think most people
realize they have a need for God, but they struggle with it. For
them, God often gets in the way of life, and especially the fun
things. God seems to be more tolerated than enjoyed. And
there seems to be a lot of guilt and fear and dread in connection with
God. Religion that has been reduced to ritual and obligation has
become burdensome. People feel obligated to go to church, but
they don’t really enjoy it. They’ve fulfilled their duty, but
that’s about it. It’s the same with giving and evangelism and just
about anything else God expects. They are just heavy burdens to be
borne, more like slavery than freedom.
That kind of a god is not much different
from the gods Isaiah wrote about close to 3000 years ago: “the
images that are carried about are burdensome, a burden for the weary”
(Isaiah 46:1). We don’t have images of wood, stone and metal to
tote around, but we do have false concepts of God that are heavy and
tiring. Instead of allowing God to carry us, we feel like we have
to carry him. A god like that robs us of the joy that the true
God intends for us to experience. They think, “There are so many rules
and restrictions. How can anyone possibly keep them all?! And if
you did, what a miserable life that would be!”
God, any god, is a burden if we make
them ourselves. If our concepts of God are restricted to what we
can visualize and design, our god is way too small to lift our burdens,
and, in fact, becomes a burden himself.
How grateful we must be to learn that
our God is much greater than our concept of him. He can do more
than we can imagine (Eph. 3:20-21). He knows more than we can
fathom (Deut. 29:29). He didn’t begin when we first thought of
him, but is eternal (Heb. 13:8). A God like this is not a burden,
but instead invites us all to “come to me, all you who are weary and
burdened, and I will give you rest” (Matt. 11:28). A God like
this doesn’t rob us of life’s pleasures, but instead has “come that
they may have life, and have it to the full” (John 10:10). A God like
this does not make rules that are a burden, but instead guides us to
victory (1 John 5:3-5)! A God like this fills us with love, joy,
peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and
self-control (Gal. 5:22-23).
When you get out of the way and let God
be God, he is never a burden!
- Joe Chesser preaches for the Fruitland church of Christ, Fruitland,
MO. He may be contacted through the congregation's website: http://www.cofcfruitland.com/
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Look To God & Ask
for Strength
By
Tim Childs
No rocket scientist is needed here to
explain that we are living in challenging times. Many of us are not
accustomed to adversity, at least not openly. Human nature, for the
most part, is to prefer for things running smoothly, no hitches, no
glitches. Roll with the flow, but some things are beyond our
control. No, no one enjoys difficult times. Yet, ultimately, they
can have some positive effect. By choice, that positive effect should
be maximized for the greater good of the heavenly kingdom. God can help
us through difficult times to become stronger and more effective in our
service for him.
In times like these may we remember to
look to God for strength. While we at times may be weak, our Heavenly
Father is an awesome God of power. One of the wonderful things about
our Creator is that He not only knows how to majestically utilize His
power, but He has the capacity and willingness to share power with us
his creatures. Paul closes His prayer in Ephesians chapter 3 with an
expression that glory might be “...unto him that is able to do
exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the
power that worketh in us...” (vs. 20, KJV). Since we have been
re-created and redeemed by the blood of Christ, we know something
personally about the power of God. God’s power transcends all other
power in the universe.
The familiar lyrics “...the arm of flesh
will fail you, ye dare not trust your own” penned by George Duffield in
the mid-nineteenth century admonish us against relying on our own
personal strength as we often seek to do. Let’s make a stronger
connection to the source of the greatest
power.
- Tim Childs preaches for the Hillcrest church of Christ in Baldwyn,
MS. He may be contacted through the congregation's website: http://www.thelordsway.com/hillcrestms
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God’s Thoughts, God’s Ways
By
Lance Cordle
"For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
neither
are your ways my ways, declares the LORD. For as the heavens are higher
than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts
than your thoughts." (Isaiah 55:8,9)
It is interesting to watch sporting
events on television and hear the broadcasters comment on various
plays and circumstances. One
familiar scenario comes when a player fails to execute properly
and the comment is made that he
needs to work on fundamentals. Whether it is tackling
(football), pitching (baseball), or
putting (golf), they all have the common factor
of fundamental execution. If proper technique is not used,
the proper
result will not be produced consistently.
By the same
token, if a person is going
to have a consistent, godly life, attention
must be given tothefundamentals. If we are going to act as God’s people
(Titus 2:14; 1 Peter 2:9), we absolutely must think God’s thoughts.
To people who
were languishing in immorality and
despair, Isaiah sent forth the admonition,
“Seek the LORD while he may be found; call upon him
while he is near” (Isaiah 55:6).
Then, as now, many people felt the
need to seek God and wanted to do so on their own terms. The seeking
and the calling could not and would not consist of just looking for God
in the places and ways they chose to seek him.
Therefore, Isaiah added these
words, “Let the wicked forsake his way and the
unrighteous man his thoughts” (Isaiah
55:7). The requirement comes clearly into view: a man who
seeks God
must be willing to change. That change
must begin within. The fundamental requirement for living and acting
like God is thinking like God.
Micah, another prophet of God, put it
this way: “He has told you O man, what is good, and what
does the LORD require of you, but to do justice, and to love kindness,
and to walk humbly with your God?” All three of these
necessary things require thought on the part of the follower of God.
Not only do they require thought, but they require sustained effort
to maintain the thinking and actions. A man will only be as just, as
kind, and as humble as he willfully requires himself to be.
We won’t have
God’s ways until we think God’s thoughts. We won’t know God’s thoughts
until we spend time
with His word (Psalm 1:2).
- Lance Cordle preaches the Calvert City church of Christ in Calvert
City, KY. He may be contacted through the congregation's website:
http://www.calvertchurchofchrist.com
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“God’s Glorious Glamour”
By
Kyle Moses
On Monday of this last week, when I went
home at noon to get our Crock Pot supper going and to check the mail, I
was sitting at the mailbox reading through my House to House/Heart to
Heart. As I sat there in the car, radio off and the windows down, I
heard a bird’s beautiful chirp in the tree about ten feet from my
window. As I sat there and watched it, I noticed, in the faint
distance, what seemed to be the answer of another bird. I sat there for
about five minutes just watching and listening to this “conversation”
as it was unfolding before my eyes and ears. When I finally noticed
that I was still sitting in the road, I pulled in to my driveway and
what did I see as soon as I turned off the car? I saw two bright and
beautiful woodpeckers climbing another tree eating their lunch and
talking to each other. Then I took a few minutes just to span the
scenery that spans across the horizon. I looked and appreciated the
grass that has finally turned green after months of watering; I noticed
the trees jutting into the air with the fresh greenery sprouting out
and showing its beauty; I heard the birds singing their tunes and
carrying on conversations together; I saw squirrels running and playing
with one another through the grass and on the tree limbs. I could not
help but bow my head and thank my God for the blessings He has truly
given me to enjoy.
I could not enjoy these blessings if it
was not by the grace and the love of my Father in Heaven. To feel the
wind as it blows through my hair and in my face, to see the squirrels
playing, and to hear the birds chirp serves as a reminder that God
loves me and God continues to bless me.
I am thankful that I am fortunate enough
to have my eyesight and my hearing as so many others do not have so I
can enjoy these blessings. I am grateful to God for allowing me to wake
up just this one more morning, as I know there have been others this
very day who died in the night.
When walking to the door from my car, I
could not but imagine what my life would be like if I could no longer
use my own legs to move around. What would happen if I had no more use
of my hands? What about my nose, my eyes, or my ears?
As this new time of spring has now
sprung (some would have thought that summer actually has now sprung), I
am again reminded that God is in control and I am only a humble sinner
that God smiles upon through the beauty of His nature. Spring is a time
of new beginnings and old reminders. As we continue through this
beautiful springtime weather and watch the nature around us, I hope
that you will be reminded of the love of God and God’s glorious glamour
as you see nature surrounding you.
We can complain about the lack of rain,
the soaring temperatures, and the high energy bills, but let us not
forget that we are blessed enough to have the rain when it comes and we
are blessed enough to have the air conditioning to cool us and keep us
comfortable in the 100°+ temperatures.
Dear reader, please take these thoughts
and see how your own life can be made better by them. I hope that you
will consider these blessings and the many more that God gives us on a
daily basis. If you need help recognizing these blessings, try to visit
and talk to someone who is not as fortunate as you are and you will
quickly see how you have truly witnessed God’s glorious glamour descend
from God’s hand above.
- Kyle Moses; via the weekly bulletin of the church of Christ in
Mathis, Texas. Justin Guess serves as the pulpit minister for the
congregation. You may visit their website at http://mathischurchofchrist.com/
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| Nuggets
& Quick Riches - misc. goodies |
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In
God’s
Time
A
man
asked
God
how much a million years is to Him.
God
said,
“It’s
a second.”
Then
he
asked
God
how much a million dollars is to Him.
God
said,
“It’s
a
penny.”
So,
the
man
asked,
“God, can I have a penny?”
God
replied,
“Just
a
second.”
-
via
The
Central Message, the weekly bulletin of the Central church of Christ in
Paducah KY. Jim Faughn serves as an elder and preacher for the
congregation. He may be contacted through the congregation's
website
at: http://www.centralchurchofchrist.org |
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God Always Has an Answer
It is easy to get discouraged when things go wrong, but we must not
lose heart. God is at work in our world, even in the midst of pain and
trial. The next time your little hut is burning to the ground,
remember that it just may be a smoke signal to summon the grace of
God. For any negative thing we say to ourselves, God has a positive
answer for it:
We say: “It’s impossible.” God says: “All things are possible” (Luke
18:27).
We say: “I’m too tired.” God says: “I will give you rest” (Matthew
11:28).
We say: “I can’t do it.” God says: “You can do all things” (Philippians
4:13).
We say: “I’m not able.” God says: “I am able” (2 Corinthians 9:8).
We say: “It’s not worth it.” God says: “It will be worth it” (Romans
8:28).
We say: “Nobody really loves me.” God says: “I really love you” (John
3:16; 3:34).
We say: “I can’t go on.” God says: “My grace is sufficient” (2
Corinthians 12:9; Psalm 91:15).
We say: “I can’t figure things out.” God says: “I will direct your
steps” (Proverbs 3:5-6).
We say: “I can’t forgive myself.” God says: “I forgive you” (1 John
1:9; Romans 8:1).
We say: “I can’t manage.” God says: “I will supply all your needs”
(Philippians 4:19).
We say: “I’m afraid.” God says: “I have not given you a spirit of fear”
(2 Timothy 1:7).
We say: “I’m always worried and frustrated.” God says: “Cast all your
cares on ME” (1 Peter 5:7).
We say: “I don’t have enough faith.” God says: “My Word will give you
faith” (Romans 10:17).
We say: “I’m not smart enough.” God says: “I will give you wisdom” (1
Corinthians 1:30; James 1:1-5).
We say: “I feel all alone.” God says: “I will never leave you or
forsake you” (Hebrews 13:5).
- House to House Vol.9 #4; via the Lake Hills Letter, weekly bulletin
of the Lake Hills church of Christ in Chattanooga, TN. Shane
Robinson preaches for the congregation, and he may be contacted through
their website at http://www.lakehillschurchofchrist.org/
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God is a God of...
By
Edd Sterchi
We can learn a lot about God by doing a search in the Scriptures for
the phrase “God is” and see what follows. Notice, for example:
God is a God of...
...heaven and earth (Gen. 24:3)
...my salvation (Psa. 18:46)
...glory (Psa. 29:3)
...my life (Psa. 42:8)
...truth (Isa. 65:16)
...justice (Mal. 2:17)
...the living (Matt. 22:32)
...hope (Rom. 15:3)
...patience and comfort (Rom. 15:5)
...love and peace (2 Cor. 13:11)
...all grace (1 Pet. 5:10)
Looking at all God is in charge and
control of, why wouldn’t you want to make Him your God and obey and
serve Him all the days of your life. God is!
- Edd Sterchi preaches for the Jackson church of Christ in Jackson,
MO. He may be contacted through the congregation's website: http://www.jacksonchurchofchrist.com
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God's Omnipotence
A
Sunday School teacher was
questioning her pupils after a lesson on God's omnipotence. "Now
children," she asked, "is there anything God can't do?" One lad
enthusiastically thrust his hand into the air. The teacher, feeling
certain that the boy had missed the point of the lesson, asked
halfheartedly, "Well, just what IS it that God can't do?" Replied the
boy: "He can't please EVERYBODY, Miss!"
- Kevin Rayner preaches for the Highland church of Christ, Tecumseh,
OK. He may be contacted through the congregation’s website: http://hcoct.org/
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| Hearts
of Gold - poetry |
Dear God...
I called tonight to talk a little while,
I need a friend who'll listen to my anxiety and trial.
You see, I can't quite make it through a day just on my own.
I need your love to guide me, so I'll never feel alone.
I want to ask you please to keep, my family safe and sound.
Come and fill their lives with confidence for whatever fate they are
bound.
Give me faith, dear God, to face each hour throughout the day,
And not to worry over things I can't change in any way.
I thank you God, for being home and listening to my call.
For giving me such good advice when I stumble and fall.
Your number, God, is the only one that answers every time.
I never get a busy signal, never had to pay a dime.
So thank you, God, for listening to my troubles and my sorrow.
Good night God, I love You too, and I'll call again tomorrow!
- Unknown
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What God Has Promised
(Author
Unknown)
God has not promised skies always blue,
Flower-strewn pathways all our lives through.
God has not promised sun without rain,
Day without sorrow, peace without pain.
But God has promised strength for the day,
Rest for the labor, Light for the way.
Grace for the trials, help from above,
Unfailing sympathy, undying love . . .
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Spiritual ABC's
Although things are not perfect,
Because of trial or pain,
Continue in thanksgiving,
Do not begin to blame.
Even when the times are hard,
Fierce winds are bound to blow,
God is forever able,
Hold on to what you know.
Imagine life without His love,
Joy would cease to be.
Keep thanking Him for all the things,
Love imparts to thee.
Move out of "Camp Complaining,"
No weapon that is known,
On earth can yield the power,
Praise can do alone.
Quit looking at the future,
Redeem the time at hand.
Start every day with worship,
To "thank" is a command.
Until we see Him coming,
Victorious in the sky,
We'll run the race with gratitude,
eXalting God most high.
Yes, there'll be good times and yes some will be bad but,
Zion waits in glory, where none are ever sad!
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God Knows!!!!!
When you are tired and discouraged from
fruitless efforts . . ..
God knows how hard you have tried.
When you’re cried so long and your heart is in
anguish . . .
God has counted your tears.
If you feel that your life is on hold and time
has passed you by . . .
God is waiting with you.
When you’re lonely and your friends are too
busy even for a phone call. .
God is on your side.
When you think you’ve tried everything and
don’t know where to turn . .
God has a solution.
When nothing makes sense and you are confused
or frustrated . . .
God has the answer.
If suddenly your outlook is brighter and you
find traces of hope . . .
God has whispered to you.
When things are going well and you have much
to be thankful for . . .
God has blessed you.
When something joyful happens and you are
filled with awe . . .
God has smiled upon you.
When you have a purpose to fulfill and a dream
to follow . . .
God has opened your eyes and called you by
name.
Remember that wherever you are or whatever you
are facing . . .
God knows.
- Author Unknown
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| Gold
Mines ---- quotes, sayings & sign messages |
All I have seen teaches me
to trust the Creator for all I have not seen. (Emerson)
- via the Family Matters, weekly bulletin
of the Jackson church of
Christ in Jackson, MO. Edd Sterchi preaches for the congregation, and
he may be contacted through their website at http://www.jacksonchurchofchrist.com
Nothing is outside the reach of prayer except what is outside the will
of God.
- via The Encourager, the weekly bulletin
for the Dongola church of
Christ, Dongola, IL. Gerald Cowan serves the congregation as
minister. He may be contacted at Geraldcowan1931@aol.com
God Himself doesn’t propose to judge a man until he is dead. So
why should you?
“God doesn’t call the qualified; He qualifies the called.”
“We don’t change the message; the message changes us.”
"Were there no God, we would be in this glorious world with grateful
hearts and no one to thank." (Christina Georgina Rossetti)
- via THE SOWER, a weekly publication of
the Arthur church of Christ,
Arthur, IL. Ron Bartanen, who serves as minister and editor, may be
contacted through the congregation's website: http://www.arthurchurchofchrist.com
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| BulletinGold
Extra ---- recent postings on
our Blogsite |
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Attitude
Make
a Difference, by Patrick Hogan
To Obey Is Better, by Kevin Williams
For Your Soul, by Paul L. McElroy
The Refiner of Silver
"Sandwich" It in! By Adam Faughn
"Good Gossip," by Dan Williams
An Inheritance Awaits! By David A. Sargent
The Blessing of Faithfulness, by Derrick Coble
My Soul…, by Trevor Tattersall
Extra Quotes
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