This post is always here to welcome you if you are here for the first time and as a reminder of what Documented Faith is all about.
A: It is a creative way to record, illustrate, document, journal and doodle the everyday moments, Bible verses, inspirational quotes and a growing relationship with Jesus and with others in a planner, binder, art journal, notebook, on a post it note or inside and outside the margins of a journaling Bible.
Q: Why Document My Faith?
A: To develop the habit of spending time reflecting, reading, worshiping, learning and memorizing God’s word in a creative way.
Q: How Do I start?
A: All you need to do is register your name and email so that you receive a weekly email. You can follow along each month with a specific focus word and weekly with a verse that coordinates with that word. What and how you create is totally up to you. Whether you journal, memorize, reflect, create and/or apply the verse and word into your everyday life, the most important thing is that you are in the word.
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Contact Stephanie at: [email protected]
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Blog: www.homegrownhospitality.typepad.com
Now just scroll down to see the latest weekly post
February 2017 - Love
Week Seven 2/12-2/18
Verse: Love is more important than anything else. It is what ties everything completely together. Colossians 3:14CEV
Notes: The virtues of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience are bound together by love. As we strive to work towards these things, we must remember that LOVE holds all of these other virtues in place. We cannot do one without the other.
To download this weeks verse and message, click here: Download Week 7
Week Six 2/5 - 2/11
Note To Self: God alone is the source of love and He uses us (His believers) to be conduits of His love to the world. Because we have received God’s love, we are called to carry out that love into the world by loving one another. Are we doing that to the best of our ability?
January 2017 - Move
Week Five 1/29 - 2/4
Verse: "I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my eye on you" Ps. 32:8
Note To Self: Before we can move forward, we may have to let go of something we've been doing awhile. God nudges us outside of our comfort zone to encourage and remind us to rely on Him. When we are feeling stretched and uncomfortable and possibly even experiencing a sense of anxiety, we must trust that He is leading us along the best path for our lives.
To download this weeks verse and message: click here: Download Weekfiveprintable
Week Four 1/22-1/28
Note To Self: Carrying all of your worries, stress and daily struggles by yourself shows that you have not trusted God fully with your life. Letting God have your anxieties calls for action. Do not submit to circumstances but to the Lord who controls them.
Week 3 1/15-1/21
Verse: "Therefore, with minds that are alert and fully sober, set your hope on the grace to be brought to you when Jesus Christ is revealed at his coming." 1 Peter 1:13
Notes: The promise that Jesus will return should motivate us to live for Him. This means being mentally alert (preparing your minds for action)disciplined (self-control) and focused.
To read more about how I created based on this verse, click here:
Week 2 1/8-1/14
Verse: "Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.” Ephesians 6:10-11
Notes: It is our responsibility to be prepared to act/move. In our walk, we will battle against spiritual darkness and we must depend on God’s strength and use every piece of His armor to move through what we are going through.
Week 1 1/1-1/7
Verse: Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose. Philippians 2:12-13 NIV
Notes: Do Everything Without Grumbling. Activate the strengthening process daily, consistently and faithfully.
December 2016 - Joy
Be Joyful with those who are joyful. Be sad with those who are sad.” Romans 12:15 NIRV
Prayer: Lord as we enter into this Christmas season we want to take time each day to thank You for sending Your Son to be born as a baby and to become our Savior so that He can bring peace into the hearts of those that believe and joy to those that find their hope in Him. Amen.
Week 51 12/11-12/17
"Light in a messenger’s eyes brings joy to the heart, and good news gives health to the bones." Proverbs 15:30 NIV
Prayer: Lord, keep me I pray in good health and strength. Let me run and not grow weary and may I be used as a comfort and support to those that are not so fortunate as I. Amen.
Week 50 12/4-12/10
Verse: May these thoughts of mine please him. I find my joy in the Lord. Psalm 104:34 NIRV
Prayer: Lord as we enter into this Christmas season we want to take time each day to thank You for sending Your Son to be born as a baby and to become our Savior so that He can bring peace into the hearts of those that believe. Amen.
November 2016 - Hospitality
Week 49 Nov. 27-Dec. 3
We must continually grow in love for Jesus and for others. It is important to pray regularly but also to continue to reach out and offer hospitality to others.
To download this weeks verse and message, please click here: Download Week49
Week 48 Nov 20-26
For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in..” Matthew 25:35 NIV
To download this weeks verse, message and printable,click here: Download Week48
Week 47 Nov 13-19
Suppose someone is poor among you. And suppose they live in one of the towns in the land the Lord your God is giving you. Then don’t be mean to them. They are poor. So don’t hold back money from them. Instead, open your hands and lend them what they need. Do it freely. Deuteronomy 15:7-8 NIRV
To download this weeks verse, message and printable,click here: Download Week47
Week 46 Nov. 6-12
Verse: “Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Welcome others into your homes.” Romans 12:13
Hospitality differs from social entertaining. To download this weeks verse, message and printable,click here: Download Week46.
October 2017 - Harmony
Week 45 October 30- November 5
Verse: "Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive." Colossians 3:12-13 ESV
This week’s verse is a strategy to help us live for God day to day. To download this weeks verse and printable: Download Week45
Week 44 October 23-29
Verse: “Finally, everyone must live in harmony, by sympathetic, love each other, have compassion and be humble” 1 Peter 3:8
WE need to be God’s witnesses to skeptical people. Let our lives be examples and evidence of God’s truth, our pride become humility and our insensitivity replaced with genuine affection for others.
To download and this weeks verse and printable, Download Week44
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Week 43 October 16-22
Verse:
“And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, 25 not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” Hebrews 10:24-25 NIV)
To download this weeks message and printable, click here: Download Week43
Week 42 Oct. 9-15
Verse: “Make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification” (Romans 14:19 NIV).
Notes: The Bible says, “Make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification” (Romans 14:19 NIV). You are not responsible for everyone in the body of Christ but you are responsible to them. God expects you do whatever you can to help them. This week we are digging a little deeper.
To download this weeks message, click here: Download Week42
Week 41 Oct.2-8
Verse: ”Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited. Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.” Romans 12:16-18 NIV
Notes: Many people use their relationships for selfish ambition. Jesus demonstrated and taught us that we should treat ALL people with respect. ALL PEOPLE. We must never consider others as being beneath us.
To download this weeks verse, message and printable, click here: Download Week41
September 2017 - Teach
This month we are going to focus on the word TEACH and how God teaches us to do what He wants us to do
Week 40 Sept. 25 - Oct 1
Verse: "Preach the word. Be ready to serve God in good times and bad. Correct people’s mistakes. Warn them. Encourage them with words of hope. Be very patient as you do these things. Teach them carefully." 2 Timothy 4:2 NIRV
Notes: This verse tells us to “correct, rebuke and encourage” It is hard to accept correction and/or be told that we need to change. No matter how much the truth may hurt, we must be willing to listen to it so that we can more fully obey God.
To download this weeks message and printable, Download Week40.
Week 39 Sept. 18-24
Verse:
Verse: “Do what He teaches you to do. Keep His words in your heart. Job 22:22
To download this weeks verse, click here: Download Week39
Week 38 Sept. 11-17
Verse: I will praise the LORD, who counsels me; even at night my heart instructs me. Psalm 16:7 NIV
To download this weeks verse, click here: Download Week38
Week 37 Sept.4-10
Verse: He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God. Micah 6:8 NIV
We try to please God in all kinds of ways and He has made it very clear and simple. To download this weeks message and printable, click here: Download Week37
August 2016 - Compassion
Week 36 August 28-Sept. 3
Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. Colossians 3:12-17
The verses above are a strategy to help us live for God every day. To download this weeks verses and printable, click here: Download Week36
Week 35 August 21-27
Verse: “Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” Ephesians 4:31-32 (NIV)
How about if we put this verse into action? Ready for a challenge? To download this weeks verse and prinout, click here: Download Week35
Week 34 August 14-20
Verse: 8 Finally, all of you, be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble. 9 Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult. On the contrary, repay evil with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing. 1 Peter 3:8-9
Compassion – being sensitive and caring to one another. In addition to compassion, this verse includes 4 additional characteristics of believers. To download this weeks message, verse and printable, click here: Download Week34
Week 33 August 7-13
Verse: So give freely to needy people. Let your heart be tender toward them. Then the Lord your God will bless you in all your work. He will bless you in everything you do. There will always be poor people in the land. So I’m commanding you to give freely to those who are poor and needy in your land. Open your hands to them. Deut 15:10
Compassion means “to suffer with” and is an emotional response of sympathy. But it’s not just a feeling.
To download this weeks message, verse and printable, click here: Download Week33
July 2016 - Patience
Week 32 July 31-August 6
Verse: May you be strengthened with all power according to His glorious might for all endurance and patience with Joy” Colossians 1:11
I would like to place an order for an extra-large serving of PATIENCE with a side order of JOY. How about you?
To download this weeks message, click here: Download Week32
Week 31 July 24-30
Verse: “When you hope, be joyful. When you suffer, be patient. When you pray, be faithful.” Romans 12:12
To download this weeks verse, click here: Download Week31
Week 30 July 17-23
Verse: “Anyone who is patient has great understanding, but anyone who gets angry quickly shows how foolish he is.” Proverbs 14:29 NIRV
Notes: A quick temper can be like a fire out of control. It will burn us and everyone else in its path. Anger divides people and that is very evident in our world today.
To download this weeks messagem notes and prinatble, click here: Download Week30
Week 29 July 10-16
Verse: The original verse chosen for this week was Col.1:10-12 NIRV but I have made a change. Consider reading and reflecting on the verse along with this one: "The Lord is good to everyone who trusts in him, so it is best for us to wait in patience; to wait for him to save us." Lamentations 3:25-GNT
To download this weeks verse, message and printable, click here: Download Week29
Week 28 July 3 - 9
Verse: Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 1 Corinthians 13: 4 NIV
Notes : 1 Cor. 13:4 reminded me that PATIENCE is KEY to everything and everything is based around…LOVE. To download this weeks verse and message, click here: Download Week28
June 2016 - Serve
Week 27 June 26-July 2
Verse: God’s gifts of grace come in many forms. Each of you has received a gift in order to serve others. You should use it faithfully. 1 Peter 4:10 (NIRV)
Our abilities should be faithfully used in serving others.To download this weeks message and binder note, click here: Download Week27
Week 26 June 19-25
Verse: : “ A friend loves at all times. They are there to help when trouble comes.” Proverbs 17:17
Let’s be an example of what serving one another looks like. We must be the hands and feet of Jesus. We do not have to “like” one another but we MUST love one another. Despite all that is going on in our homes, our communities, our states and our world, let’s continue to be a light, to serve and to love.
To download this weeks verse, click here: Download Week26
Week 25 June 12-18
Verse: “You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love.” Gal. 5:13
To download this weeks message, click here: Download Week25
Pssttt...Are you getting the weekly email with the verse, weekly download and some "blah blah blah" from me??? If not, please register here so that you don't miss out:
Week 24 6/5-6/11
"Be sure to fear the Lord and serve him faithfully with all your heart; consider what great things he has done for you" 1 Samuel 12:24
To download this weeks message, click here: Download Week24
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May 2016 - Acceptance
Week 23 5/29 - 6/4
“But he answered one of them, ‘I am not being unfair to you, friend. Didn’t you agree to work for a denarius? Take your pay and go. I want to give the one who was hired last the same as I gave you. Don’t I have the right to do what I want with my own money? Or are you envious because I am generous?’ “So the last will be first, and the first will be last.” Matthew 20:13-16 NIV
To download this weeks verse and message Download Week23
To watch a little video, click the arrow below:
To read about the Brave Girls Symposium in Boise, ID this summer, click here. Don't forget to let me know if you are going to be there so that we can meet-up!
Week 22 5/22 - 5/28
“I replied, ‘Surely not, Lord! Nothing impure or unclean has ever entered my mouth.’ Acts 11:8 NIV
Read Acts 11:1-18. If you have a study Bible, I suggest reading the notes about this verse means.
To download this weeks verse and message, click here: Download Week22 (Autosaved)
Week 21 5/15-5/21
“What I’m about to tell you is true,” he continued. “A prophet is not accepted in his hometown.” Luke 4:24 NIRV
Even Jesus was not accepted as a prophet in his hometown.
To download this weeks verse and message, click here: Download Week21
Week 20 5/8- 5/14
The angel of the Lord came to them. The shining-greatness of the Lord shone around them. They were very much afraid. 10 The angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. See! I bring you good news of great joy which is for all people. Luke 2:9-10 NLV
It is not just a verse we read at Christmas time…the good news about Jesus is that he comes to all, including the plain and ordinary(whew!) He comes to anyone with a humble heart enough to accept Him. Whatever you have done, whoever you are wherever you are, you can have Jesus in your life. No qualifications necessary, He accepts you just the way you are.
To download this weeks verse and message, click here: Download Week20
Week 19 5/1-5/7
“He has given us both his promise and his oath, two things we can completely count on, for it is impossible for God to tell a lie. Now all those who flee to him to save them can take new courage when they hear such assurances from God; now they can know without doubt that he will give them the salvation he has promised them. This certain hope of being saved is a strong and trustworthy anchor for our souls, connecting us with God himself behind the sacred curtains of heaven." Hebrews 6:18-19 Living Bible
To download this weeks message, click here: Download Week19
To watch the "New Month Binder Pages" video click below:
:
newmonthpageoutlines from Stephanie Ackerman on Vimeo.
April 2016 - Encourage
Week 18 4/24-4/30
Learn to do what is right. Treat people fairly. Help those who are treated badly. Stand up in court for children whose fathers have died. And do the same thing for widows. Isaiah 1:17 NIRV
To download this weeks verse and message, click here: Download Week18
Week 17 4/17- 4/23 “Strengthen the hands of those who are weak. Help those whose knees give away. Say to those whose hearts are afraid “ Be Strong. Do not fear. Your God will come. He will pay your enemies back. He will come to save you” Isaiah 35:3-4 NIRV
There are many of us that at times have weak hands and feet. Some of us are new in Christ and it is our responsibility to strengthen each other, not only to bear with the weak but to do what we can to encourage.
To download this weeks verse and message, click here: Download Week17.
Week 16 4/10 - 4/16 "And let us not give up meeting together. Some are in the habit of doing this. Instead, let us encourage one another with words of hope. Let us do this even more as you see Christ’s return approaching.” Hebrews 10:25 NIRV
We need to meet together, encourage each other and help one another. We gather together to share our faith and strengthen one another in the Lord.
To download this week message and verse, please Download Week16.
To check a few new pages in my binder, please click here.
Week 15 April 4/3-4/9 “We all have gifts. They differ according to the grace God has given to each of us. Do you have the gift of prophecy? Then use it according to the faith you have. If your gift is serving, then serve. If it is teaching, then teach. Is it encouraging others? Then encourage them. Is it giving to others? Then give freely. Is it being a leader? Then work hard at it. Is it showing mercy? Then do it cheerfully.” Romans 12:6-8
We need to encourage one another to have greater confidence in God and to be bolder in living out our faith. I want to encourage you this month to do several things. Our gifts differ in nature, power and effectiveness according to His wisdom and graciousness, not according to our faith. Our role is to be faithful and to find ways to serve others with what we have been given.
To download this weeks message and verse, click here: Download Week15
To download April Binder Dashboard and Bubble Page Printable, click here: Download Aprilartprintouts
March 2016 - Devote
Week 14 - “The Lord is my light, and he saves me. Why should I fear anyone? The Lord is my place of safety. Why should I be afraid? My enemies are evil. They will trip and fall when they attack me and try to swallow me up. Even if an army attacks me, my heart will not be afraid. Even if war breaks out against me, I will still trust in God. I’m asking the Lord for only one thing. Here is what I want. I want to live in the house of the Lord all the days of my life. I want to look at the beauty of the Lord. I want to worship him in his temple.” Psalm 27:1-4
Week 13 - “Lord, you are everything I need. I have promised to obey your words” Psalm 119:57
To download week 13 & 14 message and verses, click here: Download Week13and14
Week 12 - "When you look for me with all your heart, you will find me" Jeremiah 29:13
This weeks verse ties in perfectly with my everyday goal to surrender daily. Surrendering can't be done just "a little" or only sometimes. It needs to be done completely and all the time. The same goes for the verse. You can't look for God with part of your heart or a little of your heart. Just like surrender, I have to be all in and with all my heart.
Note to self: I need to see this reminder everywhere and so in this weeks message and download, I encourage you to print it out and trim the little strips of the verse to put in little places as constant reminders. It is the best I can do besides getting it tattooed on my arm or forehead.
To read week 12 blog post, go here
To download this weeks message and verse, click here: Download Week12
To download the Easter coloring page,click here: Download Easterdoodledownloadpdf
To download Easter banner words, click here Download Easterdoodlebannerwords
Week 11 - “Blessed are those who obey his covenant laws. They trust in him with all their hearts.” Psalm 119:2 NIRV
The 119th Psalm is the longest Psalm and chapter in the Bible. History tells that it may have been written as a repetitive meditation on the beauty of God’s word and how it helps us stay pure and grown in faith. The theme of the 119th Psalm reminds us that God’s word is truth. We must stay focused and devote ourselves to Him no matter how bad the world or circumstances become.
This week I encourage you to focus and devote your time to the truths and promises of God. To download this weeks verse and printout, click here
Week 10 - "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength."Deuteronomy 6:5 NIV (no printout)
Week 9 -" Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins." 1 Peter 4:8 NIV (no printout)
Week 8 - February 21-27
“You have made yourselves pure by obeying the truth. So you have an honest and true love for your brothers and sisters. Love each other deeply, from the heart” 1 Peter 1:22
Note To Self: Sincere love involves selfless giving. A self-centered person can’t truly love. God’s love and forgiveness free you to take your eyes off of yourselves and to meet other’s needs. To download this weeks message & verse, click here.
Week Seven - February 14-20
John 15:12 (NIV) “My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you.”
This weeks verse reminds us that we are to love each other as Jesus loved us and he loved us enough to give his life for us. To download this weeks message & verse click here
Week Six - February 7-13
"The whole law can be found in a single command. Love your neighbor as you love yourself"Gal 5:14
To download this weeks message & verse, click here
To download the watercolor heart printable, click here
Week Five
Colossians 5:2 - “Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving.” Col. 4:2 ESV
If you have ever gotten tired of praying for someone or something you are not alone. This verse tells us to devote ourselves to prayer and to be watchful. Being persistent is an expression of our faith and should not become weak when then answers come slowly.
To download and print out this weeks message, click here
Week Four January 24-30
“Meanwhile, the moment we get tired in the waiting, God’s Spirit is right alongside helping us along. If we don’t know how or what to pray, it doesn’t matter. He does our praying in and for us, making prayer out of our wordless sighs, our aching groans. He knows us far better than we know ourselves, knows our pregnant condition, and keeps us present before God. That’s why we can be so sure that every detail in our lives of love for God is worked into something good.” Romans 8:26-28 (MSG)
In a nut shell, we are not left to our own resources to cope with problems. Even when you do not know the right words to pray, HE KNOWS YOUR HEART.
To download and print out this weeks message, click here
Watch this video to see how I used the front and back cover of the "Pray" booklet from the first Documented Faith Companion kit (which was called the January kit but we are not calling that anymore)
Week "Three-ish" January 17-23
“Never stop praying. Pray without ceasing, pray continually, pray regularly, pray at all times, continually be prayerful, pray constantly, pray all the time.” 1Thes. 5:17 NLV
So this is the REAL week three! The third week in January, January 17 – 23. I think I confused myself last week but here we are and guess what, it is okay! The fact that I can pray at any time wherever I am, for anything I need helps keep me spiritually anchored. Whether it is a breathtaking slow motion minute of desperation or an amazing glorious moment of celebration, I can rely on the truth that HE is there and He hears me. The same goes for YOU.
Whew, thank you and AMEN!
To download and print out this weeks verse and message, click here.
This week there is also a video that you can watch on laminating the prayer that is on the download. To watch the video, go here.
Hello Week Two (well and Week Three!)
I am going to throw you for a loop this week because I am going to give you TWO verses. PLEASE DO NOT FREAK OUT...it is not worth a freak out. I did not want to do that to ya just as you were getting started but you see, our weeks start on Saturday (well, at least the verses post on Saturdays) and well, there are FIVE Saturdays in January...oh geez, it is even too confusing to type Just trust me, i think...
Week Two 1/3-1/9
"Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.” Phil 4:6-7 NLT
Week Three 1/10-1/16
"Never stop praying. Pray without ceasing, pray continually, pray regularly, pray at all times, continually be prayerful, pray constantly, pray all the time.” 1Thes. 5:17 NLV
Really, regardless of what week it is or isn't, the important thing here is that we are praying...and not just when we need something. We are creating a habit of praying continually, regardless of the situation.
To download this weeks verse(s) and message, please click here.
Week One
“Is anyone among you in trouble? Let them pray. Is anyone happy? Let them sing songs of praise. Is anyone among you sick? Let them call the elders of the church to pray over them and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise them up. If they have sinned, they will be forgiven. Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.” James 5:13-16 (NIV)
Something to think about this week: We must count on others for support and prayers. Remember, you were not created to do it on your own. Here is an additional good verse about Prayer: “Be prepared. You’re up against far more than you can handle on your own. Take all the help you can get, every weapon God has issued, so that when it’s all over but the shouting you’ll still be on your feet. Truth, righteousness, peace, faith, and salvation are more than words. Learn how to apply them. You’ll need them throughout your life. God’s Word is an indispensable weapon. In the same way, prayer is essential in this ongoing warfare. Pray hard and long. Pray for your brothers and sisters. Keep your eyes open. Keep each others spirits up so that no one falls behind or drops out.” Ephesians 6:18 (MSG)
To print out this weeks verse and message, click here
January 2016 Word: Pray