Are you struggling to just get through the day?

How can you overcome the challenges of life?

Are you fulfilling your great purpose right now, today?

“Overcome, Step UP, And Walk In Your Great Purpose!“

There is no charge for this webinar, and you will receive bonus goodies just for coming.

Join Beth Jones, Kimberly Ehlers, and I at this webinar.

I will be speaking on “You Are An Overcomer!” Don’t let problems and fears hold you back from being all God made you to be. I will be sharing from God’s Word how you can overcome the challenges of life and be confident in God’s power. Kimberly Ehlers will be speaking on “How To Lived A Purpose-Filled, Peaceful Life”.

To learn more, click here!

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God loves us so much, that even as sinful people, He died for us. We deserve God’s wrath and punishment for our sins. Instead, God loved us so much that He gave us His son.

“But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.” Romans 5:8-9 (KJV)

Think about what He did?

Would you be willing to give up your only son who you love with all your heart for someone who causes you grief and pain? That is what God did for us. There is no one else who has this kind of love.

No one is excluded from God’s love.

All we must do is admit that we are a sinner, believe that Jesus never sinned, died and rose again to take away our sin, and ask Him to save us.There are no test we must pass or hoops to jump through.

We are justified and made free from the penalty of death by Jesus’ blood.

The penalty for being a sinner is death and eternal/never-ending life in hell. God has paid our penalty in full and freed us to have eternal/never-ending life with Him in Heaven.

If you have received God’s gift of salvation, you have no reason to keep it quiet. You must share it with the world. Your family, friends, coworkers, and those you come in contact with each day need you to share with them about Jesus.

God’s gift is the best gift we will ever receive. Don’t let fear of rejection or embarrassment hold you back from sharing this amazing gift.

Teach children about God’s love and salvation with this FREE Bible lesson: http://buildingblocks4life.com/god-is-always-with-you-lesson

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Rejoice in the Lord, all day long.

“Blessed are those who have learned to acclaim you, who walk in the light of your presence, O Lord. They rejoice in your name all day long; they exult in your righteousness. For you are their glory and strength.”

Psalm 89:15-17 (NIV)

Some days we may not feel like rejoicing, but we have so much to rejoice about.

When we are complaining or grouchy it is like saying “God didn’t give me anything to rejoice about.” Our lives are filled with blessings and miracles. When you need to chase the grouchies away, start praying. Thank God for specific things He has done for you. Look around you. Blessings come in many shapes and sizes.

Put on a smile and do something for others. It could be you have had a long day and your children are fighting. Instead of getting angry thank God for your children and the do something fun with them. Tell your children you love them and rejoice that God made them.

Walk in God’s presence by having a godly attitude. Rejoice in each circumstance God allows in your life.We do not know the reasons why things happen, but God knows everything. He wants to bring us good.

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV)

Make today a GOOD day!

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Where do you turn when you need direction and help?

When we need direction and help, we should turn to God first. He has all the answers to any problem there is. His guidance is the best.

“Thou shalt guide me with thy counsel, and afterward receive me to glory.”

Psalm 73:24 (KJV)

We have God’s word to guide us, but sometimes we like to have a person on earth to talk to, get advice from, and receive encouragement to help us face our problems.

Jesus used stories to show His point. I have a true story to demonstrate my point to you.

My website is hosted by Mom Webs. I love their service. Many times I can solve problems on my own, but there are times I’m stumped. I know I can turn to Mom Webs (owned by Kelly McCausey, a Christian) and get a quick response, answer, and help to my problem. They go above and beyond to give me the best service and answer my questions. I am not a celebrity and the cost is very reasonable (as low as $5 a month) for this great service, yet they help me.

It’s nice to have someone who can help you. A person you can count on and know they want to help and encourage you is priceless.

When you need direction and help, seek out someone to talk to that is growing in the Lord and can give you guidance from God’s word. If I turned to my dog or a non-techie person about my web problem instead of Mom Webs for guidance, I would not get the sound and helpful answers I need. We need to choose who we talk to about our problems carefully so we will get good advice. Find a Christian friend, family member, or pastor to talk to about your needs.

Just as Mom Webs is reliable and I can turn to them for an answer, we should be available for others who need us.We may not always have an answer, but we can pray with others and give them scripture to encourage and guide them.

Mom Webs is friendly and I can trust them. They never make me feel bad for asking silly questions and they don’t sneak in any hidden fees. Encourage others who come to you. Don’t “charge” or humiliate them by breaking their confidence or blabbing to others about them. They should feel confident talking to you and know that you will give them advice based on God’s word and not just your opinion. If there is a problem they need more help with or if it is out of your control, help them find good Christian help and offer to go with them if necessary.

“Serve one another in love.”

Galatians 5:13 (NIV)

God is our ultimate guide and help. He gives us the Bible and others who can encourage, direct, and help us. I hope this true story about Mom Webs being a super host with great service has inspired you to reach out and help guide others in the direction God has for them.

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Are you rooted in God’s Word?

We need to be nourished and fed by God’s word so we can grow and flourish into all God made us to be. Being rooted in God’s word helps us to communicate our beliefs effectively and encourage others.

Why is God’s Word important?

How can we be rooted in God’s word?

These are important questions. Find the answers and learn more in this excellent article “Rooted In The Word” by my dear friend Beth Jones at http://www.bethjones.net.

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As adults we complicate our lives with “what ifs”, “can’ts”, and “but whats”. We have opportunities to share the gospel with others, but we let the “ifs” and “buts” get in our way.

My daughter, who was about six year years old at the time, shared with her aunt that God loved her and gave her a small paper note to remind her. That small note made an impact. Later on, we were told those few words and note turned her aunt’s heart toward God. The aunt realized the younger was teaching the older and that she was older and should be an example to others. God loved her and would help her!

We need to put on the super goggles God has given us, follow His plan for our lives, and put the “ifs”, “can’ts”, and “buts” behind us.

Put on the goggles God has given you so when satan tries to poke you in the eye you will be protected and know the truth.

• Prayer goggles – Go to God in prayer seeking His counsel.

• God’s word goggles – Read and apply God’s word to your life. Don’t read it and go about what you want to do. Do what God wants you to do.

• The truth goggles – Don’t listen to satan’s lies. Satan is tricky. He will try to deceive and discourage you anyway He can. Satan delights in seeing you give up on what God wants you to do. His lies are cunning and may look appealing, but you must search for God’s truth.

• A willing life goggles – Allow God to use your life, talents, and abilities. God can use you! No matter what season of life you are in God can use you if you come to Him, are ready to be used, and have a willing and broken for Him heart.

Moses said “what if” and “I can’t”. God showed Moses he could. We are told in Mark 10:27 (KJV) “And Jesus looking upon them saith, With men it is impossible, but not with God: for with God all things are possible.” Look at the impossible through God’s goggles. Be transformed by God’s power.

The possibilities are endless of how God can use you! Put on God’s goggles right now!

Let God use you then come back and leave a comment and share how God is using you for His glory. Let’s put on God’s goggles and make an impact on others.

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The Scriptures are an important tool in growing a relationship with God. We learn, gain endurance, get encouragement and hope from the Bible. A Bible sitting on a shelf cannot help us. We must dig in and study it.

I received a Busy Mom’s Bible published by Zondervan Bibles I really like and thought it would be helpful to someone else. It helps you to dig into God’s word.The devotions, study helps, and reflect and praysections that come with this Bible are useful for men, women, teenagers, and children. This Bible is good way to teach children how to study the Bible. It is also made perfectly to take on the go or carry in your purse. Watch this video I made to see the Bible for yourself.

Dig into your Bible, study the Scriptures, and grow in God today!

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Make this year count!

“If we are not intentionally turning hearts toward God, then we are just nice people pointing in the wrong direction.” – Paul A. Lewis

Do you want to have a bountiful year?

You can have a year that is overflowing with God’s love and blessings.

Seek God

Make time for prayer and Bible reading. Jesus knew this is important! He took time away from the crowds of people to be refreshed and renewed. We need to make time to be renewed in our fellowship with God. Life is busy. This shouldn’t be an excuse for not seeking God in our lives.

Serve God

You can serve God. Each person who is a child of God has physical and spiritual gifts. God wants you to use them for His honor and glory. Look around you. Are you just being a nice person or are you being an example of Christ by serving God? The disciples were not just nice people. They served God. Many times at the risk of their own lives. We do not not face many of the dangers they faced. This should be an inspiration for us to bring others to the Lord.

Are you ready for a big dose of inspiration, encouragement, and practical help? Do you want to be refreshed, revived, renewed, and rejuvenated?

Join me at the Ultimate Women’s Expo! I will be speaking on the topic of “Have a Bountiful Year”. This will be a time of refreshment and enjoyment! There is no deadline for joining in on this fun time of learning refreshment and bonus freebies.

Join me here:

http://www.lois-graham.com/ayearthatcounts.html

Cindy Rushton is donating a FREE ticket to the expo!!!!!!

Visit my Facebook Fan Page and look under the notes for details on how to win this ticket . The deadline for the drawing is Thursday, February 11′th at 11 PM EST.

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We live our lives in an imaginary circle.

Inside the circle is our comfort zone. It is a place of security and what we are familiar with. Outside the circle are new and unfamiliar experiences.

Why should we go outside our circle? Is it really necessary?

Yes! There are new things to learn and places to go. People that God wants you to meet and opportunities to share how God has helped you.

Inside of our circle there are many things that we can do for God. If we stay inside our circle, we get comfortable and complacent.  We need to continually be stretching and reaching out of our circle.

Jesus gave the disciples and us a great command in Matthew 28:19-20 (KJV).

Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

God wants us to be an example with our life, share His Good news, and encourage others.

We must venture out of our circle and bless others. The disciples probably did many things that were not inside their circle. Think about the differences you would have going from being a fishermen to ministering to a crowd of thousands.

God has us leave our little circle in subtle ways and more dramatic ways. We are not alone.

Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen. – Matthew 28:20 (KJV)

God does not leave us alone. When we leave the comfort of our circle, God is there to comfort us. He will help us to do what is hard. We are not alone as we go through new learning experiences. God will help and bless us as we leave our circle to help and bless others.

Get Out Of Your Circle Today!

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What is a friend?

The Bible says  “There is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.” in Proverbs 18:24 (KJV)

God is your friend. You can go to Him at anytime for anything. He will never leave or forsake you.

Earthly friends may get busy with what is going on in their lives or desert you. God will never do that. If you have accepted His free, no strings attached gift of salvation you are His child. You will be His child forever. There is not anything that can separate His love and care. God cares about YOU! He would have died for you, even if you were the only person to give salvation too. There is no better friend than God.

Are lonely or overwhelmed?

God is their to wrap you in His loving arms. He will listen as you pour your heart out to Him. His ears never grow weary. We have His utmost and undivided attention. It is hard for our humans minds to comprehend how He can be there for so many people and still be one on one with us. That is what makes God magnificent. He is above all our comprehension, yet He is able to minister directly to us. No strings attached. His friendship is not based on what He gets in return. Although, we should honor and serve Him out of a heart of love for our Him.

God’s love is without limits.

He did not send His son Jesus to minister to only to the important, rich, and those of high status. God sent His son to the lowly, weak, and sinful.

A five year old’s response to what a friend is that they play with you and are kind. An adults response is that they encourage and listen to you. All of these are attributes of a friend. The season of life may be different, but the common need for a friend is the same. No matter what season of life you are in, God is your friend.

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Can you imagine being Mary the mother of Jesus? What an indescribable gift and responsibility she was given.

Imagine with me. Mary is going about her day when an angel appears. The angel Gabriel, said to Mary that she was highly favoured and blessed (Luke 1:30). This is an amazing and jaw dropping moment! What would you think or do? It’s not everyday that you receive a compliment from an angel. The angel calmed Mary’s fears. He said “fear not Mary” and repeated that she had found favour with God.

To be told that you are favoured by God would be exciting! What a privilege it would be to have God say he has found favour in you. We should strive to have an attitude and be a person that God can be proud of. We are to have a God pleasing attitude, even when your boss has unreasonable expectations, your children are making a mess, or you have a final/deadline that is stressing you out. We are to build God’s name up and not tear it down with our words and actions.

The angel, Gabriel, goes on to tell Mary an important message from God in Luke 1:3o. “And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God.” Think about the questions that must have been going through Mary’s mind.

When circumstances come into our life that we don’t understand, it is easy to question God. We do not need to understand all of the “whys” in life. God has a purpose. The angel Gabriel told Mary in Luke 1:37 “For with God nothing is impossible”. God is in control and has a plan for our lives. Trust God! He knows and will do what is best for us.

Mary rejoiced! In Luke 1:46-47, Mary says ” My soul doth magnify the Lord, and my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour.” Mary could have chose to see this news as a tragedy. She choose to trust trust in God to care for her. The hard times came for Mary, but she stayed strong.

Can you imagine being ready to deliver a baby and have to take the trip that Mary did? When Ceasar Augustus decreed that the world should be taxed, Mary went with Joseph to Bethlehem. The trip from Nazareth to Bethlehem was not as simple as it would be today. Imagine expecting a child and walking or riding an animal this great distance. It must have been uncomfortable and tiring.

Our lives have become accustomed to a life of ease. If we go on a trip, we have the pleasure of riding in a comfortable vehicle and stopping at a restaurant to eat. This was not an option for Mary. She endured and kept going. We can find many things to complain about. Is life really that bad? Who or what does our complaining benefit?  Remember Mary when you are standing in line or sitting in traffic and feel like complaining.

That is not the end of the story. Mary and Joseph arrive in Bethlehem. When they arrived the inn was full. How discouraging! They made the long trip and were probably weary and tired. The only place to stay was with the animals.

Where would you pick to sleep? A barn or an inn? The inn would be more comfortable and pleasant. Often, God takes us out of our comfort zone. God wants us to to grow and rely on him. Luke 2 :7 tells us that Mary “brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn”.

Mary could look back and see how God had used her. We read in Luke 2:19 “Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart”. Mary had special memories to look back at. Let what you do today be a good memory for tomorrow.

Have an attitude and be a person that God can look at with favour. Trust God and rejoice in all circumstances. Don’t complain or get discouraged. Go out of your comfort zone following God’s will. God has a plan for your life. Learn and grow through the circumstances that come your way!

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We have many things that we can praise God for. All that we have is from God. He is the giver of everything. Even during troubles, trails, and discouragements there is always something that we can praise God for.

In life there are many obstacles that can easily discourage us. We can look to God for help and give him praise for what we have. Giving praise to God will help us to focus on what is good rather than what is trying to discourage us.

God wants us to praise him continually. Have a spirit of thanksgiving. Let this verse be a guide to you.

Psalms 34:1 says “I will bless the Lord at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth.” (KJV)

How can you praise God?

Through Song

Praise can be made by singing,  playing, or listening to music that uplifts the name of the Lord and turns your focus to the attributes and greatness of God.

James 5:13 “Is any one of you in trouble? He should pray. Is anyone happy? Let him sing songs of praise.” (KJV)

Psalm 7:17 “I will praise the LORD according to his righteousness: and will sing praise to the name of the LORD most high.” (KJV)

Reading Psalms

The book of Psalms in the Bible is an excellent way to read writings of praise. As you read let your heart rejoice. Pick a verse of praise and blessing to share with someone today.

Psalm 34:3 “O magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt his name together.” (KJV)

By Praying

Pray for others. Thank God for the ways he has helped and provided for you. Ask God for opportunities and ways to help and uplift others. The apostle Paul was an encourager and knew the value of prayer and praise. He wrote Ephesians 1:16 to the saints at Ephesus.

Ephesians 1:16 “Cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers.” (KJV)

Encourage Others

Share verses of blessing or words of how God has blessed with others. Encourage them to look at the blessings God has so richly given.

2 Samuel 22:50 “Therefore I will give thanks unto thee, O LORD, among the heathen, and I will sing praises unto thy name.” (KJV)

Isaiah 63:7 “I will mention the lovingkindnesses of the LORD, and the praises of the LORD, according to all that the LORD hath bestowed on us, and the great goodness toward the house of Israel, which he hath bestowed on them according to his mercies, and according to the multitude of his lovingkindnesses.” (KJV)

Listen to:

Ways To Praise God

http://www.talkshoe.com/talkshoe/web/audioPop.jsp?episodeId=296082&cmd=apop

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F – Foundation

Build a solid foundation for your family. There are many ups and downs in life. Strength from a secure foundation will help your family stand strong.

How do you build a strong foundation?

• Have the Lord Jesus Christ as the foundation of your home.

“For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ. If any man builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, his work will be shown for what it is because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each man’s work.” – I Corinthians 3:11-13 NIV

Try your best to keep your family focused on the Lord. When trials come you will be able to stand. It is never too late to build a foundation. You may have to work harder at it but the blessings will come.

A – Activities

Build upon your foundation by spending time together as a family doing activities. Time spent doing daily family devotions and having dinners together will help you to build strong walls. It is easy to let outside activities draw your family apart. Strive to do at least one fun activity together each week.

M – Memories

Make memories! Don’t let another day slip by without spending time together. The busyness of life is like a weed. It starts out small and then grows bigger and bigger. The fun memories that you can make as a family get choked out. Prioritize what is important to your family. Stay focused on that goal.

I – Important

Show your family that they are important. Take time to listen. Make eye contact and listen to what they are saying. Letting your mind wander will distract you from what they have to tell you.

Picture this in your mind. Johnny tells you he found a frog in the backyard. Your first thought is “I hope he didn’t bring it into the house.” If you listen to what he has to say you will find out that he watched the frog eat a bug. It was an amazing and important part of his day! You are important to him and he wanted to share this special memory with you.

Don’t miss out on small moments that are important to your family.

L – Love

Love is from God. 1 John 4:7 tells us “love one another: for love is of God”. Families often have disagreements. This should not keep us from loving each other.

The Bible tells of the prodigal son. “And he arose and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him.”- Luke 15:20 KJV

Despite his son’s mistakes he loved him. Everyone makes mistakes. We can use them as a learning experience. Having someone love and help you through your mistakes will help you to learn and grow.

Y – Yourself

You are important to your family. They need you to be an example and teacher to them. Your priorities, values, and actions are being watched. Are you being a godly example?

Use the letters in FAMILY to build a strong family!

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Quotes:

• A Constitution of Government once changed from Freedom, can never be restored. Liberty, once lost, is lost forever. – Letter to Abigail Adams (July 17, 1775)

• Our faith teaches that there is no safer reliance than upon the God of our fathers, who has so singularly favored the American people in every national trial, and who will not forsake us so long as we obey His commandments and walk humbly in His footsteps. -William McKinley’s inaugural address

• I deem the present occasion sufficiently important and solemn to justify me in expressing to my fellow citizens a profound reverence for the Christian religion, and a thorough conviction that sound morals, religious liberty, and a just sense of religious responsibility are essentially connected with all true and lasting happiness. – William Harrison’s inaugural address

• God who gave us life gave us liberty. Can the liberties of a nation be secure when we have removed a conviction that these liberties are the gift of God? Indeed I tremble for my country when I reflect that God is just, that his justice cannot sleep forever. Commerce between master and slave is despotism. Nothing is more certainly written in the book of fate than that these people are to be free. Establish a law for educating the common people. This it is the business of the state and on a general plan. – Shown on the Jefferson Memorial in Washington, D.C.

• The religion which has introduced civil liberty is the religion of Christ and His apostles, which enjoins humility, piety, and benevolence; which acknowledges in every person a brother, or a sister, and a citizen with equal rights. This is genuine Christianity, and to this we owe our free Constitutions of Government. – Noah Webster, 1832, History of the United States

• The general principles on which the fathers achieved independence were the general principles of Christianity. I will avow that I then believed, and now believe, that those general principles of Christianity are as eternal and immutable as the existence and attributes of God. – John Adams wrote this on June 28, 1813, in a letter to Thomas Jefferson.

• God who gave us life gave us liberty. And can the liberties of a nation be thought secure when we have removed their only firm basis, a conviction in the minds of the people that these liberties are of the Gift of God? That they are not to be violated but with His wrath? Indeed, I tremble for my country when I reflect that God is just; that His justice cannot sleep forever; That a revolution of the wheel of fortune, a change of situation, is among possible events; that it may become probable by Supernatural influence! The Almighty has no attribute which can take side with us in that event. – Thomas Jefferson Notes on the State of Virginia, Query XVIII, p. 237.

• It cannot be emphasized too strongly or too often that this great nation was founded, not by religionists, but by Christians; not on religions, but on the Gospel of Jesus Christ. For this very reason peoples of other faiths have been afforded asylum, prosperity, and freedom of worship here. – Patrick Henry The Trumpet Voice of Freedom: Patrick Henry of Virginia, p. iii.

Here are some freebies to help you teach your children. I encourage you to continue studying history and look for ways to impact our future.

Freebies:

* Pocket Constitution
http://www.askheritage.org/Premium.aspx

* Founding Fathers Quotes and Pictures
http://www.eadshome.com/mm/foundingfathersquotes.PDF

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How can you do a checkup on your spiritual life?

1. Take time to find a quiet spot that you can talk to God and listen to what he has for you to hear.

2.  Pray for wisdom to see any areas that might be causing problems James 1:5.

3.  Spend time in God’s Word listening for scriptures that contain God’s still, small voice 1 Kings 19:12.

I remember watching a commercial that had germs running around being pest and causing problems. The ad was for a cold medicine. It claimed to rid the body of these problem causing, cold pest. All you needed to do was take their medicine. Seeing the bugs will not fix the problem. Doing a checkup is not a fix it all. If there are areas in your life that need adjustment they must be fixed. You would not look at a glass that is filthy dirty with grime and continue to drink from it. When we see a problem in our life why then do we hope that it will go away on it’s own. A glass cannot wash itself. Problems need to be fixed. It is not always easy. Some problems are out of our control. In those situations how are we responding. Are we living our lives as a mirror image of God. David was a man after God’s own heart Acts 13:22. He was not perfect. His life was filled with difficulties. The God that David could go to with his problems is the same God that we have today. God is unchanging. Hebrews 13:8 says that Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, and to day, and forever. He hears our prayers and pleas for help. When we are hurting and troubled God wants us to come to him. Pour your heart out. Acknowledge that you are coming to him for help. If there is sin in your life repent and be made whole. Our problems are not always solved instantly.  We must continue to monitor our actions and be sure that they align with God’s word. God will help us.

Doing daily checkups and fixing problem areas in our life will keep molehills from turning into mountains.

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