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38 years ago I gave birth to a son

At the age of six he came home from school and quoted John 3:16.During his elementary years, he loved learning and adored his sisters.In High School, he lost his way. All along, he always told me how much he loved me. I began to pray in a totally different way. I stood in the gap. As Christ stands before the throne, I stood holding on to the cross.I will never let go! For in the power of the cross came forgiveness, deliverance, healing and restoration for my beloved son.I now look forward to the years ahead.God will restore the years that the locust stole.Im so proud of the man he has become.
Thank you son ,
Mom

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas

Make this season special for those close to you and those you do not know.Find a way to touch lives with Christ’s great love.

For those who’s hearts are heavy, pray

For the children who are looking forward to the morning glee, pray

For families who are distant, pray

For friends, and their loved ones, pray

For a happy prosperous new year, pray!

Have you ever needed a reminder of just how much a loved one believed in heaven? Have you lost someone who is there waiting for those they loved on earth? I believe their prayers continue to be answered, even when they have gone on ahead of us to heaven. In the book of Ruth, God gives a promise that he will keep his promises both to the living and to the dead

As my brother Mark faced discouragement because of one thing after another malfunctioning in a car he purchased, he put a CD in and “The Spirit in the Sky” came on.When our mother would heat they song, she would dance and raise her arms to heaven.As Mark heard that song, his spirit rose and God’s spirit had the oppurtunity to minister hope into his heart. Remembering the joy a song brought to Mommy touched his heart in a special way today.After the song played, the car ran well and Mark is happy!

As we watch our world at war, I think about what makes American strong and what keeps it strong through so many trials and tribulations. Family is the root of America’s strength. Keeping families strong and focused is the key to a strong country.

What do we do when there is conflict in a family that is eating away at the core? Is there such a thing as a family that can get through any trial or hardship? Some challenges are difficult to face as many have their pride standing in their way. Parents and children are losing the battle to keep their family strong and are threatened with challenges that can easily be handled if it is done with wisdom and forgiveness.

Following some simple guidelines will enable families to stay close and strong. Handling conflict must be done with proper steps and with wisdom. Sensitive subjects can be addressed with care and consideration of the other person’s feelings. But who should take the first step to reconciliation? Search your heart and ask yourself that question….

Set limits, expect respect, and remember God’s word in each situation. If a grown child disrespected their parent, or stops talking to them, this does not please God. God knows a man’s heart and will work to change it. Parents can pray and take a step of faith by confronting the child with their lack of respect. Reminding them that you are the parent and God tells us to honor our mother and father. You can tell them the importance of keeping the relationship strong.

Mother-in-laws who manipulate their grown child’s life, must realize the damage they are doing to their family. Trusting God with challenges our families face is the way to peace and harmony in our homes and relationships.

Brother and sisters, use your words wisely. Remember God can change situations and people’s hearts through the power of the Holy Spirit, In his timing not ours.Who can be the better person and say “I’m concerned about our relationship?”

Forgiveness is the first step to reconciliation and healing. It takes two hearts to be softened in order for reconciliation to occur. If one person remains bitter and angry, the relationship will not mend. If you find yourself in a situation with a family member who refuse to reconcile, don’t give up. Pray and trust God to move in their heart.

Forgiveness is powerful and will enable change to take place.

God’ s word tells us “If possible, so far as it is in you, live peacefully with all men.” Romans 12:18 NASB

Do your part and relinquish the relationship to Christ. Family is important to God.  Life is short, don’t waste a moment.

As parents of school-age children, summer brings mixed emotions for those who have to work. Although school coming to a close can bring a feeling of relief to busy parents, there is a new concern that brings to mind the question of- now what? Summer camps, grandma’s house, Aunt Liz’s or hang out with the neighbor’s kids…. Knowing where our children are at all times has to be a priority. Keeping our children busy and active during the summer months is important to their well-being. God has blessed us with longer days, and we can use those extra hours of sunshine to create memories for our families during the summer months. But what can we do after 5:00 and we are tired from working all day? This is a challenge many working parents face during the summer months. Even if children are at camp or at a babysitter’s home all day, we need to spend quality time with our children.

Another challenge for parents… How do we get our children outside to play? How do we get that teenager away from his/her XBOX or PS3 game system? Many teens are staying inside during the summer months, missing out on all the sunshine and exercise. This is contributing to childhood obesity and depression. Sunshine is not only good for our physical health, but it is essential for our mental well-being also. Get them interested in the outdoor activities at a young age and they will have life long habits that will take them outdoors. Finding ways to encourage our children to participate in outdoor activities can be a challenge.

Here are some ideas to use:

·         Invite their friends over for a cook-out

·         Take them shopping at an outdoors flea-market for items that interest them

·         Pool time is always fun with friends

·         Money- pay them to wash your car, water the flowers, etc.

·         Get them interested in the outdoor activities at a young age

·         Fishing

·         Hiking

·         Bicycle riding

·         Skateboard parks

·         Sports activities

·         Camp

·         Hunting

·         Have a scavenger hunt

·         Music concerts

·         Outside movie in the park

·         Boating

·         Visit a local park

·         Go out for ice-cream

·         Bird watching

The summer should be a time for families to build closer relationships. Planning the activities ahead of time is a must. Even for moms who are employed during the summer months can find plenty of time to keep their children busy outdoors. The sun sets hours after most people come home from work. Plan those hours wisely. You will not regret the time invested in your children’s summer fun!

Chains are broken, all because of a mother’s heart

 A mother’s heart

Strong and courageous, yet can be broken

Determined and going forward, yet can be broken

Wise and Bold, yet can be broken

Loving and compassionate, yet can be untouchable

A mother’s heart

Can fight the battle of addiction

Knocks on that door that leads their child to the Lord

Can bring healing through the Word of God

A mother’s heart

Lets her prayers rise up to the heavens

Groans unspeakable messages

Although overwhelmed, will be the rock that is unmovable

Will never give up on their child

Chains are broken, all because of a mother’s heart

 Moms-

Let’s never stop praying, for in our prayers are the answers that break chains of addiction, heal broken lives, set captives free, open eyes of the blinded, lead them on to become over-comers and conquers in Christ!

        Generational curses are sneaking up on families and many don’t even see it coming! Separation and resentfulness are creeping up on those who aren’t aware of the enemy’s tactics. The tools of the devil are devious. The word of God is powerful. Speak the Word over our family’s and claim healing and reconciliation where needed.

I have seen generational issues show up as families struggle with forgiveness and restoration. In a century of drug and alcohol addiction outpouring, families are experiencing trauma and heartbreaking issues.

Young people carelessly step into  the world’s view on many Biblical issues and allow the enemy to blind their eyes to God’s view on issues such as sex before marriage, substance abuse, anger, violence, lack of forgiveness, thievery, and don’t follow the golden rule of doing to others what we would want them to do unto us.

How can we break these generational curses and have freedom in our family’s lives. Freedom in Christ is freedom that no man can steal from us. As Christians, we can make changes that will affect our family members’ lives forever. Stepping into the spiritual realm and praying for our families will open the windows of heaven. God will rain down blessings as we seek his will in our lives.

As we deal with the issues in our lives, we can make a difference by speaking positive things into place. Our words can bring healing and restoration. Helping those who are hurting find professional and spiritual assistance will allow them to get the counseling and advice they need. Many times, our family members won’t hear what we say, but will listen to someone else. Pray for God to bring that person of importance their way.

Schedule times to contact those who are astray. Pray for those who won’t respond. Speak positive words into their lives. Love and forgive. The first step for breaking those generational curses comes from our steps. Extend forgiveness, change an angry spirit, and forgive those who have been cruel, bury the anger that comes from the incident of theft, adultery. Forgive yourself. And finally, you should also ask forgiveness of anyone you’ve injured or offended.

 Forgiveness isn’t a feeling or emotion; it is something you do. To forgive is to release. Forgiveness brings change. Forgiveness releases them from bondage and allows them to walk away into a brand-new life.

Finally, walk as we are called to walk; as an Ambassador of Heaven. Represent the convictions we have as followers of Christ. Live as a person with values, positive attitude and the power of a higher call. Show others God’s way. Show kindness, grace and compassion. Leave a trace of healing wherever you go. Be the ultimate agent of forgiveness in an unforgiving world. Break those generational curses in Jesus’ name!

You have no idea what kind of blessings will flow. Families are set free, forgiveness and healing will come simply because you took the role of an ambassador of peace seriously. Our Lord – the One we represent will make “all things new.”

Lyrics | Amy Grant lyrics – Father’s Eyes lyrics

Seeing the world through our heavenly father’s eyes…..

By Tina Serrano                                                                                                                  

 The Scavenger Boys

          The last day of school had finally arrived. The boys were excited about finishing up their first year in middle school. Middle school somehow caused them to grow up quicker than they wanted to. Just being a kid and having fun was what the scavenger boys wanted to do. All the hard work, and trying to be cool was too much for them!

Even with the pressures of fitting in, school had been fun, but they were ready for summer! Their plan was to meet at Chris’ house after school to discuss their scavenger hunt. Pedro was sitting on the cement steps of the school waiting for Eddie, when he saw Mike talking to a group of girls.

“Hey Mike, aren’t we supposed to meet at your house?” asked Junior.

“Yeah, I’ll be there. Tell Chris to start without me.”

Eddie appeared from around the corner on his prized possession. He paid to have his bike custom made with the gold coins discovered during their last scavenger hunt.

Eddie shook his head and said “Chris isn’t going to like this. Girls are already distracting Mike!”

Junior looked over at Marisol Ortiz and said “I wish she would distract me!”

Eddie laughed and said “Not you too, come on…we have better things to do.”

“Like ride that bike of yours?”

“Hey man-don’t talk about my baby, she’s one of a kind!”

“Ever since you bought that thing, you do nothing else except ride it, shine it or just sit on it!”

“Whatever- I’ll meet you there” Eddie said as he rode off to Chris’ house.

Chris had been planning an investigation for the boys.  They needed to get into the Police Station because he wanted to get more information on his long lost uncle. After doing much research, Chris decided to do more investigating once he was in Puerto-Rico.

 He had been talking to his father about his uncle’s disappearance. His father told him how it all started with the story of a two headed snake.

Chris’ father looked at him sternly and said, “That snake bit your uncle and caused a lot of trouble. I had just married your mother and her brother wanted to go up to the cave, but Abuelo told us not to go up there.

We didn’t listen and when William was bit by the snake, Abuelo was furious and went up there himself to find it.”

“Did Abuelo find the snake?”

“I don’t know if he found it at that time, because after the incident, Abuelo was mad at me for allowing William to talk me into going up there, and Abuelo didn’t talk to me for weeks. William was always doing something that he shouldn’t be doing, so he just laughed it off when I tried to talk to him about it. He liked adventure. You are a lot like him, so remember not to go up there. Do you understand?!”

Chris sat quietly thinking about what the two headed snake must look like and he answered his father saying “OK, I won’t go in the caves. I know it is too dangerous.

Chris thought about how important it was to solve this mystery. After hearing the story of a two headed snake being seen in the cave, Chris was determined to find out more information on the snake. He had pictures of different creatures that were living up in the caves of Puerto-Rico, but they had nothing about a two headed snake. 

 He told his friends, “We are going to put together a puzzle that has had missing pieces for a long time. My father told me about my uncle and how he went up to the cave in Puerto-Rico to look for a two headed snake, and he was bit by the snake. What I can’t figure out, is why Abuelo never told us anything about the snake or why he never mentioned to me anything about how my uncle disappeared.”

“Abuelo probably doesn’t want you going up to the cave to search for that snake. He knows how you are with mysteries. He probably doesn’t talk about it because it must be really hard on him not knowing where his son is” said Junior.

“Yeah, you’re probably right. My father really made it clear to me about not going near that cave, but since Mike and I are going to be in Puerto-Rico, I’ll be checking it out. I can probably go up the mountain, but not go in the caves. Who knows, maybe there are some clues around there.”

“Chris, you should listen to your father and stay away from that cave. You know if he said it’s dangerous, it is off – limits” said Benny.

“Why is it Benny- you are always quiet, except when you have to say something that I don’t want to hear?”

“Well I just don’t want to get a message that you disappeared too. Then what are we going to do about our scavenger hunts?”

“Very funny, Benny” Chris had an uneasy feeling because he knew that he shouldn’t be thinking about going up that mountain and he wasn’t even in Puerto-Rico yet. He had a feeling that he wouldn’t be able to listen this time. Any other time, he would respect his father’s wishes, but this seemed too tempting to him. Especially since Abuelo never told him about the snake.

“Let’s get this mystery solved! Pedro and Benny are going to be the investigators and I want you to find all the information that you can about my uncle’s life. Ask questions, talk to your parents, neighbors, everyone that knew him. Take notes.”

“Eddie and Junior, you go to the library and check out the computer for any articles.

Try to get the file from the Police Station that tells about my uncle’s disappearance.”

“I’ll have to take my bike home first, so no-one steals it” said Eddie.

“Junior can go with you and then just head over to the library.”

Junior grabbed his backpack and jumped on the back of Eddie’s bike. They rode down to Eddie’s house and put his bike in the basement. Then they started their walk to the library. Their minds were filled with ideas and neither one talked until they reached the library.

“You ready?” asked Junior.

“Yeah” said Eddie. The boys entered the library and noticed how crowded it was.

“I hope we can get a computer. Sure is crowded today.” Junior said as he looked around at the people sitting at the computer stations.

      The old card catalog was standing in the middle of the room. It looked like something from the transformers cartoon and alongside it were four round tables that looked like flying saucers-thought Junior as he walked towards the computer station. The round tables had the computers on them. Three of the computers were dark except for the bright green blinking cursors. There were all different kinds of people sitting there using the computers. A tall man looked like he had whiplash as he bent down and stared at the computer screen. A young girl sat smiling as she read what looked like the fashion challenge of the week. Two boys sat together reading about zombies coming alive on video games. Eddie just looked over at Junior and smirked as they continued on to the librarian’s desk.

     Eddie and Junior went to the librarian’s desk with their library cards and each signed themselves in for a 15 minute computer time.

    After logging in, Junior found a webpage that listed missing persons.

  “Eddie, look- here’s a list of legal cases that involved missing persons.”

   Looking over the list, the boys nervously read the reports of missing people and cases that involved mysterious animal sightings and bug invasions.

  One report caught Junior’s eye as he noticed a name that looked familiar.

   “Hey Eddie, isn’t that the name of Chris and Mike’s missing uncle?

  “Look at this article, it says that he was missing and a reward was offered,” Eddie pointed out as he continued reading the article, “We better print this up, Junior.”

Coming Soon- Another adventure for the scavenger boys. Puerto-Rico’s caves and urban streets bring the mystery to an end!

By Tina Serrano                                                                                                                  

 The Scavenger Boys

          The last day of school had finally arrived. The boys were excited about finishing up their first year in middle school. Middle school somehow caused them to grow up quicker than they wanted to. Just being a kid and having fun was what the scavenger boys wanted to do. All the hard work, and trying to be cool was too much for them!

Even with the pressures of fitting in, school had been fun, but they were ready for summer! Their plan was to meet at Chris’ house after school to discuss their scavenger hunt. Pedro was sitting on the cement steps of the school waiting for Eddie, when he saw Mike talking to a group of girls.

“Hey Mike, aren’t we supposed to meet at your house?” asked Junior.

“Yeah, I’ll be there. Tell Chris to start without me.”

Eddie appeared from around the corner on his prized possession. He paid to have his bike custom made with the gold coins discovered during their last scavenger hunt.

Eddie shook his head and said “Chris isn’t going to like this. Girls are already distracting Mike!”

Junior looked over at Marisol Ortiz and said “I wish she would distract me!”

Eddie laughed and said “Not you too, come on…we have better things to do.”

“Like ride that bike of yours?”

“Hey man-don’t talk about my baby, she’s one of a kind!”

“Ever since you bought that thing, you do nothing else except ride it, shine it or just sit on it!”

“Whatever- I’ll meet you there” Eddie said as he rode off to Chris’ house.

Chris had been planning an investigation for the boys.  They needed to get into the Police Station because he wanted to get more information on his long lost uncle. After doing much research, Chris decided to do more investigating once he was in Puerto-Rico.

 He had been talking to his father about his uncle’s disappearance. His father told him how it all started with the story of a two headed snake.

Chris’ father looked at him sternly and said, “That snake bit your uncle and caused a lot of trouble. I had just married your mother and her brother wanted to go up to the cave, but Abuelo told us not to go up there.

We didn’t listen and when William was bit by the snake, Abuelo was furious and went up there himself to find it.”

“Did Abuelo find the snake?”

“I don’t know if he found it at that time, because after the incident, Abuelo was mad at me for allowing William to talk me into going up there, and Abuelo didn’t talk to me for weeks. William was always doing something that he shouldn’t be doing, so he just laughed it off when I tried to talk to him about it. He liked adventure. You are a lot like him, so remember not to go up there. Do you understand?!”

Chris sat quietly thinking about what the two headed snake must look like and he answered his father saying “OK, I won’t go in the caves. I know it is too dangerous.

Chris thought about how important it was to solve this mystery. After hearing the story of a two headed snake being seen in the cave, Chris was determined to find out more information on the snake. He had pictures of different creatures that were living up in the caves of Puerto-Rico, but they had nothing about a two headed snake. 

 He told his friends, “We are going to put together a puzzle that has had missing pieces for a long time. My father told me about my uncle and how he went up to the cave in Puerto-Rico to look for a two headed snake, and he was bit by the snake. What I can’t figure out, is why Abuelo never told us anything about the snake or why he never mentioned to me anything about how my uncle disappeared.”

“Abuelo probably doesn’t want you going up to the cave to search for that snake. He knows how you are with mysteries. He probably doesn’t talk about it because it must be really hard on him not knowing where his son is” said Junior.

“Yeah, you’re probably right. My father really made it clear to me about not going near that cave, but since Mike and I are going to be in Puerto-Rico, I’ll be checking it out. I can probably go up the mountain, but not go in the caves. Who knows, maybe there are some clues around there.”

“Chris, you should listen to your father and stay away from that cave. You know if he said it’s dangerous, it is off – limits” said Benny.

“Why is it Benny- you are always quiet, except when you have to say something that I don’t want to hear?”

“Well I just don’t want to get a message that you disappeared too. Then what are we going to do about our scavenger hunts?”

“Very funny, Benny” Chris had an uneasy feeling because he knew that he shouldn’t be thinking about going up that mountain and he wasn’t even in Puerto-Rico yet. He had a feeling that he wouldn’t be able to listen this time. Any other time, he would respect his father’s wishes, but this seemed too tempting to him. Especially since Abuelo never told him about the snake.

“Let’s get this mystery solved! Pedro and Benny are going to be the investigators and I want you to find all the information that you can about my uncle’s life. Ask questions, talk to your parents, neighbors, everyone that knew him. Take notes.”

“Eddie and Junior, you go to the library and check out the computer for any articles.

Try to get the file from the Police Station that tells about my uncle’s disappearance.”

“I’ll have to take my bike home first, so no-one steals it” said Eddie.

“Junior can go with you and then just head over to the library.”

Junior grabbed his backpack and jumped on the back of Eddie’s bike. They rode down to Eddie’s house and put his bike in the basement. Then they started their walk to the library. Their minds were filled with ideas and neither one talked until they reached the library.

“You ready?” asked Junior.

“Yeah” said Eddie. The boys entered the library and noticed how crowded it was.

“I hope we can get a computer. Sure is crowded today.” Junior said as he looked around at the people sitting at the computer stations.

      The old card catalog was standing in the middle of the room. It looked like something from the transformers cartoon and alongside it were four round tables that looked like flying saucers-thought Junior as he walked towards the computer station. The round tables had the computers on them. Three of the computers were dark except for the bright green blinking cursors. There were all different kinds of people sitting there using the computers. A tall man looked like he had whiplash as he bent down and stared at the computer screen. A young girl sat smiling as she read what looked like the fashion challenge of the week. Two boys sat together reading about zombies coming alive on video games. Eddie just looked over at Junior and smirked as they continued on to the librarian’s desk.

     Eddie and Junior went to the librarian’s desk with their library cards and each signed themselves in for a 15 minute computer time.

    After logging in, Junior found a webpage that listed missing persons.

  “Eddie, look- here’s a list of legal cases that involved missing persons.”

   Looking over the list, the boys nervously read the reports of missing people and cases that involved mysterious animal sightings and bug invasions.

  One report caught Junior’s eye as he noticed a name that looked familiar.

   “Hey Eddie, isn’t that the name of Chris and Mike’s missing uncle?

  “Look at this article, it says that he was missing and a reward was offered,” Eddie pointed out as he continued reading the article, “We better print this up, Junior.”

Coming Soon- Another adventure for the scavenger boys. Puerto-Rico’s caves and urban streets bring the mystery to an end!

Grandma’s Closet

Magical things happened when I opened Grandma’s closet…

The door itself told a tale of how an enchanted princess lived inside the magical world in Grandma’s closet…

Grandma’s closet door wore a crystal doorknob that sparkled…

The door knob was so pretty….

Beautiful antique lace hung over the door and a sparkling ring of keys all awaited those who opened Grandma’s closet….

Anyone who touched them became the new owner of Grandma’s closet and all that was in it…..

Once inside, you became a princess. A princess that was more beautiful than any other….

Dressed in a gown of silk and satins, I became a princess…..

In Grandma’s closet there was a pair of silver slippers with heels that made me so much bigger…

A crown of jewels sat on top of a treasure chest… The crown fit perfectly on my head…It was once worn by the most beautiful of princesses…

In Grandmas closet there was a mirror hanging from the top of the wall all the way down to the floor….

In this mirror, I saw the princess and all of her beauty,

I could not believe it was actually me….

In this mirror I see all of my visions and dreams….

My dreams of an enchanted life came true inside Grandma’s closet…

Inside Grandma’s closet you became all that you wanted to be…

All of this came to be- just because

Grandma opened her closet for me…

 ….

Grandma’s Closet

Magical things happened when I opened Grandma’s closet…

The door itself told a tale of how an enchanted princess lived inside the magical world in Grandma’s closet…

Grandma’s closet door wore a crystal doorknob that sparkled…

The door knob was so pretty….

Beautiful antique lace hung over the door and a sparkling ring of keys all awaited those who opened Grandma’s closet….

Anyone who touched them became the new owner of Grandma’s closet and all that was in it…..

Once inside, you became a princess. A princess that was more beautiful than any other….

Dressed in a gown of silk and satins, I became a princess…..

In Grandma’s closet there was a pair of silver slippers with heels that made me so much bigger…

A crown of jewels sat on top of a treasure chest… The crown fit perfectly on my head…It was once worn by the most beautiful of princesses…

In Grandmas closet there was a mirror hanging from the top of the wall all the way down to the floor….

In this mirror, I saw the princess and all of her beauty,

I could not believe it was actually me….

In this mirror I see all of my visions and dreams….

My dreams of an enchanted life came true inside Grandma’s closet…

Inside Grandma’s closet you became all that you wanted to be…

All of this came to be- just because

Grandma opened her closet for me…

 ….

New life….

Snow, ice, cold and dreary weather has begun to get me down… 

I need sunshine and life.

It is a new year that started off with mixed emotions of every kind..

First the holidays, then in the midst of it all..

a tragic death of my cousin..

A blessing of my new grandson..

My daughter’s hospitalization..

Rehab for more than one..

School, work, children’s sickness’

My own battle with winter this year has brought me to a place of weariness..

How can we have joy in the midst of it all?

Keeping our eyes on Jesus..

That’s the answer to it all..

Joy does come in the morning..

Sunshine and the son is what the doctor orders…

Matthew 6:3-4
3.But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, 4.so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.

1 John 3: 17-18
17.If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him? 18.Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth.

Hebrews 13:16
16.And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.

Philippians 4:19
19.And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.

2 Corinthians 9:6-7
6.Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. 7.Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.

Romans 12:13
13.Share with God’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.

Acts 20:35
35.In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ “

Luke 6:38
38.Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”

Proverbs 22:9 9.A generous man will himself be blessed, for he shares his food with the poor.