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INVITATION “A NEW WORLD IS CONSTANTLY OPENING BEFORE US, IT’S A WORLD OF BEAUTY… A GREATER WORLD… A BETTER WORLD. THESE ETERNAL THINGS ARE LOVELY AND UNCHANGING. THE WORLD WE ARE NOW SEEING IS A VISION BROUGHT BY GOD.” There is a beautiful tension when crafting the invitations each year to this Colour conference. On one hand we have a message and conviction that is unchanging. It is as unchanging and as timeless as the story of God’s great and perfect love towards all of humanity. The depth, breadth and reach of this “unfailing love story” is magnificent to say the least. On the other hand, is the responsibility to carry this same message and mandate into yet another year, season and era. To carry it with grace, compassion and loyalty; to carry it with precision, strategy and effect; to carry it to every corner of the earth, where women (and men for that matter) find themselves isolated, fearful or forgotten. To carry it in a manner that crosses the divides of culture and society to reaches everyone (and anyone) who needs to hear that they are of profound importance to God. The “God Whisper” of 1997 set us on this path. It has grown in our hearts from a whisper and a life changing revelation, to a shout and declaration. It has crossed neighborhoods and streets, oceans and mountains and has found its way into the four corners of the earth. It has proven powerful enough to set captives free and hold at bay the forces of darkness - and yet it is so gentle and miraculous as to heal the brokenhearted and restore hope to those seeking more. This God Whisper, that places value and belief upon the feminine heart, has enabled thousands of women around the world to rise up and find new stature. It’s enabled them to follow their deepest dreams and become “the change” they want to see in their world. The Whisper is personal. It whispers “be found” - be found in his love, be found in his wisdom and goodness, be found in his peace and purpose. Be found so that others may be found through you. .Colour has nearly twenty years up her sleeve. In fact, 2016 will mark that milestone and I am confident God’s Spirit will overshadow and lead as only he does. But for now (2015), there still remain multitudes around this world who need to hear that whisper. In a world rapidly changing, Light and Hope and Truth are of critical importance. My prayer is that all that God has started and purposed in your life will continue. You may have been on this journey with me for the past 19 years, or you may just be joining the party, but let’s together make him proud. The ancient Apostle Paul in the New Testament said it like this: “There has never been the slightest doubt in my mind that the GOD who started this great work in you would keep at it and bring it to a FLOURISHING FINISH on the very day Christ Jesus appears. So this is my prayer: that your love will flourish and that you will not only love much but well. Learn to love appropriately. You need to use your head and test your feelings so that your love is
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sincere and intelligent, not sentimental gush. Live a lover’s life, circumspect and exemplary, a life Jesus will be proud of: bountiful in fruits from the soul,
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making Jesus Christ attractive to all, getting everyone involved in the glory and praise of God” (Philippians 1 Message) 3 The Sydney, London, Capetown and Kiev Colour conferences are set to be magnificent in 2015. I have beautiful old and NEW guests coming, including
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Bobbie Houston
Defined by genuine empathy, the influence of this host of world-changers is being felt in local and global contexts - from endeavours that bring care to the fragile in local communities, through to the global issues of human trafficking and poverty. At the core of Sisterhood is a message of value, and a genuine desire to “unite in friendship and cause” in order to bring hope where hope has been lost. The spirit of sisterhood is seen and felt in the fervent prayer of thousands of women who faithfully uphold nations where injustice and darkness rage out of control. It is seen and felt in young women being inspired by the wisdom and grace of their mothers and the women ahead of them in this journey of life. It is seen and felt in the relentless networking of everyday girls in their local neighbourhoods and in places of influence as they raise awareness and find solutions for the suffering, forgotten and abused of this world. There are many pages and chapters within the story of God’s daughters on the earth and as the I AM SISTERHOOD declaration states, we find ourselves in our own “here and now” with more pages yet to be written and experienced. For insight into the breadth of the Colour Sisterhood, go online to www.coloursisterhood.com and peruse through the various humanitarian initiatives and 500 PROJECT responses. Together we can make a difference.
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“YOU’RE HERE TO BE LIGHT, BRINGING OUT THE GOD-COLOURS. GOD IS NOT A SECRET TO BE KEPT. WE’RE GOING PUBLIC WITH THIS. I’M PUTTING YOU ON A LIGHT STAND, NOW SHINE. KEEP OPEN HOUSE; BE GENEROUS WITH YOUR LIVES. BY OPENING UP TO OTHERS, YOU’LL PROMPT PEOPLE TO OPEN UP WITH GOD, THIS GENEROUS FATHER IN HEAVEN.”
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THE STORIES OF SISTERHOOD
The Message (Paraphrase)
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CATHERINE COURAGE
that inspires courage
There is very little that inspires me as much as the stories of people who endure great hardship and then step out with bold courage and bold choices to create a new future for those they love. Stories of obstacles overcome; stories of kindness bestowed; stories that open our heart and mind as to how God created us to be and how he created us to live adorn the Sisterhood journey. If we had ten thousand pages in this magazine invitation, we’d tell ten thousand stories, but we have but a handful of pages to tell but a handful of stories. We trust they give you an insight to the brave women within this sisterhood - and that you might find these stories perfect enough to pass onto a friend who needs to know that something good is happening amongst the women of this world. On a personal note I am a mother of two little girls, so the stories of mothers facing impossible circumstances impact me the most. What must a parent go through as they decide to step onto a fragile boat or cross an illegal border with their children in an attempt to reach “a new world”? What compels them to flee and go in search of a better life and a better future? What complexities drive the decision and then face them on the other side? One such sister told her story of persecution in a foreign land. Her life had collided with ours one Christmas as our church sought to bless those struggling in the community. As I listened, it made me ask myself what I would do in her situation? What would I do if my child was at risk of torture or death or unable to have an education simply because she was a girl? What risk would I take for her future? The reality is I don’t really know if I am as strong and courageous as she was, but I do know that she is now in my homeland and my local community. She needs my compassion and empathy. She needs my help to navigate the next steps in her journey. Over the past 4 years as a Colour Sisterhood, we have had the honor and privilege to help provide care, assistance and support to families who find themselves in our country as refugees or asylum seekers. I am so blessed to be in a position to provide some of that care and help others mobilize to extend the uncompromised love of God. To me this is what Sisterhood is all about - taking what is in my hand and making a difference in my local backyard. I know much work lies ahead for all of us in this field. BE FOU ND / R EVELATIO N / SISTER HO OD
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PROSSY FROM
captivity to freedom
“Prossy dodged the bullets that were coming towards her. As they flew by, she heard them scream and rip through the leaves and branches of the bushes where she was hiding. At just 14 she was an accomplished, battle-hardened fighter in the Lord’s Resistance Army. Prossy had been captive in the bush as a child soldier for four years. Her childhood had long since been stolen. The things that she was forced to do had stripped her of dignity. She had been taught to steal, destroy crops and burn down homes. She had learned how to terrorise a community - and now she understood how to kill. Picking mangos and playing amongst the trees of her grandfather’s orchard, tickling her baby brother and feeding off of his irresistible laughter were now distant memories - dreams she hid in a secret unmolested corner of her heart, sacred place not yet tarnished by the everyday evil of her life. It was in these moments, when fighting for her life, that she recalled those happy times and they gave her courage to carry on. When she learned that she was pregnant and as she considered the prospect of raising a little boy or girl in these horrific circumstances, she fled. Prossy was 18 years old when she escaped after living in captivity for almost nine years. Her journey back to freedom and restoration has been a long, slow and painful one to walk. Throughout her life she has been called many things - abductee, soldier, single mother, vulnerable woman - but now her community has nicknamed her “doctor” because of the high regard in which they hold her. Prossy has become a woman of influence, battling on a different frontline as she fights to change her community and return it to dignity.” (Extract from Return to Dignity by Marilyn Skinner p23-44) Since 2004, the Colour Sisterhood has aligned with the 30 year ministry and endeavors of Gary and Marilyn Skinner and Watoto in Uganda, Africa. This collaboration of compassion, love and strength has enabled a powerful partnership to be forged, a partnership which has touched the lives of literally thousands of children, vulnerable women and families. The bible describes true religion as that of “caring for the orphan and widow” (James 1:17?) Living Hope is one ministry within Watoto’s response to the pressing needs of poverty, disease and unrest in Uganda. Prossy is one story within many. She is part of our beloved and inspiring African sisterhood and her story from captivity to freedom is testimony to the grace of God in and through the BE FOU ND / R ESTO R ATIO N / DI GN I TY / J UST ICE
willingness of others. The global challenges of this 21st century are not small. But through collaboration with friends and others, we can make a difference - and the ripple effect of change can go on to touch the many still waiting in our future.
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MEGAN WHEN
heartbreak turns to action
My name is Megan. I was 40? when I attended the 2007 Colour conference. It was a significant year for me and my girlfriends because our hearts were deeply stirred by the desperate plight and need of the Ugandan child soldiers. Marilyn Skinner was yet again one of the Colour speakers. She shared her vision to build a Watoto village in Gulu, Northern Uganda to help restore the traumatised children returning from the aftermath of the civil war there. Bobbie showed a film that captured the cry of the afflicted and the 17,000 women gathered at conference were deeply impacted. During the short break between sessions it was hard to know what to do or say. As we returned into the vast auditorium, Bobbie felt compelled to receive a special offering to help this pressing need in northern Uganda. What transpired next was truly a heaven breathed and heaven inspired moment. A moment that really only Bobbie can give expression to. A “seed offering” was entrusted. Instead of Bobbie actually receiving the offering she felt to leave it in “our hands” as something to “grow”. At the time, I had $50 and would have been content with giving that. But I now had a choice and a challenge - to take that $50 in my hand and believe that it could grow into something more substantial. My girlfriends and I decided to plan, strategize and host a charity dinner at the end of 2007 with the hope that we might raise $35,000 to build a single home in Gulu for these children. We attend a local Anglican church that was in the middle of a significant building fund drive at the time. So, with the blessing of our minister, we asked our church friends to approach people outside of church circles, extended families, neighbours, work colleagues and friends from local schools. These people were not likely to fund our church renovations but they were happy to give to an organisation like Watoto when awakened to the desperate plight of these child soldiers. We hosted about 165 people at the dinner and the presence of God was tangible. We were speechless when the amount was announced - God had exceeded our wildest expectations. How hilarious that God used four middle-aged, North Shore mums to raise over $100,000 in one night? . What affectionately became known as the “cleavage offering” (you’ll have to ask Bobbie for the inside story on this one) went on to miraculously raise hundreds of thousands of dollars that in turn enabled Watoto to rebuild many lives in northern Uganda. The power of Godly response and Godly strategy enables the miraculous to go into motion. Take a look online - there’s a beautiful 30minute film from Colour 2012 that tells some of this greater story. BE FOU ND / MO B ILISATIO N / J USTI CE
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YASMIN WORDS BY
Simone Soans & Neethi Peter
Yasmin is five years old and lives with her mother, grandmother, three sisters and one brother in Mumbai, India. Yasmin’s father left when she was very young, leaving her mother and grandmother to raise her and her siblings. Her mum, grandmother and older sister work as housemaids, bringing in an income while her sister, Nasreen, looks after her; from bathing to dressing her for school. Simone is the Program Co-ordinator of Beacon Community School, Vision Rescue. Simone felt led by God to start her journey as a teacher with Vision Rescue two years ago. She loves serving the children and is a brilliant teacher with creative ideas and skills to get the best out of the children. Yasmin started school when she was three years old. She was behind in her growth and reaching the regular development milestones; she couldn’t talk yet and was still a little unsure on her feet and so always needed a little more help and attention from her teachers. Simone felt limited in what she could do for Yasmin; but she never lost hope or gave up on her. Simone gathered a few other teachers together and they started praying for a solution and asked God for a way for them to best help her. Yasmin is now five years old. Her speech is clearer and she can construct sentences. Those who live or work closely with her can understand her clearly. Yasmin’s vision is also poor so Simone enlarges the pictures, words and numbers to help her with her school work. She is now able to read aloud her recitation, alphabet, numbers, colours and the names of fruits and vegetables. Yasmin loves to help around in the classroom and dreams of becoming a teacher like Simone when she grows up.
Vision Rescue seeks to empower street children in India through non-formal education, medical assistance and other programs. The Colour Sisterhood helps support the work of Vision Rescue through the 500 Project. BE FOU ND / LOVE / HO PE
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JOHANNA INSPIRED
by sisters who have gone before
My name is Johanna and I’m 33. I’m an executive personal assistant and I have a dream to make my life count for something noble and wonderful. I am so thankful for “the mamas” in the house. As a young woman, wife, daughter and leader, I hunger for strong examples of ordinary women who have gone through the seasons and seen that their faith works. I love observing women who have experienced the challenges of life, yet still know how to smile and laugh. Women who have unearthed love in the midst of loss and who have dared to take God at his Word. As they find him trustworthy, it gives me courage to believe that he also can be trusted in my own experience. When I first encountered the Colour Sisterhood, it was a breath of fresh air to my soul. At first glance, the diversity of the women leading us was, in itself releasing. Where once I had felt pressured to be more male-like in my approach to leadership, I discovered that women can be both strong and influential without loosing the beauty of their God-given femininity. For me that was empowering. As our local church sisterhood began to highlight the stories of brave everyday women, I was deeply impacted by Pam’s story. As a young woman in the late 1960’s, society frowned upon teenage pregnancies. Pam was forced to give up her son for adoption without ever meeting or holding him. Forty-eight years later, Pam decided to bravely seek out her lost son and was miraculously reunited. Her courage and story infused all listening that day at sisterhood with new resolve for their own challenges and lost dreams. Amy’s story was another that I listened to that day. She was tragically abused as a young wife by two men she should have been able to trust. Her story of how Jesus healed her heart and gave wings to her recovery was inspiring. Both these women went through the fire and emerged with no smell of smoke. Their faith taught me, as a younger woman, that the fires and challenges of life can actually leave you with a fragrance that points to the kindness and grace of God.
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ASHLEY NO LONGER
a victim to her past
The earliest memories I have of the school playground are that of being bullied. I would sit alone at lunchtime in the corner of the quadrangle watching the other kids laugh and play. I felt so alone and ashamed that no one wanted to be my friend, and I had no confidence to utter a word. Within a crowd of people, I felt completely overlooked. I vividly remember hiding in the corner of my parent’s bathroom on the end of a conference call where a group of girls told me I was not wanted as their friend. I lay down on the cold bathroom floor and sobbed, my heart was shattered. As I grew older the bullying continued with entire classroom chalkboards filled with jokes about me. The times I did try and step out to make friends, girls would purposefully ignore me and walk away. Psalm 78 in The Message translation of the bible says; “I’ll let you in on the sweet old truths, stories we heard from our fathers, COUNSEL WE LEARNED AT OUR MOTHERS KNEE. We are not keeping this to ourselves we’re passing it along to the next generation - God’s fame and fortune, the marvellous things he has done.” The story and message of Sisterhood was passed to me from the women and mothers who were further down the journey than I. At a time when there were so many distracting, loud and hurtful voices - it was the “truth” within the message of Sisterhood that showed me I had value in Christ. Some of the early words that framed the message were “Warrior, Princess Daughter”. I allowed these words to take shape within my heart. For the first time I was told that I was more than enough and I finally realized that I was part of a greater company of women who believed in me. I knew that I had a grandmother who woke in the early hours of each morning to pray for me, and a mother who stood beside me in the times I was most broken. Their prayers and support echoed the truth of this message. Years have passed and I now have a voice to make a difference and speak to the hearts of others who feel alone and ashamed because they too are victims of bullying. I have the opportunity to tell them that they are valued and that “kindness rules”. I have the honor of coordinating “The String Movement” - a global movement that exists to disarm bullying by encouraging young people to use their voice, creativity and community to make a difference Anyone can tell a story but everyone wants a story they can be a part of. I love that my everyday life is filled with making the stories of young people known and telling them that, despite their past, they have a bright future. BE FOU ND / HO PE / VALUE / GEN ER ATI ON S
Bullying is ???? .... For more info about The String Movement visit www.?????
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ANNIE WORDS BY
Annie Kardas
I have always wanted to do something of significance; to somehow help make this world a better place. I didn’t know how, where or with whom so I started praying dangerous prayers like, “God, my life is Yours - use me however You want.” I was amazed at the adventure He took me on, one I could never have dreamed, imagined or even got to in my own efforts. God answered my prayers and I crossed paths with a five-foot, Australian preacher called Christine Caine. She had something I wanted… a relentless tenacity to change the world and a total confidence that it could be done. I came to learn that Christine was connected to a whole company of women, both in Australia and across the earth - The Colour Sisterhood. I was soon exposed to a whole new world of women like her with a passion to make a difference, and a unity between them that made it possible. As I continued to pray and take action steps of faith, I quickly found myself working along side Christine Caine. One day she asked me, “Do you know what human trafficking is?” From that day forward, my God-adventure seemed to fast-track and the A21 Campaign was birthed. Today, A21 has 10 offices in nine countries around the world, and we are actively seeing victims of human trafficking set free! I have been on the journey with Christine and the Colour Sisterhood for years now as we have bravely taken steps forward in order to push back darkness. I have had the honour and the privilege of helping build something so much bigger than myself, and being a part of something so much greater than I could ever do alone.
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EBONE WORDS BY
Ebone Hindle
I, like many others, grew up in home where we all professed to be Christians. I was told God loved me and I said I loved God but that was it. The problem was that I never actually understood love. I understood work and what it meant to have a career. I understood taking care of myself, careful not to be a burden on others. I understood that marriages didn’t work, and if they did, they were pretty lacklustre. Love itself was an afterthought. Like many young determined people, I moved to “The Big Apple” to pursue the dream career. When I got there, I found it - open doors, parties and everything else that goes with the glitzy life. For the most part I was well behaved because I needed to be perfect to get anything… or so I thought. As time went on, poor versions of love came and went until finally what I thought was love forever ended in a broken engagement. It hurt… sort of. In retrospect I see how calloused my heart was. I hardly shed any tears over the man whom I claimed I wanted to spend the rest of my life with. I was emotional the week of the breakup but then it was back to what “really mattered”. I guess I knew in my heart that it would end some day. I dated a few guys here and there after that but I never allowed anyone to get that close again - I was guarded. In my quiet time and place with God I shared, “This is why I don’t want to open up God, because I just get hurt.” So in I went to my cave… further and further. I did everything I could to protect myself but in essence I was just hiding. I started attending Hillsong New York City and watched in awe as Pastor Carl Lentz literally exuded love. I couldn’t help but wonder why I didn’t feel that same passion and love for people and life that he did. I wanted to care for people just as much but I felt I couldn’t, that it wasn’t in my capacity. Carl prayed over people that day and I have no idea what the prayer was for, but I found myself sobbing on the shoulder of a complete stranger at the altar. After some time, I left New York and came to Hillsong College. In my own journey of healing, I have learnt how to truly love people. This journey didn’t come without its hurts, but in getting hurt I have realised just how much God is there for me and how much He has always been there for me. I am no longer afraid of opening up, being vulnerable and allowing love in. In return, I naturally want to reciprocate this same love and do what I can, wherever I find myself, to make sure people know just how loved they really are. BE FOU ND / LOVE / TR UTH
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T H E C O L O U R T W E N T Y- 1 5
DETAILS YOUR HOST BOBBIE HOUSTON Sydney, Cape Town, London, Kiev
SYDNEY SHEILA WALSH & DAWNCHERE WILKERSON Conference One: 12th - 14th March Conference Two: 19th - 21st March
CAPE TOWN CHARLOTTE GAMBILL & JOANNE RAMOS Conference One: 15th - 16th April Conference Two: 17th - 18th April
LONDON BETH MOORE, DAWNCHERE WILKERSON & SPECIAL GUEST JOYCE MEYER 30th April - 2nd May
KIEV JOANNE RAMOS 8th - 9th May
Visit our website to register or for more information on how you can be a part of the Colour Conference experience. Capture the experience and share it with a friend or loved one who needs to know that they are loved and included in this great unfolding, freedom story.
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COLOUR KIDS WE HAVE A FUN AND INTERACTIVE KIDS PROGRAMS AVAILABLE FOR ALL CHILDREN AGED 1-12 YEARS OLD WITH PRAISE & WORSHIP, GAMES, CRAFTS, LOCAL OUTINGS AND STORIES FROM THE BIBLE. THERE ARE ALSO BEAUTIFUL FACILITIES FOR MUMS AND BUBS, WHERE YOU CAN STILL ABLE TO BE PART OF EVERY MOMENT OF CONFERENCE. FOR MORE INFORMATION AND TO REGISTER YOUR CHILD, VISIT COLOURCONFERENCE.COM BE F OUND / SY DN EY / LO N DO N / CAPE TOW N / KI EV / N EW YORK / PA RIS / M UM B A I
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“I AM SISTERHOOD IS A DECLARATION. A DECLARATION THAT IS BOLD AND STRONG, QUIET AND CONFIDENT. A DECLARATION ABOUT VALUE AND IDENTITY, PURPOSE AND MISSION. IT IS A DECLARATION INTENTIONAL IN REACH AND EMBRACE. IT TRANSCENDS CULTURE AND CREED, AGE AND STATUS, PREJUDICE AND PREFERENCE.
IT’S A DECLARATION THAT POSITIONS ITSELF AMID AWARENESS AND RESPONSIBILITY, CONCERN AND CARE, INJUSTICE AND SOLUTION. A DECLARATION ULTIMATELY CONCERNED WITH THE WELFARE OF THE WORLD AND HER INHABITANTS. IT HAS COURAGEOUSLY WOVEN ITS WAY THROUGH TIME AND HISTORY AND CONTINUES TO WEAVE ITSELF ACROSS OUR LIVES AND FUTURE.
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IT IS OUR COLLECTIVE HERE AND NOW - AND BELONGS TO ANY FEMININE SOUL, WHO SOMEHOW BELIEVES THAT SHE WAS BORN FOR MORE THAN WHAT IS TEMPORAL AND FLEETING.
IT’S FOR WOMEN OF ALL AGES AND BACKGROUND, PERSONALITY AND STYLE, COLOUR AND VIBRANCY. IT’S FOR THE BOLD AND BODACIOUS, THE DEMURE AND UNASSUMING.
IT’S THE SISTERHOOD THAT PERHAPS HEAVEN IMAGINED WHEN A VERY INTENTIONAL CREATOR CREATED HIS GIRLS. IT’S STRONG AND BEAUTIFUL, FEMININE AND GRACIOUS, AUTHORITATIVE AND GENTLE AND ABOVE ALL ELSE, WELCOMES THE BROKEN AND DISCARDED.
WHICHEVER WAY YOU SEE OR UNDERSTAND IT, IT IS A GROWING MOVEMENT OF WOMEN ACROSS THE EARTH.
OUR INVITATION TO YOU THAT YOU ARE WELCOME TO COME GATHER WITH THIS SISTERHOOD. WE’RE DOWN-TO-EARTH AND NORMAL AND OUR HEART IS TO TAKE WHAT IS IN OUR HAND AND GENUINELY USE IT FOR GOOD.
SO WHOEVER YOU ARE, AND WHEREVER YOU ARE, BE BLESSED - AND LET’S BELIEVE THAT TOGETHER WE CAN MAKE THIS WORLD A BETTER PLACE.”
© 2009
Bobbie Houston
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LET THE PEACE OF CHRIST RULE IN YOUR HEARTS... COLOSSIANS 3:15
NIV
“AND NOW TO HIM WHO CAN KEEP YOU ON YOUR FEET, STANDING TALL IN HIS BRIGHT PRESENCE, FRESH AND CELEBRATING – TO OUR ONE GOD, OUR ONLY SAVIOUR, THROUGH JESUS CHRIST, OUR MASTER, BE GLORY, MAJESTY, STRENGTH, AND RULE BEFORE ALL TIME, AND NOW, AND TO THE END OF ALL TIME. YES”.
JUDE 1:24-25
The Message
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