Cold

(It's 2 degrees outside: Gleneagle,CO)

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He hurls the hail like stones. Who can stand against his freezing cold?

"Have I ever left a poor family shivering in the cold when they had no warm clothes? Didn't the poor bless me when they saw me coming, knowing I'd brought coats from my closet?

This is how we've come to understand and experience love: Christ sacrificed his life for us. This is why we ought to live sacrificially for our fellow believers, and not just be out for ourselves. If you see some brother or sister in need and have the means to do something about it but turn a cold shoulder and do nothing, what happens to God's love? It disappears. And you made it disappear.

Like cold water to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a far [home] country.

The evil of bad people leaves them out in the cold; the integrity of good people creates a safe place for living.

God's curse blights the house of the wicked, but he blesses the home of the righteous. He gives proud skeptics a cold shoulder, but if you're down on your luck, he's right there to help. Wise living gets rewarded with honor; stupid living gets the booby prize.

Psalm 147:17 Job 31:19 1 John 3:16 Proverbs 25:25 Proverbs 14:32 Proverbs 3:33

To keep your heart from growing cold, stay on fire for God.

LIFEgroups – together experiencing God.

Glenn – 368 Mission Hill Way, Colorado Springs CO 80921

Grow

a WORD from God's Book
(photo: Botanical Gardens, Denver)
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Go after a life of love as if your life depended on it—because it does. Give yourselves to the gifts God gives you. Most of all, try to proclaim his truth … when you proclaim his truth in everyday speech, you're letting others in on the truth so that they can grow and be strong and experience his presence with you.

Be alert and on your guard; stand firm in your faith ( your conviction respecting man's relationship to God and divine things, keeping the trust and holy fervor born of faith and a part of it). Act like men and be courageous; grow in strength!

Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong.

Be joyful. Grow to maturity. Encourage each other. Live in harmony and peace. Then the God of love and peace will be with you.

God wants us to grow up, to know the whole truth and tell it in love—like Christ in everything. We take our lead from Christ, who is the source of everything we do. He keeps us in step with each other. His very breath and blood flow through us, nourishing us so that we will grow up healthy in God, robust in love.

And let us not lose heart and grow weary and faint in acting nobly and doing right, for in due time and at the appointed season we shall reap, if we do not loosen and relax our courage and faint.

1 Corinthians 14:1 1 Corinthians 16:13 Ephesians 3:17 2 Corinthians 13:11 Ephesians 4:14 Galatians 6:9

God always gives enough strength for the next step.

LIFEgroups – together experiencing God

Glenn – 368 Mission Hill Way, Colorado Springs CO 80921

Cloud

a WORD from God's Book
(photo: Sedona,AZ)
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I'm thanking you, God, out loud in the streets, singing your praises in town and country. The deeper your love, the higher it goes; every cloud is a flag to your faithfulness

I have swept away your offenses like a cloud, your sins like the morning mist. Return to me, for I have redeemed you."

God, you smiled on your good earth! You brought good times back to Jacob! You lifted the cloud of guilt from your people, you put their sins far out of sight.

When the righteous see God in action they'll laugh, they'll sing, they'll laugh and sing for joy. Sing hymns to God; all heaven, sing out; clear the way for the coming of Cloud-Rider. Enjoy God, cheer when you see him!

Then everyone will see the Son of Man coming on a cloud with power and great glory

Farmers who wait for perfect weather never plant. If they watch every cloud, they never harvest

Psalm 57:9 Isaiah 44:22 Psalm 85:1 Psalm 68:1 Luke 21:27 Ecclesiastes 11:4

A world in darkness needs the bright light of the Gospel.

LIFEgroups – together experiencing God

Glenn – 368 Mission Hill Way, Colorado Springs CO 80921

Attitude

a WORD from God's Book
(photo: Maui)
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Do not be conformed to this world (this age), [fashioned after and adapted to its external, superficial customs], but be transformed (changed) by the [entire] renewal of your mind [by its new ideals and its new attitude], so that you may prove [for yourselves] what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God, even the thing which is good and acceptable and perfect [in His sight for you].

Be constantly renewed in the spirit of your mind [having a fresh mental and spiritual attitude]

Let this same attitude and purpose and [humble] mind be in you which was in Christ Jesus:

If you serve Christ with this attitude, you will please God, and others will approve of you, too.

Finally, all of you should be of one mind. Sympathize with each other. Love each other as brothers and sisters. Be tenderhearted, and keep a humble attitude.

Devote yourselves to prayer, keeping alert in it with an attitude of thanksgiving;

Romans 12:2 Ephesians 4:23 Philippians 2:5 Romans 14:18 1 Peter 3:8 Colossians 4:2

Whatever the season of life, attitude makes all the difference.

LIFEgroups – together experiencing God

Glenn – 368 Mission Hill Way, Colorado Springs CO 80921

Hidden

a WORD from God's Book
(photo: October, Gleneagle,CO)
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There is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, or hidden that will not be made known.

Put your trust in the light while there is still time; then you will become children of the light.
”After saying these things, Jesus went away and was hidden from them.

Yet when we are among the full-grown (spiritually mature Christians who are ripe in understanding), we do impart a [higher] wisdom (the knowledge of the divine plan previously hidden); but it is indeed not a wisdom of this present age or of this world nor of the leaders and rulers of this age, who are being brought to nothing and are doomed to pass away. No, the wisdom we speak of is the mystery of God —his plan that was previously hidden, even though he made it for our ultimate glory before the world began.

Therefore judge nothing before the appointed time; wait till the Lord comes. He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of men's hearts. At that time each will receive his praise from God.

For [as far as this world is concerned] you have died, and your [new, real] life is hidden with Christ in God.

Let not yours be the [merely] external adorning with [elaborate] interweaving and knotting of the hair, the wearing of jewelry, or changes of clothes; But let it be the inward adorning and beauty of the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible and unfading charm of a gentle and peaceful spirit, which [is not anxious or wrought up, but] is very precious in the sight of God.

Luke 12:2 John 12:36 1 Corinthians 2:6,7 1 Corinthians 4:5 Colossians 3:3 1 Peter 3:3-5

Not all gifts are free; some have hidden price tags.

LIFEgroups – together experiencing God.

Glenn – 368 Mission Hill Way, Colorado Springs CO 80921

Thanksgiving

a Word from God's Book
(photo: Mary's homemade backlava)
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[ A Thanksgiving Psalm ] On your feet now—applaud God! Bring a gift of laughter, sing yourselves into his presence.

The Lord is my strength and shield. I trust him with all my heart. He helps me, and my heart is filled with joy. I burst out in songs of thanksgiving.

[ A Sabbath Song ] What a beautiful thing, God, to give thanks, to sing an anthem to you, the High God! To announce your love each daybreak, sing your faithful presence all through the night, Accompanied by dulcimer and harp, the full-bodied music of strings.

I will give thanks to the LORD with all my heart; I will tell of all Your wonders.

To the end that my tongue and my heart and everything glorious within me may sing praise to You and not be silent. O Lord my God, I will give thanks to You forever.

Hallelujah! I give thanks to God with everything I've got— wherever good people gather, and in the congregation. God's works are so great, worth a lifetime of study—endless enjoyment! Splendor and beauty mark his craft; His generosity never gives out. His miracles are his memorial— This God of Grace, this God of Love.

Psalm 100:1 Psalm 28:7 Psalm 92:1 Psalm 9:1 Psalm 30:12 Psalm 11:1

With a little practice, anyone can master the art of thankfulness.

LIFEgroups – together experiencing God!

Glenn – 368 Mission Hill Way, Colorado Springs CO 80921

Sing

a WORD from God's Book
(photo: Maui)
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Then my head will be exalted above the enemies who surround me; at his tabernacle will I sacrifice with shouts of joy; I will sing and make music to the LORD.

I will be filled with joy because of you. I will sing praises to your name, O Most High.

All you saints! Sing your hearts out to God! Thank him to his face! He gets angry once in a while, but across a lifetime there is only love. The nights of crying your eyes out give way to days of laughter.

To the end that my tongue and my heart and everything glorious within me may sing praise to You and not be silent. O Lord my God, I will give thanks to You forever.

We will sing for joy over your victory, And in the name of our God we will set up our banners May the LORD fulfill all your petitions.

Celebrate God. Sing together—everyone! All you honest hearts, raise the roof!

Psalm 27:6 Psalm 9:2 Psalm 30:4 Psalm 30:12 Psalm 20:5 Psalm 32:11

To understand God is impossible; to worship Him is imperative.

LIFEgroups – together experiencing God

Glenn – 368 Mission Hill Way, Colorado Springs CO 80921

Waves

a WORD from God's Book
(photo: Monterrey,CA)
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Jesus responded, “Why are you afraid? You have so little faith!” Then he got up and rebuked the wind and waves, and suddenly there was a great calm.

”The disciples were terrified and amazed. “Who is this man?” they asked each other. “When he gives a command, even the wind and waves obey him!”

For I am the LORD your God, who churns up the sea so that its waves roar— the LORD Almighty is his name.

He stilled the storm to a whisper; the waves of the sea were hushed.

You quieted the raging oceans with their pounding waves and silenced the shouting of the nations.

Then I heard again what sounded like the shout of a vast crowd or the roar of mighty ocean waves or the crash of loud thunder: “Praise the Lord! For the Lord our God, the Almighty, reigns.

Matthew 8:26 Luke 8:25 Isaiah 51:15 Psalm 107:29 Psalm 65:7 Revelation 19:6

God is stronger than your strongest foe.

LIFEgroups – together experiencing God

Glenn – 368 Mission Hill Way, Colorado Springs CO 80921

Season

a WORD from God's Book
(photo: Old Colorado Springs - last Spring)
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There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven:

I will bless them and the places surrounding my hill. I will send down showers in season; there will be showers of blessing.

The LORD will open the heavens, the storehouse of his bounty, to send rain on your land in season and to bless all the work of your hands.

He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers.

I will send rain on your land in its season, both autumn and spring rains, so that you may gather in your grain, new wine and oil.

At his appointed season he brought his word to light through the preaching entrusted to me by the command of God our Savior.

Ecclesiastes 3:1 Ezekiel 34:26 Deuteronomy 28:12 Psalm 1:3 Deuteronomy 11:14 Titus 1:3

Faith puts God between us and circumstances.

LIFEgroups – together experiencing God

Glenn – 368 Mission Hill Way, Colorado Springs CO 80921

Serving

a WORD from God's Book
(photo: yesterday afternoon / home)
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Don't worryingly second-guess your orders or try to back out when the task is unpleasant. You're serving his pleasure, not yours. The king has the last word. Who dares say to him, "What are you doing?"

We must never try to get Christ to serve us instead of us serving him;

Don't just do what you have to do to get by, but work heartily, as Christ's servants doing what God wants you to do. And work with a smile on your face, always keeping in mind that no matter who happens to be giving the orders, you're really serving God. Good work will get you good pay from the Master

Whoever speaks, is to do so as one who is speaking the utterances of God; whoever serves is to do so as one who is serving by the strength which God supplies; so that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belongs the glory and dominion forever and ever.

"Don't bargain with God. Be direct. Ask for what you need. This is not a cat-and-mouse, hide-and-seek game we're in. If your little boy asks for a serving of fish, do you scare him with a live snake on his plate? If your little girl asks for an egg, do you trick her with a spider? As bad as you are, you wouldn't think of such a thing—you're at least decent to your own children. And don't you think the Father who conceived you in love will give the Holy Spirit when you ask him?"

You know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.

Ecclesiastes 8:2 1 Corinthians 10:6 Ephesians 6:5 1 Peter 4:11 Luke 11:10 Colossians 3:24

Serving the Lord is an investment with eternal dividends.

LIFEgroups – together experiencing God

Glenn – 368 Mission Hill Way, Colorado Springs CO 80921

Help

a WORD from God's Book
(photo: unknown/from an email)
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I'm feeling terrible—I couldn't feel worse! Get me on my feet again. You promised, remember? When I told my story, you responded; train me well in your deep wisdom. Help me understand these things inside and out so I can ponder your miracle-wonders.

I call out at the top of my lungs, "God! Answer! I'll do whatever you say." I called to you, "Save me so I can carry out all your instructions." I was up before sunrise, crying for help, hoping for a word from you. I stayed awake all night, prayerfully pondering your promise.

Every word you give me is a miracle word— how could I help but obey? Break open your words, let the light shine out, let ordinary people see the meaning. Mouth open and panting, I wanted your commands more than anything. Turn my way, look kindly on me, as you always do to those who personally love you.

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.

Don't put your life in the hands of experts who know nothing of life, of salvation life. Mere humans don't have what it takes; when they die, their projects die with them. Instead, get help from the God of Jacob, put your hope in God and know real blessing!

Psalm 119:25 Psalm 119:145 Psalm 119:129 Ephesians 6:13 Psalm 146:3

In a world of constant change, you can trust God’s unchanging Word.

LIFEgroups – together experiencing God

Glenn – 368 Mission Hill Way, Colorado Springs CO 80921

Reflect

a WORD from God's Book
(photo: Maui)
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I will study your commandments and reflect on your ways.

Reflect on what I am saying, for the Lord will give you insight into all this.

I reflect at night on who you are, O Lord; therefore, I obey your instructions.

Oh, that my actions would consistently reflect your decrees!

So all of us who have had that veil removed can see and reflect the glory of the Lord. And the Lord—who is the Spirit—makes us more and more like him as we are changed into his glorious image.

And you yourself must be an example to them by doing good works of every kind. Let everything you do reflect the integrity and seriousness of your teaching.

Psalm 119:15 2 Timothy 2:7 Psalm 119:55 Psalm 119:5 2 Corinthians 3:18 Titus 2:7

Think less of the power of things over you and more on the power of Christ in you.

LIFEgroups – together experiencing God

Glenn – 368 Mission Hill Way, Colorado Springs CO 80921

Fear of the Lord

a WORD from God's Book
(photo: Steamboat Springs, CO)
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These were his instructions to them: “You must always act in the fear of the Lord, with faithfulness and an undivided heart.

"The fear of the LORD is to hate evil;

The reverent and worshipful fear of the Lord is the beginning (the chief and choice part) of Wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight and understanding.

He will be the sure foundation for your times, a rich store of salvation and wisdom and knowledge; the fear of the LORD is the key to this treasure.

The reward of humility and the fear of the LORD are riches, honor and life.

So the church throughout all Judea and Galilee and Samaria enjoyed peace, being built up; and going on in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, it continued to increase

2 Chronicles 19:9 Proverbs 8:13 Proverbs 9:10 Isaiah 33:6 Proverbs 22:4 Acts 9:31

To experience God’s strength, we must first admit our weakness.

LIFEgroups – together experiencing God

Glenn – 368 Mission Hill Way, Colorado Springs CO 80921

idea

a WORD from God's Book
(photo: Denver Botanical Gardens)
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"Do you have any idea how powerful God is? Have you ever heard of a teacher like him? Has anyone ever had to tell him what to do, or correct him, saying, 'You did that all wrong!'? Remember, then, to praise his workmanship, which is so often celebrated in song. Everybody sees it; nobody is too far away to see it.

"There is far more at stake here than religion. If you had any idea what this Scripture meant—'I prefer a flexible heart to an inflexible ritual'—you wouldn't be nitpicking like this. The Son of Man is no lackey to the Sabbath; he's in charge."

Now God has us where he wants us, with all the time in this world and the next to shower grace and kindness upon us in Christ Jesus. Saving is all his idea, and all his work. All we do is trust him enough to let him do it. It's God's gift from start to finish!

What marvelous love the Father has extended to us! Just look at it—we're called children of God! That's who we really are. But that's also why the world doesn't recognize us or take us seriously, because it has no idea who He is or what He's up to.

But don't take any of this for granted. It was only yesterday that you outsiders to God's ways had no idea of any of this, didn't know the first thing about the way God works, hadn't the faintest idea of Christ. You knew nothing of that rich history of God's covenants and promises in Israel, hadn't a clue about what God was doing in the world at large. Now because of Christ—dying that death, shedding that blood—you who were once out of it altogether are in on everything.

Luke 2:49 Job 36:22 Matthew 12:6 Ephesians 2:7 1 John 3:1 Ephesians 2:11

When our friends encounter suffering, We can help them if we’re near; Some may need a word of comfort, Others just a listening ear. – Sper

LIFEgroups – together experiencing God

Glenn – 368 Mission Hill Way, Colorado Springs CO 80921

Put on

a WORD from God's Book
(photo: Gleneagle, CO)
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The night is nearly over; the day is almost here. So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light.

He was saying to them, " A lamp is not brought to be put under a basket, is it, or under a bed? Is it not brought to be put on the lampstand?

put on the new nature (the regenerate self) created in God's image, [Godlike] in true righteousness and holiness.

put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator.

Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm.

So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience;

Romans 13:12 Mark 4:21 Ephesians 4:24 Colossians 3:10 Ephesians 6:13 Colossians 3:12

To experience God’s strength, we must first admit our weakness.

LIFEgroups – together experiencing God

Glenn – 368 Mission Hill Way, Colorado Springs CO 80921

Unseen

a WORD from God's Book
(photo: Complements of Doris D)
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It was in Him that all things were created, in heaven and on earth, things seen and things unseen, whether thrones, dominions, rulers, or authorities; all things were created and exist through Him [by His service, intervention] and in and for Him.

"Am I not a God near at hand"—God's Decree— "and not a God far off? Can anyone hide out in a corner where I can't see him?" God's Decree. "Am I not present everywhere, whether seen or unseen?"

We are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.

By an act of faith, Abraham said yes to God's call to travel to an unknown place that would become his home. When he left he had no idea where he was going. By an act of faith he lived in the country promised him, lived as a stranger camping in tents. Isaac and Jacob did the same, living under the same promise. Abraham did it by keeping his eye on an unseen city with real, eternal foundations—the City designed and built by God.

But if we hope for what is still unseen by us, we wait for it with patience and composure.

So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

Colossians 1:16 Jeremiah 23:23 Ephesians 6:12 Hebrews 11:8 Romans 8:25 2 Corinthians 4:18

When we put our cares in God’s hands, He puts His peace in our heart.

LIFEgroups – together experiencing God

Glenn – 368 Mission Hill Way, Colorado Springs CO 80921

Confidence

a WORD from God's Book
(photo: Hahns Peak, CO - near Steamboat Lake)
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"When you are cast down, you will speak with confidence, and the humble person He will save.

These are all warning markers—danger!—in our history books, written down so that we don't repeat their mistakes. Our positions in the story are parallel—they at the beginning, we at the end—and we are just as capable of messing it up as they were. Don't be so naive and self-confident. You're not exempt. You could fall flat on your face as easily as anyone else. Forget about self-confidence; it's useless. Cultivate God-confidence.

But let us who live in the light be clearheaded, protected by the armor of faith and love, and wearing as our helmet the confidence of our salvation.

Such confidence as this is ours through Christ before God.

"But blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, whose confidence is in him.

So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised.

Job 22:29 1 Corinthians 10:11 1 Thessalonians 5:8 2 Corinthians 3:4 Jeremiah 17:7 Hebrews 10:35

The power of Satan is no match for the power of Jesus.

LIFEgroups – together experiencing God

Glenn – 368 Mission Hill Way, Colorado Springs CO 80921

Rock

a WORD from God's Book
(photo: on the trail to Fish Creek)
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You are my rock and my fortress. For the honor of your name, lead me out of this danger.

And he will call out to me, ‘You are my Father, my God, and the Rock of my salvation.’

From the ends of the earth, I cry to you for help when my heart is overwhelmed. Lead me to the towering rock of safety

Be my rock of safety where I can always hide. Give the order to save me, for you are my rock and my fortress.

The Lord is my rock, my fortress, and my savior; my God is my rock, in whom I find protection. He is my shield, the power that saves me, and my place of safety.

All of them drank the same spiritual water. For they drank from the spiritual rock that traveled with them, and that rock was Christ.

Trust in the Lord always, for the Lord God is the eternal Rock.

Psalm 31:3 Psalm 89:26 Psalm 61:2 Psalm 71:3 Psalm 18:2 1 Corinthians 10:4 Isaiah 26:4

Don’t find fault – find a remedy

LIFEgroups – together experiencing God

Glenn – 368 Mission Hill Way, Colorado Springs CO 80921

Meet

a WORD from God's Book
(photo: Lake Steamboat, CO)
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Give me your lantern and compass, give me a map, So I can find my way to the sacred mountain, to the place of your presence, To enter the place of worship, meet my exuberant God, Sing my thanks with a harp, magnificent God, my God.

Then we, your people, the ones you love and care for, will thank you over and over and over. We'll tell everyone we meet how wonderful you are, how praiseworthy you are!

That was the reason so many went out to meet him—because they had heard about this miraculous sign.

"Or, you may fall on your knees and pray—to God's delight! You'll see God's smile and celebrate, finding yourself set right with God. You'll sing God's praises to everyone you meet, testifying, 'I messed up my life— and let me tell you, it wasn't worth it. But God stepped in and saved me from certain death. I'm alive again! Once more I see the light!'

Hallelujah! Thank God! Pray to him by name! Tell everyone you meet what he has done! Sing him songs, belt out hymns, translate his wonders into music! Honor his holy name with Hallelujahs, you who seek God. Live a happy life! Keep your eyes open for God, watch for his works; be alert for signs of his presence. Remember the world of wonders he has made, his miracles, and the verdicts he's rendered— O seed of Abraham, his servant, O child of Jacob, his chosen.

Psalm 43:3 Psalm 79:11 John 12:18 Job 33:26 Psalm 105:1

Meet God in the morning if you want to walk with Him through the day.

LIFEgroups – together experiencing God

Glenn – 368 Mission Hill Way, Colorado Springs CO 80921