The Art of Successful Living with Joanne Williams

theartofsuccessfulliving
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The Art of Successful living shares micro-steps with men and women who struggle with everyday challenges, and trying to remain Christ-like.

  1. 6d ago

    WHAT TO EXPECT WHEN YOU’RE EXPECTING PART 4

    THE ART OF SUCCESSFUL LIVING PODCAST Part 4: The Pain Before the Promise When Waiting Gets Hard Host: Minister Joanne Williams EPISODE DESCRIPTION Have you ever prayed about something for so long that you started wondering, God, did You forget about me? Waiting isn't always easy. When you've been praying, believing, and trusting God, it can be discouraging when you don't see the results you hoped for. In Part 4 of our What to Expect When You're Expecting series, Minister Joanne Williams gets real about the uncomfortable side of expectation: the waiting, the pressure, and the pain before the promise. Just as labor is part of the pregnancy journey, difficult seasons can challenge our faith and test our patience. But how do we keep trusting God when we're tired of waiting? In this episode, we'll explore four important labor room lessons to help us navigate seasons of uncertainty without losing sight of God. IN THIS EPISODE, YOU'LL DISCOVER: Pressure Doesn't Always Mean Something Is Wrong: Learn how God can help you grow even in uncomfortable seasons. Pain Doesn't Mean the Promise Has Been Canceled: Discover the importance of bringing your disappointments and struggles honestly before God. You Cannot Quit Simply Because the Process Is Uncomfortable: Learn why perseverance matters when the answer doesn't come as quickly as you expected. You Need Support During Labor: Understand the importance of having trusted prayer partners, spiritual mentors, and a supportive Christian community. KEY SCRIPTURES Galatians 6:9 — Don't grow weary in doing good; trust God as you continue faithfully. Romans 5:3–5 — Learn how perseverance, character, and hope can develop through difficult seasons. James 1:2–4 — Discover how the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Psalm 27:14 — Be encouraged to wait on the Lord and allow Him to strengthen your heart. 1 Samuel 1 — Learn from Hannah's example of pouring out her heart before God. Ecclesiastes 4:9–10 — Remember the value of having someone to help you when life gets difficult. FOOD FOR THOUGHT Waiting can be frustrating, especially when it seems like everyone else is receiving their breakthrough while you're still praying for yours. But don't compare your journey to somebody else's. God has not called you to live someone else's life. Focus on your relationship with Him, continue taking faithful steps, and seek His wisdom as you navigate your season of waiting. Remember these words from today's episode: "Some seasons require less explanation and more endurance." You don't have to explain your journey to everybody. Sometimes, you simply need to keep praying, keep trusting, and take the next faithful step. YOUR MICRO-ACTION STEP This week, identify one prayer or situation you're tempted to give up on. Write it down and pray over it again. This time, ask God to help you surrender the timing to Him. Ask Him for: Patience while you wait. Wisdom to know what steps to take. Strength to keep going when the process becomes difficult. Faith to trust Him even when you don't have all the answers. Reflection Questions: Am I becoming discouraged because things are taking longer than I expected? What can I do faithfully while I wait? Who can I turn to for prayer and encouragement? What do I need to surrender to God today? A FINAL WORD OF ENCOURAGEMENT Waiting isn't always easy. Sometimes it hurts, sometimes it tests your faith, and sometimes you have to remind yourself all over again why you decided to trust God. But you don't have to walk through the waiting alone. Keep praying. Keep trusting. Keep seeking God's direction. You may be waiting, but you are not forgotten. CONNECT WITH THE PODCAST Thank you for listening to The Art of Successful Living Podcast with Minister Joanne Williams! If this episode encouraged you, share it with someone who may be struggling through a season of waiting. You never know who needs a reminder that God has not forgotten them. Until next time, keep growing in God's Word and learning to live successfully His way, one faithful step at a time. Hosted by Minister Joanne Williams The Art of Successful Living Podcast

  2. Oct 7

    WHAT TO EXPECT WHEN YOU’RE EXPECTING A MOVE OF GOD 3

    “Are you prepared for the thing you're praying for?” IN THIS EPISODE Minister Joanne explores: Why the pregnancy test is only the beginning How expectation produces preparation The connection between physical pregnancy and spiritual expectation The story of the Shunammite woman in 2 Kings 4:8-17 Why the Shunammite woman made room before she knew exactly what was coming The “Nursery Principle” What it means to create evidence of your expectation Why Isaiah 54:2-3 tells us to enlarge our tent How God sometimes stretches us before He expands us Why Jesus teaches us to count the cost in Luke 14:28 The importance of preparing before building according to Proverbs 24:27 Why we shouldn't just pray for the blessing—we should prepare to carry it How to identify the “room” that needs to be made in your life KEY SCRIPTURES 2 Kings 4:8-17 The story of the Shunammite woman who recognized Elisha as a man of God and made room for him in her home. Isaiah 54:2-3 “Enlarge the place of your tent...” God instructed His people to prepare for expansion before they could see the full manifestation of what He was going to do. Luke 14:28 Jesus teaches the importance of counting the cost before beginning to build. Proverbs 24:27 “Prepare your outside work, make it fit for yourself in the field; and afterward build your house.” THE BIG QUESTION Are you prepared for the thing you've been praying for? Think about what you've been asking God for. If God answered that prayer tomorrow... Would you be ready? If the answer is no, don't become discouraged. Instead, ask God: “What do I need to do to prepare?” Preparation may look like: Learning something new Creating a plan Cleaning out your physical space Changing your schedule Developing your skills Forgiving someone Healing emotionally Establishing boundaries Strengthening your prayer life Getting your business in order Preparing to lead Making room for the people God may send Organizing your finances Preparation matters. REFLECTION QUESTIONS Take some time this week and ask yourself: What am I currently praying for? If God answered that prayer tomorrow, would I be ready? What “room” needs to be made in my life? What do I need to remove? What do I need to rearrange? What do I need to learn? What do I need to heal? PRAYER Father, thank You for every promise You have placed in our hearts. Thank You for the things You are growing in us, even when we cannot see them yet. Give us wisdom to prepare and discipline to make room. Show us what needs to be cleaned out, rearranged, strengthened, and prepared. Help us not only to pray for the blessing but to become prepared to carry it. In Jesus' name, Amen. What practical step can I take this week?

  3. Sep 30

    What to Expect When You’re Expecting a Move of God 2

    WHAT TO EXPECT WHEN YOU’RE EXPECTING PART 2 — SOMETHING IS CHANGING! When Expectation Changes You EPISODE DESCRIPTION What happens when you realize you're expecting something from God? You change. In Part 2 of “What to Expect When You're Expecting,” Minister Joanne Williams explores the connection between the physical and emotional changes of pregnancy and the spiritual transformation that happens when God is developing something within us. Pregnancy changes your body, appetite, priorities, emotions, and sometimes even your relationships. In the same way, when God begins developing a promise, purpose, calling, or assignment in you, you may not be able to remain the same. IN THIS EPISODE, WE TALK ABOUT: Why expectation can produce transformation How physical changes during pregnancy mirror spiritual changes Why your spiritual appetite may begin to change How God can change your priorities Why some relationships may not fit your next season Managing emotions while walking by faith The difference between having emotions and being controlled by them What Mary's response to God's assignment teaches us about surrender Why we shouldn't mistake development for delay How the fruit of the Spirit develops over time Why God may be preparing the person before revealing the promise How to recognize what God is changing in you while you wait KEY SCRIPTURES Romans 12:2 — Transformation through the renewing of your mind 2 Corinthians 5:17 — Becoming a new creation in Christ Galatians 5:22–23 — The fruit of the Spirit Philippians 1:6 — Confidence that God will complete the work He has begun Luke 1:38 — Mary's response of surrender to God's Word THE BIG IDEA What you're carrying will eventually affect how you're living. When God is developing something in you, the evidence eventually begins to show up in your choices, priorities, relationships, appetite, behavior, and faith. You may not see the promise yet, but don't assume nothing is happening. Development is still progress. REFLECTION QUESTION “What is God changing in you while you're waiting for Him to change your situation?” Don't just look at what's happening around you. Take a moment to look at what's happening within you. TAKEAWAY Pregnancy changes you because you're carrying something. Spiritually, expectation can change you because you're carrying a promise, purpose, calling, dream, or God-given assignment. You may have questions. You may have fears. You may feel excited one day and uncertain the next. But keep walking. Keep praying. Keep studying your Bible. Keep worshiping. Keep trusting. God isn't finished with you. There is still development taking place. There is still growth taking place. There is still transformation taking place. FINAL THOUGHT Sometimes the greatest evidence that God is answering your prayer is the person you're becoming while you're waiting for the answer. LISTEN • SHARE • SUBSCRIBE If this episode encouraged you, share it with someone who is in a waiting season and needs to be reminded that God may be doing something in them while they are waiting for Him to do something for them. Subscribe to The Art of Successful Living Podcast and join Minister Joanne Williams for the next episode of “What to Expect When You're Expecting.”

  4. Sep 16

    WHAT TO EXPECT WHEN YOU’RE EXPECTING GOD TO MOVE

    🎙️ THE ART OF SUCCESSFUL LIVING PODCAST WHAT TO EXPECT WHEN YOU'RE EXPECTING… GOD TO MOVE Episode 1: Congratulations! You're Expecting! Is Your Faith Showing? 📖 SCRIPTURE FOCUS Hebrews 11:1 “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” 1 Samuel 1:10-18 — Hannah's Prayer Hannah prayed for a child and poured out her heart before God. Although she did not immediately have the answer in her hands, something changed in her after she prayed. 💡 IN THIS EPISODE, WE TALK ABOUT: 1. Conception Before Manifestation God can begin something before we can see the evidence. 2. Faith Before Sight Faith allows us to trust God even when we don't have visible proof. 3. Expectation vs. Hope There's a difference between casually hoping something happens and positioning yourself to believe God is working. 4. Expectation Produces Preparation If you're truly expecting something, eventually your actions should reflect what you believe. 5. Spiritual Appetite What you're carrying can affect what you crave. When God is developing something in you, your appetite for prayer, worship, Scripture, and God's presence may increase. 6. Learning to Wait God's timing may not be our timing. Waiting doesn't automatically mean God has said no. 7. Trusting God's Will Expecting God to move doesn't mean demanding that He do exactly what we want. Biblical faith trusts God's wisdom, timing, and plan. 🧪 TODAY'S “PREGNANCY TEST” It's time to check your spiritual results! Ask yourself: 1. Do I believe God CAN? Do I genuinely believe God is able to do what I've been praying about? 2. Do I trust God WILL? Can I trust God's wisdom and timing, even when I don't know what He's going to do? 3. Am I preparing? What am I doing to prepare for the thing I've been asking God for? 4. Has my appetite changed? Am I craving more of God's Word, prayer, worship, and His presence? 5. Can I handle the wait? Can I continue believing and preparing even when I don't see 💬 LET'S TALK ABOUT IT Here's your question for this week's conversation: What are you expecting God to do—and how are you preparing for it? Share your thoughts with us on social media and use: #WhatToExpect #ExpectingGodToMove #TheArtOfSuccessfulLiving Episode 2: Something Is Changing! When Expectation Changes You What happens when you're carrying something God has placed inside of you? Your appetite may change. Your priorities may change. Your relationships may change. Your perspective may change. And sometimes, before God changes your circumstances, He starts changing you. Join us for Episode 2 as we continue our journey from prayer to promise. THE ART OF SUCCESSFUL LIVING PODCAST Hosted by Minister Joanne Williams Practical micro-steps through the Word of God for everyday challenges and everyday faith. Pray. Believe. Prepare. Expect. Because what God is developing in you may be bigger than what you can see right now

  5. Sep 9

    YOU ARE WHAT YOU EAT

    Absolutely—here are polished, engaging podcast show notes for The Art of Successful Living, with a strong hook, Scripture, key takeaways, and your practical “micro-step” challenge. 🎙️ THE ART OF SUCCESSFUL LIVING PODCAST You Are What You Eat: What Are You Feeding Your Soul? “You are what you eat” takes on a whole new meaning when we look at what we're feeding our spirit. We all know that what we eat physically affects our bodies. But what about what we consume emotionally, mentally, and spiritually? In this episode of The Art of Successful Living, Minister Joanne Williams takes the familiar phrase “You are what you eat” and serves up a spiritual challenge: What are you feeding your soul? Every day, we're consuming something through our eyes, ears, minds, conversations, relationships, social media, music, television, and the people we allow to speak into our lives. And just like physical food affects the body, what we continually consume can affect our thoughts, attitudes, beliefs, choices, and ultimately our spiritual lives. Jesus said: “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.” — Matthew 4:4 Your body needs food. Your soul needs nourishment. 🍽️ IN THIS EPISODE, WE'LL TALK ABOUT: You Are Feeding Something Your soul is consuming something every day. The question isn't whether you're feeding it—it's what you're feeding it. Not Everything That Tastes Good Is Good for You Some things may be entertaining, popular, or emotionally satisfying but still unhealthy for your spirit. Spiritual Junk Food Are you filling yourself with negativity, gossip, comparison, fear, anger, and drama while wondering why you feel spiritually empty? Your Eyes Are Eating Too What you continually watch can influence what you think, believe, and eventually how you live. Your Ears Are Eating Too Every voice you listen to is feeding something. Who has access to your ears—and what are they feeding you? What You Feed Will Grow Feed fear, and fear grows. Feed bitterness, and bitterness grows. But feed faith, hope, love, prayer, and God's Word—and those things can grow too. What's Coming Out of You? Jesus said in Luke 6:45: “For of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh.” Sometimes what comes out of our mouths reveals what we've been putting into our hearts. 📖 SCRIPTURES TO REFLECT ON Matthew 4:4 — We need more than physical food; we need God's Word. Proverbs 4:23 — “Keep thy heart with all diligence.” Psalm 1:1-3 — The person planted in God's Word becomes like a fruitful tree planted by water. Romans 12:2 — Be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Philippians 4:8 — Think on things that are true, honest, just, pure, lovely, and of good report. Colossians 3:16 — Let the Word of Christ dwell in you richly. Luke 6:45 — What's inside eventually comes out. 🥗 THE SPIRITUAL FOOD AUDIT This week's challenge is simple: For the next 24 hours, pay attention to what you're consuming. Ask yourself: What am I watching? What am I listening to? Who am I allowing to speak into me? What thoughts am I repeatedly entertaining? How much of God's Word am I consuming? Then ask yourself the most important question: “Is my spiritual diet producing the person God is calling me to become?” You may discover that some things need to come off your plate. And you may discover that you need to put more Word, prayer, worship, faith, and truth on it. 💡 THIS WEEK'S MICRO-STEP Feed your faith. Starve your fear. This week, intentionally replace one unhealthy spiritual input with something that nourishes your relationship with God. Instead of another hour of scrolling, spend 15 minutes in Scripture. Instead of joining the negative conversation, choose encouragement. Instead of replaying what someone did to you, pray for God's wisdom and healing. Instead of feeding fear with everything happening in the world, feed your spirit with God's promises. Change your spiritual diet—and watch what begins to grow. 💬 QUESTION FOR THE LISTENERS If your soul had a nutrition label today, what would be listed as its main ingredients? Would it be: Faith? Hope? Love? Peace? Or: Fear? Anger? Comparison? Bitterness? Negativity? Take a moment and really think about it. What are you feeding your soul? 🙏 CLOSING THOUGHT Your body becomes affected by what you eat. Your mind becomes influenced by what you consume. Your heart becomes shaped by what you repeatedly entertain. And your spirit needs nourishment too. So be intentional about what you allow through the door of your heart. Everything that feeds you isn't good for you. Feed on God's Word. Feed on prayer. Feed on worship. Feed on truth. Feed on faith. Feed on love. Because what you feed will grow. And remember: You are what you eat—so feed your soul something that gives life. 🎧 LISTEN • REFLECT • APPLY • SHARE If this episode challenged you, share it with someone who needs to take a closer look at their spiritual diet. The Art of Successful Living Podcast Practical faith. Biblical truth. Everyday application. Minister Joanne Williams

  6. Sep 2

    DON’T BE LEFT BEHIND

    Guard It. Grow It. Glorify It. Scripture: 2 Peter 3:1–15, 18 🎙️ Episode Overview What happens when your faith is challenged? What happens when culture tells you one thing, social media tells you another, and even people using the Bible don't always teach the truth of Scripture? In 2 Peter 3, the Apostle Peter gives believers a warning—but he also gives us hope. Peter knew that false teachers would come. He knew there would be people who would question the return of Christ. He knew believers could become confused, discouraged, and spiritually unstable. So Peter reminds us: Don't be caught off guard. Don't stop growing. Don't lose your focus. As we wait for the Day of the Lord, Peter gives us three essentials for persevering in our faith: GUARD. GROW. GLORIFY. GUARD YOUR FAITH Peter warns us about false teachers who distort Scripture and use God's Word to support their own ideas and lifestyles. This is a powerful reminder that just because someone quotes the Bible doesn't mean they are teaching the Bible correctly. We have to know God's Word for ourselves. We must learn to recognize: Truth versus error Biblical teaching versus personal opinion Grace versus cheap grace Conviction versus condemnation God's truth versus cultural pressure The question isn't simply, "Did they quote a Bible verse?" The question is: "Did they handle God's Word correctly?" Peter's warning is designed to prepare us—not frighten us. To be forewarned is to be forearmed. 🌱 2. GROW IN GRACE AND KNOWLEDGE Peter doesn't simply tell believers what to avoid. He tells us what to pursue: "But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ." — 2 Peter 3:18 Spiritual growth requires spiritual life. Just as a baby must be born before it can grow, we must experience new life in Christ before we can grow spiritually. Jesus told Nicodemus: "Unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God." — John 3:3 Being religious isn't the same as being spiritually alive. Knowing church language isn't the same as knowing Christ. And attending church isn't the same as growing in Christ. ⏳ 3. LIVE WITH THE HOPE OF CHRIST'S RETURN Peter reminds believers that the Day of the Lord is coming. Some people were questioning why Jesus hadn't returned yet. But Peter explains that God's timing is different from ours. God's apparent delay isn't because He has forgotten His promise. It reflects His patience and His desire that people have opportunity to repent. That means we shouldn't become discouraged while we wait. 💭 QUESTIONS TO THINK ABOUT Take a few minutes this week and honestly answer these questions: What voices have the greatest influence over my faith? Am I allowing culture to shape my beliefs more than Scripture? Am I growing spiritually, or have I become comfortable where I am? What area of my life is God asking me to surrender? If I knew Jesus were returning tomorrow, what would I change today? How can I glorify God with my everyday life? 🙏 CLOSING THOUGHT We don't know the day or hour of Christ's return. But we do know this: Jesus is coming. So don't allow false teaching to steal your faith. Don't allow discouragement to stop your growth. And don't waste the life God has given you. Guard your faith. Grow in grace and knowledge. Glorify Jesus with your life. We're not simply waiting for Jesus to return. We're preparing to meet Him. And the prayer is that when He comes, He will find us faithful.  SCRIPTURES MENTIONED 2 Peter 3:1–15 — The Day of the Lord and Christian hope 2 Peter 3:18 — Growing in grace and knowledge 2 Peter 1:12–15 — Peter's emphasis on remembering truth John 3:3 — The necessity of being born again John 3:19–20 — Light versus darkness Ephesians 2:1–3 — Spiritual death Ephesians 4:14 — Not being spiritually tossed about 2 Timothy 4:1–4 — Sound teaching and false teachers Romans 12:2 — Renewal of the mind The Art of Successful Living Podcast is about taking God's Word beyond Sunday and putting it into everyday life. Because successful living isn't just about what we achieve. It's about how we live before God. — Minister Joanne Williams The Art of Successful Living Podcast

  7. Aug 26

    Love Fulfills The Law

    Love Fulfills the Law ❤️ When God Changes Your Heart, It Changes How You Treat People Scripture: Romans 12:1–2; Romans 13:8–10 What does it really mean to love someone? Is love simply a feeling? Is it something we say? Or is love demonstrated by the way we live, especially when people are difficult to love? In this episode of The Art of Successful Living Podcast, Minister Joanne Williams takes us into Romans 12 and 13 to discover the powerful connection between spiritual transformation and practical love. Paul begins by challenging believers to present themselves to God as a living sacrifice and to be transformed by the renewing of their minds. Then he takes us directly into our relationships with other people, reminding us that one debt we should never stop paying is the debt of love. “Owe no man any thing, but to love one another…” — Romans 13:8 The message is simple but challenging: When God transforms us on the inside, it should change how we treat people on the outside. In This Episode, We Talk About: What it means to present our lives to God as a living sacrifice Why transformation begins with the renewing of our minds The difference between biblical love and emotional love Why love is described as a debt we should continue to pay How love fulfills the law What love looks like when someone has hurt or disappointed us Loving people while still maintaining healthy boundaries Why forgiveness doesn't mean allowing unhealthy behavior How our words and reactions can reveal whether we are truly being transformed A practical L.O.V.E. Test for handling difficult relationships Listen. Reflect. Apply. If this episode challenged or encouraged you, share it with someone who needs the reminder that love is more than a feeling—love is a Christ-like way of living. The Art of Successful Living Podcast Practical faith. Biblical truth. Everyday application. #TheArtOfSuccessfulLiving #LoveFulfillsTheLaw #Romans12 #Romans13 #BiblicalLove #ChristianLiving #FaithInAction #ChristianPodcast #RenewYourMind #LiveGodsWay

  8. Aug 19

    The Power of a Towel Part 2

    The Power of a Towel: Love in Action Key Scripture: John 13:34–35 “A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.” Episode Description What does a basin and a towel have to do with Christian love? Everything. In this episode of The Art of Successful Living, Minister Joanne Williams takes us back to the Upper Room, just hours before Jesus would be crucified. Jesus knew what was coming. He knew Judas would betray Him. He knew Peter would deny Him. He knew His disciples would soon scatter. And yet, Jesus picked up a towel and washed their feet. The King became the servant. The Leader knelt. The Savior served. Jesus didn't simply tell His disciples that He loved them—He showed them. The basin and towel became a powerful picture of love in action. In This Episode, We Explore Why the timing of Jesus' foot washing—just hours before the cross—is so significant. What John 13 reveals about Jesus' understanding of His identity and authority. Why Jesus used His power to serve rather than control. The significance of the basin as a picture of emptying ourselves before God. The towel as a symbol of humble, hands-on Christian service. What it means to love people who may not love us in return. Why Christian love requires action, not simply words. How Jesus demonstrated power through love. Why love became the identifying mark of His disciples. The King became the servant Pick Up Your Towel: This Week's Challenge This week's challenge is simple: Pick up your towel. Find someone you can serve in a practical way. It could be: Calling someone who is lonely. Encouraging someone who is discouraged. Helping a family member. Serving at church without needing recognition. Forgiving someone. Praying for someone who has hurt you. Listening to someone who simply needs to be heard. Doing something kind without telling anyone. Serve without applause. Let God be your audience. Reflection Questions Who might God be asking me to serve right now? Am I more interested in being recognized or being useful to God? How do I respond when someone hurts or disappoints me? Can I forgive while still maintaining healthy boundaries? What does "love in action" look like in my home, church, workplace, or community? If Jesus placed a basin and towel in front of me today, whose feet would He ask me to wash? Micro-Action Step This week, don't just say you love someone. Show them. Choose one person and do one practical thing that communicates: "I see you. I care about you. I'm here for you." No announcement. No applause. No recognition. Just love in action. Prayer Father, Thank You for giving us Jesus as the perfect example of love and humble service. Teach us to love as Jesus loved. Give us the humility to pick up the towel. Give us compassion to see people who are hurting. Give us courage to serve when nobody is watching. Help us love without compromising wisdom or healthy boundaries. Let the world recognize that we belong to You—not simply by what we say, but by the way we love. Help us exercise power through love. Help us lead through service. Help us carry the basin. Help us carry the towel. And help us carry the heart of Christ. In Jesus' name, Amen. Quote of the Episode "The power of a towel is not in the towel. The power is in the heart of the person willing to pick it up." Remember: Don't just tell people you're a Christian. Pick up the towel and let them see the love of Christ in action. The Art of Successful Living Practical faith. Biblical truth. Everyday transformation.           —John 13:34–35, KJV

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The Art of Successful living shares micro-steps with men and women who struggle with everyday challenges, and trying to remain Christ-like.

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