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    Meeting Culture: Meeting Jesus: Minnesota Expansion, #4
    Meeting Culture: Meeting Jesus: Minnesota Expansion, #4
    Meeting Culture: Meeting Jesus: Minnesota Expansion, #4
    Ebook380 pages5 hoursMeeting Jesus: Minnesota Expansion

    Meeting Culture: Meeting Jesus: Minnesota Expansion, #4

    By David Bergsland

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    The final four books of the Meeting Jesus Saga bring the whole work to a conclusion. But the expansion was incredible, for the Messiah was into correcting the church. It brings a new family into existence to develop a new work in Northfield. It's built with power-filled contemporary Biblical living. The growth into Northfield, Minnesota comes with major surprises.  Its work is to bring the life of Jesus to this small Midwestern college town. The true believers have been driven into hiding. The Lord is tired of it, no one has realized how far He'll go to right a wrong. Shaking does begin in the church. I'm glad vengeance is His…

     

    The Fiery Spirit is to bring correction to the church?

     

    Book eleven, Meeting Culture, slips carefully into the culture of the little Minnesota college town. Here the clergy and the academics are in cahoots. Originally, Edvard Odegaard merely thought that he was supposed to do a gallery like his brother, Nils, had with Spirit of Fire Gallery in Red Wing, Minnesota. But then the Lord disciplined him a bit, which resulted in him meeting the Lord Jesus for real, this time.

     

    Shortly after that, the Lord sends him a wonderful wife. You know how that works. The Lord normally works through strong marriages. He is doing it again. He works a miracle, getting him the property he needed. But in the process of that, the Lord gives him a property on which he is expected to build a school for artists.

     

    Northfield has two wonderful world-class colleges: St. Olaf and Carleton. The creative focus of these schools is mainly on performance art. St. Olaf has the St. Olaf Choir—which may be the best a cappella college choir in the world. They're better than most professional choirs. Carleton has the Weitz Center for Creativity with a strong focus on performance art like dance, theater, and so on.

     

    Both schools offer coursework for artists—you know, painters, sculptors, and the rest of the fine arts. But there is nothing practical to show students how to support themselves as artists. The Haugean School of the Arts is a profit-making school specifically designed to give their trainee/apprentices practical help toward living a life of creativity supporting themselves by their skills. Many of the ideas and concepts result from Hans Hauge, who lived in Norway at the end of the eighteenth century.

     

    The people the Lord pulls together to do this for Him are a delight. The changes to the entire city are immense. As I said, these final books targets religiosity. What fun!

     

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherDavid Bergsland
    Release dateFeb 1, 2024
    ISBN9798224976706
    Meeting Culture: Meeting Jesus: Minnesota Expansion, #4
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    Author

    David Bergsland

    For me, my early life culminated with the great rebellion of the sixties. Ending up as a fine artist and heavy user of pot and acid, I needed help. I met Jesus in 1974, and my life began, for real. The Lord gave me an amazing Godly woman for my wife in 1976. I became a graphic designer, font designer, and desktop publisher. In 1991, I began teaching printing and digital publishing. That resulted in writing dozens of books and booklets about the practical processes, using InDesign, Photoshop, and Illustrator. In 2009, I began the transformation into an author of fiction. By the end of 2022, I had 17 novels in five series, as I have developed my craft. This book is #20, and is the third book of the sixth series. I’m using Christian contemporary speculative fiction with some Biblical romance to share stories about the reality of how Jesus touches our day-to-day lives, while being strongly focused upon Biblical truth. I put the stereotypical Bible quoters in the same category as robo-callers. I attempt to reveal Jesus within a realistic world sharing my experiences. The goal is to reveal Jesus as a loving Creator building people into what they are designed to be. I currently assume time is running short, and the final harvest is here.

    Read more from David Bergsland

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      Book preview

      Meeting Culture - David Bergsland

      Meeting Culture

      Moving into a college town

      The Minnesota Expansion: 4 of 7

      David Bergsland

      Independently Published by

      These materials were written by David Bergsland © 2024;

      Released: December 2024

      Designed & formatted by Radiqx Press • All rights reserved

      http://www.radiqx.com • david@radiqx.com

      This is a work of fiction. Any association with real people is unintentional, happens in your mind, and is your responsibility. The locations are used fictionally also. The author only asks that you open your eyes to see what is going on around us in the world.

      This novel has been given to me by my Lord and King, Jesus of Nazareth. The blessings He has poured, and continues to pour, upon me would be incomprehensible if I were not living in them day by day. I am grateful and love Him as much as He gives me the grace to love.

      The Lord develops a work in Northfield

      ≈The growth into Northfield Minnesota: comes with major surprises

      This new book is a sharp departure from the earlier works in this epic tale. This time the Lord is planning to change things religiously, educationally, and even politically. He’s making waves on behalf of the descendants of some of his children who were treated badly a century ago or more.

      It starts with a new gallery. But this gallery is much smaller because Northfield was built around two world-class colleges, not business. It is very prosperous, but controlled by academic needs. Downtown Northfield is a small worldly delight of beautiful old buildings in a nicely developed area next to the Cannon River. But it’s missing something essential at its core.

      St. Olaf College was where Red Wing Seminary was finally put to rest by the larger world of Norwegian American Lutherans. This happened after Luther Seminary digested it theologically up in St. Paul. But that was all done by the religious systems of the world.

      The Lord plans to do something about what He sees as a serious problem. But no one knows that. There’s just a general recognition by the new gallery that their walk in the Lord is an outgrowth of what Hans Nielsen Hauge began within the Norwegian State Lutheran Church in 1796. The way it comes about is yet another revelation of the creativity and love of our Lord and King. The way, the truth, and the life cannot be contained. It’s a delight.

      1

      Edvard looks at his roots

      ≈Thursday, July 7: room #7, Carlson Guest Home, Red Wing, Minnesota

      Edvard Odegaard was on retreat at the Headquarters of Spirit of Fire, the new gallery led by Nils, his brother. In other words, he was seeking the mind of the Lord on what he should do. He found it helped him to be up at the guest home where he could be focused on that task. He was up on the second floor, with a north facing window looking toward downtown Red Wing, Minnesota.

      It was one of the rooms with an Ethernet hookup for his computer. Nils had given him a new iMac to use. He’d been studying up on Hans Hauge and the old Hauge Synod. He understood why his brother was convinced that the way they were both reborn had many characteristics of what Hans taught the people.

      However, he could also see that the current life of believers was very different from what they lived at the beginning of the nineteenth century. He agreed with Germaine and Marvin, the two leaders of the weekly Meeting with Jesus, that the focus now had to be on Jesus Himself. Jesus had confirmed that to him personally, as well.

      In addition, he was pretty sure that Nils had no idea how much he was prepared to put into the new operation in Northfield. He had been converting some of his real estate holdings into more liquid assets. Those readily available funds were now well over a hundred million dollars. He was very focused on what exactly Jesus had planned for this work.

      His main problem was that he was convinced that Jesus had something specific he wanted Edvard to do with his gallery. Actually, he was increasingly convinced it had to do with the Meeting with Jesus. Jesus, is that little building across the street going to work for the Meeting?

      That’s why I led you to buy it, Edvard. That shook him a little. He’d been running under the assumption that everything he had done before he had been reborn was very suspect. Yet, here he had proof that the Lord was using him, even back then. He had bought that building by offering over twice what it was worth. Thank you, Jesus. Your love for me is almost incomprehensible to me. I’m grateful for your mercy. He heard a little chuckle from the Lord.

      That made him smile, and he was enveloped again with the Presence of the Messiah. That used to make him jump, almost in alarm. Now he relaxed in the safety and comfort.

      I put myself into your hands, Jesus. I’m trusting You’ll show me the path as I need to see it. He was convinced of that. Which was why what happened next hit him so hard.

      Brace yourself.

      What? Where is that from? An attack is coming?

      Edvard heard the Lord laugh. No, it’s a good thing.

      That helped, a lot. OK, Lord, I’ll do my best to look forward to whatever your plans are. This is still new to me, you know.

      Relax, trust me, it will work really well.

      2

      Damaged daughter hits bottom

      ≈Saturday, July 9: outlaw bar on the Island, Wisconsin side, Red Wing, MN

      Astrid Benholdt had finally reached the point of disgusting herself. She’d lived a hard life, starting with two holiness parents who used her friendly uncle to babysit her into her teens. But uncle’s affection rose to new heights when she turned twelve, as he seduced her—eventually regularly demanding that she service him sexually. He’d even brought his son over to be educated in the ways of the world. He had her convinced he’d kill her if she talked.

      Tonight she was paying for her drinks with her beautiful body—though it was beginning to look a little rough. The bartender was a stinking fat slob, who’d played macho by ripping her blouse as he collected his pay. She hadn’t even bothered trying to fight off the pool shark who followed him. She could not believe she had sunk so low. The alcohol wasn’t working tonight at all. It certainly wasn’t blocking the nasty voice of her demon. I’m just a surly wench getting ready to do myself in.

      Good idea, you stupid slut! That’s the only thing that makes sense for the likes of you. She was agreeing with that assessment, at this point. Ah ha! You’re beginning to make sense. But how? A car wreck? That could easily just maim me. The confusion grew until her mind was just roiling with frustration, anger, pain, sorrow…

      She got up and stumbled toward the door. She had to get out of there. She bounced off the pool shark, and slammed into the wall. But she was determined.

      She was attracting a lot of attention. When she got to the door, she realized that her blouse had been ripped worse than she thought, and she was hanging out. She turned around and screamed out her hatred of that place, and the evil people.

      Then she backed into a man who was happy to grab hold of her. She stomped on his foot, and he knocked her over. But she got up, ran out the door, and scrambled for her car. She got in and locked it to keep the men out.

      She got the key in the ignition and it started. She floored it—not even looking. She felt the car jerk as someone’s body crashed down on the hood and slid off on the passenger side of the car. She heard a crash in back as something smashed onto the back window of her old Trans Am.

      Easy, Astrid, you escaped. So, what? I’m still here. I can fix all of that. That got her attention. Who do you think you are? No one can fix who I’ve become. I can make you a happy girl. No one has that kind of power. I created you. She was stunned. Jesus? Is that you? Yes, Astrid. And he was gone.

      Startled that somehow she was now sober, she took her foot off the gas. Then she drove across the Eisenhower Bridge and pulled off on the 3rd Street exit to downtown Red Wing. At Bush Street, she stopped and stared. The old bank was displaying a two-story-tall image of an amazing descending dove of fire which wrapped around the corner with half the image on each side.

      But then she heard her demon coming back, screaming at her. Jesus, please stop him. And He did. Into the silence, she heard, What do you want me to do?

      And He was gone again. The demon was screaming. Her mind was in turmoil again. All of her memories were running rampant. She could hardly think, but then she knew. I want you to heal my sexual issues, and lead me to people I can love and help. People who care about me. And the silence returned.

      But somehow she knew she needed to turn left and head up Bush Street. At seventh, she knew to turn right and park immediately. What did I tell Nicodemus? That he had to be born again. She answered automatically.

      Look across the street. In that large white house are people who will help you. Ask for Helen Carlson, and tell her you need to be born again. She’ll know what to do.

      And, He was gone again. She remembered Helen. She was one of the few good church memories of her childhood.

      She got out of her car and walked across the street, up the walk to the front door, and knocked. A little while later it was opened by a beautiful, dark brown woman with a huge smile. Hi. I’m Marlina. Can I help you?

      Believe it or not, Jesus sent me here to ask for Helen Carlson, who will help me get born again.

      Her smile broadened. I have no trouble believing that. Come in please. She reached over and pulled a large thin shawl off the coat stand. Let’s cover you up a bit, and I’ll bring you to Helen. I think she’s in the library.

      The shawl was wonderfully comfortable, and protective. She followed Marlina, who softly knocked on a beautiful wood door and carefully opened it. Excuse me, please. But this woman just knocked on the door. She’s telling me that Jesus sent her here to talk with you, Helen. She needs to be born again.

      Did she give you a name?

      Astrid heard her voice and something within her relaxed. It’s Astrid Benholdt, Helen. I need your help.

      Praise you, Jesus! I’ll be right there. Seconds later she was in the doorway, with a huge smile. Hi, Astrid. It’s so good to see you.

      Astrid began to cry. Helen moved forward and gathered her in her arms. It’s all right. The Lord will get you fixed up and healed.

      She sobbed for a long time, then leaned back, and looked Helen in the eye. He told me he would fix me and make me a happy girl. That’s why I’m here.

      That’s what He did for me. Marlina blurted.

      It looks like He sent me to the right place, then. She was enabled to give Marlina a smile. Astrid was surprised.

      Helen told Astrid. Luke’s in here, and two of our dearest friends. We’re running the new Spirit of Fire Gallery, and are just talking business.

      The bank with that huge, gorgeous descending dove? That’s where Jesus asked me what I wanted Him to do. I told him I needed Him to heal my issues and lead me to a group of people I could love and help. He told me to turn left and had me park on the other side of Seventh. He told me to come over here and ask for you. I am to tell you I need to be born again.

      That’s something these people do all the time. Come in and I’ll quickly introduce you and then we’ll get you born into the Kingdom. They’ll all be praying for you. She stepped aside and helped Astrid in the door. Marlina quietly closed the door and left.

      The man behind the desk is Nils Odegaard. He’s the human leader of this crew with his wife Ingrid. He was born again almost a year ago now, and the Lord put he and Ingrid together shortly after that. You hopefully remember Luke. And the man next to him is Edvard, Nils’ brother.

      There were a lot of welcomes, and large smiles. Ingrid got out of her chair, and pulled a smaller chair behind the desk to sit with Nils. She said, Use my chair. And please don’t be embarrassed. The last girl we helped as she was born again had been kidnapped by a gang leader, who raped her to insert a demon so he could control her. Then he sold her body for very expensive sex. But this whole thing is between you and Jesus. We’re just here to pray and support you. She smiled. I can get you something to wear if that would be more comfortable. Are you in a hurry, demons screaming, or anything?

      No, Jesus seems to have them under control. I would like to get decent. The ripped blouse is a bit much.

      Ingrid came over and led her upstairs to find something more comfortable. She found a brightly colored, floor length sun dress. Will this do?

      I’m filthy.

      We’ve got a wash machine, or a shower.

      Astrid responded, I’ll take a shower, and see if it fits.

      They moved into the bathroom and she took a shower. When she finished, Ingrid handed her large soft towel. After Astrid got herself dried off, she held out an unopened bra and new panties. Are these close to your size?

      Close enough. Why are doing this? I don’t deserve anything like what you are offering.

      You’re a hurting woman. I’m just trying to help.

      Astrid put on the underwear, and then tried the dress. The dress fit very well.

      Ingrid smiled, Thank you, Jesus. Now, we need to go down and get you cleaned up spiritually.

      I better do it. My demon is starting up again. Fear was beginning to twist her face.

      Ingrid commanded, You foul demon, I bind you in the name of Jesus. She looked at Astrid. The Lord says you have to give me permission to get rid of him.

      Yes, please do that.

      You heard her, in the name of Jesus I take authority over you and cast you into the outer darkness, away from any humans.

      Astrid jumped, He’s gone! I felt him leave.

      That will keep you free for a while. Others will come to take his place. Jesus has answered my prayer, but you’re not safe until you’re born again and filled with His Holy Spirit.

      OK, I’ve changed enough so that frightens me badly. I better get it done, whatever I need to do.

      They headed back down to the library. When they arrived, Helen asked, Is it all right if I ask Ingrid to take you through the process? She’s a lot better at that than I am. I’ll be praying for you.

      Astrid looked her in the eye. Sure. But I need to get this done. She sat in Ingrid’s chair.

      In back of the desk, Ingrid began, "The basic problem is that your access to Jesus is blocked by your sin. The solution is simple, though often a bit tough. What we have learned always works is that you need to ask the Holy Spirit to show you all your sin.

      It’s often a rough ride. We do not need to know anything about it. It’s all between you and the Lord. All we can do is pray that the Lord will give you the grace to take it seriously. So you can do what is necessary. It will come to place where you cannot stand it anymore. You understand what repent means, right?

      Astrid nodded tensely.

      So, when you’re ready to repent, ask Jesus what to do. He’ll take it from there.

      I understand, I need a total break from the mess I’ve made of my life. You’re telling me that Jesus will be able to fix me if I do this?

      Yes, you will have opened yourself to Him and He can freely respond then. He has the power to do what you need.

      OK. Astrid shook herself and got squared up in the chair. She got hold of the ends of the chair arms and said quietly, I need to do this. Holy Spirit show me all of my sin, please.

      Nothing happened for a nearly interminable minute. Then she started with a jerk. Soon, she was engulfed in the true memories presented by the Lord. She reacted like she was getting beat, then she stopped. It was quiet. Finally, she gasped, Yes, I’ll forgive him, and his son. And she was back into the buffeting. She evidently had many to forgive, and she spoke out like that several more times. But, finally she broke and could take no more.

      "I can’t stand any more, Jesus. I don’t want to be like this. I repent, but I’ll need your help. What can I do about all this sin?…

      Yes, please forgive me, Jesus.… It’s all gone! … How can I make this permanent?… Yes, I believe you’re my King and Lord. Will you please come inside and help me?

      Her face lit up. You love me! How can you stand to be in an old slut like me? She was listening carefully. That’s wonderful, Lord. Thank you. You are an amazing King, and my creator. I love you, Jesus. Thank you. I praise you as King of kings, and I worship you as my Messiah, God, and Creator. You are truly worthy. I praise you, Jesus… and she was off into worship. There was a brief interruption and she continued in a new language. With the new freedom, her worship soared.

      Ingrid joined her, as did Helen, and the men. Nils began singing and they all joined him, one by one. Finally, Astrid relaxed into the music, and that incredible chord filled the room. There seemed to be a backup choir with descants, bass lines, and much more. It lasted for many minutes and then gradually faded off into silence. Then Astrid looked around with a huge grin on her face, and screamed, Alleluia!

      She was loud enough that Marlina and Darell came to the door and looked in. Astrid waved them into the room, Come in. Jesus, did what He told me He’d do. As far as I can tell, I’m born again. It’s too wonderful and too new to really understand anything right now. But, I’m celebrating.

      Ingrid was almost as happy as Astrid. We all are, Astrid. You should see yourself. I’ll bet you’ve never looked this good. Welcome into the Kingdom of God.

      It quickly broke down into happy conversation. Eventually, Marlina, Darell, Luke, and Helen left to go to bed. Edvard headed over to his guest room. Nils went up to the bedroom while Ingrid took her downstairs to get the last unused bedroom.

      After she left, Astrid sat on the side of the bed. You’re goin’ to have to show me what to do… Don’t worry, got it covered.

      She actually grinned, maybe even a little bit of a giggle. She shook her head, slipped off her clothes, and got under the covers. She was asleep in seconds.

      3

      Astrid steps into the Kingdom

      ≈Sunday, July 10: last bedroom, basement, Spirit of Fire HQ

      She woke up relaxed and well rested. There was a contented smile on her face as she said, Good morning, Jesus. Hi Astrid. Nothing special for this morning? No response. She turned on the lamp next to her bed and looked at her phone. It was seven thirty two. I guess I’ll take a shower and get dressed. As she did that, she found herself quietly singing in the spirit. That was a new joy.

      All she had were the clothes Ingrid had loaned her the night before. So she put them on. The only ugliness was the shoes. All she had were her old, dirty, beatup rhinestone sneakers. I guess they helped me get away last night. She chuckled. Her wardrobe was going to change radically.

      She headed up the stairs. The house was very quiet. She finally walked into the living room and found Edvard. What’s going on? Where is everyone?

      Hi Astrid. It’s Sunday and they all take the day off. Most of them spend time with the Lord, but it’s not structured in any way. They work the other six days.

      Why do you seem separated from the rest of them?

      Why would you think that?

      You’re living in the Guest House?

      That’s true.

      When Helen introduced me, she called Nils and Ingrid two of their best friends. You were just Nils’ brother. They never mentioned you the rest of the evening.

      Well, there’s a couple of things going on. First I just got born again, for real this time, a week ago. Second, I live in Northfield and there’s a general plan that I will be starting a gallery like Spirit of Fire in Northfield. So, I’m temporarily employed by Spirit of Fire, but that’s only until the Northfield operation becomes a legal entity—probably an Associated Corporation.

      OK. I’ll tell you one thing, that Spirit of Fire dove is a gorgeous graphic.

      I agree. Edvard was having a little trouble with Astrid. He’d never met a more appealing woman.

      They just chatted for a while, getting to know each other. Astrid was having a wonderful time just talking like normal people did with a man. She liked the fact that he had met Jesus for real a week ago. But there was a problem of some kind.

      Being who she was, she called him on it. Am I bothering you somehow? Did I do or say anything? What’s the problem, Edvard? She certainly didn’t expect him to turn beet red. He was genuinely embarrassed. She tossed him a sweet smile.

      It took a while. "Let’s start with a little background. A lot of this is still new to me. My wife divorced me as a workaholic ten years ago. I was guilty as charged. So, I tried the rich swinging bachelor thing. It distracted me, and I had a lot of good sex. But, it was really shallow.

      "In an effort to get deeper, more real, whatever, I let a woman lead me in a sinner’s prayer, repented of my sin, and accepted Jesus as my Lord.

      "But it wasn’t much more real for me than what I was doing when I met her. A month ago, I found myself in my old bad habits. I was living the same way as I used to before I supposedly became a Christian. However, since I had made those half-hearted promises, Jesus had my permission to discipline me a bit.

      I was riding my bike down to the River Walk, Downtown Northfield. A man simply didn’t see me and walked right into me. I lost my balance and fell over the railing. I would have fallen into the river, but my leg was entangled and trapped by my bike.

      I was hanging over the edge, and my leg was an agony to me. I was screaming in pain. A man got a hold of me until the Fire Department arrived. They pulled me up. I was bleeding a lot. My leg hurt really bad. So, they sent me up to the emergency room.

      "I had cracked the smaller bone of my lower leg (I can never remember the name of it). It took several dozen stitches to sew up the cuts. They sent me home. Once I got there, I just came unglued.

      I basically screamed at God, non-stop, for several weeks. I felt like he had betrayed me. I screamed until I could no longer talk. Finally, on July first, I prayed something like. ‘Please forgive me, Jesus. You haven’t done anything wrong. It’s me. Forgive me of whatever it is. I repent of whatever it is.’ And somehow the Lord could accept that.

      "In a bit, He told me, Call Nils. Tell him I said that you never repented of all your sin. He knows what to do. It turned out that Nils had known something like that was going on, but the Lord had told him they weren’t allowed to do anything until I called and asked for help.

      "So he and Ingrid came over and led me through what you went through last night. It worked for me also. I couldn’t believe what a difference it was to be truly born again. It was like a whole new world.

      That’s just to let you know a little about me. About what is happening this morning, what you are sensing is my discomfort in dealing with the fact that you are the most attractive woman I have ever met—by far. I don’t trust myself anymore. So, I don’t know what to do. I certainly can’t try to come on to you (though it’s difficult to keep my mouth shut).

      Astrid smiled at him, I’ve been having issues like that with you. Let’s try this. Jesus, can you help Edvard and I get these thoughts under control so we can at least get to know each other? As you know, it’s become difficult for both of us.

      I will do that until you’re ready to get serious. They both heard Him.

      Edvard broke out in laughter. He waved his hand and shook his head as he got himself under control. "It’s all right. Let me try to explain. Last Thursday, I was in serious prayer about how I was supposed to put the Northfield gallery into operation.

      "We had talked a lot. I had prayed a lot. He had showed me some things which were pretty amazing. I was beginning to get enthused about it all. Then He nailed me. He said, loud and strong.

      Brace yourself.

      "I flailed back with, ‘What? Where is that from? An attack is coming?’

      "And I heard Him laugh. No, it’s a good thing. Now I’m wondering if you are the good thing he was talking about. Or at least a good part of it."

      Now Astrid was shook. What do I do about this, Jesus?

      Nothing. Pray for Edvard. He needs to process this and make the decision.

      So, she prayed for him. When she ran out of words she went to praying in the Spirit. She had been raised well in the church, before Uncle Albert destroyed her life. She was remembering.

      Edvard was processing, a lot. But it was becoming clear to him. Finally, he stepped out, Astrid, we need to pray. Are you willing to agree with me that we should ask Jesus directly what is going on here? Frankly, I’ve gotten to the place where I need to know what He is doing.

      Astrid’s face produced a soft smile, Yes, Edvard, I agree with that. I’ll agree with your prayer.

      That support washed over Edvard like a warm blanket of comfort and strength. Thank you, Astrid. He turned to the Lord, "Jesus, Astrid and I seem to have come to an impasse. I feel much too strongly about her—considering our brand new relationship. You’ve heard my thoughts. Astrid says she’s been experiencing something similar. You know what my decision is. I lay our relationship before you. We give you the authority to put us together or separate us without injury.

      "But

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