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Jeremiah Interviewed by Candidate for Oklahoma Governor Dan Fisher

Brothers and sisters, here is the the long awaited interview with gubernatorial candidate from the great state of Oklahoma. This precious brother in the Lord, Dan Fisher, took time out of his busy schedule on the campaign trail to do this on the behalf of our son.

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Gov. Abbott Grants Jeremiah His Dying Wish

Gov. Abbott granted Jeremiah Thomas (16) his dying wish. He called Jeremiah yesterday and promised to help abolish abortion in Texas.

The Governor was gracious with his time. He listened to Jeremiah’s testimony and encouraged him in his faith. Jeremiah said that the Governor was “compassionate and receptive.”

Jeremiah shared his heart regarding abortion. He appealed to the Governor to protect preborn babies by completely abolishing abortion by treating it as murder and penalized it by law in the great state of Texas.

Prior to the call, the Governors wife, Cecilia, reached out to Jeremiah through Facebook. She sent prayers and hugs. They both demonstrated genuine Christian love and concern for the plight of our son.

#Godsgotthis
#AbolishAbortionTX
#GovernorAbbott
#MakeAWish

Gov. Abbott granted Jeremiah Thomas (16) his dying wish. He called Jeremiah yesterday and promised to help abolish abortion in Texas.The Governor was gracious with his time. He listened to Jeremiah's testimony and encouraged him in his faith. Jeremiah said that the Governor was "compassionate and receptive."Jeremiah shared his heart regarding abortion. He appealed to the Governor to protect preborn babies by completely abolishing abortion by treating it as murder and penalizing it by law in the great state of Texas. Prior to the call, the Governors wife, Cecilia, reached out to Jeremiah through Facebook. She sent prayers and hugs. They both demonstrated genuine Christian love and concern for the plight of our son.#Godsgotthis#AbolishAbortionTX#GovernorAbbott#MakeAWishwww.operationsaveamerica.org

Posted by Rusty Thomas on Monday, June 18, 2018

 

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Jeremiah Strong Song

“I don’t deserve Your healing, but Lord You will always deserve my praise. Through death or life, may Your great name be lifted up and everything that is of me fall to the wayside. Oh Lord, strengthen me that I may fight the battle with a courage Satan cannot tamper with. If You take me home or leave me here to fight a little longer, may it be Your breath in my lungs and Your song on my tongue. Lord, I consecrate myself to the full advancement of the Kingdom of God! Lord, I love You and I can’t wait to see You face to face. Amen.”

Jeremiah Thomas has been in the fight of his life against cancer since March of this year. He has resolved to use this battle to glorify Christ and advance His Kingdom whether he lives or dies. He has been an incredible example and inspiration to thousands of people in the last several months.

As you can imagine, fighting this battle is taking resources his family doesn’t have. Your love, prayers, and support are greatly appreciated.

If you’ve enjoyed this song, whoever you are, then please, PLEASE stop what you are doing and donate $5 right now to help his family pay his medical bills (https://www.gofundme.com/ccu35y-help-with-financial-burdens). They are astronomical for one family, but if we as a community come around them this need can be met. You can support them at their Gofundme Page and hear more about Jeremiah’s story here: https://www.gofundme.com/ccu35y-help-with-financial-burdens

After you donate, please like and share this video so that more people hear about Jeremiah and come support his family.

This is a song I wrote to him when he was told by his doctors that he has only a couple months to live. He is living like a man who is dying, and we can all learn from his example.

LYRICS:

When your voice is at its weakest
It can be heard around the world
When your body’s sick and dying
You can be the one who heals

When your insides won’t stop bleeding
You can still stop the crimson guilt
And rise up to defend the weak
Be strong

When your legs won’t lift you from your chair
You can walk the narrow road
When your flesh and bones are torn apart
You can mend a broken world

When your veins are full of poison
You can still cure the great disease
You can still be the remedy
Hold on, be strong

When you see the face of death
I know you will rise and live again
The deepest breath you take
Will be your last
When this flesh has finally failed you
And your heartbeats are all gone
When at last your race is won
You will be strong
You will be strong

When you lose your life
Then you will live
When you serve with every breath
Your lungs can give
When your very chest is bursting
With the power of your love
Do not fear, hold on
You are strong

When you lose your life
Then you will live
When you build the coming Kingdom
Like today will be your end
When your very chest is bursting
With the song that’s on your tongue
Do not fear, hold on
You are strong
You are strong

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Bringing the Fight Home

Bringing the fight home ���� ❤️ #GodsGotThis #JeremiahStrong #IWantToFight
Yesterday marked ten weeks to the day Jeremiah (16) was told his sports injury was really a malignant tumor in his chest.
It’s not been an easy road, with Jeremiah’s bone cancer and the paralysis caused by his back tumor.
But your prayers are touching the heart of God.
In our suffering, we see God’s mercy all around us. He’s guiding, providing, comforting. People are praying. Fasting. Sending cards. Visiting the hospital. Mailing care packages. Donating equipment. Offering financial help. Sharing testimonies. Giving advice. Blessing us with wholistic supplies. Worshiping Jesus with us.
If there is any beauty in the ugliness of Jeremiah’s cancer, it’s seen in the unfailing love of God and the army of Christians who have rallied to his fight.
Thank you �� ♥️
Jeremiah recovered from the side effects of his chemo drug and was able to leave the PICU. He’s now back in the regular pediatric ward.
He had his last chemo for this round. He also had his final radiation. When he was done with his radiation he rang a bell in the hospital to signify the end of treatment.
We also found out yesterday that Jeremiah will not be having immediate surgery on his chest tumor, as we had expected. This is disappointing.
Osteoblastic osteosarcoma is an aggressive type of bone cancer that begins in the cells that form bones. Osteoblastic is one of the fastest growing types of osteosarcomas. It is considered “high grade.”
The oncologist thought it would be best to “get ahead of the cancer,” break with protocol, and perform surgery on Jeremiah’s chest prior to more chemo. However, the surgeon did not agree.
Like the surgeons in Tijuana, the surgeon at MD Anderson is unwilling to perform the surgery. Recovery time from such an extensive surgery would take three weeks. The cancer could spread quickly in the time it would take Jeremiah to recover. Time is precious. Three weeks could literally cost Jeremiah his life.
If surgery is to happen, we first have to show that the chemo is successful. That means another round or two of chemo and extensive tests.
We also learned that the hospital is sending Jeremiah home on Monday. We were first told it would be Friday but his physical and occupational therapists advocated STRONGLY on behalf of Jeremiah. They managed to convince the medical team at MD Anderson to keep Jeremiah until Monday so they can cram necessary therapy into the weekend.
The difficulty for us isn’t just that Jeremiah is battling for his life.
Jeremiah is also dealing with paralysis from the chest down, caused by the tumor’s growth in his spine. The nerve damage effects his abdominal and back muscles. The new growth in his back means Jeremiah is now a T6 paralytic.
The brain and the spinal cord make up the central nervous system. The spinal cord carries messages from the brain to the body. There are motor and sensory “tracts” the nerve endings travel. The spinal tumor has compressed the nerves. Since Jeremiah’s surgery (to preserve his legs) was unable to completely remove the tumor, the cancer has grown back. Its creeping lengthwise up and down his spine. It’s now covering area T4 to T8.
The tumor growth is roughly at chest level in Jeremiah’s spine. This means he’s lost control over his core, in addition to his legs. This makes even the smallest activity difficult. We are praying the radiation kills the cancer in his back. If the tumor continues to grow, Jeremiah is in danger of losing control of his arms too.
With his spinal cord injury comes a whole set of complications- loss of muscle mass, infection, cardiovascular and respiratory issues. Jeremiah has lost more than his ability to walk.
The day before he lost his ability to walk, Jeremiah delivered the Easter sunrise sermon at our church.
He preached, “In resurrecting Jesus from the grave, God reminds us of His absolute sovereignty over life and death…In my personal life, the resurrection is everything to me. If there is no resurrection I’m to be pitied. There’s no point to hope. No will to fight against the things that ail me. It wasn’t enough that Jesus was beaten, scourged, and crucified. The resurrection validates the sacrifice. It proves that he is…the Messiah. It proves he’s the Almighty God is the flesh. It proves that death is not the final answer and there’s eternal life to those who believe.”
The following day we rushed Jeremiah to the ER. Things have been changing for the worst ever since. But just as he preached, it is the resurrection of Jesus Christ that gives him the “will to fight.”
One moment Jeremiah’s fight is against excruciating pain, then it’s the diagnosis, then it’s the metastasis, then it’s the 10% survival rate, then it’s the paralysis, then it’s the regrowth. But Jeremiah keeps fighting. When cancer knocks him down, he prays and gets back up.
Now the fight’s coming home.
We’re not sure what Jeremiah’s future looks like. But we know when he returns home, his family and friends will be waiting to love him and help him. We also know we’ll be focusing on holistic treatment.
One of the oncologists explained, “Curing Jeremiah’s cancer is very challenging.”
Challenging. Yes.
But we have a Champion on our side.
And He’s already conquered death.
Whether he lives or dies, Jeremiah has been given the victory through Jesus Christ.
When Jeremiah was told of his diagnosis, he wrote this prayer on Facebook:
“I don’t deserve your healing but you’ll always deserve my praise. Through death or life may Your great name be lifted up and everything that is of me fall to the waste side. Oh Lord, strengthen me to fight the battle with a courage Satan cannot tamper with. If you take me home or leave me here to fight a little longer, may it be Your breath in my lungs and your song on my tongue. Lord, I consecrate myself to the full advancement of the kingdom of God. Lord, I love you and cannot wait to see you face to face. Amen.”
It’s because Jesus is his Champion that Jeremiah can pray “to fight the battle”…even if the fight takes his life.
“‘O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?’ The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Corinthians 15:55-57).

 

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Jeremiah Gives a Charge to His Generation

Jeremiah will not be in Indianapolis in body, but certainly in spirit. He knows what happened to him and the youth of OSA last year in Louisville, KY For Such A Time As This was special. God visited our young and empowered them to take their place in the battle for the souls of men, the lives of children, and the future of our nation.

In this brief video, Jeremiah calls upon young people to Christian up and invites them to participate in this year’s OSA national event in Indianapolis, IN to Lead Justice to Victory. He sees the need to build upon what happened by the Spirit of God last year.

Jeremiah is fighting the battle for his life in Houston. He desires others to rise up and fight the battle to save the lives of the preborn. Will you join with him in this great Kingdom venture to end the American holocaust in Jesus’ name? Make plans to come to Indianapolis from July 14-21st, 2018

Here is our Facebook Event page for more info. Keep pressing on to the high call and prize!

https://www.facebook.com/events/1357038467775570/

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The Quest to Save our Son

We’ll do whatever it takes to save our son.

 

An emergency surgery; a 1,000 mile flight followed by a “Tijuana or bust” road trip; a border crossing in two ambul ances, sirens wailing; two different stays in PICU; a medivac flight at 500 miles an hour; two countries; four hospitals; and countless doctors, oncologists, and neurosurgeons later, that should be clear.
 
But there are some things we won’t do. We won’t compromise.
Eight weeks ago, our all star football player was told his sports injury was really a malignant tumor in his chest. In less time then it takes to play a full season of high school football,  Jeremiah (16) lost his legs and the playbook for his life.
⛰ We’re facing a mountain of illness. As I write this, Jeremiah has a fever and a cold. Chemo lowers the number of white blood cells needed to fight infection. Because Jeremiah’s immune system is compromised, he must now wear a face mask and a disposable gown when he leaves his room. Any visitors must do the same.
MD Anderson treats its pediatric patients with care and dignity, even offering free haircuts at the center’s barber shop. Before his fever, Jeremiah had his hair cut shorter in preparation for its eventual loss.
Osteoblastic Osteosarcoma is an aggressive bone cancer and has already metastasized (spread). Jeremiah has numerous spots on both lungs, a large tumor in his chest, and another in his back. He has a 10% chance of survival.
A meeting with MD Anderson’s medical team revealed that Jeremiah’s treatment will involve three rounds of chemo, three or four surgeries, and radiation. Although the bone cancer is resistant to radiation, it must also be attempted.
⛰ In addition, we’re facing a mountain of debt. We’ve been advised that each of Jeremiah’s surgeries will cost between $50,000 and $100,000. That cost does not include chemo therapy, radiation, tests, medicines, outpatient care, or hospitalization. Neither does it include the cost of physical or occupational therapy. Add to that our outstanding bills from McLane’s Children’s Hospital in Temple, Rady Children’s Hospital in San Diego and MD Anderson Cancer Treatment Center in Houston totaling nearly $400,000 and you get an idea of the mountain of debt we are facing.
A private benefactor covered the cost of Jeremiah’s holistic treatment in Tijuana and the medevac flight back to Texas, otherwise the bill would be larger still.
In addition, there are other practical considerations too, like medical equipment and renovations to our home to make it handicap accessible.
The tumor in Jeremiah’s back has caused paralysis. Short of the miracle we are all praying for, surviving the cancer will leave Jeremiah permanently disabled.
Pastor  Dale Sochia and King Jesus Ministries replaced carpeting with flooring for Jeremiah’s wheelchair. With help from members of Jeremiah’s football team, the Parkview Pacers, we’ve moved rooms around to accommodate his medical needs.
Our church family, Church at Tree Lake, offered financial help and expanded a door frame.
We’ve also widened the driveway allowing for better access from our vehicle to the sidewalk. We live in rural Texas, surrounded by crops and dust. Moving a wheelchair through dirt or mud during rainy season is untenable.
We’ve purchased a new wheelchair fitted to Jeremiah’s specific measurements and requirements. We’ve created a wheelchair accessible bedroom and closet, with things he needs at his height. Finally, we’ve explored ways to construct a wheel in shower or “wet room,” replace the old vanity with a sink he can wheel under, and switch out the commode.
We also picked up a handicapped placard from the county tax office.  ⛰ In other words, we’re facing a mountain of change.
⛰ Which brings us to the Mount Moriah of Jeremiah’s story.
MD Anderson began treatment. But they won’t recognize our Christian healthcare sharing plan. They suggested we apply for Medicaid. Which we’ve done. But in a world of bureaucracy, the Gofundme page means that we don’t need government assistance. Never mind the expenses far outweigh everyone’s loving help.
We were advised to redirect funds in a sort of “shell game” which we’ll not do.
As our daughter  Shekinah explains, “We are wanting to be transparent and above reproach in all things [for the glory of God], and also because so many of you are donating to support my brother and family. As my dad was learning more and more from the hospital what it would take to be eligible for Medicaid, he was being asked to be dishonest…as desperate as we are to keep Jeremiah there, that would be a violation of conscience and it would not bring glory to God.”
Compromise would ask us to spare our son at the expense of truth and justice. It would say the ends justify the means.
But one of Jeremiah’s favorite quotes, the one he has on his Instagram, reads, “The man earnestly seeking to live according to the will of God will do daily battle against the spirit of compromise. Do not give in.”
The principles of God have tied Jeremiah as sure as the cords that bound Isaac.
When  Rusty shared his concerns with Jeremiah last night at the hospital, he responded with uncharacteristic seriousness, “As long as I’ve known you dad, you’ve been an honorable man. I trust your decision to honor God.”
Of course there will be those who won’t understand Jeremiah’s or his father’s unwillingness to compromise. Won’t understand compromise is a slippery slope better avoided. Won’t understand there is no mountain pass around truth.
There will be those who throw stones as my son and husband climb their Mount Moriah.
But it doesn’t matter.
As Jeremiah reminded his dad, “We’re trusting in the Lord. It is more important to honor God than please men.”
We’re praying that God provides a way out of this insurance wilderness. That He would spare the life of our son. That He would provide a ram in the thicket.
But even if God doesn’t provide, even if our son doesn’t live, we trust in the lamb that takes away the sin of the world (John 1:29). We trust in God.
“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life” ( John 3:16).
“If you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you” (Matthew 17:20).
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We Have Another Problem Houston

Another sleepless night in Houston. My weary mind wrestling with God. I just talked with my bride and my ailing son, Jeremiah. I’ve made a painful, but I believe right decision before God.

I’ve been placed between a rock and a hard place here in Houston. I’m typically not a man that does not know what to do or lack direction in my life or the life of our family. Lately, my fierce desire to see my son healed has collided with genuine principles of God that have served me so well in times past.

One of them is to not go to the government to meet any of our needs. MD Anderson has pretty much forced me to jump through incredible hoops to maintain the care and treatment of my son. To the point that now my conscience has been violated. I cannot and will not do it no longer.

I’m done changing our lives to fit in the government’s box to pay the astronomical dollars it will cost for Jeremiah’s treatment. I told my son this dilemma and he told me as long as I’ve known you Dad, you have been an honorable man and I trust your decision to honor God.

if something does not happen before Monday, I will let MD Anderson know that I refuse government assistance. If they kick us out, I will still owe them about 150,000, along with the 119.000 we owe Temple Texas, and the 112,000 we owe Rady Hospital in San Diego.

If we move to the Memphis area, there is a possibility St. Jude would take in Jeremiah and these murky, convoluted dilemmas would lessen in our lives. God save my son’s life and may our family always honor Him with truth in our innermost being. We trust him to make a way in Jesus’ name!

My daughter, Shekinah, beautifully nails our dilemma:

My Mom and Dad will probably go into more detail later, but just to clarify: My Dad was not refusing government help. He never wanted to go that route, but was willing to set that aside to do whatever it took to be able to keep Jeremiah at M.D Anderson.

As he was learning more and more from the hospital what it would take to be eligible for Medicaid, he was being asked to be dishonest about their current financial situation and as desperate as we are to keep him there, that would be a violation of conscience and it would not bring glory to God.

We are wanting to be transparent and above reproach in all things, because so many of you are donating to support my brother and family and even though we have a humongous mountain of debt to conquer, we know this is not the way to remove it.

We are trusting God to show us the next step and we will make sure Jeremiah is receiving quality care no matter what. It’s just looking like it won’t be in Houston. Blessings to you all!

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Update on Jeremiah in Houston

Somehow Jeremiah’s plight and story continues to reach into the professional sport’s world. A former NBA coach and player overseas, Greg Hendricks, who pastors a church in San Diego called Jeremiah today. He also had on the line a former NFL wide receiver with the Pittsburgh Steelers, Antwaan Randall El, and a Houston Rocket’s basketball player, Tarik Bernard Black. Mr. Black is currently in the playoffs against the Golden State Warriors. They all took plenty of time to minister God’s Word and pray fervently for Jeremiah. They were truly inspired by Jeremiah’s unfolding story.

My son was blown away that these busy, accomplished men took time out of their schedules to reach out to him and encourage him in the Lord at his hour of need.

Tomorrow will determine our future course in Jeremiah’s care and treatment. Half the hospital wants him to stay and get transferred to the Physical Therapy department to become more independent at home, while half the hospital wants him discharged due to being financially flagged.

MD Anderson will not accept our Christian Healthcare Ministries insurance, just like Rady Hospital in San Diego. They forced me to go to Medicaid against my wishes. Medicaid refused. They then forced me to go to Blue Cross, Blue Shield. They refused to cover MD Anderson and establish an individual plan for Jeremiah. I must also be an employee of a major corporation with an employee package to qualify for coverage.

I’ve jumped through all their hoops with no success. Tomorrow will determine whether or not, they will continue to treat him as an inpatient or as an out patient. We do not know what impact this will have on future chemo treatments and the necessary surgeries to give Jeremiah a chance to beat this dreaded disease.

We were hoping that MD Anderson would be our last hospital to care for Jeremiah. Depending on what happens tomorrow that may have to change. There may be a long shot to get to St. Jude in Memphis. We covet your prayers as we look to the Lord for guidance. He has brought us this far and we trust Him for Jeremiah’s future and hope. God bless you all in Jesus’ name!

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Tears in a Bottle

I know there are memes of “Jeremiah Strong” and he always seems to have that big ole smile on his face. At the hospital, at times, that is not always the case. There are times when the full weight of what this disease has done to his life, his body, and future is overwhelming.
 
He tries to hold back the tears to be strong for everybody. What is a father to do? Just hold him and say, “Cry it out son! Let it all out!”
 
I’ve taught my children God does not want us to be led by our emotions, but by his Word and His Holy Spirit. Most people make unwise decisions that bring ruin, when emotions run wild. Yet, emotions are there for a reason. It is unhealthy to stuff them down, when God has given them to us as stress and pressure release valves.
 
I send this post so that you understand Jeremiah and our family do not possess a super power, but we do possess saving faith and a true love for Almighty God!
 
As we pass through this veil of tears, we have this blessed assurance, “And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away” (Revelation 21:4).
 
We pray that all that Jeremiah and our family is going through we lead you to this promise and truth and may that truth set you free in Jesus’ name!
 
https://youtu.be/UHmGWTAiOiU
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Why Do Bad things Happen To Good People?

Inevitably, when someone goes through a severe trial or disaster happens, the philosophical question arises, ‘Why does bad things happen to good people?”

I’ve learned in life if you ask the wrong question, you will never receive a correct answer. First, the premise of this question is riddled with a Biblical impossibility. One has to assume that there are good people upon the earth that do not deserve to go through a tough time or should escape every disaster known to man.

God’s Word reveals the human condition apart from God’s salvation through Jesus Christ our Lord. We are conceived in sin. From the womb we go astray. Every man does what is right in their own eyes. We are bound by sin, walk in darkness, under the sway of the Evil One, and are hell bound.

Besides this spiritual diagnostic test from Scripture, God’s Word plainly states, “There is none righteous, no, not one; There is none who understands; There is none who seeks after God They have all turned aside; They have together become unprofitable; There is none who does good, no, not on”(Romans 3:11, 12).

Most unbelievers reject this Biblical perspective. They believe man is good, it is just his environment that is messed up. This is why leftist gravitate towards seats of power. They mistakenly believe they can perfect men and establish their secular utopia through their ‘laws” public policies, and bureaucratic red tape. True Christians reject that premise. Man can never be saved by keeping the law. Man is saved by grace through faith in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

It is this same Jesus that pinpoints the source of man’s woe, “For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies. These are the things which defile a man, but to eat with unwashed hands does not defile a man” (Matthew 15:19). According to Jesus, the problem is within man, not outside of man.

How did Jesus deal with the concept of why bad things happen to good people? In Luke 13, God’s Word reveals His response. “There were present at that season some who told Him about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. And Jesus answered and said to them, “Do you suppose that these Galileans were worse sinners than all other Galileans, because they suffered such things? I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish. Or those eighteen on whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed them, do you think that they were worse sinners than all other men who dwelt in Jerusalem? I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish” (Luke 13:1-5)

Notice, Jesus rejects the premise. He gives it no credence. He, in essence, is telling these people, “You are asking the wrong question.” It is not why did the tower fall upon these people in this tragic accident or why Pilate murdered people and mingled their blood with his pagan sacrifices.

The true question is why do good things happen to bad people? Why did not that tower fall upon you? Why were you not captured, murdered, and your blood mingled with pagan sacrifices?

Jesus made it clear that those who suffered these things were not worse sinners than us. This is why He calls all of us to repent, lest we all likewise perish.

Please consider well these truths as you wonder why this is happening to our family and Jeremiah. We truly love the Lord and have given our lives to serve and obey Him. No, we have not done so perfectly, but have pursued this course nonetheless.

So, the question is not why this bad thing is happening to Jeremiah or our family. The real question is why this is not happening to the rest of us. Once you realize this, run to the mercy seat of God, repent of your sin, and receive the tender mercies of our Lord and His loving-kindness in Jesus’ name!

#operationsaveamerica
#abolishabortion
#endabortionnow
#lessermagistrate

www.operationsaveamerica.org

 

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