The Watford Church of Christ Podcast
We are on a journey to that future life exploring the incredible plans God has for us on earth to love Him and to love others. Join us on this journey!
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Episodes
Wednesday Mar 17, 2021
Wednesday Mar 17, 2021
1. Stewardship- What is the mandate God gave us? “Then God said, “Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness, so that they may **rule** over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky, over the livestock and all the wild animals, and over all the creatures that move along the ground.” So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them. God blessed them and said to them, “Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky and over every living creature that moves on the ground.”” Gen 1:26–28 “The LORD God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to **work** it and **take care** of it.” Gen 2:15- How is this meant to be carried out? - The word ‘work’ or ‘leodah’, can also be translated ‘tend’… or ‘serve’… And the word ‘care’ or ‘lesomrah’ as ‘guard’. - Similar words are used of the Priesthood in the book of Leviticus. The priesthood were not called to take advantage of the Israelites they were leading. - The example of the ‘rule’ of Jesus: “But you are not to be like that. Instead, the greatest among you should be like the youngest, and the one who rules like the one who serves.” Lk 22:26- Caretakers - does not belong to you; on loan “The earth is the LORD’S, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it;” Ps 24:1- Plastic in breast milk? ““if my land cries out against me and all its furrows are wet with tears, if I have devoured its yield without payment or broken the spirit of its tenants, then let briers come up instead of wheat and stinkweed instead of barley.”” (Job 31:38–40)- For benefit of all....---2. Compassion for humans and animals- Sabbath - For the land, the animals, your workers, yourselves ““For six years you are to sow your fields and harvest the crops, but during the seventh year let the land lie unplowed and unused. Then the poor among your people may get food from it, and the wild animals may eat what is left. Do the same with your vineyard and your olive grove. “Six days do your work, but on the seventh day do not work, so that your ox and your donkey may rest, and so that the slave born in your household and the foreigner living among you may be refreshed.” Ex 23:10–12- Caring for animals: Treading out the grain, “Do not muzzle an ox while it is treading out the grain.” Deut 25:4- Faith:The average Israelite village experienced a shortfall of 15,000,000 cal per year… 60 days of food per family… Although this sort of hungry season is not a surprise to the anthropologist, it certainly helps the modern reader to humanise the experience of our biblical ancestors....I hope you are beginning to realise that when God commands the Israelites not to muzzle his 800 pound working bovine, he is talking to a man who is hungry. And the 5 to 7 pound of grain that an ox would consume over a single day of threshing made a difference. P34-35- Vulnerable “Is it not to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter— when you see the naked, to clothe them, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood?” Is 58:7 “But let justice roll on like a river, righteousness like a never-failing stream!” Amos 5:24 “Woe to those who make unjust laws, to those who issue oppressive decrees, to deprive the poor of their rights and withhold justice from the oppressed of my people, making widows their prey and robbing the fatherless.” Is 10:1–2"When you reap the harvest of your land, do not reap to the very edges of your field or gather the gleanings of your harvest. Leave them for the poor and for the foreigner residing among you. I am the LORD your God.” Lev 23:22---Conclusion- To say we love God but trash what he made is hypocritical “I used to think that the top environmental problems were biodiversity loss, ecosystem collapse and climate change. I thought that 30 years of good science could address these problems. I was wrong. The top environmental problems are selfishness, greed and apathy, and to deal with these we need a cultural and spiritual transformation. And we scientists don't know how to do that.“ Quote from Gus Speth. P106 “If I were to summarise the message of the old Testament regarding creation care into a single proverb it would be this: the Earth is the Lord's and all it contains; you may make use of it in your need, but you shall not abuse it in your greed.” 108 “Short-term, desperation management that exhaust current resources in answer to the cry of the urgent was not acceptable in Israel, and it cannot be acceptable to us either.” 109- Your response?- How we spend our money has an impact on the environment in general, animals and vulnerable humans.- Educate yourself on the environment, animal welfare and the human impact of how we use our resourcesPlease add your comments on this week’s topic. We learn best when we learn in community. God bless, Malcolm
Monday Mar 08, 2021
Monday Mar 08, 2021
A quick look at 2 Peter 3:10-13 and its implications for creation care.Please add your comments on this week’s topic. We learn best when we learn in community. Do you have a question about teaching the Bible? Is it theological, technical, practical? Send me your questions or suggestions. Here’s the email: [malcolm@malcolmcox.org](mailto:malcolm@malcolmcox.org). If you’d like a copy of my free eBook on spiritual disciplines, “How God grows His people”, sign up at my website: http://[www.malcolmcox.org](http://www.malcolmcox.org/). Please pass the link on, subscribe, leave a review. “Worship the LORD with gladness; come before him with joyful songs.” (Psalms 100:2 NIV11) God bless, Malcolm
Sunday Mar 07, 2021
Sunday Mar 07, 2021
We take a look at Abraham and his weaknesses as well as the grace and generosity of God.
Sunday Feb 21, 2021
Sunday Feb 21, 2021
Intro - setting the scene
Last time - what happens when we walk with God
Chapter 17 - circumcision covenant; Sarah the mother; next year; upgraded promises
Change comes at God's timing; He has good in mind for us; we have a part to play; need closer walk with God as life goes on
I could talk about.....
1. Generosity in action, Genesis 18:1-8
Calf - royal generosity - feast
Heb 13:2 - 'strangers
2. Divine Tolerance, Genesis 18:9-15
The impossible is laughable
Matt 9:23-25 - Jesus laughed at because believes impossible
3. Pressure perverts priorities, Genesis 19:1-11
Lot with Abraham; near Sodom; In Sodom - adopted
4. The dangers of doubting God, Genesis 19:12-22
Having a doubt is not a problem. Expressing that doubt is not blasphemous. What is tragic is when doubt is used to to argue ourselves out of obedience.
Jesus helps you - Jn 20:27
5. The consequences of being dominated by greed and fear, Genesis 19:30-38
Greed
Fear - attempt control without God
I will talk about...
The benefits of walking in the presence of God
We understand the heart of God
1. He is the only legitimate judge
Therefore we are at peace
2. He cares about everyone
Therefore we pray even for those we don't like
Canaanites - not Israelites
Therefore we ask boldly - like Canaanites woman
Matt 15:22ff
Abraham a man of humility and boldness
Conclusion
God does more than Abraham asks - rescues Lot, Gen 19:27-29
Abe foreshadowing the heart of Jesus
Told us to pray for our enemies, Matt 5:44
Prayed for his, Luke 23:34
Please add your comments on this week’s topic. We learn best when we learn in community. Do you have a question about teaching the Bible? Is it theological, technical, practical? Send me your questions or suggestions. Here’s the email: [malcolm@malcolmcox.org](mailto:malcolm@malcolmcox.org). If you’d like a copy of my free eBook on spiritual disciplines, “How God grows His people”, sign up at my website: http://[www.malcolmcox.org](http://www.malcolmcox.org/). Please pass the link on, subscribe, leave a review. “Worship the LORD with gladness; come before him with joyful songs.” (Psalms 100:2 NIV11) God bless, Malcolm
Friday Feb 05, 2021
Friday Feb 05, 2021
Introduction
Watershed moment: CH 12-16 all point to this moment
Interesting that this comes after the mess of Gen 16!
God’s long speeches: blessings; commands; answers
Abraham’s responses: falls down twice; laughter; question/request; circumcises
Overview
Upgraded blessings, vv1-8
Land....this land
Great nation...dust...stars...many nations...kings
Son...Sarah
Covenant...protection...slavery/exodus...eternal (everlasting)
Abraham’s part, vv9-14
God enacted his part in Gen 15
Circumcision - the sign of the covenant
What happens to who, vv15-21
Sarai...Sarah mother of the son of the promise
Isaac...continuance of the covenant
Ishmael...great nation
Abraham’s response, vv22-27
Urgent...that very day
Thorough...all, every, every
1. God
Q: “What does God expect of Abraham?” “What does he hope this will achieve?” “What do we make of the fact he waited until Abraham was 99 and Sarah 90 years old?” “What might be the reason God does not rebuke Abraham for his laughter (Isaac means laugh)?”
A growing relationship - walking before God; deeper relationship as time goes by;
A growing set of promises - expanded....; Sarai - Sarah; Abram - Abraham
A growing partnership - God devoted to covenant, asks for Abraham’s devotion in circumcision (explain some background to circumcision)
2. Abram - “as for you”, v9
Q: “How do you suppose Abraham might be feeling as he hears these upgraded promises?” “How do you suppose he felt about circumcision?” “What do you make of his request regarding Ishmael?” “Given there was a year or so before Isaac was to be born, what do you make of Abraham’s urgency?”
Receives grace - laughed in heart; prayer answered re Ishmael
Called to greater faith (devotion) - walk before God (how know we are doing this?); circumcise - trust God;
Urgent and thorough - faith in action (son not coming until next year, but gets on with circumcision)
Conclusion
Lesson for us today:
Circumcised hearts: Lev 26:41; Deut 10:16; 30:6; Jer 4:4; Rom 2.29;
We need a deeper walk with God as life goes on.
Longer spiritual life leads to greater clarity on our weaknesses and the joys of a relationship with God
In Christian life walking with God is designed to be increasingly challenging and rewarding! Like any human relationship in fact. Layers of an onion. Discovery. Adventure. Exploration.
We all have challenges - COVID part 2,3,4......
“Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently. But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted. Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. If anyone thinks they are something when they are not, they deceive themselves. Each one should test their own actions. Then they can take pride in themselves alone, without comparing themselves to someone else, for each one should carry their own load. Nevertheless, the one who receives instruction in the word should share all good things with their instructor. Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers. See what large letters I use as I write to you with my own hand! Those who want to impress people by means of the flesh are trying to compel you to be circumcised. The only reason they do this is to avoid being persecuted for the cross of Christ. Not even those who are circumcised keep the law, yet they want you to be circumcised that they may boast about your circumcision in the flesh. May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. Neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything; what counts is the new creation. Peace and mercy to all who follow this rule—to the Israel of God. From now on, let no one cause me trouble, for I bear on my body the marks of Jesus. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brothers and sisters. Amen.” (Galatians 6:1–18 NIV11)
Jesus: has made us a new creation via the cross
Please add your comments on this week’s topic. We learn best when we learn in community. Do you have a question about teaching the Bible? Is it theological, technical, practical? Send me your questions or suggestions. Here’s the email: [malcolm@malcolmcox.org](mailto:malcolm@malcolmcox.org). If you’d like a copy of my free eBook on spiritual disciplines, “How God grows His people”, sign up at my website: http://[www.malcolmcox.org](http://www.malcolmcox.org/). Please pass the link on, subscribe, leave a review. “Worship the LORD with gladness; come before him with joyful songs.” (Psalms 100:2 NIV11) God bless, Malcolm
Friday Feb 05, 2021
Friday Feb 05, 2021
Introduction, v1a- Just had high point of Gen 15: promises, sacrifice, covenant, faith/righteousness- Women in foreground - Abraham in background- Fundamentally, this is not about men and women as such, but about impatience- We have seen Abraham's faith tested and will see it tested again. This time it is Sarah's test of faith which is highlighted- We also learn a lot about the LORD: vv2,5,7,9,10,11,13- Very emotional introduction!---1. Losing it in the Home, vv1b-6The causes and consequences of impatience - and God's answerQ: What problems can you spot?Q: Sources of shame?What is going on here?Gen 3 all over again: "took...gave"; "agreed" = "listened". Easy, but tragic.Fitting in with culture - rich women would do this; polygamy not banned by God specifically, but Gen 2 implies it is not God's will; What's missing? No mention of God.Consequences of manipulation and control: jealousy, 'violence' (flood) - strong emotions; 'mistreated' (Egypt) - Sarai's dark heart - lie ours when consumed by something; everyone loses - Hagar has lost her home, Sarai her maid (as well as her mind!); Abram his second wife and his sonWhat will happen - enter the LORD!What fuels impatience? 10 years later.....External: Shame & fearFitting in with culture - expectations. Family pressure; social class pressure; cultural background pressure; church pressureWhat helps - big picture thinking God is working on you for your benefit.... “Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.” (James 1:2–4 NAS95) God has a different way for you to live... “Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.” (Romans 12:1–2 NAS95)Internal: Desire for personal satisfactionMake me feel 'whole'What helps - keeping a firm grip on the end game... “You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised.” (Hebrews 10:36 NIV11) God has a different way for us to go.... “And so I insist—and God backs me up on this—that there be no going along with the crowd, the empty-headed, mindless crowd.” (Ephesians 4:17 MESSAGE)- Typical causes of shame for a Christian: in church - my kids are not Xtns etc; outside church - don't join in with immoral lifestyle, don't fit in.Summary: Hagar trying to get what she wants (like Eve, Babel, Abe in Egypt, Lot & King of Sodom); Abraham opting for the quiet life.---2. Rescue in the Desert, vv7-14Q: What do we learn about God from the actions and attitude of the Angel of the LORD?- What is going on here? - The LORD springs into action: seeking; finding; listening; instructing; comforting; guiding; seeing - Went looking - like Adam and Eve - Gentle with her - First mention of her NAME is by God, not mistress or husband - Hagar is helped: reassured; rescued; redirected; - Going home - but her home no more - Abram protects an Egyptian 'slave' - opposite of what will happen to his descendants - Will suffer - But for a good purpose, meaningful - LORD honest - Not justification for domestic abuse - Abram gets a son- Key points for us - 'sees' - me, even me! - Dawn - difference between being watched and being seen - Psalm 139:1-18 - faith - Lacking in Sarai & Abram - Seen in Hagar---Conclusion, vv15-16Hagar..Abe..son..Abe..Ishmael..son..Abe..Hagar..IshmaelIsaac another 14 years: did Ch16 delay this?
Friday Feb 05, 2021
Friday Feb 05, 2021
Would you like to learn more about faith? You've come to the right person. No, not me, Abraham. This is a daily devotional podcast supporting a teaching series for the Watford church of Christ and the Thames Valley churches of Christ called "Adventures in faith with Abraham". It is also part of my quiet time coaching series.
What is it about Abraham which is so admirable? Many things. But perhaps above all else his adventurous faith, “By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going.” (Hebrews 11:8 NIV11)
Join me as we step out on a faith adventure with Abraham.
Episode 40
Today we start chapter 20.
“Now Abraham moved on from there into the region of the Negev and lived between Kadesh and Shur. For a while he stayed in Gerar, and there Abraham said of his wife Sarah, “She is my sister.” Then Abimelek king of Gerar sent for Sarah and took her.” (Genesis 20:1–2 NIV11)
What are we seeing here? A sin pattern.
We don’t know why Abraham moved into the Negev. Perhaps it was the shock of the situation regarding Sodom, Gomorrah and Lot. It could be that word of what Lot’s daughters had done reached him. Bad news regarding family might be the most disturbing news of all.
It is notable that although he goes to the Negev he doesn’t carry on as far as Egypt this time. Perhaps he has learned at least one lesson – Egypt is not a safe refuge (Genesis 12:9-10).
Abraham stays in Gerar on the South Eastern border of Canaan. There he repeats a half-truth - the most dangerous truth of all. Yes, Sarah is his ‘sister’ in one sense (Genesis 20:12), but, Abraham is fully aware that her status as his wife outweighs any other designation. Neither lies nor half-lies fool God. They fool Abimelek - temporarily.
Devotional thought for today
We will unpack the detail of what happens in Gerar in the following podcasts. Today let’s consider an unfortunate reality. You and I repeat sins. Some rarely. Some frequently.
I remember a talk I heard many years ago. It might have been Mike Tolliver. He opined that we never ultimately overcome all sins. Not in this life:
“If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us.” (1 John 1:8 NIV11)
Yet, Mike said, it should be possible to eliminate some sins completely. If we believe in the power of the Spirit, and the ever-increasing Christ-likeness God is growing in us, then is it not possible to overcome some sins?
“And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.” (2 Corinthians 3:18 NIV11)
What do you think? Do you have a vision to conquer a sin?
Prayer point for today
Ask God to help you develop the faith to defeat a repeated sin in your life
If you have any questions or feedback please contact me: malcolm@malcolmcox.org.
The apostle Paul said of Abraham, “He is the father of us all.” (Romans 4:16 NIV11) Let's allow him to be the father of Faith to you and me in January and February 2021.
Many thanks for listening today. See you tomorrow as we continue our adventure of faith with Abraham.
Take care and God bless, Malcolm
Wednesday Feb 03, 2021
Wednesday Feb 03, 2021
Would you like to learn more about faith? You've come to the right person. No, not me, Abraham. This is a daily devotional podcast supporting a teaching series for the Watford church of Christ and the Thames Valley churches of Christ called "Adventures in faith with Abraham". It is also part of my quiet time coaching series.
What is it about Abraham which is so admirable? Many things. But perhaps above all else his adventurous faith, “By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going.” (Hebrews 11:8 NIV11)
Join me as we step out on a faith adventure with Abraham.
Episode 38
Today we continue in chapter 19.
“By the time Lot reached Zoar, the sun had risen over the land. Then the LORD rained down burning sulfur on Sodom and Gomorrah—from the LORD out of the heavens. Thus he overthrew those cities and the entire plain, destroying all those living in the cities—and also the vegetation in the land. But Lot’s wife looked back, and she became a pillar of salt. Early the next morning Abraham got up and returned to the place where he had stood before the LORD. He looked down toward Sodom and Gomorrah, toward all the land of the plain, and he saw dense smoke rising from the land, like smoke from a furnace. So when God destroyed the cities of the plain, he remembered Abraham, and he brought Lot out of the catastrophe that overthrew the cities where Lot had lived.” (Genesis 19:23–29 NIV11)
What are we seeing here? God pays attention to sincere prayers.
There is no getting away from the fact that this scene is tragic. We don’t have time to go into the reasons for God’s drastic action. That will have to wait for a teaching opportunity. But, given that God is just, the situation in Sodom must have been so dreadful that had we been there we would have understood God’s actions.
Perhaps to key phrase in this section is, “he remembered Abraham”. What does this mean? Had the LORD forgotten him? Unlikely. It seems that, although Abraham’s intercessory prayers did not save Sodom, they influenced the Lord in rescuing Lot and his family.
Devotional thought for today
As Abraham surveys the wreckage of Sodom we do not know whether he is aware that Lot has been rescued. For all he knows his prayers were inadequate and a waste of time. Yet God, in his friendship with Abraham, and in honouring his covenant with him, has attended to his prayers and rescued his nephew.
Sometimes we pray and don’t see our prayers answered. Or at least we don’t see them answered before our eyes. Who knows what effect they are having in places we cannot see? No intercessory prayer is wasted. It has its affect on somebody somewhere. We may never be aware of the full impact of her prayers until we are in the next life. God always “remembers” you and your prayers.
Prayer point for today
Ask God to grant you the confidence that he always ‘remembers’ you and your prayers
If you have any questions or feedback please contact me: malcolm@malcolmcox.org.
The apostle Paul said of Abraham, “He is the father of us all.” (Romans 4:16 NIV11) Let's allow him to be the father of Faith to you and me in January and February 2021.
Many thanks for listening today. See you tomorrow as we continue our adventure of faith with Abraham.
Take care and God bless, Malcolm
Tuesday Feb 02, 2021
Tuesday Feb 02, 2021
Would you like to learn more about faith? You've come to the right person. No, not me, Abraham. This is a daily devotional podcast supporting a teaching series for the Watford church of Christ and the Thames Valley churches of Christ called "Adventures in faith with Abraham". It is also part of my quiet time coaching series.
What is it about Abraham which is so admirable? Many things. But perhaps above all else his adventurous faith, “By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going.” (Hebrews 11:8 NIV11)
Join me as we step out on a faith adventure with Abraham.
Episode 37Today we continue in chapter 19.“The two men said to Lot, “Do you have anyone else here—sons-in-law, sons or daughters, or anyone else in the city who belongs to you? Get them out of here, because we are going to destroy this place. The outcry to the LORD against its people is so great that he has sent us to destroy it.” So Lot went out and spoke to his sons-in-law, who were pledged to marry his daughters. He said, “Hurry and get out of this place, because the LORD is about to destroy the city!” But his sons-in-law thought he was joking. With the coming of dawn, the angels urged Lot, saying, “Hurry! Take your wife and your two daughters who are here, or you will be swept away when the city is punished.” When he hesitated, the men grasped his hand and the hands of his wife and of his two daughters and led them safely out of the city, for the LORD was merciful to them. As soon as they had brought them out, one of them said, “Flee for your lives! Don’t look back, and don’t stop anywhere in the plain! Flee to the mountains or you will be swept away!” But Lot said to them, “No, my lords, please! Your servant has found favor in your eyes, and you have shown great kindness to me in sparing my life. But I can’t flee to the mountains; this disaster will overtake me, and I’ll die. Look, here is a town near enough to run to, and it is small. Let me flee to it—it is very small, isn’t it? Then my life will be spared.” He said to him, “Very well, I will grant this request too; I will not overthrow the town you speak of. But flee there quickly, because I cannot do anything until you reach it.” (That is why the town was called Zoar. )” (Genesis 19:12–22 NIV11)What are we seeing here? The dangers of doubting God.Why do his sons in law not to take him seriously? Might it be that his lack of respect for God has rubbed off on them? Where Abraham is urgent, Lot hesitates. Where Abraham is thorough Lot looks to compromise. He has been told the mountains will be his salvation, but his interpretation is that aiming at the mountains will bring him to disaster. He is forgetting that this is God’s judgement and he is in control. Lot is struggling to obey and trust God. The angels have already performed a miracle in blinding the men at his door. He should have had no trouble taking them seriously and doing what they said.Devotional thought for todayHaving a doubt is not a problem. Expressing that doubt is not blasphemous. What is tragic is when doubt is used to to argue ourselves out of obedience. Do you not allow doubt to drive you away from God. Your doubts are within your control. Perhaps you can prevent yourself from thinking doubtful thoughts, but you can take those doubts to God and allow him to help you to resolve them in his presence“Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.”” (John 20:27 NIV11)
Prayer point for today
Tell God your doubts and ask him to help you process them in a spiritually healthy way
If you have any questions or feedback please contact me: malcolm@malcolmcox.org.
The apostle Paul said of Abraham, “He is the father of us all.” (Romans 4:16 NIV11) Let's allow him to be the father of Faith to you and me in January and February 2021.
Many thanks for listening today. See you tomorrow as we continue our adventure of faith with Abraham.
Take care and God bless, Malcolm
Monday Feb 01, 2021
Monday Feb 01, 2021
Dr. Boakye watch takes us on a tour of the New Testament revealing faith lessons from the life of Abraham.
Please add your comments on this week’s topic. We learn best when we learn in community.
Do you have a question about the Bible or the Christian faith? Is it theological, technical, practical? Send us your questions or suggestions.
Thanks again for listening. Have a super day.
God bless,
Malcolm