Hi, this is Joel in Victoria. Thanks for listening to our podcast and thanks for supporting the ministry.

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Thank you again for coming out today. I like to start with something funny.

I heard about this minister that died and he was standing in line at the pearly gates.

The man in front of him was dressed in a loud t-shirt, blue jeans and sunglasses.

St. Peter said, sir, what's your name? He said, Joe Cohen, I'm a taxi cab driver in New York City.

Peter checked his list, handed him a gold staff and a silk robe and said, welcome to heaven.

The minister stepped up, said, my name is Reverend Joseph Snow. I'm the pastor of St. Mary's Cathedral.

Peter checked his list and handed him a wooden staff and a cotton robe.

Hey, wait a minute, this is not fair. The taxi cab driver got a gold staff, a silk robe. How could that be?

Peter said, sir, up here we work by results. When you preached, people slept.

But when he drove, people prayed.

Hold up your Bible, say it like you mean it. This is my Bible. I am what it says I am. I have what it says I have.

I can do what it says I can do. Today I will be taught the Word of God. I boldly confess my mind is alert, my heart is receptive.

I will never be the same in Jesus' name. God bless you.

I want to talk to you today about how God loves imperfect people. Most of the time we believe God loves us.

As long as we are making good decisions, resistant temptations, treating people right, we know God loves us. We know He is on our side.

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