God and the Sabbath

When and by whom was the Sabbath made?
"By the seventh day God had finished the work He had been doing; so on the seventh day He rested from all His work. And God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it He rested from all the work of creating that He had done." Genesis 2:1-2

What is the reason for keeping the Sabbath day holy? It is the memorial of creation.
"For in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, but He rested on the seventh day. Therefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy." Exodus 20:11

For whom did Christ say the Sabbath was made?
"Then He said to them, 'The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath." Mark 2:27

What does the fourth commandment require?
"Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the Lord your God. On it you shall not do any work, neither you, nor your son or daughter, nor your manservant or maidservant, nor your animals, nor the alien within your gates." Exodus 20:8-10

What has God designated as a sign between Himself and His people?
"Keep My Sabbaths holy, that they may be a sign between us. Then you will know that I am the Lord your God." Ezekiel 20:20

The Sabbath is also a sign of sanctification.
"Moreover I gave them my Sabbaths, as a sign between Me and them, that they might know that I the Lord sanctify them." Ezekiel 20:12

In the new heaven and earth, how often will the redeemed worship the Lord?
"As the new heavens and the new earth that I make will endure before Me," declares the Lord, "so will your name and descendants endure. From one New Moon to another and from one Sabbath to another, all mankind will come and bow down before Me," says the Lord." Isaiah 66:22-23

While Christ was on earth, did He keep the Sabbath?
"When He came to the village of Nazareth, His boyhood home, He went as usual to the synagogue on Saturday, and stood up to read the Scriptures." Luke 4:16

What day immediately precedes the first day of the week?
"After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb." Matthew 28:1

After the crucifixion, what day was kept by the women who followed Jesus?
"Then they went home and prepared spices and perfumes. But they rested on the Sabbath in obedience to the commandment." Luke 23:56

What day of the week is the Sabbath, "according to the commandment"?
"But the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord your God." Exodus 20:10

What was Paul's custom concerning the Sabbath?
"As his custom was, Paul went into the synagogue, and on three Sabbath days he reasoned with them from the Scriptures." Acts 17:2

What did Christ say about the law of God of which the Sabbath commandment is a part?
"Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished. Anyone who breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven." Matthew 5:17-19

What kind of worship does the Savior call that which is not according to God's commandments?
"They worship Me in vain; their teachings are but rules taught by men." Matthew 15:9

What are the characteristics of God's people at the end of time?
"This calls for patient endurance on the part of the saints who obey God's commandments and remain faithful to Jesus." Revelation 14:12


HAPPY SABBATH EVERYONE!

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Financial Advice from the Bible

Where do material blessings come from?
"But remember the Lord your God, for it is He who gives you the ability to produce wealth." Deuteronomy 8:18

Can money get in the way of more important things? Wealth can become the center of our life and take God's place.
"This is what the Lord says: "Let not the wise man boast of his wisdom or the strong man boast of his strength or the rich man boast of his riches, but let him who boasts boast about this: that he understands and knows Me, that I am the Lord, who exercises kindness, justice and righteousness on earth, for in these I delight," declares the Lord." Jeremiah 9:23-24

Wealth can give us wrong attitudes about material things.
"Then [Jesus] said to them, "Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; a man's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions." Luke 12:15

It is unwise to make financial success a priority.
"No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money." Matthew 6:24
"People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction." 1 Timothy 6:9

While it is not impossible, it is difficult for the rich to become citizens of God's kingdom.
"Jesus looked around and said to His disciples, 'How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God!' The disciples were amazed at His words. But Jesus said again, 'Children, how hard it is to enter the kingdom of God! It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.'" Mark 10:23-25

The love of money leads to evil.
"For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs." 1 Timothy 6:10

Greed often accompanies prosperity and can lead to crime.
"What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don't they come from your desires that battle within you? 2You want something but don't get it. You kill and covet, but you cannot have what you want. You quarrel and fight. You do not have, because you do not ask God." James 4:1-2

It's true, the more you give, the greater will be your reward.
"Sell your possessions and give to the poor: Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will not be exhausted, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." Luke 12:33-34

What investment strategy does God recommend?
"Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life." 1 Timothy 6:17-19

A valuable reminder for property owners.
"'The land must not be sold permanently, because the land is mine and you are but aliens and my tenants." Leviticus 25:23

Contentment is not related to amount of money or possessions.
"I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength." Philippians 4:12-13

God asks us to return tithe [10%] and offerings to Him and in return He promises unlimited blessings.
"Will a man rob God?" Yet you rob Me. "But you ask, 'How do we rob You?' "In tithes and offerings." Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in My house. Test Me in this," says the Lord Almighty, "and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it." Malachi 3:8-10

Christ endorsed tithing.
"Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You give a tenth of your spices - mint, dill and cummin. But you have neglected the more important matters of the law - justice, mercy and faithfulness. You should have practiced the latter, without neglecting the former." Matthew 23:23

How may all, rich and poor, honor God?
"Honor the Lord with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops; then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine." Proverbs 3:9

If we put God first, He will take care of all our needs.
"But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well." Matthew 6:33

What is the financial counsel of Solomon, the wisest and richest man who ever lived?
"He who loves money shall never have enough. The foolishness of thinking that wealth brings happiness! The more you have, the more you spend, right up to the limits of your income, so what is the advantage of wealth—except perhaps to watch it as it runs through your fingers! The man who works hard sleeps well whether he eats little or much, but the rich must worry and suffer insomnia. There is another serious problem I have seen everywhere—savings are put into risky investments that turn sour, and soon there is nothing left to pass on to one's son. The man who speculates is soon back to where he began—with nothing. This, as I said, is a very serious problem, for all his hard work has been for nothing; he has been working for the wind. It is all swept away. All the rest of his life he is under a cloud—gloomy, discouraged, frustrated, and angry… . To enjoy your work and to accept your lot in life—that is indeed a gift from God. The person who does that will not need to look back with sorrow on his past, for God gives him joy." Ecclesiastes 5:10-20

What does the Scripture say about my monthly bills?
"Give everyone what you owe him: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor. Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for he who loves his fellowman has fulfilled the law." Romans 13:7-8

Be cautious about countersigning loan notes.
"Do not be a man who strikes hands in pledge or puts up security for debts; if you lack the means to pay, your very bed will be snatched from under you." Proverbs 22:26-27

What reminder are we given about borrowing money?
"The rich rule over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender." Proverb 22:7

God expects fairness in business dealings.
"Honest scales and balances are from the LORD; all the weights in the bag are of his making.." Proverbs 16:11

Honesty and fairness are always expected of those who wish to please God.
"I will tell you who can live here: All who are honest and fair, who reject making profit by fraud, who hold back their hands from taking bribes, who refuse to listen to those who plot murder, who shut their eyes to all enticement to do wrong." Isaiah 33:15

It is important to work to earn a living."Yet we hear that some of you are living in laziness, refusing to work, and wasting your time in gossiping. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ we appeal to such people—we command them—to quiet down, get to work, and earn their own living." 2 Thessalonians 3:11-12

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WORLDLINESS

If you love God worldly things won't have much appeal.
"Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For everything in the world—the cravings of sinful man, the lust of his eyes and the boasting of what he has and does—comes not from the Father but from the world. The world and its desires pass away, but the man who does the will of God lives forever." I John 2:15-17

You cannot enjoy worldly pleasures and be a friend of God.
"You adulterous people, don't you know that friendship with the world is hatred toward God? Anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God."
James 4:4

What kind of activities are wrong?
"The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God." Galatians 5:19-21

Don't copy the popular fads of this world.
"Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will." Romans 12:2

Knowing Jesus causes us to lose interest in the world.
"As for me, God forbid that I should boast about anything except the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ. Because of that cross, my interest in all the attractive things of the world was killed long ago, and the world's interest in me is also long dead." Galatians 6:14

Avoid worldly philosophies.
"Don't let others spoil your faith and joy with their philosophies, their wrong and shallow answers built on men's thoughts and ideas, instead of on what Christ has said." Colossians 2:8

Live as though your home were in heaven.
"Dear friends, I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul." 1 Peter 2:11

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Did God Create Dinosaurs?

Let’s read about the animals God created on the 6th day, Genesis 1:24-25 “And God said, "Let the earth bring forth every kind of animal - cattle and reptiles and wildlife of every kind." And so it was, Genesis 1:25, “God made all sorts of wild animals and cattle and reptiles. And God was pleased with what he had done.” While we understand from Genesis 1 that animals and mankind were created on the 6th day, there remains a question among Bible students and scientists about the origin of dinosaurs. Some believe they were part of the 6th day of creation activities. Others take the position that they resulted from hybridization of some reptiles God originally created.

Are there any references to dinosaurs in the Bible? Some people think Job 41:1, NIV, is talking about dinosaurs. "Can you pull in the leviathan with a fishhook or tie down his tongue with a rope?” Or Job 40:15, “Look at the behemoth, which I made along with you and which feeds on grass like an ox.“ There are many other verses in the Bible about dragons that are considered references about dinosaurs, as well. Most Bible scholars suggest that the descriptions in Job are of crocodiles or of hippopotamus. Both lived in the Near East in those days. It is tempting to think that dragons are a faded memory of dinosaurs, but we cannot be sure. We can only speculate.

Are dinosaurs for real? There are no Bible verses that say this for sure, but those who have collected dinosaur remains in the Midwest plains of Canada and the United States or in the Colorado Plateau region have no lingering doubt concerning their reality. Thousands of specimens have been found and excavated.

The fossil remains of dinosaurs indicate that they ranged in size from that of a rabbit to tremendous beasts 20 feet high, 85 feet long, and weighing up to 50 tons. It appears that some were relatively light-footed and walked on two feet, while others were four-footed and moved about in a slow and cumbersome manner. Some were meat-eaters and others plant-eaters. Certain types were water dwellers, while others remained on land.

How did dinosaurs become extinct? Some scientists have a hard time explaining the reason they became extinct so suddenly. What happened? The answer can be found in the Bible, in the story of the world-wide flood in Genesis 7:1 – Genesis 8:1, TLB. “Finally the day came when the Lord said to Noah, "Go into the boat with all your family, for among all the people of the earth, I consider you alone to be righteous. Bring in the animals - a pair of each, except those kinds I have chosen for eating and for sacrifice: take seven pairs of each of them, and seven pairs of every kind of bird. Thus there will be every kind of life reproducing again after the flood has ended. One week from today I will begin forty days and nights of rain; and all the animals and birds and reptiles I have made will die."

So Noah did everything the Lord commanded him. He was 600 years old when the flood came. He boarded the boat with his wife and sons and their wives, to escape the flood. With him were all the various kinds of animals - those for eating and sacrifice, and those that were not, and the birds and reptiles. They came into the boat in pairs, male and female, just as God commanded Noah.

One week later, when Noah was 600 years, two months, and seventeen days old, the rain came down in mighty torrents from the sky, and the subterranean waters burst forth upon the earth for forty days and nights. But Noah had gone into the boat that very day with his wife and his sons, Shem, Ham, and Japheth, and their wives. With them in the boat were pairs of every kind of animal -domestic and wild - and reptiles and birds of every sort. Two by two they came, male and female, just as God had commanded. Then the Lord God closed the door and shut them in.

For forty days the roaring floods prevailed, covering the ground and lifting the boat high above the earth. As the water rose higher and higher above the ground, the boat floated safely upon it; until finally the water covered all the high mountains under the whole heaven, standing twenty-two feet and more above the highest peaks. And all living things upon the earth perished - birds, domestic and wild animals, and reptiles and all mankind - everything that breathed and lived upon dry land. All existence on the earth was blotted out - man and animals alike, and reptiles and birds. God destroyed them all, leaving only Noah alive, and those with him in the boat. And the water covered the earth 150 days.”

When God directed the animals into the ark, He no doubt directed only those that were like His original created types. There is little evidence that dinosaurs were taken into the ark. That God did not preserve them in the ark and that they died as a result of a world-wide flood is as good an explanation as any.

Why did God not take dinosaurs into the ark? In Genesis 6:12 we find the answer. “And God looked upon the earth, and, behold, it was corrupt; for all flesh had corrupted his way upon the earth.” Satan, the being who rebelled against God, cannot create, but he can change. The entrance of sin into the world allowed Satan to corrupt humans and other living creatures. Now we have leaves changed to thorns, teeth changed to poison fangs, genes changed into viruses and useful bacteria into disease producers. Satan corrupted some of the reptiles God originally created into the bizarre creatures we call dinosaurs. God chose not to save them at the time of the Flood. Perhaps God also saw that feeble post-flood humans would not be able to control such large animals. Thus, we suggest that God preserved the air-breathing, land animals, except the very large animals and the corrupted ones.


Source: Kids Bible Info

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What Does the Bible Say About Mothers?

Being a mother is a very important role that the Lord chooses to give many women. Mothers are told to love their children in Titus 2:4-5 which says, “Then they can train the younger women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands, so that no one will malign the word of God.” In Isaiah 49:15 the Bible says, “Can a mother forget the baby at her breast and have no compassion on the child she has borne?” When does motherhood begin?

Children are a gift from the Lord (Psalm 127:3-5). In Titus 2:4, the Greek word “phileoteknos” appears. This word represents a special kind of “mother-love”. The idea that flows out of this word is that of “preferring” our children, “caring” for them, “nurturing” them, “affectionately embracing” them, “meeting their needs,” “tenderly befriending” each one as unique from the hand of God. We are commanded in the Scripture to see “mother-love,” as our responsibility. Both mothers and fathers are commanded to do several things in the Word:

Availability – morning, noon, and night (Deuteronomy 6:6-7)

Involvement – interacting, discussing, thinking and processing life together (Ephesians 6:4)

Teaching – the Scriptures, a biblical world-view (Psalm 78:5-6, Deuteronomy 4:10, Ephesians 6:4)

Training – helping a child develop skills and discover his strengths (Proverbs 22:6)

Discipline – teaching the fear of the Lord, drawing the line consistently, lovingly, firmly (Ephesians 6:4, Hebrews 12:5-11, Proverbs 13:24, 19:18, 22:15, 23:13-14, 29:15-17)

Nurture – providing an environment of constant verbal support, freedom to fail, acceptance, affection, unconditional love, (Titus 2:4, 2 Timothy 1:7, Ephesians 4:29-32, 5:1-2, Galatians 5:22, 1 Peter 3:8-9)

Modeling with Integrity – living what you say, being a model by which a child can learn by “catching” the essence of godly living (Deuteronomy 4:9, 15, 23; Proverbs 10:9, 11:3; Psalm 37:18, 37).

The Bible never commands that every woman should be a mother. However, it does say that those whom the Lord blesses to be mothers should take the responsibility seriously. Mothers have a unique and crucially important role in the lives of their children. Motherhood is not a chore or unpleasant task. Just as a mother bears a child during pregnancy, and just as a mother feeds and cares for a child during infancy – so mothers also play an ongoing role in the lives of their children, teenagers, young adults, and even fully-grown children. While the role of motherhood must change and develop – the love, care, nurture, and encouragement a mother gives should never cease.


Source: www.gotquestions.org

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Please Pray for Ella...She Has Brain Tumor

This is a forwarded message from my mother-in-law concerning Ella, a 5-year old girl with in inoperable brain tumor. Please read the letter below. May your heart be touched...
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On Sunday, April 27th, Ella Newmiller and her family attended church at Edenton Street United Methodist, in Raleigh, as they do each week. Ella is in my son Scott's, 4 year old Sunday School class. Ella did not feel well that evening. Her parents, Renae and Mark, took her to an urgent care facility. On Monday, they found themselves at UNC Hospitals, being faced with the news that their precious daughter has an inoperable brain tumor. It is located at the base of her brain, inside the brain stem.

Friday, May 2nd, was Ella's 5th birthday. Friends at Edenton Street pulled together an amazing celebration for "Princess Ella". She arrived in a horse drawn carriage and was greeted by over 100 friends dressed in their royal best. "Mr. and Miss Wolf" from NC State, plus "Stormy", from the Carolina Hurricanes joined in the celebration. There was a DJ, beauty queens, bubbles, balloons and presents.

Ella's mother, Renae, commented, "We don't need meals or errands. The only thing we really need is PRAYER." Renae asked me to tell friends, "even if they don't know Ella", to please pray. She asked that those friends ask 10 friends (even if they don't know the Newmillers) to pray. So, I am asking you to pray daily for Ella Newmiller, for the oncologists and physicians directing her care, for her parents, Renae and Mark, and for her brother Jack (2nd grade). Pray for God's healing hand. Pray for both direction and comfort for Ella's family. Also pray for strength and courage for Ella. Additionally, if you feel led, please forward this prayer request to friends.

I am attaching a photo of Ella from Friday's 5th birthday celebration. If you would like updates on Ella, please log onto her care page at www.carepages.com , under Ella Newmiller. There are simple prompts to help you log on. Thanks~

with love,

Louise
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Don't WORRY, Be Happy...

Worry doesn't accomplish anything.
"Refrain from anger and turn from wrath; do not fret—it leads only to evil." Psalm 37:8, NIV

There's no need to worry—God has everything under control.
"So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well." Matthew 6:31-33, NIV

We cannot remove worry until we replace it with something better—prayer.
"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:6-7

Worrying is a waste of time.
"Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest?" Luke 12:25-26

Give all your worries to the Lord.
"Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you." 1 Peter 5:7

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Contentment

What brings contentment? Contentment is a gift from God and grows out of having His perspective on life.
"I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through Him who gives me strength." Philippians 4:12-13, NIV

Contentment grows out of humility and trust in God.
"My heart is not proud, O Lord, my eyes are not haughty; I do not concern myself with great matters or things too wonderful for me." Psalm 131:1, NIV.

Contentment grows out of devotion to Christ and eternal values.
"No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money." Matthew 6:24, NIV

Coveting is a barrier to contentment.
"You shall not covet your neighbor's house. You shall not covet your neighbor's wife, or his manservant or maidservant, his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor." Exodus 20:17, NIV.

Materialism is a barrier to contentment.
"People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction." I Timothy 6:9, NIV.

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The Story of Faninus - Italy, 1550

In the 1500's, Christians throughout Europe who read copies of the Bible in their own language, instead of Latin, were condemned to die as heretics. Faninus was one of the first martyrs to die in Italy.

Faninus, a "learned layman", read illegal Christian books translated into Italian and was converted to the knowledge of Christ. He began to secretly teach the Gospel, but was soon caught and thrown into prison. While in prison, however, his wife, children and friends all visited him and finally convinced him to renounce his faith to obtain his release.

Once free from confinement, however, Faninus found that he actually was not free at all and reports state that "his mind felt the heaviest of chains; the weight of a guilty conscience." He reaffirmed his dedication to Christ and began publicly preaching the gospel all throughout the country with great fruit and effect in places that he went.

Not surprisingly, Faninus was arrested a second time in 1547, and this time he did not waver in his faith. When asked how he could leave his wife and children in distress, he replied, "I shall not leave them in distress; I have recommended them to the care of an excellent trustee."

"What trustee?" was the question, to which Faninus replied, "Jesus Christ is the trustee I mean, and I think I could not commit them to the care of a better."

After more than two years in prison, he was condemned to death for heresy. On the day of execution, an observer noted that Faninus was amazingly cheerful and told him, "It is strange you should appear so merry upon such an occasion, When Jesus Christ himself, just before his death, was in such agonies, that he sweated blood and water." This was Faninus' reply: "Christ sustained all manner of pangs and conflicts, with hell and death, on our accounts; and thus by his sufferings, freed those who really believe in him from the fear of them."

The executioner strangled Faninus three hours before dawn, so people would not see him nor hear him speak. His body was burnt, and believers later scattered his ashes throughout the territory where he had evangelized.

Source: VOM

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Tag Galore

Thank you KCee for this tag!

Your Travel Personality Is: Easygoing

When you travel, you're looking for a lot of downtime. Vacations are your chance to recoup. All you need is a scenic spot and plenty of time on your hands. You'll figure out the rest. You're not one to make lots of plans when you travel. You just follow whatever path seems right.

What's Your Travel Personality?

You Should Learn Chinese

Surprised? You shouldn't be - Chinese is perfect for an ambitious person like you. You're a natural entrepreneur, and a billion people are waiting to do business with you!

What Language Should You Learn?

Guys, if you wanna post this on your blog, you're more than welcome to do so. God bless!

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