Robert Lloyd Russell's Blog, page 11

Earnestly

 ~ Christian Earnestness ~

 

Earnestly Heed the Word  ~  “Therefore we must give the more earnest heed to the things we have heard, lest we drift away.  For if the word spoken through angels proved steadfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just reward, how shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation, which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed to us by those who heard Him, God also bearing witness both with signs and wonders, with various miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit, according to His own will?” (Hebrews 2:1-4). 

 

Earnestly Contend for the Faith  ~  “Beloved, while I was very diligent to write to you concerning our common salvation, I found it necessary to write to you exhorting you to contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints.  For certain men have crept in unnoticed, who long ago were marked out for this condemnation, ungodly men, who turn the grace of our God into lewdness and deny the only Lord God and our Lord Jesus Christ” (Jude 3-4). 

 

Earnestly Pray to God  ~   “And Jesus was withdrawn from them about a stone’s throw, and He knelt down and prayed, saying, ‘Father, if it is Your will, take this cup away from Me; nevertheless not My will, but Yours, be done.’  Then an angel appeared to Him from heaven, strengthening Him.  And being in agony, He prayed more earnestly.  Then His sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground” (Luke 22:41-44).  “Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed earnestlythat it would not rain; and it did not rain on the land for three years and six months.  And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth produced its fruit” (James 5:17-18). 

 

Earnestly Care for the Saints  ~  “For indeed, when we came to Macedonia, our bodies had no rest, but we were troubled on every side.  Outside were conflicts, inside were fears.  Nevertheless God, who comforts the downcast, comforted us by the coming of Titus, and not only by his coming, but also by the consolation with which he was comforted in you, when he told us of your earnest desire, your mourning, your zeal for me, so that I rejoiced even more” (2 Corinthians 7:5-7). 

 

Earnestly Long for Glory  ~  “For we know that if our earthly house, this tent, is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.  For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed with our habitation which is from heaven” (2 Corinthians 5:1-2). 

 

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW blog.

Author web page: http://booksrlr.com/ “Books by Robert Lloyd Russell”  

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God Our Rock, 29

 ~ Rock of Offense ~

 

Introduction  ~  In Matthew 7:24-27 and Luke 6:47-49 Jesus relates the importance of building your house upon rock rather than sand.  This principle is even more critical when it comes to our spiritual life.  Each post in this series looks at a different Biblical passage which refers to our God as a Rock (not a complete list). 

 

Scripture  ~  “What shall we say then?  That Gentiles, who did not pursue righteousness, attained righteousness, even the righteousness which is by faith; but Israel, pursuing a law of righteousness, did not arrive at that law.  Why?  Because they did not pursue it by faith, but as though it were by works.  They stumbled over the stumbling stone, just as it is written, ‘BEHOLD, I LAY IN ZION A STONE OF STUMBLING AND A ROCK OF OFFENSE, AND HE WHO BELIEVES IN HIM WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED’” (Romans 9:30-33). 

 

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW blog.

Author web page: http://booksrlr.com/ “Books by Robert Lloyd Russell”  

·         Be an insider!  Sign up for his Author Newsletter and receive occasional news and special offers.  His books have won national and international literary awards.  Subscribe today and receive a welcome gift.  Your email will never be sold, given, or used in any other way.  You can easily unsubscribe at any time.  https://www.subscribepage.com/rlr 

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Spiritual Gifts, 32

 ~ The Sign Gifts ~

 

Opening Comment  ~  “Do not be deceived, my beloved brethren.  Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning.  Of His own will He brought us forth by the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of His creatures” (James 1:16-18). 

 

Category  ~  This series regarding spiritual gifts began on November 24, 2020.  After some introductory material on “Grace Gifts” we looked at “Source Gifts” (beginning January 26, 2021) which we likened to the Construction Sector of society, then “Serving Gifts” (beginning March 16, 2021) likened to the Service Sector of society, followed by the “Speaking Gifts” (beginning May 25, 2021) likened to the Medical Sector of society, and now we come to “Sign Gifts” which we are thinking of as the Media Sector.

 

Sign Gifts  ~  This is another large category of Spiritual Gifts.  This is our last category of spiritual gifts which are a sub-section of grace gifts (which include many gifts including natural abilities).

 

I think of sign gifts as the Media Group because generally this group of gifts have to do with those outside the local group of believers.  They deal with the revelation of the manifestation of God and expose the truth of God.  They are also typically related to specific task assignments.

 

Listing  ~  Apostleship

Prophecy (in the sense of foretelling) > including Knowledge

Tongues > including Speaking in Tongues & Interpretation of Tongues

Miraculous Powers > including Healing

 

Time Periods  ~  There is reason to believe that God intended some of the spiritual gifts which He gave to the Church to be temporary.  The Scriptures present several lines of evidence to that effect.  A sub-category of Sign Gifts are the transitional gifts that were important for a specific period-of-time and/or location.  It is largely the purpose or function of a spiritual gift that determines its duration.

 

Old Testament  ~  There are many examples.  Consider, for example, the many signs given to Israel during the times of Moses, Joshua, Elisha, and Elijah.  

 

New Testament  ~ Gifts are a prominent theme in Scripture during the time of the early church.   For example, recall Christ performing miracles, the Apostles performing miracles (Christ gave them power with their apostleship).  Spiritual revelation was confirmed with miraculous powers.

 

“Some of these gifts have disappeared.  They are not in the church because they are not needed in the church today.  There are no longer apostles in the church, nor are there prophets (in the sense of being able to foretell future events). —J. Vernon McGee

 

Interesting Fact  ~  The fact that the New Testament the word translated ‘sign’ is also translated ‘miracle’ in other places.  This is a clear indication that these signs were intended to be public (to be seen by many people).

 

Scripture  ~  Consider just one Old Testament chapter we find three miraculous signs: (1) Exodus 4:2-5 where a staff turned was turned into a serpent, (2) verses 4:6-8 where we have an account of a hand turned leprous, and (3) 4:9 where the Nile River was turned to blood.  In this early pattern of miracles, we see signs used to authenticate the messenger as being from God.

 

Note  ~  Sincere Christians disagree with each other concerning the issue of the duration of spiritual gifts.  The heart of the disagreement is related to the intention of God, not to the authority and power of God.

 

Closing Comments  ~  “Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity.  Till I come, give attention to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine.  Do not neglect the gift that is in you, which was given to you by prophecy with the laying on of the hands of the eldership.  Meditate on these things; give yourself entirely to them, that your progress may be evident to all.  Take heed to yourself and to the doctrine.  Continue in them, for in doing this you will save both yourself and those who hear you” (1 Timothy 4:12-16).

 

“Therefore I remind you to stir up the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands.  For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind” (2 Timothy 1:6-7).

 

“As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God” (1 Peter 4:10).

 

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW blog.

Author web page: http://booksrlr.com/ “Books by Robert Lloyd Russell” 

·         Be an insider!  Sign up for his Author Newsletter and receive occasional news and special offers.  His books have won national and international literary awards.  Subscribe today and receive a welcome gift.  Your email will never be sold, given, or used in any other way.  You can easily unsubscribe at any time.  https://www.subscribepage.com/rlr 

Daily blog page: http://robertlloydrussell.blogspot.com/ “Abundant Life Now”

·         The INDEX of topics is accessed by scrolling down the left column.

·         The current TOP 10 reader favorites are listed at the bottom of the page.

·         Personal TOP 10 favorites are listed in the right-hand column of the blog. 

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Question – Jesus, 105

 ~ Regarding Reasoning, 5of5 ~

 

Introduction ~  This series is about questions involving Jesus.  Some were asked by individuals involved with Jesus Christ while He walked on earth.  Others are questions that Jesus Christ asked others.  We will look at questions on about 130 topics (some may split into two or more posts).  Even so, it is far from an exhaustive list.  

 

Scripture  ~  “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). 

 

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW blog.

Author web page: http://booksrlr.com/ “Books by Robert Lloyd Russell”  

·         Be an insider!  Sign up for his Author Newsletter and receive occasional news and special offers.  His books have won national and international literary awards.  Subscribe today and receive a welcome gift.  Your email will never be sold, given, or used in any other way.  You can easily unsubscribe at any time.  https://www.subscribepage.com/rlr 

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God Is My… (Psalms), 73

 ~ God Is My Shield, 5 ~

 

Introduction  ~  Previously from July 16, 2017 through January 6, 2019 ALN posted a series of 60 posts of “Jesus is…,” and now we look exclusively at who “God is…” from the Book of Psalms.  While not a complete list these posts occur are in the same order they are in the Psalms. 

 

Passage  ~  “You are my hiding place and my shield; I hope in Your Word” (Psalm 119:114). 

 

Other Passages  ~  “But You, O Lord, are a shield for me, my glory and the One who lifts up my head” (Psalm 3:3).

“For You, O Lord, will bless the righteous; with favor You will surround him as with a shield” (Psalm 5:12).

“I will love You, O Lord, my strength. The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. I will call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised; so shall I be saved from my enemies” (Psalm 18:1-3).

“The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in Him, and I am helped; therefore my heart greatly rejoices, and with my song I will praise Him” (Psalm 28:7). 

 

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW blog.

* * * * *

Author web page: http://booksrlr.com/ “Books by Robert Lloyd Russell” 

·         Be an insider!  Sign up for his Author Newsletter and receive occasional news and special offers.  His books have won national and international literary awards.  Subscribe today and receive a welcome gift.  Your email will never be sold, given, or used in any other way.  You can easily unsubscribe at any time.  https://www.subscribepage.com/rlr 

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Myth, 111

 ~ Angels And Demons Are Eternal Beings ~ 

 

Myth  ~  That angelic and demonic beings were not created but rather are eternal beings.   Reality  ~  All things were created by Jesus Christ and the triune Godhead.   Scripture  ~  We have this testimony in both the Old and New Covenants.   Old Testament  ~  “Praise the Lord!  Praise the Lord from the heavens; praise Him in the heights!  Praise Him, all His angels; praise Him, all His hosts!  Praise Him, sun and moon; praise Him, all you stars of light!  Praise Him, you heavens of heavens, and you waters above the heavens!  Let them praise the name of the Lord, for He commanded and they were created.  He also established them forever and ever; He made a decree which shall not pass away” (Psalm 148:1-6).   New Testament  ~  “He [Jesus Christ] is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation.  For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers.  All things were created through Him and for Him.  And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist” (Colossians 1:15-17).   Comment  ~  Only the triune God is eternal!  

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW blog.

* * * * *

Author web page: http://booksrlr.com/ “Books by Robert Lloyd Russell”  

·         Be an insider!  Sign up for his Author Newsletter and receive occasional news and special offers.  His books have won national and international literary awards.  Subscribe today and receive a welcome gift.  Your email will never be sold, given, or used in any other way.  You can easily unsubscribe at any time.  https://www.subscribepage.com/rlr 

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Invisible God, 8of11

 ~ The Invisible God Deserves Honor ~

 

Introductory Quote  ~  “In the early days of space exploration one of the Russian cosmonauts returned from space and matter-of-factly stated that he hadn’t seen God! The essence of his comment was, ‘I’ve been there, done that, I didn’t see God — therefore there is no God.’

“Because God was not seen by Russian cosmonauts or our own astronauts, does that mean that God does not exist?  Does it mean that He is absent from outer space?  Or, is He present but invisible?

“We know that it is dark, very dark, in outer space.  We also are aware that outer space is full of light traveling from stars in all directions.  Only a tiny fraction of this light travels in a direction that causes it to reach our planet earth.  Space travelers do not see the light that is so abundant in space.

“The Scriptures tell us that the God who is light dwells in darkness!” (from the book: “GOD’S NATURE: Sonlight Sunlight”  by Robert Lloyd Russell).

 

Scripture  ~  “And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord who has enabled me, because He counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry, although I was formerly a blasphemer, a persecutor, and an insolent man; but I obtained mercy because I did it ignorantly in unbelief.  And the grace of our Lord was exceedingly abundant, with faith and love which are in Christ Jesus.  This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief.  However, for this reason I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might show all longsuffering, as a pattern to those who are going to believe on Him for everlasting life.  Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, to God who alone is wise, be honor and glory forever and ever.  Amen” (1 Timothy 1:12-17).

 

Closing Quote  ~  “As we return to Einstein’s theory of relativity, we find that as an object reaches the speed of light, dimensions in the direction of travel become zero.  This means that objects traveling at the speed of light become invisible, no matter how large they are at slower speeds.  Light defies our normal constraints of spatial dimensions.

“Although light is invisible, it is capable of manifesting itself.  We can detect the presence of light as it reveals our surroundings, and we discern the effects of light such as feeling its warmth on our skin.  It is as if we can see the unseen.

“We can utilize the effects of light in many ways.  In our era with the use of lasers mankind has harnessed the power of light to perform many wonderful tasks — from supermarket checkout procedures to critical medical operations.

“In a similar manner we do not see God, but we see the manifestations of God.  The effects of the invisible God are clearly seen.  His presence can be known.

“The key to understanding either physical or spiritual light is found in observing what it can do.  Although no one has ever seen physical light, mankind has learned a great deal about its characteristics; we have applied our knowledge in useful ways.” (from the book: “GOD’S NATURE: Sonlight Sunlight”  by Robert Lloyd Russell).

 

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW blog.

Author web page: http://booksrlr.com/ “Books by Robert Lloyd Russell” 

·         Be an insider!  Sign up for his Author Newsletter and receive occasional news and special offers.  His books have won national and international literary awards.  Subscribe today and receive a welcome gift.  Your email will never be sold, given, or used in any other way.  You can easily unsubscribe at any time.  https://www.subscribepage.com/rlr 

Daily blog page: http://robertlloydrussell.blogspot.com/ “Abundant Life Now”

·         The INDEX of topics is accessed by scrolling down the left column.

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The Christian Walk

 ~ 10 Aspects of the Christian Walk ~

 

After The Spirit  ~  “There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit” (Romans 8:1).

 

In Newness Of Life  ~  “Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life” (Romans 6:4).  

 

By Faith  ~  “For we walk by faith, not by sight” (2 Corinthians 5:7). 

 

In Love  ~  “And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma” (Ephesians 5:2).

 

In Wisdom ~  “Walk in wisdom toward those who are outside, redeeming the time” (Colossians 4:5). 

 

In Peace  ~  “Flee also youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart” (2 Timothy 2:22). 

 

In Good Works  ~  “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them” (Ephesians 2:10). 

 

Soberly, Righteously, And Godly  ~  “For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age” (Titus 2:11-12). 

 

Worthy Of The Vocation  ~  “Therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called, with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love, endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace” (Ephesians 4:1-3). 

 

Worthy Of The Lord(A great summary!)  ~  “For this reason we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; strengthened with all might, according to His glorious power, for all patience and longsuffering with joy; giving thanks to the Father who has qualified us to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in the light.  He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love, in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins” (Colossians 1:9-14). 

 

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW blog.

Author web page: http://booksrlr.com/ “Books by Robert Lloyd Russell”  

·         Be an insider!  Sign up for his Author Newsletter and receive occasional news and special offers.  His books have won national and international literary awards.  Subscribe today and receive a welcome gift.  Your email will never be sold, given, or used in any other way.  You can easily unsubscribe at any time.  https://www.subscribepage.com/rlr 

Daily blog page: http://robertlloydrussell.blogspot.com/ “Abundant Life Now”

·         The INDEX of topics is accessed by scrolling down the left column.

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God Our Rock, 28

 ~ Rock of Correction ~

 

Introduction  ~  In Matthew 7:24-27 and Luke 6:47-49 Jesus relates the importance of building your house upon rock rather than sand.  This principle is even more critical when it comes to our spiritual life.  Each post in this series looks at a different Biblical passage which refers to our God as a Rock (not a complete list).  

 

Scripture  ~  “Are You not from everlasting, O Lord my God, my Holy One?  We shall not die.  O Lord, You have appointed them for judgment; O Rock, You have marked them for correction.  You are of purer eyes than to behold evil, and cannot look on wickedness.  Why do You look on those who deal treacherously, and hold Your tongue when the wicked devours a person more righteous than he?” (Habakkuk 1:12-13). 

 

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW blog.

Author web page: http://booksrlr.com/ “Books by Robert Lloyd Russell”  

·         Be an insider!  Sign up for his Author Newsletter and receive occasional news and special offers.  His books have won national and international literary awards.  Subscribe today and receive a welcome gift.  Your email will never be sold, given, or used in any other way.  You can easily unsubscribe at any time.  https://www.subscribepage.com/rlr 

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Spiritual Gifts, 31

 ~ The Spiritual Gift of Music – God’s Symphony ~

 

Opening Comment  ~  “Do not be deceived, my beloved brethren.  Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning.  Of His own will He brought us forth by the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of His creatures” (James 1:16-18).

 

A Divine Symphony  ~  Before we leave the gift of music there is another aspect of music and Spiritual Gifts.  Many of you know that I love spiritual analogies, metaphors, similes, etc.  The orchestra illustrates the use of spiritual gifts.  The following is from an old tract – entitled “The Symphony of God” by Donald L. Norbie.  

 

There is a hushed silence as the curtain rises upon the symphony orchestra.  The conductor enters with dignity, bows low and takes his place.  His baton is upraised, commanding attention of all.  As he begins to lead the symphony, all are keenly aware of his leadership and direction.  A vast array of instruments is spread before him.  There is the violin and the cello, the clarinet and the oboe, the trumpet and the trombone, besides a host of others.  All are different, but all have a special piece to play, a special contribution to make.  The flute is very different from the French horn, but each is vital.

Note how each player keeps his eye on the conductor.  The conductor’s mood is seized and interpreted by each player.  At times his arms move gently and slowly, and the music becomes tranquil and peaceful.  His thoughtful mood is heard in the pensive notes that fill the air.  Then the mood changes.  His arms move dynamically and powerfully, and as the players catch the spirit, the music surges and rolls with powerful emotion.  The power of music stirs the soul of the audience.

 

Isn’t it amazing that out of the maze of instruments, there comes one voice, one harmony to delight the ear?  What is the secret?  The symphony, this “sound together,” is only possible because the will of each player is completely bent to the will of the director.  His whisper is an absolute command.  Thus, out of many different voices comes one symphony, one harmony.

 

There is a spiritual parable in this for the believer.  God has given different gifts to His people.  Christians should be thankful for each gift, not envying others, nor despising them.  Each has a needed note to sound in the symphony of God.  “Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit” (1 Corinthians 12:4).  How utterly foolish Christians are to despise or neglect any of these gifts.  Each has his part to play for the glory of God.  But how can there possibly be a symphony of spiritual blessing in the gatherings of the saints?  May one suggest that, even as in the orchestra each player must be completely led by the conductor, even so each gift in the assembly must be under the control of God the Holy Spirit.  There is only disharmony in the orchestra if each player is a law to himself.  There must be absolute control of the conductor.

 

Being subject to the Holy Spirit is a vital mark of the New Testament church.  If the Holy Spirit’s leadership and direction are acknowledged, He will produce a symphony of love, of understanding and of united action.  Mark the unity of those early days.  “And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul” (Acts 4:32).

 

In a symphony every person takes his cue from the conductor.  The same musical piece will be very similar each time.  Unfortunately, most churches are more like a hockey game... Each game is an original, fun to watch as a spectator, brutal to participate in, with everyone following the puck doing their own thing.

 

Closing Comments  ~  “Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity.  Till I come, give attention to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine.  Do not neglect the gift that is in you, which was given to you by prophecy with the laying on of the hands of the eldership.  Meditate on these things; give yourself entirely to them, that your progress may be evident to all.  Take heed to yourself and to the doctrine.  Continue in them, for in doing this you will save both yourself and those who hear you” (1 Timothy 4:12-16).

“Therefore I remind you to stir up the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands.  For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind” (2 Timothy 1:6-7).

“As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God” (1 Peter 4:10). 

 

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW blog.

Author web page: http://booksrlr.com/ “Books by Robert Lloyd Russell” 

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