#39. Christmas Christian Cuestions

The Christmas story in Matthew tells of wise men (or magi) making the long journey to find the newborn king of the Jews. I offer 10 questions about the so-called "wise men" -- not to be taken seriously, but to be explored with humor and wit and fun. Are you ready?

#1. How many wise men were there?
#2. The wise men brought gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh for Jesus. Were these Christmas gifts or presents for Jesus' birthday?
#3. What would a youngster do with such gifts -- myrrh was a dried sap from a tree used as an embalming ointment at burial?
#4. If they were so wise, why did they follow a star in the sky? Why didn't they simply ask for directions? Oh, yeah! They were men -- got it!
#5. The wise men were from the east, so the star would appear in the west. But the wise men said,

"We have seen his star in the east." -- Help!

#6. "The star went before them till it came to rest over the place where the child was". Really! Could this be a UFO rather than a star? Any thoughts on this?
#7. "(King Herod) found out from (the wise men) the exact time they first saw the star." They probaby came directily across the desert from Babylon to Jerusalem, a distance of at least 540 miles, taking 25 to 30 days by caravan. How long do you think it took them to find Jesus? Herod calculated the time travel to be as much as 2 years!

Could it be they took the scenic route! ???

#8. "And going into the house, (the wise men) saw the child with Mary, his mother." Obviously, Jesus was no longer a baby, but living in the home of Joseph and Mary, which was in a village called Nazareth, in Galilee. But the wise men were led by the star to Jerusalem, in Judea, a distance of 65 miles from the house where Jesus lived. Either the star was confused ... or the wise men weren't so wise. What say ye?
#9. The wise men "departed to their own country by another way." But how did they know the way back home -- not another star, I hope!
#10. Have a Merry Christmas! That's not a question, nor a suggestion, but a requirement. Blessings!

P.S. -- You know what would have happened if there had been
three wise WOMEN instead of three wise MEN ? Well, don’t you? The three wise WOMEN would have:

1. asked for directions,
2. arrived on time,
3. helped deliver the Baby,
4. cleaned the stable,
5. made a casserole, and
6. given practical gifts.

#38. Express Your Gratitude-Attitude!

Charlie says, "I've sure gotten old. I've had 2 by-pass surgeries, a hip replacement, new knees. Fought prostate cancer and diabetes. I'm half blind, can't hear anything quieter than a jet engine, take 40 different medications that make me dizzy, winded, and subject to blackouts. Have bouts with dementia. Have poor circulation, hardly feel my hands and feet anymore. Can't remember if I'm 85 or 92. Have lost all my friends. But . . . . Thank God, I still have my driver's license!"

Of course, this is a humorous story. But on the serious side, what are you thankful for? Here is your opportunity to express your sincere appreciation -- for your beloved; family; healings; prosperity; new opportunities; special successes.

It's time to crankup your 'gratitude-attitude' during this Thanksgiving time of year!

I'm grateful for my cat, Snooper, who let's me stay in his beautiful home -- Virgil

#37. Evolution of Religion

Zoroastrianism was quite content . . . until Judaism came along and adopted the Zoroastrian beliefs in angels, in heaven and hell, in the soul's immortality, in the resurrection, and in the last judgment. Judaism finally shifted their worship to one God, but changed his name from Ahura-Mazad to Yahweh; and Satan became a fallen angel and arch-enemy of God -- a replica of Ahriman in Zoroastrianism. Most likely, none of this bothered the Zorastrians, though the Sadducees sect of Judaism rejected these doctrines (which of course drove them bananas, for sure). However, it was the Jewish sect known as the Pharisees that accepted all of them for Judaism -- and they won out in the end.

Judaism was quite content . . . until Christianity came along and completely revamped Judaism, turning one God into three, negating the Mosaic Commandments as impossible to practice, and establishing the worship of a human being (which of course drove the Jews bananas, for sure). The Jewish Messiah, or Christ, meaning 'anointed of God', was a term held by King Saul, King David, King Solomon, etc.; the Christ was redefined by Christianity to signify deity, that is, a God-being, and the title was given to Jesus of Nazareth. His sacrificial death replaced the Temple sacrifices for sin, once and for all. Sunday replaced the Sabbath Day as a day of rest, the church replaced the synogogue, and the Jewish scriptures were highjacked to be included with their 'New Testament' writings, all of which were now divinely inspired from cover to cover.

Christianity was quite content . . . until Islam came along and completely revamped Christianity, turning three Gods back into one, giving Him an Arabic name, Allah, and declaring the Bible to be corrupted and inaccurate. The Muslims removed Jesus from his throne as the savior of the world, but honored him as a prophet of God, second only to Mohammad, who was sent by Allah to straighten out the errors of the infidels. A new set of scriptures, called the Koran, replaced the fallible 'Book' of the Christians. Allah had no humanistic attributes, developed no relationwhip with His followers, and gave no garantee of entry into heaven, unless they should become martyrs for the cause (which of course drove the Christian bananas, for sure).

Islam was quite content until . . .

#36. What's in a Commercial?

Have you ever wondered why companies pay millions of dollars to purchase TV ads? I have! But it never made any sense to me -- unless, of course, commericals do effectively influence large masses of people to purchase their product. And the bottom line is -- they work! I am perplexed about this because I almost never respond to a commercial, thinking, "I'm gonna go out and buy that brand of soap!" Obviously, millions of people not only think it, but they go out and buy that slippery stuff.

Could it be that there are two types of people: 1) those who are rather easily swayed by something or someone outside of themselves, and 2) those who are not. What do you think? Which category do you fall into? Or, is there a third category of people?

One other thing, do you think that slippery stuff could improve my social life? Just wondering . . .

#35. The Three Faces of God

Question: Can you explain the Trinity – you know, one God-in-three-persons?
Answer: I believe it, but I don’t understand it. It’s simply a mystery to me.

No matter how many Christians I have asked this question – be they a Theologian, a pastor, or a layperson – the answer is always the same.

However, I recently discovered an author who has provided his answer in a spiritual novel called: "The Shack". This book has sold over 4 million copies by word of mouth. It’s an excellent read and I highly recommend it to anyone seeking for a more whole- some understanding of God. But even more -- it’s a loving, caring “three-Gods-in-one” classic that you won’t be able to put down.

His Trinitarian concept of God includes the following:

1. a large, beaming African-American woman called “Papa”
2. a colorful, flighty Asian female named "Sarayu", and
3. Jesus plays himself – well, sort of . . .

This summer, our church is currently discussing this book and it is a blast!!! Have you already read it? How does it speak to you? I’d love to hear your comments. If you haven’t read it, why not? Blessings!

#34. God's Magical Numbers

Once upon a time, I had a very petite, miniture frog that I trained to leap precisely 1/2 the remaining distance across the desk in my office. I tapped its back lightly and it jumped half way across the desk. Next, I followed up with a second tap and Freddie jumped exactly half the distance that remained. Then I gave a third tap and a fourth and a fifth. Freddie always leaped 1/2 the remaining distance. Would you believe that regardless of the number of taps, my froggie never, ever got to the opposite edge of my desk? And it was only six feet across!

No doubt you will find this think-piece to be a work of art -- or maybe a strange journey into the science of mathematics.

Zero divided by any number always equals zero:
0 / 14 = 0
0 / 15 = 0
0 / 37,012,558,403,579 = 0

Any number divided by zero has absolutely no anwser:
14 / 0 = ?
15 / 0 = ?
37,012,558,403,578 / 0 = ?

Zero divided by zero can equal any number that you choose:
0 / 0 = 1
0 / 0 = 37
0 / 0 = 412
0 / 0 = 5,000,000

Repeating decimals go on forever into eternity:
10 / 3 = 3.333333333333333333333333333333333333 . . .
16 / 11 = 1.454545454545454545454545454545454545 . . .
16 / 7 = 2.285714285714285714285714285714285714 . . .

An irrational number goes on forever but does not repeat itself:
If you divide the distance around the moon by the distance across the moon, you get a number called PI (which is always the same for any circle -- not just the moon)
PI = 3.141592653589793238462643383279502884197 . . .

An Imaginary Number (discovered in 1572) is not a Real Number: (Really!)
Example - The square root of -1 is an imaginary number since you cannot multiply a number by itself to get -1 for the answer

You can count on this blog getting some irrational responses!!!

#33. How'd You Get Into My House?

Today, when I answered the phone, a female voice spoke ... with great urgency. It was a recorded message pertaining to "my" credit card debt. She said my debt could be substantially reduced if I acted immediately by pressing the #1. So I did! After so many of these telemarketer experiences, I wanted to see what would happen.

A real man came on the line, insisting to know how much money I owed. Angrily, I told him, "The lady has all that information, so why are you asking me?" He told me he knew nothing of her. "How did she connect me to you if you don't know her," I asked, "Doesn't she work for your company?" He claimed ignorance!

I told him he should get to know her, that she lives in a machine, and knows even more than I do about my financial circumstances. Surprisingly, he remained on the line with me for several minutes. Finally, I complained about her invading my home and, suddenly -- click! He was gone!

How do you contend with these home invasions? Tell me about such humerous phone conversations wherein you took the telemarketer for a ride. Be gentle now . . .

#32. How Many Humans? and Other Stuff?

Exactly how many stars did God form on the fourth day of creation? 100? 1000? one gazillion? And when God created the animals and birds and fish, how many were there in all? 100 of each species? 1000? 100,000? one billion? It's doubtful that God began it all with but one rooster and one hen; with only two cows; with just a couple of sparrows; with two tiny worms; with a couple of goldfish in a bowl. So tell me, when did God stop creating the animal kingdom on that fifth day of the first week of creation?

And, of course, I also want to know just how many humans God created in that first week?

"So God created people in his own image; God patterned them after himself; male and female he created them." (Genesis 1:27).

Now Chapter 2 of Genesis tells of God creating the first man and woman, but how many others did God form on the sixth day of creation? 100? 1000? 29,307? 1 million? If Adam and Eve is all there were from the start of it all, where did their two sons, Cain and Abel, find wives to marry? Maybe the Inquirer could give me a lead or two. I wonder: just how many folk were created before God said . . . under his breath, "I think that's enough . . . for now!!!"

#31. Tell Me Your Answer

I place before you a very important question to answer. And not everyone gets it right! How about you? It will not be so difficult for some to answer, but for others, it will require some thinking. Your answer might be a male or female, might be young or elderly, might be famous or unknown -- rich or poor. But you can only make one selection for your answer. Please, share with me yours . . . and WHY. I really want to know why! OK, here goes:

If you could be any living person anywhere in the world today, who would you choose to be?

#30. Miracles of Life

Yesterday, I received an email from a recent acquaintance. As I was just about to open it, my friend Linda came into my office. Suddenly, she said that someone thinks I look like Arnold Schwarzenegger. I thanked her for the informaition. After she left my office, I opened the email which stated: "I know who you look like -- Arnold Schwarzenegger!"

My dictionary defines the word miracle as "an event that appears unexplainable by the laws of nature and so is held to be supernatural in origin or an act of God". I believe there are three ways in which to understand the world of miracles.

1. Sometimes, miracles do occur.

Life is governed by scientific laws, but from time to time on various occasions, God intervenes in the affairs of life and performs miracles that defy natural laws.

2. There are no such things as miracles at all!

Eventually, science will beable to explain each and every so-called miraculous event as
a natural law.

3. Everything in life is a miracle! (I prefer this one!)

The birth of a baby shall always be a miracle. Though science can show that gravity is a natural phenominon, it reveals no concept of what it is or why it happens. Life defies explanation -- it's one huge miracle!

Talk to me! Do you have a miracle story? or an ESP experience? or a healing story that defies medical explanations? I'm all ears!

#29. Where's Our Economy Heading?

I remember growing up in the 50's. Gas stations (they were called filling stations) had attendants that not only pumped your gasoline for you, but checked your oil and cleaned your windshield. The price of gas remained rather constant at 25 cents per gallon, but occasionally the cost would increase by 1 or 2 pennies at a time. Business owners competed with each other by providing the better "service" to the customer.

In today's evolving (or devolving) capitalistic society, service has been replaced by "greed". My dictionary defines greed as "a rapacious desire for more than one needs or deserves, as of food, wealth, or power". Regardless of the financial success of huge corporations, it's not enough. No one seems to have enough ... of anything. Never enough money; never enough power; never enough toys; never enough time; never enough happiness.

When we are of service to others, the energy is flowing outward from our heart center to the world around us. And the more we give, the more our cup runs over. However, the consciousness of greed pulls the energy forcefully from "out there" . . . inwardly. Yet, leaving us feeling more and more empty inside.

What a paradox! So what are your thoughts about life in the 00's ?

#28. Aborted Plans of God

I have often wondered if God has ever "changed His mind" about some of His divine plans for the human race. For example, did He consider creating the first human being as a woman, (rather than a man), but aborted that particular plan? Or how did He determine the best time for Jesus to come to the earth -- I mean, did He consider various dates before settling on December 25, 0001?

God has revealed to me (through His Holy Spirit) some of His unused heavenly plans -- or maybe it was by way of my demented brain. Anyhow, the following are intended to be thought-provoking, not sacrilegious. What are your thoughts? Do you ever come up with these kind of questions?

Aborted Plans of God:

#1. Knowing from the get-go that Adam and Eve would screw it up, why didn't God get humanity off to a super beginning on day #6 by creating a body out of the dust of the earth, and then selecting His only Son to incarnate it? Instead of Jesus, God chose Adam! Hmmmm . . .

#2. Since a male body lacks the ability to give birth -- even in the midst of the perfect Garden -- why didn't God create a female body out of the dust of the earth which could then be impregnated by the Holy Spirit and give birth to God's only Son, getting humanity off to an excellent start? Hmmmm . . .

#3. In God's perfect Garden Home which was prepared for Adam and Eve to live eternally, why didn't God plant that tree of death outside the Garden. (By the way, why is there an evil, talking snake in the garden, anyway?) Hmmmm . . .

#4. After the "fall of man", why didn't God immediately send Jesus to the Garden of Eden to sacrifice His life on a cross and save Adam, Eve, Cain, Abel, and Seth from their sins -- as well as all the rest of the souls that would be born into the world thereafter? Hmmmm . . .

#5. During the days of Noah, rather than destroy all the evil human beings by flooding the entire earth, why didn't God send Jesus to the earth at that time to sacrifice His perfect life on a cross and save Noah and the rest of the souls living in the world from their sins? Hmmmm . . .

#6. Why was God's holiness and His wrath so monumental that He required His only Son to be sacrificed as a ransom for us, but did not love us enough to simply forgive us -- as His only Son taught us to do? (Ouch!!!)

#7. After resurrecting His glorified body, why didn't Jesus remain on the earth for a year, or two, or thirty-two, or one hundred thirty-two years, or until all of humanity gets the message and believes in the only Son of God as their savior?

Now it's your turn.
.

#27. Just How Unique Is Your Name?

My parents named me Virgil Brewer when I was just a little baby, so I had very little to do with the matter. I realize that my surname is quite common, but I have always considered my given name, Virgil, to be somewhat uncommon. I absolutely knew without a shadow of doubt, however, that no one else in the entire world had my full name.

WOW! Was I surprised (actually shocked) to find that 32 people in the U.S. have both the first and last name I was born with -- Virgil Brewer!

To discover how many people in the United States have your first-name, last-name, and full-name, go to: http://ww2.howmanyofme.com/search/

Then come back and let me know what you have discovered. Do you have an unusual story to share about your name? Let me hear from you -- uh, what did you say your name is?

#26. Voting for Character in Politics?

I believe in the Universal Principle that Life reflects our consciousness, both individually and collectively. So through the consciousness of the masses, we are helping to create our group experiences in life. In other words, we get what we ask for!

Consider, for example, Hilliary Clinton spoke from her notes about landing in Bosnia and having to duck under sniper fire, as her life was in danger. In truth, nothing of the sort happened, so why tell such a lie, I asked? Her response to reporters was: "I say a lot of things -- millions of words a day -- so if I misspoke, that was just a misstatement." And shortly afterward, 623,294 people in Indiana voted to make her our next president. WOW!

Also consider that Barack Obama stated he had never heard those extreme kind of remarks from his pastor and mentor of 20 years, the man who had performed his marriage, baptized his children, and was like an uncle to him. Seems a little disingenuous to me. Obama stated: "I can no more disown (Jeremiah Wright) than I can disown the black community. I can no more disown him than I can my white grandmother".

Not long afterwards, he disowned his pastor of 20 years. Does this mean he will also be willing to disown the black community and his own grandmother? But shortly afterward, 647,734 people in Indiana voted to make him our next president. WOW!

So I asked myself the question, why were over one million people accepting of them ... anyway? Have we not learned anything from our 'recent history'. The lack of character and integrity did not seem to matter. They could have stayed at home and not voted. Why? The answer: We get what we ask for ! The politicians are a reflection of our group consciousness. What do you say ???

#25. The Information Age

Do you catch the news on CNN? Do you search the World Wide Web for info? Are you a Talk-Radio listener? Are you an avid reader of the daily news- paper? Do you correspond by Email? Have you memorized your favorite TV commercials? If so, then you have entered the "Information Age".

It is also called the "Communication Age". One source suggests several other titles: "The Age of Lies; the Age of Disinformation; the Age of Indoctrination and Propaganda; the age of molding, shaping, corrupting, and perverting the masses ... "

The Information Age began in the mid-80's and became a global phenomenon with the invention of the World Wide Web in 1989. The name is a reference to the global economy's shift in focus away from the production of physical goods (as exemplified by the industrial age) and toward the manipulation of information. Although tons of information now orbit the earth in any and all directions within a matter of seconds -- is it accurate? I mean, is it true, valid, authentic? Or is there a mis-speak (whatever that is!)? And how do you determine which?

Are you concerned that commercials costing Corporate America millions of dollars are quite affective in influencing the masses to spend billions? How do you regard the propaganda tactics of our government ... upon us? Are you impressed with what celebrities say? what politicians say? Do you believe the information because you heard it on TV? Because it was in the newspaper?

Talk to me -- I'm addicted to information, and inquiring minds want to know! Oh, and one more thing, do you believe Oswald acted alone?

#24. Email from the Deceased?

My friend Jenny showed me an email that she received from a close friend of ours. However, our mutual friend, Sally, died five months ago. Spooky! Is this possible, do you think?

I believe that the soul lives on and there are countless stories of the deceased interacting with his/her loved ones. Communication can come through meditation and dreams, through a psychic, through specific fragrances, sounds, touch, or other signs and manifesta- tions. So why could the soul not communicate in our high-tech society by way of the Internet?

Here is the message Jenny received. I have changed both names to protect the innocent (LOL) .

hi jenny
do you miss me
sally

The family of the deceased thought that Sally's email account had been closed after her death. However, we recently found that her email account is still in existence. Jenny and I have no reason to believe that someone is tampering with our minds. Nor am I trying to tamper with yours (LOL)!

What do you think? Does Jenny need a new computer? Or do you believe that the email message from the other side is possible? Have you had such unique experiences of your own. Let's talk about the other side.

#23. Must All Christians Think Alike?

Many Christians are open-minded to other points of view. Some are not. They are overly insistent that Christians must all think alike -- that a true Christian must believe what they themselves have been taught to believe. I imagine that when Jesus returns, He will likely respond to them with "I said WHAT???"

I consider myself to be a free-thinker -- one who thinks outside their box. Listed below are my responses to ten of the most-often-asked-questions directed to me over the years by devoted fundamental Christians. What would your response be to their queries?

1. Do you believe in Jesus Christ?

My Response:

• His existence - Yes;
• His teachings - Yes;
• His Presence - Yes;
• His name - No, for his name was Jesus -- Jesus of Nazereth -- and, to me, His name is still Jesus

2. Do you believe the Bible is the inspired Word of God?

My Response:

• Yes, if every poet, artist, and singer is inspired . . .
• Yes, if every farmer, electrician, and inventor is inspired . . .
• Yes, if every scientist, teacher, and laborer is inspired by the Spirit of God, then I believe the authors of the scriptures were also inspired by God . . . to express their creative juices

3. Do you believe the Bible is absolutely true and therefore flawless from cover to cover?

My Response:

• Yes, if every alteration made in the Bible is flawless . . .
• Yes, if every translation of the Bible is flawless . . .
• Yes, if every author of the Bible is flawless . . .
• Yes, if every person reading the Bible is flawless . . . from cover to cover

4. Do you read the King James Version of the Bible?

My Response:

I read many versions of the Bible -- usually the one that is available at the moment; often I even quote from the Virgilian Version of the Bible

5. Do you read all of the Bible or do you pick and choose only what you want to read and believe?

My Response:

The latter -- life is not all black and white, but mostly gray . . . or bald

6. Do you believe in the divinity of Jesus?

My Answer:

• Yes, if you are divine, as well . . .
• No, if any one soul be not God's beloved child

7. Do you believe Jesus died for you?

My Response:

No, I believe Jesus lived for me -- why must you need him to die for you? Must the shepherd die to rescue his lost sheep?

8. Have you been saved?

My Response:

• Saved from what -- from my errors? No, they're all mine ... all the time;
• Saved from Satan? No, the indwelling spirit of opposition yet has a foothold in the polarized mind of all humanity . . . including me;
• Saved from God's wrath? Oh no! Love simply has no room for wrath
  

9. Do you believe in the resurrection of Jesus?

My Response:

Every soul expresses as form: sometimes in a 'physical' form, yet at other times, an 'ethereal' form. The gospels show Jesus appearing in both forms . . . after his death . . . and before

10. Do you worship Jesus as Lord?

My Response:

Jesus worshipped God as Lord of the Universe, referring to Him as His beloved Papa. And He taught us to do the same -- to love God with all our heart and to pray to Him as our heavenly Papa. Why would Jesus desire that He Himself be worshipped? Would He not prefer that we follow Him? Jesus is my Master, so I respect Him and follow His teachings.

#22. Tis a Jolly Christmas...This Year ?

It's Christmas-time in the city . . . and across the countryside . . . and throughout much of the civilized world (I think). For many, it's a magical time of year . . . every year. Numerous shoppers, however, are complaining that the traditional slogans of 'Merry Christmas' are being replaced by 'Happy Holidays'. Local city councils are voting on whether the colors green and red are to be tolerated on the courthouse lawn. Family get-togethers are now being planned -- or not planned (and they won't let me know which).

My unofficial gestament poll is that 23.6% of the U.S. citizens will focus on the spiritual meaning of Christmas about 3.2% of the time, 64.9% will be caught up totally in the commercialization of it all, 7.3% will not decide until the 24th whether to participate this year, and 4.2% are undecided about the cause of all the hoopla.

What does this Christmas Season mean to you . . . at this stage of your life?

• Are you ecstatic or static about Christmas?
• Do you find yourself merely whelmed or over-whelmed by all the commotion?
• Are you saddened by the loss of a loved one?
• Or grateful for all the memories of a life-time friendship?
• Are you elated your beau surprised you with a ring?
• Or are you deflated cause your phone does not ring?

If you have nothing else to do before Christmas, make a comment. Really -- tell me a story. Let me know what Xmas -- sorry, Christmas -- means to you!

#21. Life is a Lot Like Golf.

During the autumn season, golfers are less likely to be seen on the golf course because of all the leaves that fall to the ground. Recently, I noticed one lonely, humongous leaf lying on the green as I was lining up for a 25-foot putt. The leaf was not going to be in my pathway, so I ignored the obstacle.

However my putt was off-course and that golf ball rolled directly toward that huge leaf and stroke it head on. Immediately upon contact, the ball ricocheted off the leaf at a 30 degree angle and was heading directly toward the hole. Guess what? The ball fell right into the hole. WOW! What a putt!

Sometimes our life gets off-course and we encounter an obstacle which unexpectedly turns out to be a wonderful blessing. Had you not experienced the leaf, the blessing would not have occurred. Think about the leaves in your pathway that turned into a success story. Share a fantastic happening with us.

#20. Two Hundred Grandchildren!

Recently, a friend related to me about a married couple who have 200 grand-children. WOW!

So if you do the math -- well, I blew the dust from my slide rule and calculated that if the couple had 14 children and each of the 14 children had given birth to 14 children, the couple would have a total of 196 grandchildren.

Now, if the couple had a whopping 18 children, each of them would merely have to average 11 children to arrive at 198 grandchildren. However, if the couple had only 12 children (LOL), each of them would have to average 17 in order to arrive at 204 grandchildren. All I can say is: "Thank God the couple didn't have only 7. Each would have to average 29 youngsters!

What do you think of this? Can you imagine birthday celebrations? or Christmas time? or any holiday reunion with the clan? I can hear it now -- Grandma asking all kinds of questions.

"Now ... what did you say your name is?" "Tell me again -- who do you belong to?" "No honey, I would never-ever forget you!" "What! You're pregnant again?"

Personally, I have totally given up on having any children of my own -- now I'm working on some grandchildren! Do you know of anyone with 200 grandkids? OK, anyone with 100? Give it your best shot!!!