Live or Living?

Many people are so tired of trying to "get there" that they don't even want to get there anymor. They are zombies trapped in a state of existence that is neither here nor there. This lukewarm attitude pulls them into the abyss of mediocrity. They get a job, marry, buy a car, accumulate stocks, and have children. But without passion, they are simply going through the motions!

Instead of rising each morning with a song of joy in their hearts, they hum a melody in monotone. They go through their day, mumbling and complaining. These mummies may be mommies or daddies; they may even be preachers or teachers. But they are corpses who aren't quite dead. Their near comatose condition exempts from pain, but denies them pleasure. They may be immune to failure, but they are susceptible to all kinds of negative experiences.

What good is life without living? Taste it, live it even at the risk of occasional failure and adversity. If you are going to stand at the plate, take a swing at the ball! "What if I miss?" you say. Well I say, "What if you miss out before you've even taken a swing?" Wake up and play! You're not dead! Many things in you may have died, but you are not dead!

Perhaps you have given up. No one knows you've quit, but inside, you have thrown in the towel. You wanted to make a difference, but when you ran into some obstacles, you decided to adjust your expectations to your limitations.

Jesus suffered the loss of His disciples, His earthly ministry, His friends, and even His clothes. They cast lots at His bleeding feet for His seamless robe (John 19:23, 24), but they could not strip away His passion. Even while He was dying He continued to minister His message. He went through hell to reach the joy set before Him, but when He had finished, He got up with the keys to death and hell! His prize was a Church purchased by the blood He shed. But what is ultimately important is that He accomplished it with His passion.

God has too much for you to do to waste any more time! Get up, breathe deeply of this moment. There will never be another moment in your life like this one. I can't spare you tears, fears, or trauma; each passion has its cost. In fact, it is the cost that validates the enormity of the passion. It is what you endure that expresses the depth of your desire.

What mistakes are you making? (1)

Words of the wise... should be heard...

Ecclesiastes 9:17 NKJV

It's a mistake not to ask yourself, 'What mistakes am I making?' One leader writes: 'I gave little thought to what might go wrong. I assumed that the 'right way' would be mistake-free. I did not acknowledge mistakes I made to myself, or others. I was not learning from my mistakes. If I wanted to become a better leader, I would have to stop making the mistake of not asking what mistake I was making.' It's not the number of mistakes you make; it's how often you keep making the same mistake. If you want to turn your mistakes to your advantage:

1) Admit your mistakes. Why don't we? Pride: we've an image to uphold. Insecurity: our self-worth is based on our performance. Stubbornness: we'd rather flog a dead horse than bury it and get a new one. Here's a news flash: People already know about your mistakes. When you admit them they're not surprised, they're relieved. They say, 'Phew! He knows. Now we can quit pretending!'

2) Accept mistakes as the price of progress. Learn to view failure as a healthy, inevitable part of succeeding. Nothing's perfect in life - including you! So get used to it.

3) Insist on learning from your mistakes. When you try to avoid failure at all costs, you never learn, and you end up repeating the same mistakes over and over. Those who are willing to learn from their failures don't have to keep repeating them. Author William Saroyan observed, 'We get very little wisdom from success. Learn from science. In science, mistakes always precede the discovery of truth.'

How To Handle Temptation

Submit to God. Resist the devil...

James 4:7 NKJV

When it comes to temptation, remember these seven things:

1) Never say 'never.' You never become so spiritual that you're immune. 'No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it' (1 Corinthians 10:13 NKJV).

 2) Realize you can stumble on the last lap. Because you haven't blown it yet, doesn't mean you can't. Satan is a master of timing, and he's in no particular hurry.

 3) Acknowledge your basic drives. St. Augustine said, 'There is nothing more powerful in bringing down the spirit of a man than the caresses of a woman.' Your flesh is powerful; once indulged it will always want more.

 4) Understand that you are responsible. Sin is a choice. When you choose to abuse God's grace you pay the price, either now or later. 'Do not be deceived… whatever a man sows, that he will also reap' (Galatians 6:7 NKJV).

5) You're not a helpless pawn. You may not be able to change what happened yesterday, but your choice, empowered by God's grace, will determine what happens today and tomorrow.

6) If you've sinned, there's hope. God will forgive you and use you again. Jesus told Peter, 'I have prayed for you, that your faith should not fail; and when you have returned to Me, strengthen your brethren' (Luke 22:32 NKJV).

7) Stay safe by staying close to God. 'submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.' (James 4:7 NKJV)

Good Things From God

If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him! - Matthew 7:11

No father will answer his hungry childs's cry for bread with a stone, or give the child a serpent if he asks for a fish. Even sinful parents have in their hearts something of the image of God's own fatherhood. The argument is from the less to the greater. If a true earthly father, with all his imperfection, will not mock a child's cry, but will respond lovingly, how much more will our Father in heaven do for us?
“How much more?” is a question none can answer. We can only say as much more as the heavenly Father is more loving, and wiser, and more able to give, than is the earthly father. Yet we must explain this promise also by other scriptures. The gate of prayer is set very wide open in this verse, yet those who would enter must come in the right way and seek “good” things.
While no one who asks for bread will receive a stone, neither will one who asks for a stone receive a stone. And many times do we come to God pleading with Him to let us have a stone. Of course we imagine it is bread, and that it will be food to us. It is some earthly thing, some gift of honor or pleasure, some achievement of ambition, some object of heart desire. It looks like bread to our deluded vision. But God knows it is only a cold stone, that it would leave us starving if we were to receive it; and He loves us too well to listen to our piteous cries for it, or to be moved by our earnestness or our tears to give it to us. When we ask for a stone He will give us bread. Thus it is that many requests for earthly things are not granted. Yet the prayers are not unanswered. Instead of the stone we wish, God gives us the bread we need. We do not always know what is bread and what is a stone, and we must leave to God the final decision in all our prayers.

Everlena Jackson

Everlena Jackson

20 Year Promo For Ardyss

20 Year Promo For Ardyss

All the way in

When you must, you will. When there is nothing to fall back on, you can only move forward.
It's frightening when everything is on the line. It's also exhilarating and motivating and compelling and empowering.

Commitment is not a halfway thing. Either you're all the way in or you're simply not going to be very effective.

Choose your priorities thoughtfully, carefully, and sincerely. Then commit yourself fully to them.

Real, solid, unwavering commitment brings the power of purpose to what you're doing. Be truly committed, and it happens.

You can achieve whatever you imagine. Do it by jumping all the way in.

Where success goes

Success does not necessarily go to the person who has the most elaborate plan. Success goes to the person who takes a plan and puts it into action.
Success does not usually go to the person who can take a few noisy, impressive strides. Success goes more often to the person who steadily puts one foot in front of the other.

Success doesn't automatically go to the person who starts out with the most resources. Success goes to the person who makes the best use of whatever is available.

Success goes not to the person who makes the biggest promises. Success goes to the person who reliably follows through on promises.

Today is your opportunity to put your plans into action. Today is filled with moments in which you can put one foot in front of the other and move steadily forward.

Today you have the chance to follow through on the things you have promised, and to make the most of the good things that are available to you. Use today wisely, and success is yours.

Guided By Integrity

By Dr. Frederick K.C. Price

Every born-again Believer should be a person of integrity and ethics. Unfortunately, these traits seem rare commodities in most Christians.

We, as Christians, are called in Matthew 5:8 to be pure in heart, which implies an undivided focus in following God's rule. It calls for no compromise, deviation or avoidance of the price tag that may have to be paid to stand for what we know to be right. We are also told in Proverbs 11:3: The integrity of the upright will guide them, but the perversity of the unfaithful will destroy them.

Integrity guides us to the truth. Integrity is not, in and of itself, the truth. It is a guide for acting on the truth, and it forces you to question and analyze your situation. Integrity is the process of discerning right from wrong, and then doing what you know to be right.

Let me give you two words -- consistency and predictability. Consistency means "the same yesterday, today and forever," and predictability means knowing what will happen. This is why we can base our lives on God's Word, because God is consistent and predictable. In other words, we can count on God. You cannot have integrity without consistency and predictability.

Jesus said in Luke 16:10-12: “He who is faithful in what is least is faithful also in much; and he who is unjust in what is least is unjust also in much. Therefore if you have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true riches? And if you have not been faithful in what is another man’s, who will give you what is your own?”

This principle is so true. If you are a person of integrity, whatever else may be going on around you is irrelevant and immaterial, and it is below your personal dignity not to follow through on your word. Why should God make a commitment to you when He cannot trust you? We are our promises, our words, and we lose hold of ourselves when we do not make an effort to keep our word.

According to Webster’s Dictionary, integrity means the quality or state of being of sound moral principle; uprightness; honesty and sincerity. It is a quality or state of being – something you do on a consistent basis, just like the proverb says.

A person with these qualities is willing to bear the consequences of his or her convictions, even when those consequences are difficult or unpleasant. If we are never challenged, we can never really know how deeply we believe and are committed to our belief.

There are three components involved in acting on a personal sense of integrity:

1. Discerning what is right and wrong.

2. Acting on what you have discerned, even at personal cost.

3. Saying openly that you are acting on what you understand to be right and wrong.

We have a perfect Biblical example of individuals using these three steps in the third chapter of Daniel. When King Nebuchadnezzar had a giant golden idol erected he made an order that everyone was to bow before it. The three Hebrew boys Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego refused. The king became furious and had the boys thrown into the fiery furnace, but God delivered them. However, notice that the boys had to act on their belief before they received deliverance.

In the sixth chapter of Daniel, Daniel was thrown into the lions’ den. He discerned right from wrong – continued to worship the true God rather than obey the edict of the king – then made his choice and God delivered him. In the Book of Genesis, when Joseph acted with integrity, God eventually promoted him from prison to the right hand of Pharaoh to serve as his regent.

The Lord is no respecter of persons. He does not change His mind, nor go back on His Word. Therefore, He has obligated Himself to do for you what he did for Joseph, the three Hebrew boys and Daniel. Joseph says in Genesis 50:20 that “… you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good….” This principle, and the blessed assurance it gives is yours as you remain committed to a lifestyle of integrity.

Scripture Of The Day: "The integrity of the upright will guide them, but the perversity of the unfaithful will destroy them." - Proverbs 11:3

Having Integrity

Stay close to anything that makes you want to do right... 2 Timothy 2:22

Comedian Red Allen, said, 'You only live once. But if you work it right, once is enough.' So, how can you work it right? By living by your convictions every day; do that, and you will have few regrets. Living a life of integrity involves: a) thinking regularly about your values and letting them soak in b) constantly measuring your choices against God's Word and whenever it is appropriate, talking about them. This not only cements your values, it also adds a level of safety and accountability.

We get into trouble when our convictions and our impulses collide. When everything's going our way it is not difficult to live by our convictions. But 'where it comes to the crunch,' is when those convictions demand that we do something that will hurt or cost us! Spiritual people do what is right, no matter how they feel about it. You do not feel your way into doing what is right; you act first, act scripturally, act consistently - your feelings follow suit. Usually it does not involve anything dramatic; the tough decisions are the everyday ones. Character is built like a wall, one brick at a time. Nice people may appear to finish last, but usually it is because they are running a different race. Running that race involves pausing regularly to examine your life and to pray with the Psalmist, 'Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting' (Psalm 139:23-24 KJV).

Don't Give The Devil A Place

Nor give place to the devil.
Ephesians 4:27 NKJV

When (the late) pastor Adrian Rogers wanted to attract birds to his garden, a neighbour told him, 'If you create the right environment they'll come.' So he bought the right kind of food, the right kind of birdhouse, mounted it on the right kind of pole, and enjoyed hosting a variety of birds. Rogers pointed out that many of us unwittingly roll out the welcome mat for the devil by creating an environment where he feels right at home. Satan can't take any ground you don't give him. He's looking for an environment where he can live comfortably.

If you've given the devil a place in your life today, you can reclaim that lost ground. First, by faith: '… every child of God defeats this evil world… through our faith' (1 John 5:4 NLT). God empowers us for spiritual warfare, and that power is released through faith. Knowing who you are in Christ gives you confidence. Second, by resisting: '… submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you' (James 4:7 NKJV). Only as you submit to God, will you have the power to overcome the devil. You must come against him in the Name of Jesus and the authority of God's Word. Third, by fighting: 'Put on the full armour of God so that you can… stand against the devil's schemes' (Ephesians 6:11 NIV). Remember, 'The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God… will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand… ' (1 Corinthians 10:13 NLT). You don't have to beg God to give you power to defeat the devil; it's already yours. '… I have given you authority… you can walk among snakes… Nothing will injure you' (Luke 10:19 NLT). Learn to walk in it!

Taking Your Place In The Plan Of God

I am... the God of Abraham... Isaac, and... Jacob Exodus 3:6 NKJV

Today we're conditioned to think in terms of instant gratification. We're the generation of lunch-time face lifts and text messaging; we hate to wait for anything. Think about the last time you had to wait for something to arrive by 'snail mail,' or stand in line at the checkout counter. Now, here's where we get it wrong: we expect whatever God initiates through us to be completed;while we are still around to see the end result. We don't like it when He decides to continue the work through another person,or worse,another generation! But that's how God works. When God reveals something to you it's usually within the framework of what's already taken place before you came on the scene. He told Moses, 'I am the God of your father… of Abraham… Isaac, and… Jacob.' God had made certain promises to Moses' forefathers hundreds of years earlier, and now it was Moses' time to take his place in the plan of God. Accepting that you're a small link in a big chain can be humbling, but once Moses understood it he was able to connect with and focus on something bigger than himself. 'It's not important who does the planting, or who does the watering. What's important is that God makes the seed grow. The one who plants and the one who waters work together with the same purpose. And both will be rewarded for their own hard work' (1 Corinthians 3:7-8 NLT). It's amazing what you can accomplish when you're not concerned about who carries the torch over the finish line.

When Your Mate Doesn't Share Your Faith (4)

If a woman has a husband who is not a believer 1 Corinthians 7:13 NIV

A wise wife listens to God. When you know things your partner doesn't about God and His Word, it's hard to resist 'demonstrating your knowledge'. But it's an art God wants you to master. Here are two Bible principles that will help you to lead, not push, your husband closer to God. First, the principle of submission. 'Wives, in the same way be submissive to your husbands so that, if any of them do not believe the word, they may be won over without words by the behaviour of their wives' (1 Peter 3:1 NIV). Submission to the needs of others is hard on our pride, especially when we know we're scripturally right. The need to be 'right', however, will sabotage your hopes for your mate's salvation. The words, 'in the same way', refer to 1 Peter 2:21-25 where Jesus submitted to injustice, to save us. To submit is Christ-like. It's also the best method of getting yourself out of God's way so God can work on your mate. Second, the principle of silence; '[That] they may be won over without words.' To protect your marriage and save your husband, God exempts you from the role of being His mouthpiece. However sincere, don't 'preach' at him. That includes placing Bibles, spiritual books and CDs where he can't miss them. If you do, he'll tune you out for sure. 'How else will he get the message?' you ask. '… by the behaviour of their wives… a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God's sight' (1 Peter 3:1-4 NIV). Try it God's way!

When Your Mate Doesn't Share Your Faith (3)

If a woman has a husband who is not a believer

1 Corinthians 7:13 NIV

Accept your mate as they are. Take the conditions off your love - as God did for you. 'God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us… when we were God's enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son… ' (Romans 5:8-10 NIV). Love them with no requirements. That means, first, to accept them without criticism. 'Don't criticise, and then you won't be criticised… others will treat you as you treat them' (Matthew 7:1-2 TLB). Criticism always creates a stand-off on spiritual issues. Instead, find qualities in them to compliment and you'll generate openness. Second, accept them without comparisons. 'I wish you were more like Tom. He and Lucie go to church together every Sunday and they have a great marriage.' You're comparing apples with oranges! He'll hear you say he's not as good a husband as Tom, and he'll grow to despise Tom, the church, and anything else you compare him to. Accept him as he is. Third, accept them without change. People resent demands for change, but often do change once they feel truly accepted as they are. Change is the Holy Spirit's job, not yours. '… He will convict the world of guilt… sin and righteousness… ' (John 16:8 NIV). First, let God's Spirit change you. Our partner's behaviours are usually responses to us. When you change, your partner is responding to a different you, and will be more likely to change voluntarily. Follow God's model: first, He accepts; next, He reconciles; last, He changes people! '… at just the right time… Christ died for the ungodly' (Romans 5:6 NIV). It worked on you!

When Your Mate Doesn't Share Your Faith (2)

If a woman has a husband who is not a believer
1 Corinthians 7:13 NIV

Don't be surprised when you get opposition. 'I think my husband liked me better before I became a Christian and started to go to church,' a woman complained to her pastor. The pastor reminded her that spiritual warfare is part of the Christian life, and because believers and unbelievers are on opposite sides, she shouldn't be shocked. Jesus laid down the dividing line: 'He who is not with Me is against Me… ' (Matthew 12:30 NKJV). That's strong language! Neutrality isn't an option in this conflict. We are either on one side or the other. Jesus said, 'If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you… If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you… all these things they will do to you for My name's sake, because they do not know Him who sent Me' (John 15:19-21 NKJV). Don't take opposition personally. It's not about you, it's about His name. He, not you, is the target, and He can handle the flack!

You say, 'What should I do when I am criticised and misunderstood?' Try to stay detached from personal offence so that you can continue to love the person and be in a position to win them to Jesus. 'Bless those who persecute you… Repay no one evil for evil… live peaceably with all men… do not avenge yourselves… Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good' (Romans 12:14-21 NKJV). Try it - it's Christ's winning strategy!

When Your Mate Doesn't Share Your Faith (1)

If a woman has a husband who is not a believer

1 Corinthians 7:13 NIV

Living with an unbelieving mate is both a challenge and an opportunity. It's a challenge because believers and unbelievers see life differently. And it's an opportunity because God can use you to close the gap and win them to Christ. But for that to take place you must make two commitments. First, commit yourself to the goal of their salvation; second, commit yourself to your own growth through loving them and living with them. Once you've committed, you're ready for this practical and helpful counsel.
Remember the unbeliever's spiritual limitations. 'Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!' (2 Corinthians 5:17 NIV). Only when they're 'in Christ' can they be a 'new creation'. Only then will 'the old' go! The old will dominate until they receive the new. 'That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit' (John 3:6 NKJV). Remember, the unbeliever suffers from spiritual birth defects they can't overcome until the new birth corrects them. '… the flesh is hostile toward God; for it does not subject itself to the law of God, for it is not even able to do so… those… in the flesh cannot please God' (Romans 8:7-8 NAS). If they don't love God's Word, prayer and church like you do, it's because they're controlled by the flesh and are 'not even able' to. So have realistic expectations. Remember what you were like BC (Before Christ)? Be patient, loving and kind while God does His work in them.

Turn Aside And Listen To God

I must turn aside and look...
Exodus 3:3 NRS

Moses was working his regular job as a shepherd when he saw a burning bush, just like the ones he'd seen a hundred times before. Only this time the bush was on fire with God's presence. Moses said, 'I must turn aside and look.' In that moment everything depended on his willingness to interrupt his daily routine and make time for God. He could have said, 'I'm busy,' and kept on going. But he'd have missed his calling and the reason for his existence. He'd have missed knowing God and doing great things. But he didn't, he 'turned aside.' God wanted to begin a new nation, with Moses leading it. The timing seemed strange. With God, it often does. Forty years ago Moses was young, the product of the finest education system in the world. He had powerful connections and high hopes. But now he was a nobody, a lowly shepherd in a forgotten desert, rejected by his people and a fugitive on the run. "Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh?" (Exodus 3:11 NRS) Moses asked God. "Nobody knows me. I don't speak too well. And my track record isn't too good." God said, 'I know about your past, and it doesn't matter. Your failure and inadequacies are no longer the ultimate truth about you. You are what you are, but you're not yet what you will be; because I will be with you.'

Do you need direction for your life? Slow down, turn aside, and listen to God. What He has to say is more important than anything else you'll hear.

How To Have A Good Day

Without Me you can do nothing. John 15:5 NKJV

You can change the course of a day Satan has negative plans for, by spending time with the Lord, especially when you sense any attitude or behaviour in yourself that's not Christ-like. Jesus said, 'without Me you can do nothing.' (John 15:5 NKJV). On the other hand, 'I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me' (Philippians 4:13 NKJV). Negative feelings are like unwelcome house guests: the worst thing you can do is to invite them in. You may not be able to override them in your own strength, but if you seek God's help He will enable you to walk according to His ways, not by your negative emotions and perspective. 'But what if someone offends me?' The Bible says we're not to be oversensitive or easily offended. Actually we are commanded to forgive those who hurt us, not letting things fester. Sometimes we want to forgive and do what's right, but we find doing it difficult. More often than not, the right thing is the hard thing to do, not the easy thing. That's when you need to pray and allow God to talk to you through His Word. Only then will you find the strength to do the right thing.

Remember, you're in a war, and the battle begins the moment your eyes open each morning. To win, 'be strong in the Lord… Put on the whole armour of God… having girded your waist with truth… put on the breastplate of righteousness… having shod your feet with… the gospel of peace… taking the shield of faith… And take the helmet of salvation… the sword of the Spirit… praying always… in the Spirit… speak boldly… ' (Ephesians 6:10-20 NKJV).

Showing Compassion

Blessed is he who considers the poor Psalm 41:1 NKJV

A central theme of the Bible is that of showing compassion. 'Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to him, "Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed," but does nothing… what good is it… faith… if it is not accompanied by action, is dead' (James 2:15-17 NIV). Certain types of people seem less likely to show compassion than others. For example, 1) the visionary type who refuses to interrupt their schedule 2) the diligent type whose work ethic gets distorted into thinking, 'I worked hard for what I've got; so should you'3) the judgmental type who assumes the misfortune of others is always a result of reaping what they've sown4) the insecure type who feels that by giving to others, their own needs will go unmet5) the scripturally unenlightened type who doesn't understand that God has promised to reward compassion: 'Oh, the joys of those who are kind to the poor! The Lord rescues them when they are in trouble… protects them and keeps them alive… gives them prosperity… and rescues them from their enemies… nurses them when they are sick and restores them to health' (Psalm 41:1-3 NLT). Jesus said, '… whatever you did for one of the least of these… you did for me' (Matthew 25:40 NIV). Mother Teresa said, 'If you are kind, people will accuse you of selfish motives; be kind anyway. The good you do today, most people will forget; do good anyway. Give the world the best you've got and it may never be enough; give your best anyway. In the final analysis it's between you and God; it was never between you and them anyway.'

The Importance Of Character

Those who deal truthfully are His delight.
Proverbs 12:22 NKJV

George Jones started out as a clerk in a grocery store and quickly gained a reputation for his work ethic. The thing people noticed about George was his character. He exemplified the principle, 'Lying lips are an abomination to the Lord, but those who deal truthfully are His delight' (Proverbs 12:22 NKJV). George's character brought him to the attention of Henry J Raymond, the renowned journalist. They became friends and together they started The New York Times. Years later when the newspaper waged a crusade against 'Boss Tweed,' Jones received an under-the-table offer of �500,000; a vast sum of money at the time. All he had to do was retire to Europe. 'You can live like a prince the rest of your days,' said the gangster making the offer. 'Yes,' replied Jones, 'and know myself every day to be a rascal.'

The poet wrote, 'I have to live with myself and so, I want to be fit for myself to know. I want to be able as days go by, always to look myself in the eye. I don't want to stand in the setting sun and hate myself for the things I've done. I don't want to keep on a closet shelf, a lot of secrets about myself; and fool myself as I come and go, into thinking nobody else will know - the kind of man I really am.' Nothing is more important than your character. No matter how rich or successful you become, when you lose your character you've lost everything. And one more thought: if you always do the right thing, you'll never have to worry about remembering what you did!