It has always impressed me how people can run for miles and miles without stopping. What has impressed me more is why any would want to do this. I know that exercise is needful and beneficial for good health, but come on – miles of running? It’s call “Long Distance Running”or “Endurance Running.” I like the latter, because it explains or defines better what it really is or takes to do. Endurance according to Webster is, “The ability to do something difficult for a long time; to deal with pain or suffering that continues for a long time, the quality of continuing for a long time.” When we consider the definitions for endurance, we might get a better idea what it takes to run the Christian race that is set before every Christian. It takes understanding that one must cross the finish line to receive the prize, and that takes great endurance! Paul told the Corinthian Christians in 1 Corinthians 9:24-27, Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receives the prize? So run, that you may obtain. And every man that strives for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible. I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beats the air: But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a …

Did you ever cuddle a nest of rattlesnakes? How about a litter of young puppies? Why the difference? Just this. You have a natural fear and repulsion of rattlesnakes, but just the opposite is true about puppies. Toward the puppies there is a “natural affection.” Twice in the New Testament reference is made to those “without natural affection.” Paul included this in his list of those who are laden with sin (2 Timothy 3). In Romans 1, he described those who have vile affections and who were without natural affection – homosexuals. A normal, loving mother has a natural affection for the child she carries. One without natural affection aborts the child, and thus she sins against the child, herself and God. The homosexual burns in his lust for one of the same sex. These, we are told in Romans 1:26-27, “God gave them up.” All the so-called legal arguments do not change either situation. Both are in sin – sin that will cause them to be cast into hell. [Editor’s Note: Fortunately, there is a remedy for all types of sin, even homosexuality and abortion (murder). “Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you. But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the …

Have you ever had a dream where you were falling down from a great height? It is said that those who are afraid of high places (which I am) have had some kind of dream like that somewhere along the line of life. Many times when we have a dream such as that, we awake very suddenly, and then have a feeling of dread or terror. Usually this only happens with children, but it can happen with adults, too. I read once about a man who had this sensation as soon as he went to sleep. His sleep was so rudely interrupted that he was afraid to go back to sleep. He feared he would die, and he imagined himself falling into a bottomless pit. Then one evening as he was strolling through a cemetery, he saw this phrase engraved on a tombstone: “I have no fear or dread, Underneath are the Everlasting Arms of God.” These words reminded him that when Christians die, they are safely in the arms of the Living God (just like when we are alive). He recalled the assurance of the psalmist, “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me” (Psalm 23:4). Deuteronomy 33:27 says, “The eternal God is thy refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms.” We are assured that when we are falling, or we when feel like we are falling, the Lord catches us and shelters us with …

Are you thinking about becoming a Christian, but you don’t know if you’re ready? You are not alone in asking this question. Many people come to worship every week and contemplate this question, yet they do not know how to answer it. Here are some questions that you can ask yourself to help you to decide if you are ready to become a Christian. Do you believe that Jesus is the Son of God who died and was raised from the grave on the third day? Do you believe that He is Lord and Savior (Romans 10:9-10)? Yes or No Do you believe and know that there is sin in your life from which you need to turn away (by repenting) and quit doing it (Luke 13:3; 2 Corinthians 7:10)? Yes or No Are you willing to confess your belief in Christ before other people (Matthew 10:32)? Yes or No Are you willing to be immersed in water (baptized) for the remission of your sins and to be buried with Christ (Acts 2:38; 22:16; Romans 6:3-4)? Yes or No After you are baptized, are you willing to live faithfully to God by obeying Christ’s commands (Matthew 28:20)? Are you willing to live the lifestyle that Christ wants you to live, doing good deeds (Ephesians 2:10), worshiping regularly with the church (Hebrews 10:25) and remaining faithful to God till death (Revelation 2:10)? Yes or No If you have answered “yes” to all these questions, then you are ready to become a Christian. We at the church …

Our Lord did much teaching on giving. There are over 1,500 verses in the Bible about giving. Further, over half of the parables that Jesus taught deal with stewardship. Our Lord observes all that we do. He observes our circumstances when we give as well as the motives that lead us to give. Our Lord knows that the most sensitive nerve in the body is the nerve that runs from our heart to our pocketbook. John Bunyan said, “There was a man, some thought him mad, the more he gave the more he had.” Scriptural giving is composed of four components: the head, the heart, the mouth and the pocketbook. This is how true conversion takes place concerning spiritual giving. One cannot live obediently before God and walk in the spirit of Christ without dealing with money as a spiritual issue in his life. For an individual to decide what he is going to give without seeking light from the Word of God makes about as much sense as a man deciding how he will be baptized – whether by pouring, sprinkling or burial – without observing what the Bible says about it. If one is left to his whims and selfishness to give what he pleases without seeking light from the Bible, the Word of God means nothing, and one could ignore all the teaching of Christ and the apostle Paul. The faithful steward of God bases his giving on the teachings of the Bible. The command in our text is “give.” We put great …

“But now in Christ Jesus, you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. For He Himself is our peace” (Ephesians 2:13-14). How do you feel about the direction of your life? Your job? Your family? Are there things you wish you could change? Of course there are! We all have them. Yet, as Christians, shouldn’t we be content with the direction of our lives? However, the only way to experience that peace is through Jesus. The inner peace He provides can impact the rest of one’s life. Today, how would it impact your family if you had that kind of peace inside? Your friends? Your job?

“Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law? And he said to him, You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets” (Matthew 22:36-40). Have you ever thought about how much easier your Christian walk might be without other people? I know what you are supposed to say here, and it sounds something like, “I just love serving others, especially in the church because there is just such a deep bond in the Lord.” Granted, that should be our attitude, just as this ought to be true of the church. Yet, you and I know that this is often not the case. It’s okay. I understand. You shouldn’t be afraid to admit it. It happens to everyone from time to time. Truth be told, sometimes other Christians just drive us crazy, frustrate us and perhaps even cause a great deal of anxiety over things that more often than not just really don’t seem to matter too much in our mission and ministry. People can be inconsistent, prideful, lazy, overbearing or carry around a whole bunch of baggage that they seem intent on sharing with you at every turn or at least in those moments when it is least convenient for you. Make no mistake about it. …

Do you remember the days of good quality television shows such as, “Father Knows Best,” Leave It to Beaver” and “The Brady Bunch”? These were family shows that exemplified the importance of family structure and often had an underlying moral theme that was conveyed to the audience. Today, audiences are riddled with television shows that tout the “joys” of casual sex, drunkenness and the use of vulgar language. I was recently astonished to learn that a Disney show that my daughter enjoyed watching just introduced a lesbian couple. I was also dismayed by the recent events of the 2014 Grammys. What happened to our standards in television? At one time it was taboo to show the bedroom of a married couple with only one bed. However, today it is not just the bedroom that is displayed. What happened to morality, ethics and decency? What happened to respect for parents and authority? What has happened to cause the stanch moral decline of America, a breakdown of the line between truth and lie, a blur of right and wrong, and a reverse of good and evil? There are many examples of people throughout the Bible whose standards were lowered, which led to sin. Eve being tempted changed her thoughts on what God said about the forbidden fruit (Genesis 3:1-6). Lot, surrounding himself with the people of Sodom and Gomorrah, gave his daughters to the menacing crowds (Genesis 19). What happened is a lack of fear for God. In each dispensation, mankind has …

“When all that generation had been gathered to their fathers, another generation arose after them who did not know the Lord nor the work which He had done for Israel. In those days there was no king in Israel; everyone did what was right in his own eyes” (Judges 2:10, 25 NKJV). Does this not describe the present United States of America? We are living in an “anything goes” society. The dismantling of America’s Christian heritage is taking place before our very eyes, and it has been for the last 50 years. American culture had for 185 years been friendly toward Christianity, but no longer. America was once considered a Christian nation, but this is quickly fading away. For the last 50 years, the forces of humanism, atheism, evolution, liberalism, pluralism and “political correctness” have been aggressive in their assault on the Christian religion. They have gradually dismantled many of the moral and spiritual principles that once characterized our society. America’s religious, moral and spiritual foundation is literally disintegrating before our very eyes! We are presently in an all-out, casualty filled, spiritual war. The central issue of this war is God and the Bible. Social and political liberals from Hollywood and even many in our nation’s capital are hostile toward God, and they are very open about it. Friends, we are facing perilous times! The apostle Paul declared, “Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to …

“So they called them and charged them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. But Peter and John answered them, ‘Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you rather than God, you must judge, for we cannot but speak of what we have seen and heard’” (Acts 4:18-20 ESV). I admit that I get frustrated as I read all the various reports about the attacks on religion in our country, and especially on anything that identifies itself as “Christian.” While I will admit that I am often in disagreement with what is being done in the name of Christianity (finding no basis in the New Testament for many practices), the fact is that whenever anything that is perceived as “Christian” is attacked, it has an effect on those trying to practice pure and undefiled New Testament Christianity. I am stupefied by the absolute misinterpreting of the concept (not actually constitutional but found in other documents) of the “separation of church and state.” I do not want a government run or mandated religion. However, the free practice of religion is protected for each individual (not freedom from religion, but freedom of religion!) by our constitution. Beginning with the guise of “separation of church and state,” a constant attack is being made on the practice of religion in our country, period. However, in the end, the fact is that it does not matter. Ultimately, I am to stay faithful to God, to speak about God and to …

One of the scariest thoughts that can come to one’s mind is the possibility of God simply giving up on people. There is no argument or doubt that God loves all (John 3:16) and that He desires the salvation of all (1 Timothy 2:4), but there can also be no argument or doubt that God will simply leave men to their own sinful devices and “give up” on them as it were. Romans 1:17 through Chapter Three deals with the sin problem man has from the perspective of both the Jew and the Gentile. In the context of chapters One and Two, which deal with the sins of the Gentile world, the reader should take note that within the latter portion of Chapter One the phrase “God gave them up” or “God gave them over” (KJV) is used three times. In this article we will examine the significance and seriousness of this phrase as employed in the text to show to each of us the fact that there indeed comes a time when God gives up on people and leaves them to their own selfish and sinful vices. God Gave Them Up to Uncleanness (v. 24) The context notes that these individuals under consideration “knew God” but “glorified him not as God” (v. 21) and possessed “vain imaginations” and “darkened” hearts or minds. Further, the text reveals that they considered themselves wise, but in reality they were fools (v. 22) because they had attempted to change the uncorruptible, unchangeable God …

Is the Bible the Word of God, and if so, is it the final authority in all matters? To ask this another way, “Does God have the last word?” The Bible claims to be inspired of God (2 Timothy 3:16). The Bible says these words from God never came by the will of man (2 Peter 1:21). Throughout Scripture, the Bible identifies God as the source (Exodus 20:1, 24:4, 34:27, etc.). New Testament writers acknowledged God as the Author of the Jewish Scriptures (Hebrews 1:1). Divine authorship of the whole Bible is declared by sacred writers such as the apostle Paul (1 Corinthians 2:10-13; 1 Thessalonians 2:13). Though God is the Author, the Bible was penned by men as they were guided by the Holy Spirit (2 Peter 1:21). In fact God used approximately 40 men over a period of about 1,600 years to write the Bible. Luke wrote as a physician would write; Paul wrote as an educated man, and John wrote as a beloved friend of his Lord. Even when inspired of God, these men wrote in their own way as individuals. Yet, just because God used men to write the Bible does not negate the divine authorship. The very words they wrote came from God (1 Corinthians 2:13). Many characteristics of the Bible support the claim of divine authorship, not the least of which is the fulfillment of many prophecies down to the last detail. One of my favorites is Joshua’s prophecy regarding the man that would later rise up and …

In ancient times, kings sat on thrones in the main room of their palaces. It was there that those wishing to speak to the king came. The king made major decisions and judgments from his throne. When the king had a son, and the son became old enough, it was not uncommon for the son to sit on a chair on the right side of the king. In some instances the son was allowed to make rulings and judgments from his chair. There were times when the king would stand when making a ruling or judgment. After he made such he would sit. That meant there was no more to be said about the matter. The issue was closed, and the king had completed his actions. In Mark 16:14-18, Jesus gave the Great Commission to His apostles. In verse 19, we read, “So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, he was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God.” Notice that Jesus went to heaven and sat on the right hand of God. He had finished all that he would do on earth for man’s salvation. He had come to earth and lived as a man. He had given His life on the cross, and he was raised from the dead to never die a physical death again. What a wonderful thought that Jesus is sitting on right hand of God. In Acts 7, we read the sermon that Stephen gave to the Sanhedrin. …

Thomas Edison’s laboratory burned in December, 1914. Looking at the ruins the next morning, he said, “There is great value in disaster. All our mistakes are burned up. Thank God we can start anew.” Jesus came to earth to make it possible for all of us to begin anew. Paul proclaimed, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new” (2 Corinthians 5:17). That new life begins with being baptized into Christ (Galatians 3:27). Worldly people, like the frustrated child, say, “I can’t.” Those in Christ say, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:13). Paul explained how that was possible. Despite quite a list of accomplishments in the Jewish religion, he wrote, “But what things were gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ” (Philippians 3:4-7). Reliance upon worldly possessions will not help one start anew. The rich young ruler had done the right things externally, but he allowed money to be the god of his heart. Jesus urged him to sell all that he had, give the money to the poor and follow Him. The young man went away in sorrow. Anyone who would spend eternity with God must be fully devoted to Him (Luke 18:18-27). Those who have lost loved ones feel all alone. When they start anew, they trust in God’s promise, “‘I will never leave you nor forsake you.’ So we may boldly say: ‘The Lord …

In one of the weekly broadcasts of “In Search of the Lord’s Way” that was televised in September of 2014, the statement was made that some may have embraced the idea of “I’m cutting back on sin.” Is this mindset somehow thought to appease God and pardon one of accountability before Him? If so, which sins would be cut back? How many sins would be cut back? How often would these sins be cut back? Ultimately what difference, if any, would it make in determining one’s whereabouts in the pending eternity that is before all of us? From time immemorial, sin has been, is now and will continue to be the loathsome, disgusting, repulsive, abomination as it is depicted in God’s Word! Sin, the very hiss of the word, strikes at its origin. Cutting back on sin does not change the state of disobedience to our Maker one iota. God’s standard is perfection – not almost up to – in some useless attempt to cut back on sin. We can cut back on eating, drinking, playing, socializing, sleeping, working, and the list is virtually endless. In many aspects of our lives, that would be a good decision. Cutting back on sin has never fit into that category! The only time that works is in the mind that does not have God at its core. The mind that has been blinded by the lies and dupes of Satan would believe such a thing. We must deal with our fatal sin problem immediately, thoroughly and permanently. We need to understand that every …

Romans 14:1 in the NIV says, “Accept him whose faith is weak, without passing judgment on disputable matters.” The ESV reads, “As for the one who is weak in faith, welcome him, but not to quarrel over opinions.” The ASV says, “But him that is weak in faith receive ye, yet not for decision of scruples.” The KJV renders the verse as follows: “Him that is weak in the faith receive ye, but not to doubtful disputations.” What are “disputable matters,” “opinions,” “scruples” or “doubtful disputations”? Romans 14 was addressed to Gentiles who didn’t understand Jewish customs regarding food, drink and Jewish feast days (see verses 2, 3, 6). While these things were commanded under the Old Testament Law, they were abrogated in Christ and not obligatory for Gentiles (Acts 15:9-11; Ephesians 2:15). These Jewish customs became a problem for churches with Jews and Gentiles. Gentiles had no compunction not to practice Jewish customs and thought Christian Jews should feel the same. However, many Jews couldn’t abandon these Jewish practices because it would offend their consciences. So, Paul gave instruction to the church at Rome not to divide over these matters. Paul wrote, “Let not him that eateth despise him that eateth not; and let not him which eateth not judge him that eateth: for God hath received him” (Romans 14:3). The Jew needed to respect the right of the Gentile not to observe these things by not binding the Jewish customs upon the Gentile. The Gentile also needed to …

A few days ago I received a book written by a man who claims to be a minister of the Gospel and a practicing homosexual. He gave many arguments (?) for his conclusion that homosexuality was not only condoned, but it was commanded! I do not want to take the time to refute his blasphemous contention that when the word “servant” is used in the Bible it suggests the activity of the one who serves homosexually, and when the word “Servant of servants” is used, it suggests the ultimate of Christlikeness in serving another’s homosexual advances and refers to Christ! But it does remind me of one who suggested to me that at least half the homosexuals would be saved according to the implication of Luke 17:34, “I tell you, in that night there shall be two men in one bed: the one shall be taken, and the other shall be left.” Two men in one bed must refer to practicing homosexuality! If you think that exegesis is “off the wall,” let me point out some examples of sloppy exegesis (or eisegesis) which abounds in some things that come to our attention. I just read from an article by one who thinks he has the right to use instrumental music in worship (or do most anything else he wants), for the Bible says in 1 Timothy 1:9, “Knowing this, that the law is not made for a righteous man, but for the lawless and disobedient.” He says this proves again …

Many are arguing, and have been for years and years, that Christianity and the Bible are becoming less and less relevant to modern society. In one sense, those who argue irrelevance are absolutely correct. Look around. Stop and listen. Read articles in the newspaper and on the Internet. What do you see? What do you hear? What do you find? What is happening is a mass exodus; the Bible is being forced out of culture and being replaced by anything and everything else. The airwaves are filled with all sorts of obscenities and lewdness, and anything that is remotely wholesome and challenges modern society’s hedonism and self-centered theology is run out of town. As Christians, we have a huge challenge set before us; we have been called to show the world that the words of Christ still matter, and that one day they will be the only thing that matters (John 12:48). If we are to show the world that the words of Christ still matter, then they must first matter to us. [Editor’s Note: Brother Baxley’s concise article is exactly accurate and much needed, especially in view of the legal abdication of all that is right, wholesome and godly in a once greater nation that was established on biblical principles and the freedom to worship without restrictions. That “The wicked shall be turned into hell, And all the nations that forget God” (Psalms 9:17 NKJV) is God’s eternal truth – irrespective of what any judge or panel of judges, legislatures, or …

Would you say that is an ugly word? Slavery likely brings to mind all sorts of disturbing images. There is a type of slavery rampant in our world that many never recognize. Jesus said, “Everyone that committeth sin is the bondservant of sin” (John 8:34). Sin enslaves. Sin separates us from God (Isaiah 59:2), and spiritual freedom is not possible by our own merit or strength (Ephesians 2:8-9). Thankfully, we can be delivered “out of the power of darkness” (Colossians 1:13). Jesus paid the price for our spiritual freedom (Acts 20:28). Paul wrote to Christians and said they had been “bought with a price” (1 Corinthians 6:20). Before He asked us to be His slaves, Jesus Himself became one. He existed “in the form of God” and was “on an equality with God,” but came to earth “taking the form of a servant” (Philippians 2:5-7). He was “in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin” (Hebrews 4:15). Jesus showed us by example the beauty of being a slave to the will of God (John 4:34; 5:30; 6:38; 8:29). God is the only Master who cares completely for what is in our best interest. It is possible for the term slavery to be used in a favorable sense. The Master of the universe (Colossians 1:15-17) can become our Master. We can change from being a servant of Satan to “bondservants of God” (1 Peter 2:16). Before one can be saved, he must be willing to confess “Jesus as Lord” (Romans 10:9). Newness …

“God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them” (Genesis 1:27). It seems unavoidable these days not to know about Bruce Jenner “changing” to Caitlyn Jenner, as he is undergoing the process to become, in appearance, a female. It seems the media is fascinated with this storyline, and he receiving awards for doing so, as ESPN is giving him an ESPY for what he is doing. Not everyone, however, agrees this is a good thing for him or for society. On the website bizpackreview.com, Dr. Paul R. McHugh considers changing sexes “biologically impossible,” and thinks being what is popularly called “transgender” these days is actually a “mental disorder.” He also cited a study that said transgendered people who have reassignment surgery are 20 times more likely to commit suicide than non-transgendered people. “The pro-transgender advocates do not want to know,” said McHugh, “that studies show between 70% and 80% of children who express transgender feelings ‘spontaneously lose those feelings’ over time.” Also, for those who had sexual reassignment surgery, most said they were “satisfied” with the operation but their subsequent psycho-social adjustments were no better than those who didn’t have the surgery. “And so at Hopkins we stopped doing sex-reassignment surgery, since producing a ‘satisfied’ but still troubled patient seemed an inadequate reason for surgically amputating normal organs,” said Dr. McHugh (www.bizpacreview.com/2015/06/03/former-johns-hopkins-chief-of-psychiatry-being-transgender-is-a-mental-disorder-biologically-impossible- 210202#ixzz3c6tsel6g). Gender is not simply a state of mind, but it includes one’s bodily structure. No …

The book of Ephesians is about riches and blessings from God in Christ Jesus (1:7, 18; 2:7; 3:8, 16, 21). The statement in 1:3 gives a panoramic view of God’s blessings to us: source of blessings – “the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,” scope of blessings – “every [all] spiritual blessings” and sphere of blessings – “in the heavenly places in Christ.” Because of these blessings, we give God the glory that He deserves (cf. Revelation 4:11; Romans 11:33-36; Matthew 5:16). Consider the blessings we have received from God in Christ Jesus. God Settled My Largest Debt(2:1, 13, 16) with His Sacrifice Three crosses donned the crest of Calvary many years ago: a Cross of Rebellion, a Cross of Repentance and a Cross of Redemption. When I survey the wondrous Cross of Redemption, I see heaven’s pledge (John 14:2ff.), the Devil’s defeat (Hebrews 2:14-15), the sinner’s plea (Romans 5:6-8) and the Christian’s hope (Titus 2:13). Unto God be the glory! God Satisfied My Deepest Need(1:7; 4:32) with Forgiveness Sin is our #1 problem. Sin causes guilt (1 John 3:4; James 2:10), associates us with Satan (John 8:44), makes us sick (Matthew 7:17) and separates us from God (Isaiah 59:1-2; Romans 3:23; 6:23). Since sin is our #1 problem, forgiveness is our #1 need. Forgiveness removes condemnation (Romans 8:1), makes us alive in Christ (Ephesians 2:1, 5-6), reunites us with God (2 Corinthians 5:17-21) and makes us friends with God (Romans 5:10). The lyrics of the Gospel song are true: “Burdens are lifted at Calvary!” Unto …

Recently, there appeared in a newspaper an article written by a civil engineering student from Virginia Tech entitled, “The Wrath of God?” The man laid claim in the article to the goodness found in the Bible, but then spoke of its contradictions. He wants it both ways. He wants the “compassion (Luke 6:31), forgiveness (Proverbs 25:21-23) and inner peace (Psalm 23),” which he refers to as “great writings,” and in the same breath he tried to justify homosexuality. Beloved, he cannot have it both ways! The Law of Excluded Middle says that every precisely stated proposition is either true or false. Homosexuality is either right or wrong; there’s no middle ground! The Bible precisely states its inspiration. “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction; for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works” (2 Timothy 3:16-17). If the Bible is inspired of God – and it is, then there are no contradictions in it! The Bible condemns homosexuality. However, the writer of the article wrote, “We are desperately seeking answers, and many, looking toward the Bible, have chosen to use it as justification for the condemnation of homosexuals.” In the context, he was saying that the Bible should not be used in such a way, and then later, he penned, “The claim that the Bible condemns homosexuality is literally true.” “However, it is possible, using the Bible, to literally justify widely varying …