An ancient Oriental fable tells of a tiny fish that overheard a guru at the river bank teaching his disciples about the life-sustaining importance of water. "If it is that important," mused the little fish, "I must find some of this thing called water, or I'll soon die." He began asking the other fish in the river about water, but none of them seemed to know anything about it. Finally he found a wise old fish who told the little fish that he had been surrounded by water all his life, and that his very life was being sustained by water at that moment. "Enjoy the water," advised the big fish, "appreciate it and draw on it to continue living and thriving."
Like the little fish, the Samaritan woman at the well knew little about the abundant, freely available, life-giving and life-sustaining "living water" that Jesus had described as a "gift of God" (John 4:10). This awesome and inexhaustible gift he portrayed as satisfying and also required for the fulfillment of one's very destiny: "Whoever drinks the water I give him will never suffer thirst. Indeed, the water I give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life" (4:14).
Being a "gift of God" it can be given only by God (contrary to the heresy of Pelagianism). Jesus alone can offer the gift: "If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink" (7:37)"the water I will give him" (4:14). While persons not "thirsty" for it (e.g. infants at baptism) can receive this gift, still those with an appreciative "thirst for righteousness" (Matt. 5:6) can increase their supply by purposefully going to Jesus, whose gracious invitation echoes Isaiah 55:1: "Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters."
What precisely is this redoubtable, awesome "living water"? It is the very life of God himself within us, enabling us to "participate in the divine nature" (II Pet. 1:4). It is a kind of extrusion of God's august presence into us, which is spiritually both life-giving and life-sustaining, for it entails "everything we need for both life and godliness" (v. 3). As a "supernatural" gift (one that transcends our human nature) it is not overstated by the epithet Amazing Grace, the title of the popular hymn by the sailor-turned-clergyman, John Newton.
The New Testament Greek word used for this great gift is charis, a word with multiple meanings in the 160 times it is used, 130 of which are translated as "grace." This more common meaning is found especially in the epistles of Paul, who championed the Christian doctrine of grace. The scripture scholar Thayer describes the connotation of this word in the New Testament as a refinement of the Old Testament word for "favor," "blessing," or "goodwill" of God. He defines it as "kindness by which God freely bestows favors even upon the non-deserving, grants to sinners pardon, and offers them eternal salvation through Christ." Thus gifted by Christ with this God-presence, the soul is enriched with God-like qualities, sharing in God's gifts and blessings, as well as his sin-free state and his eternal life.
The greatest theological expositor of grace, St. Thomas Aquinas, taught that grace is fundamentally God's gracious love that is echoed back to him from the graced person by that person's response in thought, word and act. God's love, thus bestowed as grace, confers on the soul a quota of God's own life and holiness (II Pet. 1:3-4). This makes the soul pleasing to God, because the child of God, when grace-filled, better resembles God, as a child resembles a parent. Your grace supply is nothing other than the grace of the Father dwelling in Jesus that is extended to us by the Holy spirit. That fact alone entitles us to call it "amazing" grace, since God doesn't "order a piece of pie" for us, but keeps giving us big pieces of his own limitless "pie": "From the fullness of his grace we have all received grace upon grace" (John 1:16).
Look again at that phrase from John's gospel: "grace upon grace." It implies that graces are "piled up" like gifts stacked into one's open arms. For instance, the grace of being righteous is added to the grace of becoming righteous. Thus, according to the Council of Trent, an adult cannot move himself to repent of serious sin, but is enticed to repent by God's "prevenient" grace, i.e. an "actual" grace that actualizes or activates (disposes) him to repent. If the person accedes to this "nudge" from God and does repent, then a subsequent grace of holiness ("sanctifying grace") is bestowed. (This process is called "justification" or being made "just," the biblical word for righteous).
Many divine interventions involve similar grace sequences, the most common of which is actual grace leading to sanctifying grace. ("Actual grace" and "sanctifying grace" are biblical concepts, but as technical terms they are derived from medieval theology.) Sanctifying grace is also called "habitual" grace because it inhabits or stays habitually in the soul uncontaminated with serious sin. In this aspect it differs from actual grace, which only momentarily affects the soul by prompting the intellect to a helpful insight or the will to be motivated to do good or avoid evil, "for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose" (Phil. 2:13).
By way of analogy, a car with a dead battery can't start itself, but can be "jump-started" by being linked to another car with a "live" battery. Once the disabled car is started, it needs something further to keep it going, namely gasoline, with ongoing sparks from the spark plugs to activate the pistons, etc. A gratuitous offer made by God to "jump-start" into divine life a soul dead in sin is an "actual" (actualizing) grace. The sinner, by accepting the "jump-cable link-up," is disposed for the subsequent "sanctifying grace" that makes the soul "alive" in holiness (engine running) and capable of growing in that holiness (in gear and moving forward).
Sometimes the grace sequence is multiple. Imagine for a moment that you are a slave on the auction block. The highest bidder pays the price for you and then announces that you are no longer a slave, but a free person. That is an analogy of the grace of redemption, which when received (John 1:12), is called the grace of salvation (or conversion). This grace of salvation induces further actual graces, which in turn foster sanctifying grace. Paul describes this three-step sequence: "The grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. It teaches us to say "No" to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives" (Titus 2: 11-12).
Now suppose that after being emancipated from slavery you become a criminal and are awaiting a death sentence for a crime. But you are astonished to learn that the governor has pardoned you. You are not only emancipated (redeemed) but also acquitted (forgiven). This situation is analogous to God's grace of redemption (salvation) followed by the grace of forgiveness (actualized by repentance); and this is followed by even more spiritual gifts or graces. Again, Paul delineates this multiple sequence: "In Christ we have redemption and forgiveness by the riches of God's grace, lavished on us with wisdom and understanding" (Eph. 1:7).
Like a donation to a street beggar, grace is given to us by God gratuitously. There is no way we could earn it, even if we wanted to, and no way we could deserve it (see Eph. 2:7-9). Yet we have a say in how it affects us: we can use it, misuse it, refuse it, or lose it. Seeing a street beggar carelessly losing the money given him, or wasting it on drugs or liquor, is a disappointment to the donor. The obligation of fostering God's precious gift of grace was the rationale of Paul's impassioned exhortation: "We urge you not to receive God's grace in vain" (II Cor. 6:1).
There are many Christians walking around today half dead because they receive God's life-gift partially in vain. Some receive it totally in vain, as Isaiah noted: "Though grace is shown to the wicked they go on doing evil" (Is. 26:10). Almost as amazing as grace itself is the indifference that some show toward it.
St. Augustine says, "God gives where he finds empty hands." With hands full of baubles one can't easily receive other gifts. Those burdened with worldly interests are poorly disposed to receive bountiful graces from the beneficent hand of God. (See James 4:4-6; I John 2:15). That's why "God opposes the proud but give grace to the humble" (Prov. 3:34). In Mere Christianity C.S. Lewis writes:
God shows much more of himself to some people than to others, not because he has favorites, but because it is impossible for him to show himself to a person whose whole mind and character are in the wrong condition. Sunlight, though it has no favorites, cannot be reflected in a dusty mirror as clearly as in a clean one.
If we could see "the incomparable riches of his grace" (Eph. 2:7) and its manifold forms that rain down upon each of us daily and hourly, we would, like thirsty nomads in a desert cloudburst, strive to catch every drop of this "amazing grace" from the loving heart of God, and we would "continue to grow in the grace of God" (Acts 13:43). Nothing would delight God more; his benevolence would be extended "to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work" (II Cor. 9:8)
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Monday, March 30, 2009
Don`t forget the Lord Jesus
Dear Saints of God,
Deuteronomy 8:11"Be careful that you dont forget the Lord"
In Egypt God's people lived as dependants with no ability to improve their lot in life. To wean them from reliance on others God brought them into the wilderness to teach them reliance on Him. When they reached The Promised Land He warned them, "When you build fine houses and settle down… and all you have is multiplied… Be careful that you do not forget the Lord" (Deuteronomy 8:11-13).This is what's called "financial amnesia." We remember God in times of crisis, but forget Him as soon as they're over. We can't count our blessings because we're too busy counting our money. We don't need Him as much, because everything's going our way. We say, "My power and the strength of my hands have produced this wealth for me" (Deuteronomy 8:17).
When we have nothing, we praise the Lord. Once we get a little something, we want to look dignified, so we keep His name locked behind our lips when questioned about our success. The danger of entering The Promised Land is - forgetting where we came from.A little food in your stomach can make yesterday's hunger seem like a long time ago. A few clothes in your cupboard and a new lounge suite in your living room can make the old stuff you used to get by with, seem like a distant memory. The word for you today is, "Be careful that you do not forget the Lord."
Health/Healing/Addictions
"Be merciful to me, O God, be merciful to me! For my soul trusts in You; and in the shadow of Your wings I will make my refuge, until these calamities have passed by."Psalm 57:1
Jobs/Interviews/Increments/ Promotions / Visas/Harassment/Sales Targets
"Because he has set his love upon Me, therefore I will deliver him; I will set him on high, because he has known My name. He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him and honour him. With long life I will satisfy him, and show him My salvation."Psalm 91:14–16
Family /Marriage /Children /Relationships
"The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe."Proverbs 18:10
Children's Academics/Admissions/Exams/Results
"How precious is Your lovingkindness, O God! Therefore the children of men put their trust under the shadow of Your wings." Psalm 36:7
Others
"The fear of man brings a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord shall be safe."Proverbs 29:25
Deuteronomy 8:11"Be careful that you dont forget the Lord"
In Egypt God's people lived as dependants with no ability to improve their lot in life. To wean them from reliance on others God brought them into the wilderness to teach them reliance on Him. When they reached The Promised Land He warned them, "When you build fine houses and settle down… and all you have is multiplied… Be careful that you do not forget the Lord" (Deuteronomy 8:11-13).This is what's called "financial amnesia." We remember God in times of crisis, but forget Him as soon as they're over. We can't count our blessings because we're too busy counting our money. We don't need Him as much, because everything's going our way. We say, "My power and the strength of my hands have produced this wealth for me" (Deuteronomy 8:17).
When we have nothing, we praise the Lord. Once we get a little something, we want to look dignified, so we keep His name locked behind our lips when questioned about our success. The danger of entering The Promised Land is - forgetting where we came from.A little food in your stomach can make yesterday's hunger seem like a long time ago. A few clothes in your cupboard and a new lounge suite in your living room can make the old stuff you used to get by with, seem like a distant memory. The word for you today is, "Be careful that you do not forget the Lord."
Health/Healing/Addictions
"Be merciful to me, O God, be merciful to me! For my soul trusts in You; and in the shadow of Your wings I will make my refuge, until these calamities have passed by."Psalm 57:1
Jobs/Interviews/Increments/ Promotions / Visas/Harassment/Sales Targets
"Because he has set his love upon Me, therefore I will deliver him; I will set him on high, because he has known My name. He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him and honour him. With long life I will satisfy him, and show him My salvation."Psalm 91:14–16
Family /Marriage /Children /Relationships
"The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe."Proverbs 18:10
Children's Academics/Admissions/Exams/Results
"How precious is Your lovingkindness, O God! Therefore the children of men put their trust under the shadow of Your wings." Psalm 36:7
Others
"The fear of man brings a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord shall be safe."Proverbs 29:25
Saturday, March 28, 2009
How to keep in touch with the God
1. Give God what's right....... not what's left.
2. Man's way leads to hopeless end ........God's way leads to an endless hope.
3. A lot of kneeling will keep you in good standing.
4. He who kneels before God can stand before anyone.
5. In the sentence of life, the devil may be a comma, but never let him be the period.
6. Don't put a question mark where God puts a period.
7. Are you wrinkled with burden? Come to the church for a face-lift.
8. When praying, don't give God instructions...... just report for duty.
9. Don't wait for six strong men to take you to church.
10. We don't change God's message........His message changes us.
11. The church is prayer-conditioned.
12. When God ordains, He sustains.
13. WARNING: Exposure to the Son may prevent burning.
14. Plan ahead......It wasn't raining when Noah built the ark.
15. Most people want to serve God, but only in an advisory position.
16. Suffering from truth decay? Brush up on your Bible.
17. Exercise daily ...... walk with the Lord.
18. Never give the devil a ride........ he always wants to drive.
19. Nothing else ruins the truth like stretching it.
20. Compassion is difficult to give away because it keeps coming back.
21. He who angers you controls you.
22. Worry is the darkroom in which negatives can develop.
23. Give Satan an inch & he'll be a ruler.
24. Be ye fishers of men........ You catch them & He'll clean them.
25. God doesn't call the qualified, He qualifies the called.
Contributed by: REV. FR. FRANKLIN D'SOUZA M. A.
2. Man's way leads to hopeless end ........God's way leads to an endless hope.
3. A lot of kneeling will keep you in good standing.
4. He who kneels before God can stand before anyone.
5. In the sentence of life, the devil may be a comma, but never let him be the period.
6. Don't put a question mark where God puts a period.
7. Are you wrinkled with burden? Come to the church for a face-lift.
8. When praying, don't give God instructions...... just report for duty.
9. Don't wait for six strong men to take you to church.
10. We don't change God's message........His message changes us.
11. The church is prayer-conditioned.
12. When God ordains, He sustains.
13. WARNING: Exposure to the Son may prevent burning.
14. Plan ahead......It wasn't raining when Noah built the ark.
15. Most people want to serve God, but only in an advisory position.
16. Suffering from truth decay? Brush up on your Bible.
17. Exercise daily ...... walk with the Lord.
18. Never give the devil a ride........ he always wants to drive.
19. Nothing else ruins the truth like stretching it.
20. Compassion is difficult to give away because it keeps coming back.
21. He who angers you controls you.
22. Worry is the darkroom in which negatives can develop.
23. Give Satan an inch & he'll be a ruler.
24. Be ye fishers of men........ You catch them & He'll clean them.
25. God doesn't call the qualified, He qualifies the called.
Contributed by: REV. FR. FRANKLIN D'SOUZA M. A.
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
GRATITUDE
- Dr. Paul Dhinakaran
God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.
(1 Peter 5:5)
We cry out to God during the times of need or when we are pushed to such a situation where human help fails. And the Lord shows us His compassion and delivers us from our trouble. But after receiving God’s help we become elated with pride and forget Him completely. We become ungrateful. Similarly, Hezekiah also became haughty and forgetful of God.
"And many brought...presents to Hezekiah, King of Judah so that he exalted in the sight of all nations thereafter." (2 Chronicles 32:23)
King Hezekiah humbled himself before God when all his enemies surrounded him. He had no chance of victory in that battle. He cried, "Lord, Do help me this time." The Lord had compassion on him. He sent His angel and destroyed all his enemies. He granted him a resounding victory. The fame of King Hezekiah spread in all directions. This made him puffed up with pride. (2 Chronicles 32:25, 26)
When King Hezekiah lay sick at the death's door, the Lord had compassion on him and healed him. He added fifteen years to his span of life. Even then he was not faithful to God. Though the Lord had performed so many miracles in his life, he still remained proud. As a result of his haughtiness, God set Himself against him. The Bible says: "God resists the proud" (1 Peter 5:5).
The Lord set Himself against Hezekiah. God's wrath descended on Hezekiah. But once again he humbled himself before God saying, "Lord, Be merciful upon me. I will declare to the people all the favors that You have showed me. I will give glory to You alone hereafter. It is by Your grace that I live in this world. It is by Your grace that I am saved from my enemies. By Your grace I was restored to health. It is because of Your grace that people honor and praise me."
The blessings of God descended again upon Hezekiah. He became fabulously rich. He made himself treasuries to hoard his gold and silver, storehouses for his corn, grain and stalls for his livestock. The Lord exalted him in all respects. (2 Chronicles 32:27 - 30)
So many times, the Lord shows us mercy and comes to our aid when we have failed or succumbed to some severe illness. He comforts us in our anguish and blesses us abundantly. But often we fail to be grateful. When you acknowledge that it was His grace which granted you all the blessings, and humble yourselves all the time before God then He will surely grant you long life, riches and honor.
My dear Friend! Humble yourself before God everyday. He will exalt you before everyone in every way. You will rejoice and be blessed from today and always.
Prayer:
Dear Loving Father,
I thank You for the blessings You have given me. Let not pride enter my heart and help me to stay humble before You always. Lord, let my life be pleasing to You. Help me to recount all the blessings with thanksgiving and praises. In Jesus' name I pray.
Amen.
God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.
(1 Peter 5:5)
We cry out to God during the times of need or when we are pushed to such a situation where human help fails. And the Lord shows us His compassion and delivers us from our trouble. But after receiving God’s help we become elated with pride and forget Him completely. We become ungrateful. Similarly, Hezekiah also became haughty and forgetful of God.
"And many brought...presents to Hezekiah, King of Judah so that he exalted in the sight of all nations thereafter." (2 Chronicles 32:23)
King Hezekiah humbled himself before God when all his enemies surrounded him. He had no chance of victory in that battle. He cried, "Lord, Do help me this time." The Lord had compassion on him. He sent His angel and destroyed all his enemies. He granted him a resounding victory. The fame of King Hezekiah spread in all directions. This made him puffed up with pride. (2 Chronicles 32:25, 26)
When King Hezekiah lay sick at the death's door, the Lord had compassion on him and healed him. He added fifteen years to his span of life. Even then he was not faithful to God. Though the Lord had performed so many miracles in his life, he still remained proud. As a result of his haughtiness, God set Himself against him. The Bible says: "God resists the proud" (1 Peter 5:5).
The Lord set Himself against Hezekiah. God's wrath descended on Hezekiah. But once again he humbled himself before God saying, "Lord, Be merciful upon me. I will declare to the people all the favors that You have showed me. I will give glory to You alone hereafter. It is by Your grace that I live in this world. It is by Your grace that I am saved from my enemies. By Your grace I was restored to health. It is because of Your grace that people honor and praise me."
The blessings of God descended again upon Hezekiah. He became fabulously rich. He made himself treasuries to hoard his gold and silver, storehouses for his corn, grain and stalls for his livestock. The Lord exalted him in all respects. (2 Chronicles 32:27 - 30)
So many times, the Lord shows us mercy and comes to our aid when we have failed or succumbed to some severe illness. He comforts us in our anguish and blesses us abundantly. But often we fail to be grateful. When you acknowledge that it was His grace which granted you all the blessings, and humble yourselves all the time before God then He will surely grant you long life, riches and honor.
My dear Friend! Humble yourself before God everyday. He will exalt you before everyone in every way. You will rejoice and be blessed from today and always.
Prayer:
Dear Loving Father,
I thank You for the blessings You have given me. Let not pride enter my heart and help me to stay humble before You always. Lord, let my life be pleasing to You. Help me to recount all the blessings with thanksgiving and praises. In Jesus' name I pray.
Amen.
Friday, October 31, 2008
Do well in your work. Dont take tension, do your best and leave the results to God. He will not let you down.
Read these life principles and live by it.
The 30 Life Principles
1. Our intimacy with God – His highest priority for our lives – determines the impact of our lives.
2. Obey God and leave all the consequences to Him.
3. God’s Word is an immovable anchor in times of storm.
4. The awareness of God’s presence energizes us for our work.
5. God does not require us to understand His will, just obey it, even if it seems unreasonable.
6. You reap what you sow, more than you sow, and later than you sow.
7. The dark moments of our life will last only so long as is necessary for God to accomplish His purpose in us.
8. Fight all your battles on your knees and you win every time.
9. Trusting God means looking beyond what we can see to what God sees.
10. If necessary, God will move heaven and earth to show us His will.
11. God assumes full responsibility for our needs when we obey Him. 12. Peace with God is the fruit of oneness with God.
13. Listening to God is essential to walking with God.
14. God acts on behalf of those who wait for Him.
15. Brokenness is God’s requirement for maximum usefulness.
16. Whatever you acquire outside of God’s will eventually turns to ashes.
17. We stand tallest and strongest on our knees.
18. As children of a sovereign God, we are never victims of our circumstances.
19. Anything you hold too tightly, you will lose.
20. Disappointments are inevitable, discouragement is a choice.
21. Obedience always brings blessing.
22. To walk in the Spirit is to obey the initial promptings of the Spirit.
23. You can ne ver out give God.
24. To live the Christian life is to allow Jesus to live His life in and through us.
25. God blesses us so that we might bless others.
26. Adversity is a bridge to a deeper relationship with God.
27. Prayer is life’s greatest time saver.
28. No Christian has ever been called to “go it alone” in his or her walk of faith.
29. We learn more in our valley experiences than on our mountaintops.
30. An eager anticipation of the Lord’s return keeps us living productively.
God bless you too
Thursday, October 30, 2008
Victory In Life
- Dr. Paul Dhinakaran
Be of good cheer, I have overcome the world(John 16:33)“But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” (1 Corinthians 15: 57God destroyed him who had the power of death, that is, the devil. Thus He destroyed death, sin and curses on the cross (Hebrews 2:14).
Constantine was a great Emperor. Earlier as the leader of a rebel army he won battles by defeating small armies. But all of a sudden, the enemies gathered together and pledged to destroy him. They marched against him and encircled his army on a particular day. Fear gripped him. He had no aid to approach and he did not know about God. He looked up and in a glimpse saw a sign symbolizing a cross and he heard a loud voice telling him, “ With this Conquer”. He had no idea about the voice but did as he was told. He prepared flags and banners with the sign of cross. He set out to march ahead of his army and defeated all his enemies. It was a great conquer.Later he came to know about Christ who had made him to win over his enemies. The love of Jesus melted his heart and He shed tears for the great love this wonderful God had towards him. He received Jesus in his life and stood as a mighty Emperor on this earth. His mother went in search of the cross of Jesus to Israel and Jerusalem. She tested every cross that she found by placing it on the sick and at last found the cross of Jesus. It had the power of Jesus and cured the sick. She carried it and embedded the cross with diamonds. God gives you victory when you receive Him in your life. He leads you and never allows you to get defeated because He has overcome the world. (John16: 33)
Dear friend, do you like to lead a victorious life like Emperor Constantine? Receive Jesus in your life and victory will follow you.
Prayer: Almighty God,I thank you for the great love you have towards me. You are a Mighty God, who overcame this world. Without You I can do nothing. Help me to lead a victorious life. Give me the grace to defeat all my enemies. Help me to carry your cross throughout my life. In Jesus' mighty name I pray.Amen.
Be of good cheer, I have overcome the world(John 16:33)“But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” (1 Corinthians 15: 57God destroyed him who had the power of death, that is, the devil. Thus He destroyed death, sin and curses on the cross (Hebrews 2:14).
Constantine was a great Emperor. Earlier as the leader of a rebel army he won battles by defeating small armies. But all of a sudden, the enemies gathered together and pledged to destroy him. They marched against him and encircled his army on a particular day. Fear gripped him. He had no aid to approach and he did not know about God. He looked up and in a glimpse saw a sign symbolizing a cross and he heard a loud voice telling him, “ With this Conquer”. He had no idea about the voice but did as he was told. He prepared flags and banners with the sign of cross. He set out to march ahead of his army and defeated all his enemies. It was a great conquer.Later he came to know about Christ who had made him to win over his enemies. The love of Jesus melted his heart and He shed tears for the great love this wonderful God had towards him. He received Jesus in his life and stood as a mighty Emperor on this earth. His mother went in search of the cross of Jesus to Israel and Jerusalem. She tested every cross that she found by placing it on the sick and at last found the cross of Jesus. It had the power of Jesus and cured the sick. She carried it and embedded the cross with diamonds. God gives you victory when you receive Him in your life. He leads you and never allows you to get defeated because He has overcome the world. (John16: 33)
Dear friend, do you like to lead a victorious life like Emperor Constantine? Receive Jesus in your life and victory will follow you.
Prayer: Almighty God,I thank you for the great love you have towards me. You are a Mighty God, who overcame this world. Without You I can do nothing. Help me to lead a victorious life. Give me the grace to defeat all my enemies. Help me to carry your cross throughout my life. In Jesus' mighty name I pray.Amen.
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