Oh, dear Lord, protect us from the evils of this world and comfort us in our sorrows.
This past week, I was again reminded of the evil that lurks in the hearts of men -- and women.
An entire family, dad, mom, two kids was killed in a terrible car accident. And then two people ROBBED their home!
Unbelievable.
This is a prime example, not that God doesn't care (yes, He does, yes, He does!!) but how we humans can abuse the free will He blessed us with.
From the moment I heard about this, I thought "tweakers". It appears that I was right, both have many arrests, both are a mess.
Listen to me! Meth is evil, straight from the hands of the evil one into willing human hands. (You know that Hitler used a form of meth, right?) Free will allows this to happen. We can CHOOSE to do right in the world, or like this pair, we can choose to do wrong. Terrible wrongs. Evil lurks in the hearts of men and women because they allow it -- because they have a choice.
Yet despite it all, this terrible act may be the beginnings of redemption. We never know where the U-turn begins, we only see where it ends. God knows. God sees it all because He is outside of time, He is the Alpha and the Omega and sees it all from beginning to end.
I don't know where this will end, but right now my heart cries out for justice for this family and their relatives.
May the Lord bless them in their sorrow and comfort them in knowing that they will meet their loved ones again in a better place, free of the pain and suffering of the world.
Link:
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2009/12/04/BAQH1AUDL4.DTL
Saturday, December 5, 2009
Thursday, November 26, 2009
Police Nab Paralyzed Mafia Boss
Police Nab Paralyzed Mafia Boss
Oh, my gosh!
The Lord is way not cool with this kind of behavior. Giving God all the credit is good, but to claim a miracle when you're faking it?
Nope, the Lord isn't having it.
And in this case, neither are the cops...
Oh, my gosh!
The Lord is way not cool with this kind of behavior. Giving God all the credit is good, but to claim a miracle when you're faking it?
Nope, the Lord isn't having it.
And in this case, neither are the cops...
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
God Never Says "Oops"
I read this a while back, but it came to mind today when I was online.
I truly believe that God NEVER says "oops".
I also believe that there is much, much more to this world than we realize. Our conflicts are all too often caused by our own misunderstandings, not comprehending that the Lord blessed us with a huge, complex place that suits our busy little minds.
So having said that, here's an interesting article about the structure of the brain and the similarities of the structures of hetro women and gay men. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/7456588.stm
Since God knit us together in the womb, I can only think that He's not saying "oops," that He has a reason for a gay person to exist, just like He has a reason and a purpose for you and I.
Yes, I know what the Word says. But I also know that God created it all, including science. So maybe the conflict is not within the Word, but within our own comprehension of the Word.
I don't know the answer to this question, so I think I'll just accept that I don't know and let God sort it all out at the Throne...
I truly believe that God NEVER says "oops".
I also believe that there is much, much more to this world than we realize. Our conflicts are all too often caused by our own misunderstandings, not comprehending that the Lord blessed us with a huge, complex place that suits our busy little minds.
So having said that, here's an interesting article about the structure of the brain and the similarities of the structures of hetro women and gay men. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/7456588.stm
Since God knit us together in the womb, I can only think that He's not saying "oops," that He has a reason for a gay person to exist, just like He has a reason and a purpose for you and I.
Yes, I know what the Word says. But I also know that God created it all, including science. So maybe the conflict is not within the Word, but within our own comprehension of the Word.
I don't know the answer to this question, so I think I'll just accept that I don't know and let God sort it all out at the Throne...
Sunday, October 25, 2009
Daily Meditations from Native America
I highly recommend that you sign up for daily meditations. It's great to have a quote or Bible verse pop up on your Blackberry or in your e-mail every day, reminding you that God is near. Reminding your to count your Blessings and be thankful. Reminding you that all is well (or will be) in your world, because God is with you.
Personally, I like White Bison. A quote from a Native American and a short lesson and prayer.
It sets my day in place, reminding me who and what I am, where I came from, and Who is waiting for me to come Home when I reach the end of my Path.
It's a good feeling.
http://www.whitebison.org/
Personally, I like White Bison. A quote from a Native American and a short lesson and prayer.
It sets my day in place, reminding me who and what I am, where I came from, and Who is waiting for me to come Home when I reach the end of my Path.
It's a good feeling.
http://www.whitebison.org/
God Always Answers
God always answers.
Sometimes it's "Yes."
Sometimes it's "No."
Sometimes it's "Wait."
And sometimes, like a long suffering parent, God says "You have GOT to be kidding!" (Yes, that's definitely a NO answer.)
But I think the worst one, and probably one that we get more often than we realize, is "Yes, but you'll be sorry. You have a lesson to learn and you're choosing to learn it."
Ouch, ouch, ouch. That's a rough answer. I didn't learn my lesson, so God is going to let me learn it again? Ouch.
The good news is that God is still there, still letting us learn our lessons. He ALWAYS answers our prayers.
But sometimes we really don't want to hear the answer...
Sometimes it's "Yes."
Sometimes it's "No."
Sometimes it's "Wait."
And sometimes, like a long suffering parent, God says "You have GOT to be kidding!" (Yes, that's definitely a NO answer.)
But I think the worst one, and probably one that we get more often than we realize, is "Yes, but you'll be sorry. You have a lesson to learn and you're choosing to learn it."
Ouch, ouch, ouch. That's a rough answer. I didn't learn my lesson, so God is going to let me learn it again? Ouch.
The good news is that God is still there, still letting us learn our lessons. He ALWAYS answers our prayers.
But sometimes we really don't want to hear the answer...
Friday, October 16, 2009
How Long To Pray?
"What does it matter how long I pray, so long as my prayers are answered?"
--Sitting Bull, HUNKPAPA LAKOTA
We should spend our lives praying. Praying, praising, thanking God for all the good things He's blessed us with.
However, we're so impatient and selfish, sometimes we pray and pray and then get mad at God for not hurrying up and answering our prayers.
Sitting Bull was right. It's all in God's time, not ours. As long as God answers our prayers, who are we to whine about having to wait a little while? Maybe there's a good reason for it. Maybe by being forced to wait, we avoided some terrible circumstance, accident, even death.
We don't know what God's plan is, so we need to just keep praying.
And praying.
And praying.
Saturday, September 12, 2009
"An Eye For An Eye Makes The Whole World Blind"
Wow, what a beautiful and truthful quote:
An eye for an eye makes the whole world blind. -Mahatma Gandhi
As Christians, sometimes we get so caught up in our religion that we forget that some Truths are universal.
Truth is Truth is Truth.
An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth, the Old Testament was the blueprint for another age, another mindset. One that too many in this world are stuck in.
When Jesus fulfilled the prophesies, He did not set aside the law, but He did lead us into a different path of love and forgiveness. Instead of an eye for an eye, He said to turn the other cheek. To give unselfishly. To love one another.
I think Jesus was telling us all to grow up, set aside childish things in order to reach out for His Glory.
We can't afford for the whole world to become blind.
Some of us have to open our eyes so we can see, our ears so we can hear. We have to follow the Truth that's embedded in this world, for all who are willing to follow the long and winding Path.
Some of us have to be willing to see -- and become the People of the Book in the way that God intended.
An eye for an eye makes the whole world blind. -Mahatma Gandhi
As Christians, sometimes we get so caught up in our religion that we forget that some Truths are universal.
Truth is Truth is Truth.
An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth, the Old Testament was the blueprint for another age, another mindset. One that too many in this world are stuck in.
When Jesus fulfilled the prophesies, He did not set aside the law, but He did lead us into a different path of love and forgiveness. Instead of an eye for an eye, He said to turn the other cheek. To give unselfishly. To love one another.
I think Jesus was telling us all to grow up, set aside childish things in order to reach out for His Glory.
We can't afford for the whole world to become blind.
Some of us have to open our eyes so we can see, our ears so we can hear. We have to follow the Truth that's embedded in this world, for all who are willing to follow the long and winding Path.
Some of us have to be willing to see -- and become the People of the Book in the way that God intended.
Pitiful Attempts By Unbelievers
Sometimes the attempts of unbelievers to rock your faith are utterly ludicrous.
Have you ever had someone mock you, say that the Spirit didn't move, that you didn't get that healing, didn't have God working on you?
You know what I'm talking about. Those who are so darn secure (they think) in their belief in nothingness that they stoop to any level to try to pry you lose from the Rock?
Don't let them get to you. Their house is built on shifting sands and will eventually fall into the abyss. They CHOOSE their ignorance.
Don't bite.
Don't fuss with them.
Do the worst thing you can do to a fool -- ignore him. Watch him jump up and down, trying to attract your attention like a two-year-old when you're on the phone.
Pity him.
Pity those who choose ignorance. They will learn, some too late, that their choice has kept them from Glory. It is not for you or I to judge, they will be dealt with by the Lord.
Have pity upon them in this life, even if they don't deserve it. Perhaps especially if they don't deserve it.
They will die the eternal death -- alone.
Have you ever had someone mock you, say that the Spirit didn't move, that you didn't get that healing, didn't have God working on you?
You know what I'm talking about. Those who are so darn secure (they think) in their belief in nothingness that they stoop to any level to try to pry you lose from the Rock?
Don't let them get to you. Their house is built on shifting sands and will eventually fall into the abyss. They CHOOSE their ignorance.
Don't bite.
Don't fuss with them.
Do the worst thing you can do to a fool -- ignore him. Watch him jump up and down, trying to attract your attention like a two-year-old when you're on the phone.
Pity him.
Pity those who choose ignorance. They will learn, some too late, that their choice has kept them from Glory. It is not for you or I to judge, they will be dealt with by the Lord.
Have pity upon them in this life, even if they don't deserve it. Perhaps especially if they don't deserve it.
They will die the eternal death -- alone.
Sunday, August 9, 2009
I'm Working On A Book
But my computer crashed and I lost everything on it.
Yet all three of the books I'm working on are safe.
About a week before, I got this urgent, urgent need to save my three big projects to my thumb drive. So I literally got out of bed super early, before work, and fired up the computer and saved them.
A week later, my computer crashed.
Thank you Lord, for the urging of the Spirit that woke me up from a dead sleep and told me to save that file!
When you have that sense of "do it now", get yourself up and do it! That's the Spirit telling you to get it taken care of right now!
I can testify, if you don't listen to the Spirit, it's never a good thing for you.
So whatever it is that the Spirit is urging you to do today, get it done! Today! Don't wait another day, don't wait until after church, make time and do it right now!
And may you be Blessed for listening and obeying the Spirit.
Yet all three of the books I'm working on are safe.
About a week before, I got this urgent, urgent need to save my three big projects to my thumb drive. So I literally got out of bed super early, before work, and fired up the computer and saved them.
A week later, my computer crashed.
Thank you Lord, for the urging of the Spirit that woke me up from a dead sleep and told me to save that file!
When you have that sense of "do it now", get yourself up and do it! That's the Spirit telling you to get it taken care of right now!
I can testify, if you don't listen to the Spirit, it's never a good thing for you.
So whatever it is that the Spirit is urging you to do today, get it done! Today! Don't wait another day, don't wait until after church, make time and do it right now!
And may you be Blessed for listening and obeying the Spirit.
Saturday, May 30, 2009
The Word Of The Day Is "HANG ON"
Yes, that's the Word of the day, of every day.
Hang on!
Have Faith, hang on.
As my Pastor told us:
If things are tough, hard times are here, hang on, change is coming!
And if things are great, all is going well, hang on, change is coming!
His point is that life brings change whether we want it or not. God expects us to hang in there, keep the Faith, keep working and serving.
We don't get to give up, we have a higher calling!
So HANG ON!
Hang on!
Have Faith, hang on.
As my Pastor told us:
If things are tough, hard times are here, hang on, change is coming!
And if things are great, all is going well, hang on, change is coming!
His point is that life brings change whether we want it or not. God expects us to hang in there, keep the Faith, keep working and serving.
We don't get to give up, we have a higher calling!
So HANG ON!
Sunday, April 12, 2009
He Is Risen!
Yes, today is the culmination of our Christian faith -- He is Risen!!
Jesus lives!!
I just think of it and I'm filled with joy. Today is a GOOD day!
Despite the troubles of the world.
Despite the evil that men and women do.
Despite the insidious work of the evil one.
All is well, He is Risen!
The evil one failed miserably when Jesus went to the Cross. He thought he won the battle and in doing so, he fulfilled Destiny and Prophesy. He was too dumb to know that he had LOST the war -- AMEN!
Today is the day that the Lord has given us. God gave us the physical proof of His Holy Word, of the Son, of Jesus, who rose from death, with the dawn, on the third day.
The sun rises and shines on the Son, embodied in each of us. Unlike Jesus, we are flawed, but we endeavour to be like Him, we try in our human frailness to be Christ-like in all we do.
And thanks to His sacrifice, when we fail, we're allowed to pick ourselves up, dust ourselves off, and try, try again to be like Him.
Let your thanks rise like mine to the Heavenlies, let us rejoice in this day.
Today is the day that God Blessed us all.
Resurrection Day!
He is Risen!!
Jesus lives!!
I just think of it and I'm filled with joy. Today is a GOOD day!
Despite the troubles of the world.
Despite the evil that men and women do.
Despite the insidious work of the evil one.
All is well, He is Risen!
The evil one failed miserably when Jesus went to the Cross. He thought he won the battle and in doing so, he fulfilled Destiny and Prophesy. He was too dumb to know that he had LOST the war -- AMEN!
Today is the day that the Lord has given us. God gave us the physical proof of His Holy Word, of the Son, of Jesus, who rose from death, with the dawn, on the third day.
The sun rises and shines on the Son, embodied in each of us. Unlike Jesus, we are flawed, but we endeavour to be like Him, we try in our human frailness to be Christ-like in all we do.
And thanks to His sacrifice, when we fail, we're allowed to pick ourselves up, dust ourselves off, and try, try again to be like Him.
Let your thanks rise like mine to the Heavenlies, let us rejoice in this day.
Today is the day that God Blessed us all.
Resurrection Day!
He is Risen!!
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
American Idol - They Didn't Get It!
Yes, I know, I'm going to talk about Danny's performance tonight, singing Jesus Take The Wheel.
He did an awesome job on that song! It was absolutely BRILLIANT!
The judges, well, they didn't get the beginning, where he sang it softer, gentler, more tentatively.
I got it. Danny, I got it!
Just as in the song, she's driving, things aren't perfect, she's leading her own life. When we run our own lives, it's always going to be more tentative, just like a woman driving a car on a cold winter night, not knowing if she's going to make it home.
And then she loses control of the car on the ice and cries out to Jesus.
And when Danny was singing the song, when he cried out to Jesus, he BLEW!!
I'm telling you, when Jesus takes charge, there's nothing tentative about it, He brings us up and out and way past our comfort zone -- and it's all good, it's His Perfect Will.
He takes our poor little lives in His Hands and puts us on His Path, His road Home. We will make it Home.
American Idol - they didn't get it.
But Danny, I got it and it brought tears to my eyes.
Thank you, my brother in Christ.
Thank you.
He did an awesome job on that song! It was absolutely BRILLIANT!
The judges, well, they didn't get the beginning, where he sang it softer, gentler, more tentatively.
I got it. Danny, I got it!
Just as in the song, she's driving, things aren't perfect, she's leading her own life. When we run our own lives, it's always going to be more tentative, just like a woman driving a car on a cold winter night, not knowing if she's going to make it home.
And then she loses control of the car on the ice and cries out to Jesus.
And when Danny was singing the song, when he cried out to Jesus, he BLEW!!
I'm telling you, when Jesus takes charge, there's nothing tentative about it, He brings us up and out and way past our comfort zone -- and it's all good, it's His Perfect Will.
He takes our poor little lives in His Hands and puts us on His Path, His road Home. We will make it Home.
American Idol - they didn't get it.
But Danny, I got it and it brought tears to my eyes.
Thank you, my brother in Christ.
Thank you.
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
The Spirit Fills The Space
The building may be tiny, but the Spirit fills the space.
This is a great website about tiny churches. I am really amazed at the creativity of the builders, who realized that big and ostentatious isn't what He was about.
Jesus wasn't about big displays, He was all about the little man, the poor, the weak, the disenfranchised.
I believe that He appreciates the work put into such tiny space. So many people set up a little prayer corner, a little alter in their homes, but for the builders of these churches, a corner just wasn't enough. They needed more, just like God always expects more.
More faith, more love, more power.
There is a true Love for the Lord that's put into building a tiny church. It's about worshiping Him -- a personal statement of Faith.
I wish I had a tiny church where I could retreat from the world and just worship Him.
No matter how small, His Spirit fills the space.
This is a great website about tiny churches. I am really amazed at the creativity of the builders, who realized that big and ostentatious isn't what He was about.
Jesus wasn't about big displays, He was all about the little man, the poor, the weak, the disenfranchised.
I believe that He appreciates the work put into such tiny space. So many people set up a little prayer corner, a little alter in their homes, but for the builders of these churches, a corner just wasn't enough. They needed more, just like God always expects more.
More faith, more love, more power.
There is a true Love for the Lord that's put into building a tiny church. It's about worshiping Him -- a personal statement of Faith.
I wish I had a tiny church where I could retreat from the world and just worship Him.
No matter how small, His Spirit fills the space.
Monday, February 23, 2009
I Won't Be Going To His Bible Study...
Oh, I am so, so aggravated tonight.
I had really just got home and was starting dinner. The front door was open, so my little dogs could run in and out.
"Hello? Hello?"
I hear a voice and I think it's my neighbor, so I go outside. The little dogs are going wild, one is hanging on the gate (thank the Lord she didn't get over it) and there's two men outside my gate.
They want to talk about church.
Sigh, I really don't have time, I'm trying to fix dinner for my kids, but I'm polite.
Yes, I have a church. I tell him where it is. He acts surprised that I'll drive 45 miles to church. (Well, I drive that far for work, which is more important???)
Then he starts asking me about being Saved.
Yes, I was Saved in high school and yes, I've been baptized too.
He starts questioning me about how I got Saved!?!
I cut him short after a minute of this. I have no patience with someone who is trying to talk to me about going to his Bible Study, but then basically questions my Salvation.
No, I don't know if he was a member of a small evangelical church or if he was a Jehovah Witness. I didn't want to know.
I cut him short and went back inside, telling him (again) over my shoulder that I was in the middle of fixing dinner and I don't have time right now. I closed the door.
Grrrr..............
Yes, it's a good thing to go around and invite people to come to Bible Study. I probably should go to one.
But when someone starts questioning me about how I got Saved, as if my Salvation is something to be questioned, that's over the line. That's where all too many evangelicals actually drive people away from the church. (Yes, yes, I go to a charismatic evangelical church.)
My people, when you start pushing your version of theology onto a fellow Christian, questioning their very Salvation, you're not helping the church!
Jesus drew people in. He didn't throw a rope around their necks and drag them!! He let them decide their own fates and when the time was ripe, they were there for the Harvest.
Seed, time, harvest.
Dude could have seen I really didn't have time, told me about his Bible Study, given me a flyer and went on his way. Instead, he tried to involve me in a discussion about his theology and basically questioning my Salvation.
Sigh.
Yes, I'm insulted and I'm afraid I WON'T be going to his Bible Study...
I had really just got home and was starting dinner. The front door was open, so my little dogs could run in and out.
"Hello? Hello?"
I hear a voice and I think it's my neighbor, so I go outside. The little dogs are going wild, one is hanging on the gate (thank the Lord she didn't get over it) and there's two men outside my gate.
They want to talk about church.
Sigh, I really don't have time, I'm trying to fix dinner for my kids, but I'm polite.
Yes, I have a church. I tell him where it is. He acts surprised that I'll drive 45 miles to church. (Well, I drive that far for work, which is more important???)
Then he starts asking me about being Saved.
Yes, I was Saved in high school and yes, I've been baptized too.
He starts questioning me about how I got Saved!?!
I cut him short after a minute of this. I have no patience with someone who is trying to talk to me about going to his Bible Study, but then basically questions my Salvation.
No, I don't know if he was a member of a small evangelical church or if he was a Jehovah Witness. I didn't want to know.
I cut him short and went back inside, telling him (again) over my shoulder that I was in the middle of fixing dinner and I don't have time right now. I closed the door.
Grrrr..............
Yes, it's a good thing to go around and invite people to come to Bible Study. I probably should go to one.
But when someone starts questioning me about how I got Saved, as if my Salvation is something to be questioned, that's over the line. That's where all too many evangelicals actually drive people away from the church. (Yes, yes, I go to a charismatic evangelical church.)
My people, when you start pushing your version of theology onto a fellow Christian, questioning their very Salvation, you're not helping the church!
Jesus drew people in. He didn't throw a rope around their necks and drag them!! He let them decide their own fates and when the time was ripe, they were there for the Harvest.
Seed, time, harvest.
Dude could have seen I really didn't have time, told me about his Bible Study, given me a flyer and went on his way. Instead, he tried to involve me in a discussion about his theology and basically questioning my Salvation.
Sigh.
Yes, I'm insulted and I'm afraid I WON'T be going to his Bible Study...
Monday, February 16, 2009
The Word Appears Where We Least Expect It
I have been pondering a lot lately.
Only a couple of weeks ago, my daughter and I were jamming down the road, listening to the Best of Prince CD.
I was listening to the words of the song that I was jamming to in the 80s, back in the bad old days. And like a thunderbolt, right in the middle of the song I heard "I'm your messiah and you're the reason why".
WHAT?
PRINCE?!?
Oh my Lord, that was when Prince was deep into sex and drugs and funk! He was an egotistical, fantastically talented musician.
And he was singing a Jesus song.
Holy cr*p!!
The Word appears where we least expect it!
I've long known that God is subtle in His workings. He blessed us with free will, but He's always nudging us back toward the right Path.
God was working on Prince even then. And through Prince, He was working on the rest of us. We didn't even know what He was doing. So many of us weren't even thinking about God back then, we were just partying to the music, having a good time.
Prince was no exception. I have not a clue in the world what Prince thought he was writing when he wrote this song*, but I've started listening to the words of more Prince songs. This isn't the only God song that Prince wrote and performed.
God was working mightily in that man. And Prince listened and accepted the seed, time passed and now he is working toward the Harvest.
As most of us know, Prince has swung to the opposite end of the spectrum, he's now a Jehovah Witness.
(Yes, yes, I know my brothers and sisters, Jehovahs are pretty darn rigid in their beliefs. But don't you think that after the wanton lifestyle Prince led for many years, that God is requiring the straight and narrow Path now? Yes, I think so too.)
Here's the words of the song that caught me, forced me to think about our wandering Paths and how God leads us. Even when we're doing wrong, His mighty Hand is gathering us back into the Fold...
I'm not a woman
I'm not a man
I am something that you'll never understand
I'll never beat u
I'll never lie
And if you're evil I'll forgive u by and by
U - I would die 4 u, yeah
Darling if u want me 2
U - I would die 4 u
I'm not your lover
I'm not your friend
I am something that you'll never comprehend
No need 2 worry
No need 2 cry
I'm your messiah and you're the reason why
'Cuz U - I would die 4 u, yeah
Darling if u want me 2
U - I would die 4 u
You're just a sinner I am told
Be your fire when you're cold
Make u happy when you're sad
Make u good when u are bad
I'm not a human
I am a dove
I'm your conscious
I am love
All I really need is 2 know that
U believe
Yeah, I would die 4 u, yeah
Darling if u want me 2
U - I would die 4 u
Yeah, say one more time
U - I would die 4 u
Darling if u want me 2
U - I would die 4 u
2 3 4 U
I would die 4 u
I would die 4 u
U - I would die 4 u
*According to wiki: On the 12", and in Purple Rain Tour concerts, Prince changes the lyrics from "I'm your messiah" to "He's your messiah," pointing to the sky as he sings the line.
Links:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prince_(musician)
http://homepage.mac.com/brenhow/name_change.html
Thursday, January 1, 2009
A New Year, Another Step On My Path
It's a new year, and I take another step on my Path.
Every day is a step by step process.
Every new day is a Blessing.
May the New Year find you Blessed in all ways, in health, in finances, in body and mind and spirit and soul.
May the Spirit guide you in all things.
Another step on my Path. One by one by one, I make the journey Home.
Be Blessed in Jesus' name.
Amen, amen, and amen.
Every day is a step by step process.
Every new day is a Blessing.
May the New Year find you Blessed in all ways, in health, in finances, in body and mind and spirit and soul.
May the Spirit guide you in all things.
Another step on my Path. One by one by one, I make the journey Home.
Be Blessed in Jesus' name.
Amen, amen, and amen.
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