A Cardboard Box

A church without forgiveness

is like a cardboard box;

very handy and useful,

able to contain a variety of things,

lightweight and versatile,

yet durable and resilient…

…until it gets wet.

“In Him we have redemption through His blood,

the forgiveness of our trespasses,

according to the riches of His grace which He lavished on us.”

~Ephesians 1:7,8

“So, as those who have been chosen of God,

holy and beloved,

put on a heart of compassion, kindness,

humility, gentleness and patience; bearing with one another

and forgiving each other,

 whoever has a complaint against anyone;

just as the Lord forgave you,

so also should you.”

~Colossians 3:12,13

The Painting

The ocean, the surf, the sand, the footprints, the blue sky, the distant clouds;

all were rendered to perfection,

so much so that as I allowed my imagination

to be drawn into the impressionist’s rendering,

I could almost taste the salty air and feel the gentle breeze catching at my hair.

Perhaps it was because I longed for it to be that way.

My feigned senses were abruptly snatched up into the grasp of reality.

Where were the rocks, the pieces of driftwood?

Missing were the tangled globs of seaweed, dead palm fronds,

bits of weather-worn sea glass.

Was there nothing left lying around to reveal sweet memories

of sand castles, picnic lunches, Frisbee games?

Where was the lost slipper, the half-buried wristwatch,

the makeshift homeless shelter

tucked amid the thorny mesh of bougainvillea and kiawe?

As lovely and delightfully inviting as it appeared,

the painting was unrealistic…

…like my prayers may sometimes be.

Who am I

that my life would be reduced to a painting?

Am I entitled to health, comfort, kind treatment?

Am I capable of discernment?

Must my default assumption be that my struggle or lack or failure

are indications of God’s disinterest in my personal affairs,

of His punishment for my ineptitude, or of His disappointment in me?

Are the phantom portrayals and partial glimpses

of the lives surrounding me

meant to be emulated or somehow establish a standard of measurement

with which I must compare?

When I allow my imagination

to be drawn into my own artistic rendering,

I can almost taste the salty air of an ideal life

and feel the gentle breeze of self-centered optimism catching at my hair.

Perhaps it is because I long for it to be that way.

My feigned senses must be abruptly snatched up

into the grasp of God’s Truth;

that is…

to desire Jesus,

to trust in His perfect love for me,

to relinquish every holding, every title and tenure,

to count all things as loss in view of Jesus…

“But whatever things were gain to me,

those things I have counted as loss for the sake of Christ. 

More than that,

I count all things to be loss

in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord,

for whom I have suffered the loss of all things,

and count them but rubbish

so that I may gain Christ,

and may be found in Him,

not having a righteousness of my own derived from the Law,

but that which is through faith in Christ,

the righteousness which comes from God

on the basis of faith…” 

~Philippians 3:7-9

As the realities of life

are placed in the presence of the true reality, that is Jesus,

there are no illusions of hopelessness….

…and there is rest.

Take Courage

   If Paul Harvey were to have given an account of Paul’s journey to Rome, it may have gone something like this…

“…the Lord stood at his side and said,

‘Take courage;

for as you have solemnly witnessed to My cause at Jerusalem,

so you must witness at Rome also.’”

~Acts 23:11

“There we found some brethren,

and were invited to stay with them for seven days;

and thus we came to Rome. 

And the brethren… (came) to meet us;

and when Paul saw them,

he thanked God and took courage.” 

~Acts 28:14,15

   And so it was that Paul travelled to Rome where, surrounded by friends, he shared the Gospel and lived happily ever after.

   But God did more than just speak to Paul; He stood by his side.  What crisis would Paul have encountered that he would have needed such a measure of courage as God would provide?

   Thus began a series of predicaments, each one intense enough to require a significant amount of courage to endure…  Stay tuned as we take a closer look at… the rest… of the story…

Courage in the Face of a Death Threat:

Bright and early the very next morning, 40 Jews vowed together to refuse food or drink until Paul was dead. (23:12-15)

Courage in the Face of a Narrow Escape:

Paul’s nephew overheard their plot.  He ran and told Paul, who instructed a centurion to inform the commander, who arranged an escort of 200 soldiers by night to bring Paul, along with an official letter, directly to Caesarea. (23:16-35)

Courage in the Face of False Accusations:

The Jewish high priest and elders brought accusations against Paul in the court of Felix, the governor.  (24:1-9)

Courage in the Face of Exposing the Accusers’ Motivation:

Paul spoke in his own defense, identifying the point of contention between the Sadducees and the Pharisees. (24:10-21)

Courage in the Face of a Lengthy Imprisonment & Manipulation:

Paul remained in custody for 2 years, often summoned by Governor Felix to discuss the Gospel. As a glimmer of hope turned to fear in the realization that his life and career would be affected, Felix attempted to manipulate for an opportunity to accuse Paul of bribery. (24:22-27)

Courage in the Face of Publicly Dividing Religion from True Faith:

As soon as Festus, the next governor, took his seat on the tribunal, the Jews brought accusations against Paul with renewed vigor.  Festus wanted to do the Jews a favor and allow them to assume the judgment process.  But Paul, as a Roman citizen, appealed to the highest court of appeal, which had the potential of identifying Christianity as different from Judaism. (25:1-12)

Courage in the Face of Waiting:

Paul’s case continued to gnaw at Festus’ mind.  As he relayed his experience with Paul and the Jews, the curiosity of King Agrippa was piqued. (25:13-22)

Courage in the Face of Addressing the King:

King Agrippa made a showy appearance, requesting a firsthand account of Paul’s defense.  (25:23 – 26:1)

Courage in the Face of Boldly Presenting the Gospel of Salvation:

Paul presented his defense before King Agrippa by way of relaying a testimony of his life experience before, during, and after his initial encounter with Jesus, all the while clearly presenting the Gospel.  Paul boldly invited the King and all who were present to become Christians. (26:1-32)

Courage in the Face of Relationship to Authority:

Paul, along with a group of prisoners, was placed under a centurion’s charge for the journey to Rome by ship.  Due to inclement weather, the voyage became increasingly dangerous.  Meanwhile, Paul and the centurion developed a relationship of mutual respect and trust. (27:1-13)

Courage in the Face of Fear:

A typhoon overwhelmed the sea with such severity, that those aboard abandoned all hope of being saved.  After an angel stood before Paul assuring him that no life would be lost, he relayed the message to his shipmates, instructing them to ‘keep up your courage’.  In the face of fearing for their lives, the 276 men made faith decisions, trusting on the hope Paul presented. (27:14-38)

Courage in the Face of Destruction:

Protocol required that the prisoners be killed in case escape was imminent.  But the centurion overruled in favor of Paul’s faith.  The ship struck a reef and began breaking into pieces, but every man made it safely to shore. (27:39-44)

Courage in the Face of Ascribed Power:

Safely ashore on the island of Malta, the kind natives kindled a fire to offer warmth.  As Paul added wood to the fire, a deadly snake latched onto his hand.  The superstitious natives immediately assumed him a murder until he shook the viper off without being harmed, altering their view of him from a murderer to a god. (28:1-6)

Courage in the Face of Temporary Relief:

Paul extended to the natives of Malta the hope of the Gospel through healing prayer and healing. (28:7-10)

Courage in the Face of Preparing to Take Courage:

After 3 months, they again set sail toward Rome. (28:11-14)

   From the moment God instructed Paul to ‘take courage’ until it is recorded that he ‘took courage’, Paul’s life was turned upside down.  Each of these various experiences heightened the potential for Paul to become discouraged. 

·        Paul’s hope was firmly established by God.

·        Pauls actions were based on God’s promise.

·        Paul’s strength to endure was sourced

in complete dependency upon God.

·        Paul’s authority to lead those around him

was attributed to God’s blessing.

   But the first mention of Paul actually taking courage was not until he was in Rome surrounded by the brethren who rushed to meet him.

Why?

   Did he attribute God’s appointed courage for God’s purpose?

   Was the courage which God had prepared for him a precise portion of courage uniquely designed for Paul to face a particular task?

   Could it be that he remembered why the Lord sent him to Rome in the first place?

“…the Lord stood at his side and said,

‘Take courage;

for as you have solemnly witnessed to My cause at Jerusalem,

so you must witness at Rome also.’” ~Acts 23:11

   Did God’s gifts of courage which he received throughout the journey prepare Paul to accept the courage to face God’s purpose for him in Rome?

Does God offer courage to me for specific purposes?

Courage to Face Temptation: 

I Cor. 10:13

Courage to Speak and to Serve: 

I Peter 4:11;  II Thes. 2:16,17

Courage to Grow Together in Faith: 

Acts 16:5

Courage to Stand in the Wake of God’s Power Over Enemies: 

Deut. 31:1-6;  I John 4:4

Courage to Face Catastrophic Calamity

          Psalm 46:1-5

Courage to Pray with Thankfulness: 

Phil. 4:6

Courage to Encounter Trials: 

James 1:2-4,12

Courage to Be Perfected in Love: 

I John 4:16-18

Courage to Walk:

          Psalm 37:23,24;  Psalm 41:12

“Wait for the Lord;

Be strong and let your heart take courage;

Yes, wait for the Lord.”

~Psalm 27:14

…and now you know… the rest… of the story…  Good day!

Hidden Treasure ~ Cinquain

Word

secretive, untouchable

whispering, probing, penetrating

defying death, securing life

Promise
~ae

“Thy Word have I hid in mine heart, 

that I might not sin against Thee.” 

~Psalm 119:11

Jesus felt a love for him...

   “As He was setting out on a journey, a man ran up to Him and knelt before Him, and asked Him, ‘Good Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?’ 

   “And Jesus said to him, ‘Why do you call Me good?  No one is good except God alone.  You know the commandments, Do Not Murder, Do Not Commit Adultery, Do Not Steal, Do Not Bear False Witness, Do Not Defraud, Honor Your Father and Mother.’ 

   “And he said to Him, ‘Teacher, I have kept all these things from my youth up.’ 

   “Looking at him, Jesus felt a love for him and said to him, ‘One thing you lack:  go and sell all you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.’ 

   “But at these words he was saddened, and he went away grieving, for he was one who owned much property.”

~Mark 10:17-22

What did you feel when you read this story?

Sad?

…because the man walked away in low spirits?

Annoyed? 

…because it shouldn't be that hard to give stuff up?

Outraged? 

…because mega-property holders shouldn’t be so tightfisted?

Confused? 

…because the concept of doing good is unclear?

Curious? 

…because of Jesus’ response?

Jesus’ reply to this man’s eager question was fourfold:

1.     He asked a question about Himself.

2.     He clarified with a statement which identified Himself as God.

3.     He correctly defined the term ‘good’ from God’s perspective.

4.     He validated God’s commandments.

The man was sincere, consistent in his actions of obedience to the law. 

A loose interpretation may present the man’s question as follows: 

‘O.k. Lord, I checked all the boxes. 

So far, so good. 

Now, what do I do next to accomplish the goal?’

Eager?  Yes. 

Sincere?  Yes. 

Obedient?  Yes. 

Desire to do good for Jesus?  Yes. 

So what went wrong?

The man’s external conformity to the law collided head on with his need for inner obedience to the Person of Jesus, which can only be satisfied by God’s undeserved gift of mercy and grace.

Did Jesus scold Him?  No.

Did He shame him by exposing his failure to understand?  No.

Did Jesus command everyone to give up all of their possessions?  No.

Does self-denial earn heavenly treasure?  No.

“Jesus felt a love for him”

… and in this genuinely tender expression of love, Jesus touched upon one hindrance, one cause of division, one obstacle that kept the man from placing his trust in Him.

His instructions to the man were simple: 

The command to “Go”; obedience to act, with a promise of reward,

and

the command to “Come, follow Me”; obedience of relationship with Him.

Jesus discussed this concept with His disciples at great length, telling them just how hard it is to enter the kingdom of God… like a camel going through the eye of a needle.  It was a very disheartening conversation, indeed.  Jesus was basically telling them, ‘You can’t do it.  It’s impossible.’

So there they were, between a rock and a hard place, with no end in sight… they hit a wall.  They had heard the conversation between the rich man and Jesus, yet they were amazed, they were astonished, they were at a loss of understanding for what to do next… just like the rich man. 

How did they feel?  …sad?  …annoyed?  …outraged?  …confused?  …curious?

In desperation, they cried,

“Then who CAN be saved?”

“Looking at them, Jesus said,

‘With people it is impossible, but not with God;

for all things are possible with God.”

~Mark 10:27

Jesus felt a love for them.

Jesus feels a love for me.

Compassion...

Ships were not built

to float safely in the harbor.

Step out of my comfort zone?

Offer compassion… 
...receive *gulp* compassion?

It’s not as easy as it looks,

and it doesn’t always turn out like I think it should.

com·pas·sion

   [kuhm-pash-uhn]  noun

a feeling of deep sympathy and sorrow for another who is stricken by misfortune, accompanied by a strong desire to alleviate the suffering.

   The nurse’s aide assisted the elderly woman to the commode, giving support as needed.  When she was able to manage on her own, the helper turned her back for a few moments until her services were needed once again.  After being tucked into her bed, the frail woman looked tenderly into her helper’s eyes.  “You’re the only one who has ever turned away… Thank you.” 

    Living in an elderly care facility, receiving a medical exam, or being hospitalized; these unfortunately initiate a variety of awkward situations and invasions of personal space.  The nurse’s assistant imagined herself in a similar circumstance, receiving respectful and courteous care.  Her simple act of compassion toward preserving the dignity of another carried significance for both of them. 

   Elements of shame in the face of compassion invited response, but could not insist upon a happy ending.  Yet in the wake of obedience, they both can trust the Author of compassion to bring honor and joy to their shared interaction.

   The man was not caught off guard by attitudes of apathy or expressions of anger.  Instead, he saw unique abilities and potential for a bright future hidden behind the dull, despondent eyes of the boy who was soon to be a man.  Their tutoring sessions provided more than academic assistance.  The man had walked in shoes of the same color not too many years before, paving the way for empathy to connect their hearts.  

   Elements of regret in the face of compassion invited response, but could not insist upon a happy ending.  Yet in the wake of obedience, they both can trust the Author of compassion to bring inspiration and trust to their relationship.

   She did not desire to create hurt feelings, yet her friend’s persistent questions could no longer allow her to evade sharing what she knew to be true.  After seeking godly counsel and spending time in prayer, she relayed to her friend some reservations she had in regard to their relationship which she knew would not be easy for her friend to receive.  The risk of rejection loomed nearby in the shadow of their awkward encounter.  She knew potential existed for formation of a deeper relationship, for she understood how difficult it was to receive correction herself. 

   Elements of risk in the face of compassion prompted response, but could not insist upon a happy ending.  Yet in the wake of obedience, they both can trust the Author of compassion to bring healing and newness to their friendship.

   The waitress made her rounds warming cups of freshly brewed coffee, tossing bits of conversation here, teasing and laughter there.  “You look like you could use a nap, darlin’.  Why don’t y’all stretch out on that booth there and catch a few winks”, and to another; “You ain’t up to drivin’ home, sweet pea’.  I’ll be getting’ off work here pretty soon; I can take ya’ home.  You want cream and sugar, hun’?”

   The young college student took a seat a few tables over from where the homeless man sat with hands cradling a steaming cup.  Pulling paper and pen from his jacket pocket, he sketched the man’s likeness.  Then striking up a conversation about the weather, it wasn’t long before stories began to flow; tales of the good old days, a career gone awry, memories of Vietnam.  “What’s that y’ got there, son?”

   Unfolding the sketch, he handed it to the man.  A broad grin set eyes to twinkling, “Well now, would ya’ lookie there.  That’s me, ain’t it!  Hey Emma, c’mon over here a minute!” 

   Self-respect, confidence, feelings of value, an optimistic future; each one is apt to be illusive on any given day.  The burdens of some weigh more heavily, stealing joy and clouding hope.  We all are needy, and we all need to be needed.  Simple touches of compassion can trigger reminders of worth, of hope for a new day, and expose a cloud’s silver lining.

   Elements of the unknown in the face of compassion invited response, but could not insist upon a happy ending.  Yet in the wake of obedience, they can trust the Author of compassion to bring courage and perspective to their newfound acquaintance.

pas·sion

   [pash-uhn]  noun

compelling desire; intense fervor; powerful emotion or feeling

com-

     [kom]  prefix

with; together

   Galadriel, also bearing a ring of power, experienced tremendous struggle but did not yield to its enticement.  “You are the bearer of the ring.  This task was appointed to you.  And if you do not find a way, no one will.”¹  

   Her words of encouragement to Frodo were spoken from her heart of compassion, for they shared a common compelling desire, a mutual passion….

Compassion

¹(Lord of the Rings, by J.R.R. Tolkien)

“The Lord’s lovingkindnesses indeed never cease,

for His compassions never fail. 

They are new every morning;

great is Your faithfulness.” 

~Lamentations 3:22

Did I stutter or...

Did I stutter or are your ears flappin’?

Listening is not just a valuable relational skill

or best business practices.

Listening is an essential part of prayer,

and the key to access the ability to hear
and to be heard

is God Himself.

Selective Hearing

“And they said to Moses,

‘You speak to us, and we will listen;

but do not let God speak to us, lest we die.’”

~Exodus 20:19

Too Self-Absorbed to Listen

“If one gives an answer before he hears,

it is his folly and shame.”

~Proverbs 18:13

Drawing Near to Hear

“Whoever is of God

hears the words of God.

The reason why you do not hear them

is that you are not of God.” 

~John 8:47

Listening with Respect

“Know this, my beloved brothers:

let every person be quick to hear,

slow to speak, slow to anger.”

~ James 1:19

Prayerful Listening

“He who has an ear,

let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches…”

~Revelation 2:7

Able and Attentive Listener

“If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear.”

Mark 4:23

Completely Dependent Listener

“My sheep hear my voice,

and I know them, and they follow Me.

I give them eternal life,

and they will never perish,

and no one will snatch them out of My hand.”

~John 10:27-28

Invaluable Listening Skills

“My son, if you receive my words

and treasure up my commandments with you,

making your ear attentive to wisdom

and inclining your heart to understanding;

yes, if you call out for insight

and raise your voice for understanding,

if you seek it like silver and search for it as for hidden treasures,

then you will understand the fear of the Lord 

and find the knowledge of God.”

~Proverbs 2:1-5

Costs and Benefits of Listening

“Take care then how you hear,

for to the one who has, more will be given,

and from the one who has not,

even what he thinks that he has will be taken away.”

~Luke 8:18

Listening Pleasure

 “Give ear, O heavens, and I will speak,

and let the earth hear the words of my mouth.

May my teaching drop as the rain,

my speech distill as the dew,

like gentle rain upon the tender grass,

and like showers upon the herb.

I will proclaim the name of the Lord.

Oh, praise the greatness of our God!”

~Deuteronomy 32:1-3

God Listens

“And this is the confidence that we have toward Him,

that if we ask anything according to His will

He hears us.”

~1 John 5:14

God Always Hears

“So they removed the stone [from Lazerus’ tomb]. 

Then Jesus raised His eyes, and said,

“Father, I thank You that You have heard Me.

“I knew that You always hear Me;

but because of the people standing around

I said it, so that they may believe that You sent Me.”

~John 11:41,42

Words of Life Received

“But he answered, “It is written,

“‘Man shall not live by bread alone,

but by every word

that comes from the mouth of God.’”

~Matthew 4:4

It's not the size of the dog..

It’s not the size of the dog in the fight;

it’s the size of the fight in the dog.

When you think of ‘the fight’ as applied to Biblical personalities,

do you think of David slaying Goliath?

or of Gideon with his 300 men conquering thousands?

or of Moses leading millions through the parted Red Sea?

How about others in ‘the fight’, the ones less famous,

who also acted with courageous valor in obedience to God.

The fight of plotting and wits

“And the king of Jericho sent word to Rahab, saying, ‘Bring out the men who have come to you, who have entered your house, for they have come to search out all the land.’  But the woman had taken the two men and hidden them, and she said, ‘Yes the men came to me, but I did not know where they were from.  It came about when it was time to shut the gate at dark, that the men went out; I do not know where the men went.  Pursue them quickly, for you will overtake them…  Now before they lay down, she came up to them on the roof, and said to the men, ‘I know that the Lord has given you the land, and that the terror of you has fallen on us, and that all the inhabitants of the land have melted away before… When we heard it, our hearts melted and no courage remained in any man any longer because of you; for the Lord your God, He is God in heaven above and on earth beneath…’”  ~Joshua 2:1-11

The resourceful fight

“After him came Shamgar the son of Anath, who struck down six hundred Philistines with an oxgoad; and he also saved Israel.”  ~Judges 3:31

The passionate fight

of brute strength

“When he came to Lehi, the Philistines shouted as they met him.  And the Spirit of the Lord came upon him mightily so that the ropes that were on his arms were as flax that is burned with fire, and his bonds dropped from his hands.  He found a fresh jawbone of a donkey, so he reached out and took it and killed a thousand 
men with it." ~Judges 15:14,15

The fight of tremendous risk

“And David was unwilling to move the ark of the Lord into the city of David with him; but David took it aside to the house of Obed-edom the Gittite.  Thus the ark of the LORD remained in the house of Obed-edom the Gittite three months, and the LORD blessed Obed-edom and all his household.” ~2 Samuel 6:11

The fight to value godliness

over expectations

“Mary then took a pound of very costly perfume of pure nard, and anointed the feet of Jesus and wiped His feet with her hair; and the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume.  But Judas Iscariot… said, ‘Why was this perfume not sold for three hundred denarii and given to poor people?’  …Jesus said, 
‘Let her alone…’” ~John 12:3

The vigilant prayerful fight

for hope beyond death

"Now in Joppa there was a disciple named Tabitha (which translated in Greek is called Dorcas); this woman was abounding with deeds of kindness and charity which she continually did.  And it happened at that time that she fell sick and died… So Peter arose and went with them… all the widows stood beside him, weeping and showing all the tunics and garments that Dorcas used to make while she was with them.  But Peter sent them all out and knelt down and prayed, and turning to the body, he said, ‘Tabitha, arise.’  And she 
opened her eyes…”  ~Acts 9:36-40

Each of these fights were won

not because of any super-human strength,

amazing skills, or remarkable intellect.

Each fight displayed God’s miraculous power

through acts of submission, obedience, trust,

and an intensely focused passion for God.

Waging War

A string of facts

does not add up to the truth.

…nor do self-defined, self-perpetuated substitutes for truth.

“Gemini are extremely independent. They will not be pinned down by anyone or any rules. They need to experience the world on their own. Change and freedom are extremely important to Gemini, they will never let anyone dictate them, they are extremely independent and freedom is essential to their mental well being.”  (http://zodiac-signs-astrology.com/zodiac-signs/gemini.htm)

“For although they knew God,

they did not honor him as God

or give thanks to Him,

but they became futile in their thinking,

and their foolish hearts were darkened.  

Claiming to be wise, they became fools…” 

~Romans 1:21-22

Because

Truth is Truth,

we must be…

Taken Captive by Truth

“…How thankful that we have the truth of scripture to carry us.  Our weapons are not of this world....thoughts that would normally slay the joy of our living can be brought into captivity by the truth.” 
~Jennifer Parette

“For though we walk in the flesh,

we are not waging war according to the flesh.

For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh

but have divine power to destroy strongholds.

We destroy arguments

and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God,

and take every thought captive to obey Christ.”

~2 Corinthians 10:3-5

Completely Occupied by Truth

“Finally, brothers,

whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just,

whatever is pure, whatever is lovely,

whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence,

if there is anything worthy of praise,

think about these things.” 

~Philippians 4:8

Equipped by Truth

“All Scripture is breathed out by God

and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction,

and for training in righteousness,

that the man of God may be competent,

equipped for every good work.”

~2 Timothy 3:16,17

Overwhelmed by Truth

For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face.

Now I know in part;

then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known.”

~1 Corinthians 13:12

Set Free by Truth

 “So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, 

‘If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples,

and you will know the truth,

and the truth will set you free.’

They answered him, ‘We are offspring of Abraham

and have never been enslaved to anyone.

How is it that you say,

“You will become free”?’

Jesus answered them, ‘Truly, truly, I say to you, 

everyone who practices sin is a slave to sin. 

The slave does not remain in the house forever; 

the son remains forever. 

So if the Son sets you free,

you will be free indeed.’”

~ John 8:31-36


Truth is not context free.
Truth is Truth
and, by definition,
commands response.