Philippians 2:20 (Amplified Bible) ~ For I have no one like him no one of so kindred a spirit, who will be so genuinely interested in your welfare and devoted to your interests. 

What a beautiful description of two people working together with one purpose for the things of the kingdom of God. The word “kindred” means someone having similar qualities; related by blood. Wow, now that is something to think about; having a kindred spirit, brought together with a different spirit, one of unity with the same interests, related by blood. We are all washed in the same blood, that precious blood of Jesus Christ, having the same goal, with the same vision, with spirit of unity in the Lord. The Bible says in 1 Corinthians 3:7 to 9 (NIV), “So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow.” The man who plants and the man who waters have one purpose, and each will be rewarded according to his own labour, for we are God’s fellow workers; you are God’s field, God’s building. 

Here is something else to consider, the world uses a term to describe a close relationship between two people and they call it “soul mates.”  However, there is something stronger than a soul mate, for the term in itself has limitations, it only scratches the surface of true relationships and it only touches souls. But to have a spiritual relationship with someone and find a wife or husband who shares the same interests, who has the same goals, who wants to glorify God with their relationship is called being of “kindred spirit”; touching way past just the soul, for the soul is but temporary, while the things of the spirit are eternal. To be of a kindred spirit and having a passion to walk hand in hand, step-by-step, in unity before the Lord in serving Him together in the things of the Kingdom, is to have a kindred spirit, related by the blood of Jesus. Being born of the same seed is of far greater worth than to simply be a soul mate.    

My friend, oh, what it would be like to have someone of a kindred spirit to run the race with in Christ Jesus. The Bible says in Psalm 133:1 (KJV), “Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!” As we dwell together as kindred spirits, wanting to work together for the glory of God, then it is there the Lord commands the blessing. 

God bless you my friend, Matthew.

Here are a couple of quotes from “The Cross of Christ” that should be the anthem of every Christian husband.

“The symbol of an authentically Christian leadership is not the purple robe of an emperor, but the coarse apron of a slave; not a throne of ivory and gold, but a basin of water for the washing of feet.”

“Christian homes in general, and Christian marriages in particular, would be more stable and more satisfying if they were marked by the cross.”

Total de Episódios: 2/2
Qualidade: RMVB (Ruim)
Gênero: Nudez, Sexo
Fansub: —

Sinopse:
Apos um ano desde que Chiho tornou-se viúva e suas noites sozinhas tem sido pra ela uma solidão imensa. Uma boa coisa é que sua amiga Kanae está lá para ajudar. Kanae é experiente; Ela foi casada por 8 anos e ela sabe o que Chiho precisa…
Um pouco de espaço, um pouco de cor, e um pouco do novo cenario é o que está faltando na vida de Chiho!

Episódio 01: – 46Mb
Links: RapidShare | DepositFiles | FreakShare

Episódio 02: – 60Mb
Links: RapidShare | DepositFiles | FreakShare

Dimanche nous avons fait la reconnaissance des différents parcours qui s’annoncent accéssibles, sauvages et panoramiques. L’équipe d’organisation et les partenariats avancent pour vous offrir une belle prestation.

 My little brother made this at school and it makes me very very happy. Thank you, God. You’ve blessed us all so much.

Cross Themed

Latest Design Concept that i’ve discovered using the cross shaped angles. Pleas use these ideas for any of your own projects!

Take Care, A Design Student!

Macarius the Egyptian

When God was displeased with the Jews, he delivered Jerusalem to the enemy, and they were conquered by those who hated them; there were no more sacrifices or feasts.

Likewise angered at a soul who had broken his commands, God handed it over to its enemies, who corrupted and totally dishonoured it.

When a house has no master living in it, it becomes dark, vile and contemptible, choked with filth and disgusting refuse.

So too is a soul which has lost its master, who once rejoiced there with his angels. This soul is darkened with sin, its desires are degraded, and it knows nothing but shame.

Woe to the path that is not walked on, or along which the voices of men are not heard, for then it becomes the haunt of wild animals. Woe to the soul if the Lord does not walk within it to banish with his voice the spiritual beasts of sin.

Woe to the house where no master dwells, to the field where no farmer works, to the pilotless ship, storm-tossed and sinking. Woe to the soul without Christ as its true pilot; drifting in the darkness, buffeted by the waves of passion, storm-tossed at the mercy of evil spirits, its end is destruction.

Woe to the soul that does not have Christ to cultivate it with care to produce the good fruit of the Holy Spirit. Left to itself, it is choked with thorns and thistles; instead of fruit it produces only what is fit for burning.

Woe to the soul that does not have Christ dwelling in it; deserted and foul with the filth of the passions, it becomes a haven for all the vices. When a farmer prepares to till the soil he must put on clothing and use tools that are suitable. So Christ, our heavenly king, came to till the soil of mankind devastated by sin.

He assumed a body and, using the cross as his ploughshare, cultivated the barren soul of man. He removed the thorns and thistles which are the evil spirits and pulled up the weeds of sin. Into the fire he cast the straw of wickedness.

And when he had ploughed the soul with the wood of the cross, he planted in it a most lovely garden of the Spirit, that could produce for its Lord and God the sweetest and most pleasant fruit of every kind.

Attributed to Macarius the Egyptian (c. 300 -391); from the Office of Readings, Wednesday in the 34^th week of Ordinary Time.

De interactieve kaart van de KCKC (Kempen Campus Kerst Cross) is nu online.

KCKC online

Wij zijn nog volop bezig om de kaart te verbeteren, er komt onder andere per post specifieke ruimtelijke informatie. Voor leerlingen die de KCKC gaan rennen handig om zich voor te bereiden en voor (hulp)ouders praktisch om te weten hoe de deelnemers gedirigeerd moeten worden. Klik voor gedetailleerde informatie per post op het icoon.

Je kunt de kaart bekijken door te surfen naar www.marcmantz.nl en klik vervolgens op KCKC.

There certain people in your life that teach you lessons just from the very way that they live their life. Sometimes   they say things that tie it all together. When this happens, it’s like an epiphany. It’s like the bow on top of the package. It’s like the flowers on top of the cake or the cherry on Sunday. It’s that one thing that brings everything into focus even if you heard it time and time again. I had one such encounter with my grandpa back in 1986.

I had driven from my army base in Fort Stewart, Georgia to St. Augustine Florida where my grandpa lived in a trailer. I was a selfish 20-year-old only caught up in my own self gratification. I really didn’t think about how my actions would affect other people. In my life, I had only received things and never really given anything back.

While down in St. Augustine, I asked my grandpa to help me install some speakers in my newly acquired 1977 yellow Mustang. Of course, he being grandpa, happily obliged. After a few hours of cutting, tearing and mending, we finally achieved success. So the next thing that I asked, being a young self-absorbed 20-year-old, was, “What have you got to eat?”

That must’ve been the straw that broke the camel’s back. Throughout the course of the previous two or three hours, my grandpa must’ve been observing the way I handled myself. Because I never really expressed how thankful I was that he was there to help me.

He said in the most stern voice, “You never show appreciation!”

Those four words struck me so deep, that I have never forgotten them to this day. It was like a light went off in my head, and for the first time in my life I realized that there were other people in my life, and that my every action affected them.

I realized then that I really was not thankful for all the blessings in my life. I took so much for granted. I live for myself, and I did not live my life as a blessing to those around me.

It’s not to say that I am perfect or have finally arrived, but it set my feet on a path that I have not changed from to this day. God used my grandpa that day to plant a seed in my heart of serving others.

True thankfulness, true appreciation, begins in the heart. It bubbles up and comes out of the mouth, but it is most effective when it materializes in our hands.

This holiday season, I challenge everyone, including myself, not to be just be thankful in our hearts, or even in our words, but to express our thankfulness, our appreciation, in our actions and our deeds.

I intend to physically show people how thankful I am for them. I intend to show with my actions my love and appreciation. People will not always remember what I say, but they will never forget what I do.

In this, I hope to reflect the life Jesus lived. He didn’t come just to say he loved us; he came to show us he loved us by taking our place in death. It was his actions, not his words, that saved us. It is in my actions that I hope to reflect that heart of love to my family, friends and those far off.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING TO ALL!!!

“You wash me whiter than snow”. Never have I sung these lines with more confidence than today. Stretching out my arms like a child, joyfully running towards its dad. Knowing it will find love. A love so affectionate. A delight so enjoybable.

But whiter than snow… Really? Being reconciled to you, I have never felt so forgiven, so accepted, so cherished.

Yet, there are still consequences I will have to face. Washed with the blood of you, my Saviour – what more could I wish for? What else has the power to cleanse yet the driest stain?

How is it possible? How can a Holy God, so altogether different and perfect do what you’ve done?

Your wounds for my mistakes. Your tears for my foolishness. Your sorrow for my pride.

How lonely Lord were you in that moment? The father – no longer with you. Your one perfect relationship – broken.

The all sustaining love of the father – no longer reaching out for you.

The humiliation of a watching crowd. No privacy. Bare and exposed did you cry out: “My father, why have you forsaken me”?

You’ve found me, given my what I wanted least but needed most.

And most surprising of all, you came in grace. With no ‘To do’ list. With no ranking chart. Just mercy and grace.

Me: empty handed or should I say with hands full. Full of scars, tears, guilt. Not having the least of ideas of what comes next. Or what to do now. But now able to lift up my head to you, rather than it loosely and shamefully facing the ground.

Will I ever grasp the full wonder of you? Not in this life. Here I can only begin to imagine.

Praying this way in times of doubt brings Paul’s teaching in Philippians 4:6 to life: “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.”

After several months off I am finally returning to my “Who is God” series. Expect to see other old favorites of the blog return soon also.

The God of glory appeared to our father Abraham when he was in Mesopotamia, before he lived in Haran, – Acts 7:2

Q. 7. What is God?
A. God is a Spirit,in and of himself infinite in being, glory, blessedness, and perfection; all-sufficient, eternal, unchangeable, incomprehensible, everywhere present, almighty, knowing all things, most wise, most holy, most just, most merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth.

I was created for glory, but so often settle for less.  The only way I can know glory is by knowing God.  His glory is what I live for and hope in.  All other promises of glory are lies.  Every deed that God does proclaims His glory.  God’ glory should give me a sense of worship and ware towards Him for no one and nothing is as glorious as Him.

God’s glory is most clearly seen at the cross where reconciles sinful man to Himself.  I am a glory thief and want His glory for myself.  I have even gone to the length of nailing God’s Son to the cross so that glory can be mine.  Despite all of this God took on flesh to die in my place so that His wrath can be satisfied.  All of God’s glorious attributes are on display in Christ atoning death for my sins.

It is hard to describe God’s glory because it so beyond our finite comprehension.  The implications of God being glory is that it radically transforms our lives.  God is glorious and therefore His call on my life is higher than any other call.  The hope that I have in His glory far surpasses anything else this world offers for me to hope in.  By choosing to wait on God I proclaim that I would rather have what comes from His good and wise will because it is for His glory instead of making things happens for my glory; if I chose the former it will always work out for my good.

Dostałem niezwykły prezent od mojej kochanej dziewczyny. Trafiła w sam środek mojego serca. Dostałem … aparat.
Piękną Yashice Mat-124G. W stanie idealnym. Nie wiem jak ona go zdobyła, ale jeszcze nikt nie sprawił mi tyle radości.
No to wziełem tą Yashice i porobiłem kilka fotek.

Luke 14:10 (KJV) Friend, go up higher to a better place. 

Go up higher to a better place,

Go up higher to a new place of blessings,

Go up higher to a new place of victory,

Go up higher to a new place of abundance,

Go up higher to a new place of glory,

Go up higher to new realms of faith,

Go up higher to soar to new heights,

Go up higher to be closer to Jesus. 

Listen to the words from the one who calls you his friend, ‘go up higher to a better place.’ His invitation for you is to move on up to a better place. There are realms of great faith, victory, and glory, of power, fire and passion in the Holy Spirit yet to be discovered, listen to His invitation to you today for our text in Luke 14:10 (KJV) Friend, go up higher a better place. 

His desire is to bless you and lift you up to better places than you have ever known before. His desire is for you to soar like the Eagle, with wind of the Holy Spirit beneath your wings lifting you higher, higher, and higher to a better place than where you are just now. 

My friend, oh may we have ears to hear what the Spirit is saying to us today from Luke 14:10 (KJV) Friend, go up higher to a better place. 

God bless you my friend, Matthew.

O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, …. how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing.  – Matthew 23:37

Matthew 23 ends as Jesus weeps over Jerusalem, but earlier has His sternest words to its leaders.

Reading those words of condemnation, some think Jesus was angry. No, He was in tears. Read the verse above. Ask, “Could He say it without tears?”

Just Think: the strongest condemnation Jesus ever gave was through tears.

What does this say to me? Should I congratulate myself when I fault others? Or fall on my knees confessing my own sins?

Here, I am to examine myself. “It’s me, it’s me, it’s me, O Lord, standing in the need of prayer.”

I am not here to examine you or my neighbor down the street, but to examine me.

When I examine you, I am apt to say, “Aha! You don’t deserve this Table.” I doubt I can condemn through tears, as Jesus did.

When I examine myself, I fall at His cross in love and thanksgiving for His grace and favor.

Then, I have my deepest love for Him because I realize most how much I need Him.

NEXT (24) – What Will Endure?
PREVIOUS (22) – God’s Party

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“For they know not what they do.. Let the cross draw man to you.”

Even as I am so blessed, I find myself falling into temptation.

“Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me”

God is great. we are blessed.

It’s back…

This time it’s legal!

In order to help me raise money to fund my 2009 cyclocross campaign, I have a autographed frame pack from United Cycle to give away!

It includes:

• Framed Battle of Alberta picture signed by Sam Gagner and Mikka Kiprusoff (value $210)
• 2 West Edmonton Mall Choice Passes (value $70)
• United Cycle gift card (value $20)

Help me to raise funds for my 2009 cyclocross season, and this awesome package can be yours!  All you have to do is fill out this form and correctly answer who is the current Canadian National Cyclocross Champion.

Tickets are $25 each or 5 for $100.

10% of all funds raised will also be donated to my charity of choice, the Stollery Children’s Hospital.

Payment can be made directly by joining the Shaun Adamson Supporters Club or by filling out the form indicating the number of tickets you want and I will send you payment request.

Thanks for all your support!

And a big thanks to United Cycle for the frame pack!

::SAdamson

Magnificent Grace – Ephesians 1:7-8

This is the third part of our series – “To God be the Glory.”

I was reading a story the other day – a man tells of a car accident he was in with his mother – it was before seat belts were installed – a car hit them head on – and he remembers afterwards – being covered in blood.

He soon realized it wasn’t his blood – but his mother’s – in a split second – she grabbed him – and curled around him – to take the IMPACT – for him.  It took almost two years for her to recover from that –we need to know and believe – that JC took the IMPACT of the penalty of our sin on the cross.  In our text the wonderful doctrines of – redemption and forgiveness and grace are wonderfully shown to us.  God’s grace is truly magnificent – words cannot describe all that God did for us in our redemption – praise God this morning if you have been saved by God’s redeeming grace.

Look @ (Tit 2:11-13; 3:4-7) – the grace of God is surely mysterious – I can’t tell you why God left heaven and died in my stead  other than His love for me was overflowing – but yet I can’t fathom that either.  You may recall that as I began this study – Paul introduces Himself  and then immediately breaks into this doxology – praise to God.  He praises God for every spiritual blessing He has given to us in Christ  and it is here that he talks about some of those blessings – that flow out of the matchless grace of God.

Those blessings are contained in the truth that….

I.                     BELIEVERS ARE RANSOMED

“In whom we have redemption through His blood.” – there were 60 million slaves in the Roman empire – they were often brought to market – and sold as merchandise.  However a man could purchase a slave and set him free  and that is what Christ did for us when He redeemed us.

It was at the cross – that JC went to the slave market of sin – and with His precious blood paid the satisfactory payment – for our sins.  He was the high bidder for our lost souls  and the payment was his life for ours.  Look @ (v. 14) – also (Col 1:14) “In whom we have redemption through His blood – the forgiveness of sins.”

Here is a man on death row – he has been sentenced – and is awaiting the execution – but at just the right time – someone pops in and says – “Someone else is going to take your execution – you are free to go.”

You may have picked up on this when I discussed our election and adoption – and talked about how that was handled in eternity past.  Well these blessings of redemption and forgiveness move us into the realm of TIME and history.  This is a present reality – and it is bound up in the person of the Lord Jesus Christ.  Paul writes with a degree in OT law – the picture he uses here is that of Israel being delivered from the bondage of Egypt.  You see as we look back – Egypt is a picture of the world and sin and bondage.

The lost person is standing in the quick sand of sin – and sinking deeper every hour and it is not until the quickening power of the Spirit of God and the Word of God – that we are removed.  All made possible because of the HORRIFYING self sacrifice of Christ on the cross.  It was there that he could have called down the arsenal of heaven – and the folks would have been launched into hell.  Yet He chose to willingly and loving lay down His precious divine life – that calls for a shout of praise.

Our pardon has come down from God – and by faith we are redeemed by His love and grace – which means we should be liberated from our pride and our passions.  Look @ (Heb 9:11-15) – (1 Peter 1:18-21) – God cannot and could not treat sin lightly  unlike we do today – we change the names – dumb it down – look over it – “without the shedding of blood there is no remission of sins.”

God did the work – all of it – all He tells us to do is BELIEVE Him!  So we are talking about these blessings that outflow – from the matchless grace of God – and they are contained in the truth that – Believers are ransomed…..

II.                    BELIEVERS ARE RELEASED

Redemption is always equated with forgiveness – look @ (v. 7a).  So there we were – imprisoned by the grip of sin – and Jesus comes – gives His life a ransomed for ours – and releases us from bondage.  In the OT – (Lev 16) we are told of the Day of Atonement.  It was there the priest would sacrifice for his own sins – but then two goats were brought – he would then kill the one – and take the blood and sprinkle it on the mercy seat.  It was his clean hands and pure heart – on the basis of the bloodshed for his own sins – that he was able to go into the Holy of Holies.  Then it was on the basis of the blood shed – and applied to the mercy seat – that he was able to then confess the sins of the people of Israel.  When he confessed the sins of the people – he would lay both his hands on the live goat.  That goat was then sent out into the wilderness – far far away – until it was lost – never to return.

Christ died – to carry away our sins – (Ps 103:12) “As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us.”

(John 1:29) there was John the Baptist baptizing in the river Jordan – he looked up and saw one coming – “BEHOLD.”

You see the scapegoat was symbolic of the transfer of sins – it was all temporary – and needed to be done every year.  But friends the bible says “Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree – that we being dead to sins – should live unto righteousness – by whose stripes ye are healed.”  There is nothing symbolic about that – Christ LITERALLY bore our sins – on the cross Jesus took all our sins – “what sins are you talking about” – gone gone yes my sins are gone.  All of it appropriated by faith – believing all this – let me ask you this – how is that people can read a bunch of junk in a magazine – and believe it – and yet don’t believe the glorious truths of God great salvation wrought in Christ – written in the Bible.

Look @ (Heb 13:11-12) – believers have been released.  You see the idea of forgiveness – is losing someone from what BINDS him.  It literally means to send away – when God deals with our sin – he dispatches it out into the wilderness – like the scapegoat.  Before we move on – I want us to clearly understand WHAT is forgiven – OUR SINS.

In our culture we like to say that is our little mistakes – God doesn’t call SIN a mistake – He makes it very clear that SIN is active willful rebellion against Him – conscious rebellion against the holiness and righteousness of God.  Human beings are responsible for these treacherous acts against God – and sin needs to be punished.  If sin went unpunished – God would topple from His throne – and when one dies outside of Christ – they go off into eternal torment and punishment.  You see the result of redemption – Christ’s shed blood – God has cancelled – He has forgiven – and the necessary punishment that goes with them.  Redemption is the cause and forgiveness is the effect – Not that God is lenient with sin – because sin had to be paid in order for the sinner to be set free.  The effect of this payment – is the RELEASE – from all obligations caused by sin.

The blessings that outflow from the matchless grace of God – are contained in the truths that – Believers are ransomed & released.

III.                  BELIEVERS ARE RICH

Psalm 68:18 “blessed be the Lord who daily loadeth us with benefits even the God of our salvation.”  Friends we are ransomed and released – all “according to the riches of His grace.”

The unmerited favor and merciful kindness – that God exerts His holy influence – which first of all – turns people to Christ – then keeps them and strengthens them.  Look @ vv. 7b – 8 – do you see there how redemption and forgiveness is according to God’s grace?  But then Paul expounds on that grace – folks it is ONLY by the grace of God – that you and I are sitting here – holding the living Word of God in our hands – and the HS opening our understanding – and rejoicing.  The word “abounded” is great – it literally means “more than enough” – it comes to us in great quantity.  But then “toward” indicates to us that not only is this an action of God that took place in the past – but God continues to unload grace on us.

If you are born again – God has lavished his amazing grace on you – but not only that – he keeps lavishing.  God has provided for all of us – an overabundance of blessings and grace – “Blessed be God.”  God is never cheap in allocating his grace – he gives it unsparingly as needed – John says it comes “grace on top of grace on top of grace.”  Then he says “in all wisdom and prudence” – Paul says in 1 Cor 1 that the wisdom of men is foolishness.  You see human reformation cannot change people – this wisdom here could only be that which is revealed by God – it is ONLY the crucified Christ – who is the wisdom of God – that generates the power to transform people.

Then “prudence” – which is really understanding – the two words really do go together – prudence is discernment.  So “wisdom” is insight into the true nature of God’s revelation – and prudence is God given “common sense” in the present time – practical wisdom.  Do you feel sometimes like you just don’t get it? – it is God’s grace that provided redemption and forgiveness of sins – but that same grace lavishes on us – insight and wisdom.  With the benefits of grace – comes the benefits of understanding and wisdom – which is essential to live the life God has called you to live.  It is the understanding – that your new freedom in Christ – is NOT for self-indulgence – but rather the freedom to serve the risen exalted glorified Savior and Lord Jesus Christ.  So it is “in Christ” we have been accepted (v. 6) – and (vv. 7-8) it is “in Christ” we have – redemption – forgiveness – and have had lavished on us wisdom and discernment – to know the things of God – and serve Him in such a way – He is glorified – and others are drawn to Him.

“At the all-important pivot of human history, the worst sin ever committed served to show the greatest glory of Christ and obtain the sin-conquering gift of God’s grace. God did not just overcome evil at the cross. He made evil serve the overcoming of evil. He made evil commit suicide in doing its worst evil.

Evil is anything and everything opposed to the fullest display of the glory of Christ. That’s the meaning of evil. In the death of Christ, the powers of darkness did their best to destroy the glory of the Son of God. This is the apex of evil. But instead they found themselves quoting the script of the ancient prophecy and acting the part assigned by God. Precisely in putting Christ to death, they put his glory on display – the very glory they aimed to destroy. The apex of evil achieved the apex of the glory of Christ. The glory of grace.”

John Piper, Spectacular Sins (pg.12)

My blog gets me in trouble again.  It’s been a while, so I guess it was bound to happen…

The raffle that I was trying to administer to raise funds is apparently illegal in Alberta.  Who knew??

So for now, keep dreaming about the Battle of Alberta framepack…

• Framed Battle of Alberta picture signed by Sam Gagner and Mikka Kiprusoff (value $210)
• 2 West Edmonton Mall Choice Passes (value $70)
• United Cycle gift card (value $20)

And I will figure out how to make this work out for everybody, legally!

Sorry for all the trouble…

::SAdamson

I think I’m ready to begin reading for the public, and charging for my readings, but I’m not sure.  So I decided to ask the cards.

Question: Am I ready to read for the public and charge for my readings?

I drew 3 cards for my answer.

Anchor + Cross + Clouds

Well, I guess the message is pretty clear that I’m ready yet.  Anchor represents my confidence, and Cross represents my faith, and Clouds shows that both are uncertain.  I don’t have enough confidence and faith in myself yet, so I’m not ready.

Next I asked the card if I will ever be ready to read professionally, and here’s what I got:

Whips + Lily + Clouds

Ugh!  Clouds again!  That means my answer is ‘doubtful.’  Whips + Lily represents active experience, and Clouds shows that my experience is shaky.  I’ll take that to mean I need more practice reading for friends and family in order to acquire the necessary active experience before I’ll be ready to go pro.

That’s not what I was hoping to see, but it’s good advice and it makes sense.