Ez 40:1-4

This is the start of the rainbow after the rain. God will use the balance of the book to show His glory and purpose to a restored land and people - only as long as they are holy and obedient to Him. The vision starts with Ezekiel being led to a high spot overlooking on the south side what appears to be a city. He sees a man of bronze appearance with a linen cord and a measuring stick who has instructed him to record and deliver the message to the house of Israel. The cord was to measure longer distances and the stick the shorter ones.

I guess this must be refreshing for Ezekiel - he lost his wife and couldn't mourn, he was silent and then could speak, he was probably not the most popular person in town since he was standing for what was right, good and just. Still, God saw him through all of this and now He will honor him by showing him that the "best is yet to come".

Workwise, this is one of the days I dread but still as I am reminded - this too shall pass. Lots of stress and anxiety but overall, it is just a day and I can only do what I can do. Heard that GG will be back for next weekend and he will hear my sermon- wow! since the whole family will be there. Looking forward to the long weekend and seeing the Mets/Yankees on Sat and Sun. Sat with Irene and David (Fathers' day gift) and Sunday is a father - son bonding day with David and then a outdoor dinner at my b-i-l. Hopefully the weather holds up.

Praise for today: that He provides rainbows of promise after the rain.

Ez 39:21-29

The main purpose of God is revealed - to display His glory and Name among the nations, to uphold His holiness and to gather Israel unto Himself. When the nations saw Israel split and under captivity, they thought that God had either abandoned them or that He was powerless to save them. Neither was the case since we know that His thoughts and ways are higher than ours and His timing is much different than ours. v.28 when God says that He is "not leaving any behind" when He gathers them is very similar to the Shepard and the 99 sheep with the one missing. God is in the business of restoration even if it means that the lost one may have to go through some "tough love" to get there. The Shepard will only allow the wolf (Satan) to harm and test the sheep if it ultimately can be used for His honor and glory.

Yesterday was a day long overdue - my first round of golf since last year. Shot a 102 on a really tough course which wasn't bad for me. The rain let up but the humidity was there and I played the round with no lunch which added to it - high 80s and the sun came out. Overall a good day and came back to make dinner. I know I dropped some lbs out there since my clothes feel a little looser today. I should make this a daily ritual, ha!

No gym today, since I went yesterday and played golf today, need to give these aching joints some rest. The feet were fine and that was good. Looking forward to seeing GG next week if he can swing it.

Praise for today - answered prayers for Steph McBrayer's dad that he is recovering well. He is the Healer and the Lover of my soul.

Ez 39: 11-20

What do you do with an army that you've just destroyed? The Lord instructs the Israelites where to bury the remains of their enemies and it's enough to fill a valley. So much so that the valley will be close off forever.The whole ordeal will take 7 months and the whole nation of Israel will be involved with the process. Even the birds and animals will be involved in the process since they will eat off the dead carcasses of the enemy as a token of His victory. According the commentary, this will be the foreshadow of Rev. 19: 17-21.

All in all, decent day yesterday. Gym, light lunch and even though it was a long day, it was still nice to chill and relax. Seems like the summer malaise has set in, lack of motivation to do anything around here but just chill. Did make a fruit smoothie after dinner. The highlight of the evening even though it was past my bedtime was to chat and pray with GG. Looking forward to seeing him soon. That led to a lousy night going to sleep since it was tough to fall asleep. Started to go over the sermon and internalize it. Saw Melissa Greene's sermon last week at her church and was extremely inspired both in content and delivery.

Today I am slated to play golf this afternoon, but the weather looks ominous. Still taking my stuff in, just in case. The weeks and days leading up to quarter-end has always been the most torturous for me - always has and always will be. This will be no exception. I guess that's part of life.

Praise for today: that He is truly exalted!

Ez 39: 1-10

This is a systematic attack that the Lord will take on Gog/Magog. He will take him up to the far north where Gog will try and attack Israel. He will then disarm him and give him up as food for the wild birds and beasts to devour. His armies will fall and a fire will be swept across their nation and through this fire, God's holy name will rise. The weapons that they have will be used for fuel for years to come. It seems that Gog brought a knife to a gun fight but this gunslinger was God himself.

Pretty decent weekend, more rest that work. Did do the 2.5 mile walk again on early Sat morning and was able to bring down to church all of the equipment used in the wedding. Lunch with Matt, Elaine and the boys was nice and saw Beauty and the Beast on a tour through our area. It was interesting to see all of the little princesses in the lobby and the show was decent. I have never seen a prince, however, that looked better as a prince than the beast. This guy looked like a young Meatloaf and was pitchy. The Belle was really good and Gaston looked like John Travolta as Vinnie Barbarino. Still a good time with Irene, David and Caroline (niece). Church was good, prayer meeting  & D/E meeting was good and the ride to Delly was good as well. TV has slipped into summer mode where there is really nothing on and slim pickings beyond sports.

Praise for today: Our God is perfect in majesty and splendor!

Ez 38

This was an indictment against Gog, the king of Magog. God was against him and his country and He will use a hook in the jaw like someone dragging a dead carcass from one spot to the next to show the dominance and the futility of its struggle. While Gog prepares for war and for plunder, God will prepare those that He loves and cherishes. Again the holiness of God is in the forefront of the action (v16) but also His justice and His protection. He will turn His wrath upon this vile king and then He will let the nations know that He is God.
The significance is that this war will not be fought for thousands of years as this will happen in Rev 20:8-9. It will happen when Israel is a nation once again and when they least expect it. The timing could be after the 1000 years mentioned in Revelation. Still God will prevail and all will know that He is the King of Kings and the Great I AM.
So glad to have finished my sermon yesterday and flipped it to the wifey for corrections. Then David and my friend Judy can put some ppts on it to spice it up a little. Glad I was able to download a bunch of pics that I had in my camera for the last few events into FB. Looking forward to this weekend, especially with minimal laundry and a lot going on.
Praise for today: He is my Strong Tower!

Ez. 37 :15-28

When God wants His people to return to their land, it is as one nation not two.  The two sticks that would be joined as one represented the split of the Israel nation into two. The 12 tribes were split 10/2 between Judah (2) and the other 10 tribes - Ephraim and his 10 tribes. The leader as always would come from the house and lineage of David and of course, that would be Christ. Their return would be eternal as would their covenant with God be. With this would come the end to idol worship and a return to their holiness and purity as God's chosen ones. In the end, there will be a new Earth for us and them to dwell forever.

I'm back after a relatively long hiatus. I had quite a weekend and spent a day in NYC (under better conditions than the last time) visiting firms and a day in Princeton which saw me go to Citifield for a charity event. Had a great convo with Pastors Dan and Tim Mercaldo of Gateway Church in Staten Island. They are great men of God from generation to generation and have visions far beyond the scope the walls they are in. Alas all is not good news as my car needed a new transmission which given that it is an AWD car will cost some major bucks. Hopefully, this will be the last major repair  on this one...

Very thankful for my family - seeing and praying with GG, helping in any way I could with David and Irene during there tasks for the wedding on this past Sunday. I am so proud of both in how they pulled it off with little if not any hitches.

Praise for today: that He is, not He was or will be - without that factoid we are not.

Ez 37:1-14

What a vision! Perhaps the most well known passage from Ezekiel is the valley of dry bones. The challenge to Ezekiel was to look past the obvious and to see what can be done when the power of God is in us. We who are dead to God spiritually will be dead to Him in our use, our lives and as a person or people. God is the one that will restore those dry and dead bones and give them substance and purpose. The bones were dead a long time, both physically and spiritually. As God breathed life into Adam, He breathes life into these bones and now they have a purpose and a meaning. Similarly, the dry bones, which were symbolic of Israel are similar to us today. We are walking dead unless God breathes life in the form of the HS. Then and only then can we have a life with the Father. God intended for all of his people - then and now to be part of this revival and movement.

Looking forward to this weekend, time alone today while the family goes to my nephew's middle school graduation. The only sad part is that I will miss that and the awesome dinner at City Island (seafood) as well as seeing him and the family. Will get a chance to catch up and pray with GG this weekend. Saturday will be a day with my uncle and my cousin's family and Sunday will be a wedding out on LI. Glad to be working in NYC on Monday and Tuesday out of Princeton so I can attend my b-i-l's charity fundraiser and see my Mets. Wednesday, I'm off - so hopefully I can play a round of golf before heading down to Delly. Hope my trip to NYC will much less adventuresome than my last.

As a result, the blog may go silent until Thursday but we'll see...

Prayers for all my peeps, especially those who are sick and ill. I pray for recovery for a friend's soon to be f-i-l from a horrible plane accident which claimed his friend's life. May his spirit and willingness to soar with the eagles be restored as well as his body. Prayers for David and Irene as they will be involved for this wedding in a big way and that I can be there for them as well. Proud of my family!

I know it is Father's day this Sunday and I really won't get a chance to celebrate it but still it is good to be with family and friends this weekend. Still need to spend time with my sermon as well...

Praise to Him who is my Daddy and that He gave me and Irene one who has enjoyed their rooms in Heaven for over two decades already! Jealous....

Ez 36: 16-38

Here the Lord emphasizes that what He is doing is not because of what Israel is, but rather in spite of them. He is doing this for His holiness and His holy name. They were in God's eyes "profaning His name among the nations" (23). The concept of baptism is also introduced here (25) and that He will create a new heart and spirit in them and remove the heart of stone and replace that with a heart of flesh. He will bless them and while He won't erase the memories of what they have done and were, it would be a reminder to them and they would "loathe yourselves for your sins and despicable practices." The nation of Israel and the lands that would be restored would not be just for the benefit of the Israelites but rather for the nations that surround them to realize the power, majesty and the holiness of God.

Such time and pain has passed from Ch 1 and God is longing for restoration but also for Israel to change as well. It is a testimony as to the patience and immutablity of God. He changes not, His compassions they fail not, blessings all mine with ten thousands beside!

Praise for today: great is His faithfulness!

Ez 36: 1-15

I guess the unwritten law that says that says that "possession is 9/10s of the law" - or whoever has it basically owns it was the feeling that the neighboring countries had towards Israel and their lands. These nations and in particular Edom was with "glee" and with malice in their hearts that they made God's land their own possession so that they can plunder the pastureland. The Lord will now take steps to rectify that situation and once again restore Israel to its lands and to its God. Not only will restoration occur from a land and its people but also a nation to God. Restoration would leave to "thriving, not just surviving".

Workwise, this week is dragging - feels like a Thursday but it's not. Glad I was able to connect with Kevin last night to talk briefly about how to teach the High School class given the advent of the community kids that we would be addressing. Good to know that we are on the same page. The weekend is also packed but hopefully we can connect as a family as well given our schedules and commitments.

Praise for today: What He says, He does!

Ez 35

This was an indictment not against a mount perse but really goes back to the relationship or lack thereof between the Edomites and the Israelites. Edom came from the Esau while the Israelites from Jacob. The Edomites were content to see the fall of Israel and were at times contributors to their destruction. The Edomites were instrumental in assisting the Babylonians to conquer Israel and thus were under the contempt of God. All the while of their existence, the Edomites were not fearful of God nor followed any of His precepts. While they rejoiced at Israel's defeat, the Lord will rejoice in theirs. They could and never will occupy the land that the Lord's people possessed. They will taste desolation.

Decent day yesterday getting back to the grind of the workweek. Made a rack of ribs for the week, so easy and yet so tasty! Had an opportunity to work on my sermon and am about 1/2 way through. Pretty excited to work with one of the young men in my congregation in co-teaching a high school class over the summer and into the school year as well. Oh well, gym time!

Prayed last night for JMoy's soon to be f-i-l and for his friend's family, Heather and her family and other peeps that are near to my heart. Privacy doesn't permit me to post but God will rain His blessings on them!

Praise for today: that He is Plan A and there is no Plan B!

Ezekiel 34:23-31

The Good Shepard that God was referring to here was the lineage of David, which was the Messiah. David, being the second King of Israel had that shepard mentality. He knew what it was like from the get-go what it would take to have the heart of a shepard and who he would be connected with (Ps 23). Simarly, this Shepard would rule the nations, driving out the wolves and protecting and nurturing the flock. Christ often spoke of the shepard and the flock while declaring himself as the Good Shepard and the fulfillment of prophesy. Unlike a human shepard who has to find green pastures, the Shepard in this passage would create an environment that the sheep would thrive and not just survive. Through this relationship, their identity as God's chosen people would once again be restored and continue.

What a weekend! Saw "Super 8" on Friday with Irene at a "fork and screen" cinema so dinner and movie was litteraly at my seat. Pretty good flick with a great train wreck scene. Rain kept me indoors for most of the day but did manage to get a new pair of sandals for Hawaii in July. Saturday night was classic since I got to go to my 40th HS reunion with my Stuy Hi alums. It was great seeing these guys after so many years and catching up with them while having a chance to meet and speak to Dave Wertheim. We shared how God has shaped both our lives and especially for him as a "completed" Jew. Took the opportunity to share how God has blessed me before all of the alums and their spouses. It was good that this event was at a church fellowship hall and that I had a chance to declare Him before all men. Found out that Daniel passed his 3-mo checkride easily and that he has acclimated himself at Harvest Bible in Denver. Dave had a good weekend as well and I still pray for his stamina as his schedule is becoming more and more taxing for the next few weeks. Same for Irene as she has Matt's graduation and Megin/Jesse wedding on Sunday to contend with. Bill O'Byrne and his family was such a blessing on Sunday and glad that Jesse's slot is done with the Board. The Annual meeting was successful and hopefully we can move forward as a church and a community. Glad that I get a chance to work with Kevin over the coming months for the HS class as well.

Praise for today: that He is in control and will be the same - yesterday, today and forever!

Ez 34: 17-22

Here is where the Lord will now be the judge of the sheep - one to another as well as the rams and the goats. Apparently, those who were rich or strong would take advantage of their weaker or less fortunate counterparts. They were not content in their station in life and thus chose to remain on top by making the lives of others miserable. The rest got the spoils and the leftovers while those in wealth, power and authority made conditions so bad that the trampled stayed trampled. We all know these types of people - self promoting, conniving, egotistical and back stabbing. They step on the heads of those around or beneath them to make their way to the top. They make life so miserable for those around them that they have to look up to look down. Modern-day Pharisees and Saducees that have trees in their eyes while they use a pair of pliers to extract the speck in yours. We have all had those people in our lives and have had scars left after they have been long gone.  Still, we are not without hope or recompense. God is our hope and will repay those who have harmed and/or scarred us in the past. Still we are to follow Romans 12: 17-21. I know in my life, I need to let go and "let God". God will provide where others have taken or failed.

Prayers for GG as he has his 3-mo checkride and for David as he comes to end of the school year. Pray that both of them have the wherewithal to get their rest and their time with the Father. Prayers for Irene as well for the same. Looking forward to this weekend, 40 year reunion of the fabled Stuyvesant HS and seeing people that I haven't seen in 4 decades. Lots of sharing and catching up to do.

Praise for today: He is my Strong Tower!

Ez 34:11-16

This is a point where the focus on deliverance come not from the leaders or shepards of Israel but from the One that has the holiest and purest of intentions - the Lord God Himself! He will be the one that will search for the lost, bind up the injured, strengthen the weak and shepard the flock with justice. The 23rd Psalm has moved from "my" to "our". The restoration of the people to what it was intended and should have remained. Jesus came nearly 600 years later to fulfill that in person as the Good Shepard. What once was lost, has now been found.

Praise God that I was able to get my car out the lot yesterday with no incident and thankful that a co-worker was able to drop me off there. Lesson learned about the Wilmington train station and the lack of parking after the morning rush. Overall good day but hate it when my team loses after a great comeback, still these are a bunch of overachievers (Mets) and have done it with low-budget minor league callups when the others have not. Wonder why people ask me why I want to retire to FL where it is so hot? I don't think that the 98-100 degree temps we are bracing for are any warmer here than down there. Still, you can't shovel heat.

Praise for today : the Lord is my Shepard, I shall not want.

Ez 34:1-10

The rulers of Israel were the designated by God to be "shepards". They were supposed to lead and nurture, heal and strengthen the weak . They were supposed to go after the strays and search for the lost. They were the "true north" when they were directionless. According to the Bible and supported by the commentary, the leaders of Israel were cruel, evil and self-promoting. They took what the sheep were to provide - food, milk, wool for clothing and allowed others to plunder and scatter. They fell way short of the goals and directives that were set before them. Shepards were and will be accountable for the flock. God's word was true then and it is true now.

As an elder, I always am pressured by this undaunting task. I take it personally when someone wants to leave our church, regardless if I am the direct cause of it or not. I was so pleased when a young Christian this past retreat revealed her lack of daily devotions due to "lack of time". I told her to use the 5 minute rule and let that grow. 1 min opening prayer, 2 min reading a short passage and 2 min in prayer for applicability and guidance. Consistency is the mark of a true champion. God will bless that effort and use that as a springboard. She told me this past Sunday that she started that and it has helped her immensely. Praise God!

Still reeling from the long day yesterday, somethings good and some not. Got back in @ 12:15 this morning but not without incidents. Long meeting at work forced me to skip lunch and haul over to the train station. Both usual lots were filled so I ventured into this other lot which I thought was going to accomodate train riders and their schedules. Due to the lateness, I missed my Acela and had to wait for a commuter train which had a car (mine) that was stiffling so I moved into a cooler one. My glasses fell out en route but luckily they were retrieved and I got them! Still the heat was overwhelming and I was sweating bullets especially since I was suited up. The bad thing about that was the blisters I developed while walking in dress shoes I rarely wear. Good meetings and dinner and caught my train ok, only to find out that the car was locked in the garage due to the early close and I had to pony up $30 for a cab ride - ugh! Thankful today that a co-worker will give me a lift to work and hopefully I can get someone to drive me to the station to retrieve my car. Never a dull moment...

Praise for today - that He is in control, while I'm not...

Ez 33:21:33

Imagine not being able to speak unless directed? All of those thoughts, expressions, questions not to mention asking for food, directions and a bathroom could not be expressed by our guide, Ezekiel unless the Lord allowed him to speak. It isn't until this chapter and not to mention the months and years that passed that he was silent unless directed by the Lord. I guess silence is golden but I know that it must have had its benefits and its costs.
The issue here is that while God has spoken through Ezekiel countless times, they heard but they did not listen. They still followed pagan ways and did things that the Lord detested and reaped the consequences. They gather and want to hear the message but as the Word says, "with their hearts they express devotion, but their hearts are greedy for unjust gain. Indeed, to them you are nothing more than one who sings live songs with a beautiful voice and plays an instrument well, for they HEAR your words but don't put them into practice." I guess that still applies today - I pray I am not one of those.

Prayers for those who will affected by the heat wave we will be having for the coming days, new records to be made... I will be "suiting" up and heading to NYC for a dinner only to take the "last train to Clarksville" and start the grind tomorrow. Long day...

Praise for today that there is bright hope for tomorrow and today with blessings all mine!

Ez 33:1-20

From a commentary's standpoint:

·        This passage is teaching basic principles. It is important not to misunderstand its message:

(1) In order to have a right relationship with God, a person must obey God. A wicked person must start to obey God. And a good person must continue to obey God. (2) The *Lord is good. He always does what is right and fair. And he always wants people to do what is right and fair too. (3) This passage does not teach that people can achieve a right relationship with God by their own efforts. Nobody can please God by means of good works or human effort. But the passage does teach that people must change their attitudes in order to please God. That is what it means to *repent. A person must be sincere and humble in order to *repent. And then that person’s behaviour will start to change. The person will start to do those things that please God. (4) The passage does not teach that people can easily lose their relationship with God. Even in the *Old Testament, God did everything possible to bring people back to himself. See, for example, David’s experience in 2 Samuel chapter 12. As Ezekiel 32:11 says, God does not even want to punish a wicked person. And he cares very much about his own people who have a relationship with him. In the *New Testament, real Christians have the benefit of what Jesus achieved by his death. Our relationship with God is not something weak. God established it. So, we can be confident about what he has done. (5) The passage teaches that God’s message is very important. People who receive God’s message have an important responsibility. They must not neglect it. Jesus taught that too (Luke 19:11-27). See also James 3:1.

For me v.11 is the key to the heart of God - repentance from evil is what the Lord desires. The accountability of the watchman is also crucial - to sound the warning against the malaise that can bring a people down. We cannot live in the past whether good or bad, it's our heart and actions now that determines whether we are in lock-step with God. Similar to "what have you done for me lately", "where is your heart now"

Good weekend, all in all. Finished up a gift cert to OLIO's - pretty decent food and value for what we had on Friday with Irene. Saw Pirates on Sat with Irene as well and found it enjoyable, but not great - was able to use a free ticket from the points I accumulated. Was able to do my 2.5 mile walk pain free (feetwise, the other parts of my bod - oh well!) and had some good quality time with David on Sat nite. Sunday was a long day but always enjoyable to hear P. Dave Biedel, the drive down and 2 loads of ironing. Still with the Metskis winning 2 of 3 from the Braves, it was ok but they did have a chance to sweep except for the bullpen melt down. Was also able to spend some time in convo and prayer with GG Sunday evening.,

Praise for today: that GG was able to go to Harvest Bible in Denver and see Marty Magehee yesterday. I praise Him for His healing power over my feet.

Ez 32: 17-32

From a commentary's standpoint:

Verses 17-32 Two weeks later, in March 585 *BC, the *Lord spoke to Ezekiel. He told Ezekiel to weep for the *Egyptians. The *Lord must punish people because of their *sins. However, he is sad that he must do it. (See 2 Peter 3:9.) Those people who refuse to *turn to him will suffer because of their *sins. When we die that is not the end. We will exist beyond the grave. There is the place of the dead; or there is life with God.

The *Egyptians who died would go to the place of the dead. All those people who do not belong to God will go there. In that place of the dead, there will be many of the great nations. They had caused terror while they were on the earth. The king of Egypt will see the nations in the place of the dead. He will have some comfort. He will not suffer alone in that awful place. People had been afraid of him when he was alive. But God will send the *Babylonians to kill him and his people. And they will go down to the place of the dead.

How true is that! Often we are weeping for others as well as ourselves because of sin. The reason we do it is not so much for the present but rather than the future or eternity. There is zero consolation that when I die, the souls of the unsaved are not with me. Granted, there are some that have wronged me and have hurt me in the past and I let God handle their just rewards but still/...  What if...

Looking forward to going home this weekend. Tons of laundry to do since I wasn't able to do it last weekend. Dinner with the wife tonight and hopefully with David tomorrow. Seems like a great weekend, weather wise!

Prayers for Heather and her family! She has seen more doctors and hospitals in one year than families have seen in a lifetime but still she can praise and lead others by her example. Glad to hear that Oren Paris is doing better and will not need surgery. Prayers also for Gary Carter as he is fighting brain tumors - we are about the same age. I met him a few years ago and he was extremely nice and cordial to me.

The list for my 40th HS reunion is growing and I am looking forward to it. Who knows if I will see the 50th?

The event is next Saturday.

Praise for today: I praise Him for He directs my paths and I will acknowledge Him in all my ways.

Ez 32: 1-16

The Lord gave this song to Ezekiel in March 585 BC. The Lord compares Hophra to a lion and then to a crocodile who is caught and then left to die on dry land and whose body is consumed by birds and other predators. The sight of this event will be such that his own people will be distraught and the effects will have lasting and visible effects on surrounding kingdoms and kings. They too will fear the Lord for what they have seen could and will happen to them. In essence, He will drive Egypt to her knees. If the mighty have fallen why wouldn't they? It is a stunning lament for one to recognize. We often see others that are "high and mighty" when they should exude humility only to fall. It really does show that "pride goes before the fall".

Looking forward to enjoy a break from this late spring heat and the nice weather. God is good all the time!

Ez 31

This chapter take place 2 months later in June 587 BC. God told Ezekiel to prophesize against Hophra and Egypt not to be proud and consider themselves elite. The cedar tree and in particular the cedar tree in Lebanon must have been the most spectacular to envision. The majesty of the tree as well as the wood it harbors was legendary even in with the building of the temple and the ark of the Covenant. Assyria was once that type of tree and even in the garden of Eden, that tree must have been magnificent. Yet God does hate the proud - whether it is a man or a nation. Throughout the Bible, humility and humbleness are the characteristics one should strive for. How contrary to that which society holds dear! The Assyrian Empire fell to the Babylonian one for this very reason. Kingdoms do rise and fall and so do proud men before a holy God.

I see men all of the time in my line of work who are proud and arrogant - self promoting but in the end what will that achieve them?  I think they miss the mark daily because they fail to love and acknowledge God and care for those around them. I don't pray for their downfall but rather that God will be gracious to them when reality takes grip.

I am so grateful for this blog and who it might reach. I am thankful for so many things and yet I fail to verbalize them but still in my heart and soul, I am.

Prayers for today are for my family and peeps. For those who are seeking God and for those healing from past wounds.

Praise for today: that I started my sermon for early July!!! I praise Him for the thoughts and the writings of others who have inspired me.