The Third Commandment- of the 10 commandment challenge :)

Good morning. For today's blog we will continue on with the 10 Commandment challenge.

Deuteronomy 4:1-6 Now therefore hearken, O Israel, unto the statutes and unto the judgments, which I teach you, for to do them, that ye may live, and go in and possess the land which the Lord God of your fathers giveth you.

² Ye shall not add unto the word which I command you, neither shall ye diminish ought from it, that ye may keep the commandments of the Lord your God which I command you.
³ Your eyes have seen what the Lord did because of Baalpeor: for all the men that followed Baalpeor, the Lord thy God hath destroyed them from among you.
⁴ But ye that did cleave unto the Lord your God are alive every one of you this day.
⁵ Behold, I have taught you statutes and judgments, even as the Lord my God commanded me, that ye should do so in the land whither ye go to possess it.
⁶ Keep therefore and do them; for this is your wisdom and your understanding in the sight of the nations, which shall hear all these statutes, and say, Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people.

 The Third Commandment says this "Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain; for the Lord will not hold guiltless that taketh his name in vain"

Ok so the third commandment in plain terms says to not take the Lords name in vain and that we will be held accountable for doing so.
 First lets address that Gods actual name  in Hebrew is Yahweh and Jesus' name  is Yeshua. There is an deceitful argument that some use to say that misusing Jesus name or putting gods name in front of 'dammit" does not break the 3rd commandment as we are not saying Yahweh or Yeshua while cursing.?? Can we really sit comfortably with that interpretation? Do you think God would condone us cursing at all, let alone using whatever language we speak to swear in his name? If this wasn't meant to be an integral part to be understood and followed even today it wouldn't be one of the 10 commandments which is referred to numerous times throughout the Bible to be followed always.
Many curse while using Jesus' name or yell out obscenities when injured or upset.  We may not realize just how horribly defiant and disrespectful that is. To actually use the Lords name in a negative context at all makes total sense that God would not be happy.
It is getting so used today that most may not even realize that they are taking the Lords name in vain or breaking the commandment. Even saying "Oh my G--" is not acceptable within Gods standards. I used to be famous for this one. Most think that they are only words and that it doesn't matter in the grand scheme of things but YOU would be as wrong as I was as God says differently.
To non chalantly use Gods name even innocently enough as a act of surprise or genuine upset is still being disrespectful.  If we don't mean anything by it and it is meant to be somewhat flippant why would you use HIS name at all in the sentence?  It absolutely shows God He is not first in our life if we can be that flippant about using his name at all in any circumstance. It shows a lack of honour and obedience for our Lord and his commandments.

Start ANY Hollywood movie and you will hear the Lords name being taken in vain repeatedly and usually within minutes of the production beginning. This is done intentionally throughout Hollywood as Satan wants us all to break the commandments as often as we can.  If he can get us to disregard the commandments or think that if said innocently enough or just as a random curse word then whats the big deal? Well God says it is a big deal and when we sit down to really think about it, it should be a huge deal.

Did Jesus not mean what he said when he said if you break even the least of the commandments and teach others to do so that you will be called least in the Kingdom of Heaven? Was that not true? I don't believe Jesus to be a liar..do you?

It sounds like a pretty big deal to me and should be a big deal to you and your family as well.

Activity to do to honour the 3rd commandment:  We will be setting up a swear jar in our home. This will help us to become more aware of the language we use in order to stop it altogether.  God would not want us to continue on this path and is patiently waiting for us to all figure it out. Will you and your family be taking part in joining me and my family in honouring God by following ALL of his commandments? 

The Second Commandment

Exodus 20:4 "Thou Shalt not make unto thee any graven image or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above or that is in the earth beneath or that is in the water under the earth: thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the Lord thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of they that hate me; and shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me and keep my commandments"

First we need to recognize the two separate commands in the second commandment.  Lets start by looking at what God means when he says 'Graven image'.  Man likes to redefine things we dont understand fully to suit our own interpretations but we must again be aware that in doing so we are then changing Gods meaning.
Man has been taught that a graven image means something we have to bow down to but what does scripture specifically say? If we read the scripture listed above in Exodus 20:4 again, Thou shalt not MAKE unto thee any graven image..... The term 'make' is used which is very different from the term "worship" or "bow down to" in the beginning of this commandment.  Later on in the scripture however, it does then talk of not bowing down or worshiping idols or statues. But they are separate statements.  He made sure to state these separately and for that reason we should stop to ask why?

In the Exodus scripture it says we are not to make any images of anything in heaven, in earth or in the waters but then if we read Deuteronomy 4:16-18 it gives more description and an even clearer explanation of what things we are not to make graven images of.  Lest ye corrupt yourselves, and make you a graven image, the similitude of any figure, the likeness of male or female. The likeness of any beast that is on the earth, the likeness of any winged fowl that flieth in the air. The likeness of any thing that creepethon the ground, the likeness of any fish that is in the waters beneath the earth.

If looked up in the version I use which is the Authorized King James version 1839 Dictionary or Concordance says that "Graven" is something that is "carved or cut out"   And that same concordance shows that the term "image" means a drawing, picture, or statute of something; a copy or something very like another"   A few examples are Man in his own image Gen 1:27, Not make any graven image Exodus 20:4

Graven images then would be any three dimensional drawing picture or statues of anything male or female that represents anything in heaven, anything in the earth including beast, bird, creeping thing  and then anything in the sea below including fish in the waters below. It then later goes into more detail explaining how we are not to worship any of these things. 


Does this constitute anything we collect as well then? One of the consequences of collecting things as a innocent hobby later become idols of the heart as we become attached to our collections of figurines, dolls toys etc. We may think its innocent enough nevertheless it teeters as a form of idolatry and it draws our attention away from God and our families. 

Deuternonomy 7:26 "Neither shalt thou bring an abomination into thine house, lest thou be a cursed thing like it: but thou shalt utterly detest it, and thou shalt utterly abhor it; for it is a cursed thing"

With this being said does giving our childrens dolls, toys and stuffed animals then also break the second commandment? I know your first reaction is the same as mine ...."ok a little neurotic now maybe", but think about that for a second. We have already agreed that we interpret scripture the way we want in order to fit our lifestyle right? Stay with me for a second.... if He says there is to be no 3D images of anything in heaven or earth or the waters below and we buy our child a stuffed dolphin not thinking we are doing anything wrong....is that not an image of something in the seas? Again we go back to the fact that the second commandment doesnt mention that these things have to be worshipped in order to qualify as a graven image right? I know ....again I see the logic that still sounds innocent enough correct? Now take it one step further. When we give these items to our children most become attached to at least one specific item throughout their childhood.  That item usually follows them into their adolescent years in some cases and becomes a source of comfort for the child.  Who in reality should the child turn to in times of sorrow or distress for comfort and peace? Have we unknowingly been placing an inanimate stuffed object as a false sense of security and protection for our children to believe in rather than teaching them that their true saviour and protector is Jesus Christ?
It is made clear that ALL Graven images and idols are forms of abominations. Throughout history we have been told that they were used to attract spiritual demons and curses quite openly and still continue today in other countries in the form of voodoo and medicine men. They do this using dolls. Children were not to even touch the dolls as they were known to carry "magical" healing powers and today we give them innocently as gifts we think.
Did you know that Egyptians were buried with dolls so they would have spirit friends/servants in the spirit world ?
So maybe there is something more to dolls than we know but God is fully aware of....

The Second Commandment also then clearly states that we should not reduce God to a likeness of a physical object.I believe that the devil will use the false imagery of Jesus to trick mankind into worshiping him instead of God.  God is a living God not a statue or a picture. Yahweh does not need us to make statues,idols or images to worship Him or to sell or promote his kingdom. When we make images it distorts and limits our perceptions of Him.  Bowing down to pay homage to ones own image of God may appear as an act of devotion only until you understand Gods true purpose for us. All that is required is simple obedience to his teachings. God expects those who worship him to demonstrate their love by following his commandments not by following rituals in front of a statue.  Acts 17:29-30 Forasmuch then as we are the offspring of God we ought not to think that the Godhead is like unto gold or silver o stone graven by art or mans device. And the times of this ignorance God winked at: but now commandeth all men every where to repent: Because he hath appointed a day, in which he will judge the world in righteousness..."

God is far greater than anything we can see or even imagine! He has left us specific instructions or commandments that he wants us to follow. It is not neurotic or fanatical to do what God commands of us. Was Daniel a fanatic when he refused to follow the crowd and bow down to King Nebuchadnezzar? Was Shadrack, Meshack and Abendigo fanatical to listen to God and stand for what they believed in? 

In my house will be removing anything that is not of God in our home. I have done a walk through and have a few little statue items. I was a collector of unicorns(oops) when I was young but nothing as an adult really. If God showed up and told you to get rid of all the collectibles you own, all the figurines all the stuffed toys and dolls and gave you eternity in exchange would you resist ? It really isn't as hard or as big of a sacrifice as you would think. ;) 

THE10 COMMANDMENT CHALLENGE ;)

Good afternoon everyone. I'm going to try something a little different and a little interactive with the blog starting today. If you have already been reading my blogs then you will understand when I  start this blog out with a controversial statement. "Religion is simply organized rules whereas KNOWING The God Of Israel TRULY is a Relationship."  Anyone can simply follow rules and although tedious in nature as well as unnecessarily burdensome they are do-able for a while. What typically seems to happen with most who have lapsed their faith, as if BY pattern,  have had bad "religious" experiences and then incorrectly condemn and dump GOD because of it. We often quickly condemn God for the actions of people!  Now out of fairness for a moment I stopped and thought of how I would feel if someone dumped me as a friend, wife, mother etc because of something someone else did that I had no control over......I would  by no means, be cool with that.

An actual relationship with God requires a lot more effort,patience and discipline and a lot less pride, arrogance and selfishness on our parts.  It truly is the greatest gift on the planet!  In order to strengthen a relationship with Him you first must be obedient to His word. ALL OF THEM.... So that is where we are going to start.  One of the most famous bible scripture known to man worldwide are  the 10 Commandments. These commandments are the foundation for the Bible and Gods word.  It is the very structure that your relationship with God  is based on. My family and I are going to start a 10 commandment journey and you are more than welcome to join us. We will go through every commandment and dissect each one for its true meaning. We will then effectively take the required steps to make changes in our lives that will please God according to his instructions laid out in the 10 commandments:):):):)

The 1st commandment:
Exodus 20:2-3 Thou Shalt have no other Gods before me.  This would count all things we put before God- Money included.  The Lord is a jealous God and we are to be obedient.  If God says we are to have no other gods then we would do well to listen. We are to put our faith in our Creator not in money or in any other object or being. We are to be following the 10 commandments as a starter,  but what does the first commandment actually mean really?
I don't worship Buddha or have a Krishna statue or any other pagan deity in my living room, but does that mean that you are correctly holding to the first commandment?

First what is considered 'pagan' and what is considered 'holy'?  Pagan would be anything that is not of God's ways directly and takes you in a path away from God either toward another false deity or altogether in more of an atheist path. Holy would be anything "of God"  If we look back in scripture to the days the Lord considers "Holy Days" are we honouring these days God speaks of? He gives very specific instructions as to the days we are to honour in his name, but do we recognize them as a society?  Do we instead celebrate  pagan rituals such as Easter and Christmas which are not mentioned anywhere in the Bible and is not of Gods instruction? What most don't realize, by celebrating these holidays you are actually paying homage to another deity or more correctly Fallen angel(demon(s) and blatantly disobeying Gods instructions.  This exactly constitutes  'worshipping other Gods' which is the very thing he tells us not to do.

1st Exercise:  Rid the home of any ritual pagan symbolism. Get rid of all Christmas Easter Halloween decorations. All pagan holiday items to be removed and destroyed. For obvious reasons if its pagan for you and your family you should not be giving it away to anyone else to use. That would effectively be encouraging this holiday.

2. Go through a life cleaning as to family/individual thoughts toward Money OR ANYTHING CAUSING STRIFE IN THE HOME...video games,facebook, television. Anything that keeps you from spending time with God and your family. Don't let these things cause a wedge in the family and give them no power.  
Most families fight in times of financial stress. I know I've been there too. This will only worsen the situation. Jesus tells us to have faith and follow him no matter what. We should have the "We wont be shaken" mentality.  As families these are the times we need to pull closer together not be torn apart. We can accomplish much more together than we can apart and  the tough times coming up financially are going to be a testament to that. The families that work together with each others and the communities interest at heart will be the ones who succeed in this type of world.

The Creator, The God of Israel made all that exists.  Only the Creator has the power to be God, looking to anyone or anything else is a dead end journey.  This includes anything you think is 'more important' than worship right now. "Being brought out of slavery and bondage" doesn't just mean the Israelites out of Egypt but also our own struggles on a daily basis with evil and dark forces.  It promises the release of slavery of sin. Moses was the physical deliverer of the physical Israelites and Jesus is the spiritual deliverer of the spiritual Israelites.

To be a true believer or "Israelite" however one would have to first submit to and obey our Creators demands in exchange for the grace given by his covenants. If we continue to hold up to our end of the bargain just as the tribes of Israel did then should we be confused when we hear the story of them having to wander the desert for 40 years for disobedience ? And if they were made to wander the desert for 40 years what does he have planned for our generation for disobedience keeping in mind the other signs?
The first step is to start doing the correct thing by obeying his word. We as a family are starting with the 10 commandments and making sure we have them right....what about you and your family...Won't you join us? ;)

The next blog with cover the 2nd commandment and steps to take to be on board with Gods plan, the way we should be- not what we have been tricked to believe ;)

GOD BLESS XOXOXOXOX

Using the Good Book

Todays blog is on the topic of life lessons that God wants us to know. Some of these you will notice teach us how to be good people, good wives, good husbands and good sons.
 Let`s first start with marriage altogether
It is true that God has scripture in the Bible that says that it is better for man not to marry or ever have sexual relations but if we must it is not a sin. 1Corinthians 7:2-5 Now concerning the things whereof ye wrote unto me: It is good for a man not to touch a woman.
² Nevertheless, to avoid fornication, let every man have his own wife, and let every woman have her own husband.
³ Let the husband render unto the wife due benevolence: and likewise also the wife unto the husband.
⁴ The wife hath not power of her own body, but the husband: and likewise also the husband hath not power of his own body, but the wife.
⁵ Defraud ye not one the other, except it be with consent for a time, that ye may give yourselves to fasting and prayer; and come together again, that Satan tempt you not for your incontinency.
God also says that he wants us to marry one person and stay with that person until death due you part  
Mark 10:6-9
But from the beginning of the creation God made them male and female.
⁷ For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and cleave to his wife;
⁸ And they twain shall be one flesh: so then they are no more twain, but one flesh.
⁹ What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.

Although we like to throw our own understanding into the Bible God is very clear in this area. Women are allowed to remarry in the case of death as well. 1Corinthians 7:39  The wife is bound by the law as long as her husband liveth; but if her husband be dead, she is at liberty to be married to whom she will; only in the Lord.
Provisions for divorce are included in the Bible as well but Jesus later says the only two valid reasons for divorce is infidelity and abuse. Marriage was meant to be until death and God very much feels this way still. We should be able to work through our problems together. If you divorce for any other reason you are not to remarry or you are then guilty of adultery.  If you are in this position you may not have known that this was a sin. In this case it would be the same as anything else. You would be required to repent of your ignorance of Gods laws and ask for forgiveness to which it will be given ;) God is very forgiving and no matter what your sin his grace offers redemption from them.

Harmony at home is one of the greatest blessings in life.  Proverbs 17:1 Better is a dry morsel, and quietness therewith, than an house full of sacrifices with strife.The number one problem in marriages and families is strife.

What makes a good wife according to God. Here are a few scriptures on this topic.

A GOOD WIFE
Proverbs 31:10-31  "Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies.
¹¹ The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil.
¹² She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life.
¹³ She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands.
¹⁴ She is like the merchants' ships; she bringeth her food from afar.
¹⁵ She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens.
¹⁶ She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard.
¹⁷ She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms.
¹⁸ She perceiveth that her merchandise is good: her candle goeth not out by night.
¹⁹ She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff.
²⁰ She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy.
²¹ She is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all her household are clothed with scarlet.
²² She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing is silk and purple."

Because it was Eve that was deceived in the Garden of Eden , the man is to make the final decision, but the decisions are to be made together as a family.  1Timothy 2:11-14   Let the woman learn in silence with all subjection.
¹² But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence.
¹³ For Adam was first formed, then Eve.
¹⁴ And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in the transgression
 This of course using rationale and scripture means specifically that because women may use their heart and be easily led astray the man of the home AFTER MUTUAL DISCUSSIONS with the wife would make a final decision that is best for the family as a whole.  He is to be the Man of the Home and women are to accept that duty of in their husband.

Proverbs 11:16 A gracious woman retaineth honour

Proverbs 18:22 Whoso findeth a wife findeth a good thing, and obtaineth favour of the Lord.

Proverbs 12:4 A virtuous woman is a crown to her husband: but she that maketh ashamed is as rottenness in his bones.

Proverbs 14:1  Every wise woman buildeth her house: but the foolish plucketh it down with her hands.



Ephesians 5:22   Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord.
It needs to be noted so not to be confused other scripture follows with the specific instruction from God that we are to submit to one another in a marital relationship, not just the wife submitting as some denominations perceive the Bible to read.


 Ephesians 5:21 Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God. Submitting to one another out of the reverence to Christ. It is not to be one sided where the woman does everything the man says and there is no give and take.  Its a very two way street but the premise is to treat your spouse better than yourself but still an equal in decision making. If we are honest, despite this new Girl Power movement that seems to have gotten out of control, women really are a weaker species physically FOR THE MOST PART. I am aware that some women are larger than men and could perform some of these physical jobs and tasks and by all means...you go girl, but if we need to change test standards etc then maybe that job isnt a "male,female" job persay..... MAYBE its just a physical job that requires more power and strength to complete. If women could adequately perform in the same time limit the same tasks then they should qualify however if not....maybe a different career should be in the works is all Im sayin instead of playing politics.  ;)


Bible scripture on how to be GOOD HUSBANDS 
 Husbands be understanding with your wife.  Show honour to her as the weaker partner as wives are the grace of life so that prayers may not be hindered.  1Peter 3:7  Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered.

Ephesians 5:23-29 
For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body.
²⁴ Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing.
²⁵ Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;
²⁶ That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,
²⁷ That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.
²⁸ So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself.
²⁹ For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church:

Ephesians 5:33  Nevertheless let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself; and the wife see that she reverence her husband.

1Corinthians 11:3  But I would have you know, that the head of every man is Christ; and the head of the woman is the man; and the head of Christ is God.

Now concerning virgins I have no commandment of the Lord: yet I give my judgment, as one that hath obtained mercy of the Lord to be faithful.
²⁶ I suppose therefore that this is good for the present distress, I say, that it is good for a man so to be.
²⁷ Art thou bound unto a wife? seek not to be loosed. Art thou loosed from a wife? seek not a wife.
²⁸ But and if thou marry, thou hast not sinned; and if a virgin marry, she hath not sinned. Nevertheless such shall have trouble in the flesh: but I spare you.
²⁹ But this I say, brethren, the time is short: it remaineth, that both they that have wives be as though they had none;
³⁰ And they that weep, as though they wept not; and they that rejoice, as though they rejoiced not; and they that buy, as though they possessed not;

The Bible talks about how to be A GOOD SON 
Proverbs 13 
A wise son heareth his father's instruction: but a scorner heareth not rebuke.
² A man shall eat good by the fruit of his mouth: but the soul of the transgressors shall eat violence.
³ He that keepeth his mouth keepeth his life: but he that openeth wide his lips shall have destruction.
⁴ The soul of the sluggard desireth, and hath nothing: but the soul of the diligent shall be made fat.
⁵ A righteous man hateth lying: but a wicked man is loathsome, and cometh to shame.
⁶ Righteousness keepeth him that is upright in the way: but wickedness overthroweth the sinner.
⁷ There is that maketh himself rich, yet hath nothing: there is that maketh himself poor, yet hath great riches.
⁸ The ransom of a man's life are his riches: but the poor heareth not rebuke.
⁹ The light of the righteous rejoiceth: but the lamp of the wicked shall be put out.
¹⁰ Only by pride cometh contention: but with the well advised is wisdom.
¹¹ Wealth gotten by vanity shall be diminished: but he that gathereth by labour shall increase.
¹² Hope deferred maketh the heart sick: but when the desire cometh, it is a tree of life.
¹³ Whoso despiseth the word shall be destroyed: but he that feareth the commandment shall be 

Proverbs 17:25  A foolish son is a grief to his father, and bitterness to her that bare him.

Proverbs 19:26  He that wasteth his father, and chaseth away his mother, is a son that causeth shame, and bringeth reproach.

And just in general God gives us specific instructions on how to be a better person all round:
Genesis 1:28 He tells us to be fruitful and multiply.  The global government would have you believe that we have too large of a population to sustain our lifestyle claiming shortage of food and why many are starving. In actuality people are starving because of Greed, nothing to do with food not being available. The sad reality of it is that the food is only available to some and that is WRONG

We are to listen far more than we speak. James 1:19 Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath:  Slow down in conflict situations. Avoid speaking and listen this will help to contain your reaction

 When we speak we are to use only uplifting words not words that hurt. Proverbs 16:24 Pleasant words are as an honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones  and James 3:10 Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be. Set up a swear jar -Every penny represents a swear word in order to help you to stop

 Titus 2:1-15
But speak thou the things which become sound doctrine:
² That the aged men be sober, grave, temperate, sound in faith, in charity, in patience.
³ The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things;
⁴ That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children,
⁵ To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed.
⁶ Young men likewise exhort to be sober minded.
⁷ In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine shewing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity,
⁸ Sound speech, that cannot be condemned; that he that is of the contrary part may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say of you.
⁹ Exhort servants to be obedient unto their own masters, and to please them well in all things; not answering again;
¹⁰ Not purloining, but shewing all good fidelity; that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things.
¹¹ For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,
¹² Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;
¹³ Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;
¹⁴ Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.
¹⁵ These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no man despise thee.

These are just a few scriptures that help us to live the way our Creator intended. There are many many more.   My wish is that this may help each one of us to live a little differently starting today :)
GOD BLESS XOXOXOXO