The middle class received most of the attention. But the wealthy were mentioned too, mostly in a disparaging sense. Then of course there are the poor.

The so-called "American dream" is defined by many as "getting ahead," or "making something of oneself," or maybe "climbing the ladder."

It seems that social mobility was also a big thing in Paul's time as well. In the Greek-Roman culture of his day.

Especially at Corinth, class status was significant.

I was pleasantly surprised to discover that Paul actually preached about this! The upper, middle and lower classes were nearly named in his sermon!

Here it is, as recorded by the Holy Spirit in 1st Corinthians 7:17-24. "But as God hath distributed to every man, as the Lord hath called every one, so let him walk. And so ordain I in all churches. Is any man called being circumcised? let him not become uncircumcised. Is any called in uncircumcision? let him not be circumcised. Circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing, but the keeping of the commandments of God. Let every man abide in the same calling wherein he was called. Art thou called being a servant? care not for it: but if thou mayest be made free, use it rather. For he that is called in the Lord, being a servant, is the Lord's freeman: likewise also he that is called, being free, is Christ's servant. Ye are bought with a price; be not ye the servants of men. Brethren, let every man, wherein he is called, therein abide with God."

Wow!

If this Paragraph of Scripture could be summarized, perhaps Paul is saying something like this: "Upward social mobility is not the most important thing in life. Being in Christ is what gives a man or woman significance. You are priceless if Jesus lives in your heart!"

National elections often hinge on economic issues. People ignore every other area of public life, as long as the money is good! As times are prosperous! As jobs are plentiful! As advancement is normal and expected!

Paul, in an obvious attempt to set precedent, brushes aside social norms, replacing them with heavenly priorities!

Let's begin today with Verse 17. "But as God hath distributed to every man, as the Lord hath called every one, so let him walk. And so ordain I in all churches." 1st Corinthians 7:17

The central verb might be "called," really "hath called." It's spelled "kaleo" in Greek and literally is kin to the word "class."  Paul is lecturing on "class" distinctions at Corinth!  Christianity covers every area of life!

The verb "distributed" is "merizo" and means "to divide into parts." Some say, "to cut into pieces, to apportion." Whatever position one holds in life, in society, God has granted to an individual! If you were born wealthy, thank God. If average, still thank Him! Even poverty can have certain advantages! This kind of thinking goes "against the grain" in today's materialistic culture. Still, Proverbs 15:17 teaches us: "Better is a dinner of herbs where love is, than a stalled ox and hatred therewith." In other words, one is better off eating with poor folks who can only afford lettuce, if kindness prevails at the table ... than eating steak and all the trimmings with some millionaire, if anger and bitterness abound! Amen!

Financial status can be less important than atmosphere, spirit, love! Many a wealthy lady has become amorously entwined with a poor, but kind, gentleman!

For Paul, one's "walk" is his or her manner of life. "Peripateo" just indicates the areas where you "tread all around."

Be satisfied!

Be content!

Don't covet!

Live for Jesus in whatever station of life He's granted you!

Bloom where you are planted!

This, for some reason, is so important to Paul that he wishes to make it a "rule" for every Christian! "And so ordain I in all churches." Wow!

That verb "ordain" is powerful. "Diatasso" is a military word. It means "to command, to order, to bring things into  line!" Everyone in his or her place!

In the Corinthian Church "class warfare" nearly existed! The rich ate better food than did the poor at the regular "love feasts," their equivalent to our fellowship suppers. No sharing occurred, either!  Some church-members sued other church-members in courts of law, too! For financial gain! Even in areas like "spiritual gifts" tension, even competition, seemed to exist!

"Quit it," says Paul!

Covetousness can be deadly for the Christian.

"Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry." Watch those capitalized words, Colossians 3:5. Did Paul just say that covetousness is a form of idolatry? I thought so too.

Whether you're wealthy or poor, educated or illiterate, man or woman, employee or employer, draw your worth from being "in" Jesus, not from your bank account or college degree or physical appearance.

Focus on the things that really matter!

"But as God hath distributed to every man, as the Lord hath called every one, so let him walk. And so ordain I in all churches." 1st Corinthians 7:17 begins one interesting paragraph!

Tomorrow, Lord willing, we shall go further.

                                                                              --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

LESSON 2, VERSES 18-19:

Paul addresses problem after problem in the Corinthian Church! First Corinthians is nearly a handbook on Church difficulties.

In chapter seven this pattern does not change. One issue the Apostle tackles there is the strong desire of many Corinthians believers to "move up" the social ladder!

The Greek-Roman world was very "class" conscious.

Our Text today, a two-verse slice of Holy Writ, provides a perfect example of what we've just discussed. "Is any man called being circumcised? let him not become uncircumcised. Is any called in uncircumcision? let him not be circumcised. Circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing, but the keeping of the commandments of God." 1st Corinthians 7:18-19

First, the grammar. The verb "called" appears twice here. "Kaleo," as mentioned earlier, is distantly related to the word "class." Here God has "placed" us in certain social categories. Or in certain racial groups. Or with particular parents. Or in a unique part of the world. Such is pictured as God's "calling" in our lives.

The word group used four times, "circumcision/uncircumcision," must be analyzed too. Simply speaking, "circumcision" translates "peritemno," having been "cut," cut "all around" really. An accurate assessment of the surgery itself. Such a term depicts someone with a Jewish background.

"Uncircumcision" is "akrobustia," the prefix "akron" meaning "the end, the tip, the uttermost part," and "posthe," the male sex organ. No surgery has been performed here.

And while I realize this is getting "medical" in nature, the negated verb "not become uncircumcised" is important to the context also. "Me epispaomai" means "not," in Greek "me" (pronounced "may"), not "drawn or pulled" upon. "Spao" means "to draw out." This literally describes a medical procedure by which a cut foreskin is gradually "pulled" longer, back to its original size. The Greek physicians even had a technical name for this procedure. Apparently it had become that common.

But, now, here's the question for today. If Paul means this literally, and there's every reason to believe he does, why would  an adult man want to endure such agony?

It apparently centers on a social convention of that day.

At times in the Roman Provinces emperor worship had become so strong that everyone was require to participate. The only exceptions were certain government-approved "religions," groups who had an established history and stable reputation. Judaism was such an entity.

This means that the Gentile Christians, who in no way could declare "Caesar is Lord," might be imprisoned, tortured, even martyred for their refusal to perform such "civic" duty! Adoring the Emperor was a law to be obeyed, venerating him, deifying him, yes, worshiping him! Making him a god! Burning incense and praying to his image in the city square!

The saints all believed there was but One God! One Lord! Jesus the Christ! They could confess no other!

However, if a child of God could somehow become "Jewish," a Gentile converted to that way of life, circumcision being its chief physical sign, the "requirement" would have been removed! He would not have been bound to perform that little "Emperor-worship" ritual! Jews were exempt!

See?

Have surgery and not go to jail!

But there also would have been a bit of deceit in such an action!

Paul blatantly forbids this!

"No," he says. "Is any called in uncircumcision? let him not be circumcised." 1st Corinthians 7:18b

Things however would have been much more "socially pleasant" if this surgery were performed! The law would have no longer pursued the "atheistic" subject (what they called one who did not bow to the Emperor), but would have allowed him a deferment because of his now being legally "Jewish!"

Wow!

But what about the Jews? Why on earth would a man ever want to be "uncircumcised?"

There were reasons, again, social ones.

During the Greek/Roman games (one set of them being regularly held very near Corinth), during those athletic contests, and also at the gymnasiums, as well as at the public baths, all accepted aspects of that culture (like television and football and plastic surgeons are in America today), the men were stark naked. This is a well-accepted fact of history.

If a Jew participated in any of these events, his "circumcision" would be quite visible and a source of ridicule and mockery and perhaps, even abuse. Anti-Semitism was alive back then, too! Very much so!

To solve that problem, to remove that little social stigma, to climb the "politically correct" ladder, a Jew just might consider a trip to the surgeon, having his circumcision "reversed!" Painful, but possible.

Again, Paul inveighs against such a thing! "Is any man called being circumcised? let him not become uncircumcised." 1st Corinthians 7:18a

Be satisfied wherever God has "placed" you in the circumstances of life! Do not opt for surgery, not this kind, to change who you are.

Social mobility is not that important!

In fact, Paul calls them "nothing." Hear him: "Circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing." 1st Corinthians 7:19a, where "nothing" translates "ouden," meaning "not at all, in no respect, no one, none," then primarily "nothing." 

Convenience, at the cost of one's testimony, is certainly forbidden here!

Conforming to the world is discouraged!

Giving place to lifestyles of ease is frowned upon by Paul! This Paul: "Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one. Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep; in journeyings often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by mine own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; in weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness." 2nd Corinthians 11:24-27

Mercy!

Is this man going to have surgery to avoid a little ridicule?

Apparently not!

If we Christians will let this Text speak to our hearts, it will solve a lot of so-called "contemporary" problems.

"Don't concentrate on trivial things," he seems to be saying. Rather, "Endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. Fight the good fight of faith."

This is important to Paul, most important. I'll capitalize his intent. "Circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing, but the keeping of the commandments of God." 1st Corinthians 7:19b

Keep God's Word, not humanity's cultural mandates!

"To keep," in Greek when a noun, "teresis," means "a guarding, a protecting, an observing," even more so, "an obeying" of something!

Reverencing and honoring God's Commands!

God's Law!

God's Word!

So much for Paul, for the Lord really, and social convention!

"And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God." Romans 12:2 says it all!

                                                                                --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

LESSON 3, VERSE 20:

Upward mobility!

Climbing the ladder!

Ever "bettering" oneself!

Constant "self-help" programs!

Even to the point of constantly changing jobs, or political persuasions, or husbands or wives!

Even needlessly changing addresses, merely to live in a more stylish part of town!

Such "class" awareness and "social" identity ... to the point of dictating every decision a person makes ... is wrong!

Paul is taking a stand!

To the Corinthians he writes: "Let every man abide in the same calling wherein he was called." 1st Corinthians 7:20

Look at that word, a noun, "calling." It's spelled "klesis" in Greek. A teacher, a scholar, told me earlier this week that it's related to our English word "class." Paul is trying to calm the Corinthians' passion for "class status."

The verb "abide" is "meno," meaning "to remain, to tarry, to continue."

Paul is not saying that a person can't change jobs. Or schools. Or any other reasonable adjustment in life.

He is saying that change for the sole purpose of "keeping up with the Joneses" or "increasing one's visibility" is forbidden.

If you were married when God "called" you ("saved" you, in other words) ... do not try to scheme and plot to become single! "My wife is lost!" Or, "My husband is not spiritual." Or, "My mate won't go to Church with me, not regularly." Yes, part of 1st Corinthians 7 discusses marital issues. Stay faithful!

I've known folks through the years who have changed jobs, more money of course, moving their families to new cities, cities without good Bible-believing, fiery-preaching, separated Churches, just to "better" their standing materially, in the world's eyes! Some of these families made the money all right, and plenty of it, but lost their children in the process!

To that issue Paul commands: "Let every man abide in the same calling wherein he was called." 1st Corinthians 7:20

Bigger Church across town? More to offer? And your "boss" and all the "in" crowd go there too?

STAY WHERE YOU ARE, IN THAT LITTLE FUNDAMENTAL CHURCH WHERE SIN IS DENOUNCED AND JESUS IS EXALTED AND YOU REALLY KNOW THE PREACHER! WHERE YOU WILL BE MISSED IF YOU SKIP A SUNDAY! WHERE YOUR GIVING REALLY MATTERS! EVEN IF THEY LACK MANY OF THE "PROGRAMS" OTHERS HAVE!

Cut back on all those narrow-minded convictions? Being mocked for your "stand" for Jesus? Take it easy, isn't everybody these days? Why make enemies? More and more preachers are even questioning the concept of sin, aren't they?

DO NOT BUDGE! DO NOT SELL OUT TO THE DEVIL! IF SOMETHING WAS WRONG TEN YEARS AGO, IT'S STILL WRONG TODAY! KEEP STANDING FOR THAT OLD BIBLE! KEEP DRESSING THAT OLD-FASHIONED WAY! KEEP SINGING THOSE OLD SONGS OF THE FAITH! STAY SEPARATED FROM SIN AND WORLDLINESS!

Here comes Paul again: "Let every man abide in the same calling wherein he was called." 1st Corinthians 7:20 

Tomorrow, Lord willing, the Apostle will give us yet another example of "abiding" in our calling.

Biblically there's much to commend "staying the course!" Being "faithful!" Steady! Unmoveable! Determined!

These Corinthians were even fighting over Preachers, Paul and Apollos and Cephas or Peter, merely to look "more spiritual" than others in the church! Some wanted only "Christ!" Insincerely so.

They were also suing each other in heathen courts of law, to make money, to "get ahead" socially and financially!

They were competing for certain spiritual gifts, especially the "showy" ones! To stay in the center of attention!

They were arguing for the right to attend certain banquets, likely in honor of the Emperor ... or certain gods and goddesses ... for social standing in the community! Paul said a resounding "no" to that too!

They were even tolerating "sin," open blatant sin, in the Church! Maybe more than tolerating it, exalting in it! Celebrating their open-mindedness! Being more like the "other" assemblies in town, more "acceptable!" A man in their church was living in adultery with his father's wife!

Paul was livid!

Some things are more important than being "well accepted" by the world!

Living for Jesus, pleasing our Saviour, fullness of the Holy Spirit, being at the top of the list!

Stay where you are.

Grow in Christ, right there.

Walk worthy of the Lord!

                                                                            --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

Another thought ...

Now if you were saved while employed as a bartender, I'd change jobs! Zacchaeus did! And Matthew or Levi!

If you were saved out of a sensual background, prostitution or whatever, as Jesus told the adulterous woman, "go and sin no more." Quit selling yourself! Change employment!

But otherwise, things being normal, ""Let every man abide in the same calling wherein he was called." 1st Corinthians 7:20

Amen!

Too much ambition in today's so-called Christian world!

Not enough contentment in the Lord Jesus!

LESSON 4, VERSES 21-23:

The city of Corinth may have boasted a population of 100,000 during Paul's years of ministry there. It was one of culture's famous "melting pots." Yet Greek-Roman conventions ruled.

There were legal paths a slave could follow to become free! And, believe it or not, there were ways in which a free man could become a slave! And, apparently, both options were commonly exercised!

A slave in Roman days, unlike a slave in early America, could buy his own liberty, and often did. Also a freed slave had a pretty good chance at Roman citizenship! Slave owners liked that set-up because aging slaves financially replaced themselves by their own manumission! The labor pool could be kept "young" that way!

Circumstances then favored "slaves" longing to become "free!"

Paul, in 1st Corinthians 7:21, seems to allow this "change," as long as it does not dominate a person's life. Only Jesus can do that! Christ must be "Lord" of all. "Art thou called being a servant? care not for it: but if thou mayest be made free, use it rather."

The noun "servant" is "doulos," a common low-level slave! One "bound" to his or her master! The verb "care" is "melo," meaning "to be concerned." Do not be obsessed with "freedom" thoughts, just live for Jesus!

Some in the West today, non-stop, focus on stock markets and mutual funds and other forms of investment ... making money lord of their lives! Paul would say, again, "Care not for it!" Don't let the love of money, "upper-class-ism," rule your lives! "Be content with such things as ye have: for He hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee." Hebrews 13:5

Then Paul suggests, "But if thou mayest be made free, use it rather." If freedom is possible, go for it! That verb "use" translates "charomai," that is, "to take advantage of" something! Freedom is usually better than slavery, obviously! Just don't let such thoughts rule your lives! Keep Jesus first place! Again, keep in mind, Roman slavery was generally not as vicious as other kinds of slavery.

The point remains the same, "physical life" situations are not predominant for the Christian! Spirituality is the issue! "And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell." That's Jesus in Matthew 10:28. Again: "No servant can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon." Luke 16:13, it's money or God! Not both!

Paul goes further in the next verse, "For he that is called in the Lord, being a servant, is the Lord's freeman: likewise also he that is called, being free, is Christ's servant." 1st Corinthians 7:22a

One who was a slave when "called," when "saved," is now "free" in Jesus anyway! "Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty." 2nd Corinthians 3:17

Then, inversely, "Likewise also he that is called, being free, is Christ's servant." 1st Corinthians 7:22b, the implication here is that some in Corinth who were "free" might have wanted to enter "servitude" for one reason or another! History says that happened, often too!

A poor free man was often worse off that a well-kept slave, in Roman society! Socially speaking, slaves who were teachers or doctors or tradesmen were much more highly valued than the common "riff-raff" on the streets!

Therefore a poor Roman might seek servitude for money's sake! Or for the ultimate possibility of Roman citizenship! Or for the security of a roof over his head or food on the table or medical care!

Even under such strange circumstances, Paul still insists: "He that is called, being free, is Christ's servant." We're all "servants" somehow, anyway! Christians, joyfully, voluntarily, are "slaves" of Jesus Christ. He has truly "bought" us, "redeemed" us, with His Own Blood!

But literally selling oneself into slavery, whatever the benefits, Paul seems to discourage. "Ye are bought with a price; be not ye the servants of men." 1st Corinthians 7:23.

I hope we've not tried to cover too many verses this morning. But they all link so well.

Do not allow social standing to interfere with your Christianity!

Don't let upward mobility, climbing some imaginary ladder, rule your life! Be satisfied with what God has given you!

Let Jesus be the Ruling Force in all you do!

Let Him govern your thoughts, not money or ease or possessions!

Back to Paul's earlier statement, verse 20: "Let every man abide in the same calling wherein he was called."

Yes!

Social tension is not good!

But life in Christ, with all its innumerable benefits and blessings, is good!

Therein we must abide!

It's like Psalm 68:19 says: "Blessed be the Lord, who daily loadeth us with benefits, even the God of our salvation. "

Accepted in Jesus! "To the praise of the glory of His grace, wherein He hath made us accepted in the beloved." Ephesians 1:6

Thank you, Lord!

My value is determined, not by worldly standards, not by education or wealth or looks or health or profession, but by "who I am" in Jesus!

There you have it!

Jesus loves me, even me!

                                                                                 --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

LESSON 5, VERSE 24:

Paul does this occasionally, repeats himself.

Not due to any memory loss either.

But, at least when he's writing Scripture, because the Holy Spirit sees the need to re-emphasize a certain fact.

Here's an obvious example. "Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice." Philippians 4:4

This is Paul-like to the core, "Pauline," the theologians say.

Even more typical is this one, our Text this week: "But as God hath distributed to every man, as the Lord hath called every one, so let him walk." 1st Corinthians 7:17

Then, three verses later: "Let every man abide in the same calling wherein he was called." 1st Corinthians 7:20

Yet again a third time, only four verses later: "Brethren, let every man, wherein he is called, therein abide with God." 1st Corinthians 7:24

Eight verses; containing three repeated, virtually identical commands!

And they, all three, are commands, imperative mood verbs. "So let him walk!" "Let every man abide!" "Therein abide with God!"

What's so important to Paul?

And whatever it is, is it pertinent only to the Corinthian church? Is is culture-specific there?

Let's answer that one now. It is for all the Churches! Back to verse 17 for a second. Get that last sentence please. "But as God hath distributed to every man, as the Lord hath called every one, so let him walk. And so ordain I in all churches."

This prohibition is as binding on me today as it was on the Gentiles of Paul's day, the saved ones anyway.

I'd say that practically every sin committed in Corinth in 50 AD is still pretty common in America in 2008 AD, wouldn't you?

But let's be more specific.

Here Paul is attacking the spirit of rivalry!

That "I-can-do-it-better-than-you" kind of thing!

The "self-improvement" cult that has deified "assertiveness" and de-throned humility and contentment and satisfaction!

Climbing the "social ladder!"

More money!

Better education!

A "higher class" lifestyle!

Sounds so innocent!

But it has reached an extreme in Corinth, as in the West these days.

Gentiles were wanting to become Jews!

Jews were wanting to "hide" their Jewishness!

Both for the sake of prestige and esteem!

A better future!

Slaves were obsessing over freedom, and its attendant gains of "social advancement."

Some free men were lusting for slavery, especially within certain honored families! If such a position involved the potential of eventual Roman citizenship, financial security, family health care, and the like.

My examples here are all mentioned by Paul in our greater Text, all eight verses, 1st Corinthians 7:17-24.

Transposed into today's culture, the Apostle would forbid us building our lives exclusively around social advancement!

Just more education!

Just more cash!

Just better investments!

Just a finer home!

Just a more "recognized" address, Embassy Hill perhaps!

Just a finer set of friends and acquaintances! Our Church was just a bunch of plebeians anyway! Not a patrician in the bunch! In Roman society "plebeians" were just common folks. And, of course, "patricians" were the nobility!

Just ... more, more, more, but more of the "right kind" of stuff, naturally!

"Enough," yells Paul! "Brethren, let every man, wherein he is called, therein abide with God."

His term "called" in this Text is distantly related to our word "class." It, when a noun, is spelled like this, "klesis."

Living for personal advancement, for that alone, is a sin!

Living for Jesus, now that's another matter!

Here's the "class" to which I belong. "Christians," that will do, just call us "Christians!"

Paul, how would you say it? "For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain." Philippians 2:21

Better, though longer: "Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for Whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, and be found in Him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith: that I may know Him ...." Philippians 3:8-10, dung! Paul called his classical past, his education and heritage and politics and resume ... all of it ..."dung!" Worthless, compared to Christ Jesus His Lord!

Quit trying to "jump" to a higher class!

Get your eyes off man's standards of success or recognition!

Behave like a real child of God!

Like Jesus asked: "Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment?" Matthew 6:25

"Abide," like our Text verse says, "remain" in your present "calling," your present "class." Any advancement along the way, let God give it to you! "Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you." That's a promise, Matthew 6:33.

Also: "For promotion cometh neither from the east, nor from the west, nor from the south. But God is the judge: he putteth down one, and setteth up another." Yes! Psalm 75:6-7

It's all right to be a Christian garbage truck driver!

Or a saved orderly down at the hospital.

Or baby sitter!

Or, Lord help us, a homemaker!

A Mom!

Or Dad!

Or a non-supervisory employee, just a common laborer!

After all, Paul said: "For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called: but God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; and base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are: that no flesh should glory in his presence." 1st Corinthians 1:26-29

But, then, where do we Believers get our "worth?"

Just keep reading, same paragraph in early 1st Corinthians.

"But of Him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption: that, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord." 1st Corinthians 1:30-31

Amen!

I shall obey!

"Brethren, let every man, wherein he is called, therein abide with God." Our Text for today, 1st Corinthians 7:24

God, His Presence, can make any non-sinful "situation," any "class" status, a platform for ministry!

"If God be for us, who can be against us?" Romans 8:31

"And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose." Romans 8:28

"And having food and raiment let us be therewith content." 1st Timothy 6:8

Saved by God's Grace, really, that's pretty "high-class" living anyway!

                                                                                 --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

                                              What a Text!