On the Pilgrim Trail Across England, 400 Years After the Mayflower

(PHOTO: DENNIS LENNOX)Harwich was the home of Mayflower Captain Christopher Jones. His house stands second from the right.

In two years time the 400th anniversary of the Pilgrims landing in New England will be celebrated on both sides of the Atlantic.

Ahead of this anniversary, I jetsetted to the Old World — in considerably less time and much, much more comfort than the Pilgrims could have ever imagined — to discover the places they left in pursuit of a new life in present-day America.

My first stop was Harwich (population 17,684) in Essex, a county to the east and north of London on the North Sea coast.

The town was the home of Christopher Jones, who captained the Mayflower on its voyage across the Atlantic. It’s also widely believed to be where the ship was built, though definitive proof is elusive.

While much has changed in the ensuing centuries Harwich pleasantly surprised me.

(PHOTO: DENNIS LENNOX)The early 17th century dockyard crane in Harwich, England, is an example of the town’s rich maritime history.

Not only is the footprint of the historic old town basically the same as it was during the time of the Pilgrims in the early 17th century — many of the old wooden buildings remain, albeit behind a brick Georgian-era façade — but Harwich remains a bustling center of maritime activity with cruise ships, ferries to the Netherlands and container ships. Jones and the Pilgrims with ties to Essex and neighboring Suffolk would certainly recognize the town today.

Despite being an easy drive from London it isn’t a stop on the tourist trail for many Americans, at least outside of…

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Click Read More to read the rest of the story from our content source/partners – The Christian Post.

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‘It’s unusual but very much welcomed’, vicar welcomes Grenfell fire commemorative hearings

Rev Mike Long, who has been supporting families affected by last June’s disaster, also said the sessions were an appropriate way to begin an inquiry into what happened.

The leader of Notting Hill Methodist Church – located a short distance away from the block of flats – told Premier: “Although it’s a very long process – these commemorative hearings – because sadly so many people have died, I do think it’s very significant and very important, both for the bereaved and for the wider community.”

 

Relatives and friends of the 71 people who died in the fire, which broke out on 14th June 2017, are being invited to pay tribute to their loved ones during the next two weeks.

Concerned that the public inquiry respect the grief experienced by the local community, Rev Long went on to say: “I think it’s quite unusual but I think it’s very much welcomed.

“I don’t know how many families have taken up the invitation to do this but I would like to think this signals something important about the approach of the public inquiry…”

Stefan Rousseau/PA Wire

 

Chaired by retired Court of Appeal judge Sir Martin Moore-Bick (pictured), the public inquiry was announced in response to widespread anger that safety concerns raised by residents of the tower before the fire were not addressed.

The first phase of the inquiry – scheduled to last until late October – will examine the immediate cause of the blaze and how…

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Click Read More to read the rest of the story from our content source/partners – Premier Christianity News.

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Texas mourners endure grief that ‘none of us can comprehend’

Just two days after the deaths of eight students and two substitute teachers, graduating seniors also marked the end of the school year with a baccalaureate service that acknowledged the pain experienced in Santa Fe, a town of 13,000, while Muslim mourners remembered the life of a slain exchange student from Pakistan.

“They will never be forgotten in this community, these young people, children just going to school,” said Brad Drake, pastor of the Dayspring Church, where a service was held that included memories of a student victim who was a congregant there.

 

“We have families today that are grieving a grief that none of us can comprehend.”

The pastor read the names of the dead, including Angelique Ramirez who attended Dayspring and was a member of the church’s youth ministry.

“She was a sweet young lady, had a style all of her own,” he recalled. “She almost always had a new hairstyle.”

In a nearby church kitchen, parishioners prepared plates of barbecue to be sold after the service, with all proceeds going to victims’ families.

At Arcadia First Baptist Church, Texas Governor Greg Abbott hugged parishioners as they arrived. Among them was Monica Bracknell, an 18-year-old senior who survived the shooting. She stopped to tell the governor that the attack should not be turned into a political battle over gun control.

Surrounded by television cameras, photographers and…

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Click Read More to read the rest of the story from our content source/partners – Premier Christianity News.

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Three Accidents That Did Not Happen at Your Church

If you are the pastor I met in Richmond, Virginia recently, thank you.

Thank you for your encouragement. Thank you for your faithfulness. And thank you for your wise words about pastors and struggles: “It is good to know I am not alone.” Your words were meaningful. Your words were powerful.

You were speaking about the thousands of church leaders at Church Answers. You were speaking about the number one benefit you get from being in this safe community. You see the vulnerability, the lack of pretense, and the acknowledgments of struggles among other pastors and church leaders. It is a constant and encouraging reminder you are not alone.

I want to share those same words with the community who reads this blog post. I want you to know you are not alone. Ministry can be tough. Ministry can be frustrating. Ministry can even be depressing. But ministry in the local church can also be one of the greatest joys you’ve ever known.

Allow me to give you three reminders. It is my prayer these three brief points will be a source of encouragement and hope for you. It is my prayer they will be used by God to encourage you to keep pressing on. I simply call them the three accidents that did not happen at your church.

  1. Your church address is not an accident. God placed your church where it is for a reason. You might be dealing with deferred maintenance issues in your building. You might be wishing your facility was up to 1980 standards. You might long for a faster-growing demographic. You might desire a more…

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Click here to read the rest of the story from our content source/partners – Thom Rainer.

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Pope told man ‘that you are gay does not matter’, reports

A man from Chile has spoken with a Spanish newspaper about a conversation he had with the Catholic leader three weeks ago.

Juan Carlos Cruz told El Pais: “He told me, ‘Juan Carlos, that you are gay does not matter. God made you like that, and he loves you like that – and I do not care.’

 

“The pope loves you as you are. You have to be happy with who you are.”

The Vatican has neither confirmed nor declined the alleged comments.

Pope Francis also offered Mr Cruz an apology for the sexual abuse he had suffered at the hands of Catholic priests, including the notorious paedophile Fr Fernando Karadima.

AP Photo/Domenico Stinellis

 

The Roman Catholic Church in Chile has been rocked by a sex abuse and cover-up scandal which last week saw all the country’s 31 active bishops offer their resignation.

His latest comments may be interpreted as a fresh indication of the pontiff’s commitment to seeing the Roman Catholic Church become more inclusive of people identifying as gay, lesbian or bisexual.

Speaking to reporters on a flight from Brazil in 2013, he affirmed the Church’s stance that homosexual acts were sinful but homosexual orientation was not, adding that gay people should not be marginalised but rather integrated into society.

Stay up to date with the latest news stories from a Christian perspective. Sign up to our daily newsletter and receive more…

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Click Read More to read the rest of the story from our content source/partners – Premier Christianity News.

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MFM Mountain Top Life Daily Devotional Monday, 21 May 2018 – Resurrection Power

TOPIC: Resurrection Power (Mountain of Fire and Miracle Ministries Monday, 21 May 2018)

FIRE SCRIPTURE: John 11:23-26

MEMORY VERSE:

“But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.” – Romans 8:11

The MESSAGE:

Resurrection means to bring back to life or to revive what has been dead. In our passage above, Lazarus had been dead and buried for four days. All hope was lost about him. It was an irredeemable situation but when Jesus waded in, he that was dead, buried and stinking for four days came back to life.

Is there any hopeless situation confronting you? Are your business, career, academics, etc, dead? Jesus will bring them back to life. He declared that He is the Resurrection and Life and He has never lied. He has proved it over and over again. Jesus brought back to life the son of a woman, her only son, on the way to the cemetery. Jesus Christ brought back to life Jairus’ daughter. Death could not hold Him captive. He arose from the dead. He is no longer laid in the tomb. He has not changed. Jesus Christ the same yesterday, today and forever.

During my PhD programme, I was puzzled at the level of disbelief and nonchalant attitude my fellow scientists had towards God and I began to pray for revival and conversion of my colleagues. One day, while in the laboratory, a lady who used to serve us tea came around as her custom to serve us. As she was doing that in the morning, she stumbled and slumped. While various first aid was being administered to her, it was discovered that she was practically dead as there was no pulse. As all hope was lost, I told them to step aside that I would like to pray for her. My colleagues thought I was insane but I didn’t bother as that was a good opportunity to preach the gospel. I then laid my hands on her and decreed that the power of resurrection should revive her and bring her back. Immediately, she came back to life and she said she heard the voice of Daniel calling her from afar and that was how everyone was startled and I was able to witness Christ to them.

For revival of your dead career, business, and so on, all you need is to believe and appropriate the resurrection power of our Lord Jesus Christ and whatever was dead will come back to life.

MOTIVATIONAL QUOTE:
The resurrection power is still the same today.

PROPHETIC WORD:
Let the resurrection power fall upon your life now!

PRAYER POINTS:

MORNING
1. I shall not die, I shall live to declare the wonders of the Lord, in the name of Jesus.
2. Thou power of resurrection, fall upon my life, in the name of Jesus.
3. Anything dead in my life, come back to life, in the name of Jesus.

EVENING
4. My business, career, academics and finance, receive the power of resurrection, in the name of Jesus.
5. My body is quickened by the resurrection power of Jesus Christ, in the name of Jesus.
6. Resurrection power of the Lord Jesus Christ, heal my life, in the name of Jesus.
7. Resurrection power, do wonders in my life now, in the name of Jesus.

If you missed yesterday devotional, please click to read MFM Mountain Top Life Daily Devotional HERE

MOUNTAIN TOP LIFE is a daily devotional by Dr. D.K Olukoya (General Overseer, Mountain of Fire and Miracle Ministries, Worldwide)

Flatimes Notice Board: Until you are born again, God ever abiding presence will never be with you. You must be born again to enjoy continuous victory. Please say the displayed prayer below in faith:

Lord Jesus, come into my life. I accept You as my Lord and Personal Saviour. I believe in my heart You died and rose from the dead to save me. Thank You Lord for saving me, in Jesus name Amen.

If you just prayed the prayer of salvation online please send your testimonies and prayer request to [email protected], 07026385437 OR 08141320204.

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TREM Devotional 21 May 2018 by Dr. Mike Okonkwo – Why Believers Fail To Receive

Topic: Why Believers Fail To Receive [TREM Devotional Monday May 21, 2018]

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” John 3:16

God so love the world! If He so loves the world, is it His church He would hate? If He so loves the world, how dare you think He will leave you without meeting your needs. God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten son. His love is so much that He says; I’m willing to give My Son, the only one I have. Let Him go because I want to show these people that I love them. That is the extent of the love of God. The interesting thing is that if you were the only sinner on earth, Jesus would still have died for you.

One of the reasons believers don’t receive is because they always focus on self. Take your eyes off yourself and focus on the finished work of Calvary. It is all about His love for you: It is because He loves you, that’s why He will heal your body, give you a baby. give you a job, open doors for you and give you a husband or a wife. The book of Romans 5:6 lets us know that we can’t help ourselves, so Jesus had to help us. There was no way out unless He helped us. When we were without strength, Christ died for the ungodly. He didn’t say until you become good. I’m trying to paint the picture for you so that when you are approaching God, you will approach Him based on His own merits, and not yours. You don’t have any merit at all.

While we were yet sinners; Christ loved us so much that He died on our behalf. You can put it this way: While we were yet sick, Christ died for us to be healed. While we were yet poor, Christ became poor that we might be rich. He didn’t tell you: “Help yourself!” Because He knew you could not help yourself. If when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of His Son, now that we are reconciled, guess what? Everything is yours.

Further reading: Jeremiah 17:1-8, Romans 5: 1-10

Daily Bible Reading: Morning- 1 Chronicles 13-15; Evening- John 7:1-27

“If you missed yesterday devotional click HERE to read TREM’s Daily Devotional by Dr. Mike Okonkwo’’

Written by Dr. Mike Okonkwo; Is the Presiding Bishop of The Redeemed Evangelical Mission (TREM); a versatile man of God with over 30 years of dedicated service unto the Lord.

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DCLM Daily Manna 21 May, 2018 by Pastor Kumuyi – Let Him Make The Difference

Topic: Let Him Make The Difference [DCLM Daily Manna Monday May 21, 2018]

Text: 2 Chronicles 15:1-15 (KJV)

Key Verse: “And he gathered all Judah and Benjamin, and the strangers with them out of Ephraim and Manasseh, and out of Simeon: for they fell to him out of Israel in abundance, when they saw that the LORD his God was with him” (2 Chronicles 15:9)

MESSAGE:

It has become very fashionable today for people to follow trends. It appears that there is the fear of being different from the pack. Most people pick up habits, lifestyle and behavior, just following what they see others do. The advent of Information and Communication Technology has made the world to become so shrunk such that vogues get across the world in no time at all.

God sent Prophet Azariah to give King Asa the condition of enjoying His abiding presence and support. Following the instruction of the Lord, he purged the land of idol worship and gathered the people to the Lord. The light of difference that glowed through his life attracted others from neighbouring tribes. They saw in practical sense that God was with him.

We cannot win the world by being like the world. Perhaps, the reason many of us are unable to attract and win our neighbours and colleagues over to the Lord is because they are yet to see the difference between our lives and theirs. The only way we can make the difference in our world that is so filthy and corrupt is by walking so close with God and living by His Word. This will make everyone around take note of this difference and His presence in our lives.

The way we live and go about our daily business should show that we have a meaningful and unique relationship with God and that He is with us. Start today to make that difference. Let God be seen in you. Live as light and salt of the earth. Make the word of God the standard by which you live and conduct all your affairs and not by the popular world norms, customs and practices. When we do these, God will be honoured in our lives and manifested in all that we do for all to see. God in you will make a world of difference. Let him!

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: We cannot win the world by being like the world.

Bible Reading in One Year: 2 Samuel 22-23; Psalms 57

If you missed yesterday devotional, please click to read “Deeper Christian Life Ministry, DCLM Daily Manna HERE“

DCLM Daily Manna was written by Pastor William Folorunso Kumuyi; is the founder and General Superintendent of the Deeper Life Bible Church situated at KM 42 on the busy Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, Nigeria.

Flatimes’ Notice Board: Until you are born again, God ever abiding presence will never be with you. You must be born again to enjoy continuous victory. Please say the displayed prayer below in faith:

Lord Jesus, come into my life. I accept You as my Lord and Personal Saviour. I believe in my heart You died and rose from the dead to save me. Thank You Lord for saving me, in Jesus name Amen.

If you just prayed the prayer of salvation online please send your testimonies and prayer request to [email protected], 07026385437 OR 08141320204.

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David Oyedepo: Provoking Divine Wisdom For Conquest Through God’s Word!

Topic: Provoking Divine Wisdom For Conquest Through God’s Word!

Welcome to another fruitful week! I believe you have been impacted with the wisdom of God through the teaching of last week. Today, we shall focus on the topic: Provoking Divine Wisdom for Conquest through God’s Word!

The Bible is God’s wisdom bank; that is, the wisdom of God in print. Also, it is the carrier of God’s wisdom treasure from heaven and every child of God has unlimited access to its unlimited treasure. The Word of God is a highly treasured seed (Luke 8:11). It is the most valuable gold or ruby anyone can imagine, because it launches us into realms of the inestimable riches of God in glory.

Furthermore, concerning the Word of God, the Psalmist said: Thou through thy commandments hast made me wiser than mine enemies: for they are ever with me (Psalm 119:98). This helps us to understand that God’s Word makes wise which determines our victory in every battle of life because it is better than weapons of war (Ecclesiastics 9:18).

But, what is Divine Wisdom?

Divine wisdom is trading the truth of the Word of God for the supernatural triumph we desire in life. Jesus once said: Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man… (Matthew 7:24-25). It is also written: now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest the savour of his knowledge by us in every place (2 Corinthians 2:14). So, the truth of the Word of God is what empowers us for triumph.

However, we discovered from scriptures that God-confidence is the biblical wisdom for conquest and fulfilment of destiny. As we all know, it takes being God-confident to be more than a conqueror. Why? Confidence is the conqueror’s backbone and the security of our inheritance. That is why our confidence in God is the target of the enemy in battle. Therefore, it is important to build and sustain that confidence against the day of battle in order not to sellout (Hebrews 10:35).

All the ‘more than conqueror’ personalities listed in scriptures were God-confident people. For instance, Joseph was a clear picture of what it means to be more than a conqueror through the manifestation of divine wisdom. He was a bundle of misfortunes because everything seemed to be against him, yet he arrived at royalty in grand style. Please understand that all God’s purposes for Joseph came to pass and the mystery behind it was his confidence in God (Genesis 41:15-16).

Check out any child of God that is in command, you will discover that he is God-confident. This connotes that you can never gain command until you become absolutely God-confident. That is why God-confidence is key to fulfilment of prophecies. As we all know, it takes the hand of God to deliver His plan and purpose in anyone’s life. So, we must maintain absolute trust and dependency in God to take command of the affairs of life and to see the fulfilment of His plans and purposes in our lives. God-confidence is God’s wisdom for the fulfilment of our glorious destiny!

What, then, is God-confidence?

This implies being fully persuaded about the faithfulness of God and the integrity of His Word; the prevailing circumstances notwithstanding: It is to be fully persuaded that God is who He says He is and can do whatever He says. The Bible said concerning Abraham that he staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief, but was strong in faith, giving glory to God; and being fully persuaded that, what He had promised, He was able also to perform (Romans 4:20-21). That is confidence!

It also means compound faith: It means being steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the service of the Lord (1 Corinthians 15:58). The three Hebrew boys (Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego) said to king Nebuchadnezzar that our God whom we serve is able to deliver us and He will deliver us; even if He does not, we are super confident in Him and His Word and God showed up (Daniel 3:17).

It is making your boast in God against the circumstances confronting you: With confidence and a sling in his hand, David went after Goliath who the whole army of Israel could not dare and brought him down (1 Samuel 17:32-37). So, what defeated Goliath was the confidence David had in God. God-confidence is the hidden mystery behind conquest. Nothing wins like God-confidence and that is what makes a believer more than a conqueror. With your confidence in God, you are sure to obtain the promise and arrive at what He has spoken (Hebrews 10:36). So, no matter what our situations look like or we are being mocked by people about our New Dawn package for the year, God will show up this month and give us a change of story!

Nevertheless, without salvation, you don’t have access to the wisdom of God. So, to operate the wisdom of God, you need to be born again. Are you born again? If you are not, this is an opportunity to do so. Simply say the following prayer: Lord Jesus, I come to You today. I am a sinner. Forgive me my sins. Cleanse me with Your precious Blood. Deliver me from sin and satan to serve the Living God. Today, I accept You as my Lord and Saviour. Thank You Jesus for saving me! Now I know I am born again!” For further reading, please get my books: Walking in Wisdom and The Wisdom That Works.

I invite you to come and fellowship with us at the Faith Tabernacle, Canaanland, Ota, the covenant home of Winners. We have five services on Sundays, holding at 6:00 a.m., 7:50 a.m., 9:40 a.m., 11:30 a.m. and 1:20 p.m. respectively. I know this teaching has blessed you. Write and share your testimony with me through: Faith Tabernacle, Canaanland, Ota, P.M.B. 21688, Ikeja, Lagos, Nigeria; or call 01-4548070, 01-4548280; or E-mail: [email protected]; Face book: www.facebook.com/davidoyedepoministries/; Twitter: @DavidOyedepoMin

Please click to read other inspiring MESSAGES by Bishop David Oyedepo

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Seeds of Destiny 21 May 2018 by Pastor Paul Enenche: The Force Of Focus Versus The Enemy’s Strategy For Distraction

Topic: The Force Of Focus Versus The Enemy’s Strategy For Distraction [Seeds of Destiny Monday May 21, 2018]

Scripture: The light of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light. But if thine eye be evil, thy whole body shall be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in thee be darkness, how great is that darkness! Matthew 6:22-23

Thought For The Day: Focus determines the future; maintaining focus on God makes you a focus on earth.
It is important to know that life is full of distractions. Distraction is one of the greatest strategies of the devil to derail people from the path of destiny fulfilment.

When Jesus went to the mountain to fast for forty days and forty nights, satan came to distract Him in order to make Him lose focus of what He was there for (Matthew 4:1-4). Many people have lost a glorious destiny because they have succumbed to the distractions of the devil.

Now, what is the secret of avoiding distraction in life? It is the maintenance of clear focus. Focus determines the future; maintaining focus on God makes you a focus on earth.

One major form of distraction the devil uses to derail people’s focus is criticism. When you try to go forward in life, satan tries to distract you by sending critics to criticise you. Critics come to question you: where do you think you are going? Who do you think you are? And if you are not careful, you begin to respond critics to the point of getting distracted, losing your focus, and eventually, your destiny. Giving ear to your critics is losing your destiny.

Beloved, I counsel you to maintain singleness of focus; face your front and refuse to be distracted.

Remember this: Focus determines the future; maintaining focus on God makes you a focus on earth.

Assignments:
1. Refuse to respond to any form of distraction.
2. Maintain a steady focus on God and your assignment.
3. Do it well; do not validate the criticism of your critics by indolence and mediocrity.

Prayer: O Lord, I ask for the grace not to respond to any form of distraction. Give me Lord, a dogged focus in life, in Jesus’ Name.

FOR FURTHER UNDERSTANDING, GET THIS MESSAGE: DESTINY CAPSULES (PART 4).

Daily Bible Reading: 1 Samuel 29:1 to 31:13, John 11:55 to 12:19, Psalm 118:1 to 18, Proverbs 15:24 to 26

Amazing Fact: The sun is actually white when seen from space because its light is not scattered by our atmosphere. From venus, you wouldn’t see the sun at all because the atmosphere is too thick.

Today In History: 21/05/1790 – Paris was divided into 48 zones

Quote: As a Christian, your firm focus on God is a rebuke on the unbeliever’s scattered focus. Culled from 15 KINGDOM STRATEGIES FOR SURVIVAL by Dr Paul Enenche

Don’t Forget To Attend: The Healing and Deliverance service tomorrow by 9am. Invite someone as you come.

“If you missed yesterday devotional, please click to read Seeds of Destiny by Pastor Paul Enenche”

Today’s devotional was written by Pastor Paul Enenche of the Dunamis International Gospel Centre (DIGC), headquartered at Abuja, Nigeria, with Pastor Paul and Becky Enenche, as the Senior Pastors. It is a power-packed arena where God’s Presence, Principles and Power are at work for the salvation, healing and restoration of human destinies and dignities

Flatimes Notice Board: Until you are born again, God ever abiding presence will never be with you. You must be born again to enjoy continuous victory. Please say the displayed prayer below in faith:

Lord Jesus, come into my life. I accept You as my Lord and Personal Saviour. I believe in my heart You died and rose from the dead to save me. Thank You Lord for saving me, in Jesus name Amen.

If you just prayed the prayer of salvation online please send your testimonies and prayer request to [email protected], 07026385437 OR 08141320204.

The post Seeds of Destiny 21 May 2018 by Pastor Paul Enenche: The Force Of Focus Versus The Enemy’s Strategy For Distraction appeared first on Flatimes.