Author: S. Tory Teller

After Ricky poured our first cup of coffee and left to tell Cook what we wanted for breakfast, Stan mentioned he’d been talking to a neighbor about something he wanted to pass on to me. “What’s that?” I asked.

“Don’t just grow older,” Stan replied with a smile.

“Don’t just grow older? How so?”

“My neighbor told me that he’d been a Christian for quite some time when one day he realized he hadn’t grown much in his faith and understanding of what it meant to be a Christian who was actually living the abundant life Jesus came to give.”

“Oh,” I replied, “he had grown older than he was when he became a Christian, but he hadn’t grown in his faith. I suppose that same thing can be said about a lot of Christians.”

“Good supposition,” Stan exclaimed. “We’re to grow in our faith, not just grow older!”

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Bible verses to consider:

Brethren, do not be children in your thinking; yet in evil be babes, but in your thinking be mature. 1 Corinthians 14:20.

. . . we are no longer to be children, tossed here and there by waves, and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, by craftiness in deceitful scheming, but speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him, who is the head, even Christ. Ephesians 4:14-15.

For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you have need again for some one to teach you the elementary principles of the oracles of God, and you have come to need milk and not solid food. Hebrews 5:12.

. . . like newborn babes, long for the pure milk of the word, that by it you may grow in respect to salvation. 1 Peter 2:2.

Prayer: Thank you, Father, for giving Jesus and His finished work on the cross as the way to life with you, the life that begins here and will continue forever. Even though I know I will spend eternity in your presence, I confess that too often while I remain on this side of eternity, I don’t pursue an ever-deepening relationship with you based on knowing you and understanding your salvation. Please forgive that foolish approach to living the new life you’ve given and help me follow every step of your lead into the most mature relationship with you that is possible. Thank you I can and do bring these prayers before you in the name of Jesus. Amen.

Think on this: Can you pursue and ever-deepening relationship with God because you’ve accepted His provision of life with Him through the cross of Christ? If no, why do you want to remain separated from God both now and forever? If you are a Christian with the assurance of salvation and redemption, how are you doing with growing in your faith and understanding of what it means to be a Christian? If you sense the desire for change with any of this, how is that change going to happen? Is that what you truly want? Why or why not?

The need: Since God knows what we need before we ask Him (Matthew 6:8), what does He know you need, not only to have a relationship with Him based on the cross of Christ, but what does He know you need to grow in that relationship and understanding of His provision for you? Spend time studying God’s word, praying, reflecting, and journaling to see what God knows you need. He will show you!

Forward: Do you know others who would or could benefit from this devotional? If so, why not forward it and open them to be part of the conversation between Stan and S. Tory Teller?

Stan and I were at our favorite place for breakfast and conversation about our faith. As we were enjoying our first cup of coffee and waiting for Ricky to bring us breakfast, Stan’s phone buzzed. He picked it up, saw the caller ID, and refused the call. “I get more calls like that than any other kind,” he said with a laugh. “What kind of calls?” I asked.

“Scam likely,” he replied.

“Oh, yeah,” I said, “I get a lot of those as well. A real nuisance!”

“Indeed,” Stan agreed. “The other day I was talking with a neighbor about the same thing. He had a humorous view of such calls.”

“How so?”

“He refers to them as coming from someone named ‘Scam Likely,’ and that at one point in his life he was just like Scam’s brother who is named ‘Least’.”

“A brother named ‘Least’?”

“Yeah,” Stan replied with a smile. “Least Likely.”

“How so?”

“My neighbor said that if there was an award for such a thing, he would have won it for being the least likely person to ever become a disciple of Jesus. Just like Paul.”

“Just like Paul?”

“Yeah,” Stan replied. “I think you remember the story about how he was converted on the road when he was on his way to Damascus to persecute Christians.”

“I do remember that,” I said. “Quite a conversion experience! But what’s that have to do with your neighbor? Did he have some sort of dramatic conversion experience?”

“I’m not sure about that,” Stan replied, “but he did tell me that he’d been such an unlikely candidate for being a Christian, that a lot of people doubted that he’d actually become one. Again, just like Paul when he went to Jerusalem and tried to associate with some disciples.”

“I’m not sure I remember that part,” I admitted.

“When Paul got to Jerusalem and tried to hang out with some of the disciples, they didn’t trust him. They thought he just wanted to find out who they were so he could get rid of them. But then Barnabas showed up to help.”

“Barnabas? What’d he do?”

“He took Paul to the apostles and explained to them what Paul had experienced with Jesus. That was the beginning of Paul’s amazing ministry to the church that continues today!”

“So,” I said, “Barnabas was a key player in Paul’s amazing ministry. Right?”

“Right,” Stan agreed. “Barnabas recognized Paul as a fellow believer and came along side of him to help.”

“He came along side of Paul to help him in what God had for Paul to do. Isn’t that what discipleship is supposed to be all about?”

“I think you’re right, my friend,” Stan replied. “We’re to go and make disciples, even if they might look to us to be the least likely! It’s up to God, not us.”

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Bible verses to consider:

And when he (Saul/Paul) had come to Jerusalem, he was trying to associate with the disciples; and they were all afraid of him, not believing that he was a disciple. But Barnabas took hold of him and brought him to the apostles and described to them how he had seen the Lord on the road, and how at Damascus he had spoken out boldly in the name of Jesus. And he was with them moving about freely in Jerusalem, speaking out boldly in the name of the Lord. Acts of the Apostles 9:26-28.

Go therefore and make disciples . . . . Matthew 28:19-20.

Prayer: Thank you, Father, for giving Jesus and His finished work on the cross as the way to life with you. Thank you for the people you brought into my life to bring me to the truth of your salvation and redemption so I could accept it. Thank you, too, for the people you brought and continually bring into my life to help me grow in my relationship with you. Even though I know I will spend eternity in your presence, and even though I am growing in my relationship with you, I confess that too I don’t reach out to some people with the truth of the gospel because I think that won’t be interested. Please forgive that foolishness and help me follow your will, not mine, in going and making disciples. Thank you I can and do bring these prayers before you in the name of Jesus. Amen.

Think on this: Are you a Christian who is pursuing discipleship because you’ve accepted God’s free and gracious provision of life with Him, the life that begins here and will continue forever? If no, why do you choose to remain separated from God both now and forever? If you are a Christian with the assurance of salvation and redemption, how are you doing with going and making disciples? Do you tend to avoid telling some people about the truth of the gospel because you think they are unlikely candidates for being Christians? If you sense the desire for change with any of this, how is that change going to happen? Is that what you truly want? Why or why not?

The need: Since God knows what we need before we ask Him (Matthew 6:8), what does He know you need, not only to be a Christian who is pursuing discipleship, but what He knows you need to go and make disciples even though you think some people are unlikely candidates to be Christians and disciples? Spend time studying God’s word, praying, reflecting, and journaling to see what God know you need. He will show you!

Forward: Do you know others who would or could benefit from this devotional? If so, why not forward it and open them to be part of the conversation between Stan and S. Tory Teller?

For those who may have missed it (or simply want to spend more time with it), each Sunday we re-post the prior week’s WFTT devotional that received the most attention. The one for this week was posted on Tuesday and concerned Jesus as the Truth, which is what He called Himself. He also correctly identified Satan as the father of lies, so the question in our lives is who we’re going to follow, the father of lies or the Father of the Truth. Link — September 22, 2026 — Who’s in charge, the father of lies or the Father of Truth?

Stan’s main takeaway for each posting this past week. Each posting can be accessed by clicking the link for that day. 

Please forward this to friends, family, colleagues, etc. as a way to introduce them to Stan,  S. Tory Teller, and the conversations about faith, discipleship, and what it means to be a Christian who is pursuing discipleship.

Also, don’t forget that S. Tory Teller’s book, the 100-day devotional, Waiting for the Train — Biblical Food for Growing Before Going, is available from amazon.com, other on-line book sellers, and directly from the publisher at www.s-toryteller.com 

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Monday, September 21,  2026 —When it comes to correcting people about what they know or say about God, there’s a right way and a wrong way. This is what Stan talks about with this devotional. Link — September 21, 2026 — Correction that encourages

Tuesday, September 22, 2026 —As the Son of God, Jesus called Himself “the truth.” He also pointed out that Satan is the father of lies. As we live our Christian lives, we have to choose who’s in charge of our lives. Link — September 22, 2026 — Who’s in charge, the father of lies or the Father of Truth?

Wednesday, September 23, 2026 — As Christians, what is to be our attitude about associating with immoral people? Link — September 23, 2026 — Associating with immoral people

Thursday, September 24, 2026 — There’s no denying the truth that we reap what we sow. Stan uses a neighbor’s failed, but well-intended, attempt at growing something for the neighborhood children to make the point. Link — September 24, 2026 — We get what we sow

Friday, September 25, 2026 —Jesus and those who follow Him have faced opposition since the beginning of His earthly ministry. Jesus listened to His Father in overcoming opposition. Are we listening to God or to the opposition? Link — September 25, 2026 — Listen to God and ignore the opposition

I was again having breakfast with Stan at the Twelve Baskets Cafe. We’d gathered for breakfast and conversation about how we might grow in our faith. As we waited for Ricky to bring what  Cook was preparing, Stan mentioned that in his morning journaling he was reminded of something he was told when he first became a Christian. He wanted to pass it on to me.

“What’s that?” I asked.

“The importance of knowing that when God has something for us to do, there’s likely to be opposition, but we’re to listen to God not be deterred by that opposition.”

“What made you think of that?”

“That’s what the apostle Paul wrote when he was in Ephesus,” Stan replied. “He wrote that even though there were adversaries, he was going to stay in Ephesus because God had opened doors for him to have effective service.”

“So,” I said, “even though I might face opposition in doing what God has for me to do for Him and His kingdom, I’m to hang in there and listen to Him, not to those who are opposed to what He has for me to do. Right?”

“You got it, my friend,” Stan replied with a smile. “Listen to God and ignore the opposition!”

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Bible verses to consider:

But I shall remain in Ephesus until Pentecost; for a wide door for effective service has opened to me, and there are many adversaries. 1 Corinthians 16:8-9.

If God is for us, who is against us? Romans 8:31.

The Lord is for me; I will not fear; what can man do to me? Psalm 118:6.

Prayer: Thank you, Father, for giving Jesus and His finished work on the cross as the way to life with you, the life that begins here and will continue forever. Even though I know I will spend eternity in your presence, I confess that too often while I remain on this side of eternity I listen to those who are opposed to you and to what you have for me to do for you and your kingdom, rather than ignoring that opposition and doing what you have for me to do. Please forgive that foolishness and help me follow every step of your lead in listening only to you. Thank you I can and do bring these prayers before you in the name of Jesus. Amen.

Think on this: Have you listened to God in the sense you’ve accepted His provision of life with Him through the cross of Christ? If no, why do you choose to remain separated from God both now and forever? If you are a Christian with the assurance of salvation and redemption, how are you doing with listening to God, not to the opposition, when it comes to being of service to Him and His kingdom? If you sense the desire for change with any of this, how is that change going to happen? Is that what you truly want? Why or why not?

The need: Since God knows what we need before we ask Him (Matthew 6:8), what does He know you need, not only to overcome the opposition against accepting His provision of life with Him, but what does He know you need to ignore the opposition in being of service to Him and His kingdom? Spend time studying God’s word, praying, reflecting, and journaling to see what God knows you need. He will show you!

Forward: Do you know others who would or could benefit from this devotional? If so, why not forward it and open them to be part of the conversation between Stan and S. Tory Teller?

Stan and I were again at the Twelve Baskets Cafe for breakfast and conversation about our faith. Between bites of the delicious breakfast he was enjoying, Stan asked, “Are you familiar with the idea that we reap what we sow?”

“We reap what we sow? Sure, I’m familiar with that. Why do you ask?”

“Well,” he replied, “earlier this morning during my journaling time I focused on what the apostle Paul wrote about that and was reminded of something a neighbor told me about his first-hand experience with that.”

“First-hand experiences can be useful,” I commented. “What happened with your neighbor?”

“By his own admission,” Stan replied, “he’s not much of a gardener, but he told me that one year he decided to grow some big pumpkins for the neighborhood children to enjoy.”

“That sounds like a good thing,” I said. “How’d it go?”

“Not quite what he had in mind,” Stan replied with a laugh.

“Why? What happened?”

“It seems he went to Norm’s Nursery over on 12th Street and bought some pumpkin seeds without really looking carefully enough. He brought them home and planted them. Pretty soon they started to grow and eventually they produced some pumpkins.”

“That sounds great,” I commented. “Isn’t that what he wanted?”

“Not quite,” Stan replied. 

“In what way?”

“There were lots of pumpkins,” Stan said, “but they never grew to be very big. They all were very small, actually tiny.”

“I can see that would be a disappointment,” I commented.  “I wonder what happened. Was there something wrong with the soil or the seeds?”

“Nope,” Stan replied. “He planted the wrong kind of seeds. Rather than seeds that would produce big pumpkins, the seeds he bought were for exactly what he got: little pumpkins.”

“So,” I said, “he got what he planted.”

“He did,” Stan replied. “It’s just like my life, your life, and the lives of everyone else. We get what we sow!”

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Bible verses to consider:

Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, this he will also reap. For the one who sows to his own flesh shall from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit shall from the Spirit reap eternal life. Galatians 6:7-8.

The wicked earns deceptive wages, but he who sows righteousness gets a true reward. Proverbs 11:18.

Now this I say, he who sows sparingly shall also reap sparingly; and he who sows bountifully shall also reap bountifully. 2 Corinthians 9:6.

Prayer: Thank you, Father, for planting in me the truth of your free and gracious provision so I could reap life with you, the life that begins here and will continue forever. Thank you, too, for the truth that what I plant I will also reap. I confess that even though I know I will spend eternity in your presence, too often while I remain on this side of eternity I don’t plant in my life what you want me to reap, which is an ever-deepening relationship with you.Please forgive that foolishness and help me follow every step of your lead in planting in my life only what you want me to reap. Thank you I can and do bring these prayers before you in the name of Jesus. Amen.

Think on this: Has the truth of God’s provision for you been planted in you so you have life with Him, the life that begins here and will continue forever? If no, why do you choose to remain separated from God both now and forever? If you are a Christian with the assurance of salvation and redemption, how are you doing with what you choose to sow and reap in your life? If you sense the desire for change with any of this, how is that change going to happen? Is that what you truly want? Why or why not?

The need: Since God knows what we need before we ask Him (Matthew 6:8), what does God know you need, not only to have life with Him, both now and forever, but what you need to plant in your life so you reap the abundant life Jesus came to give? Spend time studying God’s word, praying, reflecting, and journaling to see what God knows you need. He will show you!

Forward to a friend: Do you know others who would or could benefit from this devotional? If so, why not forward it and open them to be part of the conversation between Stan and S. Tory Teller?

Stan and I were at our usual place for breakfast and conversation about growing in our faith. Ricky had poured the first cup of coffee and taken our breakfast orders. While we waited for him to bring what we wanted, Stan mentioned he’d focused on something in his morning journaling time that he wanted us to talk about. “What’s that?” I asked.

“Associating with immoral people,” Stan replied.

“Associating with immoral people? Why do you want to talk about that?”

“The apostle Paul mentioned it in one of his letters,” Stan said, “and it seems it’s really important for the great commission.”

“How so?”

“Well,” Stan replied, “in the first instance, Paul told the Corinthians that if they didn’t want to associate with the world’s immoral people, they were going to have to leave the world!”

“And,” he continued, “it seems pretty clear that if we don’t want to associate with the immoral people of the world, we’re not going to be able to reach them with the truth of the gospel.”

“Oh,” I said, “Jesus said we’re to go into all the world with the truth of the gospel, and all the world has a lot of immoral people. Right?”

“Right,” Stan agreed. “If we don’t want to associate with immoral people, we’re not going to be of much use for the great commission!”

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Bible verses to consider:

I wrote you in my letter not to associate with immoral people; I did not at all mean with the immoral people of this world, or with the covetous and swindlers, or with idolaters; for then  you would have to go out of the world. 1 Corinthians 5:9-10.

And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.” Mark 16:15.

Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, . . . . Matthew 28:19-20.

. . . repentance for forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in His name to all the nations, beginning from Jerusalem. Luke 24:47.

Prayer: Thank you, Father, for giving Jesus and His finished work on the cross as the way to life with you, the life that begins here and will continue forever. Even though I know I will spend eternity in your presence, I confess that too often I tend to isolate myself and not go anywhere to tell anyone anything about the truth of the gospel and the role of repentance in accepting that truth. Please forgive that foolishness and help me follow every step of your lead in going wherever you want and telling whomever you want about the truth of your provision of every person. Thank you I can and do bring these prayers before you in the name of Jesus. Amen.

Think on this: Have you responded to the truth of the gospel that God’s provision is available to all who are willing to repent? If no, why do you choose to remain separated from God both now and forever? If you are a Christian with the assurance of salvation and redemption, how are you doing with going into all the world, whatever that world may be, and telling whoever lives in that world the truth of God’s provision for them? If you sense the desire for change with any of this, how is that change going to happen? Is that what you truly want? Why or why not?

The need: Since God knows what we need before we ask Him (Matthew 6:8), what does He know you need, not only to come to repentance, but to go and reach the immoral people of the world with the truth of the gospel. Spend time studying God’s word, praying, reflecting, and journaling to see what God knows you need. He will show you!

Forward:  Do you know others who would or could benefit from this devotional? If so, why not forward it and open them to be part of the conversation between Stan and S. Tory Teller?

Stan and I were again at the Twelve Baskets Cafe for breakfast and conversation about our faith and how we might grow. Ricky had brought our breakfast orders, Stan asked for the Lord’s blessing over the food and our time together, and we were enjoying the delicious food. Between bites of his blueberry pancakes, Stan asked me, “You ever think much about how truth is optional to the world, but it’s to be the exact opposite for Christians?”

“Exact opposite?”

“Yeah,” Stan said. “For Christians the truth is not to be optional; what we say is to be truth. We are not only to speak the truth to others, we are to tell them about the Truth.”

“Tell them about the truth? You mean the part where Jesus called Himself that and we’re to tell others about Him?”

“Exactly,” Stan said, “But we’re also to speak truth about everything. While the world is guided by the father of lies, we are to be guided by the Father of Truth.”

“The Father of Truth?”

“Yeah,” Stan replied, “If God is the Father of Jesus, and Jesus is the truth, doesn’t that make God the Father of truth?”

“I suppose so,” I responded.

“Good supposition,” Stan said with a smile. “Also remember that the Holy Spirit is called the Spirit of Truth who is in us to reveal the truth.”

“So,” I replied, “If people describe themselves as ‘Spirit-filled Christians,’ but they don’t always speak the truth or tell others about Jesus as the Truth, it might be worthwhile to check to see if something’s missing?”

“More than ‘might,’ my friend,” Stan said. “I’d say it’s time to check to see who’s in charge, the father of lies or the Father of Truth!”

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Bible verses to consider:

Jesus said to him, ‘”I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father , but through Me.” John 14:6.

Whenever he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own nature; for he is a liar, and the father of lies. John 8:44.

But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth; . . . . John 16:13.

Therefore, laying aside falsehood, speak truth, each one of you, with his neighbor, for we are members of one another. Ephesians 4:25.

Prayer: Thank you, Father, for giving Jesus and His finished work on the cross as the way to life with you, the life that begins here and will continue forever. Even though I know I will spend eternity in your presence, I confess that too often while I remain on this side of eternity I don’t speak the truth as you intend. As well, I don’t speak to others about Jesus as the Truth. Please forgive that foolish approach to living the new life you’ve provided. Help me follow every step of your lead in not only living a life of truth, but in telling others about the Truth and your provision through Him. Thank you I can and do bring these prayers before you in His name.  Amen.

Think on this: Have you accepted the truth of Jesus as the way to life with the Father, the life that begins here and will continue forever? If no, why is that your choice? If you are a Christian with the assurance of salvation and redemption, how are you doing with not only living a life of truth, but in telling others about Jesus as the Truth? If you sense the desire for change with any of this, how is that change going to happen? Is that what you truly want? Why or why not?

The need: Since God knows what we need before we ask Him (Matthew 6:8), what does He know you need, not only to have life with Him through Jesus, but what you need in order to live a life of truth and tell others about Jesus as the truth? Spend time studying God’s world, praying, reflecting, and journaling to see what God knows you need. He will show you!

Forward: Do you know others who would or could benefit from this devotional? If so, why not forward it and open them to be part of the conversation between Stan and S. Tory Teller?

Stan and I were again at our favorite place for breakfast and conversation about our faith. As we were enjoying the breakfast Cook had prepared for us, Stan mentioned that in his journaling time earlier that morning he’d been reminded off something he wanted to pass on to me. I asked him what he had in mind.

“I was reading in the Book of Acts and I was reminded of something I once observed in a Bible study class.”

“A Bible study on the Book of Acts?”

“I don’t remember what we were studying,” Stan replied, “but I sure do remember how it related to what I read this morning.”

“What were you reading?”

“About the early church in Ephesus, which is in modern-day Turkey.” Stan replied. “There’s a story about a fellow named Apollos who is described as a man of God.”

“Good way to be described,” I commented. “Was that an accurate description?”

“Sure seems like it,” Stan said,“but at one point Apollos was talking about Jesus and he didn’t have the whole story about Jesus’ death and resurrection.”

“He didn’t have the whole story,” I commented. “That’s something that probably describes a lot of people.”

“You’re right about that,” Stan agreed with a laugh, “but it’s how Apollos was treated that’s the lesson in this story.”

“How so? How was he treated?”

“There were some other believers in the church who knew the whole story of Jesus. Those believers took Apollos aside and explained to him what they knew. That they took him aside is the key.”

“Versus what?”

“Responding to him in a public way. This account reminded me of an unfortunate event that happened in that Bible study class I mentioned.”

“What’s that?”

“It was a class I attended early in my Christian life,” Stan replied. “I was new to the faith and didn’t know much about the Bible. There was another guy in the class who was in the same boat. He didn’t know much, but he was very enthusiastic.”

Continuing, he added, “One night in class this other fellow said something that was not fully accurate about what we were studying.  Unfortunately, the class leader really took him to task about it. The leader embarrassed him in front of the rest of the class. That was the last time I ever saw him. He said nothing the rest of that class and he never returned after that.”

“Wow,” I responded, “he must have really been hurt and shut down.”

“You’ve got that right, my friend,” Stan responded. “And it was a valuable lesson for me in dealing with another believer, whether individually, but especially in a group. I am to never embarrass someone for not knowing or understanding the whole truth. If correction or explanation is needed, it’s to be done in a way that only encourages, never discourages, and always brings glory to God. That’s how correction is to be done!”

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Bible verses to consider:

. . . and he began to speak out boldly in the synagogue.  But when Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they took him aside and explained to him the way of God more accurately.  Acts of the Apostles 18:26.

. . . whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to stumble, it is better for him that a heavy millstone be hung around his neck, and that he be drowned in the depth of the sea. Matthew 18:6.

Tend my lambs. John 21:15.

Prayer:   Thank you, Father, for giving Jesus and His finished work on the cross at the way to life with you. Thank you for your loving patience in teaching me what you know I need to know about you and your provision through Jesus. Help me help others to know you and understand your provision in a way that only brings glory to you and never causes another believer to stumble. Thank you I can and do bring these prayers before you in the name of Jesus. Amen.

Think on this: Have you understood and accepted God’s provision of life with Him through Jesus? If no, why do you choose to remain separated from God both now and forever? If you are a Christian with the assurance of salvation and redemption, how are you doing with patiently and gently helping others understand (and accept) what God has done for them? If you sense the desire for change with any of this, how is that change going to happen? Is that what you truly want? Why or why not?

The need: Since God knows what we need before we ask Him (Matthew 6:8), what does He know you need, not only to understand what He’s provided thorough Jesus, but to help others understand in a way that brings glory to God? Spend time studying God’s word, praying, reflecting, and journaling to see what God knows you need. He will show you!

Forward: Do you know others who would or could benefit from this devotional? If so, why not forward it and open them to be part of the conversation between Stan and S. Tory Teller?

For those who may have missed it for some reason (or simply want to focus on it again), each Sunday we re-post the prior week’s WFTT devotional that got the most attention. The one selected for today is from Tuesday where Stan uses something Mark Twain is reported to have said to make a point about dying to self. We are to deny or die to self, but often what we say about doing that is not quite true. Link — September 15, 2026 — Are the reports exaggerated?