Showing posts with label growth. Show all posts
Showing posts with label growth. Show all posts
Wednesday, March 13, 2013
Thursday, February 28, 2013
Sunday, February 17, 2013
Spiritual Abuse Study III - Also With Children
Below in 3 John 1:5-12 John writes Gaius about the abuse that is going on within the church. Can you pick out the things that are abusive or can easily lead to abuse?
5Dear friend, you are being faithful to God when you care for the traveling teachers who pass through, even though they are strangers to you. 6They have told the church here of your loving friendship. Please continue providing for such teachers in a manner that pleases God. 7For they are traveling for the Lord,c and they accept nothing from people who are not believers.d 8So we ourselves should support them so that we can be their partners as they teach the truth.
9I wrote to the church about this, but Diotrephes, who loves to be the leader, refuses to have anything to do with us. 10When I come, I will report some of the things he is doing and the evil accusations he is making against us. Not only does he refuse to welcome the traveling teachers, he also tells others not to help them. And when they do help, he puts them out of the church.
11Dear friend, don’t let this bad example influence you. Follow only what is good. Remember that those who do good prove that they are God’s children, and those who do evil prove that they do not know God.e 12Everyone speaks highly of Demetrius, as does the truth itself. We ourselves can say the same for him, and you know we speak the truth.
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As you standby watching your children safely play, I would guess that you think about all the things you want most for them. Along with this you probably think about the things you can do to ensure...well, at least to the best of your ability...that their future is bright.
As you think about that, I submit that the one thing they need most is to see and experience integrity in you. I am not talking about perfection. No. As integrity doesn't mean that. It is simply respecting your child's personhood and being honest in your dealings with them and in life. ~ Saying what you mean, and then backing it up...so your kids learn what integrity truly is.
Most of us retain a strong sense of integrity that tells us not to steal or kill or set out to deliberately hurt people. However, the integrity that is being discussed here is perhaps an expanded view, and comes from a little bit different perspective. It is the integrity that your children need to see so as to know where to place their trust...and subsequently their lives!
To be more specific, when many of us were kids, we were emphatically reminded that we could trust people with uniforms, all adults, doctors, nurses, teachers, grandparents and of course one's own parents. Additionally, we were taught never to say no to an adult. No matter how we felt, we were also taught to finish everything on our plates because there were people starving in China!
So, a child was not taught to listen to their inside feelings of fullness, or their discomfort from eating too much. They were instead taught to listen primarily to an outside source - their parents.
Additionally, it was expected that we would hug visiting relatives and to sit on their laps whether we wanted to or not. We were also lead to believe that a smile, or being given candy meant the person was friendly...no matter what we felt about it.
Many children were often potty-trained quickly, as who wanted to put up with those cloth diapers! Therefore, the only control (personal boundaries) a child had over their own bodies was taken away at a very early age. (I was potty trained at the age of one year. My Aunt told my mother that it was silly to have to put up with it, so she put me on the potty chair and would not let me get up till I went)
However, the times we live in today are different in many ways. Whereas children were taught essentially not to listen to their own bodies/tummies and not to have much control over their own lives, children now need to be taught the opposite. They need to be encouraged to be very aware of themselves and how they are feeling in any given situation - and to be given some control and say over their own bodies.
Subsequently, we need to train them to trust only those who have modeled integrity and have earned their trust. This is different then teaching them to be afraid...this is teaching them to trust and not ignore that something is going on inside. It is teaching them to be OK with expressing their discomforts and their God given personal boundaries...which also begins to prepare them for a life of being able to discern between good and evil.
Please contact me for more information at com4tea@yahoo.com
Spiritual Abuse Study II
Wanting to stop murder and other actions that directly cause harm to others should be dealt with...and any good citizen would want some kind of involvement in trying to make this happen, along with creating a more peaceful society. However, God says that we are all sinners...and likewise. we are all equally free and responsible to make our own decisions between ourselves and God...which should give us perspective and make us humble.
But, many times zeal takes over, mixed with immaturity and lack of understanding -- which can be a dangerous combo because then these zealots often times begin to think their job is to police everyone else's lives. So, if this is not already happening by a Pastor or within a church body, then it usually will create some kind of a following without.
Romans 10:1Brothers, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for the Israelites is that they may be saved. 2For I can testify about them that they are zealous for God, but their zeal is not based on knowledge. 3Since they did not know the righteousness that comes from God and sought to establish their own, they did not submit to God’s righteousness. 4Christ is the end of the law so that there may be righteousness for everyone who believes.
Proverbs 19:2
Even zeal is not good without knowledge, and the one
who acts hastily sins.
If you think about it every single sin has a ripple effect. However, the majority of sin is deliberately aimed at affecting another person - gossip, rape, murder, hate, abuse, adultery, slander, incest, pedophilia, and etc. But, as it says in the following verse, sexual sin is aimed at oneself. (meaning; within consenting adults).
However, much of Christian society today give little attention to all these sins that are profoundly affecting others, and then in comparison are zealous in going after the sexual sins that mainly affects the persons engaged in them. - namely, homosexuality.
1 Cor. 6:18
Run from sexual immorality! "Every sin a person can commit is outside the body." On the contrary, the person who is sexually immoral sins against his own body.
Then this zeal often goes further and begins to create meddlers. Kind of like a 'Christian Police' of sorts...altho they may use titles that come from the OT and say that they are called by God to take that position. Once I said something in a comment made on a site such as this...a comment that they did not agree with, so their public response was that I was on 'thin ice' with God and that they did their job of telling me the truth so their hands are clean! Then their woeful exclamation at the end was how hard it is to be what they are!
1 Peter 4:15 None of you, however, should suffer as a murderer, a thief, an evildoer, or a meddler.
Meddler- A busybody in other men's matters (ἀλλοτριοεπίσκοπος)
Only used once in the New Testament. Literally, the overseer of another's matters. One who usurps authority in matters not within his province - a meddler. It is placed in the same verse with very destructive sins. Compare Luke 12:13, Luke 12:14; 1 Thessalonians 4:11; 2 Thessalonians 3:11. It may refer to the officious interference of Christians in the affairs of their Gentile neighbors, through excess of zeal to conform them to what they considered to be the Christian standard. They felt like they had the authority to basically go behind the closed doors of certain sinners and point out their behaviors.
The OT law was very much like the police, as it's nose was everywhere, policing every move people made. However, it could only police behaviors...and did so without mercy. Yes, it's job was only punitive and to oversee the sinner, but without ever giving the hope of being able to live up to it! It was just like carrying around a curse!
Gal. 3:10
But those who depend on the law to make them right with God are under his curse, for the Scriptures say, "Cursed is everyone who does not observe and obey all the commands that are written in God's Book of the Law."
But now because of Christ's death and resurrection, we have the Holy Spirit that goes where the law could never go...right to the heart and the motives...then convicts, and very differently, and very personally! Why differently? Well, simply, how can we even compare a list of rules that can only be impersonal, with God's Spirit which is more than personal...and offers hope for a solid and lasting redemption no matter the sin! Now, this IS good news!
Yes, the gospel is simply the good news that Jesus came to seek and to save all sinners, and gave His life as solid proof...instead of seeking out reasons to condemn any of us!
Along with meddling, another overlooked sin is manipulation...because it can be the most subtle. This has become such a common practice that it has become socially acceptable, and most people do not even realize it's happening. No one can accept Christ for me, for instance...NO, I must choose.
However, manipulation goes about as though it can override this...as it differs from persuasion in that it tries to override a person’s God given right to choose. Manipulation causes someone to do something that they would not do under normal circumstances...therefore it is rebelling against God because it attempts to usurp not only a person's will, but also God's authority over that person(s).
When guilt, fear, embarrassment, sympathy, and etc. are used to get people to do what they would not otherwise do, it is manipulation. "They made me feel guilty so I did what the other person wanted."
Even when someone deliberately uses another person’s compassionate heart as a means to manipulate them into complying with their will, it is manipulation...which in itself is also rebellious just like the sin of witchcraft, because it attempts to override God just like overt rebellion would.
1 Samuel 15:23
For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and presumption
is as iniquity and idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the LORD, he
has also rejected you from being king.”
Even fear can be used to manipulate. This happens all too often in churches when ministers intentionally instill fear of hell or the tribulation into their congregation in order to manipulate them into reciting the sinners prayer, following church doctrine or attending church more regularly. Of course, hell and the tribulation are terrible things but the truth of these things should never be presented as the means to manipulate people.
Click here for - Spiritual Abuse Study III
Thursday, February 14, 2013
Love's Challenge
There is an epidemic of loneliness , not just here in the USA, but everywhere. Please take a minute and read this short article; http://www.joshhunt.com/mail18.htm
However, God has an answer for this if we but heed His call. In fact that call comes in the form of a command...and that command is the answer not only to loneliness, but also to providing the very best way to spread the gospel - by actually reaching out a hand to whomever God puts in your path.
Scripture says that if we are not loving others, then we do not know God. (1 John 4:7-8) Why? Because God is love, and if He is truly in your heart then He will be pulling at your heart to reach out in some form or fashion. Have you thought about this? It appears many people give it very little thought...or the plague of loneliness and the lack of the gospel being spread in the way where people are anxious to respond, would not be as much of a concern as it is.
I'm sure you notice in scripture the multitude of times that love is indirectly or directly spoken about...and how direct God is about the part love plays in our walk...even to the point of making it a command. Yet, do we take it seriously?
But some how I think that if we were loving as we are supposed to then the church would be getting the similar reaction as Christ got.
People followed Him in great numbers. They would sit and listen to Him for hours. However, how hard is it to get people to go to church with us? When we are with people, do they see something different in us...something that attracts them - instead of repelling them...or causing no reaction at all?
I believe that God's love, is a sacrificial, powerful love that does not show favoritism. It is not man's kind of love that has limits and distractions and usually only hangs around as long as the feelings do.
Philippians 2:5 Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus:
I submit that God's whole plan is based on His love...therefore every New Testament scripture either directly or indirectly is pointing at another way of looking at God's love...and it is His love that ties all scripture together. SO... each one is about what His love is, or what it's not...and how important it is to God for our lives. God beseeches us...
Ephesians 5:2 Live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.
Romans 12:1 I beseech you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of
God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God,
which is your reasonable service of worship.
1 Thess. 4:9
But we don't need to write to you about the importance of
loving each other, for God Himself has taught you to love one another.
Tuesday, February 12, 2013
What Is IN God's Love? - Patience
We can possess better patience when we realize that most people are doing the best they can, especially when we consider all the factors that have made them who they are. Then even if they could do better, you probably can't force that to happen, and why would you want to?
For instance, your one year old is crawling and maybe even beginning to walk. She has the innate desire to explore and so she touches everything that is on her level. No matter if it could possibly hurt her, she will touch it anyway.
This is but one of a mixture of reasons she does this…and one does not need to go to college to know what they are. She is not only driven by her age, but she is also driven by her inborn temperament and personality…but with no practical knowledge to temper her exploration. Grasping this understanding makes it easier to have patience with her. However, sometimes we still get agitated and impatient until we practice keeping these very important facts in mind...that essentially, she is doing the best she can.
Psalm 119:130 The unfolding of Your words gives light; It gives understanding to the simple.
Proverbs 2:2 Tune your ears to wisdom, and concentrate on understanding.
Take a minute and think about the natural world around us. God's creation is another place to gain great insight as well. Look at a kangaroo for instance when you take your children to the zoo. Can it walk? No, at least not in the conventional sense. Kangaroos hop. Their legs cannot move independently of one another, so expecting kangaroos to walk or run like you and I would be ludicrous.
This gives a zoo keeper, for instance, all the patience in the world when trying to lead them from one place to another. He knows that this animal has fixed limits that cannot change, so getting impatient would be a waste of time and energy. Therefore, having this very basic knowledge gives him something very valuable and attainable - patience. This in turn leads to a more enjoyable experience as he works with these unique creatures.
God commands that we love...and patience is the first ingredient. (See 1 Cor. 13:4) Being patient with others shows them Christ...and it comes much easier with the understanding that most people are doing the best they can with what they have. ~
In fact this is why God is able to have such patience with us...and why He wanted us to taste, but not permanently stay trying to live up to the law -- because the law had zero patience...whereas Christ has immeasurable patience! Likewise why He wants us to emulate Christ so we can better obey His command to treat others as we would want others to treat us.
God understands that we are doing the best we can with what we have, this is why He has such patience with us ~
Psalm 103: 14 For he knows how weak we are; he remembers we are only
dust.
Romans 7: 8 I know that nothing good lives in me; that is, nothing good lives in my corrupt nature. Although I have the desire to do what is right, I don't do it. 19I don't do the good I want to do. Instead, I do the evil that I don't want to do. 20Now, when I do what I don't want to do, I am no longer the one who is doing it. Sin that lives in me is doing it. 21So I've discovered this truth: Evil is present with me even when I want to do what God's standards say is good. 22I take pleasure in God's standards in my inner being.
23However, I see a different standard [at work] throughout my body. It is at war with the standards my mind sets and tries to take me captive to sin's standards which still exist throughout my body. 24What a miserable person I am! Who will rescue me from my dying body? 25I thank God that our Lord Jesus Christ rescues me! So I am obedient to God's standards with my mind, but I am obedient to sin's standards with my corrupt nature.
Romans 9: 22 If
God wants to demonstrate his anger and reveal his power, he can do it. But can't
he be extremely patient with people who are objects of his anger because they
are headed for destruction? 23Can't God also reveal
the riches of his glory to people who are objects of his mercy and who he had
already prepared for glory? 24This is what God did
for us whom he called-whether we are Jews or not.
God wants us to be patient not only based on His command to do so, but also based on our understanding that most people are doing the best they can ~ as well as the understanding that when we are showing impatience it is usually because there is some demand we've made of another that was not met...meaning that they really had no choice as far as you were concerned. So impatience is many times brought on because we are only thinking of our own wants, as well as expecting that others should be and act like us...and not treating others in the same way we would want to be treated.
1 Cor. 9:22 When I am with those who are weak, I share their weakness, for I want to bring the weak to Christ. Yes, I try to find common ground with everyone, doing everything I can to save some.
Romans 15:1 We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves.
Romans 14:1 Welcome people who are weak in faith (patience), but don't get into an argument over differences of opinion. (impatience)
Saturday, February 9, 2013
Any Volunteers??
Once there was a very strong bridge builder who told all the people of his town to be at the mighty gorge promptly at 5pm, because he was going to show them something they would not want to miss! They all were excited because they thought they would be seeing the new bridge almost completed, which they needed for emergencies since they had only one other way in and out of town. When everyone arrived however, they saw only the first line that he stretches across when beginning to build a new bridge.
The man asked everyone if they believed he could walk it to the otherside of the gorge and back safely? Everyone cheered, "Yes, we have confidence in you and in the strength of that line, so of course we do!" So, he walked across and back safely. Then he asked, "Now, do you think I can carry this very heavy log with me as I do the very same thing once more?" Then again, everyone cheered...but with even more gusto!!! So, he picked up the large log and did it. Then as he stepped off the end he asked, "Now, do you also have faith that I can carry a person over and back with me like I did the log?" Everyone cheered loudly!!!! Then, he asked, "Any volunteers??"
James 2:18 Another person might say, "You have faith, but I do good things." Show me your faith apart from the good things you do. I will show you my faith by the good things I do.
Every 'faith'...true faith....has an action that follows. It might not be something you or I can see...but God can.When Jesus told certain people to do certain things in order to gain eternal life, it was not the 'doing' that saved them. It was not the selling of the rich man's possessions that would have saved him. It would have been the attempt and the doing that would have made it evident the condition of his heart towards God...as he would have been willing to remove the one thing that was the most important thing in his life that he believed sustained and fulfilled him, and therefore his willingness to believe would have been very evident, and significant!
Matthew 19: 16And someone came to Him and said, “Teacher, what good thing shall I do that I may obtain eternal life?” 17And He said to him, “Why are you asking Me about what is good? There is only One who is good; but if you wish to enter into life, keep the commandments.” 18Then he said to Him, “Which ones?” And Jesus said, “YOU SHALL NOT COMMIT MURDER; YOU SHALL NOT COMMIT ADULTERY; YOU SHALL NOT STEAL; YOU SHALL NOT BEAR FALSE WITNESS; 19HONOR YOUR FATHER AND MOTHER; and YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.” 20The young man said to Him, “All these things I have kept; what am I still lacking?” 21Jesus said to him, “If you wish to be complete, go and sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.” 22But when the young man heard this statement, he went away grieving; for he was one who owned much property
So, if God asked you to give-up something, then your reaction to God uncovers and hi-lights the spot in your heart that has been taken-up by that thing you've been holding on to, and perhaps that thing that is hindering your very salvation. However, it may show your spiritual maturity and willingness to believe God when you will take the steps to allow God to take that thing and then replace it with something that is truly of God's Spirit.
Heb. 12:2 We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who
initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured
the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside
God's throne.
Romans 10:17 Therefore faith is from the hearing
ear, and the hearing ear is from the word of God.
As we closely abide in God and His written word we get to know Him and subsequently His voice because we have come to know what He would say and what He wouldn't, and what He would do and what He wouldn't...so when He calls we can recognize it. Then each time God speaks to us concerning something He wants us to do, our response shows confident faith in God (or the lack of it).
Why do you trust the people that you trust? Doesn't it all have to do with the kind of relationship you have with them? I'm not talking about the label...mother, father, brother, friend, teacher or....
I am talking about the kind of closeness you have that has allowed you to get to know them so well that you know how much you can trust them. This is the kind of relationship God wants you to have with Him. This is what creates and grows faith. The faith that says to God, "I volunteer!"
Sunday, February 3, 2013
No Paperless Intermissions
Greek is the language the writers used to write all NT scripture. The above scripture in 1 Thess. is the only scripture about prayer that is interpreted as meaning to constantly be in a state of connection with God. If you think about what the writers were doing, they knew that God was using them to write down not only their experiences, but also what God was inspiring them to write, so they had to always be in a constant state of openness to God's Spirit...and then always be ready to write it down as well!
Therefore when they endeavored to write down what God was sharing with them about this unceasing kind of prayer, they used their own experiences...which was; never being able to take breaks without having paper with them! This in turn tells us that we are to always be in a communing and ready state with our Lord so when He wants to speak to us or use us in some way we will be ready. So! No paperless breaks for us!
Does this mean to be in a constant state of anxiety? Does this mean to be hyper-aware? No. Well, we'll probably start out this way...but this is because we're not sure how to do it yet. But it is supposed to become a natural thing...in fact it is what God wants for every spiritual practice - to become like second skin, like it was for Adam and Eve in the garden. (But of course at that time they didn't have to practice, they already had 'it' before their disobedience cut us off from it)
I would liken it to when you have a baby. At the beginning you are hyper-aware and even when she isn't crying you think she is. So every little noise you go running in there to check. Then as you practice, and as you continue to be open to her noises, you get to know what certain sounds mean and then you begin to relax and things become more natural. In fact every relationship is very similar. As you get to know each person you get more and more relaxed because you know how they sound and how they are unique in their own way...it is the very same with God. So, it takes some time and patience.
Learning this is a wonderful place to be in your life and walk, as it is what ushers in learning to hear God's still small voice much better, as well as being able to be in step with the Holy Spirit...which of course is what we all want so much! (Please view above picture...click on it...hope it helps!)
Subsequently I believe prayer means much more than is normally taught. Since I was young prayer meant to bow my head, close my eyes, fold my hands and pray aloud...but, as we know, folding hands and etc. are not biblical. However, since working with kids for so long, now I know where this started! Ha! You and I also know that God can hear us just fine even when we are not speaking the words aloud...even though there will be times one can do this, as in one's prayer closet.
Then as a young Christian I heard teachings that vehemently instructed that we had to incorporate daily devotions into our lives! The example that was given once was when the Israelites were provided with manna everyday they were instructed to not keep any extra for the next day because when the next day arrived the manna left over was wormy. So, it was used as a metaphor to say that the devotions of one day will not last till the next day!
However, when you and I learn more and more to allow our hearts to be open to God and have this kind of close relationship with Him...then because we are always in a peaceful, spirit of prayer, we don't have to worry about 'not missing prayer time!' So the prayer times you do have in your prayer closet, which may be at different times and needn't be planned, will be for those times when God wants you to be alone for studying His written word...praying about something specifically...worship...or whatever...but it will be what you and God wants it to be.
Wednesday, January 30, 2013
It All Pointed To Jesus
If you think about it, what would you say are the unique and essential principles of the New Testament in particular? Principles, that if not there, would prove that it should not have been called a NEW Testament! 'New' meaning, not an extension, but an entirely original testament. Not totally unlike any other book that has sequels...where each sequel is completely separate and new, yet altogether completely related to it's predecessor in content with no intended contradictions...meaning, any and all contradictions are added by the readers, not the Author.
That said, let's focus on the essential guiding principles that make the Old Testament separate with it's own unique and very special purpose...which made it indispensable in it's relation to the New Testament. ~
~ The OT let us see the first two human beings make a choice that ended up ushering in the fallen world we live in now. This most significant event shows us some important things. Namely, that God did not create puppets that have only a limited will and humanness. Therefore because of our innate human will we were given, we made a choice.
~ The Old Testament made it very clear that there would be a sequel in it's content, from beginning to end. It 'begged' for a sequel as God showed us all the way through from Genesis to Malachi His amazing love, mercy and power in His determination to bring mankind back into relationship with Himself.
~ The OT is full of 'types'. Metaphorical situations and stories that strongly reflect what was to come, namely the once and for all shed blood of the Lamb of God - Jesus Christ. For one example; the tabernacle (video below)
~ The OT is jam-packed with shows of bravery, wisdom, faith, amazing power, miracles, as well as fear. For instance how God can bring down a giant by a little boy with a sling shot!
Note: notice what the people did immediately following recieving the 10 Commandments after God gave them to Moses. They had a party, but was it a celebration of graditute? Ah, I don't think so! What does this event show us?
~ The OT shows how the various segments of sinful mankind responds on a daily basis, and in various situations, to living by the law ....which in comparison helps mankind see our ultimate need for grace by showing us the specific ways in which we are not capable of working our way to heaven. As the law exposed our weakness to think and act unlike God, when we were originally created to be like Him. It showed us plainly our human nature's typical response (or lack there of) to viewing other's with the same importance we view ourselves...meaning, it showed us our sin nature, but without remedy.
~ The OT shows God's character, capabilities and judgments. God wants us to see "with our own two eyes" what He truly could do if He chose to, so we can better comprehend and appreciate the mercies He has chosen to pour out on us instead.
~The OT introduces us to great faith and great humanity....as God introduces us to the Prophets as they point to the Messiah to come. Who will totally fulfill...through His coming, ministry and death...everything the Prophets had proclaimed and taught. Referring back to their faith, proclamations and even their antics is inspiring....however, we must always remember that they would never want us to stop with them....but to always end up with our eyes, focus and awe back on Jesus Christ and what He did, as our ultimate destination.
Synopsis ~
The creation of the world - glimpse of what it was like to walk and talk with the God in a sinless world - then what the Old Covenant life would be like for us if God's Spirit did not live inside people and only came down at certain times - in a world where there were many meticulous laws that had to be put in place - which were instructions on how to either directly or indirectly treat people or animals - and how to keep oneself 'pure' before a holy God as a type of what Christ did for us - examples of people that had close relationships with God, as they were being used by Him to help prepare the world for the Messiah to come - to the celebrations - then to the tabernacle and the prophets - then Song of Solomon being a type of Christ and the church, and then Psalms. Everything...every single point...directed us to the need for a Savior so as to reconcile the world to it's Creator.
Acts 3 22Moses said, ‘The Lord your God will raise up for you a Prophet like me from among your own people. Listen carefully to everything he tells you.’ 23Then Moses said, ‘Anyone who will not listen to that Prophet will be completely cut off from God’s people.’
24“Starting with Samuel, every prophet spoke about what is happening today. 25You are the children of those prophets, and you are included in the covenant God promised to your ancestors. For God said to Abraham, ‘Through your descendants all the families on earth will be blessed.’ 26When God raised up his servant, Jesus, he sent him first to you people of Israel, to bless you by turning each of you back from your sinful
The Tabernacle...a type of Christ.
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