There are few things smaller than a person wrapped up in himself. I watched a grown man make a fool of himself recently over a cup of coffee. He badgered the kids at the Dunkin' counter three times because they didn't get it just right. ("You didn't add enough cream." New cup poured. "This tastes like it isn't fresh." Another new cup poured. "Did you put any sugar in it?" Sir, perhaps you could stir it or add some at the counter. He left making loud noises about the establishment and the 'idiots' that were employed there.) I felt shame for him, and regretfully remembered too many similar episodes from my own past. (Oh, Lord forgive me.) Yes, I sometimes get irritated when a server does not care enough to do a good job, too. But, I have learned that the stress that insisting that they 'get it right' usually outweighs going and adding some sugar myself.
Just yesterday, I contacted Dell support for an issue with my laptop. The tech determined that my computer wasn't properly registered to my company (huh?) and that before he could assist me, I would have to re-register it with Dell. There was a time when that kind of thing would have created enough anger in me to ruin the rest of the day. Yesterday, I simply told him (really, from my heart!) that I understood the limitations he was dealing with and thanked him for his help.... and promptly moved on, without giving it another thought. I know the rest of my day went better and I hope the rest of his did, too.
In our busy often depersonalized society it is a natural reaction to want to be treated with respect, to have those who are being paid to pour our coffee or fix our computer care about what they do. Rudeness and apathy abound, to be sure. But, the paradox is this: the more protective of our 'rights' that you and I become, the more angry and alienated we are likely to be. If we give up our demand to be served, begin to treat others as we want to be treated (didn't Jesus say something about that?) we release joy into our environment, a joy from which we benefit. And, when we are less stressed, we are better able to cope with the issues of life and sense the flow of God's Spirit in and around us.
Sooner or later, there will some situation that comes into your life that no amount of fussing, fuming, cussin', screaming, kicking, or even praying will change. If you're obsessed with having your way, you will only deepen your misery. So, why not just get over yourself, now? Why not dethrone Self and learn to live a life of love?
As you ponder this today, consider the words of Jesus. Pray for grace to put them into practice, from the smallest incidents to the really BIG issues. And, you will experience grace, peace, and joy; God's gifts to His children.
Then James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came over and spoke to him. "Teacher," they said, "we want you to do us a favor." "What is your request?" he asked.
They replied, "When you sit on your glorious throne, we want to sit in places of honor next to you, one on your right and the other on your left."
But Jesus said to them, "You don’t know what you are asking! Are you able to drink from the bitter cup of suffering I am about to drink? Are you able to be baptized with the baptism of suffering I must be baptized with?"
"Oh yes," they replied, "we are able!"
Then Jesus told them, "You will indeed drink from my bitter cup and be baptized with my baptism of suffering. But I have no right to say who will sit on my right or my left. God has prepared those places for the ones he has chosen."
When the ten other disciples heard what James and John had asked, they were indignant. So Jesus called them together and said, "You know that the rulers in this world lord it over their people, and officials flaunt their authority over those under them. But among you it will be different. Whoever wants to be a leader among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first among you must be the slave of everyone else. For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many." (Mark 10:35-45, NLT)
Jesus, Others, You - what a wonderful way to spell - JOY!
Friday, September 12, 2008
Thursday, September 11, 2008
Do YOU Remember?
Where were you seven years ago today?
Do you remember how you felt when you saw the images of flames shooting out of the twin towers and smoke ascending from the Pentagon? I remember!
And, I also remember the days that followed 9/11/01! I remember the courtesy in shopping lines, the open friendliness on the street, the time to talk and share and even cry. I remember the people that gathered in churches across these United States to pray and just to be together.
Then, once the crisis passed, America quickly returned to the old patterns. The God that we sought when desperate, was soon relegated to the back shelf, and wickedness increased all the more. Pleasure, sex, greed, and injustice became even more widespread. We are like ancient Rome demanding that our emperor bring us pleasure even as the culture collapses into greater depravity year by year.
I wonder what might have happened if genuine spiritual renewal had taken root broadly across the nation seven years ago, don't you?
Would the national economy be in tatters because of Wall Street greed, mortgages issued on flimsy hopes of continuing property value escalation, and a ruinous war debt?
Would we have continued to consume energy in ever bigger houses and cars, or would we have chosen a more sane route of increased supply and conservation that would have kept energy affordable for all?
Would the 2008 election debates be about how to take care of those in need of health care, how to assure the well-being of our increasingly aging population, and how to strengthen families that are the foundation of a solid, prosperous nation instead of silly debates about celebrity, moose hunting, and lipstick on pigs? (If you haven't been tuned for the last couple of days, you won't get that one!)
On the Sunday following the tragic events of 9/11/01, here's what I said across the pulpit. I think it's still worth saying, probably even more so today. My three major points that Sunday were: _______________________________
1. Jesus reminds us that turmoil and uncertainty will be a part of life, but we need not be PANICKED!
2. Take precautions to keep yourself from becoming spiritually dull because of excessive entanglement with the affairs of this transitory world.
3. Faithfulness is required. So, He calls us to "Be always on the watch... pray for strength...."
"The events of this week do not necessarily point to the imminent return of Christ, but they do remind us that we are soldiers on duty in the ongoing battle with evil. Our response? We must re-double our commitment to the cause of Christ. We need to hear these tragedies as a wake-up call to those who call themselves Believers. I thought of Jesus' words that are recorded in Revelation 3:14-21: (The Message) are particularly appropriate:
'Write to Laodicea, to the Angel of the church. God's Yes, the Faithful and Accurate Witness, the First of God's creation, says: "I know you inside and out, and find little to my liking. You're not cold, you're not hot--far better to be either cold or hot! You're stale. You're stagnant. You make me want to vomit. You brag, 'I'm rich, I've got it made, I need nothing from anyone,' oblivious that in fact you're a pitiful, blind beggar, threadbare and homeless.
Here's what I want you to do: Buy your gold from me, gold that's been through the refiner's fire. Then you'll be rich. Buy your clothes from me, clothes designed in Heaven. You've gone around half-naked long enough. And buy medicine for your eyes from me so you can see, really see.The people I love, I call to account--prod and correct and guide so that they'll live at their best. Up on your feet, then! About face! Run after God!
Look at me. I stand at the door. I knock. If you hear me call and open the door, I'll come right in and sit down to supper with you. Conquerors will sit alongside me at the head table, just as I, having conquered, took the place of honor at the side of my Father. That's my gift to the conquerors! "Are your ears awake? Listen. Listen to the Wind Words, the Spirit blowing through the churches.'
Has prosperity caused you to put God on life's back burner?
Has comfort caused you to treat God as irrelevant?
Jesus said that the kind of terrors that fell on us this week will be an occasion for true disciples to show their colors, to demonstrate the reality of the Gospel's transforming truth.
Friends and family will ask 'why' and look for hope. Don't give them platitudes or sensational prophecies, born in the fertile imaginations of TV preachers. Instead, tell them you too are amazed by the mysteries of God's plan, but that you are secure in the certainty of God's power to do all that He planned including keeping YOU spiritually safe.The Apostle Paul, sat on Death Row in Rome, and wrote: "I am not ashamed, because I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him for that day. "
Answer those who ask the great 'what' questions with both words and actions.
What is the meaning of life?
What is our purpose?
We can explain that we live in a world filled with sin and men controlled by sinful human nature. We can, boldly declare, that those whose hope is fixed in this temporary world will always be disappointed and have a life without a solid foundation. When people are afraid, insecure and have shattered hope in mankind, we can use this as an opportunity to share the hope of Jesus Christ. But our words only have the ring of authenticity IF others see that they are WORDS WE LIVE BY.
Are you afraid? Take another look at the Word of God which tells us this world is passing away and all that is in it. Those who hope in the world will be troubled and distressed. We who hope in Christ have peace and our peace becomes a testimony to draw others to the solid Rock, Jesus Christ."
____________________________________
Though first spoken seven years, the message is still valid, disciple! Amen
Full text of that sermon can be read at http://www.washingtonag.com/whatnow.htm
Do you remember how you felt when you saw the images of flames shooting out of the twin towers and smoke ascending from the Pentagon? I remember!
And, I also remember the days that followed 9/11/01! I remember the courtesy in shopping lines, the open friendliness on the street, the time to talk and share and even cry. I remember the people that gathered in churches across these United States to pray and just to be together.
Then, once the crisis passed, America quickly returned to the old patterns. The God that we sought when desperate, was soon relegated to the back shelf, and wickedness increased all the more. Pleasure, sex, greed, and injustice became even more widespread. We are like ancient Rome demanding that our emperor bring us pleasure even as the culture collapses into greater depravity year by year.
I wonder what might have happened if genuine spiritual renewal had taken root broadly across the nation seven years ago, don't you?
Would the national economy be in tatters because of Wall Street greed, mortgages issued on flimsy hopes of continuing property value escalation, and a ruinous war debt?
Would we have continued to consume energy in ever bigger houses and cars, or would we have chosen a more sane route of increased supply and conservation that would have kept energy affordable for all?
Would the 2008 election debates be about how to take care of those in need of health care, how to assure the well-being of our increasingly aging population, and how to strengthen families that are the foundation of a solid, prosperous nation instead of silly debates about celebrity, moose hunting, and lipstick on pigs? (If you haven't been tuned for the last couple of days, you won't get that one!)
On the Sunday following the tragic events of 9/11/01, here's what I said across the pulpit. I think it's still worth saying, probably even more so today. My three major points that Sunday were: _______________________________
1. Jesus reminds us that turmoil and uncertainty will be a part of life, but we need not be PANICKED!
2. Take precautions to keep yourself from becoming spiritually dull because of excessive entanglement with the affairs of this transitory world.
3. Faithfulness is required. So, He calls us to "Be always on the watch... pray for strength...."
"The events of this week do not necessarily point to the imminent return of Christ, but they do remind us that we are soldiers on duty in the ongoing battle with evil. Our response? We must re-double our commitment to the cause of Christ. We need to hear these tragedies as a wake-up call to those who call themselves Believers. I thought of Jesus' words that are recorded in Revelation 3:14-21: (The Message) are particularly appropriate:
'Write to Laodicea, to the Angel of the church. God's Yes, the Faithful and Accurate Witness, the First of God's creation, says: "I know you inside and out, and find little to my liking. You're not cold, you're not hot--far better to be either cold or hot! You're stale. You're stagnant. You make me want to vomit. You brag, 'I'm rich, I've got it made, I need nothing from anyone,' oblivious that in fact you're a pitiful, blind beggar, threadbare and homeless.
Here's what I want you to do: Buy your gold from me, gold that's been through the refiner's fire. Then you'll be rich. Buy your clothes from me, clothes designed in Heaven. You've gone around half-naked long enough. And buy medicine for your eyes from me so you can see, really see.The people I love, I call to account--prod and correct and guide so that they'll live at their best. Up on your feet, then! About face! Run after God!
Look at me. I stand at the door. I knock. If you hear me call and open the door, I'll come right in and sit down to supper with you. Conquerors will sit alongside me at the head table, just as I, having conquered, took the place of honor at the side of my Father. That's my gift to the conquerors! "Are your ears awake? Listen. Listen to the Wind Words, the Spirit blowing through the churches.'
Has prosperity caused you to put God on life's back burner?
Has comfort caused you to treat God as irrelevant?
Jesus said that the kind of terrors that fell on us this week will be an occasion for true disciples to show their colors, to demonstrate the reality of the Gospel's transforming truth.
Friends and family will ask 'why' and look for hope. Don't give them platitudes or sensational prophecies, born in the fertile imaginations of TV preachers. Instead, tell them you too are amazed by the mysteries of God's plan, but that you are secure in the certainty of God's power to do all that He planned including keeping YOU spiritually safe.The Apostle Paul, sat on Death Row in Rome, and wrote: "I am not ashamed, because I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him for that day. "
Answer those who ask the great 'what' questions with both words and actions.
What is the meaning of life?
What is our purpose?
We can explain that we live in a world filled with sin and men controlled by sinful human nature. We can, boldly declare, that those whose hope is fixed in this temporary world will always be disappointed and have a life without a solid foundation. When people are afraid, insecure and have shattered hope in mankind, we can use this as an opportunity to share the hope of Jesus Christ. But our words only have the ring of authenticity IF others see that they are WORDS WE LIVE BY.
Are you afraid? Take another look at the Word of God which tells us this world is passing away and all that is in it. Those who hope in the world will be troubled and distressed. We who hope in Christ have peace and our peace becomes a testimony to draw others to the solid Rock, Jesus Christ."
____________________________________
Though first spoken seven years, the message is still valid, disciple! Amen
Full text of that sermon can be read at http://www.washingtonag.com/whatnow.htm
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
"Satan hindered us!"
In both politics and preaching, I despise fear-mongering! So, I promise you that this TFTD is not an exercise in fear-mongering. It is a reminder of the reality of the Adversary who is active in his pursuit of the destruction, where possible, of God's work in this world!
An article crossed my desk yesterday about yet another pastor who succumbed to sexual sin, whose ministry was wrecked. The writer said that the usual response is to attempt to put such sad and sordid episodes behind us as quickly as possible, trying to forget they ever happened. He suggested a different response - "I want to put it on a twenty-by-twenty foot plasma screen in high definition for every set of eyes." What's up with that? Is he some kind of voyeur? Does he take a perverse interest in such sin? Not at all. He explains that he wants disciples to understand that there is a real Satan, who is very evil, who seeks to destroy them if given the slightest opportunity.
We, who belong to Jesus Christ and who are committed to His cause, must find the proper balance between real respect for our Adversary without falling into terror. A serious student of the Scripture comes to understand that the devil is not imaginary or a shadow in our psyche!
That said, we must not marginalize the devil to such an extent that we become unaware of his schemes so that we become a pawn in his plans. The Word tells us that we must not "unwittingly give Satan an opening for yet more mischief—we’re not oblivious to his sly ways!" (2 Corinthians 2:11, The Message) Paul, in one of his letters, asserts that devil continues to exploit every opportunity he can find. He wrote, "Brethren, having been taken away from you for a short time in presence, not in heart, endeavored more eagerly to see your face with great desire. Therefore we wanted to come to you—even I, Paul, time and again—but Satan hindered us." (1 Thessalonians 2:17-18, NKJV)
The trumpet of Truth sounds out loudly with this great assurance, however. "You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world." (1 John 4:4, NIV)
So, disciple, retain a healthy respect for the adversary, but never cower in fear before him. "Put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand." (Ephesians 6:13, NIV)
How can we keep our confidence and be found faithful until the end?
First, we put our full confidence in Christ Jesus, our Savior, not on our skill, experience, or intelligence.
Second, we learn the Scripture and let the Truth set us free!
Third, we say the same thing about sin that God says. We don't excuse it. We don't allow ourselves to put a veneer of acceptability on anything offensive word or action.
Fourth, we walk in obedience right now! Dealing with temptation by dying to self is so much easier than cleaning up the mess that results from falling into sin.
Fifth, we forgive constantly so that no bitterness finds root in our heart to produce evil fruit!
And, we live prayerfully before God's Throne, so that the Spirit fills us, anew, each day.
____________________________
Come, Thou Almighty King.
Help us Thy name to sing.
Help us to praise.
Father, all glorious,
O'er all victorious.
Come and reign over us,
Ancient of Days.
Come, Thou Incarnate Word,
Gird on Thy mighty sword,
Our prayer attend.
Come, and Thy people bless,
And give Thy Word success.
Spirit of holiness,
On us descend.
Come, Holy Comforter,
Thy sacred witness bear
In this glad hour.
Thou who almighty art,
Now rule in every heart;
And ne'er from us depart,
Spirit of power.
O Lord, our God, to Thee
The highest praises be,
Hence, evermore;
Thy sov'reign majesty
May we in glory see,
And to eternity
Love and adore.
Charles Wesley
© Public Domain
An article crossed my desk yesterday about yet another pastor who succumbed to sexual sin, whose ministry was wrecked. The writer said that the usual response is to attempt to put such sad and sordid episodes behind us as quickly as possible, trying to forget they ever happened. He suggested a different response - "I want to put it on a twenty-by-twenty foot plasma screen in high definition for every set of eyes." What's up with that? Is he some kind of voyeur? Does he take a perverse interest in such sin? Not at all. He explains that he wants disciples to understand that there is a real Satan, who is very evil, who seeks to destroy them if given the slightest opportunity.
We, who belong to Jesus Christ and who are committed to His cause, must find the proper balance between real respect for our Adversary without falling into terror. A serious student of the Scripture comes to understand that the devil is not imaginary or a shadow in our psyche!
- Jesus variously describes him as "the prince of this world," "a murderer," and as "a liar and the father of lies."
- Paul calls him "the god of this age."
- Peter uses a powerful metaphor saying he is "a roaring lion looking for someone to devour."
- John, with bright, bold strokes, reveals his diabolical nature and plans in the book of the Revelation.
That said, we must not marginalize the devil to such an extent that we become unaware of his schemes so that we become a pawn in his plans. The Word tells us that we must not "unwittingly give Satan an opening for yet more mischief—we’re not oblivious to his sly ways!" (2 Corinthians 2:11, The Message) Paul, in one of his letters, asserts that devil continues to exploit every opportunity he can find. He wrote, "Brethren, having been taken away from you for a short time in presence, not in heart, endeavored more eagerly to see your face with great desire. Therefore we wanted to come to you—even I, Paul, time and again—but Satan hindered us." (1 Thessalonians 2:17-18, NKJV)
The trumpet of Truth sounds out loudly with this great assurance, however. "You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world." (1 John 4:4, NIV)
So, disciple, retain a healthy respect for the adversary, but never cower in fear before him. "Put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand." (Ephesians 6:13, NIV)
How can we keep our confidence and be found faithful until the end?
First, we put our full confidence in Christ Jesus, our Savior, not on our skill, experience, or intelligence.
Second, we learn the Scripture and let the Truth set us free!
Third, we say the same thing about sin that God says. We don't excuse it. We don't allow ourselves to put a veneer of acceptability on anything offensive word or action.
Fourth, we walk in obedience right now! Dealing with temptation by dying to self is so much easier than cleaning up the mess that results from falling into sin.
Fifth, we forgive constantly so that no bitterness finds root in our heart to produce evil fruit!
And, we live prayerfully before God's Throne, so that the Spirit fills us, anew, each day.
____________________________
Come, Thou Almighty King.
Help us Thy name to sing.
Help us to praise.
Father, all glorious,
O'er all victorious.
Come and reign over us,
Ancient of Days.
Come, Thou Incarnate Word,
Gird on Thy mighty sword,
Our prayer attend.
Come, and Thy people bless,
And give Thy Word success.
Spirit of holiness,
On us descend.
Come, Holy Comforter,
Thy sacred witness bear
In this glad hour.
Thou who almighty art,
Now rule in every heart;
And ne'er from us depart,
Spirit of power.
O Lord, our God, to Thee
The highest praises be,
Hence, evermore;
Thy sov'reign majesty
May we in glory see,
And to eternity
Love and adore.
Charles Wesley
© Public Domain
Monday, September 08, 2008
In a little while...
I awakened this morning 'round 4 to go and be with my Dad at his bedside. He said, "Sit down. Pick up my Bible and take out those folded papers." There, in 16 pages of long-hand script, was a sermon he had written in March, 1992 titled- "God's Little Whiles." In an amazing 'coincidence' God used a 16 year old sermon to comfort my Dad in the middle of the night. He doesn't know how those papers came to be in that Bible, nor how that particular old Bible ended up by his bed. But, in His sovereignty, God brought an old sermon to Dad's attention, allowing him to preach a word of encouragement to himself during this of dealing with confinement and cancer!
Dad had written about the disciples whom Jesus told to wait through the dark time surrounding His death, a time when God was accomplishing the great work of atonement, through terrible suffering at the Cross. It was a message built around a text from John 16:16 (KJV) words spoken on the night of the Last Supper. "A little while, and ye shall not see me: and again, a little while, and ye shall see me, because I go to the Father." Those men were about to enter into a 'little while' when they would find God's plan incomprehensible. Dad's points in that sermon were -
A. Listen to what God says.
B. Trust His Word. And,
C. Exercise persistence as you cling to His Word.
Every parent says to their children, at one time or another, "We will get to do that in a little while. Other things have to be accomplished first, then we can do what you desire." Then, that parent gets busy or they forget and that 'little while' stretches into an hour, or a day, and the child wonders about the probability of the promise. I've been on both sides of that deal! I remember waiting for little whiles that seemed to never end, and I remember my own children saying, "Dad, is it time yet? Are you ready to do what you said you would do?"
Disciple, as you anticipate the challenges of this new week, there are likely some situations where God's perfect plan is in the process of being worked out. It may be that you are wondering what God is doing, why He's taking so long, or even if He's forgotten a promise He made to you. Take a lesson from the text "A little while, and ye shall not see me: and again, a little while, and ye shall see me, because I go to the Father."
Then, wait with a listening ear, with a trusting heart, and in patient persistence of faith. God's 'little whiles' do stretch on for us, but we need to keep in mind that His clock ticks so differently from ours. He has no urgency for "one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day." (2 Peter 3:8, KJV)
_______________________
My faith looks up to Thee,
Thou Lamb of Calvary,Savior divine!
Now hear me while I pray;
Take all my guilt away.
Oh let me from this day
Be wholly Thine!
May Thy rich grace impart
Strength to my fainting heart,
My zeal inspire.
As Thou hast died for me,
Oh may my love to Thee
Pure, warm and changeless be,
A living fire.
While life's dark maze I tread,
And griefs around me spread
Be Thou my Guide.
Bid darkness turn to day;
Wipe sorrow's tears away;
Nor let me ever stray
From Thee aside!
When ends life's transient dream,
When death's cold sullen stream
Shall o'er me roll,
Blest Savior, then in love,
Fear and distrust remove.
Oh bear me safe above,
A ransomed soul.
My Faith Looks Up To Thee
© Public Domain
Dad had written about the disciples whom Jesus told to wait through the dark time surrounding His death, a time when God was accomplishing the great work of atonement, through terrible suffering at the Cross. It was a message built around a text from John 16:16 (KJV) words spoken on the night of the Last Supper. "A little while, and ye shall not see me: and again, a little while, and ye shall see me, because I go to the Father." Those men were about to enter into a 'little while' when they would find God's plan incomprehensible. Dad's points in that sermon were -
A. Listen to what God says.
B. Trust His Word. And,
C. Exercise persistence as you cling to His Word.
Every parent says to their children, at one time or another, "We will get to do that in a little while. Other things have to be accomplished first, then we can do what you desire." Then, that parent gets busy or they forget and that 'little while' stretches into an hour, or a day, and the child wonders about the probability of the promise. I've been on both sides of that deal! I remember waiting for little whiles that seemed to never end, and I remember my own children saying, "Dad, is it time yet? Are you ready to do what you said you would do?"
Disciple, as you anticipate the challenges of this new week, there are likely some situations where God's perfect plan is in the process of being worked out. It may be that you are wondering what God is doing, why He's taking so long, or even if He's forgotten a promise He made to you. Take a lesson from the text "A little while, and ye shall not see me: and again, a little while, and ye shall see me, because I go to the Father."
Then, wait with a listening ear, with a trusting heart, and in patient persistence of faith. God's 'little whiles' do stretch on for us, but we need to keep in mind that His clock ticks so differently from ours. He has no urgency for "one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day." (2 Peter 3:8, KJV)
_______________________
My faith looks up to Thee,
Thou Lamb of Calvary,Savior divine!
Now hear me while I pray;
Take all my guilt away.
Oh let me from this day
Be wholly Thine!
May Thy rich grace impart
Strength to my fainting heart,
My zeal inspire.
As Thou hast died for me,
Oh may my love to Thee
Pure, warm and changeless be,
A living fire.
While life's dark maze I tread,
And griefs around me spread
Be Thou my Guide.
Bid darkness turn to day;
Wipe sorrow's tears away;
Nor let me ever stray
From Thee aside!
When ends life's transient dream,
When death's cold sullen stream
Shall o'er me roll,
Blest Savior, then in love,
Fear and distrust remove.
Oh bear me safe above,
A ransomed soul.
My Faith Looks Up To Thee
© Public Domain
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